JP7622788B2 - VIRTUAL SPACE GENERATION DEVICE, VIRTUAL SPACE GENERATION PROGRAM, AND VIRTUAL SPACE GENERATION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a virtual space generating device, a virtual space generating program, and a virtual space generating method.

In recent years, various services that utilize virtual space have been proposed. One type of system for providing such services attempts to realize services in virtual space that are similar to services provided in real space. For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1, a virtual store clerk serves the avatar of a user who is trying to purchase a product in a store within the virtual space.

JP 2022-36690 A

In real space, people often visit facilities that provide services in groups of multiple people, such as friends or family. In virtual space, there is also an increasing demand from users to be able to participate in group activities. For this reason, there is a demand for a system that provides virtual space and has functions suitable for group activities.

Aspects of a virtual space generating device, a virtual space generating program, and a virtual space generating method for solving the above problems will be described below.
[Aspect 1] A virtual space generation device comprising: a virtual space generation unit that generates a virtual facility space, which is a virtual space including one or more facilities; an entrance/exit management unit that, upon receiving a request from a user terminal operated by a user who will be a user of the facility, allows the user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar; and a group management unit that, upon receiving a request from the user terminal, sets up groups including a plurality of the users, wherein the virtual space generation unit generates, for each group, the virtual facility space into which the users included in the group are allowed to enter.

According to the above configuration, a virtual facility space for entry is generated for each group, so compared to a case in which a group enters a single virtual space with an unspecified number of users, it is easier to grasp the positions of the avatars of the group members and to communicate via the avatars. This makes it easier for group activities in the virtual space to proceed smoothly.

[Aspect 2] The virtual space generating device according to aspect 1, in which the virtual facility space for each group is a first virtual space, and the virtual space generating unit generates, in addition to the first virtual space, a second virtual space that is a virtual facility space in which the users who can enter are not specified.

According to the above configuration, users who do not belong to a group can simply enter the second virtual space, which reduces the processing load on the virtual space generation device compared to when a virtual facility space is generated such that the entry destination for all users is specified.

[Aspect 3] The virtual space generating device according to [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], wherein the virtual space generating unit generates a waiting space, which is a virtual space in which the avatars of the users included in the group wait before entering the virtual facility space.

With the above configuration, the avatars of the group members gather in the waiting space before entering the virtual facility space, making it easy to confirm the group members and understand the group's composition.

[Aspect 4] The virtual facility space includes a plurality of the facilities, and the group management unit receives a request for forming the group from the user terminal while the avatar of the user is located in the waiting space, and the entrance/exit management unit allows the user included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar when the facility that the group is to enter is specified from the user terminal of the user included in the group while the avatar of the user is located in the waiting space. The virtual space generation device described in [Aspect 3].

According to the above configuration, after a group is formed in the waiting space, users enter the virtual facility space based on the facility designation. Therefore, the process from group formation to entering the facility can proceed smoothly.

[Aspect 5] The virtual space generating device according to any one of [Aspects 1] to 4], wherein the entrance/exit management unit, when receiving a request to enter the virtual facility space from the user terminal of one of the users included in the group, allows all users included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as avatars.

According to the above configuration, the members of a group enter the virtual facility space together based on the operation of one user, which reduces the complexity of the operation compared to when each member individually operates their terminal to enter, and also makes it easier to carry out group activities compared to when members enter separately.

[Aspect 6] A virtual space generating device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 5], wherein the group management unit sets one of the users included in the group as an administrator with different authority than the other users, and when an instruction is received from the user terminal of the administrator's user to leave the group, the group management unit sets another user included in the group as the new administrator.
According to the above configuration, when an administrator user leaves a group, the user can continue activities in the group without having to create a separate group, thereby improving user convenience.

[Aspect 7] A virtual space generating device as described in [Aspect 6], in which the authority held only by the administrator among the users included in the group includes at least one of inviting the users to the group, expelling the users from the group, and selecting the facility in which the group will be located in the virtual facility space.
According to the above configuration, by giving authority only to the administrator, it becomes easier to smoothly organize groups and allow groups to enter the virtual facility space.

[Aspect 8] A virtual space generating device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 7], wherein the user is a first user, the user terminal is a first user terminal, and a user who serves customers at the facility is a second user, and when the entrance/exit management unit receives a request from the second user terminal operated by the second user to enter a group space which is a virtual facility space for each group, the entrance/exit management unit requests approval of the second user's entry from the first user terminal of the first user included in the target group, and when approval of the second user's entry is received from the first user terminal, the virtual space generating device allows the second user to enter the group space as an avatar.
According to the above configuration, the first user can receive customer service or other assistance from the second user as necessary while maintaining the advantage of the group monopolizing the virtual facility space.

[Aspect 9] A virtual space generating device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 8], wherein the user is a first user, the user terminal is a first user terminal, and a user who serves customers at the facility is a second user, and the virtual space generating device further includes a communication unit that transmits data to a second user terminal operated by the second user to display the virtual facility spaces that can be selected as spaces for the second user to enter, including virtual facility spaces for each group.
According to the above configuration, the second user can select the virtual facility space to enter, making it possible to flexibly respond to the first user.

[Aspect 10] A virtual space generation program that causes one or more computers to execute the following: generate a virtual facility space that is a virtual space including one or more facilities; receive a request from a user terminal operated by a user who will be a user of the facility, and allow the user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar; and receive a request from the user terminal and set a group including a plurality of the users. The virtual facility space that allows the users included in the group to enter is generated for each group.

According to the above configuration, a virtual facility space for entry is generated for each group, so compared to a case in which a group enters a single virtual space with an unspecified number of users, it is easier to grasp the positions of the avatars of the group members and to communicate via the avatars. This makes it easier for group activities in the virtual space to proceed smoothly.

[Aspect 11] A method in which one or more computers generate a virtual facility space, which is a virtual space including one or more facilities, receive a request from a user terminal operated by a user who will be a user of the facility, allow the user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar, and set a group including a plurality of the users, in response to a request from the user terminal, in which the virtual facility space into which the users included in the group are allowed to enter is generated for each group.

According to the above configuration, a virtual facility space for entry is generated for each group, so compared to a case in which a group enters a single virtual space with an unspecified number of users, it is easier to grasp the positions of the avatars of the group members and to communicate via the avatars. This makes it easier for group activities in the virtual space to proceed smoothly.

