Abstract:
Disclosed is a virtual-space providing apparatus, which is connected to a user terminal via a network, and which provides the user terminal with various kinds of services through a three-dimensional virtual space created in the network, the virtual-space providing apparatus includes a virtual room providing server for imitating a real room of a user using the user terminal, and for providing the virtual room, which can be browsed using the user terminal connected via the network, on the three-dimensional virtual space; virtual store providing server for providing the user terminal connected via the network with the virtual store, the virtual store selling virtual commodities imitating real commodities, on the three-dimensional virtual space; and a benefit-information transmitting medium, wherein, when the user purchases a virtual commodity in the virtual store provided by the virtual store providing server using the user terminal, benefit information showing benefit of purchasing the virtual commodity is transmitted to the user terminal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a virtual-space providing apparatus, a virtual-space providing system, and a virtual-space providing method, by which services such as communication with other users, and purchase of a commodity, are provided in a virtual space. 
     As high-performance personal computers for individual use and the Internet has come into wider use, the Internet have been used to build a virtual space on a server, which provides a user with services that enable communication with other users, purchase of commodities, and the like, in the virtual space. 
     However, as far as the present state of the art is concerned, for example, if a user wishes to provide a simulation by building a user&#39;s own room (existing in a real space) into a virtual space, the user cannot perform the simulation in the room built into the virtual space before actually making a purchase. In addition, even if the user actually places a purchased commodity in the real-space room, the user cannot reflect the commodity in the virtual-space room. As described above, the virtual space is nothing more than an imaginary space that exists in a virtual world. Therefore, there was the following problem: it is not possible to associate experience, action, and the like, in the real space with the virtual space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a virtual-space providing apparatus, a virtual-space providing system, and a virtual-space providing method, which can associate experience, action, and the like, in the real space with a space state of the virtual space. 
     In carrying out the invention and according to a first aspect thereof, there is provided a virtual-space providing apparatus which is connected to a user terminal via a network, and which provides the user terminal with various kinds of services through a three-dimensional virtual space created in the network, the virtual-space providing apparatus including a virtual room providing server for providing virtual room data for imitating a real room of a user using the user terminal, and for providing the virtual room, which can be browsed using the user terminal connected via the network, on the three-dimensional virtual space; virtual store providing server for providing the user terminal connected via the network with a virtual store, the virtual store selling virtual commodities imitating real commodities, on the three-dimensional virtual space; and benefit-information transmitting medium, wherein, when the user purchases a virtual commodity in the virtual store provided by the virtual store providing server using the user terminal, benefit information showing benefit of purchasing the virtual commodity is transmitted to the user terminal. 
     In carrying out the invention and according to a second aspect thereof, there is provided a virtual-space providing system, which is connected via a network to a user terminal used by a user, a real-store terminal installed in a store in a real space, and a virtual-space providing apparatus providing the user terminal with various kinds of services through a three-dimensional virtual space, wherein the virtual-space providing apparatus includes a virtual room providing means for imitating a real room of the user using the user terminal, and for providing a virtual room, which can be browsed using the user terminal connected via the network, on the three-dimensional virtual space; virtual store providing server for providing the user terminal connected via the network with a virtual store selling virtual commodities imitating real commodities, on the three-dimensional virtual space; and benefit-information transmitting medium for transmitting benefit information to the user terminal so that in the space the user can get benefit of purchasing a virtual commodity, when the virtual commodity is purchased in the virtual store provided by the virtual store providing server; and the user terminal includes a removable storage medium; and writer for writing the benefit information transmitted from the benefit-information transmitting medium, on the storage medium. 
     In carrying out the invention and according to a third aspect thereof, there is provided a virtual-space providing method for providing a user terminal connected via a network, with various kinds of services through a three-dimensional virtual space created in the network, the method includes the steps of: providing a virtual room imitating a real room of a user using the user terminal, on a three-dimensional virtual space so that the virtual room can be browsed using the user terminal connected via the network; and providing a virtual store for selling virtual commodities, which can be placed in the virtual room, on the three-dimensional virtual space; wherein when a virtual commodity is purchased in the virtual store using the user terminal, benefit of purchasing the virtual commodity is given to the user terminal side so that the user can enjoy the benefit in a real store. 
     With this configuration, according to the present invention, virtual room providing server imitates a real room of the user who uses the user terminal, and provides a virtual room, which can be browsed using the user terminal connected via the network, on the three-dimensional virtual space; virtual store providing server provides the user terminal connected via the network with a virtual store, which sells virtual commodities imitating real commodities, on the three-dimensional virtual space; and when a virtual commodity is purchased in the virtual store using the user terminal, and a benefit-information transmitting medium transmits benefit information, which shows benefit of purchasing the virtual commodity, to the user terminal. 
