Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

An information processing device 10 according to one embodiment comprises: a grouping unit 12 that groups a plurality of users using a virtual space VS, in which a plurality of products are sold, on the basis of attributes of each of a plurality of users; a determination unit 13 that determines at least one target product from among the plurality of products on the basis of information on a first user group obtained by grouping based on a first attribute; and a provision unit 14 that provides a virtual space in which a first virtual object in a mode corresponding to the first attribute is disposed and a second virtual object corresponding to the target product is disposed in association with the first virtual object.

Description

Information processing device and information processing method

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing method that provide a virtual space.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a user who is a passenger can purchase a product object sold by a crew character in a virtual space that simulates the interior of a vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-121496

[0004] In a system in which users can purchase products in a virtual space as described above, there is a demand for a mechanism that further encourages users to make purchases.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device and an information processing method that can effectively encourage users to make purchases in a virtual space.

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a grouping unit that groups multiple users who use a virtual space in which multiple products are sold based on the attributes of each of the multiple users; a determination unit that determines at least one target product from among the multiple products based on information of a first group of users grouped based on a first attribute; and a provision unit that provides a virtual space in which a first virtual object of a configuration according to the first attribute is arranged and a second virtual object corresponding to the target product is arranged in association with the first virtual object.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing device and an information processing method that can effectively encourage users to make purchases in a virtual space.

[0008] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration including an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of (A) user information and (B) product information. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of purchase history information. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of sales information including the sales number of each product by attribute. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing (A) a first example and (B) a second example of an NPC object and a target product object. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a virtual space. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing (A) a first example and (B) a second example of a display mode of a target product object. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of an information processing device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of step S2 of FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of step S3 of FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration including an information processing device 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of user terminals 20 used by a plurality of users via a network NW. The network NW may be any communication network such as the Internet.

[0011] The information processing device 10 provides a virtual space in which a plurality of products are sold to a plurality of users. The virtual space is, for example, the interior space of a virtual store (virtual shop) that mimics a store in the real world. Such a virtual space is, for example, configured by a metaverse space (three-dimensional space). However, the virtual space is not limited to the above and may also be an outdoor space of a virtual store (for example, a virtual town including a virtual store). The virtual space may also be, for example, a two-dimensional space expressed in a flat plane. Various objects and virtual objects such as avatars of users who use the virtual space are arranged within the virtual space.

[0012] The information processing device 10 (e.g., the providing unit 14 described later) provides a virtual space image showing the scenery of the virtual space as seen from the user's virtual viewpoint (e.g., the viewpoint of an avatar corresponding to the user) placed in the virtual space to the user terminal 20 of the user. The user terminal 20 displays the virtual space image on a display provided in the user terminal 20, thereby allowing the user to experience the virtual space. Note that the virtual space image displayed on the user terminal 20 is not limited to the above-described first-person viewpoint (the viewpoint of the avatar) image, and may be, for example, a third-person viewpoint image seen from a location other than the viewpoint of the avatar.

[0013] In this embodiment, a user can purchase products for sale in a virtual space (a virtual store). For example, when a user performs a process to purchase a product in the virtual space, a payment process is executed based on a payment method (e.g., credit card information) pre-registered for the user. Such a payment process may be executed by the information processing device 10 (e.g., the processing unit 15 described below), or may be executed by a payment processing server that is an external device different from the information processing device 10.

[0014] In this embodiment, the term "product" refers not only to a physical object but also to a service that does not have a physical object (e.g., participation rights to a specific event, etc.). Furthermore, the product may be a virtual object that can be used in a virtual space, or a service that the user enjoys in the virtual space, or a real object that is delivered to the user in the real world, or a service that the user enjoys in the real world. In the latter case, when a user executes a process to purchase a product in the virtual space, the information processing device 10 (e.g., the processing unit 15 described below) may execute a process to deliver the product to the user's pre-registered address.

[0015] The user terminal 20 is a terminal device used to allow a user to experience the virtual space provided by the information processing device 10. Examples of the user terminal 20 include a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a smartphone, a tablet device, and a wearable device (e.g., a head-mounted display, smart glasses, etc.). The user terminal 20 is equipped with a display for displaying the virtual space (virtual space image) provided by the information processing device 10 (providing unit 14). The user terminal 20 also has an interface for controlling the actions of the user's own avatar in the virtual space (e.g., movement within the virtual space, purchasing products, etc.). An example of the interface is a dedicated controller, etc.

