JP2023110436A - Three-dimensional image management apparatus, three-dimensional image management method, and three-dimensional image management program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique for properly generating/managing three-dimensional images, such as a three-dimensional avatar, with different data formats.SOLUTION: An apparatus includes: a base avatar generation unit 1 which generates a base avatar; a conversion method selection unit 2 which selects a type of data conversion processing to be applied to the base avatar; a difference data generation unit 3 which generates difference data which is a portion different from data constituting the base avatar out of data constituting a modification avatar; an avatar database 4 which stores the data of the base avatar and the difference data; a modification avatar reproducing unit 5 which reproduces the modification avatar based on the data of the base avatar and the difference data; a disclosure level setting unit 6 which sets a disclosure level of an avatar in relation to a specific user; a disclosure avatar adjustment unit 7 which adjusts an appearance of the base avatar or/and the modification avatar in accordance with the set disclosure level; and an output unit 8 which outputs the avatar data to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Patent Law Article 30, Paragraph 2 application filed Announced at “Virtual Shibuya au 5G Halloween Festa 2021” on October 14, 2021

Patent Law Article 30, Paragraph 2 application filed Announced at “Virtual Shibuya au 5G Halloween Festa 2021” on October 12, 2021

There is an application for the application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law Announced at “Virtual Shibuya au 5G Halloween Festa 2021” on October 1, 2021

There is an application for the application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law ▲1 ▼ Posting date of the website September 13, 2021 ▲2 ▼ https://pocket-rd. com/information/eea4064b7c703aeff9b4914094a811f2/ (3) PocketRD Co., Ltd. (4) Contents of disclosed invention PocketRD Co., Ltd. posted on the website at the above address, "3D image capturing device, 3 2D image capturing method and 3D image program”.

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image management apparatus and the like for managing three-dimensional computer graphics data relating to people and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as the processing power of electronic computers such as computers has improved, the use of games and moving image contents utilizing three-dimensional computer graphics has been promoted. In other words, famous computer game series that used to be expressed in two-dimensional animation were remade using 3DCG, and movies based on classic fairy tales were made using 3DCG and became huge hits worldwide. 3D computer graphics is now widely used as a de facto standard in terms of expression in moving image content.

As an advanced form of three-dimensional computer graphics, it has been proposed to use realistic three-dimensional computer graphics modeled on real people. This uses an avatar (a character as an alter ego) that imitates the user's appearance as a user's character icon in computer games, SNS (social networking service), etc. The immersive feeling of the game will be improved, and it will be possible to enjoy the game as a more realistic experience.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 both disclose examples of using avatars imitating the player himself or co-players in a computer game that expresses a virtual space using a head-mounted display.

JP 2019-012509 A JP 2019-139673 A

However, neither of Patent Literatures 1 and 2 discloses how to manage an avatar imitating a person such as a player. Image data constituting avatars, especially 3D avatars, generally have a large amount of information, and the data format differs for each game and SNS. It is complicated. Moreover, when such a management method is adopted, for example, when the appearance changes due to aging, there is a problem that the three-dimensional avatar of a different data format will be recreated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a 3D image management apparatus, method, and program for appropriately generating and managing 3D images such as 3D avatars in different data formats. intended to

To achieve the above object, a three-dimensional image management apparatus according to claim 1 is used in one or more services in which a plurality of users participate, and manages user identification avatar data formed by three-dimensional images. A three-dimensional image management apparatus comprising attribute analysis means for analyzing attributes of a user using a user identification avatar, action history analysis means for analyzing the action history of the user, and attributes analyzed by the attribute analysis means. and data format determination means for selecting the service suitable for the user based on the action history analyzed by the action history analysis means and determining the data format of the user identification avatar used in the service; and a basic avatar. and data constituting a deformed avatar which is a three-dimensional image generated based on the basic avatar and having the data format determined by the data format determination means. difference data generation means; data storage means for storing data constituting the basic avatar and the difference data; modified avatar reproducing means for reproducing the modified avatar based on the data constituting the basic avatar and the difference data; and avatar output means for outputting the basic avatar and/or the deformed avatar as a user identification avatar. "The action history of the user" includes not only the action history of the user on the Internet but also the action history of the user in the real world.

In order to achieve the above object, the three-dimensional image management apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the above invention, the data format determination means has commonality with the attributes of the user analyzed by the attribute analysis means. A service used by another user having an attribute and a service determined to be of interest to the user from the user's action history analyzed by the action history analysis means are selected as the service. .

