JP2024008350A - Computer system, service providing system, and service providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a novel technique which maintains the existence of a user in a virtual space while omitting partial procedures such as login to enable the user to be provided with a service prepared in the virtual space.SOLUTION: On the basis of an operation input performed by a participating user participating in a virtual space 3 in which a virtual spot 6 for providing a service is set, a server side system 1010 performs provision control for participating users which provides a service to the participating user. Further, on the basis of an operation input performed by a non-participating user, the server side system 1010 performs provision control for non-participating users which provides a service to the non-participating user. Then, the server side system 1010 performs display control which represents provision situations of services at the virtual spot 6, for both service provision for participating users and service provision for non-participating users.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a computer system, etc. that executes control to provide a predetermined service to a user.

At the same time, multiple users can use their avatars to participate in a virtual space constructed using 3DCG (3 Dimensional Computer Graphics), move freely in the virtual space with their avatars, and create images in the virtual space through their avatars. A technique is known that allows the use of various services provided by the Internet (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The "services" provided within the virtual space can be referred to as content or applications, depending on the content and form of provision. Examples of services include shopping, games, a zoo of virtual creatures, art museums, live music, virtual universities, and the like. Such virtual spaces have been put into practical use in some areas, such as online games and VR (Virtual Reality) shopping with virtual commercial facilities, and are sometimes referred to as the Metaverse.

Users participating in the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as participating users) gain a sense of each other's presence in the virtual space by viewing the actions of each other's avatars through their own avatars. For example, watching other avatars moving around, shopping, or sitting in front of a game console while playing a game creates a sense of liveliness, and participating users are encouraged to interact with other participating users. You can enjoy the virtual experience while feeling the ``presence'' of being in the virtual space.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-36689

Various mechanisms are known for improving usability when moving within a virtual space.
For example, when receiving some kind of service in a virtual space, the user basically needs to move his avatar to the location where the service is provided. However, some users find it troublesome to move their avatars. Therefore, mechanisms are known that allow you to instantly travel to your destination. For example, in online games, it is provided as a mechanism of the game world called teleportation magic or teleportation device. Part of this can be said to be the game's specifications, where the scene changes when you bring up a menu and select a destination.

The ultimate method of omitting movement within the virtual space may be to omit the login procedure itself and directly provide services within the virtual space to the user. For example, a user who has become a favorite with an online game provided at a virtual game center in a virtual space may find all the operations from logging in to moving to the virtual game center to be a hassle. Furthermore, a user who is recommended by a friend an online game provided at a virtual game center in a virtual space may want to try the online game without registering as a user. A user's desire to enjoy services provided in a virtual space without having to go through some procedures such as logging in can be considered not only for games but also for other types of services.

However, with conventional technology, when attempting to provide a service provided in a virtual space to a user by omitting some procedures such as logging in, the user's avatar ends up not existing in the virtual space. . Users participating in the virtual space may not be able to feel the "presence" of other users in the virtual space, and the quality of the virtual experience may deteriorate. For example, the liveliness of the avatar's presence in the virtual space may not be felt, and the quality of the virtual experience in the virtual space may deteriorate.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to omit some procedures such as logging in, and to be able to provide services provided in a virtual space to a user, while also expressing the user's presence in the virtual space. The aim is to provide new technology to

A first invention for solving the above problems is a computer system that executes control to provide a predetermined service to a user, comprising:
Participating user provision control means (e.g. , the portal server system 1100P in FIG. 1, the processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the provision control unit for participating users 210, step S56 in FIG. 15),
Non-participating user provision control means (for example, the portal server system 1100P in FIG. 1, the portal server system 1100P in FIG. Processing unit 200s, provision control unit 212 for non-participating users, step S136 in FIG. 18 in the shortening process executed in step S86 in FIG.
Expressing the provision status of the service at the virtual spot in the virtual space based on both the provision control of the service by the provision control means for participating users and the provision control of the service by the provision control means for non-participating users. Provision status display control means (for example, the portal server system 1100P in FIG. 1, the processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the provision status display control unit 214, steps S102 to S104 in FIG. 18, and steps S130 to S132 in FIG. 18) )and,
It is a computer system equipped with.

A "participating user" is a user who is participating in the virtual space and who has completed the procedure for participation (for example, if a login procedure is required for participation, the login procedure). A "non-participating user" is a user who is not participating in the virtual space and has not performed a procedure for participation (for example, a login procedure). A "virtual spot" refers to a geographical location in a virtual space, such as a virtual store or a virtual venue.

According to the first invention, a service provided in a virtual space can be provided even to non-participating users, and the service provision status including non-participating users at the virtual spot where the service is provided can be provided. Display control will be performed to express the image. Therefore, from the viewpoint of participating users, the presence of non-participating users can be visually felt within the virtual space. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new technology that allows services provided in a virtual space to be provided to a user by omitting some procedures such as login, while expressing the user's presence in the virtual space. becomes possible.

A second invention is the above computer system, wherein the virtual space is a space in which the participating user character of the participating user can act based on the operation of the participating user, and the provision control means for the participating user is configured to control the provision of the virtual space to the participating user. The provision control means for non-participating users executes control to provide the service to the participating user based on the behavior of the participating user character based on the operation by the participating user (for example, steps S34 to S56 in FIG. 15). , provide the service to the non-participating user based on a direct operation by the non-participating user indicating a desire to provide the service (for example, an operation on the service selection icons 16a, 16b on the shortened menu screen 14 in FIG. 5). It is a computer system that executes control (for example, steps S90 to S136 in FIG. 18).

The "participating user character" is a user character associated with a participating user, and is a character object that is basically controlled based on the operational input of the participating user. Sometimes called avatar.

According to the second invention, the provision of services to participating users is controlled based on the behavior of the user character (participating user character). On the other hand, the provision of services to non-participating users is controlled based on the non-participating users' direct operations indicating that they wish to receive the services.

A third aspect of the present invention is that in the computer system described above, the provision control means for participating users executes control for providing the service to the participating users when the participating user character is located at the virtual spot. For example, YES in step S32→step S56) in FIG. 15 is a computer system.

According to the third invention, the computer system performs control to provide a service to participating users when the participating user character is located at the virtual spot. Therefore, for a non-participating user, it is possible to save the effort of becoming a participating user, making his or her user character appear in the virtual space, and moving it to a virtual spot that provides the desired service.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is that in the above computer system, the provision control means for non-participating users selects an item indicating that the provision of the service is desired (for example, the service selection icon 16 on the shortened menu screen 14 in FIG. 5). The computer system executes control to provide the service to the non-participating user based on the operation.

Further, in the fifth invention, in the above computer system, the provision control means for non-participating users controls displaying the items on the mobile terminal of the non-participating users (for example, step S90 in FIG. 18), and The computer system executes control to provide the service using the mobile terminal as a man-machine interface in response to a selection operation.

According to the fourth or fifth invention, the computer system directly causes the non-participating user to perform an operation of selecting an item indicating that the service is desired to be provided, for example, an operation of selecting a menu item from a menu screen. Execute control to accept and provide services. Therefore, for non-participating users, the trouble of moving the user character to the virtual spot can be omitted and the service can be enjoyed with simple operations, thereby improving usability.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is that in the above computer system, the provision status display control means displays the participating user character (for example, the avatar in FIG. 4) of the participating user to whom the service is provided by the participating user provision control means. 4s) in the virtual spot, and causing a non-participating user character (for example, avatar 4f in FIG. 5) of the non-participating user to whom the service is provided to appear in the virtual space by the non-participating user provision control means. This is a computer system that performs control to place the virtual spot in the virtual spot (for example, steps S102 and S130 in FIG. 18).

According to the sixth invention, the computer system performs control to place the participating user character and the non-participating user character in the virtual spot of the service to be provided. Therefore, even for non-participating users, the principle that ``in a virtual space, a user who receives a service exists in the virtual spot of that service'' is maintained.

A seventh invention is the computer system described above, in which the provision status display control means automatically controls the behavior of the non-participating user character (for example, steps S104 and S132 in FIG. 18).

Since the non-participating user does not participate in the virtual world in the first place, even if the non-participating user character appears in the virtual space, the non-participating user cannot operate the non-participating user character.

According to the seventh invention, the computer system automatically controls the behavior of the non-participating user character that appears in the virtual space in place of the non-participating user. From the participating user's perspective, the non-participating user character appears to be acting in the same way as the participating user character. In other words, a "presence" is maintained as if multiple users were participating using their respective avatars at the same time.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is that in the above computer system, the provision control means for participating users provides the service to the participating users when the participating user character behaves in a manner that satisfies a predetermined behavior condition at the virtual spot. This is a computer system that executes control (for example, from step S32 to step S56 in FIG. 15).

According to the eighth invention, the computer system executes control to provide a service to a participating user whose participating user character behaves in a manner that satisfies a predetermined behavior condition at the virtual spot. For example, if the virtual spot is a store that sells products, the behavior that satisfies the behavioral conditions is the behavior of offering to purchase the product to the virtual store clerk, and if the virtual spot is a game center, the behavior is to make a payment to the virtual game device for play. The behavior can be set as input.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is that in the above computer system, the provision status display control means automatically controls the behavior of the non-participating user character so that the non-participating user character behaves in a manner that satisfies the behavior condition at the virtual spot. It is a computer system that controls (for example, step S104 in FIG. 18).

Since the non-participating user has not logged into the virtual world in the first place, even if control is performed to cause the non-participating user character to appear in the virtual space, the non-participating user cannot operate the non-participating user character.

According to the ninth invention, the computer system automatically controls the non-participating user character to behave in a virtual spot satisfying the behavior condition on behalf of the non-participating user. Therefore, from the perspective of the participating user, the non-participating user character appears to be behaving in the same way as the participating user character in order to enjoy the service. Therefore, the user's "presence" can be maintained at a high level.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the computer system as described above, in which, if a participating user character for the non-participating user to participate in the virtual space has already been set, the provision status display control means replaces the non-participating user character with the non-participating user character. The computer system makes the non-participating user character appear in the virtual space as a user character, and if it is not set, automatically generates the non-participating user character (for example, step S84 in FIG. 14) and makes it appear in the virtual space.

According to the tenth invention, when the non-participating user has already set his own participating user character, the computer system causes the set participating user character to appear in the virtual space. On the other hand, if the participating user character has not yet been set, control is executed to automatically generate a non-participating user character to compensate for the fact that the non-participating user character has not been set yet. Therefore, usability for non-participating users is improved.

An eleventh invention is, in the computer system described above, the provision status display control means changes the arrangement position of the participating user character and/or the non-participating user character in the virtual spot according to the provision status of the service. This is a computer system that performs control (for example, steps S146 and S156 in FIG. 16, and step S130 in FIG. 18).

According to the eleventh invention, the computer system can change the arrangement of the participating user characters and non-participating user characters located at the virtual spot depending on the service provision status.

For example, assume that the virtual spot is a virtual game center. A game center in the real world cannot provide more services than the number of arcade game machines installed. However, since it is a virtual world, it is possible to provide game services to more users than the number of virtual arcade game machines arranged. If the number of participating user characters and non-participating user characters is within the number of virtual arcade game devices arranged (if it is not crowded), each user character may be placed in the arcade game device. If the number of virtual arcade game machines is exceeded (if the number of arcade game machines is crowded), some arcade game machines may be left empty for seating, and the remaining arcade game machines are surrounded by spectators. You can change the placement of the user character, such as placing the user character as if it were. In this case, the user character who is supposed to be enjoying the provision of game play services may be changed to a position as a spectator. Such a layout change allows participating users visiting the virtual spot to see the active state of service provision.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is, in the above computer system, the provision status display control means controls to select the participating user character and/or the non-participating user character and place them in the virtual spot (for example, as shown in FIG. (steps S112 to S130) of the computer system.