[0016] In this embodiment, a user using a virtual space refers to a user who can log in to the virtual space provided by the information processing device 10 and operate their own avatar. For example, a user using a virtual space is a user who has completed user registration (account registration) to use a service using the virtual space provided by the information processing device 10 (i.e., a user whose user information is registered as shown in (A) of FIG. 3). The virtual space is shared by multiple users. In other words, users who are logged in to the virtual space can communicate with each other in the common virtual space via their own avatars.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2 , the information processing device 10 includes a storage unit 11 , a grouping unit 12 , a determination unit 13 , a providing unit 14 , and a processing unit 15 .

[0018] The storage unit 11 stores various data handled by the information processing device 10. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 11 stores virtual space information for generating a virtual space (for example, a background image of the virtual space, drawing information for drawing various objects (including avatars of each user) placed in the virtual space, and placement information indicating the positions of various objects in the virtual space), as well as various data such as user information, product information, purchase history information, and sales information shown in FIGS.

[0019] 3A shows an example of user information for each user who uses the virtual space. As an example, the user information includes a user ID for identifying a user who can use the virtual space (i.e., a registered user), and user attributes such as the age, gender, residential area, hobbies and preferences, and behavioral history of the user corresponding to the user ID. Information for each item included in the user information (e.g., age, gender, residential area, hobbies and preferences, etc.) is input by the user, for example, when registering the user. Some information items included in the user information (e.g., behavioral history) may be automatically registered based on, for example, actions the user has taken in the virtual space via an avatar (e.g., participation in a specific event in the virtual space, etc.).

[0020] 3B shows an example of product information for each product that can be purchased in the virtual space. As an example, the product information includes a product ID for identifying the product and information indicating the inventory (remaining quantity).

[0021] 4 shows an example of purchase history information indicating the history of purchases made by each user in the virtual space. As an example, the purchase history information includes the purchase date and time, the purchasing user (the user ID of the user who purchased the product), and the purchased product (the product ID of the purchased product).

[0022] FIG. 5 shows an example of sales information including the number of sales of each product by attribute. Such sales information can be obtained, for example, by matching the above-mentioned user information (see FIG. 3A) with the purchase history information (see FIG. 4). As an example, the sales information includes attributes (a combination of age and gender in the example of FIG. 5), products (product IDs), and sales numbers for a predetermined period (e.g., the most recent month). By referencing such sales information, it is possible to identify popular (high-selling) products for each attribute.

[0023] The grouping unit 12 groups multiple users who use the virtual space based on the attributes of each of the multiple users. For example, the grouping unit 12 groups each user by attribute by referring to the user information of each user stored in the storage unit 11 (see (A) of FIG. 3). That is, the grouping unit 12 groups users so that users with the same attribute belong to the same group (user group). As shown in (A) of FIG. 3, examples of attributes include age, gender, residential area, hobbies and preferences, and behavioral history. Furthermore, the attributes used for grouping may be a combination of multiple items (here, age and gender), as in the example of FIG. 5.

[0024] For example, when a combination of age and gender is used as an attribute, the grouping unit 12 can classify multiple users into groups such as "men under 10," "men in their 20s," "men in their 30s," "men in their 40s," "men in their 50s," "men over 60," "women under 10," "women in their 20s," "women in their 30s," "women in their 40s," "women in their 50s," and "women over 60" by referring to the user information of each user stored in the storage unit 11. Note that in the above group classification example, each user belongs to only one group, but each user may belong to multiple groups. For example, if the grouping unit 12 generates a group of "men in their 20s" and a group of "outdoor lovers" for users whose hobbies and preferences are outdoors, a male user in his 20s who loves the outdoors will belong to both the "men in their 20s" and "outdoor lovers" groups.

[0025] The determination unit 13 determines at least one target product from among a plurality of products based on information on a certain group of users (first user group) grouped based on a certain attribute (first attribute). As in the above example, when the grouping unit 12 forms a plurality of groups (i.e., groups corresponding to each attribute used for grouping), the determination unit 13 and the provision unit 14 may perform processing similar to the processing described below (processing for one first attribute (men in their 20s)) for each group. Below, first and second examples of the processing by the determination unit 13 will be described using an example in which the first attribute is "men in their 20s" (i.e., a case in which the first user group is a group consisting of users corresponding to "men in their 20s").

