JP6514397B1 - SYSTEM, PROGRAM, METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a system, a program, a method, and an information processing apparatus capable of further enhancing the interest of a user's virtual experience in a virtual space. In the system, a computer 1791 detects movement of a body of a performer in a first performance, S2323, and a computer 200A defines a virtual space for providing a virtual experience to a user and is associated with the performer S2301. The avatar object 1533 is disposed in the virtual space, and S2311 includes S2313 that causes the avatar object 1533 to execute a second performance corresponding to the first performance according to the movement of the performer's body detected by the computer 1791. [Selected figure] Figure 23

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, a program, a method of executing the program, and an information processing apparatus.

  Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose an example of a technique for causing a user to view content in a virtual space.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2017-176728 JP 2018-007828 Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2016-025633

  The prior art has room to be able to further enhance the interest of the virtual experience of the user in the virtual space.

  An aspect of the present invention aims to further enhance the interest of the virtual experience of the user in the virtual space.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first computer associated with a performer performing a first performance on an audience in real space, and a virtual experience for a first user associated with a first user. And a second computer. In the system, a first computer detects movement of a performer's body in a first performance. The second computer defines a virtual space for providing the first user with a virtual experience, places the first avatar associated with the performer in the virtual space, and responds to the movement of the performer's body detected by the first computer , Make the first avatar perform the second performance corresponding to the first performance.

  Also, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program executed by a computer equipped with a processor to provide a virtual experience to a user. The program comprises, in the processor, defining a virtual space for providing the user with a virtual experience, and arranging in the virtual space a first avatar associated with the performer performing the first performance on the audience in the real space. Receiving in the first performance the first information on the movement of the performer's body, and in response to the first information causing the first avatar to perform the second performance corresponding to the first performance, Run it.

  Further, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processor and a display unit for displaying the real space, in order to provide a virtual experience to the audience watching the first performance of the performer in the real space. A program to be executed by a terminal device is provided. The program receives, in the processor, third information related to a third operation performed by a third avatar watching in a virtual space a second performance corresponding to the first performance by the first avatar associated with the performer. And displaying the first image corresponding to the third information on the display unit together with the real space.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to further enhance the interest of the virtual experience of the user in the virtual space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an HMD system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the uvw view coordinate system set to HMD according to one Embodiment. FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates an aspect of representing a virtual space in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a top view of a user's head wearing an HMD according to an embodiment; It is a figure showing YZ section which looked at a field of view field from X direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the XZ section which looked at a field of view field from a Y direction in virtual space. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a controller according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of yaw, roll, and pitch directions defined for the right hand of the user according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing a computer according to an embodiment as a modular configuration. 7 is a sequence chart showing a part of processing performed in the HMD set according to an embodiment. In a network, it is a mimetic diagram showing the situation where each HMD provides a virtual space to a user. It is a figure which shows the view image of the user 5A in FIG. 12 (A). FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing processing performed in the HMD system according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of modules of a computer according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a virtual space and view image according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates live in real space according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an overview of the configuration of a system according to an embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the acquisition method of the dimension data according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of position information according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the dimension data according to a certain embodiment. 5 is a flow chart representing a process for obtaining dimensional data according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a rotational direction data structure in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a portion of processing performed in a system in accordance with an embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the posture of the speaker concerning one embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a virtual space and view image according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates live in real space according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a virtual space and view image according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a virtual space and view image according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the smart phone according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the detailed composition of the module of the smart phone according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a portion of processing performed in a system in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates live in real space according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates a virtual space and view image according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates live in real space according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of AR glass according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates live in real space according to an embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of this technical idea will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description about them will not be repeated. In one or more embodiments shown in the present disclosure, elements included in each embodiment can be combined with each other, and the combined result also forms a part of the embodiments represented by the present disclosure.

[Configuration of HMD system]
The configuration of a head-mounted device (HMD) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of HMD system 100 according to the present embodiment. The HMD system 100 is provided as a home system or a business system.

  The HMD system 100 includes a server 600, HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D, an external device 700, and the network 2. Each of the HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D is configured to be able to communicate with the server 600 and the external device 700 via the network 2. Hereinafter, the HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D are also collectively referred to as the HMD set 110. The number of HMD sets 110 constituting the HMD system 100 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. The HMD set 110 includes an HMD 120, a computer 200, an HMD sensor 410, a display 430, and a controller 300. The HMD 120 includes a monitor 130, a gaze sensor 140, a first camera 150, a second camera 160, a microphone 170, and a speaker 180. Controller 300 may include motion sensor 420.

  In one aspect, the computer 200 can connect to the Internet or other network 2 and can communicate with a server 600 or other computer connected to the network 2. Other computers include, for example, computers of other HMD sets 110 and external devices 700. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include a sensor 190 instead of the HMD sensor 410.

  The HMD 120 may be worn on the head of the user 5 and provide the user 5 with a virtual space during operation. More specifically, the HMD 120 displays the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye on the monitor 130, respectively. When each eye of the user 5 visually recognizes each image, the user 5 can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax of both eyes. The HMD 120 may include either a so-called head mounted display having a monitor or a head mounted device to which a terminal having a smartphone or other monitor can be attached.

  The monitor 130 is implemented, for example, as a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the monitor 130 is disposed on the main body of the HMD 120 so as to be located in front of the eyes of the user 5. Therefore, when the user 5 visually recognizes the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 130, the user 5 can immerse in the virtual space. In one aspect, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object operable by the user 5, and an image of a menu selectable by the user 5. In one aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor included in a so-called smart phone or other information display terminal.

