Simulated personality dialogue device

Abstract

To provide a pseudo-character dialogue device, a method and a program which promote sales of a commodity / service in a service which interacts with pseudo-character by using an AI technology, and improve profitability / sustainability of the service, by improving a satisfaction level of a user.SOLUTION: A pseudo-character dialogue device which provides environment which enables conversation with a character in virtual space in a user terminal operated by a user comprises: purchase proposal means in which the character makes the user perform processing which proposes purchase of one commodity or service used by the character in the virtual space, in the conversation; charge settling means which performs fund settlement related to a purchase price of the one commodity or service, when the user accepts the proposal; and viewing enabling means which provides the environment allowing the character in which the one commodity or service is provided to be viewed, in the virtual space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] It relates to a technology for promoting sales in e - shopping.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology has been remarkable. For example, using AI, natural language processing that recognizes and verbalizes the words spoken by people in real - time has been put into practical use, and technologies such as automatically creating meeting minutes, understanding inquiries at a call center and preparing appropriate answer candidates, and performing simultaneous interpretation have been realized.

[0003] By the way, technologies have also been developed to create a character with a pseudo - personality in a virtual space and enable the character to have a conversation with a user in the real space.

[0004] In such fields, for example, in Patent Document 1, a technology is proposed to display, as an image, the image that a user has regarding a thing or event when a virtual user generated by artificial intelligence converses on behalf of the user himself / herself. In Patent Document 2, a technology is proposed to provide, as a service on the Internet, a pseudo - conversation with an individual such as a famous person or a deceased person with whom it is generally impossible / difficult to have a conversation. On the other hand, in Non - Patent Document 1, a technology for generating a copy of the personality of a virtual user on an application is introduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Non - Patent Documents

[0006]

Non - Patent Document 1

[0007] However, with the conventional technologies described above, a large amount of money is invested in technological development, and therefore, the developed service must recoup those investments. In other words, there was a problem in that unless an appropriate cash flow point was provided for the developed service and profitability was increased, the service could not be sustained.

[0008] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a simulated personality dialogue device that enhances the profitability and sustainability of a service by promoting the sale of goods and services and improving user satisfaction in a service that uses AI technology to interact with a simulated personality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One form of the disclosed pseudo-personality dialogue device is a pseudo-personality dialogue device that provides an environment in which a user can converse with a character in a virtual space on a user terminal operated by the user, and comprises: a purchase proposal means that causes the character to perform a process in which it proposes to the user, in the conversation, the purchase of a product or service used by the character in the virtual space; a payment settlement means that settles the funds for the purchase price of the product or service if the user accepts the proposal; and a viewing enablement means that provides an environment in the virtual space in which the character to whom the product or service is provided can be viewed. Furthermore, if the viewing-enabled means proposes the purchase of the right to view the character for which the product or service is provided in the virtual space, and the payment settlement means settles the payment for the purchase of the right, the viewing-enabled means provides an environment in which the character for which the product or service is provided can be viewed. It is characterized by the following: Furthermore, one form of the disclosed pseudo-personality dialogue device is a pseudo-personality dialogue device that provides an environment in which a user can converse with a character in a virtual space on a user terminal operated by the user, and comprises: a purchase proposal means that causes the character to perform a process in which it proposes to the user, in the conversation, the purchase of a product or service used by the character in the virtual space; a payment settlement means that settles the funds for the purchase price of the product or service if the user accepts the proposal; and a viewing enablement means that provides an environment in the virtual space in which the character to whom the product or service is provided can be viewed, and the purchase proposal means causes the character, in the conversation, The system is characterized by having the user perform a process that proposes to the user the purchase of a product or service used by the character in the virtual space and the product or service used by the user in the real space; the payment settlement means, if the user accepts the proposal, settles the funds for the purchase price of the product or service used by the character and the product or service used by the user; and the viewing availability means provides an environment in the virtual space in which the character to whom the product or service is provided can be viewed, such that the timing of provision is approximately the same, and arranges for the product or service to be provided to the user in the real space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The disclosed virtual personality dialogue device promotes the sales of products and services in the service of interacting with virtual personalities using AI technology, and enhances the profitability and sustainability of the service by improving user satisfaction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining the outline of the virtual personality dialogue device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a functional block diagram of the virtual personality dialogue device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the virtual personality dialogue means according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the purchase proposal means according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the purchase proposal means according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the viewable means according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the viewable means according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the virtual personality dialogue device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the flow of a processing example (Part 1) by the virtual personality dialogue device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the flow of a processing example (Part 2) by the virtual personality dialogue device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the flow of a processing example (Part 3) by the virtual personality dialogue device according to the present embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described while referring to the drawings. (Operating Principle of the Virtual Personality Dialogue Device According to the Present Embodiment)

[0013] Using FIG. 1, the outline of the pseudo-personality dialogue device (hereinafter simply referred to as "this device") 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between this device 100 and other devices.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, this device 100 is connected to a user terminal 240 operated by a user 230 via a communication network 260. The communication network 260 may be in a wired form or a wireless form. The user terminal 240 may be a portable information terminal such as a smartphone, or may be a notebook, desktop, or tablet personal computer.

