Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

An information processing device 10 according to one embodiment comprises: a processing unit 12 that registers at least one target product as a purchase candidate for a first user in response to receiving, from the first user, an operation of selecting the target product as a purchase candidate in a virtual space VS; a control unit 13 that places, in the virtual space VS, a product object P representing the target product selected as a purchase candidate in association with an avatar A1 of the first user in a manner visible to a second user different from the first user; and a provision unit 14 that provides the second user with the virtual space VS including the product object P placed in association with the avatar A1.

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 can further encourage 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 processing unit that, in response to receiving an operation from a first user to select at least one target product as a purchase candidate in a virtual space in which objects of products that users can purchase are arranged, registers the target product as a purchase candidate for a first user; a control unit that, in the virtual space, arranges a product object indicating the target product selected as a purchase candidate in association with a first avatar that is an avatar of the first user in a manner that is viewable by a second user different from the first user; and a providing unit that provides the second user with a virtual space including the product object arranged in association with the first avatar.

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

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration including an information processing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of product information. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual space. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating first to third examples of arrangements of product objects P associated with an avatar A1 of a first user. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating first to third examples of display modes of product objects P. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of display mode of product objects P. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of confidentiality control. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority control. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing device. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the 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 multiple products are sold to multiple users. The virtual space is, for example, the interior space of a virtual store (virtual shop) that mimics a store in the real world. That is, the virtual space is a virtual space in which product objects that users can purchase are arranged. 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 represented on a plane. Various objects and virtual objects such as avatars of users using 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 12 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 12 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 who uses a virtual space is a user who can log in to the virtual space provided by the information processing device 10 and operate his or her own avatar. For example, 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 FIG. 3) can use the virtual space. 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 shared virtual space via their own avatars.

[0017] 2, the information processing device 10 includes a storage unit 11, a processing unit 12, a control unit 13, and a providing unit 14. In Fig. 2, a user terminal 20A is a user terminal 20 of a first user. A user terminal 20B is a user terminal 20 of a second user different from the first user.

[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) to be placed in the virtual space, and placement information indicating the positions of various objects in the virtual space). The storage unit 11 also stores various data such as user information shown in FIG. 3 and product information shown in FIG. 4.

[0019] 3 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), user attributes such as the age, gender, and hobbies and preferences of the user corresponding to the user ID, the amount of money available in the virtual space, the level of the user's avatar, a login status indicating whether the user is currently using the virtual space (logged in) or offline, and location information indicating the location of the logged-in user (the user's avatar) in the virtual space. The age, gender, hobbies, and preferences included in the user information are entered by the user, for example, during user registration. The money, level, login status, and location information included in the user information are automatically stored and updated in the storage unit 11, for example, by the system monitoring the user's (avatar's) behavior in the virtual space.

[0020] The location information indicating the location of the logged-in user's avatar may be expressed, for example, by position coordinates indicating a specific position within the virtual space (for example, coordinates in an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system if the virtual space is a three-dimensional space). Alternatively, if the virtual space is formed by multiple sections (areas), the location information may be information indicating the section in which the avatar is located (for example, a section ID).

[0021] FIG. 4 shows an example of product information. The product information includes a product ID for identifying the product, the number of items in stock, the number of items temporarily reserved, the number of items sold, a rating (on a 5-point scale), customer reviews, attributes, and priority. The number of items temporarily reserved is the number of items currently placed in a user's virtual shopping cart (a shopping cart object V, described below). The number of items sold is, for example, the cumulative number of items sold in a recent period (e.g., the most recent hour). The rating (on a 5-point scale) is the average of the 5-point rating values ​​posted by one or more users who purchased the product. Customer reviews are comments posted by one or more users regarding the quality of the product. The attributes are attributes associated with the product. For example, if the product is an outdoor product (e.g., a tent), "outdoor" may be set as the attribute of the product. Also, if the product is baseball equipment, "baseball" may be set as the attribute of the product. Furthermore, for example, if a product is highly popular among many users with a particular attribute (e.g., men in their twenties) (e.g., if there are many purchasers who are male users in their twenties, or if the product is highly rated by male users in their twenties), the particular attribute may be set as an attribute of the product. The attribute setting for such a product may be set by a service provider or the like that provides the virtual space VS, or may be set based on the results of an analysis of the product's sales performance and evaluations. The priority is an index that indicates the degree to which the product's sales are to be promoted. The priority is set, for example, by a service provider or the like. Note that this priority may be variable by priority control by the control unit 13, which will be described later.

