Device and method

Abstract

In a virtual space providing server 100 according to the present disclosure, a virtual space processing unit 101: provides a user terminal 500 with a virtual space including a virtual object such as a commodity; and, when presenting the virtual object such as a commodity to a user of the user terminal 500, disposes the commodity in the virtual space on the basis of credit information. A virtual space with highly rated credit information is required in order to perform a transaction with an unspecified number of unknown people in a virtual space such as a metaverse. When users having highly rated credit information participate, the specific manner in which a service with high added value is provided by using the credit information becomes a problem. In the present disclosure, a virtual object can be presented on the basis of credit information, and user experience (UX) can be improved by assisting a user.

Description

Apparatus and method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for providing a virtual space.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that payment processing is performed based on credit information in order to carry out electronic commerce smoothly and safely over a communication network.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-332416

[0004] In virtual spaces such as the Metaverse, transactions are conducted with an unspecified number of faceless people, so a virtual space with high trust information is required. When a group of highly trustworthy users is gathered, the question arises as to how to use this trust information to provide high-value-added services.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that can improve UX by appropriately supporting user behavior.

[0006] The device disclosed herein includes a presentation unit that provides a virtual space including a virtual object to a user terminal, and a processing unit that, when presenting the virtual object to a user of the user terminal, presents the virtual object in the virtual space based on trust information.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a virtual object can be presented based on credit information, and support can be provided to the user, thereby improving UX (User eXperience).

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration including a virtual space provision server 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual space. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of products displayed in a virtual store. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the virtual space provision server 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of presentation information stored in a virtual object DB 104. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an evaluation DB 105. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the virtual space provision server 100. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the analysis processing of information related to credit by the credit information acquisition unit 102 and the calculation unit 103. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating detailed processing of display control in process S103. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the analysis processing of information related to credit corresponding to each user. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating display control performed for each user. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of display control of a virtual space. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the virtual space provision server 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration including a virtual space provision server 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, this system includes a virtual space provision server 100, a payment history server 200, a credit information server 300, and an external information server 400. The virtual space provision server 100 accesses the payment history server 200, the credit information server 300, and the external information server 400 to generate a virtual space with high credit information and provide the virtual space to a user terminal 500. In the present disclosure, a "virtual space with high credit information" refers to a virtual space that reflects the user's credit information. For example, a virtual space that reflects credit information refers to a virtual space in which virtual objects corresponding to highly creditworthy users are presented. Therefore, credit information is information that indicates a sense of security regarding the payment of goods or services (such as tickets) (hereinafter referred to as goods, etc.) and indicates the ability to pay for goods, etc.

[0011] The payment history server 200 is a server that stores history data of payments processed in at least one of the real world and the virtual space. This history data is information that associates the identification information of the user who made the payment, the payment type (credit card number, two-dimensional barcode number, etc.), the payment amount, and the payment date and time.

[0012] The credit information server 300 is a server that stores credit information, which is information related to the credit of each user. In this disclosure, credit information is information that allows a company or individual to obtain credit from a financial institution or business partner. For example, credit information includes repayment ability, financial status, past transaction history, credit score, repayment history, etc. This credit information is used to set credit limits and determine transaction terms. This credit information is information determined by financial institutions.

[0013] The external information server 400 is, for example, an external credit institution such as the Credit Information Center (CIC), the Japan Credit Information Reference Center (JICC), or the KSC (National Bank Personal Credit Information Center). This external information server 400 stores credit information such as repayment delays and loan balances.

[0014] The payment history server 200, credit information server 300, and external information server 400 store information related to credit, such as each user's payment history (payment usage status, payment record, etc.), credit information (credit results of card companies, repayment ability, etc.), and external information (repayment delays, loan balance, etc.). The above-mentioned information related to credit is an example, and may also include information indicating the user's creditworthiness.

[0015] The virtual space providing server 100 accesses the payment history server 200, the credit information server 300, and the external information server 400 to acquire credit-related information and reflects the credit-related information in the virtual space. For example, it is possible to reflect in the virtual space products that are visible only to the avatars of highly creditworthy users.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual space. As shown in the figure, virtual stores X, Y, and Z are represented by solid lines, and virtual store P is represented by a dotted line. This indicates that virtual store P is not presented from the perspective of avatar A (user). If the credibility of the user of avatar A is not high, the credibility of each user is reflected in the virtual space, such that virtual store P is not visible (not presented), as shown in this figure.

