Information processing device, information processing method, program, and recording medium

Abstract

Provided are an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and a recording medium capable of confirming authenticity of authentication information given to the target object drawn in a virtual space.　An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a processor. The processor acquires first authentication information associated with a first user, acquires second authentication information given to the target object drawn in a virtual space as information that associates the target object with the first user, and cross-checks the first authentication information and the second authentication information against each other.

Description

Information processing device, information processing method, program, and recording medium

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and a recording medium.

[0002] Techniques for verifying authentication information such as a signature are already known, and one example is the technique described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The information processing device described in Patent Document 1 has a comparison means for comparing the first signature data contained in the identified registration data with the second signature data contained in the signature confirmation request, and can provide electronic signature services while ensuring that the signature is the signature of the person in question.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-151764

[0005] In recent years, events have been held in virtual spaces (metaverses) as a way for users to interact with each other via avatars, and one example of such an event is a signing session in a virtual space with an influencer's avatar. Such a signing session in a virtual space can take the same form as a signing session in real space, and for example, the influencer's avatar can sign an object resembling a colored paper or the like that is drawn in the virtual space in front of the avatar of the influencer's fan, and provide the object to the fan's avatar.

[0006] On the other hand, at autograph sessions in real space, fans can see the influencer drawing their signature on an object, making it easy for them to verify that the signature on the object is the influencer's. However, at autograph sessions in virtual space, the signature is drawn by the influencer's avatar, and fans cannot verify whether the signature is actually drawn by the influencer. In this regard, the information processing device described in Patent Document 1 is designed for autograph sessions in real space, not virtual space, and requires the authenticity of authentication information, such as a signature attached to a target object drawn in virtual space, to be verified.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an information processing device, information processing method, program, and recording medium that are capable of verifying the authenticity of authentication information assigned to a target object drawn in a virtual space.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device having a processor, wherein the processor acquires first authentication information associated with a first user, acquires second authentication information assigned to a target object drawn in a virtual space as information associating the target object with the first user, and compares the first authentication information with the second authentication information.

[0009] The processor may also determine whether the target object is related to the first user based on the result of the matching.

[0010] The processor may also perform the matching when a predetermined action is performed by a second user different from the first user.

[0011] The processor may also perform matching when it receives a request for matching from a second user different from the first user and the target object is associated with the second user.

[0012] The processor may also perform the match if the target object is associated with the first user.

[0013] The processor may also obtain representational information that is part of the target object and that is different from the second authentication information, and perform a match if the representational information is associated with the first user.

[0014] The processor may also acquire first authentication information of the first user when an avatar of the first user is included in an image included in the target object.

[0015] The processor may also acquire information relating to the method of granting authentication information, set a method of determining matching in accordance with the method of granting authentication information, and perform matching based on the set method of determination.

[0016] The processor may also set the determination method by changing a threshold value as a criterion for determining whether matching is successful or not, depending on the information on the assignment method.

[0017] The processor may set a first threshold for the method of handwriting authentication information, and a second threshold for the method of imaging authentication information, the second threshold having a stricter standard for the success or failure of matching than the first threshold.

[0018] In addition, if the processor determines, as a result of the comparison, that the second authentication information has been assigned to the target object by the first user, it may allow the target object to which the second authentication information has been assigned to be output into real space.

[0019] The processor may also allow printing of an image including the second authentication information as an output in real space of the target object to which the second authentication information is attached.

[0020] The first user may also be a target user who satisfies a specific condition.

[0021] Furthermore, the specific condition may be at least one of the following: the target user's behavioral history in the virtual space includes a specific behavior; the target user's contribution in the virtual space based on the behavioral history is greater than or equal to a first reference value; or the target user's charged amount in the virtual space is greater than or equal to a second reference value.

[0022] Furthermore, the degree of contribution may be at least one of the number of users who participated in an event held by the target user in the virtual space, the sales amount at the event, or the average amount obtained by dividing the sales amount by the number of events.

[0023] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that a processor executes the following processes: a process of acquiring first authentication information associated with a first user; a process of acquiring second authentication information assigned to a target object depicted in a virtual space as information correlating the target object with the first user; and a process of matching the first authentication information with the second authentication information.

[0024] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to realize a program for causing a computer to execute each process included in the above information processing method.

[0025] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium can be realized, on which a program for causing a computer to execute each process included in the above-mentioned information processing method is recorded.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, a program, and a recording medium that are capable of verifying the authenticity of authentication information assigned to a target object drawn in a virtual space.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the verification of this information processing. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a signing session held in a virtual space of the image acquisition system according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the registration of first authentication information of this information processing. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the output of a target object of this information processing to real space. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image acquisition system according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the functions of the information processing device according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the overall procedure of an information processing flow. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the procedure of a registration phase of the information processing flow. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the procedure of a verification phase of the information processing flow. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the procedure of an output phase of the information processing flow.

[0028] A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example given to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be modified or improved from the following embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0029] In this specification, the concept of "device" includes a single device that performs a specific function by itself, as well as a combination of multiple devices that exist independently and in a distributed manner but work together (in cooperation) to perform a specific function.

[0030] In addition, in this specification, "image" refers to "image data" unless otherwise specified. Image data may be, for example, lossy compressed image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, or lossless compressed image data such as GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) or PNG (Portable Network Graphics). Image data may also include additional information indicating information such as the file name, shooting date and time, and shooting location.

[0031] In this specification, a "user" refers to a user who uses the information processing device according to the present invention. Using the information processing device means using the functions of the information processing device, and includes not only directly operating the information processing device but also using the functions of the information processing device through a device (e.g., a user terminal) that can communicate with the information processing device.

[0032] <<Overview of this information processing>> Information processing (hereinafter, this information processing) performed using an information processing device (hereinafter, information processing device 10) and information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, this embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0033] In this information processing, as shown in FIG. 1 , first authentication information Ct is compared with second authentication information Ci assigned to a target object Ti depicted in a virtual space. The "first authentication information Ct" is authentication information associated with a first user Ui (see FIG. 2 ). More specifically, the "first authentication information Ct" is authentication information created by the first user Ui, including, for example, a handwritten signature drawn by the first user Ui. The "first authentication information Ct" may include, for example, character information, symbol information, image information, etc., indicating the characteristics of the first user Ui, or may be an exaggerated or decorated representation of the first user Ui's username, etc. In this embodiment, the first authentication information Ct is registered in the information processing device 10 according to the procedure described below. The "first authentication information Ct" is not limited to identification information devised by the first user Ui, but may also be identification information devised by a user, device, etc. other than the first user Ui. In other words, the "first authentication information Ct" may be recognition information that only the first user Ui has the authority to grant to an object drawn in a virtual space.

