JP7217831B1 - Product providing device, product providing method and product providing program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a product providing device that allows a virtual store to order products that are linked with products in a real store.
Kind Code: A1 A product providing apparatus 1 is a virtual store provided in a three-dimensional virtual space in which an avatar capable of moving according to an instruction from a user terminal operated by the user moves, and the product is ordered by the user. a specifying unit 113 that specifies the order destination store from among the actual stores; and a product providing unit that provides the user with products handled at the order destination store specified by the specifying unit 113 as products that can be ordered at the virtual store. 114, a generation unit 115 that generates order information corresponding to an order by a user, and a transmission unit 116 that transmits the order information generated by the generation unit 115 to the order destination store identified by the identification unit 113. .
[Selection drawing] Fig. 3

Description

The present invention relates to a product providing device, a product providing method, and a product providing program.

Patent Literature 1 listed below discloses a virtual space delivery device that enables a user to experience shopping at a virtual store by operating an avatar, which is the alter ego of the user, in a three-dimensional virtual space. With this virtual space distribution device, a user can select and purchase a product displayed in the virtual store through an avatar, and when purchasing the product, the user can purchase the product at the virtual cashier in the virtual store. You can choose whether to purchase the product on the external EC site.

JP 2022-36689 A

In the virtual space distribution device described above, products displayed on the virtual shop can be purchased, but these products are not managed in cooperation with the products in the actual shop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a product providing device, a product providing method, and a product providing program that enable an order to be placed in a virtual shop for products linked with products in a real store. One of the purposes is to

A product providing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention orders products ordered by a user at a virtual store provided in a three-dimensional virtual space in which an avatar that can act according to instructions from a user terminal operated by the user moves. An identification unit that identifies the order destination store from among the physical stores, and a product provision unit that provides the user with products handled by the order destination store identified by the identification unit as products that can be ordered at the virtual store. , a generation unit that generates order information corresponding to an order by a user, and a transmission unit that transmits the order information generated by the generation unit to the order destination store specified by the specification unit.

According to this aspect, it is possible to specify, from among the physical stores, the orderer of the product ordered at the virtual store provided in the three-dimensional virtual space, and to order the products handled at the specified physical store from the virtual store. It is possible to provide the user with the product as a valuable product, and to transmit the order information to the above-identified physical store.

In the above aspect, the identifying unit may identify the user's location and identify the physical store closest to the identified location as the order destination store.

According to this aspect, it is possible to order and deliver the product ordered by the user at the virtual store to the physical store closest to the user's location.

The above aspect further comprises a reception unit that receives a store designation instruction designating the location of the physical store on the map, and the identification unit identifies the physical store corresponding to the store designation instruction received by the reception unit as the order destination store. You may

According to this aspect, it is possible to order and deliver the product ordered by the user at the virtual store to the physical store specified by the user on the map.

In the above aspect, the identifying unit may identify the location of the user, and identify one or more actual stores within a predetermined range from the identified location as candidates for the ordering destination store.

According to this aspect, it is possible to order and deliver the product ordered by the user at the virtual store to the physical store within a predetermined range from the user's location.

In the above aspect, the specifying unit may specify one or more physical stores that can deliver the product within the delivery time designated by the user as candidates for the ordering destination store.

According to this aspect, the product ordered by the user at the virtual store can be ordered and delivered to the real store that can be delivered within the delivery time designated by the user.

In the above aspect, the specifying unit may further narrow down the candidates for the ordering destination store based on the inventory status of the product corresponding to the order.

According to this aspect, it becomes possible for the user to order and deliver the product ordered at the virtual store to the physical store that has the product in stock.

In the above aspect, the specifying unit may further narrow down the candidates for the order destination store based on the product delivery means selected by the user.

According to this aspect, it is possible to order and deliver the product ordered by the user at the virtual store to the physical store that can be delivered by the delivery means desired by the user.

A product providing method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method executed by a processor, and is provided in a three-dimensional virtual space in which an avatar capable of moving according to instructions from a user terminal operated by a user moves. A step of identifying, from among physical stores, an order destination store from which a product ordered by a user at a virtual store is to be ordered; It includes a product providing unit for providing to the user, a step of generating order information corresponding to the order by the user, and a step of transmitting the generated order information to the specified order destination store.