[0015] This device 100 provides an environment in which a conversation with a character 250 is possible on a virtual space realized on the user terminal 240. In such a conversation, the character 250 asks the user 230 about purchasing a certain product or service 210. When the user 230 purchases the product or service 210 for which the purchase is solicited, the product or service 210 is provided to the character 250 in the conversation environment.

[0016] Then, the user 230 can continue the conversation with the character 250 to whom a certain product or service 210 is provided in the conversation environment provided by this device 100, or can view such a character 250.

[0017] Using FIGS. 2 to 7, the operating principle of this device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of this device 100, and FIGS. 3 to 7 are diagrams showing example screens displayed on the user terminal 240. As shown in FIG. 2, this device 100 has a pseudo-personality dialogue means 110, a purchase proposal means 120, a payment settlement means 130, and a viewable means 140.

[0018] The simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in the virtual space on the user terminal 240 in which the user 230 can converse with the character 250. The simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides a conversational environment in which the character 250 responds to the user 230's questions and also asks the user 230 questions of its own.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in which, for example, a conversation can take place between a female character 250 and a user 230 on a user terminal 240.

[0020] The pseudo-personality dialogue means 110 may be implemented using the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-224190 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-196356. Alternatively, the pseudo-personality dialogue means 110 may be implemented using the technology described in the news release from Alt Inc. (https: / / alt.ai / news / news-81 / , January 28, 2015).

[0021] The purchase suggestion means 120 causes the character 250 to perform a process in the conversation environment provided by the simulated personality dialogue means 110 in which it suggests to the user 230 the purchase of a product or service 210 that the character 250 uses in the virtual space.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the purchase suggestion means 120 performs a process to suggest to the user 230, for example, in a conversation environment with the girl character 250, that the user purchase a tutu 210 for the character 250 to wear.

[0023] The purchase suggestion means 120 causes the character 250 to perform a process in the conversation environment in which it suggests to the user 230 that the goods or services 210 used by the character 250 in the virtual space be purchased together with the goods or services 210 used by the user 230 in the real space.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the purchase suggestion means 120 performs a process that suggests to the user 230, within a conversation environment with the character 250, that the character 250 purchase a pizza 210 for the character 250 to eat and the user 230 purchase a pizza 210 for the user to eat. As described above, the purchase proposal means 120 aims to promote the sale of goods and services 210.

[0025] The payment method 130 settles the payment for a product or service 210 when the user 230 accepts a proposal from the purchase proposal method 120. The payment may be made using any currency or method, such as a credit card, debit card, cryptocurrency, or token.

[0026] The payment method 130 may also be configured to settle payments for the goods or services 210 used by character 250 and for the goods or services 210 used by user 230. In this case, user 230 will be obligated to pay for both. In the case shown in Figure 5, for example, the payment method 130 settles payments for two items: the price of character 250's pizza and the price of user 230's own pizza.

[0027] The viewing-enabled means 140 provides an environment in the conversation environment (virtual space) provided by the simulated personality dialogue means 110 in which it is possible to view the character 250 to which the goods or services 210 purchased by the payment means 130 are provided.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the viewing-enabled means 140 provides an environment in which, for example, in the virtual space provided by the simulated personality dialogue means 110, it is possible to view a girl character 250 wearing the purchased tutu 210 dancing at a ballet recital.

[0029] The viewing-enabled means 140 may also take the form of proposing the purchase of a right (viewing right) 220 that will enable viewing of a character 250 to which a product or service 210 is offered, within the conversational environment provided by the simulated personality dialogue means 110. In that case, the viewing-enabled means 140 may also take the form of providing an environment in which it is possible to view the character 250 to which a product or service 210 is offered, when the payment settlement means 130 settles the funds for the purchase of the viewing right 220.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the viewing-enabled means 140 proposes the purchase of viewing rights 220, which will allow the user to view a girl character 250 wearing a purchased tutu 210 dancing at a ballet recital in a virtual space provided by the simulated personality dialogue means 110. The viewing-enabled means 140 then makes it possible to view a girl character 250 wearing a tutu 210 dancing at a ballet recital once payment for the viewing rights 220 has been made by the payment settlement means 130.