     Moreover, when a commodity is purchased in the real store, the virtual store providing server places a virtual commodity, which imitates the real commodity, in the virtual room. 
     Therefore, association of experience, action, and the like, in the real space with a space state of the virtual space becomes possible. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a first embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a conceptual diagram illustrating correspondence between a real space and a virtual space. 
         FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram illustrating operation executed when purchasing a virtual commodity from a virtual store. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating operation executed when purchasing a virtual commodity from a virtual store. 
         FIG. 5  is a conceptual diagram illustrating operation executed when purchasing a commodity at a real store. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating operation executed when purchasing a commodity at a real store. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a second embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a virtual-space state management server. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a virtual-space shared server. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a virtual-space-configuration-parts providing server. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a real-store commodity management system. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a virtual-space browser. 
         FIG. 13  is a conceptual diagram illustrating operation of a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to drawings as below. 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of the invention is set forth below. 
     Configuration of First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. A user device  1  is a device placed on the user sides and includes at least a user terminal  2  and a reader/writer  3 . The user terminal  2  comprises a personal computer, etc., which can be connected to a network  13  such as the Internet. The reader/writer  3  writes various kinds of information on a storage medium such as an IC card  4 , and reads various kinds of information stored in a storage medium. Use of the IC card  4  is described below. The user terminal  2  is provided with software (browser) that can enjoy various kinds of services through a user&#39;s own virtual room and a virtual store (both of them are virtual three-dimensional spaces). The virtual room and the virtual store are provided on a server, e.g., CP (Community Place TM) server  5  described later. At the user terminal  2 , the user uses a given tool (room editor) to make a virtual room in a virtual space provided by the CP server  5 , which is described later, usually in such a manner that the user imitates a user&#39;s own real room. In the virtual room, arrangement of a real room, arrangement of furniture, and the like, are simulated as they are. 
     The CP server  5  is connected to a network  13 , and provides the user, who accesses the CP server  5  via the network  13 , with at least a virtual room  6  and a virtual store  7 . Although there is only one virtual room  6  in an example shown in  FIG. 1 , the virtual room  6  is provided for each user. In addition, as is the case with the virtual room  6 , the virtual store  7  is also provided for each user although there is only one virtual store  7  shown in the example of  FIG. 1 . The virtual store  7  is available for many and unspecified persons or for users who have been registered beforehand. The virtual store  7  sells virtual commodities (virtual objects) to the user. The virtual commodity imitates a real commodity, and is placed in the virtual room  6  in response to a scale of the virtual room  6 . To be more specific, when the user purchases furniture for the user&#39;s own virtual room  6  from the virtual store  7  in a virtual space, for example, from a furniture store, the user can simulate arrangement of the furniture, a size of the furniture, and the like. A virtual-commodity database  8  is provided for the purpose of managing commodities handled by the virtual store  7 . 
     A real-store device  9  is a device placed on the real-store side, and comprises at least a real-store terminal  10  and a reader/writer  11 . The real-store terminal  10  is installed in a real store corresponding to the virtual store  7  that is provided by the CP server  5 . The real-store terminal  10  is a terminal that can be connected to the network  13 . The real-store terminal  10  has a commodity management database  12  linked with the virtual-commodity database  8  of the virtual store  7  in the CP server  5 . The commodity management database  12  is provided for the purpose of managing commodities handled by the real store. 
     Correspondence Between Real Space and Virtual Space 
     Next,  FIG. 2  is a conceptual diagram illustrating correspondence between a real space and a virtual space. On the CP server  5 , as described above, a virtual room  15  (equivalent to the virtual room  6  of  FIG. 1 ) corresponding to a user&#39;s room  14  in the real space, and virtual stores  17   a,    17   b  (equivalent to the virtual store  7  of  FIG. 1 ) corresponding to stores  16   a,    16   b  in the real space (equivalent to the real store  9  of  FIG. 1 ) are configured via the network  13  such as the Internet. When the user purchases a “desk” in the virtual store  17   a,  its image data is placed in the virtual room  15 . The user can decide a position of the “desk” freely. Using simulation in the virtual room  17   a,  the user can judge whether or not the user actually purchases the above-mentioned “desk”. Additionally, if the commodity impresses the user favorably, clicking the commodity (image) on the virtual space by the user enables on-line shopping on the network  13 , which allows the user to purchase a real commodity. 
