JPH0887489A - Service providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable economical activities in the actual space by utilizing a virtual reality space. CONSTITUTION: An image in the virtual reality space corresponding to the position and viewpoint of a character is provided for a user terminal. When an advertisement tower 81 as an image constituting part of the virtual reality space is specified with a cursor 74 on the user terminal, detailed information on the advertisement displayed on this advertisement tower 81 is provided for the user terminal. A service provider terminal is given an allocation for mounting the advertisement tower 8 in a partial space of the virtual reality space and installs the advertisement tower 81 there in. When the advertisement tower 81 is specified, the detailed information regarding the article displayed there is provided for the user terminal and the service provider terminal can be accessed at need to apply for the purchase of the article.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service providing method suitable for use in, for example, a cyber space system that creates a virtual reality (virtual reality space) and provides it to a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 23 shows a configuration example of a conventional cyber space system. The server 1 includes a storage device 2 and supplies the image data stored in the storage device 2 to each of the user terminals 3-1 to 3-3 via the public telephone line 4.

Each of the user terminals 3-1 to 3-3 designates a predetermined one of 100 types of characters prepared in the storage device 2 as its own character. Then, the character can be moved within the virtual reality space provided by the server 1 to enjoy the life in the virtual reality space.

For example, the user terminal 3-1 accesses the server 1 via the ordinary public telephone line 4 and receives the image of the virtual reality space. When the user terminal 3-1 performs a predetermined operation to instruct to move his or her character (for example, the character A) in a predetermined direction, the server 1 provides an image corresponding to the moving direction. As a result, the user terminal 3-1 can enjoy his or her own character A as if moving in a town provided by the virtual reality space.

Similarly, the user terminal 3-2 can also specify his own character (for example, the character B) and move the character B in the virtual reality space.

When the character A of the user terminal 3-1 and the character B of the user terminal 3-2 move to positions near the virtual reality space, the virtual reality space provided from the server 1 to the user terminal 3-1. In addition to the image of the town as the background, the image of is also provided with the image of the character B moving in the town. As a result, an image as shown in FIG. 24, for example, is displayed on the user terminal 3-1. That is, the character A of the user is located in the center, and the character B of the user terminal 3-2 is located in the vicinity thereof.

Similarly, an image is provided to the user terminal 3-2 as shown in FIG. Also in FIG. 25,
The character B of the user is placed in the center of the screen, and the character A of the user terminal 3-1 is placed in the vicinity thereof.

When the user's own terminal is operated to move the corresponding character in the virtual reality space, for example, a bulletin board is provided at a predetermined position in the virtual reality space. It describes messages about services in the physical space. Each user can know the contents of the bulletin board by moving the character to the position of the bulletin board.

Further, a memo may be dropped on the roadside of the virtual reality space, and when an operation for acquiring this memo is performed, the message described in the memo is displayed on the screen.

In this way, the server can supply a predetermined message to each user terminal.

Further, in this virtual reality space, virtual reality currency used in this virtual reality space is prepared, and each character can use this currency to purchase virtual reality products. .

[0012]

As described above, the conventional system is made to allow the character to live in the virtual reality space as a kind of game. However, it is just a game, and there is almost no connection with the real life, so that there is a problem that it gets tired soon.

In the case of the above example, a predetermined message is transmitted by a bulletin board or a memo, but basically, a bulletin board is placed on the roadside or a memo is dropped. However, these bulletin boards or memos correspond to so-called icons specially provided for transmitting messages. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to construct a virtual reality space closer to the real space.

Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to provide information regarding products such as clothes, electric appliances, and automobiles, because only messages are transmitted to the user. As a result, there is a problem that it is impossible to add value to the virtual reality space and the virtual reality space cannot eventually escape from the realm of the game space.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to provide information on various products and services existing in the real space, and by closely connecting with the real space, Economic activities such as selling various goods (services) in the space are performed, and it is possible to generate added value to the virtual reality space.

[0016]

A service providing method according to the present invention includes a server (for example, the servers 11-1 and 11- in FIG. 1).
2) a part of the virtual reality space provided by the service provider terminal (for example, the service provider terminals 14-1, 14- of FIG. 1).
2) and when the position in the virtual reality space is input from the user terminal (for example, the user terminals 13-1 to 13-3 in FIG. 1), the image of the virtual reality space corresponding to the input position is input from the server to the user terminal. When the image of the space provided to the service provider terminal of the virtual reality space is specified by the user terminal, the user terminal outputs data corresponding to the specified image to the server, and the server Further, it is characterized in that information on the real space corresponding to the designated image is provided to the user terminal.

Further, when the image of the space allocated to the service provider terminal in the virtual reality space is designated by the user terminal, the information related to the designation of the image by the user terminal is assigned to the service to which the space is assigned. It can be supplied to the provider terminal.

The information related to the designation of the image by the user terminal can be at least one of information for identifying the image designated by the user terminal and information for the user who uses the user terminal that designated the image. . Alternatively, the information related to the designation of the image by the user terminal is
The information can be used as access information from the user terminal that specifies the image to the service provider terminal to which the specified image space is allocated.