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the three-dimensional image management apparatus according to claim 3, in the above invention, includes a public level setting means for setting a public level of the user identification avatar output from the avatar output means; and public avatar adjustment means for performing an abstraction process on the characteristic portion of the user identification avatar in accordance with the public level.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a three-dimensional image management method according to claim 4 is used in one or more services in which a plurality of users participate, and uses user identification avatar data formed by three-dimensional images. A three-dimensional image management method comprising: an attribute analysis step of analyzing an attribute of a user using a user identification avatar; an action history analysis step of analyzing an action history of the user; a data format determination step of selecting the service suitable for the user based on the attributes obtained and the action history analyzed in the action history analysis step, and determining the data format of the user identification avatar used in the service; difference data, which is the difference between data constituting a basic avatar and data constituting a deformed avatar, which is a three-dimensional image generated based on the basic avatar and having the data format determined in the data format determining step; a step of generating difference data to be generated; a data saving step of saving the data constituting the basic avatar and the difference data; and a modified avatar reproducing step of reproducing the modified avatar based on the data constituting the basic avatar and the difference data. and an avatar output step of outputting the base avatar and/or the deformed avatar as a user identification avatar. "The action history of the user" includes not only the action history of the user on the Internet but also the action history of the user in the real world.

In order to achieve the above object, the three-dimensional image management method according to claim 5, in the above invention, has commonality with the attributes of the user analyzed in the attribute analysis step in the data format determination step. A service used by another user having an attribute and a service determined to be of interest to the user based on the user's action history analyzed in the action history analysis step are selected as the services. do.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a three-dimensional image management program according to claim 6 is used in one or more services in which a plurality of users participate, and uses user identification avatar data formed by a three-dimensional image. A three-dimensional image management program managed by a computer, comprising: an attribute analysis function for analyzing attributes of a user using a user identification avatar; an action history analysis function for analyzing an action history of the user; Select the service suitable for the user based on the attributes analyzed by the attribute analysis function and the action history analyzed by the action history analysis function, and determine the data format of the user identification avatar used in the service data format determining function, data configuring a basic avatar, and data configuring a deformed avatar, which is a three-dimensional image generated based on the basic avatar and having a data format determined by the data format determining function. A difference data generation function for generating difference data that is a different portion, a data storage function for storing data constituting the base avatar and the difference data, and the modified avatar based on the data constituting the base avatar and the difference data. and an avatar output function for outputting the basic avatar and/or the deformed avatar as a user identification avatar. "The action history of the user" includes not only the action history of the user on the Internet but also the action history of the user in the real world.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately generate and manage 3D images such as 3D avatars in different data formats.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a 3D image management device according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a conversion format selection unit 2 provided in the 3D image management apparatus according to the embodiment; 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a public level setting unit 6 provided in the 3D image management apparatus according to the embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, examples that are considered to be the most suitable embodiments of the present invention will be described. It should not be interpreted in a limited way. It goes without saying that any configuration other than the specific configuration shown in the embodiment is included in the technical scope of the present invention as long as it has the same function and effect.

A configuration of a 3D image management apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional image management apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a basic avatar (which may be used for a specific service, or may be an independently generated avatar separate from service use). ), a conversion format selection unit 2 for selecting the format of data conversion processing to be performed on the basic avatar, and the basic avatar selected from the data constituting the deformed avatar. A difference data generation unit 3 that generates difference data that is different from the constituent data, an avatar database 4 that stores the data of the main avatar and the difference data, and reproduces the modified avatar based on the data of the basic avatar and the difference data. a modified avatar reproducing unit 5; a public level setting unit 6 for setting the public level of the avatar in relation to a specific user; An avatar adjustment unit 7 and an output unit 8 for outputting avatar data to the outside are provided.

The basic avatar generation unit 1 is for generating a basic three-dimensional avatar among the three-dimensional images managed by the three-dimensional image management device. A 3D avatar is information related to computer graphics that represents a real person or an imaginary character in 3D. It includes information about the skeleton (so-called "bone"), information defining the relationship between the two (so-called "weight"), and information about texture and pattern on the surface of the three-dimensional structure (so-called "texture"). The three-dimensional avatar according to the present embodiment may include all of these pieces of information, may be composed of only polygons and textures, or only polygons. As a form of the three-dimensional structure, for example, a model simulating a full-body image of a human being may be used, or a form consisting of only a part of a human being, such as the head, may be used. A three-dimensional representation of an animal character that is completely different from humans may also be used.

In addition, the basic avatar in the present embodiment can be of any form, but is preferably a three-dimensional representation of its characteristic portion to the extent that it can be distinguished from other avatars. In the case of a real person, features in all or part of the face and/or body are represented. In the following description, for ease of understanding, it is assumed that the basic avatar has the shape of a human being, and that all face and body shapes are faithfully reproduced as real people.