[0031] The purchase proposal means 120 assumes that in a conversational environment, character 250 proposes the purchase of goods or services 210 used by character 250 in the virtual space, along with goods or services 210 used by user 230 in the real space, and that payment is made. At that time, the viewing enablement means 140 provides an environment in the virtual space in which it is possible to view character 250 to whom the goods or services 210 are offered, and at approximately the same time as the provision of the goods or services 210, it arranges for the goods or services 210 to be provided to user 230 in the real space.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the viewing-enabled means 140 provides, for example, an environment in a virtual space in which a character 250 being served pizza 210 can be viewed, and at approximately the same time as the pizza 210 is served, it arranges for the pizza 210 to be served to the user 230 in the real space. In other words, the viewing-enabled means 140 provides an environment in which the user 230 can converse with the character 250 while eating pizza 210 together. As described above, the viewing-enabled means 140 improves the satisfaction of the user 230.

[0033] Based on the operating principle described above, this device 100 can enhance the profitability and sustainability of a service by promoting the sale of goods and services 210 and improving user satisfaction 230 in a service that uses AI technology to interact with a simulated personality 250. (Hardware configuration of the simulated personality dialogue device according to this embodiment)

[0034] An example of the hardware configuration of the device 100 will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device 100. As shown in Figure 8, the device 100 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 410, ROM (Read-Only Memory) 420, RAM (Random Access Memory) 430, auxiliary storage device 440, communication I / F 450, input device 460, display device 470, and recording medium I / F 480.

[0035] The CPU 410 is a device that executes programs stored in the ROM 420. It processes data loaded into the RAM 430 according to program instructions and controls the entire device 100. The ROM 420 stores the programs and data that the CPU 410 will execute. When the CPU 410 executes a program stored in the ROM 420, the RAM 430 loads the programs and data to be executed and temporarily holds the calculation data during the calculation.

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 440 is a device that stores the operating system (OS), which is the basic software, and application programs related to this embodiment, along with related data. The auxiliary storage device 440 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory.

[0037] The communication interface 450 is an interface for exchanging data with other devices 240 that provide communication functions, by connecting to a communication network 260 such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0038] The input device 460 is a device for inputting data into the main device 100, such as a keyboard. The display device (output device) 470 is a device consisting of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., and functions as a user interface for the user to use the functions of the main device 100 and to make various settings. The recording medium I / F 480 is an interface for sending and receiving data with the recording medium 490, such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or USB memory.

[0039] Each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the CPU 410 executing a program corresponding to each means stored in the ROM 420 or auxiliary storage device 440. Alternatively, each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the processing related to each means being implemented as hardware. Furthermore, the program according to the present invention may be read from an external server device via the communication I / F 450, or read from the recording medium 490 via the recording medium I / F 480, and the device 100 may execute the program. (Example of processing by the pseudo-personality dialogue device according to this embodiment) (1) Example of processing using this device 100 (Part 1) A first processing example using the device 100 will be explained using Figure 9. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first processing example using the device 100.

[0040] In S10, the simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in the virtual space on the user terminal 240 in which the user 230 can converse with the character 250. The simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides a conversational environment in which the character 250 responds to the user 230's questions and also asks the user 230 questions of its own.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in which, for example, a user 230 can converse with a female character 250 on a user terminal 240.

[0042] In S20, the purchase suggestion means 120 causes the character 250 to perform a process in the conversation environment provided in S10 to suggest to the user 230 that the character 250 purchase a product or service 210 that the character 250 uses in the virtual space.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the purchase suggestion means 120 performs a process that suggests to the user 230, for example, in a conversation environment with the female character 250, that the user purchase a tutu 210 for the character 250 to wear. In this way, the sale of the product / service 210 is promoted.

[0044] In S30, if the user 230 accepts the proposal in S20, the payment method 130 will settle the payment for the goods or services 210 proposed in S20. The payment may be made using any currency or method, such as credit cards, debit cards, cryptocurrencies, or tokens.