[0034] The "first user Ui" is a user who uses the virtual space of this information processing and satisfies certain conditions described below. The first user Ui may be, for example, an influencer who has influence over many users, and more specifically, may be a celebrity such as an entertainer or an expert, or an influencer who distributes content (such as a video) on the Internet in which the user himself or her avatar appears.

[0035] The "virtual space" is, for example, a virtual space (metaverse) that imitates real space, and may be a space that reproduces an existing place or a space that represents a non-existent place. In this embodiment, a user can, for example, participate in a signing event held in the virtual space by operating their own avatar.

[0036] A "target object Ti" is an object that is the target of this information processing among objects drawn in the virtual space. Examples of the target object Ti include an object that resembles a colored paper for signing, an object that resembles a photograph, a book, etc. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the holder of the target object Ti is the person who has ownership of the target object Ti (the owner). However, this is not limited to this, and for example, if the information processing device 10 allows the concept of temporary possession in the virtual space, the holder of the target object Ti may be the occupant of the target object Ti or may be the person who has lent the target object Ti from the owner.

[0037] The "second authentication information Ci" is authentication information assigned to the target object Ti as information associating the target object Ti with the first user Ui. More specifically, the second authentication information Ci is authentication information including information related to the first user Ui (e.g., the username of the first user Ui). Note that the second authentication information Ci is not limited to authentication information assigned by the first user Ui, as long as it includes information related to the first user Ui.

[0038] An example of the use of this information processing is an autograph session for a first user Ui held in a virtual space, as shown in Figure 2. First, in this information processing, video data of the autograph session for the first user Ui is transmitted from the information processing device 10 to the device of the first user Ui and to each of the users participating in the autograph session. At the autograph session, the first user Ui participates through his or her first avatar Ai. The first user Ui provides a signed object, i.e., a target object Ti to which authentication information has been assigned, to a second avatar Af of a second user Uf participating in the autograph session, either voluntarily or at the request of the second avatar Af.

[0039] The "second user Uf" is a user who uses the virtual space of this information processing and is different from the first user Ui, and is, for example, a fan (supporter) of the first user Ui. The second user Uf may be a user who participates in the autograph session of the first user Ui, or a user who did not participate in the autograph session of the first user Ui, and may be, for example, a user who receives the target object Ti from the second user Uf who participated in the autograph session after the autograph session.

[0040] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the target object Ti is an object that resembles a photograph taken using a virtual camera that resembles a real camera, and the object that resembles a photograph has an image area and a blank area (frame area) other than the image area. In the example shown in Fig. 2, only the first avatar Ai of the first user Ui is shown in the image area. However, without being limited to this, the target object Ti may also be an object that resembles a photograph (such as a two-shot photo) of the first avatar Ai and one or more second avatars Af taken simultaneously using a virtual camera at a signing event, for example.

[0041] In real space, the first user Ui draws the second authentication information Ci using a pen tablet or the like included in the first terminal 11. As a result, in the virtual space, the first avatar Ai of the first user Ui draws (assigns) the second authentication information Ci to the target object Ti in front of the second avatar Af of the second user Uf. Then, in the virtual space, the target object Ti is transferred from the first avatar Ai to the second avatar Af, and the second user Uf can obtain the target object Ti to which the unique second authentication information Ci of the first user Ui has been assigned in the virtual space.

[0042] However, while the second user Uf can see in real time the drawing action of the first avatar Ai drawing on the second authentication information Ci, he or she cannot confirm that the user who performed the drawing action is the first user Ui. Therefore, it is possible that a user impersonating the first user Ui manipulated the first avatar Ai to draw the second authentication information Ci. Furthermore, the second user Uf who received the target object Ti from another second user Uf after the autograph signing session cannot even confirm the drawing action.

[0043] For this reason, this information processing is used in such situations, and as explained above, the first authentication information Ct is compared with the second authentication information Ci to confirm whether the second authentication information Ci has been assigned to the target object Ti by the true first user Ui.

[0044] <Registration Phase> In this information processing, as a preliminary preparation, first authentication information Ct is registered. This phase is referred to as the registration phase. In the registration phase, first, it is determined whether the user who will hold the autograph session in the virtual space, i.e., the user who will be signing, is a target user (i.e., first user Ui) who satisfies certain conditions described below. In this information processing, a target user (first user Ui) who is determined to satisfy the certain conditions is requested to register first authentication information Ct, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0045] In response to a request to register the first authentication information Ct, the first user Ui draws the first authentication information Ct using an input device such as a pen tablet included in the first terminal 11. The drawn first authentication information Ct is transmitted from the first terminal 11 (input device) of the first user Ui to the information processing device 10. Note that the information processing device 10 may instruct the first user Ui to input the first authentication information Ct using the same input device that they plan to use at the autograph session. When the first authentication information Ct is officially registered, the first user Ui is notified of this.

[0046] <Verification Phase> After the registration phase, a signing session is held by the first user Ui. Then, at the signing session, a second user Uf acquires a target object Ti to which second authentication information Ci has been assigned and wishes to confirm whether the second authentication information Ci was assigned to the target object Ti by the real first user Ui. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1 , the second user Uf requests the information processing device 10 to verify the second authentication information Ci assigned to the target object Ti. Similarly, a second user Uf who acquires a target object Ti by transferring (reselling) it to another second user Uf may also request the information processing device 10 to verify the second authentication information Ci assigned to the target object Ti. In this way, in this information processing, the phase in which the verification process is performed is referred to as the verification phase.

[0047] The information processing device 10, which has received a request for matching, determines whether the second user Uf who requested matching and the target object Ti satisfy predetermined conditions, which will be described later, and performs matching if it determines that the predetermined conditions are satisfied. On the other hand, if the information processing device 10 determines that the predetermined conditions are not satisfied, it transmits to the second user Uf a determination result that matching using this information processing is not available for the second user Uf.

[0048] If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the information processing device 10 compares the first authentication information Ct with the second authentication information Ci, and based on the result of the comparison, determines whether the target object Ti is an object related to the first user Ui, that is, whether the second authentication information Ci has been assigned to the target object Ti by the real first user Ui, and then transmits the determination result to the second user Uf.

[0049] The determination result that the second authentication information Ci has been granted by the true first user Ui is associated with the target object Ti and stored, for example, on the information processing device 10 side (strictly speaking, in the storage device 14 described later). Furthermore, in this information processing, the determination result may be granted to the target object Ti as meta-information (accompanying information).