The present invention makes it easier to smoothly carry out group activities in a virtual space.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a virtual space providing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a virtual space and a user in the virtual space providing system of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a virtual space generation server according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a visitor terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a staff terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lobby screen displayed on a visitor terminal according to an embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the processing steps of the virtual space providing system for organizing groups and creating private spaces in one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a lobby screen displayed on a visitor terminal according to an embodiment. 11 is a diagram showing a procedure of a process performed by the virtual space generating server when an administrator leaves a group in the virtual space providing system of an embodiment. 11 is a diagram showing the processing steps of the virtual space providing system regarding a visitor user's entry into a shop space in one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shop screen displayed on a visitor terminal according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an admission management screen displayed on a staff terminal according to an embodiment. 11 is a diagram showing the processing steps of the virtual space providing system for entry of a staff user into a private space in one embodiment.

An embodiment of a virtual space generating device, a virtual space generating program, and a virtual space generating method will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall configuration of the virtual space provision system]
The overall configuration of a virtual space providing system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the virtual space providing system 100 is used for customer service in a store that handles various products.

As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual space providing system 100 includes a virtual space generation server 10, which is an example of a virtual space generating device, a number of visitor terminals 20, and one or more staff terminals 30. The virtual space generation server 10, the visitor terminals 20, and the staff terminals 30 are each connected via a network NW such as the Internet.

The virtual space generation server 10 generates a virtual space including multiple stores. The visitor terminal 20 is a terminal operated by a visitor user Pg, who is a user who visits a store in the virtual space. The visitor user Pg is, in other words, a user of the above-mentioned customer service. The visitor user Pg uses an avatar to use the store in the virtual space by operating the visitor terminal 20. The visitor user Pg is an example of a first user, and the visitor terminal 20 is an example of a first user terminal.

The staff terminal 30 is a terminal operated by a staff user Ps who is a user who works as a clerk in a store in the virtual space. The staff user Ps is, in other words, a customer service representative at the store in the virtual space. The staff user Ps serves customers at the store in the virtual space using an avatar by operating the staff terminal 30. The staff user Ps is an example of a second user, and the staff terminal 30 is an example of a second user terminal.
An avatar is a character that acts as a representation of a user in a virtual space.

[Virtual space configuration]
The configuration of the virtual space provided by the virtual space providing system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The virtual space generated by the virtual space generation server 10 includes a shop space SV, which is an example of a virtual facility space, and a lobby space LV, which is an example of a waiting space. The shop space SV is a space in which stores are located. The lobby space LV is a space in which avatars of visitor users Pg who enter and leave the shop space SV wait, and is also a space for organizing user groups Gp, which are groups consisting of multiple visitor users Pg.

A user group Gp is formed when a visitor user Pg, who acts as an administrator, invites other visitor users Pg who will become members of the group. The administrator and general members who are members of the user group Gp other than the administrator, have different authority regarding management of the user group Gp and entry and exit to the shop space SV.

The shop spaces SV generated by the virtual space generation server 10 are of two types: a private space SV1 in which the visitor users Pg who can enter are specified, and a public space SV2 in which the visitor users Pg who can enter are not specified. The private space SV1 is an example of a first virtual space, and the public space SV2 is an example of a second virtual space.

A private space SV1 is generated for each user group Gp, and only visitor users Pg of one user group Gp can enter one private space SV1. Any visitor user Pg can enter the public space SV2. Staff users Ps can enter the store they are responsible for in the private space SV1, and the store they are responsible for in the public space SV2.

In addition, for both the private space SV1 and the public space SV2, the number of users who can enter may be limited depending on the size of the virtual space and the processing load of the virtual space generation server 10. Furthermore, the types of stores located in the private space SV1 and the public space SV2, and the store configurations such as the interior and displayed products of each store are basically the same. However, there may be stores located only in either the private space SV1 or the public space SV2, or there may be stores with different store configurations in the private space SV1 and the public space SV2.

[Device configuration of virtual space provision system]
The configuration of each device constituting the virtual space providing system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The functional configuration of the virtual space generation server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The virtual space generation server 10 includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13.
The communication unit 11 performs communication processing between the virtual space generation server 10 and each of the visitor terminals 20 and staff terminals 30, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data.

The control unit 12 functions as a virtual space generation unit 12a, a group management unit 12b, and an entrance/exit management unit 12c by executing a virtual space generation program stored in the memory unit 13.

The virtual space generation unit 12a generates the shop space SV and the lobby space LV. The virtual space generation unit 12a also manages the movement of the avatars of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps in the shop space SV and the lobby space LV.

The group management unit 12b sets up user groups Gp and manages their organization. Specifically, the group management unit 12b creates user groups Gp, adds and removes members from user groups Gp, and disbands user groups Gp. The group management unit 12b also manages the transfer of administrator authority in user groups Gp.

The entry/exit management unit 12c manages the entry and exit of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps into the shop space SV. Visitor users Pg and staff users Ps enter the shop space SV as avatars.

Specifically, the entrance/exit management unit 12c allows visitor users Pg who belong to a user group Gp to enter a private space SV1 created for that user group Gp, and does not allow visitor users Pg other than those in the user group Gp to enter this private space SV1. In addition, the entrance/exit management unit 12c allows visitor users Pg who do not belong to a user group Gp to enter the public space SV2.

When a staff user Ps requests entry into the private space SV1, the entrance/exit management unit 12c requests approval for the entry of the staff user Ps from the visitor user Pg who is the administrator of the user group Gp corresponding to the private space SV1. If approval is obtained, the entrance/exit management unit 12c allows the staff user Ps to enter the private space SV1.

The virtual space generation unit 12a, group management unit 12b, and entrance/exit management unit 12c work together to generate data for displaying various screens for using the virtual space provision system 100 on the visitor terminal 20 and staff terminal 30, and this data is transmitted to each terminal 20, 30 by the communication unit 11. The screens displayed on the visitor terminal 20 include a lobby screen and a shop screen, and the screens displayed on the staff terminal 30 include an entrance management screen and a shop screen.

Note that some of the data for displaying these screens may be stored in each terminal 20, 30, and the data transmitted from the virtual space generation server 10 may include information that defines at least some of the display content of the above screens, such as avatar position information.