     Moreover, on the user side, benefit information from the real store  16   a  corresponding to the above-mentioned virtual store  17   a  is recorded in an IC card  4 . The user can enjoy services (gifts, etc.) equivalent to the benefit information by bringing the IC card  4  to the real store  16   a.  In this connection, if the real store  16   a  is one of point-card member stores, or the like, the user may also enjoy the corresponding service by bringing the IC card  4  to a point-card member store other than the real store  16   a  corresponding to the virtual store  17   a  where the user purchased the “desk”. Furthermore, when the user purchases a “flower” in the real store  16   b,  a “flower”, which is a virtual commodity corresponding to the “flower” as a real commodity (that is to say, its image data), is delivered to the virtual room  15  from the virtual store  17   b  corresponding to the real store  16   b.    
     Operation of First Embodiment 
     Next, operation of the first embodiment described above is explained. 
     Purchasing a Virtual Commodity from the Virtual Store 
     In the first place, a case where the user purchases a virtual commodity from the virtual store  7  is described. Here,  FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram for describing the above-mentioned operation.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart. In a step S 10 , the user accesses the CP server  5  via the network  13  such as the Internet using the user terminal  2  ( 1  in  FIG. 3 ), and logs in the virtual store  7  on the CP server  5  ( 2  in  FIG. 3 ). Next, in a step S 12 , the user selects a virtual commodity. In a step S 13 , the user purchases the desired virtual commodity (desk, etc.) ( 3  in  FIG. 3 ). 
     It is to be noted that the user performs user registration in the virtual store  7  beforehand, or performs the user registration on the spot. At this time, the CP server  5  refers to the virtual-commodity database  8  of the virtual store  7 , and then places image data corresponding to the purchased virtual commodity in the user&#39;s virtual room  6  ( 4  in  FIG. 3 ). Because the virtual commodity is adjusted to the virtual world in size, bringing the virtual commodity to the user&#39;s virtual room  6  enables the user to simulate its arrangement, size, and the like. Using the simulation in the virtual room  6 , the user judges whether or not the user actually desires to purchase the above-mentioned commodity (desk). If the user purchases the commodity, clicking the commodity (image) on the virtual room  6  by the user enables on-line shopping on the network  13 , which allows the user to purchase a real commodity. 
     Next, in a step S 16 , the CP server  5  transfers information including commodities selected by the user to the real-store terminal  10 , which exists on the real-store side, via the network  13  ( 5  in  FIG. 3 ). In the real-store terminal  10 , the commodity management database  12  is updated in response to the commodities purchased in the virtual space. In a step S 18 , benefit information (points, etc.) is transmitted from the real-store terminal  10  to the user terminal  2  via the network  13  ( 6  in  FIG. 3 ). In a step S 20 , in the user terminal  2 , the benefit information is written to the IC card  4  by the reader/writer  3  ( 7  of the  FIG. 3 ). In a step S 22 , when the user brings the IC card  4 , on which the benefit information is written, to the real store ( 8  in  FIG. 3 ), the real store provides the user with services (gift, etc.) that are equivalent to the benefit information ( in  FIG. 3 ). 
     In this manner, because it is possible to do simulation in the virtual space before actually purchasing a commodity, it is very effective in selecting an especially expensive commodity or a large commodity. In addition, because the service includes a benefit, the user can get a gift only by purchasing commodities in the virtual space. As a result, the user will have many chances to visit the real store, which leads to sales promotion. In the above-mentioned description, the CP server  5  is used for simulation. However, other devices, which can simulate the virtual space, may be used. In addition, concerning the transfer of a benefit, the example in which the IC card  4  is used is described. However, electronic money, a credit card, a debit card, or the like, may alternatively be used as a medium. 
     Purchasing a Commodity in the Real Store 
     Next, a case where the user purchases a commodity in the real store is described.  FIG. 5  is a conceptual diagram for describing the above-mentioned operation.  FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the operation. In a step S 30 , the user visits the real store. In a step S 32 , the user selects the commodity he or she wishes to purchase. In a step S 34 , the user purchases the desired commodity (flower, etc.) ( 1  in  FIG. 5 ). In the real store, stock of the purchased commodities, and the like, are managed in the commodity management database  12  using the real-store terminal  10 . Additionally, in a step S 36 , the real-store terminal  10  automatically transmits information, which is to the effect that the user purchased a “flower”, to the virtual store  7  on the CP server  5  via the network  13  ( 2  in  FIG. 5 ). 