The conversion format selection unit 2 is for selecting the format of data conversion processing to be performed on the basic avatar. The 3D image management apparatus according to the present embodiment provides services such as games using avatars and SNS (not limited to games and SNS, and not limited to services connected to the Internet. Multiple users can participate). and if an avatar consisting of a three-dimensional image is used for identification of each user, it shall be included in the "service".) , and the conversion format selection unit 2 has a function of selecting the data format to be converted.

The conversion format selection unit 2 includes an attribute analysis unit 10 that analyzes the attributes of the user who uses the basic avatar, an action history analysis unit 11 that analyzes the interest of the user from the action history, the attribute analysis unit 10 and the action history analysis unit 11. and a data format determination unit 12 for determining the data format of the avatar suitable for the platform of the game, SNS, or other service suitable for the user, based on the analysis result of the above.

The attribute analysis unit 10 is for analyzing user attributes. "Attribute" refers to information related to the user himself/herself, such as gender, age, nationality, educational background, and work history. It has a function of acquiring information on attributes and outputting it to the data format determination unit 12 .

The action history analysis unit 11 is for analyzing a user's action history related to service platforms such as games and SNS. Specifically, the action history analysis unit 11 acquires information related to access history and the like to content on the Internet via electronic devices such as PCs and portable information terminals used by the user, and uses the data format determination unit as action history. 12 has a function to output.

The data format determination unit 12 determines the platform of the game, SNS, or other service that the user is likely to have a certain level of interest based on information about the user's attributes and action history. This is for determining the data format of the 3D avatar used in the .

Based on the information about the attributes of the user output from the attribute analysis unit 10, the data format determination unit 12 determines attributes common to the attributes of the user (combination of attributes if two or more) (combination of attributes if two or more) A function that extracts services such as games and SNSs used by other users who have have For example, if the user has the attributes of female, age 20, Japanese nationality, graduate school graduate, and working for a listed company, services such as games, SNS, etc. used by female users with a percentage above a certain threshold, Games, SNS, and other services used by a certain threshold or more of users who work for listed companies, and users in their 20s who have graduate school and Japanese nationality and who are a certain threshold or more Extract services such as games and SNS that are used by If there is an upper limit to the number of games, services such as SNS, etc. to be extracted, the data format determination unit 12 selects games, services such as SNS, etc. that have a large number of users and games, SNS, etc. that have a large number of common attributes. services are preferentially extracted. For example, if there are services such as games and SNS that are used by 50% of female users and services such as games and SNS that are used by 10% of Japanese users, the former is preferentially extracted. On the other hand, if there are services such as games, SNS, etc. used by 30% of female users and services such as games, SNS, etc. used by 30% of users in their 20s who have graduated from graduate school, the latter is preferentially extracted. . Any algorithm may be used as long as it preferentially extracts games, services such as SNS, etc., and services such as games, SNS, etc. that have a large number of common attributes, but the configuration is simple. As such, an algorithm is conceivable that preferentially extracts a service such as a game or SNS having a larger value obtained by multiplying the number of common attributes by the ratio of users.

In addition, the data format determination unit 12 extracts services such as games and SNS that are presumed to be of high interest to the user based on the information about the user's action history output from the action history analysis unit 11, It has a function of determining the data format of the three-dimensional avatar used in the game or the like and outputting the determined data format to the difference data generation unit 3 . In the present embodiment, access history to content on the Internet is acquired as an action history. The user's degree of interest in the game, SNS, or other service is determined according to the access frequency during the period and the access time per access, and the game, SNS, or other service with a high degree of interest is extracted. "Content associated with a specific game, SNS, etc. service" means, for example, words and phrases (game name, catchphrase, etc.) associated with a specific game, SNS, etc. service are included at a rate equal to or higher than a certain threshold. The data format determination unit 12 determines that users are more interested in services such as games, SNS, and the like that have a greater number of accesses, frequency of access, and time per access to such content.

Any algorithm that preferentially extracts services such as games and SNS based on one or more of the number of accesses to content associated with services such as specific games, SNS, access frequency, and access time per time However, as a simple configuration, an algorithm that preferentially extracts a service such as a game or SNS with a larger value obtained by multiplying each numerical value can be considered. It is also effective to add a weighting coefficient to each content according to the degree of association with a service such as a specific game or SNS. For example, for a specific service such as a game or SNS, content A contains related words and phrases at a rate of a, content B contains related words and phrases at a rate of b, and content C includes related words and phrases at a rate of c. (a<b<c, both of which exceed the above-mentioned “certain threshold”), the total number of accesses to content A is multiplied by a coefficient α, and the total number of accesses to content B is etc., a real number may be multiplied by a coefficient β, and for the total number of accesses to content C, a real number may be multiplied by a coefficient γ to extract services such as games and SNS (α<β<γ , are all numbers greater than 1).

