Abstract: The present invention relates to recommendation of items to a user for providing items more satisfying a user's request on the basis of new association. The present invention provides a data display server connected to a user terminal, which includes a posting database for storing posting data posted through the user terminal, a reference data base for storing reference data, relational metadata generating means which generates relational metadata making association between two pieces of reference data, and a relational database for storing the relational metadata. According to the arrangement, tight linking between reference data is made possible so that items more suitable for a user's preference can be recommended.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus restricts admission to space occupied by a user in a virtual space. When a second user of a second terminal makes a request for admission to space which is in the virtual space and which is occupied by a first user of a first terminal, a space management server transmits data to the first user causing the first user to recognize that the request for admission is made by the second user. In response to an action based on the data, the first user performs an operation. If the first user performs an operation to permit the second user admission to the space, the second user can enter the space occupied by the first user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recommendation of items to a user for providing items more satisfying a user's request on the basis of new association. The present invention provides a data display server connected to a user terminal, which includes a posting database for storing posting data posted through the user terminal, a reference data base for storing reference data, relational metadata generating means which generates relational metadata making association between two pieces of reference data, and a relational database for storing the relational metadata. According to the arrangement, tight linking between reference data is made possible so that items more suitable for a user's preference can be recommended.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recommendation of items to a user for providing items more satisfying a user's request on the basis of new association. The present invention provides a data display server connected to a user terminal, which includes a posting database for storing posting data posted through the user terminal, a reference data base for storing reference data, relational metadata generating means which generates relational metadata making association between two pieces of reference data, and a relational database for storing the relational metadata. According to the arrangement, tight linking between reference data is made possible so that items more suitable for a user's preference can be recommended.

Abstract: An object in a virtual reality space is made perform complicated movements. A user (or a keeper) who controls an object (or a pet) in a virtual reality space enters a command at the client terminal of the user by means of chat operation. The entered command is sent to a server. The server has a table listing the relationship between commands and movements to be performed by the object in the virtual reality space. For example, the relation is between command “Jump” and movement of jumping. The server interprets the received command by referencing this table. The interpretation result is sent to the client terminal. On the client terminal, the object (the pet) in the virtual reality space performs complicated movements such as dancing according to the received interpretation result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recommendation of items to a user for providing items more satisfying a user's request on the basis of new association. The present invention provides a data display server connected to a user terminal, which includes a posting database for storing posting data posted through the user terminal, a reference data base for storing reference data, relational metadata generating means which generates relational metadata making association between two pieces of reference data, and a relational database for storing the relational metadata. According to the arrangement, tight linking between reference data is made possible so that items more suitable for a user's preference can be recommended.

Abstract: A terminal has a storage means for storing identification information, a transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the storage means to a server, and a receiving means for receiving the identification information transmitted from the server. If no identification information is stored in the storage means, the terminal transmits information thereof to the server. The terminal receives identification information corresponding to predetermined information transmitted from the server in response to the information indicating that no identification information is stored in the storage means and stores the identification information received by the receiving means into the storage means. When an access is made from the terminal without accompanying identification information, the server generates identification information corresponding to predetermined information and registers the generated identification information to be provided to the terminal.

Abstract: Communication between users not accessing a shared virtual reality space at the same time is realized. A client terminal sends a calling card and a mail. A hard disk drive of a mail server holds the calling card and the mail. When a user to whom the calling card and the mail are to be sent accesses the shared virtual reality space, the mail server transfers the calling card and the mail to the client terminal.

Abstract: An object in a virtual reality space is made perform complicated movements. A user (or a keeper) who controls an object (or a pet) in a virtual reality space enters a command at the client terminal of the user by means of chat operation. The entered command is sent to a server. The server has a table listing the relationship between commands and movements to be performed by the object in the virtual reality space. For example, the relation is between command “Jump” and movement of jumping. The server interprets the received command by referencing this table. The interpretation result is sent to the client terminal. On the client terminal, the object (the pet) in the virtual reality space performs complicated movements such as dancing according to the received interpretation result.

Abstract: A terminal has a storage means for storing identification information, a transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the storage means to a server, and a receiving means for receiving the identification information transmitted from the server. If no identification information is stored in the storage means, the terminal transmits information thereof to the server. The terminal receives identification information corresponding to predetermined information transmitted from the server in response to the information indicating that no identification information is stored in the storage means and stores the identification information received by the receiving means into the storage means. When an access is made from the terminal without accompanying identification information, the server generates identification information corresponding to predetermined information and registers the generated identification information to be provided to the terminal.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus restricts admission to space occupied by a user in a virtual space. When a second user of a second terminal makes a request for admission to space which is in the virtual space and which is occupied by a first user of a first terminal, a space management server transmits data to the first user causing the first user to recognize that the request for admission is made by the second user. In response to an action based on the data, the first user performs an operation. If the first user performs an operation to permit the second user admission to the space, the second user can enter the space occupied by the first user.

Abstract: A terminal has a storage means for storing identification information, a transmitting means for transmitting the identification information stored in the storage means to a server, and a receiving means for receiving the identification information transmitted from the server. If no identification information is stored in the storage means, the terminal transmits information thereof to the server. The terminal receives identification information corresponding to predetermined information transmitted from the server in response to the information indicating that no identification information is stored in the storage means and stores the identification information received by the receiving means into the storage means. When an access is made from the terminal without accompanying identification information, the server generates identification information corresponding to predetermined information and registers the generated identification information to be provided to the terminal.

Abstract: A virtual reality life object is prevented from performing any behavior that is impossible in a real world, without having to detect the collision of the virtual reality life object with an obstacle. Data for specifying a range in which a virtual reality pet can move around is entered in a moving range control table stored on a hard disk drive for example of an information processing apparatus for providing a virtual reality space. The position of an avatar corresponding to a moving object (or a virtual reality pet) in the virtual reality space is detected and the position of the moving object is generated based on the detected position of the avatar. Next, it is determined whether the generated position of the moving object is in the limited range in which the moving object can move about. If the decision is no, a position in the limited range nearest to the generated position of the moving object is searched for. Then, the position of the moving object is corrected to the position found by the search.