Information providing device

Abstract

To provide an information providing device capable of providing information so as to be easily viewed by a user.SOLUTION: Provided is a device that manages action of a user in a virtual space. In this information providing device 100, an acquisition unit 102 acquires user action information indicating action of the user for a commodity as a recommendation object in the virtual space. A generation unit 103 generates an explanation about the commodity as recommendation information for the commodity on the basis of the user action information and past user action information. A communication unit 104 notifies a user terminal 200 of the recommendation information including such explanation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device that provides a virtual space to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] VR (Virtual Reality) display technology that displays a virtual world constructed on a computer is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a character in a store providing guidance to a user. Patent Document 1 describes that in a VR space, the user's viewpoint moves within a predetermined range from a product (object) placed at a predetermined position in the store, and when the user approaches the product, information about the individual product is provided to the user via the character. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-192026 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, information on products that the user approaches is provided, and the method of providing information is not necessarily designed to make it easy for the user to view.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information providing device that can provide information that is easy for the user to view. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information providing device of the present invention is an information providing device that manages user behavior in a virtual space, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires user behavior information that indicates the user's behavior toward a recommended object in the virtual space, a generation unit that generates recommendation information for the recommended object or a related recommended object related to the recommended object based on the user behavior information and past user behavior information, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the recommendation information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide information that is easy for a user to view based on the user's past actions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information providing device 100 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a product DB 105a. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a behavior history DB showing behavior history information of a user. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the explanation parameter DB 105c. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a mob avatar parameter file. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device 100 in the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an explanation process in which the product attribute, product category, and explanation flag are set. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows a display screen in which a user is viewing a product shelf in a virtual store. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 shows a screen when a user (avatar) tries to pick up a CD of character B. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a screen displayed when a user (avatar) tries to pick up a CD of character B. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the screen when a mob avatar appears. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the screen when a mob avatar appears and gives an explanation at face level. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing the screen when a mob avatar appears and gives a speech at chest height. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing the screen when a mob avatar appears and gives a speech at waist height. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an information providing device 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the information providing device 100 includes a virtual space providing unit 101, an acquiring unit 102, a generating unit 103, a notifying unit 104, and a storage unit 105. The information providing device 100 is configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal 200 via a network.

[0011] The virtual space providing unit 101 is a part that provides a virtual space to the user terminal 200. That is, the virtual space providing unit 101 transmits image information that constitutes a predetermined virtual space to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 is a so-called VR terminal, a goggle-type device. By wearing the user terminal 200, the user can move within the virtual space provided by it. In the present disclosure, the virtual space providing unit 101 provides the user with a virtual space that includes a store, a so-called virtual store. The user can move within the virtual store, look at products, pick them up, and purchase them.

[0012] The acquisition unit 102 is a part that acquires behavioral information in the user terminal 200. The behavioral information indicates the behavior of the user operating the user terminal 200 in the virtual space. For example, the behavioral information includes the location to which the user has moved, the location where the user is staying, the direction in which the user is looking (right side, left side, center of the screen, etc.), the height at which the user is looking (eye level, chest level, waist level, etc.), information on the hand the user is moving (right hand, left hand, both hands, etc.), the product the user has picked up or the product the user has looked at, etc.

[0013] The user terminal 200 can determine which product the user is looking at and which product the user has picked up based on the user's viewpoint information, etc., and transmit the information as behavior information. Note that the acquisition unit 102 may determine which product the user is looking at and which product the user has picked up based on the viewpoint information, etc.

[0014] The behavioral information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is stored in the behavior history DB 105b. The virtual space providing unit 101 provides the user terminal 200 with a virtual space that reflects the behavioral information acquired by the acquisition unit 102.

