Virtual space generation device, virtual space generation program, and virtual space generation method
The virtual space generation device controls conversation confidentiality by forming user groups for private chats within the virtual space, ensuring privacy and reducing processing load while allowing public access.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-22
AI Technical Summary
Existing virtual space systems lack effective control over the confidentiality of conversations, as users communicate using text or voice, with varying degrees of personal information exposure, necessitating a system to manage conversation privacy.
A virtual space generation device and method that includes a group management unit to form user groups, allowing in-group conversation information to be transmitted only within the group and out-group information to be shared externally, controlled by a communication unit.
Ensures confidentiality of conversations by allowing private chats within designated groups while enabling public access outside the group, reducing processing load, and maintaining smooth group conversations.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual space generation device, a virtual space generation program, and a virtual space generation method.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, various services using virtual spaces have been proposed. In one type of system for providing such services, attempts have been made to realize a service similar to a service implemented in the real space in a virtual space. For example, in the system of Patent Document 1, in a store in a virtual space, a virtual store clerk serves an avatar of a user who tries to purchase a product.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003] [[ID=2l]]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In a virtual space, users who are service users and responders such as virtual store clerks and users communicate with each other using chat by text or voice. The content of such conversations varies from casual conversations to conversations including personal information, and the degree to which conversation leakage to others should be suppressed varies. Therefore, as a system for providing a virtual space, development of a system capable of controlling the confidentiality of conversations is desired.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] Each aspect of a virtual space generation device, a virtual space generation program, and a virtual space generation method for solving the above problems will be described. [Aspect 1] A virtual space generation device comprising: a virtual space generation unit that places an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space and an avatar of a second user who will be the contact person for the first user in the virtual space in the virtual space; a group management unit that receives a request from a terminal operated by the second user and sets up a group that includes the second user and the first user designated by the second user; and a communication unit that, when a terminal operated by the first user or second user belonging to the group is an in-group terminal and receives in-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, transmits the in-group conversation information only to each in-group terminal in the group, and when a terminal operated by the first user or second user not belonging to the group is an out-of-group terminal and receives out-of-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, transmits the out-of-group conversation information to each out-of-group terminal.
[0006] With the above configuration, conversations can be made publicly accessible to users who do not belong to a group, while conversations can be made public only within a group by setting up a group. Therefore, the confidentiality of conversations in the virtual space can be controlled.
[0007] [Aspect 2] The virtual space generation device according to [Aspect 1], wherein the virtual space includes a facility, and the service is provided at the facility. With the above configuration, it is possible to provide a variety of services similar to those offered in the real world.
[0008] [Aspect 3] The virtual space generation device according to [Aspect 2], wherein the communication unit transmits the group conversation information to the group terminal while the avatar of the first user belonging to the group and the avatar of the first user not belonging to the group are located in the same space within the facility.
[0009] With the above configuration, it is possible for the first and second users to have a highly confidential conversation without having to move to individual booths, for example, with their avatars in a location suitable for the topic, such as a space where products are displayed.
[0010] [Aspect 4] The communication unit does not transmit the group-external conversation information to the group-internal terminal. A virtual space generation device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3]. With the above configuration, comments from users outside the group will not be interrupted by conversations between users within the group, thus ensuring that conversations within the group proceed smoothly.
[0011] [Aspect 5] A virtual space generation device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], wherein the terminal operated by the first user is the first terminal, the terminal operated by the second user is the second terminal, and the group management unit receives requests for setting the group only from the second terminal out of the first terminal and the second terminal.
[0012] The above configuration reduces the proliferation of groups, thereby lowering the processing load on the virtual space generator. Furthermore, since conversation content that requires high confidentiality is often more closely related to the services provided in the virtual space, having a second user determine the group settings ensures that the confidentiality of conversation content that should not be leaked to others is appropriately enhanced.
[0013] [Aspect 6] The virtual space generation device according to [Aspect 5], wherein the group management unit accepts requests to add users to the group and to dissolve the group from only the second terminal among the terminals within the group that requested the setting of the group, and accepts requests from the first terminal for the first user to leave the group.
[0014] With the above configuration, since the group formation is led by the second user, groups for conversations that are more relevant to the service content and require high levels of confidentiality are accurately formed. On the other hand, the first user can also leave the group at their own discretion, thus ensuring the first user's freedom regarding their participation in the group.
[0015] [Aspect 7] A virtual space generation program that causes one or more computers to perform the following actions: to place an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space and an avatar of a second user who will be the contact person for the first user in the virtual space in the virtual space; to set up a group including the second user and the first user designated by the second user in response to a request from a terminal operated by the second user; to transmit the intra-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into a terminal, to each intra-group terminal in the group when a terminal operated by the first user or the second user belonging to the group is an intra-group terminal; and to transmit the extra-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into a terminal, to each extra-group terminal when a terminal operated by the first user or the second user not belonging to the group is an extra-group terminal
[0016] With the above configuration, conversations can be made publicly accessible to users who do not belong to a group, while conversations can be made public only within a group by setting up a group. Therefore, the confidentiality of conversations in the virtual space can be controlled.