After extracting a game, SNS, or other service suitable for the user based on the above algorithm, the data format determination unit 12 converts the data format of the three-dimensional avatar used in the extracted game, SNS, or other service to a difference data generation unit. Output for 3. Regarding the correspondence between services such as games and SNS and data formats, a predetermined database may be prepared in advance and used. It is good also as a format which investigates the data format of .

The difference data generation unit 3 generates difference data, which is a data portion that is different between the data of the basic avatar and the data of the modified avatar selected by the conversion format selection unit 2 and having a data format different from that of the basic avatar. is. "Different data formats" means differences in data formats related to image representation such as the number of polygons, skeleton structure, texture limit and resolution, etc. specified by services such as games and SNS, as well as differences in data formats. This includes cases where the image expression itself is different from the realistic basic data, such as the head or eyes being enlarged and highlighted while maintaining the characteristics of the basic data. As an example of a case where the image representation itself is different, for example, a square three-dimensional avatar used in Minecraft (registered trademark) in which a square world is developed (approximately two heads, a cubic head, An avatar whose body is also composed of a combination of rectangular parallelepipeds), a character appearing in a specific animation, a movie, etc., a three-dimensional avatar with robot-like characteristics, and the like are conceivable.

After generating the data of the modified avatar based on the basic avatar, the difference data generator 3 derives the difference value between the data constituting the basic avatar and the data constituting the modified avatar to generate the difference data. However, in the case of routine processing, etc., the difference data may be generated directly, or the difference data may be generated directly for a portion, and the difference data for the remainder may be derived after generating deformed avatar data. may The "difference data" includes not only data added when generating a modified avatar from a basic avatar, but also information on data to be deleted from the basic avatar data when generating a modified avatar from the basic avatar. shall be

The avatar database 4 stores basic avatar data and difference data, and is a component corresponding to data storage means in the claims. Specifically, the avatar database 4 stores electronic data constituting a basic avatar for each user (not necessarily one avatar for each user, and may be plural), and differential data. , it also stores information about its relationship with the corresponding base avatar. The avatar database 4 outputs difference data corresponding to the modified avatar when the modified avatar reproduction unit 5 performs the reproduction process, and based on the information on the relationship with the basic avatar attached to the difference data, the corresponding data is displayed. It also has a function to output related basic avatar data.

The deformed avatar reproduction unit 5 reproduces a deformed avatar corresponding to the data format of the three-dimensional avatar used in services such as games and SNSs used by the user (adjusted by the public avatar adjustment unit 7 described later as necessary). It is for outputting data related to the deformed avatar to the outside via the avatar data output unit 8 (after processing). Specifically, the modified avatar reproducing unit 5 has a function of reproducing a modified avatar by combining difference data corresponding to the modified avatar with data constituting the basic avatar.

The disclosure level setting unit 6 sets the disclosure level at which the user's three-dimensional avatar output via the avatar data output unit 8 is disclosed to other users in services such as games and SNSs to which the data is output. It is for setting the level. Specifically, the public level setting unit 6 includes an interaction analysis unit 14 that analyzes the user's interaction relationship with other users, a behavior analysis unit 15 that analyzes the behavior of the other users, and the results of these analyzes. and a public level determination unit 17 for determining the public level of the user's three-dimensional avatar in relation to each other user based on the above.

The interaction analysis unit 14 is for analyzing interaction relationships between the user and other users. Specifically, the interaction analysis unit 14 has a function of extracting information about the content and frequency of interaction activities with a specific other user from the user's action history. "Contents of exchange activity" means, for example, that the user acted together with other users in the game, sent e-mails, messages, etc. to other users in games, services such as SNS, etc. Evaluation such as "Like" the content created by other users, introduction of content created by other users to another user who is a third party such as "share", "follow" such as continuously tracking other user's account information through settings such as; “Frequency of exchange activity” means the number of times of the exchange activity described above during a certain period (preferably the most recent period). The interaction analysis unit 14 outputs these analysis results to the disclosure level determination unit 17, and the disclosure level determination unit 17 estimates the relationship with other users based on the input information, and determines whether the relationship is close. If it is determined that there is, the public level of the three-dimensional avatar is set high, and if it is determined that the relationship is estranged, the public level is set low.