The user terminal has a character that moves in the virtual reality space, the user terminal inputs the position and viewpoint of the character in the virtual reality space, and the server
An image corresponding to the position and the viewpoint of the character can be provided to the user terminal.

In this case, in the image provided to the user terminal, the characters of the other user terminals can be displayed, but the image of the user's own character can not be displayed.

[0021]

In the service providing method having the above structure, a part of the virtual reality space provided by the server is assigned to the service provider terminal, and when an image in this space is designated by the user terminal, the image corresponds to the image. Information in the physical space is provided to the user terminal. Therefore, as an image that actually constitutes the virtual reality space, for example, images of various products are provided to the user, economic activities related to the product are performed in relation to the physical space, and the added value is added to the virtual reality space. Can be generated.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a cyber space system to which the service providing method of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, an arbitrary number (two in this embodiment) of servers 11-1, 11-
2 has corresponding storage devices 12-1 and 12-2, respectively, and can provide a virtual reality space via, for example, a broadband communication network 15 using an optical fiber. Also, any number (in this example,
3) user terminals 13-1 to 13-3 are provided,
The virtual reality space and a predetermined service (information) using the virtual reality space can be provided from the servers 11-1 and 11-2 via the broadband communication network 15.

Further, in this embodiment, an arbitrary number (two in this embodiment) of service provider terminals 14-1 and 14-2 are provided, and this service provider terminal 14-1. , 14-2 receive the provision of the virtual reality space via the servers 11-1, 11-2 using the broadband communication network 15, and the user terminals 13-1 to 13-1.
3-3 can be provided with a predetermined service.

FIG. 2 shows a server 11 (11-1, 11-).
The example of 2) is shown. As shown in the figure, the server 11 includes a CPU 21, and the CPU 21 is a ROM 2
Various processes are executed in accordance with the program stored in 2. RAM23 has CPU2
Data, programs, etc. necessary for the 1 to execute various processes are appropriately stored. The communication device 24 sends and receives predetermined data to and from the broadband communication network 15.

The display device 25 includes a CRT, an LCD, etc., and is connected to the interface 28 so that an image in the virtual reality space provided by the server 11 can be monitored. The interface 28 also includes a microphone 2
6 and the speaker 27 are connected so that a predetermined audio signal can be supplied to the user terminal 13 or the service provider terminal 14 and the audio signal from the user terminal 13 or the service provider terminal 14 can be monitored. Has been done.

The server 11 also includes an input device 29,
Various inputs can be performed via the interface 28. The input device 29 has at least a keyboard 29a and a mouse 29b.

FIG. 3 shows the user terminal 13 (13-1 to 13-1).
3-3) shows a configuration example. User terminal 13 is CP
The U41 is provided, and the CPU 41 is configured to execute various kinds of processing in accordance with the programs stored in the ROM 42. The RAM 43 appropriately stores data, programs, etc. necessary for the CPU 41 to execute various processes. Communication device 44
Is configured to send and receive data to and from the server 11 via the broadband communication network 15.

The display device 45 is provided with a CRT, an LCD, etc., and is capable of displaying a CG (computer graphic) three-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image taken by an ordinary video camera or the like. . The microphone 46 is used when outputting a voice signal to the server 11. Further, the speaker 47 outputs the audio signal transmitted from the server 11. Input device 49
Are designed to be operated when performing various inputs.

The keyboard 49a of the input device 49 is
It is designed to be operated when inputting predetermined characters or symbols. The mouse 49b is adapted to be operated when designating a predetermined position. Viewpoint input device 49
c is operated when the viewpoint of the corresponding character of the user terminal 13 is input. As a result, the viewpoint of the character can be moved vertically and horizontally, and a predetermined image can be zoomed. In addition, the movement input device 49d is configured to be able to perform an input for moving the character in the front, rear, left, and right directions at a predetermined speed.

The interface 48 constitutes a data interface to the display device 45, the microphone 46, the speaker 47, and the input device 49.

FIG. 4 shows the service provider terminal 14 (14-
1, 14-2). The CPU 51
The input device 59 is the CPU 4 of the user terminal 13 of FIG.
1 to the input device 49 are basically similar in configuration,
The description is omitted.

Devices constituting this system, especially,
The user terminal is not limited to being fixedly arranged, but may be portable. Also, the service provider terminal,
The user terminal and the like are specified by the ID, for example, and are not specified by the device itself.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the virtual reality space provided by the server 11 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this virtual reality space constitutes a town, and the character C (for example, the character of the user terminal 13-1)
Alternatively, the character D (for example, the character of the user terminal 13-2) can move in this town (virtual reality space).

The character C will see an image as shown in FIG. 6, for example, from the position and viewpoint in the virtual reality space. That is, the image as shown in FIG. 6 is provided from the server 11 to the display device 25 of the user terminal 13-1,
Is displayed. When the viewpoint and the position of the character C are changed by operating the viewpoint input device 49c and the movement input device 49d, the three-dimensional image forming the virtual reality space supplied from the server 11 changes correspondingly. To be done.