[0026] (First Example of Processing by the Determination Unit 13) The determination unit 13 may determine target products based on the past product purchase history of each user (male users in their twenties) belonging to the first user group. For example, the determination unit 13 obtains the sales volume of each product (here, products A to Z) to the first user group during a period immediately preceding the first user group based on the sales information (see FIG. 5 ) stored in the storage unit 11. Next, the determination unit 13 may determine, as target products, one or more products among the multiple products whose sales volume to the first user group during a period immediately preceding the first user group is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0027] However, the method for determining the target product based on the past product purchase history of each user belonging to the first user group is not limited to the above method. For example, the determination unit 13 may determine, as the target product, the product that has the most sales to the first user group in a recent fixed period among the multiple products.

[0028] According to the first example, a product that is popular among the first user group can be determined as the target product based on the past product purchase history. By performing a process by the providing unit 14 (described later) on the determined target product, it is possible to effectively increase the likelihood that the target product will be purchased by users (especially users belonging to the first user group who have not yet purchased the target product).

[0029] (Second Example of Processing by the Determining Unit 13) The determining unit 13 may determine, as the target product, a product (e.g., a product promoted for men in their twenties) for which a first attribute (men in their twenties) is predetermined as an attribute of the sales target. For example, in the product information shown in FIG. 3B, a specific product may be associated with an attribute of the sales target of the product (a target demographic for which purchases are particularly desired to be encouraged). Such attributes of the sales target are set, for example, by an administrator of a service using a virtual space provided by the information processing device 10.

[0030] According to the second example, a product that has been predetermined as a target for which the first user group corresponding to the first attribute is to be encouraged to purchase (for example, a product promoted for users in a specific demographic (here, men in their 20s)) can be determined as the target product. By executing the processing of the providing unit 14 described later for the target product determined in this manner, sales of the product can be effectively promoted.

[0031] The providing unit 14 provides a virtual space in which an NPC object (first virtual object) having a configuration according to the first attribute is placed and a target commodity object (second virtual object) corresponding to the target commodity is placed in association with the NPC object. That is, the providing unit 14 places the NPC object and the target commodity object in a predetermined location within the virtual space. Furthermore, as described above, the providing unit 14 provides each user terminal 20 with a virtual space image corresponding to the viewpoint of each user's avatar based on the virtual space information stored in the storage unit 11.

[0032] FIG. 6A shows an example of an NPC object P1 and a target commodity object V1 when the first attribute is "male in his twenties" and the target commodity is "commodity A." FIG. 6B shows an example of an NPC object P2 and a target commodity object V2 when the first attribute is "female in her twenties" and the target commodity is "commodity Z." In this example, the NPC objects P1 and P2 in a manner according to the first attribute are NPC objects that resemble characters having the same attribute as the first attribute. The NPC objects P1 and P2 may be fixed to predetermined locations in the virtual space, or may be configured to be movable within the virtual space. In this example, the target commodity objects V1 and V2 are held (carried) in the hands of the NPC objects P1 and P2.

[0033] The "first virtual object having a configuration corresponding to the first attribute" is not limited to the example of FIG. 6 . For example, if the first attribute is an attribute related to a hobby or preference, such as "loving the outdoors," the first virtual object may be a humanoid NPC object dressed for the outdoors (e.g., wearing a backpack and a hat). Furthermore, if the first attribute is an attribute related to a hobby or preference, such as "loving dogs," the first virtual object may be, for example, an anthropomorphized dog-shaped NPC object. In this way, the "first virtual object having a configuration corresponding to the first attribute" may be, for example, an NPC object having a display configuration (appearance) that evokes some information related to the first attribute.

[0034] Furthermore, the phrase "the second virtual object is arranged in association with the first virtual object" is not limited to the example in FIG. 6 where the first virtual object (NPC objects P1, P2) holds the second virtual object (target product object V1, V2). For example, if the target product is a wearable item such as "clothes," "hat," "shoes," or "wristwatch," the target product may be attached to a corresponding part of the body of the humanoid first virtual object. Furthermore, the second virtual object does not need to be in contact with the first virtual object. For example, the second virtual object may be arranged so as to float near the first virtual object but at a position physically separated from the first virtual object (e.g., above the head of the humanoid first virtual object). In this way, the phrase "the second virtual object is arranged in association with the first virtual object" may refer to any mode in which the second virtual object is arranged with a predetermined relationship (positional relationship) with the first virtual object.