[0015] The generation unit 103 is a part that generates a mob avatar and recommendation information provided by the mob avatar based on the user's behavioral information. In detail, the generation unit 103 refers to the behavior history DB 105b to acquire the behavioral information of the latest record, grasps the user's behavioral characteristics, and acquires explanatory information from the explanatory parameter DB 105c according to the behavioral characteristics. The generation unit 103 then generates a mob avatar in the virtual space and causes the mob avatar to present the acquired explanatory information. Note that a mob avatar is a character operated by a computer. In the present disclosure, it is treated as an assistant character that supports the user's actions. In the present disclosure, it is referred to as a mob avatar or an assistant avatar.

[0016] The notification unit 104 is a part that transmits the generated mob avatar and explanatory information to the user terminal 200. The user terminal 200 reflects the received mob avatar, etc. on its screen.

[0017] The storage unit 105 is a part that stores a product DB 105a, a behavior history DB 105b, an explanation parameter DB 105c, and a mob avatar parameter file 105d.

[0018] The product DB 105a is a database that stores product information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the product DB 105a. As shown in the diagram, the product DB 105a stores a product ID, a product name, a product attribute, a product category, a simple description, and a detailed description in association with each other. The product ID is an identifier for identifying a product. The product name is the name of the product. In the diagram, the meaning of the category is included. The product attribute indicates the character to which the product is related. In the present disclosure, character products are sold in the virtual store, and the product attribute indicates which character the product is related to. The product category indicates the product category, and may be either a book, a CD, or the like. In the diagram, books and CDs are shown as specific examples, but the example is not limited to these, and other products such as towels and handkerchiefs may also be used.

[0019] The simple description is simple explanatory information about the product. For example, it may be the product name or attributes, or a simple product description. For example, in the case of a CD, it may be the CD title and an image. The detailed description is more detailed explanatory information that contains more information than the simple description. For example, in the case of a CD, a song list may be added to the simple description.

[0020] The behavior history DB 105b is a database that stores behavior history information of users. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example. As shown in the diagram, the behavior history DB 105b stores time, product ID, behavior, the direction in which the user's avatar is looking, the height at which the avatar is looking, and the hand used by the avatar in association with each other. The time is the time at which the user (avatar) performed the behavior. The product ID is the product ID of the product the user is looking at.

[0021] An action is an avatar's behavior (operation). In the figure, examples of user actions include "just looking" and "picking up," but other actions are also possible. This action also includes the time spent performing the action. Although not shown in the figure, the time spent looking and picking up may also be included.

[0022] The looking direction, height, and hand being used are details of the avatar's behavior. The direction is the right, left, center, etc. on the screen. The height is the height of the face (eyes), chest, waist, etc. The hand being used is the right hand, left hand, or both hands, etc. Although the user ID, etc. are omitted in FIG. 3, the behavior history DB 105b is stored for each user.

[0023] The explanation parameter DB 105c is a database that stores explanation parameters that are set according to the user's actions. The generation unit 103 sets various information in the explanation parameter DB 105c by referring to the action history DB 105b. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example. As shown in the diagram, the explanation parameter DB 105c stores explanation target attributes, explanation target categories, and simple / detailed flags in association with each other. The explanation target attributes indicate the attributes of an object to be explained to the user. For example, if the user is holding a CD of character B, the character B (attribute) of the object (CD) is set. The explanation target category indicates the category of an object to be explained to the user. For example, if the user is holding a CD of character B, the category (CD) of the object is set.

[0024] The mob avatar parameter file 105d is a file that stores various parameters for the operation of a mob avatar. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example. As shown in the diagram, the mob avatar parameter file 105d stores a description, a direction, a height, and a dominant hand. Either a detailed description or a simple description is set as the description. The direction, height, and dominant hand are spatial information that the mob avatar uses when explaining a product to a user. The generation unit 103 generates a mob avatar and the explanatory information in which the explanatory information is arranged in a space that uses the direction, height, and dominant hand of the mob avatar.

[0025] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information providing device 100 according to the present disclosure. Note that in the flowchart, each database written in parentheses indicates a database to be accessed or a database to be registered.

[0026] The user terminal 200 collects viewpoint information of the user (S001), determines behavior information based on the viewpoint information, and delivers the behavior information to the information providing device 100 (S002).