  In another aspect, monitor 130 may be implemented as a transmissive display. In this case, the HMD 120 may not be a closed type covering the eyes of the user 5 as shown in FIG. 1, but may be an open type like a glasses type. The transmissive monitor 130 may be configured as a temporarily non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance thereof. The monitor 130 may include a configuration for simultaneously displaying a part of the image forming the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 130 may display an image of a physical space captured by a camera mounted on the HMD 120, or may set the transmittance of a part to be high to make the physical space visible.

  In one aspect, the monitor 130 may include a sub monitor for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub monitor for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the monitor 130 may be configured to integrally display the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye. In this case, the monitor 130 includes a high speed shutter. The high speed shutter operates so as to alternately display the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye so that the image is recognized only for one of the eyes.

  In one aspect, the HMD 120 includes a plurality of light sources (not shown). Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared light. The HMD sensor 410 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD 120. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted by the HMD 120 and detects the position and tilt of the HMD 120 in the physical space.

  In another aspect, the HMD sensor 410 may be implemented by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 120 by executing the image analysis process using the image information of the HMD 120 output from the camera.

  In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include a sensor 190 as a position detector, instead of or in addition to the HMD sensor 410. HMD 120 may detect the position and tilt of HMD 120 itself using sensor 190. For example, when the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor, the HMD 120 may use any of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 410 to detect its position and tilt. As one example, when the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects angular velocity around three axes of the HMD 120 in real space over time. The HMD 120 calculates temporal changes in angles around the three axes of the HMD 120 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates inclination of the HMD 120 based on temporal changes in angles.

  The gaze sensor 140 detects the direction in which the right and left eyes of the user 5 are directed. That is, the gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the user 5. The detection of the direction of the line of sight is realized, for example, by a known eye tracking function. The gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 preferably includes a sensor for the right eye and a sensor for the left eye. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that emits infrared light to the right and left eyes of the user 5 and detects the rotation angle of each eye by receiving reflected light from the cornea and the iris with respect to the irradiated light. The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on the detected rotation angles.

  The first camera 150 shoots the lower part of the face of the user 5. More specifically, the first camera 150 captures the nose, the mouth, and the like of the user 5. The second camera 160 captures the eyes, eyelids, and the like of the user 5. The housing on the user 5 side of the HMD 120 is defined as the inside of the HMD 120, and the housing on the opposite side to the user 5 of the HMD 120 is defined as the outside of the HMD 120. In an aspect, the first camera 150 may be disposed outside the HMD 120, and the second camera 160 may be disposed inside the HMD 120. Images generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160 are input to the computer 200. In another aspect, the first camera 150 and the second camera 160 may be realized as one camera, and the face of the user 5 may be photographed by this one camera.

  The microphone 170 converts the speech of the user 5 into an audio signal (electric signal) and outputs the audio signal to the computer 200. The speaker 180 converts an audio signal into audio and outputs the audio to the user 5. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include an earphone in place of the speaker 180.

  The controller 300 is connected to the computer 200 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 300 receives an input of an instruction from the user 5 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be attachable to a part of the user 5's body or clothes. In yet another aspect, the controller 300 may be configured to output vibration, sound, and / or light based on a signal transmitted from the computer 200. In yet another aspect, the controller 300 receives from the user 5 an operation for controlling the position and the movement of an object arranged in the virtual space.

  In one aspect, controller 300 includes a plurality of light sources. Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED that emits infrared light. The HMD sensor 410 has a position tracking function. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted by the controller 300 and detects the position and the tilt of the controller 300 in the physical space. In another aspect, the HMD sensor 410 may be implemented by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the position and the inclination of the controller 300 by executing the image analysis process using the image information of the controller 300 output from the camera.

  The motion sensor 420 is attached to the hand of the user 5 to detect the movement of the hand of the user 5 in one aspect. For example, the motion sensor 420 detects the rotation speed, the number of rotations, etc. of the hand. The detected signal is sent to the computer 200. The motion sensor 420 is provided, for example, in the controller 300. In one aspect, the motion sensor 420 is provided, for example, in the controller 300 configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, for safety in real space, the controller 300 is attached to something that does not easily fly by being attached to the hand of the user 5 like a glove type. In yet another aspect, a sensor not attached to the user 5 may detect the movement of the hand of the user 5. For example, a signal of a camera that captures the user 5 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal representing the operation of the user 5. The motion sensor 420 and the computer 200 are wirelessly connected to each other, as an example. In the case of wireless communication, the communication form is not particularly limited, and, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other known communication methods are used.

  The display 430 displays an image similar to the image displayed on the monitor 130. As a result, it is possible to make a user other than the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 view the same image as the user 5. The image displayed on the display 430 does not have to be a three-dimensional image, and may be an image for the right eye or an image for the left eye. Examples of the display 430 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL monitor.

  The server 600 may send the program to the computer 200. In another aspect, server 600 may communicate with another computer 200 to provide virtual reality to HMD 120 used by another user. For example, when a plurality of users play a participatory game in an amusement facility, each computer 200 communicates signals based on each user's operation with the other computer 200 via the server 600, so that a plurality of them can be played in the same virtual space. Allows users of to enjoy common games. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 without passing through the server 600.

  The external device 700 may be any device that can communicate with the computer 200. The external device 700 may be, for example, a device capable of communicating with the computer 200 via the network 2, or may be a device capable of directly communicating with the computer 200 by near field communication or wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include, but are not limited to, a smart device, a personal computer (PC), and peripheral devices of the computer 200.

[Computer hardware configuration]
A computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of computer 200 according to the present embodiment. The computer 200 includes a processor 210, a memory 220, a storage 230, an input / output interface 240, and a communication interface 250 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 260, respectively.