[0022] In response to receiving an operation from a first user in the virtual space to select at least one target product as a purchase candidate, the processing unit 12 registers the target product as a purchase candidate for the first user. For example, when the processing unit 15 receives a user operation to select a product object displayed in the virtual space, the processing unit 15 executes a process to select the product corresponding to the product object as a purchase candidate (e.g., a process to add the product to a virtual shopping cart). Furthermore, when the processing unit 15 receives 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 to confirm 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.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 13 places a product object P in the virtual space VS representing a target product (for example, product X) selected as a purchase candidate by a first user in association with avatar A1 (first avatar), which is the avatar A of the first user, in a manner that is visible to a second user different from the first user.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a virtual space VS. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an interior map of a virtual store configured as the virtual space VS. As an example, the virtual space VS is a virtual store in which multiple (for example, four) product shelves SH1 to SH4 are arranged according to a predetermined layout, and objects representing multiple products that can be purchased by users are arranged in predetermined positions on the corresponding product shelves SH1 to SH4. In the example of FIG. 5, product X is arranged in location B on product shelf SH3. In other words, location B is set as the original sales area (placement) of product X.

[0025] 5, the first user operates avatar A1 to select product X located in location B as a purchase candidate, and as a result, product X is registered as a purchase candidate for the first user by the processing of the processing unit 12. Furthermore, a product object P representing product X is placed in association with avatar A1 by the processing of the control unit 13.

[0026] In addition, in cases where the product objects displayed on the product shelves SH1 to SH4 in the virtual space VS are the same number as the actual sales quantity (e.g., inventory quantity), the control unit 13 may associate the product object actually selected as a purchase candidate by the first user with the avatar A1 and move it. That is, in the example of FIG. 5 , the product object for product X originally placed in location B may be associated with the avatar A1 as the product object P. On the other hand, in cases where only one product object per type of product is displayed on the product shelves SH1 to SH4 in the virtual space VS (that is, when the actual sales quantity and the number of product objects in the virtual space VS are not linked), the control unit 13 may generate a new product object P in addition to the product object for product X originally placed in location B.

[0027] The providing unit 14 provides the virtual space VS. More specifically, the providing unit 14 transmits information about the virtual space VS to the user terminal 20 so that a virtual space image corresponding to each user's virtual viewpoint is displayed on the user terminal of each user who is logged in to the virtual space VS. In this embodiment, the providing unit 14 provides the virtual space VS including the product object P associated with the avatar A1 to a first user and also to a second user different from the first user. For example, the providing unit 14 provides the user terminals 20A and 20B of each user with a virtual space image (an image of the virtual space VS viewed from each user's virtual viewpoint) showing the virtual space VS in a state in which the product object P is associated with the avatar A1 through the processing of the control unit 13 described above. As a result, a second user using the user terminal 20B can view the product object P associated with the avatar A1 when the avatar A1 is included in the virtual viewpoint of the second user.

[0028] Next, several specific examples of the product objects P arranged by the control unit 13 will be described. First, first to third examples of arrangement of the product objects P will be described with reference to Fig. 6. However, the method of arranging the product objects P in association with the avatar A1 is not limited to the following first to third examples.

[0029] (First Example of Arrangement of Merchandise Objects P) As shown in Fig. 6A , the control unit 13 may arrange a shopping cart object V representing the avatar A1's virtual shopping cart in the virtual space VS in association with the avatar A1. Then, the control unit 13 may store in the shopping cart object V product objects P representing target products selected as purchase candidates by the first user (three products X, Y, and Z in the example of Fig. 6A ).