According to this aspect, it is possible to specify, from among the physical stores, the orderer of the product ordered at the virtual store provided in the three-dimensional virtual space, and to order the products handled at the specified physical store from the virtual store. It is possible to provide the user with the product as a valuable product, and to transmit the order information to the above-identified physical store.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product providing program that allows a computer to be ordered by a user at a virtual shop provided in a three-dimensional virtual space in which an avatar capable of moving in accordance with instructions from a user terminal operated by the user. An identification unit that identifies an order destination store from among physical stores, and provides the user with the products handled by the order destination store identified by the identification unit as products that can be ordered at the virtual store. It functions as a product providing unit, a generation unit that generates order information corresponding to an order by a user, and a transmission unit that transmits the order information generated by the generation unit to the order destination store specified by the specification unit.

According to this aspect, it is possible to specify, from among the physical stores, the orderer of the product ordered at the virtual store provided in the three-dimensional virtual space, and to order the products handled at the specified physical store from the virtual store. It is possible to provide the user with the product as a valuable product, and to transmit the order information to the above-identified physical store.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a product providing device, a product providing method, and a product providing program that enable a virtual shop to order products that are linked to products in a real store.

It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the information processing system containing the goods provision apparatus which concerns on embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a physical configuration of the product providing device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the product providing device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining a procedure for placing an order for a product ordered at a virtual shop in the product providing device shown in FIG. 1 to a real shop;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the same elements, and overlapping explanations are omitted.

[Overview of information processing system]
A configuration of an information processing system including a product providing device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing system includes a product providing device 1 , a metaverse providing device 2 , a user terminal 4 and a store system 5 . The product providing device 1 and the Metaverse providing device 2 constitute a Metaverse providing system 3 .

Here, the Metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual space (hereinafter also referred to as "virtual space") constructed on the Internet. A user who operates the user terminal 4 can interact with other users by operating an avatar, which is his alter ego, to move in the virtual space.

The Metaverse providing device 2 is, for example, a server device that provides a portal site-like virtual space (hereinafter also referred to as “portal space”) that allows movement to various virtual spaces. The product providing device 1 is, for example, a server device that provides a space of a virtual convenience store (hereinafter also referred to as a “virtual store”). The user can freely move between the portal space and the virtual store space by operating the avatar. Note that the virtual store is not limited to a virtual convenience store, and may be a virtual store that sells products.

In this embodiment, the case where the product providing device 1 and the Metaverse providing device 2 configure the Metaverse providing system 3 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, part or all of the functions of the Metaverse providing device 2 may be incorporated into the product providing device 1, or part or all of the functions of the product providing device 1 described later may be incorporated into the Metaverse providing device 2. good.

The user terminal 4 is, for example, a smart phone used by the user, and is configured to be able to communicate with the product providing device 1 and the Metaverse providing device 2 via the network N. The user terminal 4 is not limited to a smart phone, and may be, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) terminal, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a VR (Virtual Reality) device, or other terminal devices.

The store system 5 is, for example, a system installed in each store (actual store) of a convenience store, and configured to be able to communicate with the product providing apparatus 1 via the network N. FIG. The store system 5 includes, for example, store devices such as PC terminals, store terminals such as tablet terminals and smartphones, POS (Point Of Sales) registers, etc., and manages product information, inventory information, delivery information, and the like in real time. The configuration of the store system 5 can be appropriately equipped with necessary devices according to the operation of the store. The product providing device 1 can acquire product information, inventory information, delivery information, etc. of each store from each store system 5 at any time.

In addition, it is also possible to further provide a product management system that manages the product information, inventory information, delivery information, and the like managed by each store system 5 in an integrated manner. For example, this merchandise management system may be configured to be able to communicate with the merchandise providing apparatus 1 and the store system 5 via the network N, or part or all of the functions of this merchandise management system may be may be incorporated into the

The network N may be, for example, the Internet, LAN, leased line, telephone line, corporate network, mobile communication network, Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), other communication lines, combinations thereof, or the like. may be used, and may be wired or wireless.

[Physical Configuration of Product Providing Device 1]
As shown in FIG. 2, the product providing device 1 includes, for example, a processor 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage device 13 as a physical configuration.

The processor 11 is composed of an arithmetic logic operation unit for processing arithmetic operations, logical operations, bit operations, etc., and various registers. The processor 11 executes a program 131 stored in the storage device 13 to function as a control unit that implements various functions described later.

The communication unit 12 is a hardware module that connects to the network N and communicates with other devices on the network N. FIG.