Similarly, an image as shown in FIG. 7 is provided from the server 11 and displayed on the display device of the user terminal 13-2 corresponding to the character D. Then, the display image is also changed by moving the viewpoint and the position of the character D.

In the state shown in FIG. 5, character C is looking toward character D. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the character D is displayed in the image (virtual reality space) displayed on the display device 25 of the user terminal 13-1.

Similarly, in FIG. 5, character D is looking toward character C. Therefore, the user terminal 1
The character C is displayed in the image (virtual reality space) displayed on the display device 25 of 3-2.

The service provider terminal 14 is the server 11-
Controls a part of the virtual reality space provided by 1 or 11-2. In other words, the service provider is the server 1
Purchase a part of the virtual reality space provided by one administrator. This purchase is made in the physical space. That is, when the administrator of the server 11 receives an application for purchase of the virtual reality space from a predetermined service provider, the administrator of the server 11 allocates a part of the virtual reality space to the service provider.

For example, it is assumed that the owner of the service provider terminal 14-1 (service provider) rents one room of a predetermined building in the virtual reality space and installs an electric appliance store there. The service provider provides the server administrator with products, such as television materials, to be displayed at the electronic store. Based on this material, the server administrator creates a stereoscopic image of the television by computer graphics. Then, the stereoscopic image is arranged at a predetermined position of the electronic store. This completes the image of that space in the virtual reality space.

The same is done by many service providers, and the virtual reality space is formed as one large town.

FIG. 8 shows a virtual reality space (1 in a building) occupied by a service provider having the service provider terminal 14-1.
Room) is shown in a plane. In this embodiment, one room in the building is allocated for this service provider, and in that space (in the building) two televisions 72,
73 is arranged, and a counter 71 is arranged diagonally to the right front of the television 73. Then, the service provider of the service provider terminal 14-1 arranges his / her character F behind the counter 71.
Of course, the character F can be moved to a predetermined position by operating the movement input device 59d of the service provider terminal 14-1.

Now, at this electronics store, the user terminal 13-1
It is assumed that the character C has entered as shown in FIG. At this time, on the display device 45 of the user terminal 13-1, in accordance with the position and the viewpoint of the character C, for example, FIG.
The image as shown in is displayed. On the other hand, when the character F is located behind the counter 71, the image as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display device 55 of the service provider terminal 14-1. 9 and 1
As shown in 0, the character F is displayed in the image viewed from the character C, and the character C is displayed in the image viewed from the character F.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the image viewed from the character C, a cursor 74 used when designating a predetermined image from the user terminal 13-1 is displayed. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10, the service provider terminal 14-
A cursor 75 is displayed for use when designating a predetermined image from 1.

Mobile input device 49d of the user terminal 13-1
Is operated to move the character C around the television 72 or the television 73, and an image corresponding to the position and the viewpoint is displayed on the display device 45. Thereby, the user can observe the televisions 72 and 73 in the same manner as when observing an actual television.

When the user operates the mouse 49b to move the cursor 74 and clicks on the character F, the conversation application signal is transmitted to the service provider terminal 14-1 corresponding to the character F. . The service provider terminal 14-1 then, via the microphone 56,
An audio signal can be output to the speaker 47 of the user terminal 13-1 corresponding to the character C. Similarly, by inputting a predetermined voice signal from the microphone 46 of the user terminal 13-1, the voice signal of the user can be transmitted to the speaker 57 of the service provider terminal 14. In this way, both parties can have a normal voice conversation.

In this conversation, character F (service provider terminal 14-1) to character C (user terminal 1)
It is also possible to apply for 3-1).

Further, when the cursor 74 is moved on the user terminal 13-1 and clicked on the image of the television 72, for example, more detailed explanation information (provided information) of the television 72 can be received from the server 11. it can. The image at this time may be a three-dimensional image,
It can also be a two-dimensional image in a plane.

The operation of designating this predetermined image can also be performed from the service provider terminal 14-1 side. This allows the service provider side to positively provide the user with the predetermined television description information.

When the service provider operates the mouse 59b to specify the character C with the cursor 75, an image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character C, that is, displayed on the display device 45 of the user terminal 13-1. The same image as the displayed image can be displayed on the display device 55 of the service provider terminal 14-1. As a result, the service provider can know where the user (character C) is looking now, and can appropriately provide the user with information regarding the point that the user wants to know.

The user can actually purchase the television 72, for example, when he / she receives the explanation or is provided with the provision information (description information) and likes it.
In this case, the user makes a purchase application to the service provider terminal 14-1 via the character F. Also,
The user transmits, for example, a credit card number or the like to the service provider terminal 14-1 (character F) via the character C. Then, a request is made to withdraw the amount corresponding to the amount of the product. Service provider terminal 14-
The service provider of No. 1 performs processing for withdrawing a predetermined amount of money from the credit card number and arranges shipment of the product for which an application for purchase has been received.

The image provided in this virtual reality space is basically a highly accurate image generated by computer graphics. Therefore, by viewing this from all angles, it is possible to perform the same observation as when observing almost the actual product from the desired angle.
The product can be confirmed more reliably.