[0050] <Output Phase> For a target object Ti determined to have been assigned second authentication information Ci by the true first user Ui, the target object Ti assigned second authentication information Ci can be output to real space at the request of the second user Uf who owns the target object Ti, as shown in Fig. 4. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, printing of an image including the second authentication information Ci is permitted, and print data is transmitted from the information processing device 10 to the second terminal 12. The second user Uf can transmit print data to a printing device 13 that can communicate with the second terminal 12, and output a printed matter P from the printing device 13. In this way, in this information processing, the phase in which the target object Ti is output to real space is referred to as the output phase.

[0051] <<Configuration Example of Information Processing System According to the Present Embodiment>> Next, the configuration of an information processing system (hereinafter referred to as information processing system S) including an information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 5, the information processing system S is composed of the information processing device 10, a first terminal 11, a plurality of second terminals 12, a printing device 13, and a storage device 14. Note that in the example shown in Figure 5, for convenience of illustration, one first terminal 11 and three second terminals 12 are shown, but the numbers of first terminals 11 and second terminals 12 are not particularly limited.

[0052] <Information Processing Device> The information processing device 10 is composed of a computer, such as a server computer. The information processing device 10 may be composed of a single computer or multiple computers distributed in parallel. The server computer constituting the information processing device 10 may be a server computer for an ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). When necessary information is input into a user terminal, such as the first terminal 11 or the second terminal 12, the server computer performs various processes (calculations) based on the input information, and the calculation results are output on the user terminal. In other words, the functions of the server computer, which is the information processing device 10, can be used on the user terminal.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, the computer that constitutes the information processing device 10 includes a processor 10a, a memory 10b, and a communication interface 10c.

[0054] The processor 10a is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0055] The memory 10b is configured by semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). A program for executing this information processing (hereinafter referred to as an information processing program) is stored in the memory 10b. The information processing program is a program for causing the processor 10a to perform each process of an information processing method described below. The information processing program may be obtained by reading it from a computer-readable recording medium, or by downloading it via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0056] The communication interface 10c is configured by, for example, a network interface card, a communication interface board, etc. The computer configuring the information processing device 10 can communicate with other devices connected to the Internet, a mobile communication line, etc. via the communication interface 10c.

[0057] <First Terminal and Second Terminal> The first terminal 11 is a computer used by a first user Ui, and the second terminal 12 is a computer used by a second user Uf. Specifically, each of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 is configured as a smart device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), or the like. The first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 include a processor, memory, a communication interface, an input device, and an output device. The input device is a device that accepts user input operations and may include a touch panel, a pen tablet for drawing with a dedicated pen, a motion capture device that digitizes the user's movements and reflects them as the movements of the user's avatar, a camera such as a smartphone's built-in camera, and a microphone for collecting sound. The output device may be configured as, for example, a display and a head-mounted display (HMD) such as VR goggles.

[0058] Each of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 stores an application program (hereinafter, information processing app) for executing information processing to use the information processing system S. When using the information processing system S, the user of each of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 downloads the information processing app from a predetermined site and installs it on each of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12.

[0059] <Printing Device> The printing device 13 performs printing in response to a print request from the second terminal 12 via the network N. The printing device 13 outputs a print P by, for example, printing an image indicated by the printing data sent from the second terminal 12 onto a photosensitive film or the like.

[0060] <Storage Device> The storage device 14 is, for example, a cloud-type server provided by an operating company of a service using the information processing device 10, specifically, a company that provides the information processing service, and functions as a database that stores various data necessary for the information processing. The storage device 14 is communicably connected to the information processing device 10 via the network N, and the information processing device 10 can freely read various data. The storage device 14 may be built into the computer main body that constitutes the information processing device 10, or may be attached to the computer main body as an external device.

[0061] <<Functions of Information Processing Device According to the Present Embodiment>> Next, the configuration of the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described again from a functional perspective. The information processing device 10 has functional units corresponding to each of the three phases (registration phase, verification phase, and output phase) described above. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , the information processing device 10 has a first acquisition unit 21, a first determination unit 22, a first transmission unit 23, a second acquisition unit 24, a setting unit 25, and a second transmission unit 26 for the registration phase. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 has a third acquisition unit 31, a second determination unit 32, a verification unit 33, a third determination unit 34, and a third transmission unit 35 for the verification phase. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 has a fourth acquisition unit 41, a fourth determination unit 42, a generation unit 43, and a fourth transmission unit 44 for the output phase.

[0062] These functional units are realized by the cooperation of hardware devices included in the computer that constitutes the information processing device 10 and programs (i.e., software) installed on the computer. Each functional unit will be described below.

[0063] <Functions According to Registration Phase> (First Acquisition Unit) The first acquisition unit 21 receives a request from the target user's terminal to hold a signing session in the virtual space. In response, the first acquisition unit 21 requests user information about the target user using the terminal from the terminal and acquires the user information about the target user transmitted from the terminal. The "target user" refers to a user (such as an influencer) who will be signing autographs in the virtual space (such as a signing session). If the target user satisfies certain conditions described below, the target user corresponds to the first user Ui, and the user terminal of the target user corresponds to the first terminal 11. The "user information of the target user" may be, for example, the target user's username and identification ID, and may be information necessary to reference stored information about the target user stored in the storage device 14; in other words, information that serves as a search key for searching the stored information.

[0064] Next, the first acquisition unit 21 acquires the memory information of the target user stored in the memory device 14 from the memory device 14 based on the user information of the target user. The "memory information of the target user" includes not only the username and identification ID of the target user, but also the behavior history of the target user (and the target user's avatar) in the virtual space.

[0065] (First Determination Unit) The first determination unit 22 determines whether the target user satisfies a specific condition based on at least one of the user information and stored information of the target user acquired by the first acquisition unit 21. The "specific condition" is, for example, at least one of the following: a specific behavior is included in the target user's behavior history in the virtual space; the target user's contribution in the virtual space based on the behavior history is equal to or greater than a first reference value; or the target user's charge amount in the virtual space is equal to or greater than a second reference value.

[0066] The "specific behavior" is, for example, behavior that promotes interaction between users in the virtual space, and specifically includes behavior such as hosting an event in the virtual space. For example, if the behavior history of the target user in the virtual space includes a specific behavior, the first determination unit 22 determines that the target user is a user who satisfies a specific condition, that is, the first user Ui.