The memory unit 13 stores various programs and data necessary for the control unit 12 to execute processing. The memory unit 13 stores a virtual space generation program as an example of such a program. The memory unit 13 also stores virtual space data 13a, user management data 13b, and entrance/exit management data 13c as examples of such data.

The virtual space data 13a includes data necessary for generating the shop space SV and the lobby space LV, such as information on a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system set for the space, and positional information and drawing information for objects placed in the space. The virtual space data 13a also includes information for drawing the avatars of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps.

User management data 13b includes information about visitor users Pg and staff users Ps. For example, user management data 13b includes, for visitor users Pg, the user name, a record of affiliation to user group Gp, and the user type, such as administrator or general member. Also, for staff users Ps, user management data 13b includes the user name, the store to which the user belongs, and so on. Information about these users may be managed in association with the user's identification information.

The entry/exit management data 13c includes records of visitor users Pg and staff users Ps entering and exiting the shop space SV. The records of entry and exit into the shop space SV also include records of user groups Gp entering and exiting the private space SV1.

The physical configuration, i.e., the hardware configuration, of the virtual space generation server 10 having the above functions will be described. The virtual space generation server 10 comprises electronic circuits, which are arithmetic devices such as a CPU, MPU, and GPU, memories such as ROM, RAM, registered memory, and unbuffered memory, and storage such as an SSD or HDD. The arithmetic devices load the operating system and various programs from the storage into the memory, and execute commands retrieved from the memory. The virtual space generation server 10 may also comprise integrated circuits such as an ASIC and an FPGA.

The virtual space generation server 10 also has a communication interface for sending and receiving data to and from connected devices via a network. The communication interface is implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of these.

Each process executed by the virtual space generation server 10 may be executed by software provided in the virtual space generation server 10, or may be realized by a combination of an integrated circuit provided in the virtual space generation server 10 and software.

The functional configuration of the visitor terminal 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The visitor terminal 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, and an output unit 25.
The communication unit 21 performs communication processing between the visitor terminal 20 and the virtual space generation server 10, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data. The input unit 24 accepts operation and voice input to the visitor terminal 20 and sends data and signals corresponding to the input to the control unit 22. The output unit 25 receives data and signals from the control unit 22 and outputs images and sounds.

The memory unit 23 stores various programs and data necessary for the control unit 22 to execute processing. The memory unit 23 stores a visitor management program as an example of such a program.

The control unit 22 functions as a visitor screen management unit 22a by executing a visitor management program stored in the memory unit 23. The visitor screen management unit 22a displays a lobby screen and a shop screen on a display unit included in the output unit 25. The visitor screen management unit 22a also transmits information corresponding to user operations on the displayed screen to the virtual space generation server 10 via the communication unit 21.

The functions of the visitor terminal 20 in the virtual space provision system 100 are embodied by application software for using the virtual space provision system 100. The visitor management program is included in the application software.

5, a functional configuration of the staff terminal 30 will be described. The staff terminal 30 includes a communication unit 31, a control unit 32, a storage unit 33, an input unit 34, and an output unit 35.
The communication unit 31 performs communication processing between the staff terminal 30 and the virtual space generation server 10, such as connecting to a network and sending and receiving data. The input unit 34 accepts operation and voice input to the staff terminal 30 and sends data and signals corresponding to the input to the control unit 32. The output unit 35 receives data and signals from the control unit 32 and outputs images and sounds.

The memory unit 33 stores various programs and data necessary for the control unit 32 to execute processing. The memory unit 33 stores a staff management program as an example of such a program.

The control unit 32 functions as a staff screen management unit 32a by executing a staff management program stored in the memory unit 33. The staff screen management unit 32a displays an admission management screen and a shop screen on a display unit included in the output unit 35. The staff screen management unit 32a also transmits information corresponding to user operations on the displayed screen to the virtual space generation server 10 via the communication unit 31.

The functions of the staff terminal 30 in the virtual space provision system 100 are embodied by application software for using the virtual space provision system 100. The above-mentioned staff management program is included in the application software.

The following describes the physical configuration, i.e., hardware configuration, of the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30. Each of the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30 is a smartphone, tablet device, personal computer, wearable computer, or an information processing device other than these devices that can display images.

The visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30 are each configured such that a computing device, which is a circuit such as a CPU, loads an operating system and various programs from storage into memory and executes commands retrieved from the memory, and communicates with the virtual space generation server 10 via a communication interface. In addition, the visitor terminal 20 and the staff terminal 30 each have input devices such as a touch panel, operation buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a controller, and output devices including a display and a speaker.

[Create group]
The operation of the virtual space providing system 100 for creating a user group Gp and the accompanying creation of a private space SV1 will be described.

Figure 6 shows an example of a lobby screen IL displayed on the visitor terminal 20. The lobby screen IL is a screen that displays the lobby space LV in which the avatar Ag of the visitor user Pg is placed. Note that there are no particular limitations on the structure or interior of the lobby space LV.

For example, by starting up application software for using the virtual space provision system 100 on the visitor terminal 20 and going through a login process, the virtual space generation server 10 generates a lobby space LV in which the avatar Ag of the visitor user Pg is placed. This process is the process performed by the virtual space generation unit 12a. Then, data indicating the display contents of the lobby screen IL is sent from the virtual space generation server 10 to the visitor terminal 20. As a result, the lobby screen IL is displayed on the visitor terminal 20.

The lobby screen IL includes a group creation area R1, which is an area for instructing the creation of a user group Gp. The group creation area R1 may be shown, for example, as an area for selecting group activities between solo activities and group activities. Any visitor user Pg can create a user group Gp, and the visitor user Pg who creates the user group Gp becomes the administrator.

When the group creation area R1 is selected, the lobby screen IL includes an invitation area R2, which is an area for instructing the user to invite members to the user group Gp. By selecting the invitation area R2, users to be invited to the user group Gp are displayed and available for selection. For example, users who have previously participated in groups created by a visitor user Pg who is the operator of the visitor terminal 20, and users who have been registered as friends by the visitor user Pg are displayed. Note that the invitation area R2 is only displayed or selectable on the lobby screen IL of the administrator's visitor user Pg.

The process flow of the virtual space providing system 100 for organizing the user group Gp and creating the private space SV1 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in Figure 7, when the group creation area R1 is selected on the lobby screen IL, information indicating this operation, in other words, information instructing the creation of a user group Gp, is sent from the visitor terminal 20 to the virtual space generation server 10 (step S10).