According to the twelfth invention, the computer system can adjust the number of participating user characters and non-participating user characters placed in the virtual spot. For example, it is possible to avoid a situation where too many user characters are enjoying the service, causing a problem in the visibility of the virtual spot in the virtual space.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is, in the computer system described above, the provision status display control means performs control to display information on the participating user character and information on the non-participating user character determined not to be placed in the selection. For example, the display on the virtual monitor 7 in FIG. 8, step S118 in FIG. 18), and the computer system.

According to the thirteenth invention, the computer system can provide participating users who have visited the virtual spot in a different form with information about the user character who is enjoying the provision of the service but is not placed at the virtual spot.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a provision situation reproduction control that records the display control executed by the provision situation display control means and executes display control to reproduce the service provision situation based on the record, in the computer system described above. The computer system further includes means (for example, the provision situation reproduction control unit 216 in FIG. 9 and steps S190 to S196 in FIG. 17).

According to the fourteenth invention, the computer system can reproduce the display of the provision status of services provided in the past. For example, a participating user who wishes to watch a certain famous user play a game in a virtual space can watch it in a replay even if he or she cannot be present at the place where the game is being played in real time.

A fifteenth invention is the computer system described above, wherein the service is a game, and the game progress acquisition control means (for example, FIG. 9 game progress acquisition control unit 220, step S194 in FIG. 17),
A viewing request receiving means (for example, the viewing request reception control unit 230 in FIG. 9, step S196 in FIG. 17) that receives a viewing request for the game play video of the viewing target user from the viewing requesting user who is the participating user;
A computer system further comprising a game play video provision control unit (for example, the game play video provision control unit 240 in FIG. 9, step S198 in FIG. 17) that provides the viewing request user with the game play video of the user to be viewed. It is.

Furthermore, the sixteenth invention is the above computer system, wherein the game play video is a video shot from a third-person perspective of the user character of the viewing target user playing the game at the virtual spot, or , a video of the game play screen of the user to be viewed.

For example, when a virtual spot is crowded with user characters, even if a participating user wants to watch the game play of another user, he or she may not be able to bring his or her own user character close enough to see the game play. It is natural that these inconveniences be resolved in the sense of obtaining a virtual experience that more closely resembles reality in a virtual space.

According to the fifteenth or sixteenth invention, the computer system acquires information related to the game progress status of participating users and non-participating users, and in response to a request from a viewing requesting user who is a participating user, Game play videos can be provided to users who request viewing. The above-mentioned inconvenience is resolved, and the virtual spot not only serves as a place for the user to play games, but also serves as a place for other users to provide game play images.

A seventeenth invention is a first aspect of the present invention, in which, in the computer system, a game user whose game progress satisfies a given related condition is selected as the user to be viewed, with respect to the game progress of the viewing requesting user. The computer system further includes viewing target user selection means (for example, the first viewing target user selection unit 232 in FIG. 9, step S192 in FIG. 17).

According to the seventeenth invention, when the viewing requesting user has a history of playing games in the past, the computer system can detect a game user whose game progress satisfies a given related condition with respect to the game progress of the user. can be viewed by users.
By setting "related conditions" appropriately, it is possible to provide gameplay footage of a user playing a game stage that the user requesting to view is having difficulty clearing, or conversely, to prevent "spoilers" It is also possible to exclude gameplay footage from game stages that have not been cleared. In other words, game play video with appropriate content can be provided to the user who requests viewing.

An eighteenth invention provides, in the above computer system, a user information management means for managing user information for each user; and a user information that satisfies a given related condition for the user information of the viewing requesting user. The computer system further includes a second viewing user selection unit (for example, the second viewing user selection unit 234 in FIG. 9, step S192 in FIG. 17) that selects a certain game user as the viewing user.

According to the eighteenth invention, the computer system can select, as the viewing target user, a game user whose user information satisfies a given related condition with respect to the user information of the viewing requesting user. The "related condition" can be, for example, a condition for selecting a user who has a relationship with the viewing requesting user (for example, a friend user who has registered as a friend).

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is that, in the above computer system, a game user whose user character is located at a position satisfying a given short distance condition from the user character of the viewing requesting user in the virtual spot is selected as the viewing target user. This computer system further includes a third viewing target user selection unit (for example, the third viewing target user selection unit 236 in FIG. 9, step S192 in FIG. 17).

According to the nineteenth invention, the computer system can select the viewing target user based on the distance between the viewing requesting user and the user character in the virtual spot. From the viewpoint of the viewing requesting user, other users whose user characters are close to their own user character can be selected as viewing target users.

A 20th invention is the computer system described above, in which the viewing target user is a user currently playing a game.

A twenty-first invention is the above computer system, wherein the service is a game, and a game progress acquisition means for acquiring the game progress of each game user who is the participating user and the non-participating user; The provision situation reproduction control means further includes viewing request receiving means for receiving a request to view the game play video of the user to be viewed from a certain user requesting to view, and the provision situation reproduction control means is configured to request the user to request to view the game play video of the user to be viewed. The computer system provides the reproduction of the provision situation.

According to the twenty-first invention, the computer system can provide participating users with a reproduction video of another user's game play.

A twenty-second invention is a service providing system comprising the server system which is the computer system described above, and the user terminal of the user.

According to the twenty-second invention, it is possible to realize a service providing system that can obtain the same effects as the above invention.

A twenty-third invention is a service provision control method for controlling a computer system to provide a predetermined service to a user, the computer system participating in a virtual space in which a virtual spot for providing the service is set. a provision control step for participating users that executes control to provide the service to the participating user based on the operational input by the participating user who is not participating in the virtual space; a provision control step for non-participating users that executes control to provide the service to non-participating users; a provision control of the service in the provision control step for participating users; and a provision control of the service in the provision control step for non-participating users; and a provision status display control step of performing display control to express the provision status of the service at the virtual spot in the virtual space based on both of the above.

According to the twenty-third invention, it is possible to realize a service provision control method that provides the same effects as the above invention.

The figure which shows the example of a structure of a service provision system. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a virtual space provided by a service providing system. A diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a virtual spot that provides online games. A diagram for explaining a shortening function for participating users. A diagram for explaining a shortening function for non-participating users. A diagram for explaining automatic generation of a temporary avatar. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how to change the arrangement of avatars according to service provision status. A diagram for explaining how to handle a case where the service provision situation is so crowded that it is inappropriate to place additional avatars. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server-side system. The figure which shows the example of the program and data stored in the memory|storage part of a server side system. The figure which shows the data structure example of virtual space initial setting data. The figure which shows the data structure example of virtual space management data. A functional block showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal. A flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the server side system. Flowchart continued from FIG. 14. Flowchart continued from FIG. 15. Flowchart continued from FIG. 16. Flowchart for explaining the flow of shortening processing. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a reproduction candidate list. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a modification. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a modification. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a modification.

Examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but it goes without saying that the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a service providing system 1000.
The service providing system 1000 simultaneously allows a plurality of users to participate in a virtual space constructed using 3DCG (3 Dimensional Computer Graphics) using their respective user characters, avatars, and to freely move within the virtual space with their avatars. This is a computer system that allows you to receive various services provided in a virtual space through your avatar.

The service providing system 1000 includes a server side system 1010 and user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) for each user, which are connected for data communication via the network 9, and the user terminals 1500 are connected to a man-machine interface (Man-machine interface). It is a computer system with a Machine Interface (MMIF).

The network 9 means a communication path that allows data communication. That is, the network 9 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) such as a dedicated line (dedicated cable) and Ethernet (registered trademark) for direct connection, as well as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet.

The server side system 1010 is a computer system managed and operated by the operator of the service providing system 1000, and includes a portal server system 1100P and a plurality of service server systems 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, . . . ).

The portal server system 1100P is a computer system that comprehensively manages the virtual space, and is a front-end server system that is first accessed by the user terminal 1500 of a user participating in the virtual space. The portal server system 1100P provides, for example, control related to user registration, control related to avatar customization, control of avatars in a virtual space, control of a virtual world in a virtual space, and provision of various services according to the position and movement of an avatar. control, etc. Of course, controls other than these may be executed depending on the content of the service provided in the virtual space. Furthermore, one or more of these controls may be implemented by a backend server.

The service server system 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, . . . ) is a back-end server for providing one or more types of services using the user terminal 1500 as a client. The content of the provided service can be set as appropriate. The services provided can be set as appropriate, and include, for example, shopping, games, viewing at art museums, movies, museums, etc., and live performances. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given mainly of online games as an example of the service.

The portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G can be realized using the same basic hardware components. That is, the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G have a main unit 1101, a keyboard, a touch panel, and a storage 1140, and a control board 1150 is mounted on the main unit 1101. The control board 1150 includes various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. It is installed. Note that part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or an SoC (System on a Chip).

The portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G realize separate functions by the control board 1150 performing arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data.

In FIG. 1, the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G are each depicted as being one server device, but they may be configured to be realized by a plurality of devices. For example, the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G may be configured to include a plurality of blade servers that share each function and are connected to each other via an internal bus so that data can be communicated. Portal server system 1100P and service server system 1100G may include a database and online storage.

Further, the installation location of the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G does not matter. A configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of independent servers installed at remote locations are made to perform data communication via the network 9, thereby functioning as a portal server system 1100P or a service server system 1100G as a whole.

The user terminal 1500 is a computer system used by the user to participate in the virtual space, and serves as a man-machine interface in the service providing system 1000. The user terminal 1500 can be used not only for participating in a virtual space, but also for browsing websites and using online services such as online games operated by a system other than the service providing system 1000.

The user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, . . . ) are computer systems connectable to the network 9, such as, for example, personal computers, smartphones, wearable computers, portable game devices, home game devices, tablet computers, and the like.

In the user terminal 1500, when a main computer and various devices communicatively connected to the main computer perform one function as a whole, the main computer and the various devices can be regarded as one user terminal 1500. For example, in FIG. 1, the user terminal 1500a shows an example in which a VR (Virtual Reality) set 1580 is communicatively connected to a desktop personal computer. VR set 1580 includes VR goggles 1581, VR headset 1583, VR controller 1585, and the like. Although the user terminal 1500b is an example of a single smartphone, it may have a configuration including a VR set 1580 like the user terminal 1500a.

The user terminal 1500 includes an operation input device (for example, a touch panel 1506, a keyboard, a game controller, a mouse, etc.), an image display device (for example, a touch panel 1506, a head-mounted display, a glass-type display, etc.), and a control board 1550. Be prepared.

The control board 1550 is equipped with a CPU 1551, various microprocessors such as GPU and DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, a communication module 1553 connected to the network 9, and the like. These elements mounted on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected so that data can be read and written and signals can be transmitted and received. Part or all of the control board 1550 may be configured with ASIC, FPGA, or SoC. The control board 1550 stores programs and various data for realizing the functions of the user terminal 1500 in the IC memory 1552. By executing a predetermined application program, the user terminal 1500 functions as a man-machine interface for the service providing system 1000 and as a client when the user receives various services.