  The processor 210 executes a series of instructions included in a program stored in the memory 220 or the storage 230 based on a signal supplied to the computer 200 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, the processor 210 is realized as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a micro processor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other devices.

  The memory 220 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from, for example, the storage 230. The data includes data input to the computer 200 and data generated by the processor 210. In one aspect, the memory 220 is implemented as a random access memory (RAM) or another volatile memory.

  The storage 230 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 230 is realized, for example, as a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or another non-volatile storage device. The programs stored in the storage 230 include a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with another computer 200. The data stored in the storage 230 includes data, objects, etc. for defining a virtual space.

  In another aspect, the storage 230 may be implemented as a removable storage device, such as a memory card. In still another aspect, instead of the storage 230 built in the computer 200, a configuration using programs and data stored in an external storage device may be used. According to such a configuration, for example, in a situation where a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used, such as an amusement facility, it is possible to perform updating of programs and data collectively.

  The input / output interface 240 communicates signals between the HMD 120, the HMD sensor 410, the motion sensor 420, and the display 430. The monitor 130, the gaze sensor 140, the first camera 150, the second camera 160, the microphone 170 and the speaker 180 included in the HMD 120 can communicate with the computer 200 via the input / output interface 240 of the HMD 120. In one aspect, the input / output interface 240 is realized using a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Digital Visual Interface (DVI), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI (registered trademark)), and other terminals. The input / output interface 240 is not limited to the one described above.

  In an aspect, input / output interface 240 may further communicate with controller 300. For example, the input / output interface 240 receives input of signals output from the controller 300 and the motion sensor 420. In another aspect, the input / output interface 240 sends an instruction output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The instruction instructs the controller 300 to vibrate, output sound, emit light, and the like. When the controller 300 receives the command, the controller 300 executes vibration, voice output or light emission according to the command.

  The communication interface 250 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with other computers (for example, the server 600) connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 250 is realized as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), an NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. Be done. The communication interface 250 is not limited to the one described above.

  In one aspect, the processor 210 accesses the storage 230, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 230 into the memory 220, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the computer 200, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software executable in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 210 sends a signal for providing virtual space to the HMD 120 via the input / output interface 240. The HMD 120 displays an image on the monitor 130 based on the signal.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the computer 200 is shown as a configuration provided outside the HMD 120, but in another aspect, the computer 200 may be built in the HMD 120. As an example, a portable information communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) including the monitor 130 may function as the computer 200.

  The computer 200 may be configured to be commonly used by a plurality of HMDs 120. According to such a configuration, for example, since the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, each user can enjoy the same application as other users in the same virtual space.

  In one embodiment, in the HMD system 100, an actual coordinate system, which is a coordinate system in the real space, is preset. The real coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) parallel to the vertical direction in the real space, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the front-back direction perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the front-rear direction in the real coordinate system are defined as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, respectively. More specifically, in the real coordinate system, the x-axis is parallel to the horizontal direction of the real space. The y-axis is parallel to the vertical direction of the real space. The z axis is parallel to the front and back direction of the real space.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 410 includes an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared rays emitted from the respective light sources of the HMD 120, the presence of the HMD 120 is detected. The HMD sensor 410 further detects the position and tilt (orientation) of the HMD 120 in the physical space according to the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 based on the value of each point (each coordinate value in the actual coordinate system) Do. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 can detect temporal changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 using each value detected over time.

  Each inclination of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 corresponds to each inclination around three axes of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 120 based on the inclination of the HMD 120 in the actual coordinate system. The uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD 120 corresponds to the visual point coordinate system when the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 views an object in the virtual space.

[Uvw view coordinate system]
The uvw view coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD 120 according to an embodiment. The HMD sensor 410 detects the position and tilt of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system when the HMD 120 is activated. The processor 210 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 120 based on the detected value.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the HMD 120 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system centered on the head of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 (origin). More specifically, the HMD 120 defines the real coordinate system in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-back direction (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) by the inclination around each axis of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. Three directions newly obtained by tilting around the axes respectively are set as a pitch axis (u axis), a yaw axis (v axis), and a roll axis (w axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120.

  In one aspect, when the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 stands upright and views the front, the processor 210 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system parallel to the real coordinate system to the HMD 120. In this case, the horizontal direction (x axis), the vertical direction (y axis), and the front and back direction (z axis) in the real coordinate system are the pitch axis (u axis) and the yaw axis (v axis) of the uvw view coordinate system in the HMD 120 , And coincides with the roll axis (w axis).

  After the uvw view coordinate system is set to the HMD 120, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the tilt of the HMD 120 in the set uvw view coordinate system based on the movement of the HMD 120. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 detects the pitch angle (θu), the yaw angle (θv), and the roll angle (θw) of the HMD 120 in the uvw view coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD 120. The pitch angle (θu) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the pitch axis in the uvw view coordinate system. The yaw angle (θ v) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the yaw axis in the uvw view coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the roll axis in the uvw view coordinate system.

  The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120 after movement of the HMD 120 to the HMD 120 based on the detected inclination of the HMD 120. The relationship between the HMD 120 and the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 is always constant regardless of the position and tilt of the HMD 120. When the position and the inclination of the HMD 120 change, the position and the inclination of the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system change in conjunction with the change of the position and the inclination.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 410 detects the HMD 120 based on the light intensity of infrared light acquired based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between the plurality of points (for example, the distance between each point). The position in the real space of may be identified as a relative position to the HMD sensor 410. The processor 210 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real space (real coordinate system) based on the identified relative position.