[0017] [Aspect 8] One or more computers arrange, in the virtual space, an avatar of a first user who is a user of a service in the virtual space and an avatar of a second user who is a respondent to the first user in the virtual space; receive a request from a terminal operated by the second user and set a group including the second user and the first user specified by the second user; when a terminal operated by the first user or the second user belonging to the group is an in-group terminal and in-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message input to the terminal, is received from the in-group terminal, transmit the in-group conversation information only to each in-group terminal of the group; and when a terminal operated by the first user or the second user not belonging to the group is an out-group terminal and out-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message input to the terminal, is received from the out-group terminal, transmit the out-group conversation information to each out-group terminal. A virtual space generation method for performing the above operations.
[0018] According to the above configuration, while conversations that are widely publicized to users not belonging to the group are possible, by setting a group, conversations that are only public within the group are possible. Therefore, the confidentiality of conversations in the virtual space can be controlled.
Advantages of the Invention
[0019] According to the present invention, the confidentiality of conversations in the virtual space can be controlled.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] [Figure 1] A diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual space providing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing a functional configuration of a virtual space generation server according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing a functional configuration of a visitor terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing a functional configuration of a staff terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 5]A diagram showing an example of a group management screen displayed on a staff terminal in one embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the processing procedure of a virtual space providing system for the formation of a group in one embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a group management screen displayed on a staff terminal in one embodiment. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of a shop screen displayed on a visitor terminal in one embodiment. [Figure 9] A diagram showing the processing procedure of a virtual space generation server for message transmission in a virtual space providing system in one embodiment. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a chat area included in a shop screen in one embodiment. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of a chat area included in a shop screen in one embodiment. [Figure 8]
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0021] An embodiment of a virtual space generation device, a virtual space generation program, and a virtual space generation method will be described with reference to the drawings. [Overall Configuration of Virtual Space Providing System] Referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described. In this embodiment, as an example, the case where the virtual space providing system 100 is used for customer service in a store handling various products will be described.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual space providing system 100 includes a virtual space generation server 10 which is an example of a virtual space generation device, one or more visitor terminals 20, and one or more staff terminals 30. The virtual space generation server 10 is connected to each of the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30 via a network NW such as the Internet.
[0023] The virtual space generation server 10 generates a virtual space VS that includes a store. The visitor terminal 20 is a terminal operated by visitor user Pg, who is a user visiting the store in the virtual space VS. Visitor user Pg is, in other words, a user of the above-mentioned customer service. By operating the visitor terminal 20, visitor user Pg uses the store in the virtual space VS using an avatar. Visitor user Pg is an example of a first user, and visitor terminal 20 is an example of a first terminal.
[0024] Staff terminal 30 is operated by staff user Ps, who is a user working as a store clerk in the virtual space VS. Staff user Ps is, in other words, a customer service representative in the store in the virtual space VS. By operating staff terminal 30, staff user Ps provides customer service in the store in the virtual space VS using an avatar. Staff user Ps is an example of a second user, and staff terminal 30 is an example of a second terminal. An avatar is a character that acts as a representation of the user in the virtual space VS.
[0025] In this embodiment, it is possible to have a public chat where the conversation content is widely publicized to users who have entered the virtual space VS, and a private chat where the conversation content is only publicized to users within a set group. The group that uses private chat is set up based on an invitation from a staff user Ps.
[0026] [Device configuration of the virtual space provision system] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the configuration of each device that makes up the virtual space provisioning system 100 will be explained.
[0027] Referring to Figure 2, the functional configuration of the virtual space generation server 10 will be explained. The virtual space generation server 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The communications unit 11 performs communication processing between the virtual space generation server 10 and the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30, including connecting to the network and sending and receiving data.
[0028] The control unit 12 functions as a virtual space generation unit 12a, a group management unit 12b, and a chat control unit 12c by executing a virtual space generation program stored in the memory unit 13.
[0029] The virtual space generation unit 12a generates the virtual space VS and manages the movement of visitor user Pg and staff user Ps avatars within the virtual space VS. The group management unit 12b sets up and manages the composition of user groups Gp, which are groups that use private chat. Specifically, the group management unit 12b creates user groups Gp, adds and removes members from user groups Gp, and dissolves user groups Gp.
[0030] The chat control unit 12c receives conversation information indicating chat messages from visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30, determines which terminals 20 and 30 will receive the conversation information, and transmits the conversation information to those terminals 20 and 30 via the communication unit 11.