[0027] In the information providing device 100, the acquisition unit 102 receives user behavior information from the user terminal 200 (S101) and stores the user behavior information in the behavior history DB 105b. Then, the generation unit 103 starts an interest analysis of the user. The generation unit 103 refers to the behavior history DB 105b and determines, from the behavior information of the latest record, which product the interest analysis is for (S102).

[0028] The generation unit 103 refers to the behavior history DB 105b and determines whether the user's avatar is just looking at the product or picking it up (S103). If it determines that the user's avatar is picking up the product, the generation unit 103 sets the product attributes and product category of the latest record in the behavior history DB 105b to the explanation parameter DB 105c. The generation unit 103 also sets a flag indicating a detailed explanation.

[0029] Furthermore, the generation unit 103 refers to the behavior history DB 105b and determines how long the user's avatar has been looking at the product in the latest record (S105). If the time is less than 3 seconds, the generation unit 103 ends the process. Note that the process may return to S101 and repeat the interest analysis based on the viewpoint information or behavior information for the next action.

[0030] If it is between 3 and 5 seconds, the generating unit 103 sets the product attribute and product category of the latest record in the behavior history DB 105b to the explanation parameter DB. The generating unit 103 also sets a flag indicating a simple explanation (S106).

[0031] If the time is 5 seconds or more, the generation unit 103 further refers to the behavior history DB 105b to determine whether or not there is a behavior history (S107). If there is no behavior history other than the latest record, the generation unit 103 sets the product attributes and product category of the latest record in the behavior history DB 105b to the explanation parameter DB 105c. The generation unit 103 also sets a flag indicating a simple explanation (S108).

[0032] If there is a behavior history, the generation unit 103 identifies the product with which product attribute (character) is most viewed from the behavior history database 105b (S109).

[0033] The generation unit 103 sets, in the explanation parameter DB 105c, the product category (CD, etc.) of the product that is viewed for 5 seconds or more in the process S103 and the process S105, among the most viewed product attributes (characters) in the behavior history DB 105b. The generation unit 103 also sets a flag indicating a detailed explanation (S110).

[0034] Here, we will explain using examples. For products that the user's avatar is holding, the mob avatar will provide a detailed explanation. For products that the user's avatar looks at for a short time (for example, 3 to 5 seconds), the mob avatar will provide a simple explanation. For products that the user's avatar looks at for a long time (for example, 5 seconds or more), processing will be performed according to the user's behavior history. If there is no behavior history, the mob avatar will provide a simple explanation. If there is a behavior history, the explanation will use information based on the attributes of the product that is most looked at from that behavior history.

[0035] For example, if a character has often looked at products (books, CDs, etc.) related to character B in the past, the products indicated in the product category that character B has looked at for the longest time will be the subject of explanation.

[0036] If the avatar is looking at it for a long time, it is likely that the user is interested in the product, but not the product itself. Therefore, it is considered preferable to identify the product attribute (character) that the user is interested in from the behavioral history and provide information on products related to that character.

[0037] In the present disclosure, information on products related to the character is provided that are indicated in the product category of the other products that the character has been looking at for a long time.

[0038] Next, the explanation process in which the product attributes, product category, and explanation flags are set as described above will be explained. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation.

[0039] The generation unit 103 refers to the behavior history DB 105b and determines in which direction, at what height the user's avatar is looking, and whether it is using its left or right hand (S111). This is a process for determining the user's behavioral characteristics (so-called habits). This determination is made based on the direction, height, and hand that are most frequently used in the behavior history. The generation unit 103 sets the direction, height, and dominant hand in the mob avatar parameter file 105d (S112).

[0040] The generation unit 103 refers to the explanation parameter DB 105c, searches for explanations registered in the product DB 105a using the explanation target attribute, explanation target category, and simple / detailed flag as search keys, and registers the explanations in the mob avatar parameter file 105d (S113).

[0041] The notification unit 104 transmits the mob avatar parameter file 105d to the user terminal 200 (S114).