In this virtual reality space,
There are many shops, movie theaters, and theaters. Then, since it is possible to actually sell the product in each store, a space with good location conditions (a space where many user characters enter) actually has an economic value. Therefore, this virtual reality space can be sold (actually) or rented. Therefore, this system
It is completely different from so-called TV shopping.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 22, more specific processing operations of the user terminal 13, the server 11 and the service provider terminal 14 will be described.

FIG. 11 shows a processing example of the user terminal 13. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the character mode is set. This character mode is a mode in which an image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character described above is provided, and by operating a predetermined key of the keyboard 49a of the input device 49 of the user terminal 13, for example, the character mode or non-operation. The character mode can be set.

When the character mode is set,
In step S2, it is determined whether the position or viewpoint of the corresponding character of the user terminal 13 has been changed. When a command to change the position or viewpoint of the character is issued by operating the viewpoint input device 49c or the movement input device 49d, the CPU 41, which has received this command via the interface 48, proceeds to step S3 and moves to position data. And a process of outputting the viewpoint data to the server 11 are executed. That is, the CPU 41 receives data input from the viewpoint input device 49c and the movement input device 49d via the interface 48, controls the communication device 44, and causes the server 11 to output this data.

The server 11 acquires this data in step S12 of FIG. 12 described later, and outputs the image data corresponding to this data to the user terminal 13 in step S13.

The user terminal 13 receives the image data supplied from the server 11 in step S4,
Execute the processing to be displayed. That is, when the image data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character is supplied from the server 11 via the communication device 44, the CPU 41 outputs the image data to the display device 45 via the interface 48 and displays the image data. Let Accordingly, the display device 45 displays an image (virtual reality space) corresponding to the viewpoint and the position input by operating the viewpoint input device 49c and the movement input device 49d.

Next, in step S5, the keyboard 49
It is determined whether or not the end is instructed by operating a predetermined key of a, and unless the end is instructed, step S
The process returns to 1 and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1 that the character mode is not set (the non-character mode is set), the process proceeds to step S6, and the CPU 41 receives it via the communication device 44. Then, the predetermined image irrelevant to the position and viewpoint of the character is output to the display device 45 and displayed.

FIG. 12 shows the user terminal 13 shown in FIG.
The processing example of the server 11 corresponding to the processing of FIG. First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the character mode is set. If the character mode is set, the process proceeds to step S12, and the position data and viewpoint data of the user are acquired. That is, as described above, FIG.
1 according to the processing in step S3 of the user terminal 1
When data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the user's character is transmitted from the server 3, the server 11 causes the communication device 24
Get this data via. This data is supplied to and stored in the RAM 23 as needed.

Next, in step S13, the CPU 21
Reads the image data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the user's character stored in the RAM 23 from the storage device 12, performs a correction operation as necessary, and generates image data corresponding to the position and viewpoint. . Then, the image data is controlled by the communication device 24 and the broadband communication network 15
To the user terminal 13 via.

Next, in step S14, the user terminal 1
It is determined from 3 that the end command is input. If the end command has not been input, the process returns to step S11 and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the image data corresponding to the position and the viewpoint of the character is continuously provided to the user terminal 13 until the end command is given.

On the other hand, in step S11, when it is determined that the character mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S15, and a predetermined image irrelevant to the position and viewpoint of the user's character is generated and output to the user. Then, the process proceeds to step S14, and if the termination is not instructed, the process returns to step S11 and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

The flowchart of FIG. 13 shows a processing example of the service provider terminal 14. First step S2
In 1, it is determined whether or not it is the character mode, and when it is determined that it is the character mode, it proceeds to step S22 and it is determined whether or not the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider terminal 14 have been changed. To be done. That is, the viewpoint input device 59c or the movement input device 5
It is determined whether 9d has been operated. When operated, the process proceeds to step S23, and a process of outputting position and viewpoint data corresponding to the operation to the server 11 is executed.

That is, the CPU 51 uses the interface 58.
When the data input from the viewpoint input device 59c and the mobile input device 59d is received via the, the communication device 54 is controlled and the data is output to the server 11 via the broadband communication network 15.

When the server 11 receives the input of this data, it acquires this data in step S53 of FIG. 14 to be described later, and outputs the image data corresponding to this data in step S54.

The service provider terminal 14 proceeds to step S2.
In step 4, the image data output by the server 11 is received and displayed. That is, the CPU 51
When the image data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character is supplied from the server 11 via the communication device 54,
This is displayed on the display device 55 via the interface 58.

When it is determined in step S22 that neither the position of the character nor the viewpoint is changed, the processes of steps S23 and S24 are skipped.

Next, in step S25, it is determined whether or not the image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider terminal 14 should be changed (switched) to the image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the user terminal. To be done. That is, the service provider needs to accurately provide information corresponding to the image that the user is actually paying attention to. Normal,
The character of the service provider does not see the same image as the character of the user. In the case of explaining a product to the user, the service provider can provide the necessary information to the user more accurately if the user can know the image corresponding to the position and the viewpoint of the user's character. It becomes possible.