[0035] The processing unit 15 accepts a product purchase operation by a user in the virtual space and executes a process for selling the product to the user. For example, when the processing unit 15 accepts a user operation to select a product object displayed in the virtual space, the processing unit 15 executes a process for selecting the product corresponding to the product object as a purchase target (e.g., a process for adding the product to a virtual shopping cart). Furthermore, when the processing unit 15 accepts a purchase confirmation operation performed by a user at a virtual cash register located in the virtual space, the processing unit 15 confirms the purchase of the product added to the user's virtual shopping cart. Note that the user operation for confirming the purchase of the product may be configured to be executable at any location in the virtual space. In this case, the virtual cash register as described above does not need to be provided in the virtual space. However, if a virtual cash register is installed, it is possible to provide the user with an experience similar to that of shopping in real space.

[0036] When the processing unit 15 receives a user operation to select a second virtual object (e.g., a target product object V1 or V2 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B ) in the virtual space, the processing unit 15 may execute a process to select the target product corresponding to the second virtual object as a purchase target (e.g., a process to add the target product to a virtual shopping cart). According to the above configuration, when the user discovers a first virtual object (e.g., an NPC object P1 or P2 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B ) and a second virtual object in the virtual space, the user can easily select the target product as a purchase target by performing an operation to select the second virtual object (e.g., a touch operation, etc.). In other words, the user does not need to go to the location where the target product is actually sold (located) in order to purchase the target product. As a result, the user's purchase behavior of the target product in the virtual space is effectively promoted.

[0037] Next, several examples of the processing of the providing unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 . FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a virtual space VS. More specifically, FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a map of the interior of a virtual store configured as the virtual space VS. As an example, the virtual space VS is a virtual store in which multiple product shelves SH are arranged according to a predetermined layout, and multiple products available for purchase by users are arranged at predetermined positions on the corresponding product shelves. A user can move through the virtual store (virtual space VS) by operating their own avatar. They can add the product to their virtual shopping cart by moving the avatar near the product they want to purchase and performing a predetermined selection operation. Thereafter, the user can go to a cash register in the virtual store and complete a purchase procedure to confirm the purchase of the product added to the shopping cart. In the example of FIG. 7 , a target product (product A) is placed at point X1. That is, point X1 is predetermined as the location (first position) of the target product in the virtual space VS.

[0038] (First example of processing by the providing unit 14) As shown in Fig. 7 , the providing unit 14 may place an NPC object P1 and a target commodity object V1 (in the example of Fig. 7 , NPC objects P1a, P1b and target commodity objects V1a, V1b) at a location (second position) different from point X1, which is the location where commodity A is placed, in the virtual space VS. According to the above configuration, the target commodity can be advertised to users (particularly users belonging to the first user group) who are in a location different from the original location (point X1) of the target commodity, thereby more effectively promoting sales of the target commodity.

[0039] For example, the providing unit 14 may place an NPC object P1a and a target commodity object V1a in an area R1 (second location) that is a certain distance (e.g., a predetermined threshold value d1 or more) away from a point X1 (first location) where the commodity A (target commodity) is placed. In this case, the NPC object P1a may be associated with display information indicating the location (point X1) of the commodity A (e.g., map information showing how to get to point X1). According to the above configuration, a user (especially a user belonging to the first user group) corresponding to an avatar A1 located away from point X1 in the virtual space VS can be prompted to head to point X1 to purchase the commodity A. Note that if the processing of the processing unit 15 allows the user to immediately add the commodity A to a shopping cart by selecting the target commodity object V1a, placing the target commodity object V1a in an area R1 that is away from point X1 can more effectively promote sales of the commodity A. In this case, a user who finds the target product object V1a in area R1 can purchase product A on the spot and does not need to go to point X1, so the above-mentioned display information may be omitted.

[0040] Alternatively, the providing unit 14 may place the NPC object P1b and the target commodity object V1b in an area R2 (second location) within a certain range (for example, within a predetermined threshold d2) from point X1 (first location), which is a location where commodity A (target commodity) is placed. According to the above configuration, a user (particularly a user belonging to a first user group) corresponding to an avatar A2 who has come close to point X1 in the virtual space VS can be made to understand that commodity A recommended for users of the first user group is available at nearby point X1, thereby directly encouraging the user to purchase the commodity A.