The user terminal 1500 is configured to download application programs and various data necessary for their execution from the portal server system 1100P, but may also be configured to read them from a storage medium such as a memory card separately obtained by the user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the virtual space 3 provided by the service providing system 1000. Although only one avatar 4 is depicted to make the explanation easier to understand, in actual operation, a large number of avatars 4 may exist in the virtual space 3 at the same time. Furthermore, the number of virtual spots 6 prepared for each service provided in the virtual space 3 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 2, but can be set to a large number in actual operation, and the locations in the virtual space 3 can also be set as appropriate. It is.

The virtual space 3 is a digital data space constructed using 3DCG, and is a virtual space in which a plurality of users can simultaneously participate using their respective avatars 4 and each can freely act as the avatar 4. The virtual space 3 is a parallel world that has the same time flow as the real world. The virtual space 3 continues to exist as data in the server side system 1010 even if there are no participating users, and time passes in the virtual space 3 as time passes in the real world, and the virtual world expressed in the virtual space 3 continues to exist as data. continues to change. On the user terminal 1500, an image of the virtual space 3 from a first-person viewpoint seen from the viewpoint of the avatar 4 (hereinafter referred to as the virtual space image 10) is displayed. Note that the virtual space image 10 may be displayed from a third-person viewpoint.

Virtual spots 6 (6a, 6b, . . . ) are set within the virtual space 3 for each service. In the example of FIG. 2, the virtual spot 6 is drawn to look like a store, but it may also be set as an open area like a plaza. A user who participates in the virtual space 3 through the login procedure becomes a participating user, and by operating the avatar 4 and moving it to the virtual spot 6, can enjoy the services provided by the virtual spot 6.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a virtual spot 6b that provides online games. The virtual spot 6b that provides online games has an interior space defined by a building object designed to look like a store. In the building object of the virtual spot 6b, objects of a plurality of game devices 8 (8a, 8b, . . .; having a design imitating, for example, an arcade game device) each serving as an apparent individual service provision location are arranged. ing. The user places his or her avatar 4 on a vacant game device 8 and performs services such as payment operations for the game (for example, inserting coins, etc.) on the avatar 4 in the same way as when playing on a real arcade game device. Game play becomes possible when the player performs a behavior that satisfies a predetermined behavior condition (hereinafter referred to as start procedure behavior) that indicates a desire for the offer.

Until the online game starts, the virtual space image 10 is displayed on the user terminal 1500, but once the provision of the service starts, the game image 12 (image of the service being provided) is displayed instead of the virtual space image 10. Is displayed. In other words, the user can be temporarily separated from the events in the virtual space 3 and can immerse himself in the game world while playing. This form of service provision is called ``immersive.'' On the other hand, a service provision form in which the virtual space image 10 continues to be displayed on the user terminal 1500 before and during service provision is referred to as a "standard type."

The avatar 4 during game play is separated from manual control according to the user's operation, and is automatically controlled by the portal server system 1100P in a providing behavior. The "providing behavior" is a behavior that makes it appear as if the avatar 4 is receiving a service there. For example, the avatar 4 in the example of FIG. 3 performs actions such as operating the joystick and operation buttons of the game device 8, and actions that are excited and depressed about the state of game play, as behaviors during the game. The specific content of the operation can be set as appropriate depending on the content of the online game, the play style on the game device 8, and the like.

When the game ends, the display on the user terminal 1500 is returned from the game image 12 to the virtual space image 10, and the avatar 4 is also returned from automatic control to manual control.

In this way, normally, in order to play an online game in the virtual space 3, it is necessary to log in to the virtual space 3, move the avatar 4 to the game device 8 at the virtual spot 6b, and perform the start procedure. However, some users may find the process of moving the avatar 4 to the virtual spot 6b troublesome. In order to meet such user requests, the service providing system 1000 provides a shortening function to users participating in the virtual space 3 (participating users).

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a shortening function for participating users.
The user can display the shortened menu screen 14 by performing a predetermined shortened menu calling operation on the user terminal 1500 while participating in the virtual space 3. On the shortened menu screen 14, service selection icons 16 (16a, 16b) are displayed. Each of the service selection icons 16 is associated with a service provided in the virtual space 3 and for which a shortening function can be used. The service selection icons 16 (16a, 16b) are icons for directly operating a request to provide the corresponding service.

When a participating user selects any service selection icon 16, the portal server system 1100P transfers the avatar 4s of the participating user to the virtual spot 6 of the service corresponding to the selected service selection icon 16. More specifically, the avatar 4s is transferred (instantaneous movement) to the user's individual service provision location in the virtual spot 6 (in the example of FIG. 4, the seating position of the vacant game device 8), and the avatar 4s is controlled. Switch from manual control by participating users to automatic control based on provided behavior.

On the other hand, the display on the user terminal 1500 of the participating user changes from the shortened menu screen 14 to the game image 12 (in the example of FIG. 4, the game start screen) which is the image provided by the service associated with the selected icon. The display can be switched.

In other words, by using the shortening function, participating users can immediately receive the desired service no matter where their avatar 4s is in the virtual space 3. It is possible to omit the operation of moving the avatar 4 to the virtual spot 6 where the service is provided and having the avatar 4 perform the start procedure behavior to receive the service.

Users who wish to easily enjoy services provided in the virtual space 3 are not limited to participating users who are participating in the virtual space 3. For example, a user who wants to play a game using limited time such as commuting to work or school may want to omit the operation of logging into the virtual space 3 and becoming a participating user. Additionally, unregistered users (users who have not completed user registration for Virtual Space 3) who were recommended the Virtual Spot 6b game by a friend may skip the user registration, which is a prerequisite for participating in Virtual Space 3, and receive the recommendation. You will want to play the game right away. The portal server system 1100P can also meet the requests of such non-participating users who are not participating in the virtual space 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a shortening function for non-participating users.
When a client program (application program) for using the virtual space 3 is executed on the user terminal 1500, a login screen 20 is displayed. On the login screen 20, a login operation icon 22 for executing a login procedure and a shortened menu display operation icon 24 are displayed.

When a non-participating user (a user who is not logged in, a user who is not participating in the virtual space 3) operates the login operation icon 22, login authentication is performed between the user terminal 1500 and the portal server system 1100P, and the user If the user is an "unregistered user", a new registration procedure is executed. During the new registration procedure, a new setting procedure for the avatar 4 is also executed.

When a non-participating user operates the shortened menu display operation icon 24, the shortened menu screen 14 is displayed on the user terminal 1500. When a non-participating user directly operates to select one of the service selection icons 16, the service associated with the directly operated icon begins to be provided, and the game image 12 is displayed on the user terminal 1500.

When the portal server system 1100P receives a predetermined request corresponding to the service selection icon 16 from a user terminal 1500 in a non-logged-in state, the portal server system 1100P transmits the information necessary for login from the user terminal 1500 to the user account stored in the user terminal 1500. Get information.

If the non-participating user of the user terminal 1500 has already registered, the portal server system 1100P automatically executes the login process and provides the service (shortened service) corresponding to the service selection icon 16 selected by the non-participating user. start automatically. Then, the avatar 4f of the non-participating user appears in the virtual spot 6 of the shortened service (virtual spot 6b in the example of FIG. 5), and the avatar 4f is automatically controlled to behave as if the service is being provided.

On the other hand, if the non-participating user is an unregistered user who has not been registered, the portal server system 1100P cannot acquire information such as a user account from the user terminal 1500 that made the request. In this case, the portal server system 1100P automatically generates a temporary avatar 4k, causes it to appear in the virtual spot 6 of the shortened service as the avatar 4f of the non-participating user, and automatically controls it to behave as if it were being provided.

As a result, even non-participating users can immediately receive the desired service. There is no need to perform a login procedure, move the avatar 4f to the virtual spot 6 of the service, and have the avatar 4f perform the start procedure behavior in order to receive the service.

The non-participating user's avatar 4f (non-participating user character) automatically appears in the virtual space 3 without going through the login procedure. Therefore, the participating user visiting the virtual spot 6 can see the avatar 4f of the non-participating user playing the game through his or her own avatar 4 (participating user character). In other words, in a virtual space, the principle that a user receiving a service is present at the virtual spot of the service is maintained, which is important in realizing a virtual space 3 in which multiple users can simultaneously participate using their avatars. The “presence” of each user is maintained.

If a non-participating user can receive service provision by shortening operations from a non-login state, but the non-participating user's avatar 4f is not placed in the virtual space 3, a state in which the non-participating user's avatar 4f does not exist in the virtual space. Become. Users participating in the virtual space may not be able to feel the "presence" of other users in the virtual space, and the quality of the virtual experience may deteriorate. The presence of the avatar in the virtual space makes it difficult to feel the liveliness, and the quality of the virtual experience in the virtual space may deteriorate. The service providing system 1000 of this embodiment can prevent such a situation.

Note that when automatically generating the temporary avatar 4k of an unregistered user, the portal server system 1100P automatically generates the temporary avatar 4k using the given reference information as a variable.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining automatic generation of the temporary avatar 4k.
The reference information 30 is, for example, information that can be obtained from the user terminal 1500 of an unregistered user. For example, the terminal user's user account, model information, OS version information, web browser software version information, MAC address, IP address, memory capacity, communication line type, communication carrier information, geographical location information, acceleration information, direction information, The information may be based on, etc. Further, for example, the reference information 30 may be information that can be obtained from information on the history of past service use by the unregistered user. For example, if the service is a game, information such as the player character's type, level, gender, list of belongings, list of purchased items, list of acquired items, friend list, etc. may be used. If the service is shopping, the information may include a list of purchased items, the number of purchases required from the list, distribution of purchased product categories, purchase frequency, and the like. If the service is a live performance, the information may include a list of artists related to the live performance viewed, artists similar to the artist (for example, having the same music genre, etc.), the number of views, the frequency of viewing, and the like.

Automatic custom parts groups 32 (32a, 32b, ...) are prepared in advance for each category or combination of reference information 30, and individual custom parts 34 (34a, 34b, ...) correspond to each content of reference information 30. It is attached. In the example of FIG. 6, the custom part 34a has a different design for the head, the custom part 34b has a different design for the torso (or costume), and the custom part 34c has a different design for the headgear. The custom parts 34 may have different color schemes, different detailed designs, different sizes, etc.

The portal server system 1100P selects a custom part 34 according to one piece of information, which is the acquired reference information 30, from among the automatic custom parts group 32 classified by category, adds it to the body of the avatar 4, and temporarily adds it to the body of the avatar 4. Automatically generate avatar 4k. For example, for a temporary avatar 4k of a user who plays a lot of fighting games, custom parts 34 of a fighter-like costume may be selected, and the color scheme may be changed based on another information that is referred to as reference information 30. . Since the temporary avatar 4k is automatically given various variations, participating users cannot immediately distinguish it from the temporary avatar 4k.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement change of the avatar 4 according to the service provision situation, and is a diagram for explaining the handling of the avatar 4 according to the provision situation of the virtual spot 6.

The "service provision status" can also be referred to as the congestion status. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the design is such that a predetermined number of game devices 8 (8a, 8b,...) are arranged in the virtual spot 6b (virtual game center), and the apparent upper limit number of services provided in the virtual spot 6b (apparent The upper limit supply number) is the number of game devices 8 to be arranged. However, the number of users who can actually enjoy the provision of services, in this case the number of users who can play games, is not limited to the number of game devices 8 arranged.