Therefore, the service provider terminal 14 can receive the same image as the image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the user's character. In this case, the server 1 is operated so as to operate the keyboard 59a of the service provider terminal 14 to receive the image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the user's character.
Command 1

In this case, step S
In step 26, the position of the user's character and the viewpoint are designated as the reference image. That is, since it is possible that there are two or more user characters, it is specified which of the user character images is to be provided.

This designation is made, for example, by operating the mouse 59b to move the cursor 75 shown in FIG. 10 to a predetermined user character (character C in the embodiment of FIG. 10) and click. .

Next, in step S27, it is determined whether or not the character of the user exists in a predetermined space. That is, the space allocated by the service provider to provide the service is a part of the virtual reality space. Outside the space, even the service provider is only one user. What the user sees in the virtual reality space belongs to the privacy of each user, so it is not necessary to unnecessarily provide the service provider with the same image as the image the user is gazing at. Therefore, when the service provider designates a character outside the space allocated to him / her, the process proceeds to step S28 and error processing is executed. That is, the CPU 51 causes the display device 55 to display a message such as “designation is invalid”.

On the other hand, when the user's character in the predetermined space is designated, the process proceeds to step S29,
The CPU 51 outputs to the server 11 data necessary for identifying the character of the user (for example, position data).

The server 11 receives the input of this data,
In step S56 of FIG. 14, which will be described later, data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the designated user character is output to the service provider terminal 14.

In the service provider terminal 14, the image data output by the server 11 is received in step S30 and is output to the display device 55 for display. This allows the service provider to clearly know which image the user is looking at.

Next, in step S31, the keyboard 5
It is determined whether or not a termination command is input by operating 9a or the like. If it is determined that the end command has not been input yet, the process proceeds to step S32, and it is determined whether or not the character mode is set. If it is the character mode, the process proceeds to step S33, and the currently displayed image is displayed. It is determined whether it is necessary to change to an image of another viewpoint.

That is, when a command to change the image from a different viewpoint is input by operating, for example, the keyboard 59a of the service provider terminal 14, the process proceeds to step S35 and the position and viewpoint of the user's character. It is determined whether or not to change to an image corresponding to.
When changing to an image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the user's character, the process proceeds to step S26, the user's designation process is performed, and the subsequent processes are performed.

On the other hand, in the case of changing to an image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider, the process returns to step S22, and proceeds to the determination process of whether the position and viewpoint of the character have been changed. , And the subsequent processing is executed.

On the other hand, when it is not necessary to change the viewpoint of the current image, steps S33 to S3 are performed.
In step 4, it is determined whether the current display image is an image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider. When the image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider is currently displayed, the process returns to step S22 and the subsequent processes are executed. When the currently displayed image is an image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the user's character, the process proceeds to step S30, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S21 that the character mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S36, and a predetermined image irrelevant to the positions and viewpoints of the characters of the service provider and the user is supplied from the server 11, and the image is obtained. Is output and displayed on the display device 55. Then, the process proceeds to step S31, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

As described above, the service provider determines the position and the viewpoint of the character of the service provider or the position of the character of the user located in the virtual reality space assigned to the service provider. And you can receive any of the images corresponding to the viewpoint.

FIG. 14 shows an example of processing of the server 11 when the image shown in FIG. 13 is provided to the service provider terminal 14. First, in step S51,
It is determined whether or not the character mode is set, and if it is determined that the character mode is set, step S
In step 52, it is determined whether the user's character is designated. That is, in step S26 of FIG. 13, it is determined whether the user is designated. If it is determined that the user is not designated, that is, if an image corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider is provided, the process proceeds to step S53, and data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider. To get. This data is output from the service provider terminal 14 in step S23 of FIG.

Next, the process proceeds to step S54 and step S5.
The image data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider acquired in step 3 is read out from the storage device 12, and the necessary correction processing is added thereto, and then the service provider terminal 14
Output.

That is, the CPU 21 of the server 11 controls the communication device 24 and outputs the image data corresponding to the position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider to the service provider terminal 14 via the broadband communication network 15. . When the CPU 51 of the service provider terminal 14 receives the supply of the data via the communication device 54, the CPU 51 outputs the data to the display device 55 to display it. In this way, the display device 55 has
By operating the viewpoint input device 59c and the movement input device 59d, an image corresponding to the input position and viewpoint of the character of the service provider is displayed.

Next, in step S55, it is determined whether or not the end of the process is instructed. If it is determined that the end is not instructed, the process returns to step S51 and the subsequent processes are executed. .

When it is determined in step S52 that the character of the predetermined user is designated, the process proceeds to step S56, and the same image as the image provided to the user terminal 13 corresponding to the designated character. Is output to the service provider terminal 14.

If it is determined in step S51 that the character mode is not set, the flow advances to step S57 to read and output image data irrelevant to the positions and viewpoints of the characters of the service provider and the user.