[0030] (Second Example of Arrangement of Product Object P) As shown in (B) of Fig. 6, when the target product is a product to be worn on the body of a user or an avatar, the control unit 13 may arrange the product object P in association with the avatar A1 in a manner that the product object P is worn on a corresponding part of the body of the avatar A1. In the example of (B) of Fig. 6, the target product is a hat to be worn on the head (which may be a hat as a real item or a hat as a virtual item to be worn on an avatar in a virtual space). In this case, the product object P may be worn on the head of the avatar A1.

[0031] (Third Example of Arrangement of Merchandise Objects P) As shown in Fig. 6C , the control unit 13 may arrange, within a predetermined range of the avatar A1, merchandising objects P representing target merchandises (three merchandises X, Y, and Z in the example of Fig. 6C ) that move in conjunction with the movement of the avatar A1. In this example, the three merchandising objects P are arranged in a line behind the avatar A1.

[0032] Next, first to third examples of the display mode of the commodity object P will be described with reference to Fig. 7. However, the display mode of the commodity object P determined by the control unit 13 is not limited to the following first to third examples.

[0033] (First Example of Display Mode of Product Object P) The control unit 13 may acquire information regarding the popularity of a target product, and may determine the display mode of the product object P to be placed in association with the avatar A1 based on the popularity of the target product. As an example, the popularity is the number of sales in a recent fixed period. 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 5-point scale), etc. In the present embodiment, as an example, the popularity is the number of sales (number of sales in a recent fixed period) of each product stored as product information (see FIG. 4 ).

[0034] FIG. 7A illustrates an example in which two target products (products X and Y) are selected as purchase candidates by a first user, and the popularity of product X is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, while the popularity of product Y is less than the threshold. In such a case, the control unit 13 may display the product object P representing the target product (product X) with a popularity equal to or greater than the threshold in a more prominent manner than the product object P representing the target product (product Y) with a popularity less than a certain level. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A , the control unit 13 may increase the display size of the product object P for product X to be larger than the display size (standard size) of the product object P for product Y. The control unit 13 may also apply a predetermined decoration, such as a sparkling ornament, to the product object P for product X. The control unit 13 may also add a predetermined animation (motion), such as a vibration, to the product object P for product X. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may compare the popularity of multiple target products selected as purchase candidates by the first user without using the above-mentioned threshold value, and determine the display mode (e.g., display size, decoration, animation, etc.) of each product object P so that the most popular products stand out in order of popularity.

[0035] As in the first example above, by determining the display mode of the product object P based on the popularity of the target product, the product object P of the target product that is highly popular (product X in the example of Figure 7 (A)) can be made to stand out, thereby effectively increasing the second user's desire to purchase the target product.

[0036] (Second Example of Display Mode of Product Object P) The control unit 13 may acquire information regarding the inventory of the target product, and may determine the display mode of the product object P to be placed in association with the avatar A1 based on the inventory of the target product. For example, as shown in (B) of Fig. 7, the control unit 13 may set the display mode of the product object P of the target product (product X in this case) whose inventory is below a predetermined threshold (only a little remaining) to a mode (e.g., semi-transparent display, blinking display, etc.) that distinguishes it from the product objects of target products whose inventory is equal to or exceeds the threshold.

[0037] As in the second example above, by determining the display mode of the product object P based on the stock quantity of the target product, when the stock quantity of the target product is low, the second user can be visually informed that the target product may soon sell out, thereby guiding the second user who is interested in the target product to purchase the target product immediately.

[0038] (Third Example of Display Manner of Merchandise Object P) The control unit 13 may determine the display manner or the number of product objects P to be displayed in association with the avatar A1 based on environmental information about the environment surrounding the avatar A1 in the virtual space VS. For example, the control unit 13 may acquire, as the environmental information, the number of objects (e.g., the number of avatars of other users) present within a predetermined range including the avatar A1 (e.g., an area within a predetermined radius centered on the position of the avatar A1). For example, the control unit 13 may acquire location information of the avatars of all logged-in users by referring to the user information (see FIG. 3 ) stored in the storage unit 11. The control unit 13 may acquire the number of avatars present within a predetermined range including the avatar A1 based on the acquired location information of each avatar.