When an instruction to create a user group Gp is received, the virtual space generation server 10 records the user group Gp in the user management data 13b with the visitor user Pg who instructed the creation of the user group Gp as the administrator (step S11). As a result, the user group Gp is created and the visitor user Pg is set as the administrator.

When the user group Gp is created, the virtual space generation server 10 generates a private space SV1, which is a shop space SV to which the user group Gp is admitted (step S12). That is, the virtual space generation server 10 adds a new shop space SV that is in operation, in other words, a shop space SV in which the entrance and exit of users is managed, and sets the visitor user Pg who will enter this shop space SV to only the created user group Gp.

Next, when a user to be invited to the user group Gp is selected based on the selection of the invitation area R2 on the lobby screen IL of the visitor terminal 20A, which is the visitor terminal 20 of the administrator visitor user Pg, information indicating this operation, in other words, information indicating the invitation target, is transmitted from the visitor terminal 20A to the virtual space generation server 10 (step S13).

When the virtual space generation server 10 receives the information indicating the invitee, it sends an invitation notification to the visitor terminal 20B, which is the visitor terminal 20 of the visitor user Pg corresponding to the invitee (step S14).

When the visitor terminal 20B that received the invitation notification approves participation in the user group Gp based on the operation of the visitor user Pg, information indicating this operation, in other words, information indicating approval of participation, is sent from the visitor terminal 20B to the virtual space generation server 10 (step S15).

When the virtual space generation server 10 receives the information indicating approval of participation, it records the visitor user Pg whose participation has been approved in the user management data 13b as a general member of the target user group Gp (step S16). This adds the visitor user Pg as a general member to the user group Gp.

When a general member is added to the user group Gp, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits data indicating the display contents of the lobby screen IL to each of the visitor terminals 20A of the administrator and the visitor terminals 20B of the general members (step S17).

As a result, the lobby screen IL is updated on the administrator's visitor terminal 20A (step S18), and the lobby screen IL is displayed on the general member's visitor terminal 20B (step S19).

By repeating the processes of steps S13 to S19, general members are added in sequence to the user group Gp. In the above, the processes of steps S11, S14, and S16 are processes performed by the group management unit 12b, and the process of step S12 is processes performed by the virtual space generation unit 12a.

The above process flow for adding a general member is a process flow when the invitation and participation of a general member is approved using the virtual space providing system 100. A general member may be invited, for example, by the administrator visitor user Pg informing the invited user of an invitation URL by email or the like. The invitation URL is issued by the virtual space generating server 10 when the user group Gp is created. The visitor terminal 20 is approved to participate in the user group Gp when it accesses the invitation URL, and the same process as that from step S16 onwards is carried out. During this process, the visitor terminal 20 may be prompted to obtain an account or log in to use the virtual space providing system 100. This makes it easy to invite users who do not have an account to join the user group Gp.

Figure 8 shows an example of the lobby screen IL that is displayed after adding a general member. The lobby screen IL displays a lobby space LV in which the avatars Ag of the visitor users Pg who make up the user group Gp are arranged. For example, the avatar Ag of the visitor user Pg who is the operator of the visitor terminal 20 is displayed in the center together with his/her user name, and the avatars Ag of the other members are displayed around this avatar Ag. Figure 8 shows an example where the user group Gp has three members.

The lobby screen IL may also include an area showing the members of the user group Gp in a form different from the avatar Ag, such as the initials of the user name. Also, on the lobby screen IL or a screen called up from the lobby screen IL, a list of the members of the user group Gp may be viewable by user name or the like.
Furthermore, members of the user group Gp may chat with each other using text or voice, and the lobby screen IL may include an area for conducting such chats.

[Group management authority]
The difference in authority between an administrator and a general member with regard to group management will be described below. Of the group organization operations, such as inviting members to a user group Gp, expelling members from a user group Gp, and withdrawing from a user group Gp, an administrator has all the authority, while a general member has the authority only to withdraw from a user group Gp. Note that expelling a member from a user group Gp means deleting members other than oneself from the user group Gp, and withdrawing from a user group Gp means oneself leaving the user group Gp.

For example, the lobby screen IL of an administrator visitor user Pg displays an area for instructing each of the above group organization operations. On the other hand, the lobby screen IL of a general member visitor user Pg displays an area for instructing withdrawal from a user group Gp, but does not display an area for instructing member invitation or expulsion.

In this way, the virtual space generation server 10 differentiates the authority of the administrator and the general member by differentiating the display contents of the lobby screen IL between the administrator and the general member. Whether a visitor user Pg is an administrator or a general member is managed by the user management data 13b.

When the virtual space generation server 10 receives an instruction from a visitor terminal 20 to perform a group organization operation, it updates the user management data 13b to change the members of the user group Gp in accordance with the instruction, and also transmits data indicating the display content of the lobby screen IL according to the changes to each visitor terminal 20.

The display contents of the lobby screen IL are the same for administrators and general members, and the virtual space generation server 10 may refer to the user management data 13b to identify whether the visitor user Pg is an administrator or a general member, and then determine whether or not to accept an instruction to operate group organization through the lobby screen IL.

FIG. 9 shows the process of the virtual space generating server 10 when an instruction to withdraw from the user group Gp is received from the visitor terminal 20 of the visitor user Pg who is the administrator.
First, the virtual space generation server 10 judges whether other members belong to the user group Gp of the visitor user Pg who has instructed to withdraw (step S20). If other members belong (positive judgment in step S20), the virtual space generation server 10 updates the user management data 13b so as to set the other members as new administrators and delete the visitor user Pg who was the administrator from the user group Gp (step S21). In other words, the virtual space generation server 10 transfers the administrator authority to the other members.

The member to be newly set as the administrator may be, for example, the member who joined the user group Gp first based on the order in which they joined, or may be designated by the previous administrator.

As the administrator and members change, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits data indicating the new display content of the lobby screen IL to each visitor terminal 20 (step S22). This updates the lobby screen IL on each visitor terminal 20.

If there are no other members in the user group Gp (negative judgment in step S20), the virtual space generation server 10 disbands the user group Gp (step S23). That is, the virtual space generation server 10 cancels the administrator setting in the user management data 13b and deletes the user group Gp.