The behavior analysis unit 15 is for analyzing the presence or absence of problematic behavior of other users. "Problem behavior" means offensive mention or contact with a user or another user who is a third party. It also has a function to analyze the reaction of "Details of problem behavior" means, for example, problem statements using prohibited words, games between the user himself or another user who is a third party, troubles inside services such as SNS, the user himself or a third party Complaints from another user who is a third party, disposal of warnings by the operator of services such as games and SNS, troubles in real life between the user himself or another user who is a third party, etc. include. “Frequency of problem behavior” means the number of times the content of the problem behavior described above occurs during a certain period (preferably in the most recent period). The behavior analysis unit 15 outputs these analysis results to the disclosure level determination unit 17, and the disclosure level determination unit 17 determines the presence/absence and degree of problematic behavior of other users based on the input information. For other users who have been determined to have a high level of visibility, determination is made such as setting the disclosure level of the user's 3D avatar to a low level.

Based on the analysis results of the interaction analysis unit 14 and the behavior analysis unit 15, the disclosure level determination unit 17 determines how much the user's three-dimensional avatar is disclosed in relation to each other user, and determines the disclosure level. belongs to.

Specifically, based on the analysis result of the behavior analysis unit 15, the disclosure level determination unit 17 determines other users whose disclosure level should be set low. The disclosure level determination unit 17 extracts the content and frequency of problem behaviors of other users from the analysis results of the behavior analysis unit 15, and determines the problem level. For example, the disclosure level determination unit 17 identifies problematic remarks using prohibited words as content of problematic behavior, games between the user himself or another user who is a third party, troubles within services such as SNS, Complaints from the user himself or another user who is a third party, disposition of warnings etc. by the operator of the service such as games and SNS, actual life between the user himself or another user who is a third party Troubles, etc. are set, and the existence and frequency of these problem behaviors are grasped for individual other users. The disclosure level determination unit 17 assigns a problem coefficient, which is a coefficient corresponding to the degree of importance in advance, to the content of the problematic behavior (for example, 0.5 for problematic remarks, 3.0 for disposition such as warning by the management body, 3.0 for real life The above trouble is 10.0, etc.), and the problem evaluation value, which is the sum of the multiplication results of the problem coefficient for each problem behavior and the frequency of each problem behavior, is derived. The disclosure level determination unit 17 has a function of ranking the problem behavior levels of other users in descending order of the derived problem evaluation values. If it is less than the first threshold, it is ranked as "medium" if it is greater than or equal to the second threshold, and it is ranked as "low" if it is less than the second threshold.

Also, the disclosure level determination unit 17 determines other users whose disclosure level should be set high based on the analysis result of the exchange analysis unit 14 . The public level determination unit 17 extracts the content and frequency of the user's interaction activities with other users from the analysis result of the interaction analysis unit 14, and determines the interaction level. For example, the disclosure level determination unit 17 determines that the content of the interaction activity is that the user acted together with another user in the game, or that the user sent an e-mail, message, or the like to the other user through a service such as a game or SNS. Evaluation such as "Like" for content created by other users, introduction of content created by other users to another user who is a third party such as "share", Continuous tracking of information on other users' accounts through settings such as "follow", etc., and grasps the existence and frequency of such interaction activities by users with respect to individual other users. The disclosure level determination unit 17 assigns an exchange coefficient, which is a coefficient corresponding to the degree of importance in advance, to the content of the exchange activity (for example, 1.0 for evaluation such as “Like” and 4.0 for transmission of emails and messages). , 6.0 for actions together in a game, etc.), and derive an exchange evaluation value, which is the sum of the multiplication results of the exchange coefficient for each exchange activity and its frequency.

Furthermore, the public level determination unit 17 determines the public level of the user's three-dimensional avatar based on the rank of the problem evaluation value and the exchange evaluation value. Specifically, when the rank of the problem evaluation value is "high", the disclosure level determination unit 17 determines the disclosure level after setting the overall evaluation value to the lowest value. Further, when the rank of the problem evaluation value is "low", the disclosure level determination unit 17 determines the disclosure level by using the value of the exchange evaluation value as it is as the overall evaluation value. Further, when the problem evaluation value rank is "medium", the public level determination unit 17 determines the public level after performing correction processing on the exchange evaluation value with the problem evaluation value as a comprehensive evaluation value. . More specifically, for example, the disclosure level determination unit 17 derives a comprehensive evaluation value by subtracting, from the exchange evaluation value, a value obtained by multiplying the problem evaluation value by a predetermined coefficient.

The disclosure level determination unit 17 determines the disclosure level based on the comprehensive evaluation value. Here, the public level is set to match the level adjusted by the public avatar adjustment unit 7. For example, if the public avatar adjustment unit 7 has a function of adjusting the user's three-dimensional avatar over ten levels, The level is also set in a range of 10 stages. As will be described later, when the public avatar adjustment unit 7 continuously adjusts the three-dimensional avatar (the adjustment level is infinite), the public level may also be set to a continuous value.