[0041] (Second example of processing by the providing unit 14) The providing unit 14 may determine the number of NPC objects P1 and target product objects V1 to be placed in the virtual space VS based on the popularity of the target product (here, product A) among a first user group (here, men in their twenties). The popularity may be, for example, the number of sales in a recent fixed period (see FIG. 5). However, the popularity may also be an index other than the number of sales. For example, the popularity may be the number of reviews posted by users, the average value of user ratings (e.g., a five-point scale), etc.

[0042] For example, the provision unit 14 may increase the number of pairs of NPC object P1 and target commodity object V1 to be placed in the virtual space VS as the popularity of the target commodity increases. For example, the provision unit 14 may place only one pair of NPC object P1 and target commodity object V1 when the popularity is less than a predetermined threshold, and may place two pairs of NPC object P1 and target commodity object V1 when the popularity is equal to or greater than the threshold, as shown in FIG. 7 .

[0043] According to the above configuration, a more effective virtual space VS can be provided in terms of promoting sales of the target product, for example, by increasing the number of pairs of first virtual objects and second virtual objects placed in the virtual space VS as the popularity increases.

[0044] (Third Example of Processing by the Providing Unit 14) The providing unit 14 may determine the display mode of the target product object V1 based on the popularity of the target product (here, product A) among a first user group (here, men in their twenties). For example, as shown in (A) of FIG. 8, the providing unit 14 may increase the size of the target product object V1 beyond the normal size (see (A) of FIG. 6) when the popularity of the target product is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the providing unit 14 may continuously change the size of the target product object V1 according to the popularity of the target product so that the target product object V1 is displayed larger as its popularity increases. As another example, the providing unit 14 may determine an element other than the size of the target product object V1 based on the popularity of the target product. For example, the providing unit 14 may determine the shape, color, animation, etc. of the target product object V1 so that the target product object V1 becomes more noticeable as its popularity increases.

[0045] According to the above configuration, for example, the target product object V1 is displayed larger the more popular it is, thereby making it possible to provide a more effective virtual space VS in terms of promoting sales of the target product.

[0046] (Fourth Example of Processing by the Providing Unit 14) The providing unit 14 may determine the display mode of the target product object V1 based on stock information of the target product (see (B) of FIG. 3). For example, as shown in (B) of FIG. 8, when the stock of the target product (product A in this case) is low (for example, when the stock is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold), the providing unit 14 may apply a display mode to the target product object V1 that is different from the display mode when there is sufficient stock of the target product.

[0047] According to the above configuration, for example, when the stock of the target product is low, the target product object V1 can be displayed dimmed or flashing to let the user know that only a few target products remain, thereby effectively encouraging the user to purchase the target product.

[0048] (Fifth Example of Processing by the Providing Unit 14) The providing unit 14 may determine whether to place an NPC object P1 and a target commodity object V1 corresponding to a first attribute (here, men in their twenties) in the virtual space VS based on the number of users who are logged in to the virtual space VS and who have the first attribute. For example, the providing unit 14 may place an NPC object P1 and a target commodity object V1 corresponding to the first attribute in the virtual space VS when the number of logged-in users who have the first attribute is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The threshold may be set arbitrarily by, for example, an administrator of a service that uses the virtual space VS.

[0049] According to the above configuration, when the number of users logged in to the virtual space VS who have the same attribute (first attribute) is equal to or greater than a certain number, an NPC object P1 and a target product object V1 targeted at a group of users with that attribute (here, a group of male users in their twenties) are placed in the virtual space VS, thereby more effectively promoting sales of the target product. Furthermore, by placing an NPC object P1 and a target product object V1 corresponding to the attribute in the virtual space VS only when the number of users with the same attribute is equal to or greater than a certain number, the following effects are also achieved. That is, the virtual space VS can be prevented from becoming congested with a large number of objects, which would impair user convenience, due to the placement of a large number of objects in the virtual space VS (e.g., the first virtual object and the second virtual object corresponding to all groups for each attribute generated by the grouping unit 12). Furthermore, an increase in the processing volume (e.g., an increase in the processing volume related to the generation (rendering) of a virtual space image) can be suppressed.