Then, the virtual space generation server 10 deletes the private space SV1 that was set as the entry point for the user group Gp (step S24). In other words, the virtual space generation server 10 deletes the private space SV1 from the shop space SV where the entry and exit of users is managed.

With the dissolution of the user group Gp, the virtual space generating server 10 transmits data indicating new display contents of the lobby screen IL to the visitor terminal 20 (step S25). As a result, the lobby screen IL is updated on the visitor terminal 20 of the visitor user Pg who was the administrator.
When a user leaves a user group Gp, or when the user group Gp is dissolved, a screen in which the activity alone is selected is displayed as the lobby screen IL.

As described above, when an administrator leaves a user group Gp, leaving only the general members, the administrator's authority is transferred to the other members, so the other members can continue their activities in the group without having to create a separate user group Gp. This improves user convenience.

[Group entry and exit to private space]
The operation of the virtual space providing system 100 for entering and exiting the private space SV1 of the user group Gp will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the manager visitor user Pg selects a store to enter on the visitor terminal 20A, information indicating this operation, in other words, information indicating the designation of the store and the request to enter the store, is sent from the visitor terminal 20A to the virtual space generation server 10 (step S30). For example, a list of stores in the private space SV1 is displayed on the lobby screen IL or a screen called up from the lobby screen IL, and the manager visitor user Pg selects the store to enter from this list of stores. The lobby space LV may be a space in which store objects corresponding to multiple stores located in the shop space SV are arranged, in other words, a plaza where store objects that simply indicate each store in the shop space SV are gathered. The store to enter may then be specified based on the manager visitor user Pg selecting the store to enter from among these store objects via the lobby screen IL.

When a request to enter a store is received, the virtual space generation server 10 performs an entry process for the private space SV1 that is set as the entry destination for the user group Gp (step S31). Specifically, the virtual space generation server 10 sets the position of each member's avatar Ag in the private space SV1 so that all members of the user group Gp can enter the private space SV1, and updates the entry/exit management data 13c. The position of the avatar Ag is, for example, near the entrance of the store selected by the visitor terminal 20A. The entry/exit management data 13c may also record the store that the user group Gp entered. As a result, the visitor user Pg enters the private space SV1 as the avatar Ag. The process of step S31 is a process performed by the entry/exit management unit 12c.

Then, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits data indicating the display contents of the shop screen, which is a screen displaying the private space SV1, to each of the visitor terminal 20A of the manager and the visitor terminal 20B of the general member (step S32). As a result, the shop screen is displayed on the visitor terminal 20A of the manager (step S33), and the shop screen is also displayed on the visitor terminal 20B of the general member (step S34).

Figure 11 shows an example of a shop screen IS displayed on the visitor terminal 20. The shop screen IS displays the store selected by the administrator as the store to enter, and the avatar Ag of the visitor user Pg who is the operator of the visitor terminal 20. For example, the shop screen IS is first displayed with the avatar Ag positioned near the entrance of the selected store, and by moving the avatar Ag through operations on the visitor terminal 20, the avatar Ag moves within the store, and the range of the store contained in the shop screen IS also moves accordingly. This allows the visitor user Pg to be active in the private space SV1, such as looking at exhibits such as products placed within the store.

The avatars Ag of all members of the user group Gp are placed in the same private space SV1. If the avatars Ag of other members are located within the area included in the shop screen IS, the avatars Ag of these other members are also displayed. On the shop screen IS or a screen called up from the shop screen IS, a list of users who are in stores in the private space SV1 may be viewable by user name, etc. The shop screen IS may also include an area for members of the user group Gp to chat by text or voice.

In this way, a private space SV1 is created for each user group Gp, and visitor users Pg other than the user group Gp do not enter the private space SV1, making it easy to grasp the positions of the avatars Ag of the group members and to communicate via the avatars Ag. In addition, the number of avatars Ag in the store is prevented from increasing, making it easy to look around the store and receive customer service. In this way, the virtual space providing system 100 provides a virtual space suitable for group activities.

When leaving the private space SV1, the same process as when entering is carried out. Specifically, the shop screen IS or a screen called up from the shop screen IS includes an area for instructing the visitor to leave the store, and when the manager selects this area, information indicating a request to leave is sent from the visitor terminal 20A to the virtual space generation server 10.

When a request to leave is received, the virtual space generation server 10 updates the position of the avatar Ag and the entrance/exit management data 13c so that all members of the user group Gp leave the private space SV1. This processing is performed by the entrance/exit management unit 12c.

Then, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits data indicating the display contents of the lobby screen IL to the visitor terminal 20 of each member. As a result, all visitor users Pg of the user group Gp leave the private space SV1, and the lobby screen IL is displayed on the visitor terminal 20 of each member.

When the administrator selects a store again on the lobby screen IL, all members of the user group Gp enter the private space SV1 again. In this way, the group can visit various stores in the private space SV1.

In this way, in the virtual space providing system 100, all members of the user group Gp enter and exit the private space SV1 based on instructions from the administrator on the visitor terminal 20. In other words, only the administrator has the authority to decide whether to enter or leave the store, and general members do not have that authority. Because entry and exit is performed by the entire user group Gp, operations are less complicated compared to when each member performs the operation to enter and exit. And because only the administrator has the authority to decide whether to enter or leave the store, activities for the entire group can proceed smoothly.

For example, an area for instructing entering and leaving the store is displayed on the lobby screen IL and shop screen IS of the administrator visitor user Pg. On the other hand, an area for instructing entering and leaving the store is not displayed on the lobby screen IL and shop screen IS of general members. In this way, the virtual space generation server 10 differentiates the authority of the administrator and that of the general members by differentiating the display content of the lobby screen IL and shop screen IS between the administrator and the general members.

Alternatively, the display contents of the lobby screen IL and the shop screen IS may be the same for administrators and general members, and the virtual space generation server 10 may refer to the user management data 13b to identify whether the visitor user Pg is an administrator or a general member, and then determine whether to accept instructions to enter or leave the store through each screen.

In addition, general members also have the authority to leave the store, and when a general member issues an instruction to leave on the visitor terminal 20, the virtual space generation server 10 may cause only the visitor user Pg, who is the general member who issued the instruction, to leave the private space SV1. With this configuration, members can leave the store separately according to their own convenience, which increases the freedom of group activities.

In addition, if the notification of the invitation to the user group Gp is not immediately confirmed by the invited user, participation in the user group Gp may be approved after the user group Gp enters the private space SV1.