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an aspect of representing virtual space 11 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 11 has an all-sky spherical structure covering the entire 360-degree direction of the center 12. In FIG. 4, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 11 is illustrated so as not to complicate the description. In the virtual space 11, each mesh is defined. The position of each mesh is previously defined as coordinate values in an XYZ coordinate system which is a global coordinate system defined in the virtual space 11. The computer 200 associates each partial image constituting the panoramic image 13 (still image, moving image, etc.) that can be developed in the virtual space 11 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the virtual space 11 defines an XYZ coordinate system whose origin is the center 12. The XYZ coordinate system is, for example, parallel to the real coordinate system. The horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the front-rear direction in the XYZ coordinate system are defined as an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, respectively. Therefore, the X axis (horizontal direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the x axis of the real coordinate system, the Y axis (vertical direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the y axis of the real coordinate system, and The Z-axis (front-rear direction) is parallel to the z-axis of the real coordinate system.

  When the HMD 120 is activated, that is, in the initial state of the HMD 120, the virtual camera 14 is disposed at the center 12 of the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the processor 210 displays an image captured by the virtual camera 14 on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. The virtual camera 14 similarly moves in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 120 in the real space. Thereby, changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 11.

  As in the case of the HMD 120, the uvw visual field coordinate system is defined in the virtual camera 14. The uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined to be interlocked with the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real space (real coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD 120 changes, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 also changes accordingly. The virtual camera 14 can also move in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space.

  The processor 210 of the computer 200 defines the view area 15 in the virtual space 11 based on the position and the inclination (reference line of sight 16) of the virtual camera 14. The view area 15 corresponds to an area of the virtual space 11 that the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 visually recognizes. That is, the position of the virtual camera 14 can be said to be the viewpoint of the user 5 in the virtual space 11.

  The line of sight of the user 5 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is a direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes an object. The uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 is equal to the view coordinate system when the user 5 views the monitor 130. The uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is linked to the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to an aspect can regard the line of sight of the user 5 detected by the gaze sensor 140 as the line of sight of the user 5 in the uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14.

[User's gaze]
The determination of the line of sight of the user 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the head of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 according to an embodiment.

  In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user 5. In one aspect, when the user 5 is looking close, the gaze sensor 140 detects the sight lines R1 and L1. In another aspect, if the user 5 is looking far, the gaze sensor 140 detects the sight lines R2 and L2. In this case, an angle formed by the sight lines R2 and L2 with respect to the roll axis w is smaller than an angle formed by the sight lines R1 and L1 with the roll axis w. The gaze sensor 140 transmits the detection result to the computer 200.

  When the computer 200 receives the detection values of the lines of sight R1 and L1 from the gaze sensor 140 as the detection result of the line of sight, the gaze point N1 which is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 is specified based on the detection values. On the other hand, when the computer 200 receives the detection values of the sight lines R2 and L2 from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the sight lines R2 and L2 as the gaze point. The computer 200 identifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the identified position of the fixation point N1. For example, the computer 200 detects, as the line of sight N0, the extending direction of a straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 5 and the gaze point N1. The line of sight N0 is the direction in which the user 5 is actually pointing the line of sight with both eyes. The line of sight N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 5 actually directs the line of sight to the view field 15.

  In another aspect, the HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast receiver tuner. According to such a configuration, the HMD system 100 can display a television program in the virtual space 11.

  In still another aspect, the HMD system 100 may be provided with a communication circuit for connecting to the Internet, or a call function for connecting to a telephone line.

[View area]
The view area 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a YZ cross section of the view area 15 in the virtual space 11 as viewed from the X direction. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an XZ cross section of the view area 15 in the virtual space 11 as viewed from the Y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the view area 15 in the YZ cross section includes the area 18. The area 18 is defined by the position of the virtual camera 14, the reference line of sight 16, and the YZ cross section of the virtual space 11. The processor 210 defines a range including the polar angle α centering on the reference gaze 16 in the virtual space as a region 18.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the view area 15 in the XZ cross section includes the area 19. The area 19 is defined by the position of the virtual camera 14, the reference line of sight 16, and the XZ cross section of the virtual space 11. The processor 210 defines a range including an azimuth angle β centered on the reference gaze 16 in the virtual space 11 as a region 19. The polar angles α and β are determined according to the position of the virtual camera 14 and the tilt (orientation) of the virtual camera 14.

  In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the user 5 with a view in the virtual space 11 by displaying the view image 17 on the monitor 130 based on the signal from the computer 200. The view image 17 is an image corresponding to a portion of the panoramic image 13 corresponding to the view area 15. When the user 5 moves the HMD 120 mounted on the head, the virtual camera 14 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the view area 15 in the virtual space 11 changes. As a result, the view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 is updated to an image of the panoramic image 13 to be superimposed on the view area 15 in the direction in which the user 5 is facing in the virtual space 11. The user 5 can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 11.

  Thus, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 corresponds to the line of sight (reference line of sight 16) of the user 5 in the virtual space 11, and the position at which the virtual camera 14 is arranged corresponds to the point of view of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. Therefore, by changing the position or tilt of the virtual camera 14, the image displayed on the monitor 130 is updated, and the field of view of the user 5 is moved.

  While wearing the HMD 120, the user 5 can view only the panoramic image 13 developed in the virtual space 11 without viewing the real world. Therefore, the HMD system 100 can give the user 5 a high sense of immersion into the virtual space 11.