[0042] The user terminal 200 receives the mob avatar parameter file 105d and operates the mob avatar accordingly (S003, S004). The information providing device 100 can move the mob avatar by performing such operations. The operations of the user's avatar and the mob avatar will be described below with reference to Figs.

[0043] 8 shows a display screen in which a user is viewing a virtual store's shelves, where CDs and books for character A and CDs and books for character B are presented.

[0044] 9 is a diagram showing a screen when a user (avatar) is about to pick up a CD of character B. As shown in the figure, the right hand H of the user's avatar is stretched out toward character B's CD.

[0045] 10 is a diagram showing the screen when the user (avatar) tries to pick up the CD of character B. As shown in the figure, the user is trying to bring the CD up to face height.

[0046] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing the screen when a mob avatar MA appears. In Fig. 11, the mob avatar MA appears from the bottom of the screen and gradually moves to fill the screen. In Fig. 12, the mob avatar MA displays explanatory information S on the right side of the screen at face height (upper side of the screen) based on the user's behavior history.

[0047] The location where the mob avatar MA appears is not limited to the location shown in FIG. 12. It may appear from the right side or the left side depending on the user's behavior history. Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the location where the mob avatar MA gives an explanation (the position of the explanation information S) may be a location depending on the user's behavior history. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the explanation is given around the chest (middle of the screen) of the user's avatar (not shown in FIG. 13). FIG. 14 shows an example in which the explanation is given around the waist (lower part of the screen) of the user's avatar.

[0048] In this way, by displaying the explanation by the mob avatar at a position according to the user's behavior history, the user's habits in the behavioral space are followed, allowing for a display that feels natural to the user. For example, if the user has a habit of using their right hand to pick up products on the right side, this habit is reflected in the behavioral history. Then, the mob avatar behaves accordingly according to the behavioral history, allowing the user to view the explanation in the same place as usual, making it easier for the user to behave in the virtual space.

[0049] Next, the effects of the information providing device 100 of the present disclosure will be described. The information providing device 100 of the present disclosure is a device that manages user behavior in a virtual space. In this information providing device 100, the acquisition unit 102 acquires user behavior information indicating user behavior with respect to a product that is a recommendation target in the virtual space. The generation unit 103 generates a product description, which is recommendation information for the product, based on the user behavior information and past user behavior information. The notification unit 104 notifies the user terminal 200 of the recommendation information including the description. The user terminal 200 receives the explanation information based on the user's behavior history and displays the explanation information accordingly. For example, the display position of the explanation information on the user terminal 200 is determined based on the user's behavior history.

[0050] In the information providing device 100 of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 102 acquires habits (spatial information of the display position of the explanation) that are behavioral characteristics of the user based on behavioral information of the user in the virtual space, and the generation unit 103 generates product explanation information according to the behavioral information. Specifically, in the present disclosure, the generation unit 102 generates the explanation information so that the display position on the user terminal 200 is set to a position that corresponds to the user's past behavioral characteristics. In the above disclosure, the generation unit 102 sets the position, etc. in the mob avatar parameter file 105d.

[0051] Here, the user's behavioral characteristics refer to at least one of the following: the direction in which the user's avatar looks in the virtual space, the avatar's dominant hand, or the height at which the avatar looks at the recommended object. These are the user's habits in the virtual space, and the display position of explanatory information such as recommendation information is changed based on these habits. This allows the mob avatar (assistant avatar) to behave in the virtual space in the same way as the user normally does, and the user can receive easy-to-read recommendation information (explanatory information).

[0052] In the information providing device 100, the behavioral information indicates that the user's avatar picks up a product that is a recommended item, or that the user's avatar looks at a product that is a recommended item.

[0053] The generating unit 102 then switches between detailed information and simplified information about the product in accordance with the user's behavior. The generating unit 102 may also generate recommendation information based on the amount of time spent viewing the recommended item.