In the virtual spot 6b that provides online games, the portal server system 1100P determines the "provision status" of service provision according to the availability of game devices 8 corresponding to individual service provision locations. In the case of the virtual spot 6b, which is a virtual game center, the locations where services are provided to individual users are divided into game devices 8, so the "providing status" is determined based on the status of full/vacant seats at the divided locations. be able to. On the other hand, in the case of a virtual spot 6 in which the locations where services are provided to individual users are not divided, the "providing status" can be determined based on the number and density of placement of avatars 4 in the virtual spot 6. Of course, the "providing status" may be determined based on the number and density of placement of avatars 4 in the virtual spot 6, regardless of whether or not the locations where services are provided to each user are divided.

Then, when the participating user performs the shortening operation as described above, the participating user's avatar 4s is transferred to the virtual spot 6b (see FIG. 4), but if the virtual spot 6b is crowded, The portal server system 1100P transfers the avatar 4s to a predetermined range around the game device 8 in the virtual spot 6b (range for placement around the game device 8 during times of congestion), and then automatically controls the avatar 4s to behave in times of congestion.

"Behavior when crowded" is behavior as a spectator that can be set as appropriate depending on the content of the service provided. If the service is an online game, the user may support, be impressed, or be disappointed while watching the game play. Alternatively, it may be the behavior of waiting in line.

Furthermore, when the non-participating user performs the shortening operation as described above, the non-participating user's avatar 4f appears in the virtual spot 6b (see FIG. 5). Therefore, when it is determined that the virtual spot 6b is crowded, the portal server system 1100P similarly places the avatar 4f in a predetermined range around the game device 8 in the virtual spot 6b (range for surrounding placement when crowded). After it appears, it automatically controls its behavior when it is crowded.

Then, when the crowded situation is resolved, the portal server system 1100P automatically behaves so that the avatars 4s and 4f, which have been automatically controlled according to the behavior during congestion, perform the start procedure behavior and the providing behavior. Switch. That is, the avatar 4s sits in front of the vacant game device 8 and makes various movements to start playing the game, making it appear as if the game play has started. Therefore, participating users who visit the virtual spot 6b can see how the virtual spot 6b is crowded through their own avatars 4. Furthermore, if the game device 8 becomes vacant, the player can see how the avatars 4 around him start playing the game on the vacant game device 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining what to do when the service provision situation is so congested that it is inappropriate to additionally place avatars 4.
When the number and density of avatars 4 in the virtual spot 6 reach a preset overcrowding criterion value, the portal server system 1100P determines that the virtual spot 6 is overcrowded, and the avatars 4 (4a, 4b) ,...) and change the placement position.

The overcrowding determination reference value is set in advance to an appropriate value as a limit value that does not cause the avatar 4 to become so jammed in the virtual spot 6 that it cannot move like a crowded train.

The avatars to be selected (candidate avatars) include the avatars 4 that have already been placed and the avatars 4 that will be newly placed after the overcrowding situation has been reached. The additionally placed avatars 4 include avatar 4s of a participating user who is transferred using the shortening function, avatar 4f of a non-participating user that appears using the shortening function, and virtual avatar 4 without using the shortening function. The avatar 4 of the participating user moved to the spot 6 is included. Then, from among the candidate avatars, a number of avatars 4 corresponding to the overcrowding criterion value are selected as user characters to be displayed, and the selected avatars 4 are arranged and displayed in and around the game device 8 of the virtual spot 6, The avatars 4 that were not selected are hidden.

When making selections, given priority criteria may be applied. For example, if the service is a game, the priority criteria is the highest player level, the highest play performance, the highest number of followers based on external reference of the number of followers on SNS, and the highest number of friends registered in virtual space 3. , etc.

The service provision status to the user of the hidden avatar 4 is displayed at the virtual spot 6 without the avatar 4 (this is referred to as a "sub-display").
As a form of "sub-display", for example, the sub-display 70 may be displayed on the virtual monitor 7 placed at the virtual spot 6. In the example of FIG. 8, the user account of the hidden avatar 4 (user account Am, user account An, ... in FIG. 8) and the reduced display of the game play screen (in FIG. 8) are displayed on the virtual monitor 7 as the sub-display 70. The game images wm, game images wn, ...) inside are displayed in association with each other. The virtual monitor 7 may be of a fixed type, or may have a floating video screen (a screen that appears to be floating in the air) floating above the virtual spot 6 when the avatar 4 is hidden.

Note that when the overcrowding situation is resolved, the portal server system 1100P causes the hidden avatar 4 to appear in and around the game device 8 and relocates it.

Next, the functional configuration will be explained.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server side system 1010, and is a diagram collectively showing the functions carried out by the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G.

The server side system 1010 is functionally divided into a portal server system 1100P and a service server system 1100G, but when integrated into one server side system 1010, it includes an operation input section 100s, a processing section 200s, a sound output section 390s. , an image display section 392s, a communication section 394s, and a storage section 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is a means for inputting various operations for managing the server side system 1010 (portal server system 1100P and service server system 1100G). For example, keyboards, touch panels, mice, etc. fall under this category.

The processing unit 200s is realized by electronic components such as an IC memory in addition to a processor serving as an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, and is connected to each functional unit including an operation input unit 100p and a storage unit 500s. Controls data input/output. Then, various calculation processes are executed based on predetermined programs, data, data received from operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, etc., and the operation of the server side system 1010 is integrally controlled.

The processing unit 200s of the server side system 1010 includes a user information management unit 202, a user character setting unit 204, a participation management unit 206, a virtual space management unit 208, a provision control unit for participating users 210, and a provision control unit for non-participating users. It includes a control section 212, a provision situation display control section 214, a provision situation reproduction control section 216, a clock section 280s, a sound generation section 290s, an image generation section 292s, and a communication control section 294s. Of course, functional units other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The user information management unit 202, user character setting unit 204, participation management unit 206, virtual space management unit 208, provision status display control unit 214, and provision status reproduction control unit 216 are configured when the server side system 1010 is the portal server system 1100P. You may prepare for

The provision control unit 210 for participating users and the provision control unit 212 for non-participating users may be provided when the server side system 1010 is used as the service server system 1100G.

Of course, the distribution of functional units is not limited to this example, and may be distributed between the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G as appropriate depending on the hardware configuration and the like. Even for one function, one of the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G may be responsible for a part of it, and the other may be responsible for the rest.

The user information management unit 202 performs processing related to user registration procedures and storage management of various information linked to user accounts.

The user character setting unit 204 performs processing related to setting of the avatar 4, which is a user character for each user.

The participation management unit 206 manages participation of registered users in the virtual space 3. Controls login and logout procedures.

The virtual space management unit 208 performs management control of the virtual space 3 in which the virtual spot 6 for providing services is set. For example, controlling the appearance, movement, deletion, etc. of various objects that make up the virtual space 3, controlling the object of the avatar 4 (user character) of the participating user based on the operation input by the participating user, and responding to the operation input. Control actions, etc.

The provision control unit 210 for participating users associates the participating user of the avatar 4 located at the virtual spot 6 with the virtual spot 6 based on the behavior of the participating user character (avatar 4) based on the operation by the participating user. (See Figures 2, 3, and 4). Specifically, the participating user provision control unit 210 executes control to provide the service to the participating users when the participating user character behaves in the virtual spot 6 in a manner that satisfies a predetermined behavior condition.

The provision control unit 212 for non-participating users controls the provision of the service associated with the virtual spot 6 to the non-participating user, based on a direct operation by the non-participating user who does not participate in the virtual space to the effect that the service is desired to be provided. (See Figure 5).
A "direct operation" is an operation that is opposite to an indirect operation that is realized as a result of the user character's actions (movement or behavior), and is an operation that directly calls a function like inputting a command. For example, this includes a shortened menu calling operation that displays the shortened menu screen 14, and a selection operation of the service selection icon 16 displayed on the shortened menu screen 14 (selecting an item indicating that a service is desired to be provided). .

The provision status display control unit 214 displays services at the virtual spot 6 in the virtual space 3 based on both the service provision control by the participating user provision control unit 210 and the service provision control by the non-participating user provision control unit 212. Execute display control to express the provision status of

Specifically, the provision status display control unit 214 places the participating user character (avatar 4s; see FIG. 4) of the participating user whose service is provided by the participating user provision control unit 210 in the virtual spot 6, and , the provision control unit 212 for non-participating users performs control to cause a non-participating user character (avatar 4f; see FIG. 5) of a non-participating user to whom the service is provided to appear in the virtual space 3 and placing it in the virtual spot 6. Then, if the participating user character for the non-participating user to participate in the virtual space has already been set, the provision status display control unit 214 causes the participating user character to appear in the virtual space 3 as the non-participating user character. If there is no non-participating user character, a non-participating user character is automatically generated and made to appear in the virtual space (temporary avatar 4k; see FIG. 6).

Further, the provision status display control unit 214 automatically controls the behavior of the non-participating user character (avatar 4f) after it appears in the virtual space 3. Specifically, the provision status display control unit 214 causes the non-participating user character to behave in a manner that satisfies the behavior condition in the virtual spot 6 (a behavior that is a condition for the provision control unit 210 for participating users to start providing the service). Control as follows.

Further, the provision status display control unit 214 performs control to change the placement position of the participating user character (avatar 4s) and/or non-participating user character (avatar 4f) in the virtual spot 6 according to the service provision status ( (See Figures 7 and 8). Depending on the provision status, the provision status display control unit 214 selects a participating user character and/or a non-participating user character and places them in the virtual spot 6 (see FIG. 8). However, in that case, the provision status display control unit 214 performs control to display information on participating user characters and information on non-participating user characters that were determined not to be placed in the selection process (see FIG. 8; display).

The provision situation reproduction control unit 216 records various information related to the display control executed by the provision situation display control unit 214, and executes display control for reproducing the service provision situation based on the record.

When the service is a game, the provision situation reproduction control section 216 functions as a game progress acquisition control section 220, a viewing request reception control section 230, and a game play video provision control section 240.

The game progress acquisition control unit 220 acquires the game progress for each game user who is a participating user and a non-participating user. Specifically, information related to the progress of the game recorded by the provision situation reproduction control unit 216, such as the game image 12 being played and replay data for reproducing the game play, is acquired.

The viewing request reception control unit 230 performs control related to acceptance of predetermined viewing requests from participating users. Specifically, the user of the user terminal 1500 who has performed a predetermined request operation is regarded as a "view requesting user" who requests viewing of the game image 12, and a "reproduction candidate list" is displayed on the user terminal 1500.
The "Reproduction Candidate List" is a list of users who request to view which user's provision status at which time should be reproduced and displayed (in other words, which viewing target user's gameplay images at which time, i.e., which viewing target provision status should be viewed). This is a display for allowing the user to make a selection and to receive information on the selection result from the user terminal 1500 as a request to view the game play video.

Regarding the reproduction candidate list, the viewing request reception control unit 230 includes a first viewing target user selection unit 232, a second viewing target user selection unit 234, and a third viewing target user selection unit 236.

The first viewing target user selection unit 232 selects a game user whose game progress satisfies a given related condition with respect to the game progress of the user requesting viewing (for example, the game progress saved in the most recent past). , is selected as a candidate for the viewing target user in the reproduction candidate list. The "related condition" here may be, for example, "the game stage cleared by the viewing requesting user has been cleared" or conversely, "the game stage not cleared by the viewing requesting user has been cleared".