[0039] For example, when the number of avatars present in a predetermined range including the avatar A1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 13 may reduce the display size of the product objects P or the number of displayed product objects P. On the other hand, when the number of avatars is less than the threshold, the control unit 13 may set the display size and the number of displayed product objects P to the normal size and the normal number.

[0040] For example, consider a case where product objects P are arranged as shown in Fig. 6C. When the number of avatars is less than the threshold, the control unit 13 may display a predetermined upper limit number of product objects P (here, three) in normal size as shown in Fig. 6C. On the other hand, when the number of avatars is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 13 may display a number of product objects P less than the predetermined upper limit number (here, two) in a size smaller than the normal size as shown in Fig. 7C.

[0041] Note that, although information indicating the congestion status around the avatar A1 (the number of avatars around the avatar A1) has been described here as an example of environmental information, environmental information is not limited to the above information. As another example, the environmental information may be topographical information within the virtual space VS. For example, the environmental information may be information indicating the width of the passage through which the avatar A1 is passing within the virtual space VS. The control unit 13 may display the product object P at a normal size when the passage width is equal to or greater than a threshold, and may display the product object P at a size smaller than the normal size when the passage width is less than the threshold.

[0042] According to the third example, it is possible to appropriately determine the display mode (e.g., display size) or the number of displayed product objects P depending on the situation around the avatar A1. For example, if there are many other objects (e.g., avatars of multiple users) around the avatar A1 and there is not enough space to display the product objects P (in other words, if the product objects P are placed, the area around the avatar A1 will become crowded and the display will become cluttered), it is possible to reduce the size of the product objects P placed in association with the avatar A1 or reduce the number of displayed product objects P.

[0043] (Fourth Example of Display Mode of Product Object P) The control unit 13 may acquire information on the state of a second user viewing the product object P associated with the avatar A1, and may determine a display mode of the product object P placed in association with the avatar A1 for the second user based on the state of the second user. In other words, the control unit 13 may change the display mode of the product object P for each second user viewing the product object P.

[0044] As an example, the information about the second user's status is information about the second user's money included in the user information about the second user (see FIG. 3 ) stored in the storage unit 11. For example, when an avatar A1 and a commodity object P are present ahead of the second user's virtual viewpoint (for example, the viewpoint of the second user's avatar A2), the control unit 13 may determine the display mode of the commodity object P viewed by the second user based on the following determination process. For example, the control unit 13 acquires information about the second user's money as information about the second user's status, and also acquires information about the selling price of a target commodity (for example, commodity X) corresponding to the commodity object P. Here, the information about the selling price of commodity X may be included in the commodity information about commodity X (see FIG. 4 ). In this case, the control unit 13 can acquire information about the second user's money and the selling price of commodity X by referring to the storage unit 11.

[0045] As shown in (A) of Fig. 8, when the second user's money is equal to or greater than the selling price of product X (in other words, when the second user can purchase product X), the control unit 13 may display the product object P for the second user in the normal display mode. On the other hand, as shown in (B) of Fig. 8, when the second user's money is less than the selling price of product X (in other words, when the second user cannot purchase product X), the control unit 13 may display the product object P for the second user in a display mode indicating that the second user cannot purchase the product (for example, grayed out).

[0046] 8 , the control unit 13 may set the display mode of the product object P for the second user to the normal display mode when the second user's owned money is less than the selling price of product X, and may set the display mode of the product object P for the second user to a display mode indicating that the second user can purchase the product (for example, a vibration display) when the second user's owned money is equal to or greater than the selling price of product X. In other words, the control unit 13 may determine the display mode of the product object P for the second user so that the second user can visually grasp a predetermined relationship between the state of the second user and the target product (product X) indicated by the product object P (in the above example, whether the second user can purchase the product).

[0047] According to the fourth example, by displaying the product object P in a display mode that corresponds to the state of the second user, it is possible to provide the second user with more information about the target product (product X) that corresponds to the product object P. For example, as in the example above, the control unit 13 may change the display mode of the product object P depending on whether the second user has enough money to purchase the target product. In this case, it is possible to provide the second user with useful information regarding whether the target product is available for purchase. Furthermore, since the second user can immediately know that the target product is available for purchase by the second user, it is possible to effectively encourage the second user to purchase the target product.