The storage device 13 is, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk drive or semiconductor memory. The storage device 13 functions, for example, as a storage unit that stores a program 131, a database 132, various data registered in the database 132, and the like.

The program 131 is a computer program for performing predetermined processing, and includes a main program of the product providing apparatus 1 and a plurality of software modules that are appropriately called and executed during the operation of the main program. A software module is a subprogram modularized to execute a specific process, and is created using, for example, procedures, subroutines, methods, functions, data structures, and the like.

[Functional Configuration of Product Providing Apparatus 1]
Functions realized by executing the program 131 of the product providing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The product providing device 1 has, for example, a virtual space control unit 111, a reception unit 112, a specification unit 113, a product provision unit 114, a generation unit 115, and a transmission unit 116 as functional configurations. Each part will be described below.

The virtual space control unit 111 causes the avatar, which is the alter ego of the user, to operate in the virtual space according to instructions from the user terminal 4 operated by the user.

For example, when the avatar moves to a space movement area provided in the portal space, the virtual space control unit 111 moves the avatar to a predetermined virtual space corresponding to the space movement area. The predetermined virtual space includes the space of the virtual shop.

The receiving unit 112 receives various instructions transmitted from the user terminal 4 operated by the user. Various instructions include, for example, product order instructions, store designation instructions, delivery method selection instructions, delivery time designation instructions, and the like. Each instruction is described in turn below.

The product order instruction is an instruction transmitted from the user terminal 4 when the user places an order for a product that the user desires to purchase from among the products handled by the virtual shop. For example, a shopping cart can be used as a method of accepting product order instructions. In this case, for example, the product order instruction may be transmitted when the product is registered in the shopping cart or when the order for the product registered in the shopping cart is confirmed.

The store specification instruction is an instruction transmitted from the user terminal 4 when the user specifies the location of the actual store on the map displayed on the user terminal 4 .

The delivery method selection instruction is an instruction transmitted from the user terminal 4 when the user selects the delivery method for the product. As delivery means, for example, robots, drones, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, and walking can be used.

The delivery time designation instruction is, for example, an instruction transmitted from the user terminal 4 when the user designates the delivery time. The delivery time may be specified in minutes, hours, or days.

The identifying unit 113 identifies a physical store (hereinafter, also referred to as an “ordered store”) that serves as an order destination for the product ordered by the user. The procedure for specifying the order destination store will be described later.

The product providing unit 114 provides the user of the user terminal 4 with information on the products handled by the order destination store specified by the specifying unit 113 at that time. Information on products is provided by, for example, displaying a list of products on the user terminal 4 . When displaying a list of products, the stock status and scheduled delivery status of each product may be displayed, or only products that are in stock may be displayed.

The generation unit 115 generates order information corresponding to the user's order. The ordering information includes, for example, a user ID that identifies the user, a store ID that identifies the ordering store, a product ID that identifies the product ordered by the user, the unit price of the product, the quantity of the product ordered, delivery destination information, It can include delivery charges, total charges, and the like.

The transmission unit 116 transmits the order information generated by the generation unit 115 to the store system 5 of the order destination store identified by the identification unit 113 .

[Procedure for specifying order destination store by product providing device 1]
As a procedure for specifying an ordering destination store in the product providing apparatus 1, there are, for example, the procedures described in (1) to (5) below.

(1) Procedure for selecting the store closest to the user's location as the order destination store

The identifying unit 113 identifies the location of the user who operates the user terminal 4, and identifies the physical store closest to the identified location as the ordering destination store. The location of the specified user is specified by, for example, the place of residence registered in the user information, the user's current location, or the location specified on the map by the user.

In this procedure, it is preferable that the product providing unit 114 provides the user of the user terminal 4 with the products that are available at the physical store specified by the specifying unit 113 as products that can be ordered at the virtual store. As a result, the user can order from among the products handled by the nearest physical store, and can receive the ordered product quickly and reliably.

(2) Procedure for making the physical store specified on the map the ordering store

(2-1): First, the accepting unit 112 accepts a store specification instruction transmitted from the user terminal 4 .

(2-2): Subsequently, the specifying unit 113 specifies the actual store corresponding to the store designation instruction received by the receiving unit 112 as the order destination store.

In this procedure, it is preferable that the product providing unit 114 provides the user of the user terminal 4 with the products that are available at the physical store specified by the specifying unit 113 as products that can be ordered at the virtual store. As a result, the user can order from among the products handled by the physical store specified on the map, so that the desired product can be reliably received.