The relationship between the public level and the comprehensive evaluation value is as follows: for example, when the comprehensive evaluation value is 0 or more and less than 5.0, the public level is 0; when the comprehensive evaluation value is 5.0 or more and less than 10.0, the public level is 1; . . . If the total evaluation value is 100.0 or higher, the public level is set to 10. The higher the total evaluation value, the higher the public level (the user's 3D avatar is published as it is). .

The public avatar adjustment unit 7 adjusts the mode of disclosure of the user's three-dimensional avatar to other users according to the public level determined by the public level determination unit 17 . For example, if the content of the 3D avatar is a faithful reproduction of the user's appearance, or if it has the appearance characteristics of the actual user, from the viewpoint of privacy protection, the 3D avatar will not be displayed to all other users. It is not preferable to publish the avatar as it is. In addition, even in the case of a three-dimensional avatar that expresses something other than the user's figure, it is not preferable to disclose the design to other users who are not desirable in terms of behavior or to other users with whom the interaction relationship is estranged. case can exist.

Therefore, based on the public level determined by the public level determination section 17, the public avatar adjustment unit 7 more accurately discloses the characteristic portions of the user's three-dimensional avatar as the public level is higher, while the public avatar adjustment section 7 more accurately discloses the characteristic portions of the user's three-dimensional avatar as the public level is lower. It has a function to adjust the mode of disclosure of the 3D avatar so as to disclose the abstracted and obscured parts. The "characteristic part" mainly means the face shape such as the head, eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows, etc., but it is also possible to use other parts such as the overall body shape as the characteristic part. Also, a part specified in advance by the user may be used as a feature part, or a part deviating from the average three-dimensional avatar shape to a certain extent among all parts may be treated as a feature part without fixing the part. .

As a specific mode of abstraction and vagueness of the characteristic portion, for example, no processing is performed at the highest disclosure level, the resolution of the characteristic portion is reduced as the disclosure level decreases, and the lowest disclosure level is the so-called " Details of characteristic portions are not displayed at all, such as "mosaic processing". In addition, at the highest disclosure level, no processing is performed, and as the disclosure level decreases, the shape of the characteristic part is gradually changed to the characteristic part of another person (not necessarily a real person). At the lowest disclosure level, the shape of the characterizing portion may be adjusted to be the same as that of another person. Furthermore, as the disclosure level decreases, glasses with transparent glasses, slightly colored glasses, sunglasses with gradually darkening colors are added, and a mask with gradually darkening colors is added to the mouth. is also effective.

The avatar data main unit 8 is for outputting to the outside data obtained by subjecting the basic avatar and the deformed avatar reproduced by the deformed avatar reproducing unit 5 to processing for adjusting the disclosure mode according to the disclosure level. The avatar data output unit 8 may output data related to the three-dimensional avatar in a form linked with information of other users to be disclosed to a service such as a specific game or SNS. The data may be supplied by cooperating with the services of the above via API (Application Programming Interface) mechanism.

Next, the operation of the conversion format selection unit 2 and the operation of the disclosure level setting unit 6 among the operations of the three-dimensional image management apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the conversion format selection section 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the conversion format selection unit 2 first analyzes the attributes of the user corresponding to the three-dimensional avatar by the attribute analysis unit 10 (step S101). The attribute analysis unit 10 acquires information related to the user himself/herself, such as the user's gender, age, nationality, educational background, and work history, based on public information and the like.

Then, the data format determination unit 12 extracts other users having attributes in common with the user (step S102), and extracts three-dimensional data used in services such as games and SNSs used by the "other users". The data format of the avatar is determined (step S103).

After that, the action history analysis unit 11 analyzes the user's action history on the Internet (step S104), and the data format determination unit 12 determines which game, SNS, or other service the user is interested in based on the analysis result of the action history. It is determined whether or not the 3D avatar data format is used in services such as games and SNS (step S105). Finally, the data format determination unit 12 outputs information about the data format determined in steps S103 and S105 to the difference data generation unit 3 (step S106).

Next, the operation of the disclosure level setting section 6 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the disclosure level setting section 6. As shown in FIG. First, another user's action analysis is performed by the action analysis part 15 (step S201). Then, the disclosure level determination unit 17 derives the problem evaluation value of the other user according to the presence or absence and frequency of problem behavior of the "other user" based on the behavior analysis result, and ranks the problem evaluation value as high. It is classified into three stages of medium and low (step S202). If the question evaluation value rank is high, the process proceeds to step S203, if medium, the process proceeds to step S204, and if low, the process proceeds to step S205.
If the rank of the problem evaluation value of another user is high, the disclosure level setting unit 6 sets the disclosure level to the other user at the lowest value (step S203).