[0067] The "degree of contribution" is at least one of the number of users who participated in an event held by the target user in the virtual space, the sales amount at the event, or the average amount obtained by dividing the sales amount by the number of events. Here, "sales amount" refers to the total amount of sales (income obtained from individual transactions) over a certain period of time. The "first reference value" is a value set as a standard for the degree of contribution, and may be set in advance on the information processing device 10 side. If the degree of contribution of the target user, for example, the sales amount of a past event held by the target user, is equal to or greater than the first reference value, the first determination unit 22 determines that the target user is a user who satisfies a specific condition, i.e., a first user Ui.

[0068] The "charge amount" is the total amount charged by the target user in the virtual space. The "second reference value" is a value set as a reference for the charge amount, and may be set in advance on the information processing device 10 side. For example, if the charge amount of the target user in the virtual space is equal to or greater than the second reference value, the first determination unit 22 determines that the target user is a user who satisfies a specific condition, that is, the first user Ui.

[0069] In this way, by limiting the users who are qualified to be the first user Ui, the information processing device 10 can encourage users to take certain actions within the virtual space, encourage improvements in contribution levels and charges, etc., and prevent overuse and misuse of the information processing device 10.

[0070] (First Transmission Unit) The first transmission unit 23 transmits a message requesting the first authentication information Ct and information on how to grant the first authentication information Ct to a terminal of a target user that satisfies a specific condition, that is, the first terminal 11 of the first user Ui. On the other hand, the first transmission unit 23 transmits a message to the terminal of a target user that does not satisfy the specific condition, indicating that the target user is not qualified to be the first user Ui.

[0071] (Second Acquisition Unit) The second acquisition unit 24 acquires first authentication information Ct drawn by the first user Ui using an input device (such as a pen tablet) of the first terminal 11 from a terminal of a target user that satisfies a specific condition, i.e., the first terminal 11. Note that the second acquisition unit 24 may acquire multiple pieces of first authentication information Ct by requesting multiple drawing of the first authentication information Ct. In the matching process described below, using multiple pieces of first authentication information Ct can further improve the accuracy of matching.

[0072] Furthermore, the second acquisition unit 24 acquires information regarding the method of assigning the recognition information from the first terminal 11. More specifically, the second acquisition unit 24 acquires information regarding the method of assigning the authentication information selected or input by the first user Ui through the input device of the first terminal 11. Note that the second acquisition unit 24 may acquire information regarding the method of assigning the recognition information depending on, for example, the type, period, and location of the event. For example, if the first user Ui holds two autograph sessions at different times, the first user Ui may change the method of assigning the authentication information between the first and second autograph sessions. In such a case, the second acquisition unit 24 may acquire information regarding different methods of assigning the authentication information depending on the autograph session.

[0073] Specifically, the "information relating to the method of assigning the identification information" is information relating to the method by which the first user Ui assigns the authentication information (second authentication information Ci) to the target object Ti at a signing session in a virtual space, etc. Examples of the "method of assigning the authentication information" include a method of assigning the authentication information by handwriting, a method of assigning the authentication information in the form of an image, etc.

[0074] The "method of assigning authentication information by handwriting" is a method in which a first user Ui uses an input device such as a pen tablet to handwrite (assign) second authentication information Ci to each of multiple target objects Ti at a signing event or the like in a virtual space. Therefore, the second authentication information Ci assigned to each target object Ti is unique in the virtual space.

[0075] On the other hand, the "method of assigning imaged authentication information" is a method in which the first user Ui assigns imaged second authentication information Ci to each target object Ti at a signing session or the like in a virtual space. For example, the "method of assigning imaged authentication information" may include a method in which the imaged second authentication information Ci is assigned to the target object Ti as a stamp. In this case, since the same image is used as the second authentication information Ci, the second authentication information Ci assigned to the target object Ti matches each other among multiple target objects Ti. Furthermore, when the first authentication information Ct stored in the storage device 14 is imaged and used as authentication information, the second authentication information Ci assigned to the target object Ti matches the first authentication information Ct.

[0076] (Setting Unit) The setting unit 25 sets a matching determination method according to the authentication information assignment method. The "matching determination method" is a determination method for determining to what extent a difference (also referred to as error, similarity, or degree of agreement) between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci obtained by matching is tolerable. The setting unit 25 may set the matching determination method by, for example, changing a threshold value as a criterion for determining whether matching is successful, according to information related to the authentication information assignment method.

[0077] To explain in more detail, since there may be some difference between two pieces of authentication information even if they are provided by the real first user Ui, if a certain degree of difference is not allowed, there is a risk that the authentication information of the real first user Ui may be determined to be authentication information obtained by impersonating the first user Ui. On the other hand, if the tolerance level for differences is relaxed too much, there is a risk that it may not be possible to sufficiently guarantee that the authentication information is that of the real first user Ui.

[0078] For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, a first threshold is set as a threshold for determining whether matching is successful for a method of assigning authentication information by handwriting, while a second threshold, which has a stricter criterion for determining whether matching is successful than the first threshold, i.e., a second threshold smaller than the first threshold, is set for a method of assigning authentication information in the form of an image.

[0079] As a result, even in cases where the difference between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci is large, as in the case of a method of assigning authentication information by handwriting, by setting a corresponding first threshold, it is possible to determine that the second authentication information Ci is the authentication information of the true first user Ui. Also, even in cases where the difference between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci is small, or even where they match, as in the case of a method of assigning authentication information in the form of an image, by setting a corresponding second threshold, it is possible to determine that the second authentication information Ci is the authentication information of the true first user Ui.

[0080] In this way, the information processing device 10 sets the matching determination method depending on the authentication information assignment method, so that appropriate matching can be performed even if the difference between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci varies depending on the authentication information assignment method. Furthermore, the information processing device 10 can achieve appropriate matching by specifically changing the threshold value used as the criterion for determining whether matching is successful. In particular, for the "method of assigning authentication information by handwriting" and the "method of assigning authentication information in the form of an image," different threshold values ​​are set depending on the difference between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci, so appropriate matching can be achieved for either assignment method.

[0081] In the above description, the setting unit 25 sets the matching determination method by changing a threshold value as a criterion for determining whether matching is successful or not, in accordance with information related to the method of assigning authentication information. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the setting unit 25 may set the matching determination method by changing a weighting coefficient in accordance with information related to the method of assigning authentication information. Specifically, if the value obtained by multiplying the weighting coefficient by the difference between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci obtained by matching is equal to or less than a reference value, the second authentication information Ci may be determined to be the authentication information of the true first user Ui.