The second viewing target user selection unit 234 selects the user information of the viewing requesting user as a game user whose user information satisfies a given related condition and a viewing target user candidate in the reproduction candidate list. The "related condition" here may be, for example, that the game user is close to or relatively high in performance ranking, popularity ranking, or player level to that of the viewing requesting user. The user may be a game user who is registered as a friend of the viewing requesting user.

The third viewing target user selection unit 236 selects a game user whose user character is located at a position that satisfies a given short distance condition from the user character of the viewing requesting user in the virtual spot 6 as a candidate for the viewing target user in the reproduction candidate list. Extract.

The game play video provision control unit 240 provides the viewing request user with the game play video of the viewing target user. If the viewing target user is currently receiving the provision of the service of the virtual spot 6 and the viewing target is set to the current provision status, the game play video may be provided in real-time distribution or a format similar thereto. If the viewing target user's past service provision status is the viewing target, the game play video may be provided as a past replay video.

The timekeeping unit 280s uses the system clock to measure various times such as the current date and time and time limit.

The sound generation unit 290s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates and decodes audio data. The sound generation section 290s outputs the generated audio signal to the sound output section 390s. The sound output unit 390s is realized by a speaker or the like, and emits sound based on the audio signal.

The image generation unit 292s generates images of various management screens for system management of the server side system 1010, and outputs image data to the image display unit 392s. The image display section 392s is realized by a device that displays images, such as a flat panel display, a head mounted display, or a projector.

The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 394s. The communication unit 394s connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication device 1153.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in the storage unit 500s.
The storage unit 500s stores programs and various data for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 200s to integrally control the server-side system 1010. Furthermore, the storage section 500s is used as a work area for the processing section 200s, and temporarily stores calculation results etc. executed by the processing section 200s according to various programs. This function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD, an online storage, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to a storage medium such as an IC memory 1152 or a hard disk installed in the main unit 1101 of the portal server system 1100P or the service server system 1100G. Online storage may be included in the storage unit 500s.

The storage unit 500s stores a server program 501, a distribution client program 502, virtual space initial setting data 510, automatic custom parts group definition data 550, shortened menu setting data 560, user information 600, and virtual space management data. 700, service provision management data 730, and provision status record data 770. Note that the storage unit 500s also stores other programs and data (for example, timers, counters, various flags, current date and time, etc.) as appropriate.

The server program 501 includes a portal server program 501p for the portal server system 1100P and a service server program 501g for the service server system 1100G. The server side system 1010 realizes the functions from the user information management section 202 to the provision situation reproduction control section 216 by having the processing section 200s read and execute the server program 501. The portal server program 501p may be stored when configuring the portal server system 1100P, and the service server program 501g may be stored when configuring the service server system 1100G.

The distribution client program 502 is an original client program provided to and executed by the user terminal 1500.

The virtual space initial setting data 510 stores various setting data related to the virtual space 3 and determines the specific configuration of the virtual space 3.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the virtual space initial setting data 510 includes service registration data 512 prepared for each service provided in the virtual space 3. One service registration data 512 includes (1) a service ID 514, (2) a service management server ID 516, (3) server access information 518 for accessing the service server system 1100G indicated by the service management server ID 516, and (4) ) service type 520 indicating whether the service is standard or immersive; (5) virtual spot coordinate data 522 indicating the range of the virtual spot 6 associated with the service; and (6) store object definition. data 524, (7) behavior condition definition data 526, (8) service provision status judgment criteria data 528, (9) congestion area surrounding placement range 529, (10) automatic control definition data 530, and (11) ) service provision initial setting data 540. Of course, information other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The virtual spot coordinate data 522 is data that specifies the reference point or range of the virtual spot 6 in the coordinate system of the virtual space 3. If an apparent position for providing individual services is further set within the virtual spot 6, such as the game device 8 (see FIG. 3), the position coordinates are also included here. .

The store object definition data 524 stores various data that define building objects for making the virtual spot 6 appear as a store (or something equivalent thereto) installed in the virtual space 3. For example, it includes object model definition data, in-store definition data, store clerk avatar setting data, and the like. When the virtual spot 6 is a game center, the definition data of the object of the game device 8 (see FIG. 3) is also included in the definition data of the store.

The behavior condition definition data 526 is data that describes the conditions that must be met in order to start providing the service, and describes the behavior that the avatar 4 should perform in order to enjoy the provision at the virtual spot 6 of the service. The conditions are shown below. For example, if the virtual spot 6 is a game center (see FIG. 3), the behavior conditions are such that after executing the "behavior of sitting on the game device 8", the "behavior of inserting coins into the game device 8" is executed. Described. For example, if the virtual spot 6 is a general store, the behavior conditions are described such that two behaviors are required: "behavior of picking up the product" and "behavior of moving to the cash register while holding the product in hand." In other words, it can be said that the behavior condition definition data 526 defines the initiation procedure behavior that the avatar 4 should perform in order to receive the provision of the service.

The service provision status determination standard data 528 is a standard value for determining the service provision status, and includes a congestion determination standard value for determining that the situation is congested, and a congestion determination standard value for determining that the situation is overcrowded. The overcrowding determination reference value is stored. The description is such that if the congestion determination reference value is reached but not the overcrowding determination reference value, the situation is determined to be crowded, and if the overcrowding determination reference value is reached, it is determined to be an overcrowded situation. For example, if the service is a game and a predetermined number of game devices 8 are set in the store of the virtual spot 6, the service provision status determination criterion data 528 indicates that the number of users providing the service is the number of game devices 8. Let be the congestion judgment reference value. In addition, if the service is shopping at a general store or the like, the service provision status determination standard data 528 sets the congestion determination standard value to the number of times the avatar 4 can move within the store of the virtual spot 6 with a certain amount of margin without being unsightly. .

The area for placement around crowded times 529 defines the possible placement range of the avatar 4 that is newly transferred or appears in the virtual spot 6 of the service when it is determined that the service provision situation is in a crowded situation. . When the service of the virtual spot 6 is a game, the surroundings of the game device 8 are defined (see FIG. 7).

The automatic control definition data 530 defines the contents of automatic control of the avatar 4 of the user who receives the service using the shortening function (see FIGS. 4 and 5). Specifically, it includes congestion behavior definition data 531, start procedure behavior definition data 532, and currently provided behavior definition data 533 (see FIG. 7). The number and contents of automatically controlled behaviors are not limited to these and can be set as appropriate.

The service provision initial setting data 540 stores various data required for providing the service of the virtual spot 6.

When providing a game service at the virtual spot 6, the service provision initial setting data 540 includes information necessary to run the online game, such as game space initial setting data, game character initial setting data, item initial setting data, and scenario data. Contains various initial setting data. When providing a shopping service at the virtual spot 6, various data necessary to provide a shopping experience are included, such as product object data, product placement data, product description data, product price data, clerk NPC setting data, etc. It will be.

Returning to FIG. 10, the shortcut menu setting data 560 is data that defines direct operations for realizing the shortcut function. Specifically, the menu screen and menu items displayed on the shortened menu screen 14 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are defined.

User information 600 is prepared for each user who has gone through a predetermined user registration procedure, and stores various data related to the user. One piece of user information 600 stores, for example, a user account, avatar setting data, personal information, login history data, usage history data for each service, save data, and the like.

The contents of usage history data and saved data for each service included in the user information 600 can be set as appropriate depending on the service content and usage form. For example, if the service is a game, it includes the type of player character, player level, gender, inventory list, purchase list, acquired item list, friend list, number of shots down, clear quest list, performance ranking, popularity ranking, etc. But that's fine. If the service is shopping, it may include a list of purchased items, the number of purchases required from the list, distribution of purchased product categories, purchase frequency, and the like. If the service is a live performance, it may include a list of artists related to the live performance viewed, artists similar to the artist (for example, having the same genre of music), the number of views, the frequency of viewing, and the like.

The virtual space management data 700 stores various data describing the latest status of the virtual space 3 and various data related to users participating in the virtual space 3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, for example, the virtual space management data 700 includes a participating user account list 701, non-participating user temporary registration data 703, virtual spot management data 705, and avatar management data 710. .

Non-participating user temporary registration data 703 is created for each non-participating user who selects the shortened menu display operation icon 24 on the login screen 20 (see FIG. 5) and uses the shortened function. The non-participating user temporary registration data 703 stores, for example, a temporary account automatically provided, terminal access information for communicating with the user terminal 1500 of the non-participating user, temporary avatar setting data, and the like.

The virtual spot management data 705 is management data of objects related to the virtual spot 6 (for example, store objects, objects of the game device 8, etc.).

Avatar management data 710 is prepared for each avatar 4 and stores various data describing the latest state of the avatar 4. Specifically, one avatar management data 710 includes a unique avatar ID 711 that is automatically assigned each time an avatar 4 is placed in the virtual space 3, a user account 712, and avatar position coordinates 713 in the virtual space 3. , control mode 714 , avatar behavior control data 715 , currently provided service ID 716 , and non-display flag 717 . Of course, data other than these (for example, control data for items equipped with or used by the avatar 4, etc.) can also be included as appropriate.

The used user account 712 stores the user account of the participating user if the avatar 4 is the user character of the participating user, and stores the temporary account provisionally set for the non-participating user if the avatar 4 is the user character of the non-participating user. do.

The control mode 714 indicates whether the avatar 4 is in a manual control state in which it is controlled based on the user's operation, or in a state in which it is automatically controlled by a computer. Various data related to actual control of the avatar 4 are avatar behavior control data 715.

The avatar behavior control data 715 stores a predetermined capacity of data related to behavior control of the avatar 4 in chronological order. Therefore, avatar behavior control data 715 is also behavior history data.

The currently provided service ID 716 stores identification information of the service currently being provided to the user of the avatar 4 (service ID 514 in FIG. 11). A predetermined value is stored while it is not provided.

The non-display flag 717 is set when the virtual spot 6 is overcrowded and the avatars 4 are set to non-display in selecting the avatars 4 to be placed in the virtual spot 6 (see FIG. 8). The initial value is "0 (display)".

Returning to FIG. 10, the service provision management data 730 is created for each service in the virtual space 3, and stores various data related to service provision. For example, one piece of service provision management data 730 stores data corresponding to a service ID, a currently provided user account indicating a user who is currently providing the service, individual provision control data, and the like. The service provision management data 730 may be stored in the service server system 1100G.

More specifically, if the service of the virtual spot 6 is an online game, the service provision management data 730 substantially corresponds to play data of the online game. The service provision management data 730 stores, for example, player accounts, game space management data, player character management data, NPC management data, play result data, and the like. The details of the data can be set as appropriate depending on the game genre and game content. If the service is shopping, the service provision management data 730 stores, for example, product location data, product inventory data, and the like.

The provision status record data 770 is created for each user each time a service is provided, and stores various data for reproducing the relevant provision status. One piece of provision status record data 770 stores, for example, provision date and time, service ID, provision destination user account, and reproduction data. The reproduction data can be set as appropriate depending on how the provision situation is to be reproduced and shown.