[0031] Specifically, when the chat control unit 12c receives group conversation information, which indicates messages entered into a terminal, from a group terminal 20 or 30 operated by a user belonging to the user group Gp, it sets only the group terminals of that group as the destination for receiving the group conversation information.
[0032] Furthermore, when the chat control unit 12c receives out-of-group conversation information from out-of-group terminals 20 and 30, which are operated by users not belonging to the user group Gp, it sets each out-of-group terminal as a destination for sending out-of-group conversation information.
[0033] Through the cooperation of the virtual space generation unit 12a, the group management unit 12b, and the chat control unit 12c, data is generated to display various screens for using the virtual space provision system 100 on visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30, and this data is transmitted to each terminal 20 and 30 by the communication unit 11. The screen displayed on the visitor terminal 20 includes a shop screen, and the screen displayed on the staff terminal 30 includes a group management screen and a shop screen.
[0034] Furthermore, some of the data required to display these screens may be stored in each terminal 20, 30, and the data transmitted from the virtual space generation server 10 only needs to include information that defines at least a part of the content displayed on the screens, such as the location information of the avatar. If text chat is used, the information that defines the content displayed on the screens also includes the conversation information.
[0035] The memory unit 13 stores various programs and data necessary for the execution of processing by the control unit 12. As an example of such programs, the memory unit 13 stores a virtual space generation program. The memory unit 13 also stores as an example of such data virtual space data 13a and user management data 13b.
[0036] The virtual space data 13a includes data necessary for generating the virtual space VS, such as information on the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system set for the space, and positional and rendering information for objects placed in the space. The virtual space data 13a also includes information for rendering the avatars of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps.
[0037] User management data 13b includes information about visitor users Pg and staff users Ps. For example, user management data 13b includes records such as the username and affiliation with user group Gp for each visitor user Pg and staff user Ps. This user information should be managed in association with the user's identification information.
[0038] The physical configuration, i.e., hardware configuration, of the virtual space generation server 10 having the above-described functions will now be explained. The virtual space generation server 10 includes electronic circuits such as CPUs, MPUs, and GPUs (processing units), memory such as ROMs, RAMs, registered memory, and unbuffered memory, and storage such as SSDs and HDDs. The processing units load the operating system and various programs from storage into memory and execute instructions retrieved from memory. The virtual space generation server 10 may also include integrated circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs.
[0039] Furthermore, the virtual space generation server 10 is equipped with a communication interface for sending and receiving data to and from connected devices via a network. The communication interface is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of both.
[0040] Each process performed by the virtual space generation server 10 may be executed by software provided by the virtual space generation server 10, or it may be realized by a combination of integrated circuits and software provided by the virtual space generation server 10.
[0041] Referring to Figure 3, the functional configuration of the visitor terminal 20 will be explained. The visitor terminal 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25. The communication unit 21 performs communication processing between the visitor terminal 20 and the virtual space generation server 10, such as connecting to the network and sending and receiving data. The input unit 24 receives operation and voice input from the visitor terminal 20 and sends data and signals corresponding to the input to the control unit 22. The output unit 25 receives data and signals from the control unit 22 and outputs images and sounds.
[0042] The memory unit 23 stores various programs and data necessary for the control unit 22 to execute its processing. One example of such a program is the visitor management program stored in the memory unit 23.
[0043] The control unit 22 functions as a visitor screen management unit 22a by executing the visitor management program stored in the memory unit 23. The visitor screen management unit 22a displays screens such as shop screens on the display unit, which includes the output unit 25. The visitor screen management unit 22a also transmits information corresponding to user operations on the displayed screen to the virtual space generation server 10 via the communication unit 21.
[0044] The functions of the visitor terminal 20 in the virtual space provision system 100 are embodied by application software for using the virtual space provision system 100. The visitor management program is included in said application software.
[0045] Referring to Figure 4, the functional configuration of the staff terminal 30 will be explained. The staff terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, an input unit 34, and an output unit 35. The communication unit 31 performs communication processing between the staff terminal 30 and the virtual space generation server 10, such as connecting to the network and sending and receiving data. The input unit 34 receives operation and voice input from the staff terminal 30 and sends data and signals corresponding to the input to the control unit 32. The output unit 35 receives data and signals from the control unit 32 and outputs images and sounds.
[0046] The memory unit 33 stores various programs and data necessary for the control unit 32 to execute its processing. As an example of such programs, the memory unit 33 stores a staff management program.
[0047] The control unit 32 functions as a staff screen management unit 32a by executing the staff management program stored in the memory unit 33. The staff screen management unit 32a displays group management screens and shop screens on the display unit, which includes the output unit 35. The staff screen management unit 32a also transmits information corresponding to user operations on the displayed screens to the virtual space generation server 10 via the communication unit 31.