[0048] As another example, if the target product is an accessory for an avatar and a required avatar level for equipping the accessory is set, the control unit 13 may acquire level information included in the user information of the second user (see FIG. 3 ) as information regarding the second user's status. In this case, the control unit 13 may change the display mode of the product object P depending on whether the second user (i.e., the second user's avatar A2) has reached the level required to equip the target product. This configuration can provide the second user with useful information regarding whether the target product can be equipped. Furthermore, since the second user can immediately understand that the second user's avatar A2 can equip the target product, it can effectively encourage the second user to purchase the target product.

[0049] Next, an example of processing by the control unit 13 other than the above will be described, including confidentiality control and priority control.

[0050] (Confidentiality Control) There may be cases where a first user does not want other users (second users) to know about the products that the first user has selected as potential purchases. Therefore, as an example, as shown in FIG. 9 , two shopping cart objects V1 and V2 may be associated with the first user (i.e., the first user's avatar A1). The control unit 13 may control the shopping cart object V1 as an object that is visible to users (second users) other than the first user, similar to the shopping cart object V described above. Meanwhile, the control unit 13 may control the shopping cart object V2 as an object that is visible only to the first user.

[0051] For example, when a first user selects a product object placed in the virtual space VS as a candidate for purchase, the first user may select either the shopping cart object V1 or V2 as the shopping cart object in which to store the product object. In this case, the first user may store in the shopping cart object V1 products that the first user may want other users to know about the product he or she is purchasing. On the other hand, the first user may store in the shopping cart object V2 products that the first user may not want other users to know about the product he or she is purchasing, thereby keeping the product secret from the other users. In the example of FIG. 9 , the second user can see the three product objects P (products X, Y, and Z) stored in the shopping cart object V1, but cannot see the three product objects P (products L, M, and N) stored in the shopping cart object V2.

[0052] In the above example, the user selects whether or not to conceal each product (whether or not to store the product in the shopping cart object V2), but the control unit 13 may control predetermined specific products so that they are not visible to other users (second users) as a default setting. For example, a concealment flag may be set in advance for products that the user does not want other users to know about when purchasing, such as etiquette products. The concealment flag is information indicating that the product object P representing the product is subject to control so that it is not visible to other users (second users). Such a concealment flag may be included in the product information of each product (see FIG. 4 ).

[0053] (Priority Control) When the first user has selected a plurality of target products as purchase candidates, the number of which exceeds a predetermined upper limit (e.g., three), the control unit 13 may associate with the avatar A1 product objects P of the target products within the upper limit, which number is selected based on the priority associated with each of the target products. In this embodiment, the priority of each product is included in advance in the product information (see FIG. 4 ).

[0054] An example of the priority control will be described below, along with some examples of the process of determining the display mode, with reference to Fig. 10. In Fig. 10, four states ST1 to ST4 are shown.

[0055] State ST1 shows the state immediately after the first user selects the first target product (product X) as a candidate for purchase. In state ST1, since there is only one product object P, the control unit 13 may arrange the product object P in the entire display area of ​​the shopping cart object V. In this way, the control unit 13 may determine the display size of the product object P based on the number of product objects P selected as candidates for purchase.

[0056] State ST2 shows the state immediately after the first user selects the second target product (product Y) as a purchase candidate. In state ST2, since there are now two product objects P, the control unit 13 arranges the two product objects P in a balanced manner across the entire display area of ​​the shopping cart object V. As an example, the control unit 13 may determine the display mode of each product object P so that the display area of ​​each product object P occupies approximately half of the display area of ​​the shopping cart object V. Note that, in the example of FIG. 10 , product Y, which was purchased later, is arranged on the upper side, but the arrangement of the product objects P corresponding to products X and Y is not limited to the above. For example, the two product objects P may be arranged side by side within the shopping cart object V. The same applies to states ST3 and ST4, which will be described later.