In this case, when the virtual space generation server 10 receives information indicating approval of participation from the visitor terminal 20, it records the visitor user Pg whose participation has been approved as a general member of the target user group Gp in the user management data 13b, and allows the visitor user Pg to enter the private space SV1 in which the target user group Gp is present. The virtual space generation server 10 then transmits data indicating the display contents of the shop screen IS to the visitor terminal 20 of the added member.

In this way, a visitor user Pg who is added to a user group Gp after the group Gp enters the private space SV1 will be reunited with the other members at the store in the private space SV1. This allows group activities to proceed smoothly.

[Staff entry and exit to private spaces]
The operation of the virtual space providing system 100 will be described with respect to the entry and exit of the staff user Ps into the private space SV1.

Figure 12 shows an example of an entrance management screen IA displayed on the staff terminal 30. The entrance management screen IA includes a list of shop spaces SV that are in operation, in other words, shop spaces SV that staff user Ps can enter. In the example shown in Figure 12, one public space SV2 and two private spaces SV1 are included in the list.

In the list of shop spaces SV, it is preferable that the number of visitor users Pg and other staff users Ps who are in the store that the staff user Ps is responsible for, and the names of the other staff users Ps are displayed. By displaying these, the staff user Ps can easily determine which shop space SV to enter. Furthermore, if there is a limit on the number of users who can enter the shop space SV, it is preferable that the upper limit on the number of people who can enter is also displayed.

The entrance management screen IA may also be able to display the history of shop spaces SV that staff users Ps have recently entered. Such a display is also useful when staff users Ps are searching for the shop space SV they wish to enter.

The entrance management screen IA is displayed on the staff terminal 30 based on the virtual space generation server 10 sending data indicating the display contents of the entrance management screen IA to the staff terminal 30 in response to a request from the staff terminal 30. The virtual space generation server 10 obtains information to be displayed as the entrance management screen IA by referring to the entrance/exit management data 13c and the user management data 13b, and generates the above data.

The flow of processing performed by the virtual space providing system 100 when a staff user Ps enters the private space SV1 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in Figure 13, when the private space SV1 to be entered is selected on the entrance management screen IA of the staff terminal 30, information indicating this operation, in other words, information indicating a request for entry into the private space SV1, is sent from the staff terminal 30 to the virtual space generation server 10 (step S40).

When a request for entry into the private space SV1 is received, the virtual space generation server 10 sends a request for approval of the staff user Ps's entry into the private space SV1 to the visitor terminal 20A of the administrator of the user group Gp whose entry destination is the specified private space SV1 (step S41).

When the visitor terminal 20A that received the request for approval of entry approves the entry of the staff user Ps into the private space SV1 based on the operation of the administrator visitor user Pg, information indicating this operation, in other words, information indicating approval of entry, is transmitted from the visitor terminal 20A to the virtual space generation server 10 (step S42).

When the virtual space generation server 10 receives information indicating approval of entry, it performs entry processing for the staff user Ps whose entry has been approved, targeting the designated private space SV1 (step S43). Specifically, the virtual space generation server 10 sets the position of the avatar Ag of the staff user Ps in the private space SV1 so that the staff user Ps enters the private space SV1, and updates the entry/exit management data 13c. The store that the staff user Ps enters is predefined as the store that the staff user Ps is responsible for. As a result, the staff user Ps enters the private space SV1 as the avatar Ag. The processing of steps S41 and S43 is processing by the entry/exit management unit 12c.

Then, the virtual space generation server 10 transmits data indicating the display contents of the shop screen IS to each of the visitor terminals 20 of all visitor users Pg who have entered the private space SV1 and to the staff terminal 30 of the staff user Ps who has been admitted (step S44). As a result, the shop screen IS is updated on each visitor terminal 20 (step S45), and the shop screen IS is displayed on the staff terminal 30 (step S46).

That is, on each shop screen IS, the avatar of the staff user Ps is displayed, and a notification is given that the staff user Ps has entered the store. Thereafter, using chat or the like as necessary, the staff user Ps provides customer service, such as explaining products, to the visitor user Pg through the avatar.

In this way, staff user Ps enters private space SV1 only after obtaining approval from visitor user Pg, who is the administrator. This maintains the characteristic of private space SV1 that no users other than user group Gp can enter, and allows visitor user Pg to be served by staff user Ps as necessary.

If approval is not obtained from the administrator's visitor user Pg, i.e., if the administrator's visitor user Pg denies entry to the staff user Ps, the virtual space generation server 10 does not allow the staff user Ps to enter the private space SV1, and sends a notification to the staff terminal 30 that entry has been denied.

When an instruction to leave is given on the visitor terminal 20 of the administrator, the virtual space generation server 10 causes the staff user Ps to leave the private space SV1 in addition to all members of the user group Gp. Furthermore, the staff user Ps only needs to have the authority to leave the store on his/her own, and when the staff user Ps gives an instruction to leave on the staff terminal 30, the virtual space generation server 10 causes only the staff user Ps to leave the private space SV1. Furthermore, the visitor user Pg may be able to request the staff user Ps to enter the store through an operation on the visitor terminal 20.

In addition, if the staff user Ps selects the public space SV2 as the entry destination, the virtual space generation server 10 allows the staff user Ps to enter the public space SV2 without requesting approval from the visitor user Pg. In addition, if a request to enter a store is received from a visitor user Pg who does not belong to the user group Gp, the virtual space generation server 10 allows the visitor user Pg to enter the public space SV2.

In each of the private space SV1 and the public space SV2, the visitor user Pg can select the store to enter, in other words, can enter each of multiple stores, whereas the staff user Ps can only enter the store for which he or she is responsible, which has been predefined.

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since a private space SV1, which is the shop space SV to be entered, is generated for each user group Gp, it is easier to grasp the positions of the avatars Ag of the members of the user group Gp and to communicate with them via the avatars Ag, compared to when a group of an unspecified number of visitor users Pg enter a single shop space SV. This makes it easier to smoothly carry out group activities in the virtual space.

(2) A public space SV2 is generated in which the visitor users Pg who can enter are not specified. This allows visitor users Pg who do not belong to a group to enter the public space SV2, reducing the processing load on the virtual space generation server 10 compared to when a virtual space is generated in which the entry destination for all visitor users Pg is specified.