[0050] In a fifth example of the processing by the providing unit 14, the providing unit 14 may determine whether to place an NPC object P1 and a target product object V1 corresponding to the first attribute in the virtual space VS based on the number of users who are logged in to the virtual space VS and have a first attribute (here, men in their twenties) and have not yet purchased the target product determined by the determining unit 13. For example, the providing unit 14 may place an NPC object P1 and a target product object V1 corresponding to the first attribute in the virtual space VS if the number of logged-in users who have the first attribute and have not yet purchased the target product is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, even if there are many users who are logged in to the virtual space VS and have the first attribute, if most of these users have already purchased the target product, there is little benefit to placing an NPC object P1 and a target product object V1 for a group of users who have the first attribute (first user group) in the virtual space VS. Rather, the disadvantages of increasing the number of such objects in the virtual space VS (such as the reduced user convenience and increased rendering processing volume described above) may outweigh the benefits. Therefore, by using the number of users who have not purchased the target product as the judgment criteria as described above, it is possible to place the NPC object P1 and the target product object V1 in the virtual space VS only when there are many users who have not purchased the target product and the above-mentioned benefits can be said to be great.

[0051] Next, an example of the operation (information processing method) of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] In step S1, the grouping unit 12 groups multiple users who use the virtual space based on the attributes of each of the multiple users. As an example, the grouping unit 12 uses a combination of age and gender (e.g., men in their twenties) as an attribute for grouping. When the grouping unit 12 generates multiple groups (i.e., groups of users grouped by different attributes), the processes of steps S2 to S4 may be performed for each attribute (first attribute) corresponding to each group. In the following explanation, the process for one first attribute (men in their twenties) will be explained.

[0053] In step S2, the determination unit 13 determines at least one target product from among a plurality of products based on information on a user group (first user group) grouped based on a certain first attribute (men in their 20s). An example of the processing in step S2 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. As an example, a flow will be described in which the second example of the processing by the determination unit 13 described above is first executed, and if a target product is not determined, the first example of the processing by the determination unit 13 described above is executed.

[0054] First, the determination unit 13 determines whether or not there is a product for which the first attribute (male in his twenties) is predetermined as a sales target attribute among the multiple products sold in the virtual space VS (step S21). If such a product exists (step S21: YES), the determination unit 13 determines the corresponding product as the target product (step S22).

[0055] On the other hand, if such a product does not exist (step S21: NO), the determination unit 13 determines whether there is a product whose popularity among the first user group (e.g., the number of sales during the nearest period) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S23). If such a product exists (step S23: YES), the determination unit 13 determines the corresponding product as the target product (step S22). On the other hand, if such a product does not exist (step S23: NO), the determination unit 13 may terminate the processing, assuming that there is no product that corresponds to the target product. In this case, the processing from step S3 onwards in FIG. 9 may be omitted.

[0056] The processing of the determination unit 13 is not limited to the flow shown in Fig. 10. For example, the determination unit 13 may execute the determination processing of step S23 before the determination processing of step S21. Alternatively, the determination unit 13 may execute both the determination processing of step S21 and the determination processing of step S23, and determine both the product determined to be applicable in step S21 and the product determined to be applicable in step S23 as target products.

[0057] When a plurality of target products are determined by the determination unit 13, the processing of step S3 described below may be executed for each of the plurality of target products. For example, when two products A and B are determined as target products for the first attribute (male in his twenties), the provision unit 14 may separately place an NPC object P1 (see FIG. 6A ) associated with a target product object V1 corresponding to product A and an NPC object P1 associated with a target product object corresponding to product B. Alternatively, the provision unit 14 may place both the target product object V1 corresponding to product A and the target product object V1 corresponding to product B in association with one NPC object P1. That is, one NPC object P1 may be displayed in the virtual space VS as having two target product objects.

[0058] After the target product is determined in step S2, the provider 14 provides a virtual space VS in which an NPC object P1 according to the first attribute (male in his twenties) is placed and a target product object V1 corresponding to the target product (product A in this case) is placed in association with the NPC object P1. An example of the processing in step S3 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . Here, an example of a processing flow in which all of the first to fifth examples of the processing by the provider 14 described above are executed will be described.