[0017] 3 is a diagram showing an example of products displayed in a virtual store. As shown in the figure, products B and C are represented by solid lines, and product A is represented by a dotted line. This indicates that product A is not displayed from the perspective of avatar A (user). If the user of avatar A does not have high credit information, the credit information of each user is reflected in the virtual store, such that product A is not visible (not displayed), as shown in this figure.

[0018] 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the virtual space provision server 100 of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the virtual space provision server 100 includes a virtual space processing unit 101, a credit information acquisition unit 102, a calculation unit 103, a virtual object DB 104, and an evaluation DB 105.

[0019] The virtual space processing unit 101 is a part that provides a virtual space to the user terminal 500, receives operation information from the user terminal 500, and performs processing in the virtual space in response to the operation information.

[0020] The credit information acquisition unit 102 is a part that acquires credit information of the user of the user terminal 500 from the payment history server 200, the credit information server 300, and the external information server 400. The credit information acquisition unit 102 recognizes the user based on the user ID received from the user terminal 500 by the virtual space processing unit 101, and extracts credit information corresponding to the user from each server. In this disclosure, for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that credit information is stored in each server for the same user ID, but of course this is not limited to this, and the user ID managed in each server may be acquired using a table (not shown).

[0021] The calculation unit 103 is a part that calculates a user's evaluation based on the acquired credit information. The virtual space processing unit 101 can determine the presentation of a virtual store or product based on the calculated evaluation. The calculation unit 103 may also calculate a rating based on the credit information. For example, the calculation unit 103 may obtain a score from credit-related information such as each user's payment history (payment usage status, payment record, etc.), credit information (credit results of card companies (credit limit), repayment ability, etc.), and external information (repayment delays, loan balance, etc.), and determine a rating based on the score. For example, if the credit limit of the credit result is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount and there are no payment delays, the rating evaluation may be set to A. The amount is set in stages according to each item, and the rating is also set in stages. The calculation unit 103 stores this information in the evaluation DB 105.

[0022] The virtual object DB 104 is a database that stores various virtual objects for constructing a virtual space. Examples of virtual objects include virtual stores, products displayed there, etc. The virtual object DB 104 also stores presentation information that associates the displayed stores or products with each user demographic.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of presentation information stored in the virtual object DB 104. FIG. 5( a) is a diagram showing a specific example of the virtual object DB 104 in which credit information is associated with each product. As shown in the figure, a product ID that identifies the product, a product name, a price, and a target demographic are associated and stored. In addition, image data of the actual product is associated. In the present disclosure, the target demographic is indicated by a rating, and the rating indicates the user demographic to which the product is presented. In the figure, ratings A and B are shown, with rating A corresponding to evaluation A and considered to have a high credit rating. This credit information is predefined information that can be compared with a rating derived based on the credit information acquired by the credit information acquisition unit 102.

[0024] 5B is a diagram showing a specific example of the virtual object DB 104 in which credit information is associated with each virtual store. As shown in the figure, a shop ID that identifies the virtual store, the shop name, and the target demographic are stored in association with each other. As with the above, predefined ratings are stored as credit information.

[0025] The evaluation DB 105 is a part that stores the average payment history of each user, the average payment usage history, the evaluation of external information, and the evaluation of credit information calculated by the calculation unit 103. The virtual space processing unit 101 refers to this evaluation DB 105 to control the display for each user.

[0026] 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the evaluation DB 105. As shown in the figure, the evaluation DB 105 stores a user ID, an average payment history value, an average payment usage history value, an evaluation of external information, and an evaluation of credit information in association with each other. This information is calculated and acquired by the calculation unit 103.

[0027] The operation of the virtual space provision server 100 configured as described above will now be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the virtual space provision server 100. The credit information acquisition unit 102 collects credit-related information from various servers and acquires various types of credit information (S101). The credit information acquisition unit 102 and the calculation unit 103 then analyze the credit-related information (S102). This analysis involves determining the user's rating and calculating the amount of money that can be used based on the information collected in process S101. The calculation unit 103 stores the information obtained through the analysis (average payment history, average payment usage history, evaluation of external information, and evaluation of credit information) in the evaluation DB 105.