(3) A procedure for identifying an order destination store based on the inventory status of stores within a predetermined range from the user's location

(3-1): First, the identifying unit 113 identifies the location of the user who operates the user terminal 4, and selects one or more actual stores within a predetermined range from the identified location as candidates for ordering destination stores. Identify. The location of the user can be identified in the same manner as in (1) above.

(3-2): Subsequently, the specifying unit 113 narrows down candidates for order destination stores based on the inventory status of the product corresponding to the product order instruction received by the receiving unit 112 .

As a result of narrowing down the candidates for the order destination store, if there are no candidates, the search may be repeated until the candidate for the order destination store is found while expanding the predetermined range of (3-1).

On the other hand, if a plurality of candidates remain as a result of the narrowing down, for example, the location-based specific processing of (1) above may be further executed to narrow down the plurality of candidates to the closest store, or the above ( A specific process based on the store designation instruction in 2) may be further executed to narrow down the plurality of candidates to a store designated on the map.

In this procedure, the product providing unit 114 may provide the user of the user terminal 4 with products that are available at one or more physical stores identified as candidates by the identifying unit 113 as products that can be ordered at the virtual shop. preferable. Moreover, it is preferable that the specifying unit 113 narrows down the candidates for the ordering destination store based on the inventory status of the product each time the product to be ordered is added to the shopping cart. As a result, every time a product is added to an order, it becomes possible to narrow down the candidates for ordering stores based on the handling status and inventory status of that product at each store. It becomes possible to place an order to one physical store that can be shipped.

(4) A procedure for identifying an order destination store based on the delivery means of stores within a predetermined range from the user's location

(4-1): First, the identification unit 113 identifies the location of the user who operates the user terminal 4, and selects one or more physical stores within a predetermined range from the identified location as candidates for ordering stores. Identify. The location of the user can be identified in the same manner as in (1) above.

(4-2): Subsequently, the specifying unit 113 narrows down the candidates for the ordering destination store based on the delivery method corresponding to the delivery method selection instruction received by the receiving unit 112 .

As a result of narrowing down the candidates for the order destination store, if there are no candidates, the search may be repeated until the candidate for the order destination store is found while expanding the predetermined range in (4-1).

On the other hand, if a plurality of candidates remain as a result of the narrowing down, for example, the location-based specific processing of (1) above may be further executed to narrow down the plurality of candidates to the closest store, or the above ( A specific process based on the store designation instruction in 2) may be further executed to narrow down the plurality of candidates to a store designated on the map.

In this procedure, the product providing unit 114 may provide the user of the user terminal 4 with products that are available at one or more physical stores identified as candidates by the identifying unit 113 as products that can be ordered at the virtual shop. preferable. In addition, it is preferable that each time an item to be ordered is added to the shopping cart, the specifying unit 113 narrows down the candidates for the order destination store based on the delivery method adopted by the store handling the item. As a result, every time an item is added to an order, it becomes possible to narrow down the candidates for ordering stores based on the handling status and delivery method of that item at each store. It becomes possible to place an order to one physical store that can be shipped by a desired delivery means.

(5) Procedure for identifying the order destination store based on the delivery time specified by the user

(5-1): First, the identification unit 113 identifies one or more actual stores that can deliver within the delivery time corresponding to the delivery time designation instruction received by the reception unit 112 as candidates for the ordering destination store. do.

(5-2): Subsequently, the narrowing-down process based on the inventory status of the above (3) and the narrowing-down process based on the delivery means of the above (4) are executed.

In this procedure, the product providing unit 114 may provide the user of the user terminal 4 with products that are available at one or more physical stores identified as candidates by the identifying unit 113 as products that can be ordered at the virtual shop. preferable. In addition, every time an item to be ordered is added to the shopping cart, the specifying unit 113 narrows down candidates for order destination stores based on the inventory status of the item and the delivery method adopted by the store handling the item. is preferred. As a result, every time a product to be ordered is added, it becomes possible to narrow down the candidates for ordering stores based on the handling status, inventory status, and delivery method of that product at each store. It becomes possible to place an order to one physical store that can ship all the products.

[Operation of product providing device 1]
With reference to FIG. 4, an example of a procedure for placing an order for a product ordered at a virtual shop in the product providing device 1 to any of the real shops will be described.