[0059] First, the providing unit 14 determines whether the number of logged-in users having the first attribute (males in their twenties) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold v1 (step S31). If it is determined that the number is not equal to or greater than the threshold v1 (step S31: NO), the providing unit 14 terminates the processing for the first attribute. That is, in this case, the providing unit 14 does not place an NPC object P1 and a target product object V1 for the first user group (male users in their twenties) in the virtual space VS. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number is equal to or greater than the threshold v1 (step S31: YES), the providing unit 14 executes the processing of steps S32 to S35.

[0060] That is, the providing unit 14 determines the display mode of the target product object V1 based on the popularity of the target product (product A) (step S32). For example, when the popularity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold v2, the providing unit 14 increases the size of the target product object V1 from the normal size (see (A) in FIG. 8).

[0061] Furthermore, the providing unit 14 determines the display mode of the target product object V1 based on the inventory quantity of the target product (product A) (step S33). For example, when the inventory quantity is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold v3, the providing unit 14 displays the target product object V1 in a mode different from the display mode when there is sufficient inventory of the target product (for example, by fading the color or flashing to indicate low inventory) (see FIG. 8B). Note that the display mode determined in step S32 and the display mode determined in step S33 may be applied in a superimposed manner. For example, when the popularity of the target product is equal to or greater than the threshold v2 and the inventory quantity is equal to or less than the threshold v3, the providing unit 14 may increase the size of the target product object V1 and lighten the color of the target product object V1.

[0062] Furthermore, the providing unit 14 determines the number of NPC objects P1 and target product objects V1 to be placed in the virtual space VS based on the popularity of the target product (product A) (step S34).

[0063] Next, the providing unit 14 places the NPC object P1 and the target product object V1 in the virtual space VS so that the processing results of steps S32 to S34 are reflected (step S35).

[0064] As a result of the above, in step S3, the virtual space VS in which the NPC object P1 and the target product object V1 are arranged is provided to the user terminal 20 of each of the multiple logged-in users.

[0065] Next, the processing unit 15 accepts a product purchase operation by the user in the virtual space VS and executes a sales process for the product to the user. For example, when the processing unit 15 accepts a user operation to select a target product object V1 in the virtual space VS, the processing unit 15 executes a process of selecting the target product (product A) corresponding to the target product object V1 as a purchase target (for example, a process of adding the target product to a virtual shopping cart).

[0066] In the information processing device 10 and information processing method described above, multiple users using the virtual space VS are grouped based on their attributes, and a target product is determined for a first user group grouped based on a certain first attribute (e.g., men in their twenties). Furthermore, the target product (e.g., product A) is placed in the virtual space VS in association with an NPC object P1 (see FIG. 6A ) that corresponds to the first attribute. This configuration effectively encourages users in the first user group corresponding to the first attribute to purchase the target product (product A). For example, by displaying the NPC object P1 in a manner that evokes features related to the same attribute (first attribute) as users in the first user group, the attention of users in the first user group can be effectively drawn to the NPC object P1. As a result, the target product object V1 placed in association with the NPC object P1 can also effectively attract the interest of users in the first user group. Therefore, the information processing device 10 can effectively promote user purchasing behavior (particularly, purchase of target products by users belonging to the first user group) in the virtual space VS.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the virtual space VS is configured as the interior space of a virtual store. However, the virtual space VS may also include, for example, a virtual town space including a virtual store (i.e., an outdoor space of the virtual store). In this case, the above-described NPC object P1 and the target product object V1 may be placed in the outdoor space of the virtual store within the virtual space VS. For example, if multiple virtual stores are placed within the virtual space VS and different virtual stores sell different products, the NPC object P1 and the target product object V1 may be placed in the outdoor space of the virtual store to direct users of the first user group to the virtual store selling the target product (product A). In other words, the providing unit 14 may place the NPC object P1 and the target product object V1 in a location (second location) in the virtual space that is different from the virtual store (first location) that is predetermined as the sales location of the target product.

[0068] [Additional Notes] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0069] [1] An information processing device comprising: a grouping unit that groups multiple users who use a virtual space in which multiple products are sold based on attributes of each of the multiple users; a determination unit that determines at least one target product from among the multiple products based on information of a first group of users grouped based on a first attribute; and a provision unit that provides the virtual space in which a first virtual object of a configuration according to the first attribute is arranged and a second virtual object corresponding to the target product is arranged in association with the first virtual object.