[0057] State ST3 shows the state immediately after the first user selects the third target product (product Z) as a purchase candidate. In state ST3, since there are now three product objects P, the control unit 13 arranges the three product objects P in a balanced manner across the entire display area of ​​the shopping cart object V. As an example, the control unit 13 may determine the display mode of each product object P so that the display area of ​​each product object P is approximately one-third of the display area of ​​the shopping cart object V.

[0058] State ST4 shows the state immediately after the first user selects the fourth target product (product V) as a purchase candidate. Here, the number of product objects P that can be stored in the shopping cart object V (i.e., the upper limit number of product objects P that can be associated with the avatar A1 and placed) is "3." Therefore, the product object P corresponding to any one of the four target products cannot be displayed. In such a case, the control unit 13 may determine which product object P of a target product to place (display) based on the priority of each target product. For example, if the upper limit number of product objects P that can be placed is represented as n, the control unit 13 may associate the product object P of each target product with the top n priorities and place it in association with the avatar A1.

[0059] 10 shows an example in which product Y has the lowest priority among four products X, Y, Z, and V. In this case, the control unit 13 places the product objects P of products X, Z, and V, which are within the top three priorities, in association with the avatar A1, and does not place (hides) the product object P of product Y.

[0060] According to the above priority control, when the first user selects more than the upper limit number of target products as purchase candidates, the product object P to be associated with and placed on the avatar A1 can be appropriately determined based on the priority associated with each target product.

[0061] The priority of each product may be a fixed value for each product, or may be a variable value. Below, several examples will be described in which the priority is treated as a variable value in the priority control.

[0062] (First Example of Priority) The control unit 13 may acquire information regarding the popularity of each of the plurality of target products and determine the priority of each of the plurality of target products based on the popularity of each of the plurality of target products. According to the above configuration, the product object P representing a highly popular target product can be preferentially associated with the avatar A1 and placed. As a result, it is possible to increase the likelihood that the target product corresponding to the product object P will be purchased by the second user.

[0063] In addition, when a default priority is set for each product in advance as in this embodiment, the control unit 13 may correct the priority. Furthermore, when a priority is not set for each product in advance, the control unit 13 may set a new priority. The same applies to the second example and other examples of priority described later.

[0064] (Second Example of Priority) The control unit 13 may determine the priority of each of the plurality of target products based on the attributes of each of the plurality of second users present in the virtual space VS. An example of a process for determining such a priority will be described below.

[0065] For example, each product may be associated with attributes of users who like the product (e.g., age, gender, hobbies, preferences, or a combination thereof, included in the user information in FIG. 3 ). Such product attributes may be set in advance by a service provider providing the virtual space VS, or may be set based on the results of a trend analysis of users who have purchased the product. The trend analysis may be performed as follows. For example, the control unit 13 aggregates the attributes of multiple users who have purchased a certain product (product X) by referring to the user information (see FIG. 3 ) of these users. This allows the control unit 13 to determine, as attributes associated with product X, attributes that are commonly shared by many users who have purchased product X (e.g., a number or percentage of users equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold). The attributes of product X determined in this manner may be stored in association with the product information of product X (see FIG. 3 ).

[0066] For example, the control unit 13 refers to the user information (see FIG. 3 ) and aggregates the attributes of each logged-in user (e.g., age, gender, hobbies and preferences, or a combination thereof) to extract attributes that are shared by a number or percentage of users equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Next, the control unit 13 prioritizes target products that have the same attributes as the extracted attributes among multiple target products selected as purchase candidates by the first user.

[0067] According to the above configuration, by increasing the priority of target products that match the attributes of many second users present in the virtual space VS, it is possible to preferentially associate and display product objects P representing such target products with the avatar A1. For example, when a large number of male users in their twenties log in, the control unit 13 increases the priority of target products aimed at men in their twenties, thereby preferentially arranging (displaying) product objects P representing target products that male users in their twenties are likely to purchase. As a result, it is possible to increase the likelihood that the target products will be purchased by more second users.

[0068] (Another example of priority) When the first user selects multiple products X of the same type as purchase candidates, the control unit 13 may set the priority of the product X higher in accordance with the number of purchases, instead of placing only one product object P corresponding to the product X. Furthermore, based on the viewpoint that more reasonably priced products are easier to purchase, the control unit 13 may set a higher priority for products with lower sales prices.