(3) A lobby space LV is generated in which avatars Ag of members of the user group Gp wait before entering the private space SV1. With this configuration, the avatars Ag of members of the user group Gp gather in the lobby space LV before entering the private space SV1, making it easy to confirm the members of the user group Gp and to grasp the group's composition status.

(4) When the virtual space generation server 10 receives a request to organize a user group Gp while the avatar Ag of the visitor user Pg is located in the lobby space LV, and receives a designation of a store in which the user group Gp will enter, the virtual space generation server 10 allows the visitor user Pg included in the user group Gp to enter the private space SV1 as the avatar Ag. This configuration allows the process from group formation to entering the store to proceed smoothly.

(5) When the virtual space generation server 10 receives a request from the administrator's visitor terminal 20 to enter the private space SV1, it allows all visitor users Pg included in the user group Gp to enter the private space SV1 as avatars Ag. With this configuration, the members of the user group Gp enter the private space SV1 collectively based on the operation of one visitor user Pg, which reduces the complexity of the operation compared to when each member individually performs operations to enter on the visitor terminal 20. In addition, it is easier to carry out group activities compared to when members enter separately.

(6) When the virtual space generation server 10 receives an instruction from the visitor terminal 20 of the administrator for the visitor user Pg, who is also the administrator, to leave the user group Gp, the virtual space generation server 10 sets another user in the user group Gp as the new administrator. With this configuration, when the administrator leaves the user group Gp, the group activities can be continued without having to create a separate group, thereby improving user convenience.

(7) The authority that only the administrator has in the user group Gp includes at least one of inviting visitor users Pg to the user group Gp, expelling visitor users Pg from the user group Gp, and selecting the store in which the user group Gp will be located in the private SV1 space. With this configuration, granting authority only to the administrator makes it easier to smoothly organize the user group Gp and allow the group to enter the private space SV1.

(8) When the virtual space generation server 10 receives a request from the staff terminal 30 to enter the private space SV1, it requests approval of the entry of the staff user Ps from the visitor terminal 20 of the target user group Gp, and when the entry is approved, it allows the staff user Ps to enter the private space SV1 as an avatar Ag. With this configuration, the visitor user Pg can receive service from the staff user Ps as necessary while maintaining the advantage of the user group Gp's monopoly on the virtual space.

(9) A list of shop spaces SV that can be selected as spaces for the staff user Ps to enter is displayed on the staff terminal 30. With this configuration, the staff user Ps can select the shop space SV to enter, making it possible to flexibly serve visitor users Pg who are distributed across multiple shop spaces SV.

[Modification]
The above embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows.
- As long as a virtual space to be entered is generated for each user group Gp, other configurations such as the configuration of the virtual space, the authority of the user, and the procedure for entering and exiting the user may be different from those in the above embodiment. For example, the lobby space LV may not be generated, and the visitor user Pg of the administrator may enter the private space SV1 when the group is created, and the group may be organized in the state of being entered in the private space SV1. Also, the public space SV2 may not be generated, and a private space SV1 may be generated for each visitor user Pg who does not belong to a group and set as the entry destination. Also, in addition to the lobby space LV, a group may be organized in the private space SV1, and when the visitor user Pg of the administrator leaves the group, the group may be disbanded. Also, the authority of the administrator may be different from that in the above embodiment, and each member of the group may enter the private space SV1 separately by performing an entry and exit operation. Also, after the visitor user Pg enters the private space SV1, a store to enter may be selected. In addition, approval of visitor user Pg may not be required when staff user Ps enters private space SV1.

- From the perspective of solving the problem of facilitating smooth group activities in a virtual space, it is not essential that a virtual space for entry is generated for each user group Gp. For example, a user group Gp is organized in a lobby space LV and enters a shop space SV by specifying a store, all members of the user group Gp enter and leave a store based on entry and exit instructions from the administrator's visitor user Pg, and the administrator's authority is transferred when the administrator's visitor user Pg leaves the user group Gp - each of these can solve the above problem independently.

In addition, the mode in which the staff user Ps selects the shop space SV to enter from among multiple shop spaces SV prevents congestion by dividing the visitor users Pg into multiple shop spaces SV, and enables the staff user Ps to flexibly respond to the visitor users Pg, for example by selecting a shop space SV with a large number of visitor users Pg and serving them there. In this way, from the perspective of solving the problem of enabling attendants to flexibly respond to users of the facility that the virtual space includes, the formation of user groups Gp and the generation of virtual spaces for each user group Gp are not essential. For example, all of the multiple shop spaces SV may be public spaces SV2.

- The use of the virtual space providing system 100 is not limited to customer service in stores that handle merchandise. For example, when the virtual space providing system 100 is used for customer service, the facilities included in the virtual facility space generated by the virtual space generation server 10 are not limited to stores, but may also be event venues such as exhibitions, or model rooms. Customer service includes, for example, the sale and explanation of merchandise, explanations of exhibits and facilities, tourist information, etc. Furthermore, merchandise is not limited to physical objects, but also includes financial products, etc.

The virtual space providing system 100 may be used for purposes other than customer service, such as medical services such as counseling, educational services, administrative services, and the like. In short, a first user who visits the virtual facility space and uses the facility, and a second user who serves the first user at the facility, may enter the virtual facility space as avatars. For example, the second user may be a lecturer and the first user may be a student. Furthermore, as long as at least the first user enters the virtual facility space as an avatar and uses the facility, the second user may not need to enter the virtual facility space. The facilities included in the virtual facility space may be structures or buildings established for a specific purpose, such as commercial facilities, financial facilities, public facilities, medical facilities, welfare facilities, tourist facilities, factories, and the like. The virtual facility space may also include only one facility.

- The virtual space providing system 100 may perform multilingual translation or simultaneous interpretation of text and audio input and output to the visitor terminal 20 and staff terminal 30. With such a configuration, global support is possible for visitor users Pg, staff users Ps, products handled, etc.

- The functions of the virtual space generation server 10 may be realized by multiple information processing devices. One information processing device is a single computer device. In other words, the virtual space generation device may be composed of one or multiple information processing devices.