For example, if the service of the virtual spot 6 is an online game, the provision status record data 770 stores the play date and time as the provision date and time, and the player account as the provision destination user account. As reproduction data, information on the game device 8 used indicates which game device 8 was played, replay data (for example, operation input history, control history of player characters appearing in the game, recording of game image 12, etc.) , play result data, conversation data during play, etc. may be stored. The reproduction data may be a live video of the game image 12 or game progress data as long as the service is being provided. If a plurality of still images can be viewed as a digest without reproducing the entire game play, a group of images captured intermittently from the game play screen may be used instead of replay data. If the state of the avatar 4 that is automatically controlled during play is also to be reproduced, information about which type of provided behavior definition data 533 (see FIG. 10) was used may also be included in the reproduction data.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of user terminal 1500. The user terminal 1500 includes an operation input section 100, a terminal processing section 200, a sound output section 390, an image display section 392, a communication section 394, and a terminal storage section 500.

The operation input unit 100 outputs operation input signals corresponding to various operation inputs made by the user to the terminal processing unit 200. For example, it can be realized by a push switch, joystick, touch pad, trackball, acceleration sensor, gyro, etc.

The terminal processing section 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls data input/output between each functional section including the operation input section 100 and the terminal storage section 500. conduct. The operation of the user terminal 1500 is controlled by executing various calculation processes based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various data received from the portal server system 1100P and the service server system 1100G. Control.

The terminal processing section 200 includes a client control section 260, a clock section 280, a sound generation section 290, an image generation section 292, and a communication control section 294.

The client control unit 260 performs various controls to cause the user terminal 1500 to function as an MMIF (man-machine interface) as a game client in the service providing system 1000. Specifically, the client control section 260 includes an operation input information providing section 261 and a display control section 262.

The operation input information providing unit 261 controls transmitting operation input information to the service server system 1100G in response to input from the operation input unit 100.

The display control unit 262 performs control to display various images based on data received from the service server system 1100G.

The clock section 280 clocks the current date and time, time limit, etc. using the system clock.

The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec that can play audio files, etc., and generates sound signals for music, sound effects, and various operation sounds, It is output to the sound output section 390. The sound output section 390 is realized by a device such as a speaker that outputs sound based on the sound signal input from the sound generation section 290.

The image generation unit 292 generates and outputs an image signal that causes the image display unit 392 to display an image under the control of the client control unit 260. In the example of FIG. 1, this includes a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a graphics controller, a graphics board, etc. mounted on the control board 1550. The image display unit 392 is realized by a device that displays images, such as a flat panel display, a head-mounted display, or a projector.

The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 394.

The communication unit 394 connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication module 1553.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores programs for making the terminal processing unit 200 realize a given function, various data, and the like. It is also used as a work area for the terminal processing section 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal processing section 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input section 100, and the like. These functions are realized by, for example, IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1552 mounted on the control board 1550.

Specifically, the terminal storage unit 500 stores a client program 800 (application program) for causing the user terminal 1500 to function as the client control unit 260, and a user account 802 and login information stored in accordance with the user registration procedure for the virtual space 3. A password 804 and current date and time 900 are stored. Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

14 to 17 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing in the server side system 1010.
As shown in FIG. 14, when the server side system 1010 receives a login request from the user terminal 1500 (YES in step S8), the server side system 1010 displays the login screen 20 (see FIG. 5) on the user terminal 1500 (step S10). . When the user operates the login operation icon 22 on the login screen 20, the user terminal 1500 transmits a predetermined login request to the server side system 1010.

When the server side system 1010 receives the login request (login in step S12), it executes a login procedure process, that is, a process for accepting participation in the virtual space 3 (step S14). Regarding the participation reception process, if the logged-in user is a new user registrant (YES in step S16), the logged-in user's avatar 4 is newly set (step S18). Then, the server side system 1010 causes the logged-in user's avatar 4 to appear at the initial appearance position for login set in the virtual space 3 (step S20), and makes it appear under manual control according to the logged-in user's operation input. Control of the behavior of the avatar 4 is started (step S22). Note that the currently provided service ID 716 of the avatar 4 that appears upon login is a predetermined value indicating "not provided."

15, the server-side system 1010 executes loop A for each avatar 4 that is in the virtual space 3 and is not receiving service (steps S30 to S140).

In loop A, the server side system 1010 compares the positional coordinates of the avatar to be processed with the virtual spot coordinate data 522 (see FIG. 11) of each virtual spot 6, and determines whether the avatar to be processed has moved to any virtual spot 6. Determine whether

If the processing target avatar is in any virtual spot 6 (YES in step S32) and has executed an action that satisfies the behavior condition definition data 526 of the virtual spot 6, that is, a start procedure behavior (YES in step S34), The server side system 1010 determines whether the service provision status of the service corresponds to congestion or overcrowding.

Then, if it is an immersive type (YES in step S50), the server side system 1010 switches the screen display from the virtual space image 10 to the game image 12 (service image) on the user terminal 1500 of the processing target avatar (step S52). . Then, the control of the processing target avatar is switched from manual control to automatic control, and any of the behavior definition data 533 (see FIG. 11) being provided for the service is randomly selected, and behavior control is started based on it (step S54).

Then, the server side system 1010 starts providing the service to the user of the processing target avatar at the virtual spot 6 where the processing target avatar is present (step S56), and starts recording the provision status (step S58).

On the other hand, even if the processing target avatar does not perform the start procedure behavior (NO in step S34), the server side system 1010 determines whether the service provision situation in the virtual spot 6 where the processing target avatar is located corresponds to congestion or overcrowding ( Step S40).

If the situation corresponds to congestion or overcrowding (YES in step S40), that is, if the situation is such that it seems difficult for the user to receive services at the virtual spot 6 due to congestion, the server side system 1010: The user terminal 1500 of the avatar to be processed displays a guide for an operation to omit procedures during congestion, and accepts the operation (step S42).

In the congestion procedure bypass operation guidance, a predetermined congestion procedure bypass operation icon is displayed along with a message that "game play is possible without performing the start procedure."
A user who simply stopped by the virtual spot 6 without intending to receive the service does not operate the congestion procedure skip operation icon. The user who intends to receive the service operates the congestion procedure skip operation icon without being deterred by the congestion.
If the user operates the congestion procedure skip operation icon (YES in step S44), the server side system 1010 executes steps S50 to S58.

Returning to step S32, even if the avatar to be processed is not in any virtual spot 6 (NO in step S32), when the user performs a predetermined short menu call operation on the user terminal 1500 of the avatar to be processed, the user terminal A predetermined shortened menu call request is sent from 1500 to server side system 1010 (see FIG. 4).

When the server side system 1010 receives the request (YES in step S66), it executes the shortening process (step S68). Of course, even if the processing target avatar is in the virtual spot 6, when the user performs a predetermined shortening menu call operation, the server side system 1010 executes shortening processing (NO in step S40 → step S68, NO in step S44 → step S68).

Returning to FIG. 14, when the shortened menu display operation icon 24 is selected on the login screen 20 (see FIG. 5) (shortened menu display in step S12; see FIG. 5), the server side system 1010 It is determined whether the user has been registered (step S80).

If the user is not a registered user (NO in step S80), the user is regarded as a non-participating user, non-participating user temporary registration data 703 (see FIG. 12) is newly created (step S82), and temporary avatar 4k (see FIG. 6) is created. ) is automatically generated to prepare avatar management data 710 (see FIG. 12) (step S84). Then, the server side system 1010 executes the shortening process (step S86). Note that at the stage of step S84, the temporary avatar 4k has been automatically generated as data but has not appeared in the virtual space 3, so the avatar position coordinates 713, control mode 714, and avatar behavior control data 715 are set to "undetermined". It becomes the predetermined initial value shown (see FIG. 12).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the shortening process.
In the shortening process, the server side system 1010 displays the shortening menu screen 14 (see FIG. 4) on the user terminal 1500 of the avatar to be processed, and performs a shortening operation to select one of the service selection icons 16 (16a, 16b). It is accepted (step S90).

If the service selected by the shortening operation is immersive (immersive in step S92), the server side system 1010 changes the screen display of the user terminal 1500 of the processing target avatar from the virtual space image 10 to the game image 12 (immersive). (step S94).

If the service selected in the shortening operation is the standard type (standard type in step S92), the user receives the service through the processing target avatar while viewing the virtual spot 6 in the virtual space image 10 ( For example, the user will have a shopping experience), so step S94 is not executed.

The server side system 1010 determines the provision status of the service corresponding to the received shortening operation (step S100). Specifically, the service provision status is determined by referring to the number of users receiving the service or the number of avatars in the virtual spot 6 from the service provision management data 730 (see FIG. 10) or the avatar management data 710 (see FIG. 12). The provision status is determined in reference to the determination reference value of the reference data 528 (see FIG. 11).

If the service provision status is neither congested nor overcrowded (NO in step S100), the server side system 1010 selects the processing target avatar of the user who performed the shortening operation for the service selected by the shortening operation. to the virtual spot 6 (step S102; see FIG. 4). When step S108 is executed for a non-participating user, a temporary avatar 4k (avatar 4f) of the non-participating user will appear in the virtual space 3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

At the time of transfer/appearance in step S102, standard transfer/appearance is performed. In other words, if there is a separate location where services are provided to each user as a virtual spot 6 service (for example, a game device 8 is set), and if there is a vacant space, the virtual spot 6 will be relocated and placed there. Good too. In the case of a virtual spot 6 where the service of the virtual spot 6 is not divided into areas where services are provided to individual users, such as a general store or a boutique, the virtual spot 6 may be moved and appear in front of the store entrance of the virtual spot 6, It may also be moved and appeared at a predetermined location within the store.

Then, the server side system 1010 starts automatic control of the processing target avatar using the start procedure behavior and the providing behavior (step S104).

If the service provision status is a crowded situation (congestion in step S110), the server side system 1010 transfers and appears the avatar to be processed in the congestion surrounding placement range 529 (see FIG. 11). Step S130), automatic control based on congestion behavior is started (Step S132).

When step S130 is executed for a non-participating user, a temporary avatar 4k of the non-participating user will appear in the virtual space 3 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
Further, step S130 can be said to be a placement change process depending on the service provision situation, since the position where the processing target avatar is placed changes as compared to the standard transfer/appearance.

If the service provision situation is overcrowded (overcrowded in step S110), the server side system 1010 sets and selects candidate avatars including the processing target avatar, and places the processing target avatar in the virtual spot 6. It is determined whether to arrange and display/not arrange and display (step S112; see FIG. 8).

If the avatar to be processed is selected as the avatar to be placed as a result of selection (YES in step S114), the server side system 1010 executes step S130 and step S132.

As a result of the selection, if the processing target avatar is not selected as the avatar to be placed (NO in step S114), the server side system 1010 does not arrange the processing target avatar in the virtual spot 6 and sets it to be hidden (step S114). S116), the virtual monitor 7 (see FIG. 8) starts sub-displaying the provision status display (step S118). In this case, the avatar to be processed is switched from manual control to automatic control, but since it is not displayed in the first place, there is no need to perform behavioral control.

After starting the automatic control of the processing target avatar by transferring and appearing in the virtual spot 6 or making it invisible, the server side system 1010 prompts the user of the processing target avatar to select the target avatar by the shortening operation accepted in step S90. The provision of the service is started (step S136), and the recording of the provision status is started (step S138).

Returning to FIG. 15, when the shortening process is completed, the server side system 1010 ends loop A (step S140).