[0082] More specifically, the setting unit 25 may set a first coefficient for the method of assigning authentication information by handwriting, and a second coefficient having stricter criteria for the success or failure of matching than the first coefficient, i.e., a second coefficient having a larger value than the first coefficient, for the method of assigning imaged authentication information. For example, if the first coefficient is set to "1," the second coefficient is set to "2," and the reference value is set to "1," the difference between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci obtained by matching is quantified to be "1." In this case, in the method of assigning authentication information by handwriting, the value "1" obtained by multiplying the difference "1" by the weighting coefficient "1" is less than the reference value "1," and therefore the second authentication information Ci is determined to be the authentication information of the true first user Ui. On the other hand, in the method of assigning imaged authentication information, the value "2" obtained by multiplying the above difference "1" by the weighting coefficient "2" exceeds the reference value "1", so it is determined that there is a high possibility that the second authentication information Ci is not the authentication information of the true first user Ui.

[0083] The setting unit 25 stores information regarding the set matching determination method in the memory device 14 in association with other information (user information, memory information, and first authentication information Ct) acquired by the first acquisition unit 21 and the second acquisition unit 24.

[0084] (Second Transmission Unit) The second transmission unit 26 transmits to the first terminal 11 a message indicating that the first authentication information Ct has been officially registered.

[0085] <Functions According to the Matching Phase> (Third Acquisition Unit) The third acquisition unit 31 receives a matching request from the second terminal 12. In response to this, the third acquisition unit 31 requests the second terminal 12 to provide user information and specified information, and acquires this information. The "user information" here refers to information necessary to refer to the stored information of each of the first user Ui and the second user Uf stored in the storage device 14, in other words, information that can serve as a search key for searching the stored information, and may be, for example, a user name, an identification ID, etc.

[0086] Furthermore, "designation information" means "designation information of target object Ti" and "designation information of second authentication information Ci." "Designation information of target object Ti" is information indicating that the second user Uf has designated a specific object from among multiple objects in the virtual space as the target object Ti. "Designation information of second authentication information Ci" is information indicating that the second user Uf has designated specific authentication information from among the authentication information assigned to the target object Ti as the second authentication information Ci.

[0087] Next, based on the user information and the specification information, the third acquisition unit 31 acquires stored information to be used under predetermined conditions by the second determination unit 32 (described later) from the storage device 14. The "stored information to be used under predetermined conditions" includes, for example, information on a predetermined action by the second user Uf, information on the target object Ti, and the like.

[0088] Examples of "predetermined actions by the second user Uf" include billing the information processing system S, participating in an event in the virtual space, and purchasing an object in the virtual space. Note that "predetermined actions by the second user Uf" may be limited to actions toward the first user Ui, in which case examples include participating in a signing event held by the first user Ui in the virtual space, purchasing a target object Ti in the virtual space from the first user Ui, requesting the first user Ui in the virtual space to be provided with second authentication information Ci, and billing the first user Ui.

[0089] Examples of "information relating to target object Ti" include information indicating the relationship between target object Ti and first user Ui, and information indicating the relationship between target object Ti and second user Uf.

[0090] Examples of "information indicating the association between the target object Ti and the first user Ui" include information that the first user Ui previously possessed the target object Ti.

[0091] Furthermore, "information indicating the association between the target object Ti and the first user Ui" refers to display information that is related to the first user and that is different from the second authentication information Ci and that is part of the target object Ti. For example, an image included in the target object Ti corresponds to "display information." If the image includes the first avatar Ai of the first user Ui, the display information (image) corresponds to display information related to the first user, that is, "information indicating the association between the target object Ti and the first user Ui."

[0092] To identify the first avatar Ai, the third acquirer 31 may analyze the image as display information using, for example, a known image analysis technique (such as a subject identification technique) and identify the first avatar Ai of the first user Ui as a subject from within the image (or an image area of ​​the image). Note that the term "subject" refers to people, animals, objects, background, and the like included in the image. The concept of a subject may also include a location, scene (e.g., dawn or dusk, clear skies, etc.), and theme (e.g., travel, a meal, or an event such as a sports day) that appear in the image. The image may be a landscape image, i.e., the only subject included in the image may be a landscape, and the entire image may represent the landscape as the subject.

[0093] "Information indicating the relationship between the target object Ti and the second user Uf" corresponds to information such as that the second user Uf who has requested matching possesses the target object Ti.

[0094] (Second Determination Unit) The second determination unit 32 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied based on at least one of the user information, the specified information, and the stored information acquired by the third acquisition unit 31. The "predetermined condition" corresponds to at least one of the following: a predetermined action is being performed by the second user Uf; a target object Ti is associated with the second user Uf; or the target object Ti is associated with the first user Ui.

[0095] Specifically, the second determination unit 32 determines whether or not the second user Uf has performed a predetermined action (e.g., whether or not the second user Uf participated in a signing session of the first user Ui) based on information regarding the predetermined action by the second user Uf. Furthermore, the second determination unit 32 receives a matching request from the second user Uf and determines whether or not the target object Ti is associated with the second user Uf (e.g., whether or not the second user Uf who uses the second terminal 12 that made the matching request possesses the target object Ti) based on information regarding the matching request from the second terminal 12 and information indicating the association between the target object Ti and the second user Uf.

[0096] In addition, the second determination unit 32 determines, for example, whether the target object Ti is related to the first user Ui (for example, whether the first user Ui has owned the target object Ti in the past) based on information indicating the relationship between the target object Ti and the first user Ui.

[0097] (Matching Unit) When the above-mentioned predetermined conditions are satisfied, the matching unit 33 determines that matching is permitted and matches the first authentication information Ct with the second authentication information Ci. Note that in this embodiment, when all of the above-mentioned three predetermined conditions are satisfied, matching is permitted and matches the first authentication information Ct with the second authentication information Ci.

[0098] More specifically, the matching unit 33 acquires the first authentication information Ct of the first user Ui from the storage device 14 based on the user information of the first user Ui acquired from the second terminal 12. As another method of acquiring the first authentication information Ct, when the first avatar Ai of the first user Ui is included in an image (display information) included in the target object Ti, the matching unit 33 may identify the first user Ui registered in the storage device 14 as the user of the first avatar Ai based on the information of the first avatar Ai. Then, the matching unit 33 may acquire the first authentication information Ct associated with the first user Ui from the storage device 14. In this way, for example, even when the information processing device 10 cannot acquire the user information of the first user Ui from the second terminal 12, the information processing device 10 can acquire the first authentication information Ct of the first user Ui from the storage device 14 based on the designation information of the target object Ti.