[0069] Next, an example of the operation (information processing method) of the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0070] In step S1, a first user using the user terminal 20A selects a product X as a purchase candidate. For example, the first user views the virtual space VS through the viewpoint (virtual viewpoint) of the first user's avatar A1 and performs an operation to select a product object of the product X placed in the virtual space VS as a purchase candidate. As a result, information on the selection operation is transmitted from the user terminal 20A to the information processing device 10.

[0071] In step S2, the processing unit 12 registers the product X as a purchase candidate for the first user in response to acquiring information about the operation executed in step S1.

[0072] In step S3, the control unit 13 arranges the product object P of the product X registered as a purchase candidate in step S2 in association with the avatar A1. For example, the control unit 13 may execute at least one of the first to third examples (see FIG. 6 ) of the arrangement of the product object P described above. The control unit 13 may also execute at least one of the first to fourth examples of the display manner of the product object P described above. The control unit 13 may also execute the above-mentioned confidentiality control based on the operation content of the first user in step S1 or the nature of the product X (presence or absence of a confidentiality flag). The control unit 13 may also execute the above-mentioned priority control when the addition of the product X as a purchase candidate causes the number of products selected by the first user as purchase candidates to exceed an upper limit.

[0073] In step S4, the providing unit 14 provides the virtual space VS including the product object P arranged in association with the avatar A1 to the second user using the user terminal 20B. For example, the providing unit 14 transmits a virtual space image corresponding to the virtual viewpoint of the second user to the user terminal 20B.

[0074] In step S6, a second user using the user terminal 20B performs an operation to select the product object P arranged in association with the avatar A1 as a purchase candidate. For example, the second user views the virtual space VS through the viewpoint (virtual viewpoint) of the second user's avatar A2, and performs an operation to select the product object P arranged in the virtual space VS as a purchase candidate. As a result, information on the selection operation is transmitted from the user terminal 20B to the information processing device 10.

[0075] In step S7, the processing unit 12 registers the target product corresponding to the product object P as a purchase candidate for the second user in response to receiving an operation from the second user (step S6) to select the product object P associated with the avatar A1 as a purchase candidate. According to the processing of steps S6 and S7, when the second user sees the product object P associated with the avatar A1 and wants to purchase the same product, the second user can select the target product as a purchase candidate on the spot without going to the original sales area (location) of the target product (product X) in the virtual space VS. In this way, by facilitating the second user's purchase of the target product, it is possible to effectively promote the second user's purchase behavior for the target product.

[0076] In the information processing device 10 and information processing method described above, when a user (first user) selects a product (target product) as a purchase candidate in the virtual space VS, a product object P representing the target product is placed in association with the first user's avatar A1. The product object P is also placed in a manner that is visible to other users (second users). That is, a second user other than the first user can see the product object P placed in association with the avatar A1 and understand that the first user is planning to purchase the target product corresponding to the product object P. This can increase the second user's desire to purchase the target product. As a result, user purchasing behavior in the virtual space VS can be effectively promoted.

[0077] In the above embodiment, several examples of the processing of the control unit 13 have been described, but these processing contents may be combined as appropriate. Also, in the above embodiment, the relationship between the first user and the second user is relative. That is, a certain user a may correspond to the above-mentioned "first user" from the perspective of another user b, and user b may correspond to the above-mentioned "first user" from the perspective of user a.

[0078] [Note] The present disclosure includes the following aspects.

[0079] [1] An information processing device comprising: a processing unit that, in a virtual space in which objects of products that users can purchase are placed, registers at least one target product as a purchase candidate for the first user in response to receiving an operation from a first user to select the target product as a purchase candidate; a control unit that, in the virtual space, places a product object indicating the target product selected as a purchase candidate in association with a first avatar that is an avatar of the first user in a manner that is viewable by a second user different from the first user; and a providing unit that provides the second user with the virtual space including the product object placed in association with the first avatar.

[0080] [2] The information processing device of [1], wherein the processing unit registers the target product corresponding to the product object as a purchase candidate for the second user in response to receiving an operation from the second user to select the product object associated with the first avatar as a purchase candidate.