[0048] The functions of the staff terminal 30 in the virtual space provision system 100 are embodied by application software for using the virtual space provision system 100. The staff management program is included in said application software.
[0049] The physical configuration, or hardware configuration, of visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30 will be described. Each of the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30 is a smartphone, tablet device, personal computer, wearable computer, or other information processing device capable of displaying images.
[0050] Each of the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30 is configured such that the arithmetic unit, which is a circuit such as a CPU, loads the operating system and various programs from storage into memory and executes instructions retrieved from memory, and communicates with the virtual space generation server 10 via a communication interface. Each of the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30 is also equipped with input devices such as a touch panel, operation buttons, keyboard, mouse, controller, camera, and microphone, and output devices including a display and speaker.
[0051] [Group Composition] The operation of the virtual space provision system 100 will be explained in relation to the organization of user groups (Gp). Figure 5 shows an example of the group management screen IG displayed on the staff terminal 30. The group management screen IG displays a list of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps who have entered the store in the virtual space VS, indicated by username and avatar. In this user list, users who can be invited to the user group Gp are selected. Users who can be invited to the user group Gp are those who are not participating in any other user group Gp.
[0052] In the example shown in Figure 5, the user with the key icon C1 is a user who is already a member of another user group Gp and cannot be invited to the user group Gp. The user with the phone icon C2 is the staff user Ps who is operating the staff terminal 30. It is also possible that only visitor users Pg are displayed in the user list, and only visitor users Pg can be invited to the user group Gp. Furthermore, the group management screen IG includes an invitation instruction area R1, which is an area for instructing users to be invited to a user group Gp.
[0053] Furthermore, visitor user Pg enters the virtual space VS as an avatar by launching application software for using the virtual space provision system 100 on visitor terminal 20 and performing predetermined operations such as login processing and selecting a store to enter. In other words, when the above predetermined operations are performed on visitor terminal 20, the virtual space generation server 10 sets the position of visitor user Pg's avatar in the virtual space VS and sends data indicating the display content of the shop screen, which is the screen that displays the inside of the virtual space VS, to visitor terminal 20.
[0054] Similarly, staff user Ps enters the store in the virtual space VS as an avatar by performing a predetermined operation on the staff terminal 30. That is, when the above predetermined operation is performed on the staff terminal 30, the virtual space generation server 10 sets the position of the staff user Ps's avatar in the virtual space VS and sends data indicating the display content of the shop screen, which is the screen that displays the inside of the virtual space VS, to the staff terminal 30. The placement of visitor user Pg and staff user Ps avatars into this virtual space VS is a process performed by the virtual space generation unit 12a.
[0055] The group management screen IG is displayed on the staff terminal 30, for example, when the virtual space generation server 10 sends data indicating the content of the group management screen IG to the staff terminal 30 in response to a request for information on the group management screen IG from the staff terminal 30 based on a predetermined operation on the shop screen.
[0056] Referring to Figure 6, the processing flow of the virtual space provisioning system 100 regarding the organization of user groups Gp will be explained. As shown in Figure 6, when a user to be invited to the user group Gp is specified and the invitation instruction area R1 is selected on the group management screen IG of the staff terminal 30, information indicating this operation, in other words, information indicating the invitee and the instruction to invite, is sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space generation server 10 (step S10).
[0057] Upon receiving information indicating the invitee and instructions for the invitation, the virtual space generation server 10 records a user group Gp in the user management data 13b, with staff user Ps, who is operating the staff terminal 30, as the administrator (step S11). As a result, user group Gp is created and staff user Ps is set as the administrator. Then, the virtual space generation server 10 sends an invitation notification to the visitor terminal 20 of the visitor user Pg corresponding to the specified invitation target (step S12).
[0058] When visitor terminal 20, which has received the invitation notification, approves participation in user group Gp based on an operation performed by visitor user Pg, information indicating this operation, in other words, information indicating approval of participation, is sent from visitor terminal 20 to virtual space generation server 10 (step S13).
[0059] Upon receiving information indicating approval of participation, the virtual space generation server 10 records the approved visitor user Pg as a member of user group Gp in user management data 13b (step S14). As a result, visitor user Pg is added to user group Gp, and user group Gp is set up containing two or more users.
[0060] Furthermore, the group management screen IG may allow the selection of multiple users to be invited to the user group Gp at once. Alternatively, users may be added to the user group Gp sequentially through repeated invitations via the group management screen IG. In the above, steps S11, S12, and S14 are processes performed by the group management unit 12b.
[0061] Figure 7 shows an example of the group management screen IG after the user group Gp has been configured. On the group management screen IG, in the list of users who have entered the store in the virtual space VS, the members of user group Gp to which staff user Ps, who is operating staff terminal 30, belongs are shown separately from other users.