[0028] The virtual space processing unit 101 then controls the display of the virtual space based on this information (S103). In the present disclosure, the virtual space is generated based on information about the trustworthiness of all users in the virtual space, but the virtual products or virtual stores that each user can see may be different depending on the information about the trustworthiness of each user.

[0029] Next, the detailed processing of step S102 will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the analysis processing of information relating to credit by the credit information acquisition unit 102 and the calculation unit 103.

[0030] The calculation unit 103 accesses the payment history server 200 and calculates the average payment history and payment usage history for each user who has logged in to the virtual space (e.g., users who have logged in within the past month) for a predetermined period based on the payment history and payment usage history of the user (S201). The payment history indicates the amount paid by credit card, and the payment usage history indicates the amount paid using so-called cashless payments, such as code payments using two-dimensional barcodes or payments using contactless IC cards. These average values ​​(amounts) can be calculated in predetermined units, such as monthly or weekly units.

[0031] The calculation unit 103 also calculates an evaluation for each user based on external information acquired from the external information server 400 (S202). For example, the evaluation here is an evaluation based on late repayments on credit cards, loans, etc., but it may also be an evaluation based on other information. The evaluation may be determined according to the type of record, such as an A if there are no problematic records such as late payments, a B if there are late payments on credit cards, etc., and a C if there is "personal bankruptcy."

[0032] The calculation unit 103 also calculates a user rating based on the credit information acquired from the credit information server 300 (S203). For example, the rating here refers to a credit limit calculated by a financial institution such as a bank, but other information may also be used. For example, the rating may be determined based on the upper limit of the credit limit, such as an A rating if the upper limit of the credit limit is 50 million yen as a result of the credit screening, or a B rating if the upper limit of the credit limit is 20 million yen. The average credit limit of users who have logged in within the past month may be calculated, or the median of multiple values ​​may be used.

[0033] Then, the calculation unit 103 stores the average payment history value, the average payment usage history value, the evaluation of the external information, and the evaluation of the credit information in the evaluation DB 105 (S204).

[0034] In this way, the credit information acquisition unit 102 can collect information for evaluating each user by performing the above process. The calculation unit 103 then analyzes each user's payment history, payment usage history, payment delays, credit limit, etc., to obtain an evaluation of the user and the virtual space's creditworthiness.

[0035] Next, the detailed processing of step S103 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

[0036] The virtual space processing unit 101 determines whether the avatar has entered a virtual store (S301). If it is determined that the avatar has entered a store, the virtual space processing unit 101 refers to the evaluation DB 105, calculates the average value of the sum of the payment history and the payment usage history of users who have logged in, per user per predetermined period, and determines whether the average value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S302).

[0037] Then, the virtual space processing unit 101 refers to the evaluation DB 105 and determines whether the number of users with high evaluations (e.g., each evaluation is A) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number based on the evaluation of the external information and the evaluation of the credit information of each user (S303). A space with a predetermined number or more high-evaluation users can be determined to be a highly trustworthy space.

[0038] If the number of users who have given high ratings is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the virtual space processing unit 101 performs display control to present the designated product to the avatar (S304).

[0039] For example, the virtual space processing unit 101 refers to the database shown in Figure 5 and selects a product corresponding to rating A based on the credibility (e.g., rating A) of the avatar (user) who has entered the store and the avatars (other users) in the virtual space, and displays the product so that it can be seen by the avatar (user).

[0040] For example, if, among users who have logged in in the past month, the average value over six months of the sum of (1) payment history (past six months) and (2) payment usage history (past six months) exceeds 1 million yen (S302), and (3) information from an external institution indicates a rating of A, and (4) the number of users whose credit rating information indicates a rating of A exceeds 100 (S303), the virtual space processing unit 101 refers to the target demographic in the database of Figure 5 and controls the placement and display of product X corresponding to rating A in the virtual store.

[0041] In the process of FIG. 9, both steps S302 and S303 are judged, but either one may be judged.