  In an aspect, the processor 210 may move the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space. In this case, the processor 210 specifies an image area (field of view area 15) to be projected on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 based on the position and the inclination of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, virtual camera 14 may include two virtual cameras: a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye, and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. An appropriate parallax is set to two virtual cameras so that the user 5 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 11. In another aspect, the virtual camera 14 may be realized by one virtual camera. In this case, the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye may be generated from an image obtained by one virtual camera. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 14 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll axis (w) generated by combining the roll axes of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll axis (w) of the HMD 120. The technical idea according to the present disclosure is illustrated as being configured to

[controller]
An example of the controller 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a controller 300 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in one aspect, the controller 300 may include the right controller 300R and a left controller (not shown). The right controller 300R is operated by the right hand of the user 5. The left controller is operated by the left hand of the user 5. In one aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller are symmetrically configured as separate devices. Therefore, the user 5 can freely move the right hand holding the right controller 300R and the left hand holding the left controller. In another aspect, the controller 300 may be an integrated controller that receives the operation of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 300R will be described.

  The right controller 300R includes a grip 310, a frame 320, and a top surface 330. The grip 310 is configured to be gripped by the right hand of the user 5. For example, the grip 310 may be held by the palm of the right hand of the user 5 and three fingers (middle, ring and little fingers).

  The grip 310 includes buttons 340 and 350 and a motion sensor 420. The button 340 is disposed on the side of the grip 310 and receives an operation by the middle finger of the right hand. The button 350 is disposed on the front of the grip 310 and accepts an operation by the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, buttons 340 and 350 are configured as triggered buttons. The motion sensor 420 is incorporated in the housing of the grip 310. The grip 310 may not include the motion sensor 420 if the motion of the user 5 can be detected from around the user 5 by a camera or other device.

  The frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along its circumferential direction. The infrared LED 360 emits infrared light in accordance with the progress of the program while the program using the controller 300 is being executed. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 360 can be used to detect each position and attitude (tilt, orientation) of the right controller 300R and the left controller. Although the example shown in FIG. 8 shows infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows, the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. One or three or more arrays may be used.

  The top surface 330 includes buttons 370 and 380 and an analog stick 390. The buttons 370 and 380 are configured as push buttons. Buttons 370 and 380 receive an operation by the thumb of the right hand of user 5. The analog stick 390 receives an operation in an arbitrary direction 360 degrees from the initial position (the position of neutral) in a certain phase. The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object disposed in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller include batteries for driving the infrared LED 360 and other members. Batteries include rechargeable batteries, button batteries, dry battery batteries and the like, but are not limited thereto. In another aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller may be connected to, for example, a USB interface of the computer 200. In this case, the right controller 300R and the left controller do not require a battery.

  As shown in the state (A) and the state (B) of FIG. 8, for example, the yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined with respect to the right hand of the user 5. When the user 5 stretches the thumb and forefinger, the extension direction of the thumb is the yaw direction, the extension direction of the forefinger is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the yaw and roll axes is the pitch direction Defined as

[Hardware configuration of server]
A server 600 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server 600 according to an embodiment. The server 600 includes a processor 610, a memory 620, a storage 630, an input / output interface 640, and a communication interface 650 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 660, respectively.

  The processor 610 executes a series of instructions included in a program stored in the memory 620 or the storage 630 based on a signal supplied to the server 600 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, the processor 610 is implemented as a CPU, a GPU, an MPU, an FPGA, and other devices.

  Memory 620 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from, for example, the storage 630. The data includes data input to server 600 and data generated by processor 610. In one aspect, memory 620 is implemented as RAM or other volatile memory.

  Storage 630 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 630 is implemented as, for example, a ROM, a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or another non-volatile storage device. The programs stored in the storage 630 may include a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with the computer 200. The data stored in the storage 630 may include data, objects, etc. for defining a virtual space.

  In another aspect, the storage 630 may be implemented as a removable storage device, such as a memory card. In still another aspect, instead of the storage 630 built into the server 600, a configuration using programs and data stored in an external storage device may be used. According to such a configuration, for example, in a situation where a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used, such as an amusement facility, it is possible to perform updating of programs and data collectively.

  The input / output interface 640 communicates signals with input / output devices. In one aspect, the input / output interface 640 is implemented using a USB, DVI, HDMI or other terminal. The input / output interface 640 is not limited to the one described above.

  The communication interface 650 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with the computer 200 connected to the network 2. In one aspect, communication interface 650 is implemented as, for example, a LAN or other wired communication interface, or a wireless communication interface such as WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, or the like. Communication interface 650 is not limited to the one described above.

  In one aspect, the processor 610 accesses the storage 630, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 630 into the memory 620, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the server 600, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software executable in the virtual space, and the like. Processor 610 may send a signal to computer 200 to provide virtual space via input / output interface 640.

[Control unit of HMD]
The control device of the HMD 120 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the controller is implemented by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a modular configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the computer 200 includes a control module 510, a rendering module 520, a memory module 530, and a communication control module 540. In one aspect, control module 510 and rendering module 520 are implemented by processor 210. In another aspect, multiple processors 210 may operate as control module 510 and rendering module 520. The memory module 530 is realized by the memory 220 or the storage 230. The communication control module 540 is realized by the communication interface 250.

  The control module 510 controls the virtual space 11 provided to the user 5. The control module 510 defines virtual space 11 in the HMD system 100 using virtual space data representing the virtual space 11. Virtual space data is stored, for example, in the memory module 530. The control module 510 may generate virtual space data or may acquire virtual space data from the server 600 or the like.

  The control module 510 places an object in the virtual space 11 using object data representing the object. Object data is stored, for example, in the memory module 530. The control module 510 may generate object data or may obtain object data from the server 600 or the like. The objects are, for example, avatar objects that are the other person of the user 5, character objects, operation objects such as virtual hands operated by the controller 300, landscapes including city, mountains, etc. arranged according to the progress of the game story, cityscape, animals Etc. may be included.