16, the server side system 1010 determines the latest service provision status in each virtual spot 6, and if there is a virtual spot 6 whose overcrowding situation has been resolved and the situation has changed to a crowded situation (step S144 YES), the avatar 4 that was hidden due to overcrowding in the virtual spot 6 is placed in the area 529 for placement around the virtual spot 6 when it is crowded (see FIG. 11; around the game device 8 in FIG. 7). ) and is redisplayed (step S146). In other words, a placement change process has been performed to change the placement position of the hidden avatar 4 in the virtual spot 6 according to the service provision status.

Furthermore, the server side system 1010 starts automatic control of the redisplayed avatar 4 based on its behavior during congestion (step S148), and cancels the sub-display of the service provision status related to the avatar 4 (step S150).

Next, the server side system 1010 executes loop B for each avatar 4 that is automatically controlled based on the behavior during congestion (steps S152 to S170).
In loop B, the server side system 1010 determines the latest provision status of the services provided to the user of the processing target avatar, and if the congestion has been resolved (YES in step S154), the server side system 1010 vacates the processing target avatar. The player is automatically moved to the individual service providing location (in the example of FIG. 7, the vacant game device 8a) (step S156), and is automatically controlled by the starting procedure behavior and the providing behavior (step S158). Note that if no individual service providing location is set in the virtual spot 6 in the first place, step S156 can be omitted.

When the service provided to the user of the avatar to be processed has ended (YES in step S160), the server side system 1010 determines whether the avatar to be processed is the user's own avatar 4, or in other words, whether it is the temporary avatar 4k. Determination is made (step S162).

If the processing target avatar is the participating user's avatar 4s, or if the non-participating user's avatar 4f is already registered as a user (NO in step S162), the server side system 1010 automatically The control is canceled and returned to manual control by the user of the processing target avatar (step S164). Then, loop B ends (step S170).

If the avatar to be processed is the temporary avatar 4k (YES in step S162), the server side system 1010 deletes the avatar to be processed from the virtual space 3 and deletes its avatar management data 710 (step S166; see FIG. 12). ), the non-participating user temporary registration data 703 of the user of the processing target avatar is deleted (step S168; see FIG. 12). Then, loop B ends (step S170). Note that step S168 may be omitted and the non-participating user temporary registration data 703 (see FIG. 12) may be left without being deleted so that it can be reused in step S82.

17, next, when the user terminal 1500 of the avatar 4 in the virtual spot 6 performs a reproduction request operation for a predetermined provision situation, the server side system 1010 sends the user terminal 1500 to the server side system 1010. Send a given reproduction request.

When the server side system 1010 receives the reproduction request, it determines that there is a reproduction request from the avatar in the virtual spot 6 (YES in step S190), and provides provision status record data 770 (Fig. 10), a reproduction candidate list to be displayed on the user terminal 1500 that has undergone the reproduction request operation is displayed (step S191). If the service provided at the virtual spot 6 is a game, the participating user who performed the reproduction request operation is the viewing requesting user who requests viewing of the game play video to be reproduced.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a reproduction candidate list.
When the service provided at the virtual spot 6 is a game, the reproduction candidate list 60 is a list of game users who are currently playing the game or have played the game in the past at the virtual spot 6. This is a user interface that shows selection options for viewing the game play video at which point in time, that is, options for viewing request operations, and accepts selection operations for viewing targets. Specifically, the reproduction candidate list 60 includes a viewing target user selection icon 62 and a viewing target play selection icon 64.

The viewing target user selection icons 62 (62a, 62b, . . . ) are icons for selecting which game user's game play is to be viewed, and are provided for each selection candidate game user. By selecting the viewing target user selection icon 62, the participating user who operated the reproduction request can specify the viewing target user (in the example of FIG. 19, the viewing target user selection icon 62c is selected).

The viewing target play selection icons 64 (64a, 64b, 64c) are icons for selecting and operating the game play video at which point in the game progress status to view, and are associated with the viewing target user selection icon 62. will be displayed. For example, when the viewing target user selection icon 62 is selected, the viewing target play selection icon 64 related to the game user of the icon may be displayed as a pop-up. If the game user is currently playing, the viewing target play selection icon 64 displays a display indicating that the game is "current play." If a plurality of past plays are recorded, the viewing target play selection icon 64 corresponding to "past play" may accept presentation/selection operations hierarchically in a submenu display format or the like.

Returning to FIG. 17, when the server side system 1010 detects that a reproduction request operation has been performed (YES in step S190), it selects a game user to be selected as a viewing target user (step S192).

Specifically, the server side system 1010 primarily selects other avatars 4 (including the temporary avatar 4k) within a predetermined range from the avatar 4 of the viewing request user (participating user who performed the reproduction request operation) at the virtual spot 6. . At this time, all avatars 4 in front of the game device 8 may be selected primarily regardless of whether they are within or outside the predetermined range. The predetermined range can be set as appropriate depending on the size, width, and layout of the virtual spot 6. It may be the entire area of the virtual spot 6, or it may be approximately the visual range of the avatar 4.

The server side system 1010 secondarily selects a game user who satisfies a given relationship condition with the viewing requesting user from among the first selected game users.
The "relationship conditions" referred to here can be set as appropriate, and may include "relationships between users,""relationships in game progress," and the like. The "relationship between users" includes (1) being registered as a friend of the user requesting viewing, (2) having formed a party or team with the user requesting viewing in the game, (3) requesting viewing. The user may be of the same age or affiliation as the user, or (4) may have a history of playing against the viewing requesting user. "Relationships in game progress" include: (1) using the same type of player character as the player character of the user requesting the viewing; (2) the level, equipment configuration, skill configuration, etc. of the player character being the same or similar. (3) playing a game stage that the viewing requesting user has cleared; (4) playing a game stage that the viewing requesting user has not cleared.

"Relational conditions" are set so that game users who are likely to be interested in the viewing requesting user are selected, and games that the viewing requesting user plays/games that are useful to the viewing requesting user as reference for future play. It is preferable to set it so that the user is selected. In order to determine the relationship, the server side system 1010 collects user information 600, service provision management data (including information on game progress), and provision for each of the viewing requesting user and the primarily selected game user. Obtain and refer to the situation record data 770.

When selecting a game user, a configuration may be adopted in which no relational conditions are set. Further, the avatar 4 (including the temporary avatar 4k) in front of the game device 8 may always be selected in the secondary selection.

Next, the server side system 1010 selects a game play to be a selection candidate for the viewing target play selection icon 64 for each game user selected as a selection candidate in step S192 (step S194).

Specifically, if the second-selected game user is currently playing, this is selected. Regarding past plays, a predetermined number may be selected in chronological order, or plays similar to the past plays of the user requesting viewing (for example, the same game stage being played, the type of player character being used)・The level/configuration is the same or similar, etc.) may be selected in descending order of similarity. A predetermined number of game stages may be selected in the order of higher performance than the user requesting viewing, or a predetermined number of game stages that have been cleared by the user requesting viewing may be selected.

Next, the server side system 1010 displays the reproduction candidate list on the user terminal 1500 of the viewing requesting user, and accepts an operation for selecting a reproduction target (an operation for specifying the viewing target user and the viewing target play) (step S196).

The user terminal 1500 transmits the result of the operation to be reproduced to the server side system 1010.
When the server-side system 1010 receives a user's operation to select a reproduction target, the server-side system 1010 selects the reproduction candidate on the user terminal 1500 of the viewing requesting user (the user who performed the reproduction request operation) based on the provision status record data 770 of the selected reproduction candidate. The current or past service provision status is reproduced and displayed (step S198).

Specifically, for example, if the service is a game, the game play video of the play to be viewed by the user to be viewed is reproduced and provided as a video of the avatar 4 in the virtual spot 6 taken from a third-person perspective. In other words, as a reproduction display, the avatar 4 (including the temporary avatar 4k) of the user to be viewed is sitting in front of the game device 8 and operating the game, and the game image is being displayed on the monitor of the game device 8. Game play footage. If the play to be viewed is the past provision status, that is, the "current play", the game play video reproduced in step S198 is the game image 12 distributed in real time or near real time and displayed on the user terminal 1500. You can also use it as If the past provision status is "past play", a game play video that reproduces the past game image 12 will be displayed.

Note that the manner in which the image is reproduced and displayed within the virtual space image 10 can be set as appropriate. For example, a pop-up window may be displayed within the screen, or it may be displayed semitransparently superimposed on the virtual space image 10. Further, if the service is a game, a game image may be displayed as a game play video instead of a video of the avatar 4 at the virtual spot 6 taken from a third-person viewpoint.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the service providing system 1000 can provide the service provided in the virtual space 3 even to non-participating users, and the non-participating user at the virtual spot 6 where the service is provided. Display control is performed to express the service provision status including the user. Specifically, the avatar 4 is automatically made to appear in the virtual space 3, and furthermore, the behavior of the avatar 4 while providing the service is automatically controlled, so that the situation in which the avatar 4 is receiving the service can also be expressed in the virtual space 3. Participating users can also visually feel the presence of non-participating users who have not logged in within the virtual space 3. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new technology that allows services provided in a virtual space to be provided to a user by omitting some procedures such as login, while expressing the user's presence in the virtual space. becomes possible.

Further, the service providing system 1000 can not only display and control service provision status in real time, but also reproduce and display past service provision status. In other words, it is possible to provide a function that allows participating users who are participating in the virtual space 3 to view how other users (other participating users and non-participating users) are using the services of the virtual space 3. For example, a participating user who wishes to watch a certain famous user play a game in the virtual space 3 can see it in a replay display even if he or she is not present at the time when the game is being played in real time. For example, by viewing a reproduction of a friend's play, it is possible to discuss the reproduced play with the friend. By displaying the reproduction provision list when the virtual spot 6 is crowded, it is possible to avoid situations where it would be difficult to get close enough to see other users receiving the service in the real world. Even when the user is using the virtual spot 6, the user can see how other users are using the service at the virtual spot 6.

[Modified example]
Although an example of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, the form to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and constituent elements may be added, omitted, or changed as appropriate.

(Modification example 1)
For example, the user interface may be changed.
In the embodiment described above, a plurality of service selection icons 16 are displayed on the shortened menu screen 14 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). In order to shorten the procedure and receive the service, the user must start the client program 800 on the user terminal 1500 and select the service selection icon 16 from the shortened menu screen 14. Although this method is excellent in that multiple services can be selected each time to shorten procedures, there is room for further omissions in terms of operational effort.

As shown in FIG. 20, apart from the client program 800, a shortening program 806 (second client program) is prepared which is associated one-to-one with one service corresponding to a shortening operation. Both the client program 800 and the shortening program 806 are treated as individual applications on the operating system of the user terminal 1500. On the home screen 28 of the user terminal 1500, the app icon 40 of the client program 800 and the app icon 42 of the shortening program 806 are displayed.

When the non-participating user touches the application icon 42, the user terminal 1500 executes the shortening program 806, accesses the service server system 1100G, and sends a predetermined request. When the service server system 1100G receives the request, it starts processing for the user terminal 1500 from step S80 (see FIG. 14). From the user's perspective, the game image 12 is displayed on the user terminal 1500 and the game can be played by simply touching the app icon 42. In other words, although a non-participating user can use only one service with a shortened operation, he or she can receive the service with fewer steps than in the above embodiment.