[0042] For example, the virtual space processing unit 101 may present products rated A regardless of credit information or external information if the average value per user of the sum of the payment history and settlement usage history of each user who has logged in to the virtual space in the past month over a specified period (e.g., six months) is greater than or equal to a specified value.

[0043] Conversely, when the number of users indicating an external information rating of A and a credit information rating of A exceeds a predetermined value, the virtual space processing unit 101 may refer to the virtual object DB (see FIG. 5) and perform control so as to present a product corresponding to rating A. Similarly, when the number of users indicating an external information rating of B and a credit information rating of B exceeds a predetermined value, the virtual space processing unit 101 may refer to the virtual object DB (see FIG. 5) and perform control so as to present a product corresponding to rating B. When one rating is A and the other rating is B, a product corresponding to rating B may be presented, but this may be changeable as appropriate.

[0044] In the above process, the average value for each user and predetermined period is calculated, but it is not limited to the average value, and other statistical information such as the median may also be used.

[0045] The above process controls display for all users based on the average value of the sum of the payment history and payment usage history of each user who has logged in to the virtual space, and an evaluation of external information and credit information, but display control can also be performed for each user.

[0046] Furthermore, the display control in step S304 may use the credit information of the users of avatars who are in the virtual store (or who are near the virtual store). That is, if there are 10 avatars in the virtual store, the credit information of the corresponding 10 users is used. The virtual space processing unit 101 manages (knows) the positions of the avatars and the virtual space position of the virtual store, and determines whether or not the avatars are in the virtual store based on the position information.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process of analyzing credit information corresponding to each user. As shown in the figure, the calculation unit 103 calculates the average payment history and payment usage history for each user who has logged in to the virtual space for a predetermined period (e.g., the past six months) (S201a). The calculation unit 103 then obtains an evaluation of each user based on external information obtained from an external information server (S202) and an evaluation of each user based on the credit information (S203). Processes S202 and S203 are the same as those described above. In process S201, the average value was obtained for all users who had logged in in the past month, but here, the average value is obtained for each user who is currently logged in.

[0048] The average value of each user's payment history, the external information, and the credit information evaluations obtained here are stored in a management table, and the virtual space processing unit 101 controls the display based on this information.

[0049] 11 is a flowchart showing the process of controlling display for each user. When the virtual space processing unit 101 determines that a user's avatar has entered a virtual store (S301), it refers to the evaluation DB 105 and determines that the average value of the sum of the user's payment history and usage history (e.g., per six months) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S302a). Furthermore, it determines whether the user's external information and credit information are evaluated as A (S303a).

[0050] If the virtual space processing unit 101 determines that the rating is A, it refers to the virtual object DB 104 and performs control to display products that correspond to a rating of A for the target demographic.

[0051] In this way, by changing the display control for each user, it is possible to control the display according to the credit information of the user.

[0052] 12 is a flowchart showing another example of virtual space display control. The virtual space processing unit 101 categorizes users who have logged in to the virtual space based on the average payment history (which may include payment usage history) of each user who has logged in over a six-month period (S401). For example, categories are created in increments of 10,000 yen, such as Category 1: 0-10,000 yen, Category 2: 10,000-20,000 yen, and Category 3: 20,000-30,000 yen, and users are assigned to which category they belong.

[0053] When the virtual space processing unit 101 determines that a user will enter the virtual store, it performs display control to present products corresponding to the user's category (S402). That is, the virtual space processing unit 101 determines products to be displayed from a plurality of display candidates according to the category. For example, if there are 100 display candidate products (objects) and only 30 spaces available for display, the virtual space processing unit 101 selects the products to be displayed based on the average payment history of the users to be displayed. For example, the virtual space processing unit 101 categorizes user groups based on the average payment history of the users, and preferentially selects objects corresponding to the category of the user group to be displayed. The correspondence between categories and presented products is stored in advance in a management table or the like (not shown).

[0054] The virtual space processing unit 101 may also perform control to display the product at a location corresponding to the user's category (for example, around the cash register of the virtual store, near the entrance to the virtual store, or at a location corresponding to a place where avatars of users who satisfy the credit information conditions (for example, an external information or credit information evaluation of A or higher) are concentrated (for example, near a concentrated location)). This location is determined in advance by the operator of the virtual space or the owner of the virtual store, but is not limited to this. Users classified into that category may change the location of the product to be displayed. For example, near the cash register of the virtual store as described above.