  The control module 510 places avatar objects of users 5 of other computers 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the control module 510 places the avatar object of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the control module 510 places an avatar object imitating the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on the image including the user 5. In another aspect, the control module 510 places in the virtual space 11 an avatar object that has received a selection by the user 5 from among a plurality of types of avatar objects (for example, an object resembling an animal or a deformed human object). Do.

  The control module 510 identifies the tilt of the HMD 120 based on the output of the HMD sensor 410. In another aspect, the control module 510 determines the tilt of the HMD 120 based on the output of the sensor 190 that functions as a motion sensor. The control module 510 detects organs (e.g., mouth, eyes, eyebrows) constituting the face of the user 5 from the image of the face of the user 5 generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160. The control module 510 detects the movement (shape) of each detected organ.

  The control module 510 detects the line of sight of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140. The control module 510 detects a viewpoint position (coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system) where the detected line of sight of the user 5 and the celestial sphere of the virtual space 11 intersect. More specifically, the control module 510 detects the viewpoint position based on the line of sight of the user 5 defined by the uvw coordinate system and the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14. The control module 510 transmits the detected viewpoint position to the server 600. In another aspect, control module 510 may be configured to send line-of-sight information representing the line-of-sight of user 5 to server 600. In such a case, the viewpoint position may be calculated based on the line-of-sight information received by the server 600.

  The control module 510 reflects the motion of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 on the avatar object. For example, the control module 510 detects that the HMD 120 is tilted, and tilts and arranges the avatar object. The control module 510 reflects the detected motion of the face organ on the face of the avatar object arranged in the virtual space 11. The control module 510 receives the line-of-sight information of the other user 5 from the server 600 and reflects the line-of-sight information of the avatar object of the other user 5. In one aspect, the control module 510 reflects the motion of the controller 300 on an avatar object or an operation object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor for detecting the movement of the controller 300, an acceleration sensor, or a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs).

  The control module 510 arranges in the virtual space 11 an operation object for receiving an operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. The user 5 operates, for example, an object arranged in the virtual space 11 by operating the operation object. In one aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object or the like that is a virtual hand equivalent to the hand of the user 5. In one aspect, the control module 510 moves the hand object in the virtual space 11 to interlock with the movement of the hand of the user 5 in the real space based on the output of the motion sensor 420. In one aspect, the manipulation object may correspond to a hand part of the avatar object.

  The control module 510 detects a collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object. The control module 510 can detect, for example, the timing at which a collision area of an object and a collision area of another object touch, and performs predetermined processing when the detection is performed. The control module 510 can detect the timing at which the object and the object are away from the touch, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is performed. The control module 510 can detect that the object is in contact with the object. For example, when the operation object and another object touch, the control module 510 detects that the operation object and the other object touch and performs predetermined processing.

  In one aspect, the control module 510 controls image display on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. For example, the control module 510 arranges the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The control module 510 controls the position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the tilt (orientation) of the virtual camera 14. The control module 510 defines the view area 15 according to the tilt of the head of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 and the position of the virtual camera 14. The rendering module 520 generates a view image 17 to be displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined view area 15. The view image 17 generated by the rendering module 520 is output to the HMD 120 by the communication control module 540.

  When the control module 510 detects an utterance of the user 5 using the microphone 170 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 identifies the computer 200 to which voice data corresponding to the utterance is to be transmitted. Audio data is sent to the computer 200 identified by the control module 510. When the control module 510 receives voice data from the computer 200 of another user via the network 2, the control module 510 outputs a voice (speech) corresponding to the voice data from the speaker 180.

  The memory module 530 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 11 to the user 5. In one aspect, the memory module 530 holds space information, object information, and user information.

  Spatial information holds one or more templates defined to provide virtual space 11.

  The object information includes a plurality of panoramic images 13 constituting the virtual space 11 and object data for arranging the object in the virtual space 11. The panoramic image 13 may include still images and moving images. The panoramic image 13 may include an image of non-real space and an image of real space. Examples of images in non-real space include images generated by computer graphics.

  The user information holds a user ID identifying the user 5. The user ID may be, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address set in the computer 200 used by the user. In another aspect, the user ID may be set by the user. The user information includes a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100.

  The data and programs stored in the memory module 530 are input by the user 5 of the HMD 120. Alternatively, the processor 210 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, the server 600) operated by a provider providing the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 530.

  The communication control module 540 may communicate with the server 600 and other information communication devices via the network 2.

  In an aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 may be implemented using, for example, Unity (registered trademark) provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that implement each process.

  Processing in the computer 200 is realized by hardware and software executed by the processor 210. Such software may be stored in advance in a hard disk or other memory module 530. The software may be stored in a CD-ROM or other computer readable non-volatile data storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or other network. Such software is temporarily stored in the storage module after being read from the data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from the server 600 or other computer via the communication control module 540. . The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 210 executes the program.

[Control structure of HMD system]
The control structure of the HMD set 110 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart representing a portion of the process performed in the HMD set 110 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in step S 1110, the processor 210 of the computer 200 specifies virtual space data as the control module 510 and defines the virtual space 11.

  In step S1120, the processor 210 initializes the virtual camera 14. For example, in the work area of the memory, the processor 210 places the virtual camera 14 at the center 12 predefined in the virtual space 11 and directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 14 in the direction in which the user 5 is facing.

  In step S1130, the processor 210 causes the rendering module 520 to generate view image data for displaying the initial view image. The generated view image data is output by the communication control module 540 to the HMD 120.

  In step S1132, the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 displays a view image based on the view image data received from the computer 200. The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 when viewing the view image.