(Modification 2)
For example, in the above embodiment, while automatically controlling the avatar 4 of the user receiving the immersive service, the server-side system 1010 provides the avatar 4x with an externally visible identification, as shown in FIG. Identification display control may be performed to additionally display the display 50. Although the design of the identification display 50 can be set as appropriate, for example, a text indicating that a game is being played may be displayed rotating above the head of the avatar 4x, or may be displayed as a speech bubble-shaped object.

Users of other avatars 4 who are in the virtual spot 6 but are not playing the game can understand at a glance that they are playing based on the identification display 50, even if the avatar 4x with the identification display 50 is a friend's avatar. Therefore, they probably won't call out to or touch Avatar 4x. As a result, even if the avatar 4x is automatically controlled and cannot respond to calls, it may cause undesirable or unnatural situations (for example, situations where the user who calls out appears to be ignored by the avatar 4x). ) can be prevented.

Furthermore, in consideration of users who are concerned that their automatically controlled avatar 4x is defenseless, the server side system 1010 prevents other avatars 4 from interfering with the automatically controlled avatar 4x. , as shown in FIG. 21, non-interference control may be performed in which an invisible (or semi-transparent) barrier 52 is set around the avatar 4x. Non-interference control may be realized by temporarily switching to a setting in which the automatically controlled avatar 4x does not receive interference from other avatars 4 in controlling the virtual space 3.

(Modification 3)
When automatically generating the temporary avatar 4k, data corresponding to the user information 600 may be referenced from outside the server side system 1010.
For example, as shown in FIG. 22, a server-side system 1010 can communicate with an external server system 1200 that is not included in the server-side system 1010. The external server system 1200 is a computer system that implements and manages existing user registration-based external services (for example, online games, EC (Electronic Commerce) sites, etc.) that are independent of the service providing system 1000. Another external user information 690 is stored.

The external user information 690 includes user accounts for external services, usage history information, saved data, favorite store names, friend registration information, and the like. For example, online game save data may include player level, player character setting information, character ability information, possessed item information, and the like. Online game usage history information may include play history, item purchase history, and the like. For example, usage history information on an EC site may include information such as what and when purchased, frequency of purchases, cumulative purchase amount, etc.

On the other hand, in the server side system 1010, the service registration data 512 (see FIG. 11) includes information for accessing the external server system 1200 (external server access information) and the name of the external service provided by the external server system 1200. will be added.

When temporarily registering a non-participating user in step S82 (see FIG. 14), the server side system 1010 registers a user for the external service on the user terminal 1500 if the user is an external service user of the external server system 1200. Accept account input. The input user account for the external service is set as a temporary account for temporary registration in the non-participating user temporary registration data 703 (see FIG. 12).

Then, when the server side system 1010 automatically generates the temporary avatar 4k in step S84, the server side system 1010 accesses the external server system 1200 and uses a predetermined API (Application Interface Program) to create a temporary account (a user account for external services). The external user information 690 of the account) is acquired from the external server system 1200. Then, the information included in the acquired external user information 690 is used as reference information 30 (see FIG. 6) when automatically generating the temporary avatar 4k.

According to the configuration of the modified example, if the non-participating user is a user of an external service provided by the external server system 1200, a temporary avatar 4k corresponding to the usage status of the external service is created using the user name of the external service. can be placed in the virtual spot 6.

Note that in this modification, a configuration in which the external server system 1200 is one of the service server systems 1100G is also possible.
Further, in the modified example, step S168 (see FIG. 16) may be omitted, and the non-participating user temporary registration data 703 (see FIG. 12) may be left without being deleted so that it can be reused in step S82.

(Modification example 4)
Further, information regarding a plurality of participating users may be referred to in extracting selection candidates to be displayed in the reproduction candidate list.
For example, an avatar 4 located within a predetermined range in the virtual spot 6 (or within a predetermined range from the game device 8) is extracted from the avatar 4 of the participating user who performed the reproduction request operation, and the user information 600 of the extracted avatar 4 is referred to. Then, selection candidates to be displayed in the reproduction candidate list are extracted based on the same type of information in all of the user information 600. Specifically, game plays for game stages that cannot be cleared with the average level of the extracted avatars 4 may be excluded from the selection candidates displayed in the reproduction candidate list. Alternatively, the game play of the game stage that all the participating users of the extracted avatars 4 have cleared may be selected as candidates for the reproduction candidate list. Note that the extraction of avatars 4 within a predetermined range may be limited to users related to the participating user who performed the reproduction request operation (for example, users registered through friend registration, team registration, party registration, etc.).

Further, for example, the avatar 4 (related person avatar) of a user related to the participating user is searched from a predetermined range around the virtual spot 6 of the avatar 4 of the participating user who performed the reproduction request operation. The same reproduction request may be displayed on the user terminals 1500 of the searched related users, and the selection of the user to be viewed and the play to be viewed may be accepted from all the users, and the target to be actually reproduced may be determined based on the result of the majority vote. .

3... Virtual space 4... Avatar 4k... Temporary avatar 6... Virtual spot 8... Game device 10... Virtual space image 12... Game image 14... Shortened menu screen 16... Service selection icon 20... Login screen 22... Login operation icon 24... Shortened Menu display operation icon 30...Reference information 200s...Processing section 206...Participation management section 208...Virtual space management section 210...Provision control section for participating users 212...Provision control section for non-participating users 214...Provision status display control section 216...Provision status Reproduction control unit 220... Game progress acquisition control unit 230... Viewing request reception control unit 232... First viewing target user selection unit 234... Second viewing target user selection unit 236... Third viewing target user selection unit 240... Game play video Provision control unit 500s...Storage unit 501...Server program 501g...Service server program 501p...Portal server program 502...Client program for distribution 510...Virtual space initial setting data 512...Service registration data 522...Virtual spot coordinate data 526...Behavior condition definition Data 528...Service provision status judgment criteria data 529...Range for peripheral placement during congestion 530...Automatic control definition data 531...Behavior definition data during congestion 532...Start procedure behavior definition data 533...Behavior definition data currently being provided 560...Short menu setting data 600... User information 700... Virtual space management data 701... Participating user account list 703... Non-participating user temporary registration data 705... Virtual spot management data 710... Avatar management data 713... Avatar position coordinates 715... Avatar behavior control data 716... Currently provided service ID
717...Hide flag 730...Service provision management data 770...Provision status record data 800...Client program 1000...Service provision system 1010...Server side system 1100G...Service server system 1100P...Portal server system 1500...User terminal

Claims (23)

A computer system that executes control to provide a predetermined service to a user, the computer system comprising:
provision control means for participating users that executes control to provide the service to the participating user based on an operation input by the participating user participating in a virtual space in which a virtual spot for providing the service is set;
provision control means for non-participating users that executes control to provide the service to non-participating users based on operation input by non-participating users who are not participating in the virtual space;
Expressing the provision status of the service at the virtual spot in the virtual space based on both the provision control of the service by the provision control means for participating users and the provision control of the service by the provision control means for non-participating users. provision status display control means for performing display control to
A computer system comprising: The virtual space is a space in which the participating user character of the participating user can act based on the operation of the participating user,
The provision control means for participating users executes control to provide the service to the participating user based on the behavior of the participating user character based on the operation by the participating user,
The non-participating user provision control means executes control to provide the service to the non-participating user based on a direct operation by the non-participating user indicating that he/she wishes to provide the service.
The computer system according to claim 1. The provision control means for participating users executes control to provide the service to the participating users when the participating user character is located at the virtual spot.
The computer system according to claim 2. The non-participating user provision control means executes control to provide the service to the non-participating user based on an operation of selecting an item indicating that the service is desired to be provided.
The computer system according to claim 2. The non-participating user provision control means controls displaying the item on the non-participating user's mobile terminal, and controls providing the service using the mobile terminal as a man-machine interface in response to the selection operation of the item. execute,
The computer system according to claim 4. The provision status display control means places the participating user character of the participating user to whom the service is provided by the participating user provision control means in the virtual spot, and the non-participating user provision control means arranges the participating user character of the participating user to whom the service is provided. performing control to cause a non-participating user character of the non-participating user to whom a service is provided to appear in the virtual space and placing it in the virtual spot;
A computer system according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The provision status display control means automatically controls the behavior of the non-participating user character.
The computer system according to claim 6. The provision control unit for participating users executes control to provide the service to the participating users when the participating user character behaves in a manner that satisfies a predetermined behavior condition at the virtual spot.
The computer system according to claim 6. The provision status display control means automatically controls the behavior of the non-participating user character so that the non-participating user character behaves in a manner that satisfies the behavior condition at the virtual spot.
The computer system according to claim 8. If a participating user character for the non-participating user to participate in the virtual space has been set, the provision status display control means causes the participating user character to appear in the virtual space as the non-participating user character, If not, automatically generate the non-participating user character and make it appear in the virtual space;
The computer system according to claim 6. The provision status display control means performs control to change the arrangement position of the participating user character and/or the non-participating user character in the virtual spot according to the provision status of the service.
The computer system according to claim 6. The provision status display control means controls selecting the participating user character and/or the non-participating user character and placing them in the virtual spot.
The computer system according to claim 6. The provision status display control means performs control to display information on the participating user character and information on the non-participating user character that were determined not to be placed in the selection process.
A computer system according to claim 12. provision status reproduction control means for recording the display control executed by the provision status display control means and executing display control for reproducing the provision status of the service based on the record;
7. The computer system of claim 6, further comprising: The service is a game,
Game progress acquisition means for acquiring game progress for each game user who is the participating user and the non-participating user;
Viewing request receiving means for accepting a viewing request for a game play video of a viewing target user from a viewing requesting user who is the participating user;
Game play video provision control means for providing the viewing request user with game play video of the viewing target user;
The computer system according to claim 1, further comprising: The game play video is a video shot from a third-person perspective of the user character of the user to be viewed playing a game at the virtual spot, or a video of the game play screen of the user to be viewed. ,
The computer system according to claim 15. a first viewing target user selection means for selecting a game user whose game progress satisfies a given related condition with respect to the game progress of the viewing requesting user as the viewing target user;
The computer system according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: user information management means for managing user information for each user;
second viewing target user selection means for selecting a game user whose user information satisfies a given related condition with respect to the user information of the viewing requesting user as the viewing target user;
The computer system according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: third viewing target user selection means for selecting, as the viewing target user, a game user whose user character is located at a position satisfying a given short distance condition from the user character of the viewing requesting user in the virtual spot;
The computer system according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: The viewing target user is a user who is currently playing a game.
A computer system according to claim 15 or 16. The service is a game,
Game progress acquisition means for acquiring game progress for each game user who is the participating user and the non-participating user;
Viewing request receiving means for accepting a viewing request for a game play video of a viewing target user from a viewing requesting user who is the participating user;
further comprising;
The provision situation reproduction control means provides the viewing request user with the game play video of the viewing target user as the reproduction of the provision situation.
A computer system according to claim 14. A server system that is a computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
a user terminal of the user;
A service provision system equipped with. A service provision control method for controlling a computer system to provide a predetermined service to a user, the method comprising:
a provision control step for participating users that executes control to provide the service to the participating user based on an operation input by the participating user participating in a virtual space in which a virtual spot for providing the service is set;
a provision control step for non-participating users that executes control to provide the service to the non-participating users based on an operation input by the non-participating users who are not participating in the virtual space;
The provision status of the service at the virtual spot in the virtual space based on both the provision control of the service in the provision control step for participating users and the provision control of the service in the provision control step for non-participating users. a provision status display control step that executes display control to express the
service provision control methods including;

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