[0055] The virtual space processing unit 101 may also change the display at a predetermined timing (for example, every hour, morning, afternoon, evening, or season (spring, summer, fall, winter)). The virtual space processing unit 101 may also change the display when the appearance of the virtual space (or the virtual shop therein) changes. The appearance changes when the virtual space is modified, for example.

[0056] The virtual space processing unit 101 may change the size of the displayed products. For example, the virtual space processing unit 101 may categorize user groups based on the average value of each user's payment history (or payment usage history, or both), and increase the size of objects preferred by users classified into that user group category. In this case, products for each category are stored in a management table (not shown) in association with each other based on the user's past purchase history.

[0057] The above process is performed in the same way for all users logged in to the virtual space, and each user sees the same virtual store, the same products, and the same objects in the virtual space, but the visible virtual store, visible products, and visible objects may be different for each user.

[0058] Next, we will explain the effects of the virtual space provision server 100 of the present disclosure. In the virtual space provision server 100 of the present disclosure, the virtual space processing unit 101 provides a virtual space including virtual objects such as products to the user terminal 500, and when presenting the virtual objects such as products to the user of the user terminal 500, places the products in the virtual space based on the credit information.

[0059] In virtual spaces such as the Metaverse, transactions are conducted with an unspecified number of faceless people, so a virtual space with high trust information is required. When gathering users with high trust information in the real world (which may include virtual space), the problem becomes how to use this trust information to provide high-value-added services. In the present disclosure, virtual objects can be presented based on the trust information, and support can be provided to users to improve UX (User eXperience).

[0060] In the present disclosure, credit information refers to the credit information of multiple users who have used a virtual space. For example, it refers to the credit information of users who have logged in to a virtual space within the past month. Such users can be considered synonymous with credit information in a virtual space, and services can be provided using such credit information. Note that in the above disclosure, users who are the subject of credit information are defined as users who have logged in to a virtual space, but this may be limited to users who are currently logged in.

[0061] In addition, in the present disclosure, the credit information may be the credit information of a user who is trying to present a virtual object in a virtual space. In the present disclosure, the visible products (virtual objects) can be changed for each user. This allows appropriate services to be provided for each user.

[0062] In the present disclosure, the virtual space providing server 100 may further include a calculation unit 103 that calculates financial information about the user based on credit information. The virtual space processing unit 101 may change products, etc. based on the financial information. Financial information in the present disclosure includes payment history using credit cards, etc., and payment history using cashless payment methods such as two-dimensional barcode payment. This information indicates the user's ability to pay, and by utilizing this information, more appropriate services can be provided in the virtual space.

[0063] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, in the virtual space providing server 100, the calculation unit 103 may function as a derivation unit that derives the external trustworthiness of the user based on credit information. The virtual space processing unit 101 may change products, etc. based on the trustworthiness. The trustworthiness in the present disclosure is, for example, information determined by an external server such as an external credit agency, and may include repayment delays, etc. It may also include the results of a credit review determined by a financial institution, etc.

[0064] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the virtual space processing unit 101 may change the product if there are users whose reliability satisfies the conditions and is equal to or greater than a threshold. For example, a "user whose reliability satisfies the conditions" is a user who receives an evaluation of A. If, for example, 100 such users are in the virtual space (or have been in the virtual space), this can be regarded as trust information for the virtual space.

[0065] In the present disclosure, the virtual space processing unit 101 may categorize multiple users in the virtual space based on the credit information and present products to the users according to the category. For example, if a user is in category 1, only products corresponding to category 1 are presented to the user.

[0066] In the present disclosure, the virtual space processing unit 101 may change the display form or display position of a virtual object placed based on the credit information. For example, the virtual space processing unit 101 may change and present a product according to the credit information, and may also change the display location (for example, next to the cash register) or display the product larger.

[0067] In the present disclosure, the virtual space includes at least one virtual store. The virtual space processing unit 101 may change the products based on the credit information of multiple avatars (users) entering the virtual store. For example, if there are 10 avatars of users with a rating of A in the virtual store, the virtual space processing unit 101 may present products corresponding to the rating of A.