If the other user's problem evaluation value rank is low, the interaction analysis unit 14 further analyzes the user's interaction activity with the other user (step S204). Then, based on the analysis results of the exchange activities, the disclosure level determination unit 17 derives an exchange evaluation value corresponding to the content and frequency of the exchange activities (step S205), and the value of the exchange evaluation value is directly used as a comprehensive evaluation value ( step S206).

If the rank of the problem evaluation value of the other user is medium, the interaction analysis unit 14 further analyzes the interaction activity of the user with respect to the other user (step S207). Then, based on the analysis result of the exchange activity, the disclosure level determination unit 17 derives an exchange evaluation value corresponding to the content and frequency of the exchange activity (step S208). The value subtracted from the evaluation value is used as the total evaluation value (step S209).

Thereafter, the disclosure level determination unit 17 sets the disclosure level based on the overall evaluation value (step S210), and repeats the above processing for all "other users". When the processing for all "other users" is completed (step S211, Yes), the processing ends.

Next, advantages of the three-dimensional image management apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. First, the 3D image management apparatus according to the present embodiment is not only a basic 3D avatar (basic avatar), but also a modified data format that is individually set according to services such as each game and SNS. By preparing avatars, there is an advantage that 3D avatars can be used for many services such as games and SNS. There is no unified standard for the data format of 3D avatars, and at the present stage, it is not uncommon for different data formats to be adopted individually for each game or SNS. In such a case, there was a problem that even if only basic avatars were created, they could not be used for services such as games and SNS. Since the deformed avatar can be reproduced and output by the deformed avatar reproduction unit 5, there is an advantage that the three-dimensional avatar can be used for various games, SNS, and other services.

Further, the 3D image management apparatus according to the present embodiment does not store deformed avatars in different data formats as they are, but stores only difference data that is different from data of basic avatars. By adopting such a configuration, there is an advantage that the amount of data stored in the 3D image management apparatus can be reduced. Image data generally has a large amount of data, and it is expected that the amount of data for 3D avatars, which are 3D and are expected to become even higher in definition in the future, will be large. By adopting a format in which only difference data is stored, the load of data storage can be greatly reduced.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when selecting a service such as a game or SNS that uses a deformed avatar, it is possible to select a service such as a game or SNS that is used by a large number of other users having attributes common to the user's attribute. , there is an advantage that the deformed avatar can be selected efficiently. Since users with common attributes, such as young people and women, tend to use games and services such as SNS, it is compatible with the data format of games used by many other users with common attributes. By preparing the difference data, it is possible to efficiently prepare the data of the three-dimensional avatar used in services such as games and SNSs used by users.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the user's action history is analyzed, and based on the status of access to content associated with services such as games and SNS, it is determined what kind of games and services such as SNS that the user is interested in. and to generate difference data relating to the deformed avatars used in services such as games and SNS. By grasping the target of interest based on the action history of the user, it is possible to efficiently prepare the data of the three-dimensional avatar used in services such as games and SNSs used by the user.

Furthermore, the 3D image management apparatus according to the present embodiment can adjust the disclosure level of the user's own 3D avatar used in services such as games and SNS. In recent years, online games and the like have seen an increase in the number of users working together in the virtual world of the game, and three-dimensional avatars are important as icons that identify and characterize users in the game. fulfilling its function. In addition, SNS has the property that many users interact with each other, and in SNS as well, three-dimensional avatars perform an important function as icons for identifying and characterizing users.

However, as technology advances, it becomes possible for a 3D avatar to easily represent the user's own figure, and new problems arise. In other words, in games where an unspecified number of users participate, SNS, and other services, unprotected disclosure of the appearance of users poses a problem from the standpoint of privacy protection. There is a problem that it causes Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to adjust the public level of the three-dimensional avatar according to the relationship with other individual users, thereby protecting privacy and preventing disputes. In addition, even if the disclosure level is lowered, the atmosphere of services such as games and SNS is not spoiled by displaying a 3D avatar that abstracts only the characteristic parts instead of completely hiding the 3D avatar. It has the advantage of being able to realize privacy protection and the like. In particular, when the characteristic portion is replaced with the characteristic portion of another person, or when the characteristic portion is hidden by accessories such as sunglasses or a mask, other users do not even recognize that the disclosure level has been lowered. Since services such as games and SNS can be used at the same time, there is an advantage that users can use these services without impairing the world view of games, SNS, etc. while protecting privacy.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the public level of the three-dimensional avatar does not have two options of public and private, and three public levels are set according to the level of problem behavior of other users and the interaction level between the user and other users. In addition to the above, it is possible to set a continuous public level with infinite level division. By subdividing the public level, the public level of the 3D avatar is maximized (=display without abstraction of the characteristic part) in the relationship with other users who are extremely close, and although there is interaction, it is not so intimate. In relation to other users, there is an advantage that fine-tuned correspondence can be made such that the disclosure level is moderate (characteristic parts are abstracted to some extent).
Also, the action history analysis unit 11 may analyze the action history in the user's real life instead of the action history on the Internet. For example, assume a deformed avatar consisting of an avatar whose body shape has changed according to the amount of aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, exercise by a fitness application in real life, or the calorie consumption estimated from these. The data generator 3 may generate difference data.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used as a technique for appropriately generating and managing 3D images such as 3D avatars in different data formats.