     In a step S 38 , in the CP server  5 , the virtual-commodity database  8  of the virtual store  7  is referred to according to the information from the real-store terminal  10  described above. A “flower” as a virtual commodity corresponding to the “flower”, which is the purchased commodity, is retrieved. Then, the image data of the commodity, in this case, a “flower” is delivered to the virtual room  6  ( 3  in  FIG. 5 ). After that, in a step  540 , the CP server  5  automatically transmits, to the user, an e-mail to the effect that the “flower” has been delivered to the virtual room  6  ( 4  in  FIG. 5 ). In reality, the e-mail is transmitted to a user&#39;s mail address, and delivered to the user terminal  2  via a mail server. 
     In this manner, when the user purchases a commodity in the real store, the same commodity or a premium commodity appears in the virtual room  6  on the CP server  5 . Therefore, the user can reflect experience, action, etc. of the real space in the virtual space; or the user can link them with the virtual space. 
     It is to be noted that, in the first embodiment described above, a point is added by purchasing a virtual commodity in the virtual store  7  on the CP server  5 . However, the point may be added not only in such a case, but also in the case of on-line shopping, that is to say, a case where the user purchases a real commodity through the virtual store  7  on the CP server  5 . In this case, if the point is recorded on the IC card  4 , the user can get benefit equivalent to the point when the user brings the IC card  4  to the real store. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A second embodiment of the invention is set forth below. 
     Configuration of Second Embodiment 
     In a second embodiment, on the assumption that the user purchases a commodity in the real store in the first embodiment described above, a more specific configuration for achieving technology, which delivers a virtual commodity corresponding to the purchased commodity to the virtual room, is provided. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the second embodiment according to the present invention. A user terminal  20  utilized by the user, a CP server  21  for providing a virtual space, and a real-store terminal  22  installed in the real store are connected via a network  13  such as the Internet. The user terminal  20  is a terminal that can be connected to the network  13 . Software (virtual space browser)  24  for browsing the virtual space provided by the CP server  21  is installed in the user terminal  20 . It is possible to enter a virtual room on the virtual space by establishing a connection with the CP server  21  using the user terminal  20 . 
     The CP server  21  comprises a virtual-space state management server  25 , a virtual-space shared server  26 , and a virtual-space-configuration-parts providing server  27 . The CP server  21  holds a state of a user&#39;s virtual room, and performs sharing service with the other users. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the virtual-space state management server  25  comprises a space-state management portion  30 , a space-information notifying portion  31 , a space-information storing portion  32 , a space-information data file  33 , and a communication portion  34 . The space-state management portion  30  receives information about a commodity, which has been purchased in the real store by the user, from the communication portion  34 . The information is originally supplied by a commodity managing system  28  of the real-store terminal  22  described later. The space-state management portion  30  instructs the space-information storing portion  32  to update the space-information data file that shows a space state of the user&#39;s virtual room (arranged furniture, their positions, etc.). According to the above-mentioned instruction, the space-information storing portion  32  updates the space-information data file  33 , which shows a space state of the user&#39;s virtual room, in response to information on the commodity. To be more specific, the space-information data file is information that shows what kind of furniture, ornaments, and the like, exist in the user&#39;s virtual room, and that shows their sizes, positions, and the like. When the user purchases a commodity in the real store, a virtual commodity corresponding to the real commodity will be placed in the virtual room. 
     In addition, the space-state management portion  30  instructs the space-information storing portion  32  to read the space-information data file  33 , which shows a space state of the virtual room of the appropriate user, in response to an information acquisition request from the virtual-space shared server  26 , which has been received via the space-information notifying portion  31 . According to the above-mentioned instruction, the space-information storing portion  32  supplies the space-information notifying portion  31  with the space-information file  33  that shows a space state of the virtual room of the appropriate user. The space-information notifying portion  31  notifies the virtual-space shared server  26  by providing the virtual-space shared server  26  with the space-information data file  33 . 