[0099] Furthermore, the collating unit 33 identifies the second authentication information Ci based on the designation information of the second authentication information Ci acquired from the second terminal 12 .

[0100] The matching unit 33 then matches the first authentication information Ct with the second authentication information Ci based on the set determination method. As an example of the matching execution process, the matching unit 33 identifies the feature amounts of each of the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci using, for example, a known feature amount identification technique and calculates the similarity between the two feature amounts. If the similarity between the two feature amounts is equal to or less than a threshold value used as a criterion for determining whether the matching is successful, the matching unit 33 determines that the second authentication information Ci is the authentication information of the true first user Ui. On the other hand, if the similarity between the two feature amounts exceeds the threshold value, the matching unit 33 determines that there is a high possibility that the second authentication information Ci is the authentication information of a user other than the first user Ui.

[0101] As another example of the matching execution process, the matching unit 33 may, for example, use a known edge detection technique to identify each area of ​​the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci, calculate the degree of match between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci, and if the degree of match is below a threshold, determine that the second authentication information Ci is the authentication information of the true first user Ui.

[0102] (Third Determination Unit) Based on the result of the matching by the matching unit 33, the third determination unit 34 determines whether the target object Ti possessed by the second user Uf is a target object Ti related to the first user Ui, in other words, whether it is a target object Ti to which authentication information has been granted by the first user Ui.

[0103] More specifically, if the third determination unit 34 determines that the second authentication information Ci is the authentication information of the true first user Ui, it determines that the target object Ti possessed by the second user Uf is the target object Ti to which the second authentication information Ci has been assigned by the first user Ui. On the other hand, if the third determination unit 34 determines that there is a high possibility that the second authentication information Ci is the authentication information of a user other than the first user Ui, it determines that there is a high possibility that the target object Ti possessed by the second user Uf is the target object Ti to which the second authentication information Ci has been assigned by a user other than the first user Ui.

[0104] After the third determination unit 34 has produced a determination result, the third determination unit 34 associates the determination result with the target object Ti and stores the determination result in the storage device 14. Furthermore, the third determination unit 34 may assign the determination result to the target object Ti as incidental information of the target object Ti.

[0105] When a method of assigning imaged authentication information is set as the matching determination method, the third determination unit 34 may assign the second authentication information Ci (or ID information of the second authentication information Ci) to the target object Ti as meta information (accompanying information) of the target object Ti within the range permitted by the information processing system S. In this case, the second authentication information Ci may be drawn on the target object Ti each time the target object Ti is drawn on the screen of the first terminal 11, the second terminal 12, etc. Furthermore, it is preferable that such meta information is not visible to the user.

[0106] (Third Transmission Unit) The third transmission unit 35 transmits a determination result based on the matching to the second terminal 12 that has requested the matching.

[0107] <Functions According to Output Phase> (Fourth Acquisition Unit) The fourth acquisition unit 41 receives a request from the second terminal 12 to output the target object Ti to real space. In response, the fourth acquisition unit 41 requests the second terminal 12 to provide user information and specified information, and acquires the information. The term "user information" here refers to at least the user information of the second user Uf, and may be information necessary to reference stored information related to the second user Uf stored in the storage device 14; in other words, information that serves as a search key for searching the stored information. The term "specified information" here refers to at least the specified information of the target object Ti. Based on the user information and specified information, the fourth acquisition unit 41 acquires stored information from the storage device 14 that is used by the fourth determination unit 42 (described later) under specified conditions. Based on the specified information, the fourth acquisition unit 41 also acquires a determination result based on matching of the target object Ti from the storage device 14.

[0108] (Fourth Determination Unit) The fourth determination unit 42 determines whether the following specified conditions are satisfied based on at least one of the user information, the specified information, and the stored information acquired by the fourth acquisition unit 41. Specifically, the fourth determination unit 42 determines whether the second user Uf has performed a specified action based on information regarding the specified action by the second user Uf. For example, the fourth determination unit 42 determines whether the second user Uf, who is the user of the second terminal 12 that made the output request, has legitimately acquired the target object Ti from another second user Uf. Furthermore, the fourth determination unit 42 receives an output request from the second user Uf and determines whether the target object Ti is associated with the second user Uf, based on information regarding the output request from the second terminal 12 and information indicating the association between the target object Ti and the second user Uf. For example, the fourth determination unit 42 determines whether the second user Uf using the second terminal 12 that made the output request owns the target object Ti.

[0109] If it is determined that the above-mentioned specified conditions are satisfied, the fourth determination unit 42 determines whether or not the second authentication information Ci has been assigned to the target object Ti by the first user Ui, based on the result of the matching of the target object Ti (the determination result based on the matching). Note that in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the second authentication information Ci has been assigned to the target object Ti by the first user Ui, when all of the above-mentioned specified conditions are satisfied.

[0110] When the fourth determination unit 42 determines that the first user Ui has assigned the second authentication information Ci to the target object Ti, the fourth determination unit 42 permits the target object Ti to be output to real space. More specifically, the fourth determination unit 42 permits the printing of an image including the second authentication information Ci as the output to real space of the target object Ti to which the second authentication information Ci has been assigned. This allows the second user Uf to obtain an output (printed matter P (see FIG. 4)) of the target object Ti in real space.

[0111] On the other hand, if the fourth judgment unit 42 does not determine that the second authentication information Ci has been assigned to the target object Ti by the first user Ui, it does not allow the target object Ti to which the second authentication information has been assigned to be output into real space.

[0112] (Generation Unit) The generation unit 43 generates print data based on the permission given by the fourth determination unit 42 to output the target object Ti.

[0113] (Fourth Transmission Unit) The fourth transmission unit 44 transmits the generated print data together with a message indicating that output is permitted to the second terminal 12 that is permitted to output the target object Ti. On the other hand, the fourth transmission unit 44 transmits a message indicating that output is not permitted to the second terminal 12 that is not permitted to output the target object Ti.

[0114] The fourth sending unit 44 may send the print data to, for example, a company that provides this information processing service, at the option of the second user Uf using the second terminal 12. In this case, the printout P is delivered to the second user Uf using the second terminal 12 after printing at the company.

[0115] Furthermore, although an example of outputting a printout P has been shown in this output phase, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the output form is not limited as long as the target object Ti to which the second authentication information Ci has been assigned is output to real space. For example, if the target object Ti is only viewed on a display screen and is not output as a printout P, ​​it may be output as viewing data. Furthermore, if the target object Ti has a three-dimensional shape rather than a sheet shape like the printout P, ​​it may be output using a 3D printer or the like to output the target object Ti to real space.