[0062] Furthermore, the group management screen IG includes a dissolution instruction area R2, which is an area for instructing the dissolution of a user group Gp. When the dissolution instruction area R2 is selected and an instruction to dissolve the group is received from the staff terminal 30, the virtual space generation server 10 updates the user management data 13b to dissolve the user group Gp. That is, the virtual space generation server 10 deletes all users belonging to the user group Gp from the user group Gp and deletes the user group Gp.
[0063] As described above, the administrator staff user Ps has the authority to invite users to a user group Gp and to dissolve the user group Gp as part of group formation operations. On the other hand, a visitor user Pg who is a member of a user group Gp does not have the authority to invite users or dissolve the group, but does have the authority to leave the user group Gp. Leaving a user group Gp means that only that user leaves the user group Gp.
[0064] For example, on a screen accessed from the shop screen of visitor terminal 20, a list of users currently participating in the group is displayed, along with a withdrawal instruction area, which is an area for instructing users to leave the user group Gp. When the withdrawal instruction area is selected and a withdrawal instruction is received from visitor terminal 20, the virtual space generation server 10 updates the user management data 13b to remove visitor user Pg, the operator of visitor terminal 20, from the user group Gp.
[0065] The user list screen displayed on the visitor terminal 20 may be a screen that displays a list of users, similar to the group management screen IG on the staff terminal 30. While the staff terminal 30 displays the invitation instruction area R1 and the disbandment instruction area R2, the visitor terminal 20 only needs to display the withdrawal instruction area.
[0066] [Using chat] This section explains the operation of the virtual space provisioning system 100 when conversations are conducted using chat. First, we will explain the case where text-based chat is conducted as public chat and private chat.
[0067] Figure 8 shows an example of a shop screen IS displayed on the visitor terminal 20. The shop screen IS includes a shop area R3, which is the area that displays the virtual space VS where the avatar Aa of visitor user Pg, the operator of the visitor terminal 20, is located. By moving avatar Aa through operations on the visitor terminal 20, avatar Aa moves within the store in the virtual space VS, and the area of the store included in shop area R3 also moves accordingly. This allows visitor user Pg to engage in activities in the virtual space VS, such as viewing exhibits such as merchandise placed in the store. If the avatars Ab of other visitor users Pg or staff users Ps are located within the area included in shop area R3, these avatars Ab will also be displayed.
[0068] Furthermore, the shop screen IS includes a chat area R4 that displays messages sent and received via chat, and an input area R5 that is used to input and send messages via chat. When a message is entered into the input area R5 and sent, conversation information, which is information indicating that message, is sent from the visitor terminal 20 to the virtual space generation server 10. The shop screen displayed on the staff terminal 30 has the same configuration as the shop screen IS on the visitor terminal 20, and includes a shop area R3, a chat area R4, and an input area R5.
[0069] Figure 9 shows the processing of the virtual space generation server 10 when it receives conversation information from a visitor terminal 20 or a staff terminal 30.
[0070] First, the virtual space generation server 10 determines whether the user who is sending the conversation information is a member of the user group Gp (step S20). If the user is a member of the user group Gp (affirmative determination in step S20), the virtual space generation server 10 sends the conversation information to the terminals 20, 30 of the member of the user group Gp to which the user belongs, i.e., to the in-group terminals (step S21). The conversation information in this case is the in-group conversation information.
[0071] If the user is not a member of the user group Gp (negative determination in step S20), the virtual space generation server 10 sends the conversation information to terminals 20 and 30 that are not members of the user group Gp, i.e., terminals outside the group (step S22). The conversation information in this case is the conversation information outside the group. Terminals 20 and 30, which received the conversation information, display a message based on the conversation information in the chat area R4.
[0072] As described above, messages sent by users participating in a user group Gp will only be displayed on the devices 20 and 30 of users in that user group Gp, and will not be displayed on the devices 20 and 30 of other users. This enables private chat within the user group Gp.
[0073] On the other hand, messages sent by users who are not members of the user group Gp will be displayed on the devices 20 and 30 of all users who are not members of the user group Gp. This enables public chat.
[0074] Please note that messages sent via public chat will not be displayed on terminals 20 and 30 of users participating in the user group Gp. In other words, only messages from either public chat or private chat will be displayed on visitor terminal 20 and staff terminal 30. Furthermore, users participating in the user group Gp cannot send messages via public chat. That is, all conversation information sent from terminals 20 and 30 of users participating in the user group Gp will be group-internal conversation information.
[0075] Figure 10 shows an example of the shop screen IS displayed on terminals 20 and 30 of users participating in the user group Gp, with an excerpt of the chat area R4. Figure 11 also shows an example of the shop screen IS displayed on terminals 20 and 30 of users not participating in the user group Gp, with an excerpt of the chat area R4.
