Virtual-space providing apparatus, virtual-space providing system, and virtual-space providing method

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 said user terminal with various kinds of services through a three-dimensional virtual space, wherein said virtual-space providing apparatus comprises:

• virtual room providing means for providing a virtual room imitating a real room of the user using the user terminal, which can be browsed using the user terminal connected via the network, on the three-dimensional virtual space;
• virtual store providing means 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 means for transmitting benefit information to the user terminal so that in the real space the user can get a benefit from purchasing a virtual commodity, when the virtual commodity is purchased in the virtual store provided by said virtual store providing means;
• and
• said user terminal comprises:
• a removable storage medium;
• and
• writing means for writing the benefit information transmitted from said benefit-information transmitting means, on said storage medium.

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, said method comprising 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 said virtual room, on the three-dimensional virtual space;
• wherein
• when a virtual commodity is purchased in said virtual store using said user terminal, benefit of purchasing the virtual commodity is given to said user terminal so that the user can enjoy the benefit in a real store.