[0116] <<Information Processing Flow According to the Present Embodiment>> Next, an information processing flow using the information processing system S will be described. The information processing flow employs the information processing method of the present invention and progresses along the flow shown in FIG. 8, that is, a registration phase (S100), a matching phase (S200), and an output phase (S300). Furthermore, each phase progresses along the respective flows shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. Note that the flows shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 are merely examples, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of steps may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0117] <Registration Phase> The registration phase of step S100 is initiated, for example, when a target user's terminal requests the information processing device 10 to hold a signing event in a virtual space. When the processor 10a receives a request to hold a signing event in a virtual space from the target user (later referred to as the first user Ui), the processor 10a requests user information from the target user's terminal. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the target user's terminal transmits the user information of the target user (S101). The processor 10a acquires the user information of the target user transmitted from the target user's terminal (S102).

[0118] Next, the processor 10a acquires stored information, such as the target user's behavior history in the virtual space, stored in the storage device 14 based on the target user's user information (S103). Thereafter, the processor 10a determines whether the target user satisfies a specific condition based on at least one of the target user's user information and the stored information (S104).

[0119] When the processor 10a determines that the target user satisfies a specific condition, the processor 10a determines that the target user corresponds to a first user Ui, and transmits a message requesting first authentication information Ct and information on a method for providing the authentication information to the first terminal 11 of the first user Ui. Then, the first user Ui responds to the request and transmits the information from the first terminal 11 to the information processing device 10 (S105), and the processor 10a acquires the information (S106).

[0120] Next, the processor 10a sets a matching determination method according to the method of providing the authentication information (S107). More specifically, the processor 10a sets, for example, a first threshold as a threshold for determining whether matching is successful. Next, the processor 10a stores information about the matching determination method that has been set in the storage device 14 in association with other information (user information, first authentication information Ct, etc.) (S108).

[0121] Next, the processor 10a transmits a message to the terminal of the target user (the first terminal 11 of the first user Ui) that the first authentication information Ct has been officially registered (S109). On the other hand, the processor 10a transmits a message to the terminal of the target user who does not satisfy the specific conditions that the target user is not qualified to be the first user Ui. The target user's terminal then receives the result (S110), and the series of processes in the registration phase of step S100 is completed. Note that this series of processes is repeated each time a request to hold a signing session in a virtual space is received from the target user's terminal to the information processing device 10.

[0122] <Matching Phase> The matching phase of step S200 is initiated, for example, when the second terminal 12 sends a matching request to the information processing device 10. This example of the information processing flow has the following two assumptions. The first assumption is that the second user Uf is participating in a signing session with the first user Ui in the virtual space. The second assumption is that a video of the signing session is displayed on the second terminal 12 of the second user Uf; in other words, the video data is transmitted from the information processing device 10. When the processor 10a receives a matching request from the second terminal 12, it requests the second terminal 12 to provide user information and specified information. As a result, the user information and specified information are transmitted from the second terminal 12 to the information processing device 10, as shown in FIG. 10 (S201).

[0123] The processor 10a acquires user information and specified information from the second terminal 12 (S202), and then acquires stored information stored in the storage device 14 based on the acquired information (S203). The processor 10a then determines whether a predetermined condition is met based on at least one of the user information, specified information, and stored information. Specifically, the processor 10a determines whether a predetermined action has been performed by the second user Uf (S204). The processor 10a also receives a matching request from the second user Uf and determines whether the target object Ti is associated with the second user Uf (S205). The processor 10a also determines whether the target object Ti is associated with the first user Ui (S206). The determination processes of steps S204 to S206 may be performed in any order.

[0124] Next, if all of the above predetermined conditions are met, the processor 10a determines that matching is permitted and performs matching between the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci (S207). Specifically, the processor 10a calculates the similarity between the feature quantities of the first authentication information Ct and the second authentication information Ci and determines whether the similarity is equal to or less than a threshold value (in this example, a first threshold value) (S208). If the similarity is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the processor 10a determines that the target object Ti possessed by the second user Uf is a target object Ti related to the first user Ui (S209). Thereafter, the processor 10a stores the result of the determination in step S209 in the storage device 14 in association with the target object Ti (S210).

[0125] Next, the processor 10a transmits the determination result to the second terminal 12 that requested the verification (S211). The second terminal 12 then receives the determination result (S212), and the series of processes in the verification phase of step S200 is completed. Note that this series of processes is repeated every time the information processing device 10 receives a verification request from the second terminal 12.

[0126] <Output Phase> The matching phase in step S300 is initiated when the second terminal 12 requests the information processing device 10 to output the target object Ti into real space. When the processor 10a receives the output request from the second terminal 12, it requests the second terminal 12 to provide user information and specified information. As a result, the user information and specified information are transmitted from the second terminal 12 to the information processing device 10 (S301), as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0127] The processor 10a acquires user information and specified information from the second terminal 12 (S302), and then acquires stored information stored in the storage device 14 based on the acquired information (S303). The processor 10a then determines whether a specified condition is met based on at least one of the user information, specified information, and stored information. Specifically, the processor 10a determines whether a predetermined action has been performed by the second user Uf (S304). The processor 10a also receives an output request from the second user Uf and determines whether the target object Ti is associated with the second user Uf (S305). The determination processes in steps S304 and S305 may be performed in any order.

[0128] Next, if the processor 10a determines that all the specified conditions are met, it determines whether the target object Ti is to which the second authentication information Ci has been assigned by the first user Ui, based on the storage information (the determination result based on the comparison) stored in the storage device 14. If the processor 10a determines that the second authentication information Ci has been assigned to the target object Ti by the first user Ui, it permits the target object Ti to be output to the real space and generates print data (S307).

[0129] Thereafter, the processor 10a transmits the generated print data to the second terminal 12 that has been permitted to output the target object Ti, along with a message indicating that output has been permitted (S308). On the other hand, the processor 10a transmits a message indicating that output has not been permitted to the second terminal 12 that has not been permitted to output the target object Ti. The second terminal 12 then receives the transmitted information (S309), and the series of processes in the output phase of step 300 is completed. Note that this series of processes is repeated each time the information processing device 10 receives an output request from the second terminal 12.

[0130] In the above description, the matching phase and the output phase are described separately, but this is not limiting. For example, the flow of the output phase may be added after the matching phase. Specifically, in step S211 shown in FIG. 10, the processor 10a may request the second terminal 12 whether or not to output the real space of the target object Ti. If an output request is received from the second terminal 12, the processor 10a may omit steps S301 to S306 shown in FIG. 11 and start from step S307.