  In step S1134, the HMD sensor 410 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 120 based on the plurality of infrared light beams emitted from the HMD 120. The detection result is output to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

  In step S1140, the processor 210 specifies the view direction of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 based on the position and the inclination included in the motion detection data of the HMD 120.

  In step S1150, the processor 210 executes an application program, and places an object in the virtual space 11 based on an instruction included in the application program.

  In step S1160, controller 300 detects the operation of user 5 based on the signal output from motion sensor 420, and outputs detection data representing the detected operation to computer 200. In another aspect, the operation of the controller 300 by the user 5 may be detected based on an image from a camera disposed around the user 5.

  In step S1170, the processor 210 detects the operation of the controller 300 by the user 5 based on the detection data acquired from the controller 300.

  In step S1180, the processor 210 generates view image data based on the operation of the controller 300 by the user 5. The generated view image data is output by the communication control module 540 to the HMD 120.

  In step S1190, the HMD 120 updates the view image based on the received view image data, and displays the updated view image on the monitor 130.

Avatar object
The avatar object according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 (A) and 12 (B). Hereinafter, avatar objects of each user 5 of the HMD sets 110A and 110B will be described. Hereinafter, the user of the HMD set 110A is represented as the user 5A, the user of the HMD set 110B as the user 5B, the user of the HMD set 110C as the user 5C, and the user of the HMD set 110D as the user 5D. A is added to the reference numeral of each component related to HMD set 110A, B is added to the reference code of each component related to HMD set 110B, C is added to the reference code of each component related to HMD set 110C, and HMD set D is attached to the reference numerals of the respective components related to 110D. For example, the HMD 120A is included in the HMD set 110A.

  FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram showing the situation where each HMD 120 provides the virtual space 11 to the user 5 in the network 2. The computers 200A to 200D provide virtual spaces 11A to 11D to the users 5A to 5D via the HMDs 120A to 120D, respectively. In the example illustrated in FIG. 12A, the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B are configured by the same data. In other words, the computer 200A and the computer 200B share the same virtual space. In the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B, an avatar object 6A of the user 5A and an avatar object 6B of the user 5B exist. The avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A and the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B are each equipped with the HMD 120, but this is for the purpose of making the description easy to understand. Not.

  In an aspect, the processor 210A may place the virtual camera 14A that captures the view image 17A of the user 5A at the eye position of the avatar object 6A.

  FIG. 12 (B) is a view showing a view image 17A of the user 5A in FIG. 12 (A). The view image 17A is an image displayed on the monitor 130A of the HMD 120A. The view image 17A is an image generated by the virtual camera 14A. The avatar object 6B of the user 5B is displayed in the view image 17A. Although not particularly shown, the avatar object 6A of the user 5A is similarly displayed on the view image of the user 5B.

  In the state of FIG. 12B, the user 5A can communicate with the user 5B through communication (communication) through the virtual space 11A. More specifically, the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A is transmitted to the HMD 120B of the user 5B via the server 600, and is output from the speaker 180B provided in the HMD 120B. The voice of the user 5B is transmitted to the HMD 120A of the user 5A via the server 600, and is output from the speaker 180A provided in the HMD 120A.

  The operation of the user 5B (the operation of the HMD 120B and the operation of the controller 300B) is reflected by the processor 210A in the avatar object 6B disposed in the virtual space 11A. Thus, the user 5A can recognize the action of the user 5B through the avatar object 6B.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence chart showing a part of the process executed in HMD system 100 according to the present embodiment. Although the HMD set 110D is not illustrated in FIG. 13, the HMD set 110D operates similarly to the HMD sets 110A, 110B, and 110C. Also in the following description, A is attached to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110A, B is attached to the reference symbol of each component related to the HMD set 110B, and C is attached to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110C. It is assumed that D is attached to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110D.

  In step S1310A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A. This avatar information includes, for example, information on avatars such as motion information, face tracking data, and audio data. The motion information includes information indicating temporal changes in position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating motion of the hand of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A or the like, and the like. The face tracking data includes data specifying the position and size of each part of the face of the user 5A. The face tracking data may be data indicating movement of each organ constituting the face of the user 5A, or gaze data. The voice data includes data indicating the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A of the HMD 120A. The avatar information may include the avatar object 6A or information specifying the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information specifying the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists, and the like. User ID is mentioned as information which specifies avatar object 6A and user 5A. A room ID is mentioned as information which specifies virtual space 11A in which avatar object 6A exists. The processor 210A transmits the avatar information acquired as described above to the server 600 via the network 2.

  In step S1310B, the processor 210B in the HMD set 110B acquires avatar information for determining the action of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B and transmits the avatar information to the server 600, as in the process in step S1310A. Similarly, in step S1310C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11C, and transmits the avatar information to the server 600.

  In step S1320, the server 600 temporarily stores the player information received from each of the HMD set 110A, the HMD set 110B, and the HMD set 110C. The server 600 integrates avatar information of all users (users 5A to 5C in this example) associated with the common virtual space 11 based on the user ID and the room ID included in each avatar information. Then, the server 600 transmits the integrated avatar information to all the users associated with the virtual space 11 at a predetermined timing. Thus, the synchronization process is performed. By such synchronization processing, the HMD set 110A, the HMD set 110B, and the HMD set 110C can share avatar information of each other at substantially the same timing.

  Subsequently, each HMD set 110A to 110C executes the processing of steps S1330A to S1330C based on the avatar information transmitted from the server 600 to each HMD set 110A to 110C. The process of step S1330A corresponds to the process of step S1180 in FIG.

  In step S1330A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information on the avatar object 6B and avatar object 6C of the other users 5B and 5C in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A updates the position, orientation, and the like of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11 based on the movement information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110B. For example, the processor 210A updates the information (such as position and orientation) of the avatar object 6B included in the object information stored in the memory module 530. Similarly, the processor 210A updates the information (position and orientation, etc.) of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11 based on the movement information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110C.