     As shown in the  FIG. 9 , the virtual-space shared server  26  comprises a space-information acquiring portion  35 , an object management portion  36 , a space-information holding portion  37 , a communication control portion  38 , and a connection interface  39 . When the user accesses via the connection interface  39  and the communication control portion  38 , the object management portion  36  transmits an information acquisition request to the space-information acquiring portion  35  in order to obtain the space-information data file  33  that shows a space state of the virtual room of the user. The space-information acquiring portion  35  transmits the above-mentioned information acquisition request to the space-information notifying portion  31  of the virtual-space state management server  25 , and then receives the space-information data file  33 , which responds to the above-mentioned information acquisition request, from the virtual-space state management server  25 . The object management portion  36  holds the space-information data file  33 , which has been obtained by the above-mentioned space-information acquiring portion  35 , in the space-information holding portion  37 . The object management portion  36  also notifies a virtual-space browser  24 , which is installed in the user terminal  20 , via the communication control portion  38  and the connection interface  39 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the virtual-space-configuration-parts providing server  27  comprises a space-configuration-parts management portion  40 , a space-configuration-parts storing portion  41 , a space-configuration-parts data file  42 , a communication control portion  43 , and a communication portion  44 . For each user&#39;s virtual room, the space-configuration-parts management portion  40  holds configuration parts used for a virtual space, which corresponds to a commodity in the real store, as a space-configuration-parts data file  42  using the space-configuration-parts storing portion  41 . The space-configuration-parts management portion  40  returns space-configuration-parts data, which will be placed in the appropriate virtual room, from the space-configuration-parts data file  42  to the virtual-space browser  24  of the user terminal  20  via the communication control portion  43  and the communication portion  44  according to a request from the virtual-space browser  24  of the user terminal  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the real-store terminal  22  comprises a commodity management system  28  having a database that operates in conjunction with a virtual-space state management server  25  on the CP server  21 . The commodity management system  28  comprises a control portion  45 , an input portion  46 , a commodity information management portion  47 , a commodity management database  48 , and a communication portion  49 . The control portion  45  manages sales and stock of commodities using the commodity information management portion  47 . The commodity management database  48  manages prices, stock quantities, and the like, concerning commodities. In addition, when the input portion  46  receives an input informing that the user has shopped in the real store, the control portion  45  transmits commodity information on the commodity management database  48  to the virtual-space state management server  25  via the communication portion  49 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the virtual-space browser  24  comprises a communication control portion  50 , a connection interface  51 , a communication portion  52 , an object management portion  53 , a space-configuration-parts holding portion  54 , a space-information holding portion  55 , a space display portion  57 , and an input portion  56 . For the connection interface  39  of the virtual-space shared server  26 , the object management portion  53  invokes a user&#39;s own virtual room on the virtual space via the connection interface  51  using the communication control portion  50 . The object management portion  53  also receives space information, which shows a space state of the virtual room, from the virtual-space shared server  26 . In addition, using the communication control portion  50 , via the communication portion  52 , and according to the above-mentioned space information, the object management portion  53  requests the communication portion  44  of the virtual-space-configuration-parts providing server  27  to acquire configuration-parts data of the virtual room. Moreover, the object management portion  53  also receives configuration-parts data from the virtual-space-configuration-parts providing server  27 . The space-configuration-parts holding portion  54  holds the above-mentioned configuration-parts data. Additionally, the space-information holding portion  55  holds the above-mentioned space information. The input portion  56  is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, by which the user inputs an instruction. The space display portion  57  comprises a CRT, a liquid crystal display device, or the like. Under the control of the object management portion  53 , the space display portion  57  displays a virtual room according to space information held in the space-information holding portion  55  and configuration-parts data held in the space-configuration-parts holding portion  54 . 
     Operation of Second Embodiment 
     Next, operation of the second embodiment described above is explained. Here,  FIG. 13  is a conceptual diagram for explaining operation of the second embodiment. 
     When the user shops in the real store, information about the purchased commodity is supplied from the commodity management system  28  to the virtual-space state management server  25  ( 1  in  FIG. 13 ). 
     The user starts up a virtual-space browser  24  on the user terminal  20  in the user&#39;s house, or the like, and then invokes a user&#39;s own virtual room on the virtual space ( 2  in  FIG. 13 ). 
     The virtual-space shared server  26  requests the virtual-space state management server  25  to acquire information about a space state corresponding to the user&#39;s virtual room ( 3  in  FIG. 13 ). 
     The virtual-space state management server  25  returns information such as furniture, which exists in the user&#39;s virtual room, to the virtual-space shared server  26  ( 4  in  FIG. 13 ). In this case, the returned information includes commodity information supplied from the commodity management system  28 . 
     The virtual-space shared server  26  notifies the virtual-space browser  24  of the user terminal  20  about a state of the virtual room ( 5  in  FIG. 13 ). 
     According to the information obtained from the virtual space shared server  26 , the virtual-space browser  24  requests the virtual-space-configuration-parts providing server  27  to acquire configuration parts of the virtual room ( 6  in  FIG. 13 ). 
     The virtual-space-configuration-parts providing server  27  returns the virtual space configuration parts requested to the virtual-space browser  24  of the user terminal  20  ( 7  in  FIG. 13 ). The virtual space configuration parts include parts corresponding to the commodity purchased by the user in the real store, which has been supplied by the commodity management system  28 . By the above-mentioned operation, the user can also place the commodity, which has been purchased in the real store, to the user&#39;s own virtual room on the virtual space. The user can thereby utilize the commodity in the virtual space. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.