[0131] <<Regarding Effectiveness of the Present Embodiment>> In real space, there is a method of interaction in which an influencer signs a photograph or the like of a celebrity, talent, idol, or other influencer and gives the photograph to a fan. However, in recent years, with the spread of social networking services (SNS) and the like, the number of influencers has increased compared to the past, making it difficult to verify the authenticity of an influencer's signature. For example, if a fan of an influencer obtains a photo object with the influencer's signature in a virtual space, particularly if the fan receives the photo object from another user, the fan may suspect that the signature is from the influencer, but it is difficult to verify the authenticity of the signature.

[0132] In this regard, the information processing device 10 according to the present embodiment can verify the authenticity of the second authentication information Ci assigned to the target object Ti by comparing the first authentication information Ct with the second authentication information Ci assigned to the target object Ti depicted in the virtual space, as shown in Fig. 1. As a result, if it is proven that the target object Ti is an object related to the first user Ui, the second user Uf who possesses the target object Ti can safely possess the target object Ti in the virtual space or transfer it to another user.

[0133] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processor 10a determines whether the target object Ti is related to the first user Ui based on the result of the matching, thereby allowing the second user Uf to confirm whether the target object Ti that he or she owns is a target object Ti related to the first user Ui.

[0134] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processor 10a performs matching in at least one of the following cases: when a predetermined action is performed by the second user Uf; when a matching request is received from the second user Uf and the target object Ti is associated with the second user Uf; or when the target object Ti is related to the first user Ui. The processor 10a also acquires display information that forms part of the target object Ti and performs matching when the display information is related to the first user Ui. This allows the users targeted for matching by the information processing device 10 to be limited to specific second users Uf, thereby encouraging the second users Uf to take predetermined actions and preventing overuse or misuse of matching in the information processing device 10. Furthermore, the above configuration allows the objects targeted for matching by the information processing device 10 to be limited. This reduces the amount of data processing required for the matching process by the information processing device 10, allowing the information processing device 10 to smoothly proceed with the matching process for second users Uf who satisfy predetermined conditions.

[0135] (Regarding the Processor Configuration) In this embodiment, each process is executed by an arbitrary computer. Furthermore, the arbitrary computer may execute these processes using a processor as hardware, a program as software, or a combination thereof. In this case, the processor is configured to execute various processes in this embodiment in cooperation with the program, and may function as each unit or means in this embodiment. Furthermore, the order in which the processes are executed by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. The arbitrary computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer for specific applications, a workstation, or any other system capable of executing each process.

[0136] A processor may be configured with one or more pieces of hardware, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, a processor may be configured with hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a programmable logic device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a dedicated circuit for executing specific processing such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a neural processing unit (NPU). Furthermore, the type of hardware may be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple pieces of hardware are configured to execute one or more processes of a certain processor, the multiple pieces of hardware may be located in devices physically separated from each other or may be located in the same device. In any embodiment, the order of the processes performed by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. Note that the hardware is configured by an electric circuit (circuitry) that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0137] Furthermore, a program may be software, such as firmware or microcode. Alternatively, a program may be, for example, a group of program modules, each function of which may be implemented by a processor configured to perform the respective function. A program may be program code or multiple code segments stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storages). The program may be stored across multiple non-transitory computer-readable media that reside in physically separate devices. A program code or code segment may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A program code or code segment may be connected to another code segment or a hardware circuit by sending or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

[0138] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Information processing device 10a Processor 10b Memory 10c Communication interface 11 First terminal 12 Second terminal 13 Printing device 14 Storage device 21 First acquisition unit 22 First determination unit 23 First transmission unit 24 Second acquisition unit 25 Setting unit 26 Second transmission unit 31 Third acquisition unit 32 Second determination unit 33 Collation unit 34 Third determination unit 35 Third transmission unit 41 Fourth acquisition unit 42 Fourth determination unit 43 Generation unit 44 Fourth transmission unit Ai First avatar Af Second avatar Ct First authentication information Ci Second authentication information N Network P Printed matter S Information processing system Ti Target object Ui First user Uf Second user

Claims

1. An information processing device having a processor, wherein the processor: acquires first authentication information associated with a first user; acquires second authentication information assigned to a target object depicted in a virtual space as information associating the target object with the first user; and compares the first authentication information with the second authentication information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor determines whether the target object is related to the first user based on the result of the matching.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs the matching when a predetermined action is performed by a second user different from the first user.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs the matching when it receives a request for the matching from a second user different from the first user and the target object is associated with the second user.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs the matching if the target object is associated with the first user.

6. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the processor obtains display information that is part of the target object and is different from the second authentication information, and performs the matching if the display information is related to the first user.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires the first authentication information of the first user when an avatar of the first user is included in an image included in the target object.

8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires information relating to a method of granting authentication information, sets a method of determining the matching in accordance with the method of granting authentication information, and performs the matching based on the set method of determining the matching.

9. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the processor sets the determination method by changing a threshold value as a criterion for determining whether the matching is successful or not, in accordance with information relating to the assignment method.

10. The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the processor sets a first threshold as the threshold for the method of handwriting authentication information, and sets a second threshold for the method of image authentication information, the second threshold having stricter criteria for the success or failure of the matching than the first threshold.

11. An information processing device as described in claim 1, wherein the processor, when determining as a result of the matching that the second authentication information has been assigned to the target object by the first user, allows the target object to which the second authentication information has been assigned to be output into real space.

12. The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein the processor permits printing of an image including the second authentication information as an output to the real space of the target object to which the second authentication information is assigned.

13. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first user is a target user who satisfies a specific condition.

14. The information processing device described in claim 13, wherein the specific condition is at least one of: the target user's behavioral history in the virtual space includes a specific behavior; the target user's contribution in the virtual space based on the behavioral history is greater than or equal to a first reference value; or the target user's charged amount in the virtual space is greater than or equal to a second reference value.

15. An information processing device as described in claim 14, wherein the degree of contribution is at least one of the number of users who participated in an event held by the target user in the virtual space, the sales amount at the event, or the average amount obtained by dividing the sales amount by the number of times the event was held.

16. An information processing method in which a processor executes the following processes: a process of acquiring first authentication information associated with a first user; a process of acquiring second authentication information assigned to a target object depicted in a virtual space as information associating the target object with the first user; and a process of matching the first authentication information with the second authentication information.

17. A program for causing a computer to execute each process included in the information processing method according to claim 16.

18. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute each process included in the information processing method according to claim 16.

Images