After steps S56 and S57,
The process proceeds to step S55, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

When the user receives an image of the virtual reality space from the server 11 and pays attention to a predetermined image and wants to obtain more detailed information about the image, the image can be designated. FIG. 15 shows the processing of the user terminal 13 in that case. First step S
At 61, an image designation process is performed. This designation is
For example, in the state shown in FIG. 9, it is performed by operating the mouse 49b of the user terminal 13 to move the cursor 74 onto a predetermined image and clicking.

Next, in step S62, a process of outputting data necessary for specifying the designated image to the server 11 is executed. That is, the CPU 41 uses the mouse 49
The data corresponding to the operation position of b is output to the server 11 via the communication device 44.

The server 11 acquires this data in step S71 of FIG.
At, the provision information corresponding to this designated image is read and output.

In step S63, the user terminal 13 acquires the provision information of this designated image output by the server 11, outputs it to the display device 45, and displays it.

In this way, by specifying the television 72 with the cursor 74 in the state shown in FIG. 9, for example, the performance, price, and other provided information of the television 72 can be obtained.

Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, it is assumed that the advertising tower 81 is provided on the roof of one building that constitutes the virtual reality space. A picture for advertising a predetermined product is drawn on the advertising tower 81.

When the user sees this picture and is interested in the product drawn therein, the user clicks the advertising tower 81 with the cursor 74. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, more detailed information regarding the products depicted in the advertising tower 81 is displayed.

What is important here is that the provided information is not information in the virtual reality space but information in the real space, that is, the television 72.
Alternatively, the product displayed on the advertising tower 81 is a product that is actually sold by the service provider in the physical space, and information about the product is provided to the user terminal 13.

Next, in step S64, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to access the service provider who is providing the service related to the specified image. For example, if you get the information shown in Figure 17,
When actually wanting to purchase the product in the physical space, after receiving the information, the information provider who is providing the information is immediately accessed.

In this case, the access is instructed by operating a predetermined key of the keyboard 49a of the user terminal 13, for example. At this time, the CPU 41 outputs the access information via the communication device 44 in step S65.

As will be described later with reference to FIG. 18, when the access information is supplied, the server 11 allocates the access information to the space in which the image designated by the user is displayed in step S75. It is output to the service provider terminal 14 receiving the information. Then, the service provider terminal 14 that has been supplied with this access information
When responding to this access, outputs an access confirmation signal in step S94 of FIG.

When this access confirmation signal is received, the server 11 performs steps S78 and S7 of FIG.
At 9, the user terminal and the service provider terminal execute processing necessary for mutual communication. As a result, a two-way call using a voice signal is possible between them.

Therefore, in the user terminal 13, as shown in FIG.
After outputting the access information in step S65 of step 5, it is determined in step S66 whether or not the access confirmation signal is received. If the access confirmation signal is received, the process proceeds to step S67 and corresponds to the designated image. A call is made by a voice signal with a service provider terminal that provides information.

That is, the user terminal 13 makes an application for purchasing a product, for example, to the service provider by a voice signal via the microphone 46. This application is transmitted to the service provider terminal 14 via the communication device 44.
The service provider terminal 14 sends this voice signal to the communication device 5
4 is received and is output from the speaker 57.

Further, in the service provider terminal 14, a necessary response is input by a voice signal from the microphone 56. This audio signal is transmitted to the user terminal 13 via the communication device 54 and output from the speaker 47 of the user terminal 13.

In this way, the purchase of the product can be offered by voice. The service provider, for example, hears the user's credit card number and performs the billing process for the payment of the product and the product delivery process. Such an economic action is performed through the virtual reality space, but is an economic action in the physical space.

Such a call process is performed in step S68 in the user terminal 13 or the service provider terminal 14.
Is repeatedly executed until it is determined that an instruction to end the call has been given.

If it is determined in step S64 that it is not necessary to access the designated image,
In addition, when it is determined in step S66 that the access confirmation signal has not been received, the call with the service provider terminal is not performed, and thus the process of step S67 is skipped.

Next, in step S69, it is determined whether or not the end of the process is instructed. If it is determined that the end is not instructed, the process returns to step S61 to execute the subsequent processes. .

FIG. 18 shows a processing example of the server 11 when the user terminal 13 gives an instruction to specify an image. First, in step S71, the server 1
1 acquires data for specifying the designated image output by the user terminal 13 in step S62 of FIG. This data is stored in the RAM of the server 11 as needed.
23. Next, in step S72, the CPU
Reference numeral 21 determines whether or not the designated image specified by the acquired data is one registered in advance as an information provision target image.

For example, the space shown in FIG. 9 is a space for selling electric appliances, and the counter 71 is not an image of a product for sale. Therefore, no particular information is provided for this counter 71. On the other hand, since the televisions 72 and 73 are products sold here, there is provided information that explains them in more detail. In step S72, it is determined which of these types of images has been designated.

When the image in which the provision information exists is designated, the process proceeds to step S73, the provision information corresponding to the designated image is read from the storage device 12 and output to the user terminal 13. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 9, when the television 72 or 73 is designated, the provision information corresponding thereto is read out and output to the user terminal 13. Further, in the state shown in FIG. 16, when the advertising tower 81 is designated, the provision information (information as shown in FIG. 17) corresponding to it is read and output to the user terminal 13.