[0045] In S40, the viewing enablement means 140 provides an environment in the conversation environment (virtual space) provided in S10 in which it is possible to view the character 250 to which the goods or services 210 purchased by the payment means 130 are provided.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, the viewing-enabled means 140 provides an environment in which, for example, the user can view a girl character 250 wearing the purchased tutu 210 dancing at a ballet recital in a virtual space provided by the simulated personality dialogue means 110. In this way, the user 230's satisfaction is improved.

[0047] By performing the above-described processing, the device 100 aims to promote the sale of goods and services 210 and improve user satisfaction 230 in a service that uses AI technology to interact with a simulated personality, thereby increasing the profitability and sustainability of the service. (2) Example of processing by this device 100 (Part 2) A second processing example using the device 100 will be explained using Figure 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second processing example using the device 100.

[0048] In S110, the simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in the virtual space on the user terminal 240 in which the user 230 can converse with the character 250. The simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides a conversational environment in which the character 250 responds to the user 230's questions and also asks the user 230 questions of its own.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in which, for example, a user 230 can converse with a female character 250 on a user terminal 240.

[0050] In S120, the purchase proposal means 120 causes the character 250 to perform a process in the conversation environment provided in S110 to propose to the user 230 the purchase of a product or service 210 that the character 250 uses in the virtual space.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the purchase suggestion means 120 performs a process that suggests to the user 230, for example, in a conversation environment with the female character 250, that the user purchase a tutu 210 for the character 250 to wear. In this way, the sale of the product / service 210 is promoted.

[0052] In S130, if the user 230 accepts the proposal in S120, the payment method 130 settles the payment for the goods or services 210 proposed in S120. The payment can be made using any currency or method, such as a credit card, debit card, cryptocurrency, or token.

[0053] In S140, the viewing-enabled means 140 proposes the purchase of a right (viewing right) 220 that will enable viewing of a character 250 for which a product or service 210 is offered, within the conversational environment provided in S110.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the viewing accessibility means 140 proposes the purchase of viewing rights 220, which will allow the user to view a girl character 250 wearing a purchased tutu 210 dancing at a ballet recital in a virtual space provided by the simulated personality dialogue means 110. In S150, if the user 230 accepts the proposal in S140, the payment method 130 settles the payment for the purchase of the viewing rights 220. In S160, the viewing enablement means 140 provides an environment in which a character 250 for which a product or service 210 is offered can be viewed.

[0055] The viewing accession means 140 allows users to view a video of a girl character 250 wearing a tutu 210 dancing at a ballet recital when payment for the viewing rights 220 is made via the payment settlement means 130. In this way, user satisfaction is improved.

[0056] By performing the above-described processing, the device 100 aims to promote the sale of goods and services 210 and improve user satisfaction 230 in a service that uses AI technology to interact with a simulated personality, thereby increasing the profitability and sustainability of the service. (3) Example of processing using this device 100 (Part 3) A third processing example using the device 100 will be explained using Figure 11. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third processing example using the device 100.

[0057] In S210, the simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in the virtual space on the user terminal 240 where the user 230 can converse with the character 250. The simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides a conversational environment in which the character 250 responds to the user 230's questions and also asks the user 230 questions of its own.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3, the simulated personality dialogue means 110 provides an environment in which, for example, a user 230 can converse with a female character 250 on a user terminal 240.

[0059] In S220, the purchase proposal means 120 causes the character 250 to perform a process in the conversation environment provided in S210 to propose to the user 230 the purchase of goods or services 210 used by the character 250 in the virtual space, along with goods or services 210 used by the user 230 in the real space.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, the purchase suggestion means 120 performs a process that suggests to the user 230, for example, in a conversation environment with the character 250, that the character 250 purchase a pizza 210 for the character 250 to eat and the user 230 purchase a pizza 210 for the user to eat. In this way, the sale of the goods and services 210 is promoted.

[0061] In S230, if user 230 accepts the proposal in S220, the payment method 130 settles the payment for the goods or services 210 used by character 250 and the goods or services 210 used by user 230. In this case, user 230 will be obligated to pay for both. As shown in Figure 5, for example, the payment method 130 settles the payment for two items: the price of character 250's pizza and the price of user 230's own pizza.

[0062] In S240, the viewing-enabled means 140 provides an environment in the conversation environment (virtual space) provided in S210 in which the character 250 to whom the product or service 210 proposed in S220 is to be viewed, and at approximately the same time as the provision, it arranges for the product or service 210 to be provided to the user 230 in the real space.