First, the specifying unit 113 of the product providing apparatus 1 specifies, from the actual stores, an order destination store, which is the place of order for the product ordered by the user at the virtual store (step S101). It is preferable that the procedure for specifying the order destination store follows any one of the procedures described in (1) to (5) above.

Subsequently, the product providing unit 114 of the product providing device 1 provides the user with the products handled by the order destination store identified in step S101 as products that can be ordered at the virtual store (step S102).

Subsequently, the generation unit 115 of the product providing apparatus 1 generates order information corresponding to the user's order (step S103).

Subsequently, the transmission unit 116 of the product providing apparatus 1 transmits the order information generated in step S103 to the store system 5 of the order destination store identified in step S101 (step S104).

As described above, according to the product providing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the ordering party of the product ordered at the virtual store provided in the three-dimensional virtual space is specified from the actual store, and the specified actual store can be provided to the user as products that can be ordered at the virtual store, and order information can be sent to the actual store.

Therefore, according to the product providing device 1 according to the embodiment, it is possible to order products linked with products in the real store at the virtual store.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects, and should not be construed as limiting. For example, the processing steps described above can be arbitrarily changed in order or executed in parallel as long as the content of processing is not inconsistent.

1 Product providing device 2 Metaverse providing device 3 Metaverse providing system 4 User terminal 5 Store system 11 Processor 12 Communication unit 13 Storage device 111 Virtual space control unit 112 Reception unit 113 Identification unit 114 Product provision unit 115 Generation unit 116 Transmission unit 131 Program 132 Database

Claims (9)

A virtual store set up in a three-dimensional virtual space in which an avatar capable of moving according to instructions from a user terminal operated by the user moves, and handles candidates for ordering stores that serve as places to place orders for products ordered by the user. an identification unit that identifies each user from among a plurality of physical stores with different products ;
a product providing unit that provides the user with products that are available at the candidates for the order destination store identified by the identifying unit as products that can be ordered at the virtual shop;
a generation unit that generates order information corresponding to the order by the user;
a transmission unit configured to transmit the order information generated by the generation unit to any of the candidates for the order destination store identified by the identification unit;
A product providing device. The specifying unit specifies the location of the user, and specifies a physical store closest to the specified location as a candidate for the ordering destination store.
The product providing device according to claim 1. further comprising a reception unit that receives a store designation instruction specifying the location of the actual store on the map,
wherein the identifying unit identifies, as a candidate for the ordering destination store, a physical store corresponding to the store designation instruction received by the receiving unit;
The product providing device according to claim 1. The specifying unit specifies the location of the user, and specifies one or more actual stores within a predetermined range from the specified location as candidates for the ordering destination store.
The product providing device according to claim 1. The identification unit identifies one or more physical stores that can deliver the product within the delivery time specified by the user as candidates for the ordering destination store.
The product providing device according to claim 1. When there are a plurality of candidates for the order destination store , the specifying unit narrows down the candidates for the order destination store based on the inventory status of the product to be added as the target of the order.
6. The product providing device according to claim 4 or 5. When there are a plurality of candidates for the order destination store , the specifying unit narrows down the candidates for the order destination store based on the product delivery means selected by the user.
6. The product providing device according to claim 4 or 5. A method performed by a processor, comprising:
A virtual store set up in a three-dimensional virtual space in which an avatar capable of moving according to instructions from a user terminal operated by the user moves, and handles candidates for ordering stores that serve as places to place orders for products ordered by the user. a step of identifying each user from among a plurality of physical stores with different products ;
a step of providing the user with products handled by the identified candidates for the ordering destination store as products that can be ordered at the virtual store;
generating order information corresponding to an order by said user;
a step of transmitting the generated order information to one of the identified candidates for the order destination store;
product delivery method, including; the computer,
A virtual store set up in a three-dimensional virtual space in which an avatar capable of moving according to instructions from a user terminal operated by the user moves, and handles candidates for ordering stores that serve as places to place orders for products ordered by the user. an identification unit that identifies each user from among a plurality of physical stores with different products ;
a product providing unit that provides the user with products that are available at the candidates for the order destination store specified by the specifying unit as products that can be ordered at the virtual store;
a generation unit that generates order information corresponding to the order by the user;
a transmission unit configured to transmit the order information generated by the generation unit to any of the candidates for the order destination store identified by the identification unit;
A product offering program that functions as a

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