[0076] In the example shown in Figure 10, the message "Staff member, I have a question" from visitor user Pg, whose username is "Sato," is a public chat message. When staff user Ps, whose username is "Staff A," sees this message, they invite visitor user Pg, "Sato," to set up a user group Gp. This creates a user group Gp containing both users, and a private chat is initiated. As a result, the private chat messages from "Sato" and "Staff A" are displayed on terminals 20 and 30 of users participating in the user group Gp, as shown in Figure 10. It is preferable that private chat messages be displayed in a way that allows them to be distinguished from public chat messages.
[0077] On the other hand, in the example shown in Figure 11, on terminals 20 and 30 of users who are not participating in the user group Gp, even after the message "Staff, I have a question" from visitor user Pg with the username "Sato" (similar to Figure 10), messages from public chat are displayed, but messages from private chat are not. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, once a private chat is started, messages from public chat are not displayed on terminals 20 and 30 of users who are participating in the user group Gp.
[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, conversations can be made publicly accessible to all users who have entered the virtual space VS, while conversations can be made privately accessible only within a group by setting a user group Gp. Therefore, if you want to prevent conversations from being leaked to others, you can increase the confidentiality of conversations by setting a user group Gp, thereby controlling the confidentiality of conversations in the virtual space VS.
[0079] Furthermore, since only staff users Ps have the authority to configure user group Gp, the proliferation of groups is suppressed, thereby reducing the processing load on the virtual space generation server 10. In addition, since conversation content that should be kept confidential is often more closely related to the services provided in the virtual space VS, having staff users Ps make the decisions regarding the configuration of user group Gp ensures that the confidentiality of conversation content that should not be leaked to others is appropriately enhanced. Setting up a user group Gp means that a user group Gp is created and at least one visitor user Pg is added to the group in addition to the staff user Ps.
[0080] Furthermore, private chat conversations are possible when the avatars of users belonging to a user group (Gp) are in the same space as the avatars of users outside the group. In other words, users participating in a user group (Gp) can have conversations only within the group without having to move to individual booths or other locations within the store. For example, in a store in the virtual space (VS), even if the avatars of users outside the group are in the same space where exhibits such as products are displayed, staff users (Ps) and visitor users (Pg) can have a conversation only within the group while viewing the exhibits. In this way, there is a high degree of freedom regarding the location of conversations, allowing staff users (Ps) and visitor users (Pg) to have highly confidential conversations while their avatars are in a location appropriate to the topic.
[0081] Furthermore, while participating in the user group Gp, only private chat messages are displayed on terminals 20 and 30, preventing comments from users outside the group from being interrupted, thus ensuring smooth group conversations. This configuration is particularly useful when public chat messages and private chat messages are displayed in the same chat area R4, or when visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30 are devices with small display areas, such as smartphones, making it difficult to enlarge the chat area R4.
[0082] Public and private chats can also be conducted via voice and video. In other words, messages entered into terminals 20 and 30 are not limited to text, but may also include voice or video containing both images and audio. To put it another way, conversation information is not limited to text data, but may also include voice and video data. Even when chats are conducted via voice or video, group conversation information is sent only to terminals within the group, and non-group conversation information is sent only to terminals outside the group.
[0083] When a message includes audio, it is preferable that in public chats, the volume of the message output changes according to the distance between users, while in private chats, the volume of the message output remains constant regardless of the distance between users.
[0084] Specifically, if the conversation information includes audio data, the conversation information outside the group is sent from the virtual space generation server 10 to the terminal outside the group in such a way that the greater the distance between the avatar of the user who entered the message and the avatar of the user to whom the message is being sent within the virtual space VS, the lower the volume at which the message is output on the recipient's terminal. As a result, the further the speaker's avatar is from the user's own avatar within the virtual space VS, the quieter the speaker's words will sound to the user, thus enhancing the sense of realism in the activities within the virtual space VS.
[0085] On the other hand, if the conversation information includes audio data, the group conversation information is sent from the virtual space generation server 10 to the group terminals so that the message is output at a constant volume on the recipient terminal, regardless of the distance in the virtual space VS between the avatar of the user who entered the message and the avatar of the user to whom the message is being sent. Since the importance of the conversation content in private chats is often higher than in public chats, outputting private chat conversations at a constant volume makes it easier to understand the conversation content.
[0086] As described above, the above embodiment provides the following effects. (1) Conversations can be made public to users who do not belong to a user group Gp, while conversations can be made public only to users within a user group Gp by setting up a user group Gp. Therefore, the confidentiality of conversations in the virtual space VS can be controlled.
[0087] (2) Since information from conversations outside the group is not sent to devices within the group, only messages from private chats are displayed on devices 20 and 30 of users participating in the user group Gp. As a result, comments from users outside the group are not inserted into conversations within the group, allowing conversations within the group to proceed smoothly.