[0063] As shown in Figure 7, the viewing-enabled means 140 provides an environment in which, for example, a character 250 serving pizza 210 can be viewed in a virtual space, and at approximately the same time as the pizza 210 is served to the user 230 in the real space. In other words, the viewing-enabled means 140 provides an environment in which the user 230 can converse with the character 250 while eating pizza 210 together. In this way, the satisfaction of the user 230 is improved.

[0064] By performing the above-described processing, the device 100 aims to promote the sale of goods and services 210 and improve user satisfaction 230 in a service that uses AI technology to interact with a simulated personality, thereby increasing the profitability and sustainability of the service.

[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 100 Simulated Personality Dialogue Device 110 Pseudo-personality dialogue method 120 Purchase Proposal Methods 130 Payment Methods 140 Means of making it viewable 210 Products or services offered for purchase 220 Viewing Rights 230 users 240 user terminals 250 characters 260 Communication Networks 410 CPU 420 ROM 430 RAM 440 Auxiliary storage 450 communication interfaces 460 Input Devices 470 Output device 480 Recording Media Interfaces 490 recording media

Claims

1. In a simulated personality dialogue device that provides an environment in which a user can converse with a character in a virtual space on a user terminal operated by the user, Purchase proposal means that causes the character to perform a process in the conversation to propose to the user the purchase of a product or service used by the character in the virtual space, If the user accepts the proposal, a payment settlement means for settling the payment for the purchase price of the one product or service, The virtual space includes a means for enabling viewing, which provides an environment in which the character for which the one product or service is offered can be viewed. The means for making the content viewable proposes the purchase of the right to view the character for which the one product or service is provided in the virtual space, If the aforementioned payment method has made a payment for the purchase price of the aforementioned rights, A pseudo-personality dialogue device characterized in that the viewing-enabled means provides an environment in which the character to which the one product or service is provided can be viewed.

2. A pseudo-personality dialogue device that provides an environment in which a user can converse with a character in a virtual space on a user terminal operated by the user, Purchase proposal means that causes the character to perform a process in the conversation to propose to the user the purchase of a product or service used by the character in the virtual space, If the user accepts the proposal, a payment settlement means for settling the payment for the purchase price of the one product or service, The virtual space includes a means for enabling viewing, which provides an environment in which the character for which the one product or service is offered can be viewed. The purchase suggestion means causes the character to perform a process in the conversation in which it suggests to the user the purchase of one product or service used by the character in the virtual space and one product or service used by the user in the real space. If the user accepts the proposal, the payment method will settle the funds for the purchase price of one product or service used by the character and one product or service used by the user. A pseudo-personality dialogue device characterized in that the viewing-enabled means provides an environment in the virtual space in which the character to which the one product or service is provided can be viewed, such that the timing of provision is substantially the same, and arranges for the one product or service to be provided to the user in the real space.

3. In a computer that provides an environment in which users can converse with characters in a virtual space on a user terminal operated by the user, The purchase suggestion means includes the step of causing the character to perform a process in which, in the conversation, suggest to the user the purchase of a product or service that the character uses in the virtual space, The payment method includes the step of settling the payment for the purchase price of the aforementioned goods or services if the user accepts the proposal, The means for making something viewable includes the step of providing an environment in the virtual space in which the character for which the one product or service is provided can be viewed, The means for making the content viewable proposes the purchase of the right to view the character for which the one product or service is provided in the virtual space, If the aforementioned payment method has made a payment for the purchase price of the aforementioned rights, A pseudo-personality dialogue method characterized in that the viewing-enabled means provides an environment in which the character to which the one product or service is provided can be viewed.

4. A computer that provides an environment in which a user can converse with a character in a virtual space on a user terminal operated by the user, The purchase suggestion means includes the step of causing the character to perform a process in which, in the conversation, suggest to the user the purchase of a product or service that the character uses in the virtual space, The payment method, if the user accepts the proposal, includes the step of settling the funds for the purchase price of the one product or service, The means for making something viewable includes the step of providing an environment in the virtual space in which the character for which the one product or service is provided can be viewed, The purchase suggestion means causes the character to perform a process in the conversation in which it suggests to the user the purchase of one product or service used by the character in the virtual space and one product or service used by the user in the real space. If the user accepts the proposal, the payment method will settle the funds for the purchase price of one product or service used by the character and one product or service used by the user. A pseudo-personality dialogue method characterized in that the viewing-enabled means provides an environment in the virtual space in which the character to which the one product or service is provided can be viewed, such that the timing of provision is substantially the same, and arranges for the one product or service to be provided to the user in the real space.

5. A pseudo-personality dialogue program for causing a computer to perform the method described in claim 3 or 4.

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