[0054] The level of interest in a product varies depending on whether the user actually picks up the product or just looks at it. Also, if they just look at it, the level of interest varies depending on the amount of time they spend there. Therefore, it is best to provide explanations accordingly.

[0055] Furthermore, the generation unit 102 determines related products that are related recommendation targets related to the product determined based on the user's viewpoint, based on the product recognized based on the user's viewpoint (the product the user was viewing) and past behavior information, and generates explanatory information for the related products. That is, the generation unit 102 determines products related to the product the user is viewing, based on products the user has viewed in the past.

[0056] In this case, if the user is currently looking at a CD by character B and previously looked at a book by character A, explanatory information may be generated for the book by character B. Also, information on the CD by character A may be generated as separate explanatory information.

[0057] In the present disclosure, a store is formed within a virtual space, and products as objects are displayed in the store. When a user is looking at a product, the generation unit 102 generates related information related to the product as the recommendation information based on historical information.

[0058] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0059] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocation, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0060] For example, the information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the information providing method of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information providing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information providing device 100 described above may be physically configured as a computer including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0061] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the information providing apparatus 100 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0062] Each function of the information providing device 100 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0063] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned generating unit 103 and the like may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0064] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the generation unit 103 of the information providing device 100 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be made for other functional blocks. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0065] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing an information providing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0067] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-mentioned acquisition unit 102 and notification unit 104 may be realized by the communication device 1004. The acquisition unit 102 and notification unit 104 may be implemented as physically or logically separated units, or may be implemented as an integrated unit.

[0068] The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (for example, a touch panel).

[0069] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0070] The information providing device 100 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0071] The notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0072] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0073] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0074] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0075] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Furthermore, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0076] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0077] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0078] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0079] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0080] Note that terms explained in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0081] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0082] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0083] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0084] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0085] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0086] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0087] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0088] Any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0089] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0090] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0091] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different." [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 100...information providing device, 101...virtual space providing unit, 102...acquisition unit, 103...generation unit, 104...notification unit, 105...storage unit, 200...user terminal, 105b...behavior history DB, 105a...product DB, 105d...mob avatar parameter file.

Claims

1. An information providing device that manages user behavior in a virtual space, an acquisition unit that acquires user behavior information indicating the user's behavior with respect to a recommendation target in the virtual space; a generation unit that generates recommendation information for the recommended object or a related recommended object related to the recommended object based on the user behavior information and past user behavior information; a notification unit that notifies the user of the recommendation information; a history information storage unit that stores the user behavior information as history information, The generation unit Conducting an interest analysis on the user behavior information stored as history information; When the user is looking at the recommended object, recommendation information with a simple description is generated, and when the user picks up the recommended object, recommendation information with a detailed description is generated; If the user views the recommendation target for less than a predetermined time, recommendation information with a simple explanation is generated, and if the user views the recommendation target for more than the predetermined time, recommendation information including an explanation of product attributes of interest based on the past user behavior information is generated. Information provision device.

2. the acquiring unit acquires behavioral characteristics of the user based on the past user behavior information; the generation unit generates recommendation information according to the behavioral characteristics. The information providing device according to claim 1 .

3. The user's behavioral characteristics are at least one of a direction in which the user's avatar looks in the virtual space, a dominant hand of the avatar, or a height at which the avatar looks at the recommended object. The information providing device according to claim 2 .

4. the generation unit generates the recommendation information so as to change a display position of the recommendation information on the user terminal of the user in accordance with the behavioral characteristic.

4. The information providing device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the generation unit generates an assistant avatar in the virtual space and causes the assistant avatar to provide the recommendation information to the user; The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The user behavior information indicates that the user's avatar picks up the recommended item or that the user's avatar looks at the recommended item. The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The generation unit switching between detailed information and simplified information on the recommendation target according to the user behavior information; The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The generation unit generating the recommendation information based on the time spent viewing the recommended object; The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The generation unit determining the related recommended object based on the recommended object and the past user behavior information, and generating the recommendation information of the related recommended object; The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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