[0088] (3) The virtual space generation server 10 accepts requests for group settings only from the staff terminals 30, out of the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30. In other words, only staff users Ps have the authority to set up user groups Gp. Therefore, the proliferation of groups is suppressed, and the processing load on the virtual space generation server 10 is reduced. Furthermore, by having staff users Ps make the decisions regarding the setting up user groups Gp, the confidentiality of conversation content that should not be leaked to others in relation to the content of the service is appropriately enhanced.
[0089] (4) The virtual space generation server 10 accepts requests to add users to a group and to disband a group only from the staff terminal 30 that requested the group's configuration, and accepts requests from the visitor terminal 20 for visitor user Pg to leave the group. In this way, the formation of user groups Gp is led by staff user Ps, so that groups for conversations that are more closely related to the service content and require a high level of confidentiality are appropriately formed. On the other hand, visitor user Pg can also leave the group at their own discretion, thus ensuring that visitor user Pg has a degree of freedom regarding their participation in the group.
[0090] (5) When the avatars of visitor users Pg belonging to user group Gp are located in the same space within the virtual space VS, such as a store, as the avatars of visitor users Pg not belonging to user group Gp, group conversation information is transmitted to the group terminal. This allows for highly confidential conversations between staff users Ps and visitor users Pg, with the avatars in a location appropriate to the topic, without having to move to individual booths or other locations.
[0091] [Differentiation] The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. • Conversation content in public chats may be made public to all users within the virtual space VS store. In other words, information from conversations outside the group may be sent to devices within the group as well as to devices outside the group.
[0092] The authority regarding the organization of user groups Gp may differ from that of the above embodiment. For example, visitor users Pg may be able to add members to user groups Gp, and staff users Ps, who are administrators, may be able to leave, and the administrator's authority may be transferred to another user.
[0093] The use of the virtual space provision system 100 is not limited to customer service at stores that handle goods. For example, when the virtual space provision system 100 is used for customer service, the facilities included in the virtual space VS are not limited to stores, but may also be event venues such as exhibitions or model rooms. Customer service includes, for example, the sale and explanation of goods, explanations of exhibits and facilities, and tourist information. Furthermore, goods include not only physical items but also financial products, etc.
[0094] Furthermore, the virtual space provision system 100 may be used for medical services such as counseling, educational services, administrative services, etc. Essentially, the first user, who is a user of the service in the virtual space VS, and the second user, who is the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space VS, both need to enter the virtual space VS as avatars. In other words, the second user is the service provider.
[0095] The facilities included in the virtual space VS may be any structures or buildings established for a predetermined purpose, such as commercial facilities, financial facilities, public facilities, medical facilities, welfare facilities, tourist facilities, factories, etc. Furthermore, if the virtual space provision system 100 is used for tourist information, the virtual space VS may not include facilities and may be a space where natural objects such as trees and rocks are placed.
[0096] The virtual space provision system 100 may perform multilingual translation and simultaneous interpretation of text and audio input and output to visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30. With this configuration, global support is possible for visitor users Pg, staff users Ps, and the products handled.
[0097] The functions of the virtual space generation server 10 may be implemented by multiple information processing devices. One information processing device is a single computer device. In other words, the virtual space generation device may consist of one or more information processing devices. [Explanation of symbols]
[0098] Pg... Visitor User Ps... Staff User VS...Virtual Space 10…Virtual space generation server 20… Visitor terminals 30…Staff terminal 100…Virtual space provision system
Claims
1. A virtual space generation unit that places an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, A group management unit that, upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the second user, sets up a group that includes the second user and the first user designated by the second user, When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group, and The system includes a communication unit that, when it receives out-of-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into a terminal, from an out-of-group terminal operated by the first or second user who does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, transmits the out-of-group conversation information to each out-of-group terminal, All information indicating messages entered into the group terminals is considered group conversation information, and no transmission of information indicating messages from the group terminals to terminals outside the group is performed. A virtual space generation device.
2. A virtual space generation unit that places an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, A group management unit that, upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the second user, sets up a group that includes the second user and the first user designated by the second user, When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group, and The system includes a communication unit that, when it receives out-of-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into a terminal, from an out-of-group terminal operated by the first or second user who does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, transmits the out-of-group conversation information to each out-of-group terminal, After the target terminal, which is operated by the first or second user, is switched from an external terminal to an internal terminal according to the group settings, the information sent to the target terminal is controlled so that messages from the external terminal are not displayed to the target terminal, which is currently participating in the group. A virtual space generation device.
3. A virtual space generation unit that places an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, A group management unit that, upon receiving a request from a terminal operated by the second user, sets up a group that includes the second user and the first user designated by the second user, When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group, and The system includes a communication unit that, when it receives out-of-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into a terminal, from an out-of-group terminal operated by the first or second user who does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, transmits the out-of-group conversation information to each out-of-group terminal, The communication unit transmits data to a terminal operated by the second user, which is a list of the first user who has entered the virtual space as the avatar, and which allows the user to select users who can be invited to the group. The aforementioned list identifies the first user who is currently participating in another group and cannot be invited, The group management unit sets the group based on the designation of the first user in the list by the second user. A virtual space generation device.