Next, in step S74, the user terminal 1
From 3, it is determined whether or not the access information is received. When the access information is received, step S75
Then, the received access information is output to the service provider terminal 14 corresponding to the designated image.

In the service provider terminal 14, FIG.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 9, when responding to this access information, an access confirmation signal is output in step S94.

Therefore, in the server 11, in step S76 of FIG. 18, it is determined whether or not the access confirmation signal output by the service provider terminal 14 is received, and if it is received, the process proceeds to step S77. The access confirmation signal is output to the user terminal 13 that has designated the image.

Then, in step S78, a process for enabling a voice call between the user terminal 13 for which an image is designated and the service provider terminal 14 corresponding to the designated image is executed. . This process
In step S79, the processing is repeatedly executed until it is determined that the call termination command is input by the user terminal 13 or the service provider terminal 14.

If it is determined in step S74 that the access information signal has not been received, or if it is determined in step S76 that the access confirmation signal has not been received, no call is made by both parties, so step S78. Processing is skipped.

Next, proceeding to step S80, the CPU 21 of the server 11 stores the information of the user who has designated a predetermined image,
Information about the specified image is provided to the service provider terminal 1
4 is output.

Upon receiving this notification, the service provider terminal 14 executes the statistical processing in step S97 of FIG. 19 described later. Then, information about what kind of product is popular and what kind of user pays attention to the product is acquired.

On the other hand, in step S72 of FIG.
When it is determined that the image having no provision information is designated, for example, when the counter 71 is designated in the state shown in FIG. 9, the process proceeds to step S81, and error processing is executed. That is, the CPU 21 of the server 11 controls the communication device 24 to cause the user terminal 13 to output a message such as “There is no information to provide”.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the service provider terminal 1 when the user terminal 13 issues an instruction to specify an image.
4 illustrates a processing example of No. 4. First, in step S91, information regarding a user who has designated an image (product) and information regarding the designated image (product) are received. The CPU 51 of the service provider terminal 14 sends this data to the RA
Supply to M53 and store.

Next, in step S92, the user terminal 1
From 3, it is determined whether or not the access information is received. When the access information is received, the process proceeds to step S93, and it is determined whether or not to respond to this access information. When the response to the access information is possible, the process proceeds to step S94, and the CPU 51 is instructed to respond by operating a predetermined key of the keyboard 59a, for example.

At this time, the CPU 51 proceeds to step S94.
At, the access confirmation signal is output to the user terminal 13 via the communication device 54. As described above, when this access confirmation signal is received, the server 11
In step S78 of, a process for a call is executed. For this reason, a call by a voice signal can be made with the user terminal 13 for which an image is designated.

Therefore, in step S95, the service provider terminal 14 makes a call with the user terminal 13 that has designated the image. This call processing is repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S96 that the end of the call is instructed by the user terminal 13 or the service provider terminal 14.

If it is determined in step S92 that the access information has not been received, or if it is determined in step S93 that the access information cannot be responded to because it is busy, the process of step S94 is performed. Skipped. Therefore, the call processing is not performed with the user terminal 13.

Then, the process proceeds to step S97, and step S9
The statistical processing regarding the information acquired in 1 is executed.

As a result, when the user specifies the television 72 with the cursor 74 in the state shown in FIG. 9, for example,
Information about the user of the user terminal 13 (occupation, age, address, telephone number, gender, etc.) is displayed on the service provider terminal 14.
Then, it is notified that the designated one is the television 72. Therefore, the service provider terminal 14 can know that the user is interested in the television 72.

Further, if the television 72 is popular, many users will specify the television 72, so that it is possible to know how popular each television is.

The image can be designated by the service provider. FIG. 20 shows the service provider terminal 1 in this case.
4 illustrates a processing example of No. 4. First, in step S101, the mouse 59b of the service provider terminal 14 is operated to specify a predetermined image. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 10, the television 72 or 73 can be designated.

Next, in step S102, it is determined whether the image designated by the service provider needs to be provided to the user. When it is necessary to provide the same image to the user, the process proceeds to step S103, the user's consent is obtained, and the user is designated. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 10, when the service provider wants to provide the provision information regarding the television 72 to the user corresponding to the character C, the service provider specifies the television 72 with the cursor 75 and also the character C, Agree to provide information about 72 to user terminal 13-1.

Next, in step S104, the CPU 51
Outputs the image specified in step S101 and the data specifying the user specified in step S103 to the server 11.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that it is not necessary to specify the user, that is, if the service provider himself only needs to view the provided information regarding the specified image, the process proceeds to step S106. The data specifying the image designated in S101 is sent to the server 1
Output to 1.

The data output in step S104 and step S106 is the same as step S111 in FIG.
In step S114 or step S115, the provided information corresponding to this data is received by the server 11 at.
Then, it is output from the server 11 to the service provider terminal 14 or to the service provider terminal 14 and the user terminal 13, respectively.

The service provider terminal 14 receives the provision information corresponding to the designated image output from the server 11 in step S105 as described above, and outputs it to the display device 55 for display.