LV: lobby space SV: shop space SV1: private space SV2: public space Pg: visitor user Ps: staff user 10: virtual space generation server 20: visitor terminal 30: staff terminal 100: virtual space provision system

Claims (11)

a virtual space generation unit that generates a virtual facility space, which is a virtual space including one or more facilities;
an entrance/exit management unit that, upon receiving a request from a first user terminal operated by a first user who will be a user of the facility, allows the first user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar;
a group management unit that receives a request from the first user terminal and sets a group including a plurality of the first users;
the virtual space generation unit generates, for each group, the virtual facility space into which the first users included in the group are allowed to enter;
The entrance/exit management unit is
when a request for entry into the virtual facility space is received from the first user terminal of one first user included in the group, allowing all first users included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as avatars in a state in which no request for entry into the virtual facility space has been received from the first user terminal of any other first user included in the group ;
when receiving a request for entry into a group space, which is a virtual facility space for each group, from a second user terminal operated by a second user who serves users at the facility, requesting approval for the entry of the second user from the first user terminal of the first user included in the target group;
When the admission of the second user is approved by the first user terminal, the second user is allowed to enter the group space as an avatar.
Virtual space generating device. a virtual space generation unit that generates a virtual facility space, which is a virtual space including one or more facilities;
an entrance/exit management unit that, upon receiving a request from a first user terminal operated by a first user who will be a user of the facility, allows the first user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar;
a group management unit that receives a request from the first user terminal and sets a group including a plurality of the first users ,
the virtual space generation unit generates, for each group, the virtual facility space into which the first users included in the group are allowed to enter;
when the entrance/exit management unit receives a request for entry into the virtual facility space from the first user terminal of one first user included in the group, in a state in which no request for entry into the virtual facility space has been received from the first user terminal of any other first user included in the group, the entrance/exit management unit allows all first users included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as avatars ;
The virtual space generating device further comprises:
and a communication unit that transmits data to a second user terminal operated by a second user who serves users at the facility, for displaying the virtual facility space selectable as a space to be entered by the second user, including the virtual facility space for each group.
Virtual space generating device. the virtual facility space for each group is a first virtual space,
The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the virtual space generating unit generates, in addition to the first virtual space, a second virtual space which is the virtual facility space in which the first users that can enter are not specified. The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 , wherein the virtual space generating unit generates a waiting space, which is a virtual space in which an avatar of the first user included in the group waits before entering the virtual facility space. the virtual facility space includes a plurality of the facilities;
the group management unit receives a request for organizing the group from the first user terminal of the first user while the avatar of the first user is located in the waiting space;
The virtual space generating device of claim 4, wherein when the entry/exit management unit receives a request for entry from the first user terminal of a first user included in the group, along with a designation of the facility that the group will enter, while the avatar of each first user of the group is located in the waiting space, the entry / exit management unit allows the first user included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar. the group management unit sets one of the first users included in the group as an administrator having authority different from other first users;
The virtual space generating device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein when an instruction is received from the first user terminal of the first user of the administrator to withdraw from the group, another first user included in the group is set as the new administrator. The virtual space generating device according to claim 6 , wherein the authority held only by the administrator among the first users included in the group includes at least one of inviting the first user to the group, expelling the first user from the group, and selecting the facility in which the group will be located in the virtual facility space. On one or more computers,
generating a virtual facility space that is a virtual space including one or more facilities;
receiving a request from a first user terminal operated by a first user who will be a user of the facility, allowing the first user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar;
receiving a request from the first user terminal, and setting a group including a plurality of the first users;
generating, for each group, the virtual facility space into which the first users included in the group are to enter, and when a request for entry into the virtual facility space is received from the first user terminal of one first user included in the group, allowing all first users included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as avatars in a state in which no request for entry into the virtual facility space has been received from the first user terminal of any other first user included in the group ;
moreover,
when receiving a request for entry into a group space, which is a virtual facility space for each group, from a second user terminal operated by a second user who serves users at the facility, requesting approval for the entry of the second user to the first user terminal of the first user included in the target group;
when approval of the entry of the second user is received from the first user terminal, allowing the second user to enter the group space as an avatar.
A virtual space generation program. On one or more computers,
generating a virtual facility space that is a virtual space including one or more facilities;
receiving a request from a first user terminal operated by a first user who will be a user of the facility, allowing the first user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar;
receiving a request from the first user terminal, and setting a group including a plurality of the first users;
generating, for each group, the virtual facility space into which the first users included in the group are to enter, and when a request for entry into the virtual facility space is received from the first user terminal of one first user included in the group, allowing all first users included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as avatars in a state in which no request for entry into the virtual facility space has been received from the first user terminal of any other first user included in the group ;
moreover,
and transmitting data for displaying the virtual facility space selectable as a space to be entered by the second user, including the virtual facility space for each group, to a second user terminal operated by the second user who serves users at the facility.
A virtual space generation program. One or more computers
generating a virtual facility space that is a virtual space including one or more facilities;
receiving a request from a first user terminal operated by a first user who will be a user of the facility, allowing the first user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar;
receiving a request from the first user terminal and setting a group including a plurality of the first users,
generating, for each group, the virtual facility space into which the first users included in the group are to enter, and when a request for entry into the virtual facility space is received from the first user terminal of one first user included in the group, allowing all first users included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as avatars in a state in which no request for entry into the virtual facility space has been received from the first user terminal of any other first user included in the group;
moreover,
when receiving a request for entry into a group space, which is a virtual facility space for each group, from a second user terminal operated by a second user who serves users at the facility, requesting approval for the entry of the second user to the first user terminal of the first user included in the target group;
When approval of the entry of the second user is received from the first user terminal, allowing the second user to enter the group space as an avatar.
A method for generating virtual space. One or more computers
generating a virtual facility space that is a virtual space including one or more facilities;
receiving a request from a first user terminal operated by a first user who will be a user of the facility, allowing the first user to enter the virtual facility space as an avatar;
receiving a request from the first user terminal and setting a group including a plurality of the first users,
generating, for each group, the virtual facility space into which the first users included in the group are to enter, and when a request for entry into the virtual facility space is received from the first user terminal of one first user included in the group, allowing all first users included in the group to enter the virtual facility space as avatars in a state in which no request for entry into the virtual facility space has been received from the first user terminal of any other first user included in the group;
moreover,
and transmitting data for displaying the virtual facility space selectable as a space to be entered by the second user, including the virtual facility space for each group, to a second user terminal operated by a second user who serves users at the facility.
A method for generating virtual space.

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