1 Basic avatar generation unit 2 Conversion format selection unit 3 Difference data generation unit 4 Avatar database 5 Transformed avatar reproduction unit 6 Public level setting unit 7 Public avatar adjustment unit 8 Avatar data output unit 10 Attribute analysis unit 11 Action history analysis unit 12 Data format Determination unit 14 Exchange analysis unit 15 Behavior analysis unit 17 Public level determination unit

Claims (6)

A three-dimensional image management device that is used in one or more services in which a plurality of users participate and manages data of a user identification avatar formed by a three-dimensional image,
Attribute analysis means for analyzing attributes of a user who uses a user identification avatar;
Action history analysis means for analyzing the action history of the user;
selecting the service suitable for the user based on the attributes analyzed by the attribute analysis means and the action history analyzed by the action history analysis means, and determining the data format of the user identification avatar used in the service; a data format determination means for
difference data, which is the difference between data constituting a basic avatar and data constituting a deformed avatar, which is a three-dimensional image generated based on the basic avatar and having a data format determined by the data format determining means; difference data generating means for generating;
data storage means for storing the data constituting the basic avatar and the difference data;
modified avatar reproduction means for reproducing the modified avatar based on the data constituting the basic avatar and the difference data;
Avatar output means for outputting the base avatar and/or the deformed avatar as a user identification avatar;
A three-dimensional image management device comprising: The data format determination means determines services used by other users having attributes in common with the attributes of the user analyzed by the attribute analysis means, and behavior of the user analyzed by the behavior history analysis means. A three-dimensional image management apparatus, characterized in that a service determined to be of interest to the user from history is selected as the service. public level setting means for setting a public level of the user identification avatar output from the avatar output means;
public avatar adjustment means for performing an abstraction process on the characteristic portion of the user identification avatar according to the public level;
3. The three-dimensional image management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A three-dimensional image management method for managing user identification avatar data formed by a three-dimensional image and used in one or more services in which a plurality of users participate,
an attribute analysis step of analyzing the attributes of the user using the user identification avatar;
an action history analysis step of analyzing the action history of the user;
selecting the service suitable for the user based on the attributes analyzed in the attribute analysis step and the action history analyzed in the action history analysis step, and determining the data format of the user identification avatar used in the service; a data format determination step for
difference data, which is the difference between data constituting a basic avatar and data constituting a deformed avatar, which is a three-dimensional image generated based on the basic avatar and having the data format determined in the data format determining step; a differential data generating step to generate;
a data saving step of saving the data constituting the base avatar and the difference data;
a modified avatar reproducing step of reproducing the modified avatar based on the data constituting the base avatar and the difference data;
an avatar output step of outputting the base avatar and/or the deformed avatar as a user identification avatar;
A three-dimensional image management method comprising: In the data format determination step, a service used by another user having an attribute having commonality with the attribute of the user analyzed in the attribute analysis step, and the behavior of the user analyzed in the behavior history analysis step. A three-dimensional image management apparatus, wherein a service determined to be of interest to the user from history is selected as the service. A three-dimensional image management program that is used in one or more services in which multiple users participate and causes a computer to manage user identification avatar data formed by a three-dimensional image,
to said computer,
an attribute analysis function that analyzes attributes of users who use user identification avatars;
an action history analysis function for analyzing the action history of the user;
Select the service suitable for the user based on the attributes analyzed by the attribute analysis function and the action history analyzed by the action history analysis function, and determine the data format of the user identification avatar used in the service a data format judgment function that
difference data, which is the difference between data constituting a basic avatar and data constituting a deformed avatar, which is a three-dimensional image generated based on the basic avatar and having a data format determined by the data format determining function; a differential data generation function to generate,
a data saving function for saving the data constituting the base avatar and the difference data;
a modified avatar reproducing function for reproducing the modified avatar based on the data constituting the base avatar and the difference data;
an avatar output function for outputting the base avatar and/or the deformed avatar as a user identification avatar;
A three-dimensional image management program characterized by realizing