[0081] [3] An information processing device according to [1] or [2], wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the popularity of the target product and determines the display mode of the product object to be placed in association with the first avatar based on the popularity of the target product.

[0082] [4] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the inventory of the target product and determines the display mode of the product object to be placed in association with the first avatar based on the inventory of the target product.

[0083] [5] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the control unit determines the display mode or number of the product objects to be associated with the first avatar based on environmental information regarding the environment surrounding the first avatar in the virtual space.

[0084] [6] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the state of the second user, and determines the display mode for the second user of the product object to be placed in association with the first avatar based on the state of the second user.

[0085] [7] An information processing device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein when a plurality of target products exceeding a predetermined upper limit number are selected as purchase candidates, the control unit places the product objects of target products within the upper limit number selected based on the priority associated with each of the plurality of target products in association with the first avatar.

[0086] [8] The information processing device of [7], wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the popularity of each of the plurality of target products and determines the priority of each of the plurality of target products based on the popularity of each of the plurality of target products.

[0087] [9] An information processing device according to [7] or [8], wherein the control unit determines the priority of each of the plurality of target products based on the attributes of each of the plurality of second users present in the virtual space.

[0088]

[10] An information processing method including: a step of registering at least one target product as a purchase candidate for a first user in response to receiving an operation from a first user to select the target product as a purchase candidate in a virtual space in which objects of products that users can purchase are placed; a step of placing a product object indicating the target product selected as a purchase candidate in the virtual space in association with a first avatar that is an avatar of the first user in a manner that is viewable by a second user different from the first user; and a step of providing the second user with the virtual space including the product object placed in association with the first avatar.

[0089] [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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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 (e.g., the control unit 13, etc.) of the information processing device 10 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 a single 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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).

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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).

[0106] 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).

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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."

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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."

[0117] 10...information processing device, 11...storage unit, 12...processing unit, 13...control unit, 14...providing unit, 20, 20A, 20B...user terminal, A, A2...avatar, A1...avatar (first avatar), P...product object.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a processing unit that, in a virtual space in which objects of products that users can purchase are placed, registers at least one target product as a purchase candidate for the first user in response to receiving an operation from a first user to select the target product as a purchase candidate; a control unit that, in the virtual space, places a product object representing the target product selected as a purchase candidate in association with a first avatar that is the avatar of the first user in a manner that is viewable by a second user different from the first user; and a providing unit that provides the second user with the virtual space including the product object placed in association with the first avatar.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit registers the target product corresponding to the product object as a purchase candidate for the second user in response to receiving an operation from the second user to select the product object associated with the first avatar as a purchase candidate for the second user.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the popularity of the target product and determines the display mode of the product object to be placed in association with the first avatar based on the popularity of the target product.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the inventory of the target product and determines the display mode of the product object to be placed in association with the first avatar based on the inventory of the target product.

5. An information processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the display mode or number of the product objects to be associated with the first avatar based on environmental information regarding the environment surrounding the first avatar in the virtual space.

6. The information processing device described in claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the state of the second user and determines the display mode for the second user of the product object placed in association with the first avatar based on the state of the second user.

7. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein when a plurality of target products exceeding a predetermined upper limit number are selected as purchase candidates, the control unit places the product objects of target products within the upper limit number selected based on the priority associated with each of the plurality of target products in association with the first avatar.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit acquires information regarding the popularity of each of the plurality of target products, and determines the priority of each of the plurality of target products based on the popularity of each of the plurality of target products.

9. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit determines the priority of each of the plurality of target products based on the attributes of each of the plurality of second users present in the virtual space.

10. An information processing method comprising: a step of registering at least one target product as a purchase candidate for a first user in response to receiving an operation from a first user to select the target product as a purchase candidate in a virtual space in which objects of products that can be purchased by users are placed; a step of placing a product object representing the target product selected as a purchase candidate in the virtual space in association with a first avatar that is an avatar of the first user in a manner that is viewable by a second user different from the first user; and a step of providing the second user with the virtual space including the product object placed in association with the first avatar.

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