[0070] [2] The information processing device of [1], wherein the determination unit determines the target product based on the past product purchase history of each user belonging to the first user group.

[0071] [3] The information processing device of [1] or [2], wherein the determination unit determines a product whose first attribute is predetermined as an attribute of a sales target as the target product.

[0072] [4] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a processing unit that executes a sales process for the second virtual object when a user operation of selecting the second virtual object in the virtual space is received.

[0073] [5] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the providing unit places the first virtual object and the second virtual object at a second location different from a first location predetermined as a point where the target product is sold in the virtual space.

[0074] [6] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the providing unit determines the number of the first virtual objects and the second virtual objects to be placed in the virtual space based on the popularity of the target product among the first user group.

[0075] [7] The information processing device of any one of [1] to [6], wherein the providing unit determines the display mode of the second virtual object based on the popularity of the target product among the first user group.

[0076] [8] The information processing device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the providing unit determines the display mode of the second virtual object based on inventory information of the target product.

[0077] [9] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the providing unit determines whether or not to place the first virtual object and the second virtual object in the virtual space based on the number of users who are logged in to the virtual space and have the first attribute.

[0078]

[10] An information processing method including: a step of grouping a plurality of users who use a virtual space in which a plurality of products are sold based on attributes of each of the plurality of users; a step of determining at least one target product from among the plurality of products based on information of a first group of users grouped based on a first attribute; and a step of providing the virtual space in which a first virtual object having a configuration according to the first attribute is arranged and a second virtual object corresponding to the target product is arranged in association with the first virtual object.

[0079] [Definition of Terms, etc.] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (e.g., using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0080] Functions include, but are not limited to, judging, determining, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, searching, verifying, receiving, transmitting, outputting, accessing, resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, expecting, anticipating, regarding, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assigning.

[0081] For example, the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the information processing method of the present disclosure. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing device 10 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0082] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in Fig. 12, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0083] Each function of the information processing device 10 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0084] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system, and may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc.

[0085] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with the programs. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, each functional unit of the information processing device 10 (e.g., the providing unit 14, etc.) may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be used for other functional blocks. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0086] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0088] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0089] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0090] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0091] The information processing device 10 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0092] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. The present embodiment can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present embodiment.

[0093] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0094] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0095] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0096] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0097] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0098] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0099] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0100] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0101] The names used for the parameters described above are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical formulas and the like that use these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and the various names assigned to these various information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0102] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0103] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0104] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0105] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0106] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0107] 10...information processing device, 11...memory unit, 12...grouping unit, 13...determination unit, 14...provision unit, 15...processing unit, 20...user terminal, P1, P2, P1a, P1b...NPC object (first virtual object), V1, V2, V1a, V1b...target product object (second virtual object).

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a grouping unit that groups a plurality of users who use a virtual space in which a plurality of products are sold, based on the attributes of each of the plurality of users; a determination unit that determines at least one target product from among the plurality of products based on information of a first user group grouped based on a first attribute; and a provision unit that provides the virtual space in which a first virtual object in a mode corresponding to the first attribute is arranged and a second virtual object corresponding to the target product is arranged in association with the first virtual object.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the target product based on the past product purchase history of each user belonging to the first user group.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines, as the target product, a product predetermined as an attribute of a sales target for the first attribute.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit that executes a process of selecting the second virtual object as a purchase target when a user operation of selecting the second virtual object in the virtual space is received.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the provision unit arranges the first virtual object and the second virtual object at a second position different from a first position predetermined as a sales location or a placement location of the target product in the virtual space.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the provision unit determines the number of the first virtual object and the second virtual object arranged in the virtual space based on the popularity of the target product in the first user group.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the provision unit determines the display mode of the second virtual object based on the popularity of the target product in the first user group.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the provision unit determines the display mode of the second virtual object based on the inventory information of the target product.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the provision unit determines whether to arrange the first virtual object and the second virtual object in the virtual space based on the number of users who are logged in to the virtual space and have the first attribute.

10. A step of grouping a plurality of users who use a virtual space in which a plurality of products are sold, based on the attributes of each of the plurality of users; a step of determining at least one target product from among the plurality of products, based on information of a first user group grouped based on a first attribute; and a step of providing the virtual space in which a first virtual object in a mode corresponding to the first attribute is arranged and a second virtual object corresponding to the target product is arranged in association with the first virtual object. An information processing method including these steps.

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