[0068] This allows appropriate services to be provided to each user by using credit information not only for the entire virtual space but also for the virtual store.

[0069] The device and method of the present disclosure include the following configuration.

[0070] [1] A device comprising: a presentation unit that provides a virtual space including a virtual object to a user terminal; and a processing unit that, when presenting the virtual object to a user of the user terminal, presents the virtual object in the virtual space based on trust information.

[0071] [2] The device according to [1], wherein the trust information is trust information of a plurality of users who have used the virtual space.

[0072] [3] The device according to [1], wherein the trust information is trust information of the user who is going to present the virtual object in the virtual space.

[0073] [4] The device according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a calculation unit that calculates financial information about the user based on the credit information, wherein the processing unit changes the virtual object based on the financial information.

[0074] [5] The device according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a derivation unit that derives an external trustworthiness of the user based on the trustworthiness information, wherein the processing unit changes the virtual object based on the trustworthiness.

[0075] [6] The device according to [5], wherein the processing unit changes the virtual object when the number of users who satisfy the condition and have the reliability equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0076] [7] The device according to [1], wherein the processing unit categorizes a plurality of users in the virtual space based on the trust information, and presents a virtual object according to the category to the user.

[0077] [8] The device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the processing unit changes a display form or a display position of a virtual object to be presented based on the trust information.

[0078] [9] The device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the virtual space includes at least one virtual store, and the processing unit changes the virtual object based on credit information of multiple users entering the virtual store.

[0079]

[10] A method including: a presentation step of providing a virtual space including a virtual object to a user terminal; and a processing step of presenting the virtual object in the virtual space based on trust information when presenting the virtual object to a user of the user terminal.

[0080] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (e.g., via wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0081] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0082] For example, the virtual space provision server 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the virtual space provision method of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the virtual space provision server 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-described virtual space provision server 100 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.

[0083] In the following description, the term "device" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the virtual space provision server 100 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0084] Each function of the virtual space provision server 100 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.

[0085] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned virtual space processing unit 101, calculation unit 103, etc. may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0086] 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 these. The program used may be a program that causes a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the virtual space processing unit 101 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be performed 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.

[0087] 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 referred to as 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 a virtual space providing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0088] 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.

[0089] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-mentioned credit information acquisition unit 102 may be realized by the communication device 1004. The communication device 1004 may be implemented with a transmitter and a receiver that are physically or logically separated.

[0090] 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. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0091] 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.

[0092] The virtual space providing server 100 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0093] The notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI) and Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB) and System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0094] 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.

[0095] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0096] 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).

[0097] 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).

[0098] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0103] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present 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. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0104] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0105] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0106] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0107] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0108] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0109] 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."

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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."

[0114] 100...Virtual space providing server, 200...Payment history server, 300...Credit information server, 400...External information server, 500...User terminal, 101...Virtual space processing unit, 102...Credit information acquisition unit, 103...Calculation unit, 104...Virtual object DB, 105...Evaluation DB.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a presentation unit that provides a virtual space including a virtual object to a user terminal; and a processing unit that, when presenting the virtual object to a user of the user terminal, presents the virtual object in the virtual space based on trust information.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the trust information is the trust information of multiple users who have used the virtual space.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the trust information is the trust information of the user who is attempting to present the virtual object in the virtual space.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a calculation unit that calculates financial information about the user based on the credit information, wherein the processing unit changes the virtual object based on the financial information.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a derivation unit that derives an external trustworthiness of the user based on the trustworthiness information, wherein the processing unit changes the virtual object based on the trustworthiness.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit changes the virtual object when the number of users who satisfy the condition and have a reliability equal to or greater than a threshold value.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit categorizes a plurality of users in the virtual space based on the trust information, and presents a virtual object according to the category to the user.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit changes the display form or display position of the virtual object presented based on the trust information.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the virtual space includes at least one virtual store, and the processing unit changes the virtual object based on credit information of multiple users entering the virtual store.

10. A method comprising: a presentation step of providing a virtual space including a virtual object to a user terminal; and a processing step of presenting the virtual object in the virtual space based on trust information when presenting the virtual object to a user of the user terminal.

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