As a result, the service provider terminal 14 confirms the provision information corresponding to each designated image as necessary, or provides the same provision information to the user while explaining the designated image. be able to.

FIG. 21 shows a processing example of the server 11 when a predetermined image is designated by the service provider terminal 14 according to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S111, the service provider terminal 14
However, step S104 or step S106 in FIG.
Get the data output in. As mentioned above,
This data includes data that specifies the specified image and, in some cases, data that specifies the user who provides the additional information.

In step S112, step S
The provision information corresponding to the designated image acquired in 111 is read from the storage device 12. Next, in step S113, it is determined whether the provision information read in step S112 needs to be provided to the user. This determination is made based on the data acquired in step S111. If the provision information should be output only to the service provider, the process proceeds to step S114, and the provision information is output only to the service provider terminal 14. On the other hand, when it is necessary to provide the provision information to the user, step S
Proceeding to 115, the provision information is output not only to the service provider but also to the user. The former is step S in FIG.
The process corresponds to step 106, and the latter is the process corresponding to step S104 in FIG.

FIG. 22 shows a processing example of the user terminal 13 when an image is designated by the service provider. First, in step S121, the provision information output from the server 11 is received and displayed on the display device 45. This information is sent to the server 1 in step S115 of FIG.
It was output from 1. This process is step S
At 122, the process is repeated until it is determined that the termination is instructed.

In the above embodiment, the case of selling a product is taken as an example, but the present invention can be applied to the case of providing various services. For example, when an advertisement image of a movie or game software is displayed in the virtual reality space, if the advertisement image is designated, the movie or game software can be provided.

[0139]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a part of the virtual reality space is assigned to the service provider terminal and the image of this space is designated by the user terminal, the information corresponding to the designated image. Since it is provided to the user terminal, it is possible to provide the user terminal with more detailed information regarding the product actually exhibited in the real space, via the virtual reality space at any time. As a result, it becomes possible to use the virtual reality space to carry out economic activities in the real space, and it is possible to generate added value in the virtual reality space.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a cyber space system to which a service providing method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server 11 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a user terminal 13 of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a service provider terminal 14 of FIG.

5 is a diagram illustrating a virtual reality space formed by the cyber space system of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a visual field from a character C in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a field of view from a character D in FIG.

8 is a diagram illustrating a part of the allocated space of the cyber space system in the embodiment of FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating a visual field from a character C in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a visual field from a character F in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the user terminal 13 of FIG. 1 receives an image provided from the server 11.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the server 11 corresponding to the process of the user terminal 13 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the service provider terminal 14 of FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process when a more image is provided.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the server 11 corresponding to the process of the service provider terminal 14 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating processing when the user terminal 13 of FIG. 1 specifies an image.

16 is a diagram showing a display example of a display device 45 of the user terminal 13 of FIG.

17 is a diagram showing a display example when the advertising tower 81 in FIG. 16 is designated.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the server 11 corresponding to the process of the user terminal of FIG.

19 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the service provider terminal 14 corresponding to the process of the user terminal of FIG.

20 is a flowchart illustrating an image designation process by the service provider terminal 14 of FIG.

21 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the server 11 corresponding to the process of the service provider terminal 14 of FIG.

22 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the user terminal 13 corresponding to the process of the service provider terminal 14 of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional cyber space system.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a display example of the user terminal 3-1 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display example of the user terminal 3-2 of FIG. 23.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 server 2 storage device 3,3-1,3-2,3-3 user terminal 4 public telephone line 11,11-1,11-2 server 12,12-1,12-2 storage device 13,13-1 , 13-2, 13-3 User terminal 14, 14-1, 14-2 Service provider terminal 15 Broadband communication network

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image of the virtual reality space corresponding to the input position when a part of the virtual reality space provided by the server is assigned to a service provider terminal and a position in the virtual reality space is input from the user terminal. Is provided from the server to the user terminal, and when the image of the space allocated to the service provider terminal in the virtual reality space is designated by the user terminal, the user terminal designates it to the server. A service providing method, characterized in that data corresponding to the specified image is output, and information in the physical space corresponding to the specified image is provided from the server to the user terminal. 2. When an image of a space assigned to the service provider terminal in the virtual reality space is designated by the user terminal, information relating to designation of the image by the user terminal is further stored in the space. The service providing method according to claim 1, wherein the service providing terminal is assigned to the service provider terminal. 3. The information related to designation of an image by the user terminal is at least one of information identifying an image designated by the user terminal and information of a user who uses the user terminal who designates an image. The service providing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The information related to the designation of an image by the user terminal is access information from the user terminal that designated the image to the service provider terminal to which the designated image space is allocated. The service providing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 5. The user terminal has a character that moves in the virtual reality space, the user terminal inputs a position and a viewpoint of the character in the virtual reality space, and the server uses the character of the character. The service providing method according to claim 1, wherein an image corresponding to a position and a viewpoint is provided to the user terminal. 6. The image provided to the user terminal includes:
The service providing method according to claim 5, wherein the character of the other user terminal is displayed, but the image of its own character is not displayed.