4. The message consists of text, audio, or video. A virtual space generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The aforementioned virtual space includes a facility, and the aforementioned services are provided at the said facility. A virtual space generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
6. The communication unit transmits the group conversation information to the group terminal while the avatar of the first user belonging to the group is located in the same space within the facility as the avatar of the first user who does not belong to the group. The virtual space generation device according to claim 5.
7. The aforementioned communication unit does not transmit the information about conversations outside the group to terminals within the group. A virtual space generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
8. The terminal operated by the first user is the first terminal, The terminal operated by the second user is the second terminal, The group management unit receives requests for group configuration only from the second terminal, out of the first terminal and the second terminal. A virtual space generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
9. The group management unit accepts requests to add users to and dissolve a group from only the second terminal that requested the group's configuration, and accepts requests from the first terminal for the first user to leave the group. The virtual space generation device according to claim 8.
10. On one or more computers, Placing an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, In response to a request from a terminal operated by the second user, a group is established that includes the second user and the first user specified by the second user. When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group. When a terminal operated by the first or second user, which does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, is an outside-group terminal, and outside-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the outside-group terminal, the outside-group conversation information is transmitted to each outside-group terminal. To treat all information indicating messages entered into the group terminals as group conversation information, and to prevent the transmission of information indicating messages from the group terminals to terminals outside the group, and to execute the following: A virtual space generation program.
11. On one or more computers, Placing an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, In response to a request from a terminal operated by the second user, a group is established that includes the second user and the first user specified by the second user. When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group. When a terminal operated by the first or second user, which does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, is an outside-group terminal, and outside-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the outside-group terminal, the outside-group conversation information is transmitted to each outside-group terminal. After switching the target terminal, which is operated by the first or second user, from an external terminal to an internal terminal according to the group settings, the system controls the information sent to the target terminal so that messages from the external terminal are not displayed to the target terminal that is participating in the group. A virtual space generation program.
12. On one or more computers, Placing an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, In response to a request from a terminal operated by the second user, a group is established that includes the second user and the first user specified by the second user. When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group. When a terminal operated by the first or second user, which does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, is an outside-group terminal, and outside-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the outside-group terminal, the outside-group conversation information is transmitted to each outside-group terminal. A program that causes a terminal operated by a second user to transmit data to a terminal that displays a list of first users who have entered the virtual space as avatars, the list showing which users can be invited to the group and which can be selected. The list identifies the first user who is already participating in another group and cannot be invited, and setting up the group includes setting up the group based on the second user's designation of the first user in the list. A virtual space generation program.
13. One or more computers, Placing an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, In response to a request from a terminal operated by the second user, a group is established that includes the second user and the first user specified by the second user. When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group. When a terminal operated by the first or second user, which does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, is an outside-group terminal, and outside-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the outside-group terminal, the outside-group conversation information is transmitted to each outside-group terminal. To perform the following actions: to treat all information indicating messages entered into the group terminal as group conversation information, and to refrain from sending information indicating messages from the group terminal to terminals outside the group. A method for generating a virtual space.
14. One or more computers, Placing an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, In response to a request from a terminal operated by the second user, a group is established that includes the second user and the first user specified by the second user. When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group. When a terminal operated by the first or second user, which does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, is an outside-group terminal, and outside-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the outside-group terminal, the outside-group conversation information is transmitted to each outside-group terminal. After switching a target terminal, which is operated by the first or second user, from an external terminal to an internal terminal according to the group settings, the system controls the information sent to the target terminal so that messages from external terminals are not displayed to the target terminal that is participating in the group. A method for generating a virtual space.
15. One or more computers, Placing an avatar of a first user who will be a user of the service in the virtual space, and an avatar of a second user who will be the person who interacts with the first user in the virtual space, In response to a request from a terminal operated by the second user, a group is established that includes the second user and the first user specified by the second user. When a terminal operated by the first or second user belonging to the group is a group terminal, and group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the group terminal, the group conversation information is transmitted only to each group terminal in that group. When a terminal operated by the first or second user, which does not belong to any of the aforementioned groups, is an outside-group terminal, and outside-group conversation information, which is information indicating a message entered into the terminal, is received from the outside-group terminal, the outside-group conversation information is transmitted to each outside-group terminal. A method for performing the following: sending data to a terminal operated by a second user, which is a list of first users who have entered the virtual space as the avatar, and which allows the second user to select users who can be invited to the group; The list identifies the first user who is already participating in another group and cannot be invited, and setting up the group includes setting up the group based on the second user's designation of the first user in the list. A method for generating a virtual space.