  In step S1330B, the processor 210B in the HMD set 110B updates the information on the avatar objects 6A and 6C of the users 5A and 5C in the virtual space 11B, as in the process in step S1330A. Similarly, in step S1330C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C updates the information on the avatar objects 6A and 6B of the users 5A and 5B in the virtual space 11C.

[Detailed configuration of module]
The module configuration of the computer 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of modules of the computer 200 according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the control module 510 includes a virtual object generation module 1421, a virtual camera control module 1422, an operation object control module 1423, an avatar object control module 1424, a motion detection module 1425, and a virtual object control module 1426. There is.

  The virtual object generation module 1421 generates various virtual objects in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, virtual objects may include, for example, landscapes, including forests, mountains, etc., animals, etc., arranged according to the progression of the game's story. In one aspect, a virtual object may include an avatar object, an operation object, a stage object, and a user interface (UI) object.

  The virtual camera control module 1422 controls the behavior of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The virtual camera control module 1422 controls, for example, the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the direction (tilt) of the virtual camera 14.

  The operation object control module 1423 controls an operation object for receiving an operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. The user 5 operates, for example, a virtual object arranged in the virtual space 11 by operating the operation object. In one aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object (virtual hand) corresponding to the hand of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 or the like. In one aspect, the operation object may correspond to a hand portion of an avatar object described later.

  The avatar object control module 1424 reflects the motion of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 on the avatar object. For example, the avatar object control module 1424 detects that the HMD 120 is inclined, and generates data for tilting and arranging the avatar object. In one aspect, avatar object control module 1424 reflects the motion of controller 300 on the avatar object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor for detecting the movement of the controller 300, an acceleration sensor, or a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs). The avatar object control module 1424 reflects the motion of the face organ detected by the motion detection module 1425 on the face of the avatar object arranged in the virtual space 11. That is, the avatar object control module 1424 reflects the motion of the face of the user 5 on the avatar object.

  The motion detection module 1425 detects the motion of the user 5. The motion detection module 1425 detects the motion of the hand of the user 5 in accordance with, for example, the output of the controller 300. The motion detection module 1425 detects the motion of the body of the user 5 in accordance with, for example, an output of a motion sensor attached to the body of the user 5. The motion detection module 1425 may also detect motion of the user 5's face organ.

  The virtual object control module 1426 controls the behavior of virtual objects other than avatar objects in the virtual space 11. As one example, virtual object control module 1426 transforms a virtual object. As another example, the virtual object control module 1426 changes the arrangement position of the virtual object. As another example, virtual object control module 1426 moves a virtual object.

Viewer's virtual space
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a virtual space 11A and a field of view image 1517A according to an embodiment. In FIG. 15A, avatar objects 6A to 6C, virtual camera 14A, stage object 1532, avatar object 1533 (first avatar), in virtual space 11A for providing virtual experience to user 5A (first user), At least avatar object 1534 (second avatar) and light object 1541 are arranged. The user 5A wears the HMD 120A on the head. The user 5A holds the right controller 300RA with the right hand constituting a part of the right side of the user 5A's body, and holds the left controller 300LA with the left hand constituting a part of the left side of the user 5A's body. The avatar object 6A is associated with the user 5A. Avatar object 6A (third avatar) includes virtual right hand 1531RA and virtual left hand 1531LA. The virtual right hand 1531RA is a type of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11A in accordance with the movement of the user 5A's right hand. The virtual left hand 1531LA is a kind of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11A according to the movement of the user 5A's left hand.

  The virtual space 11A shown in FIG. 15A is constructed by reproducing live content in the computer 200A. In virtual space 11A, avatar object 1533 performs a performance as a live performer, and other avatar objects including avatar object 6A view the performance as a live viewer. In virtual space 11A, avatar objects 6B and 6C are individually associated with users 5B and 5C, respectively. Also, although details will be described later, the avatar object 1533 is associated with a performer performing live in the real space (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “performer”). The avatar object 1534 is an avatar object not associated with the user 5 and the performer. The avatar object 1534 may perform at least a part of the operation according to the program stored in the computer 200A.

  In virtual space 11A, avatar object 1533 is arranged on stage object 1532. The stage object 1532 has an appearance resembling a stage in a real live venue. Avatar objects 6A, 6B, and 6C, and avatar object 1534 are all arranged in front of stage object 1532. In the virtual space 11A, the avatar object 1533 performs live performance by moving according to the movement of the performer. In other words, the avatar object 1533 performs, in the virtual space 11A, a performance (second performance) corresponding to the performance (first performance) performed by the performer in the real space. In the virtual space 11A, the avatar object 6A views the second performance by the avatar object 1533. At this time, in the virtual space 11B provided to the user 5B, the avatar object 6B (fourth avatar) views the second performance performed by the avatar object 1533. Similarly, in the virtual space 11C provided to the user 5C, the avatar object 6C (fourth avatar) views the second performance performed by the avatar object 6C. Therefore, users 5A, 5B, and 5C can also be said to be viewers.

  In FIG. 15A, a light object 1541 is an object imitating a rod-like lighting fixture such as a chemical light, and is disposed in a state of being held by avatar objects 6A to 6C and virtual right hand 1531R of avatar object 1534. Ru. The light objects 1541 held by the avatar objects 6A to 6C move in response to the movement of the virtual right hands 1531RA to 1531RC, respectively. That is, the users 5A to 5C can obtain a virtual experience of moving (shaking) the light object 1541 by moving their right hand.

  In FIG. 15A, the virtual camera 14A is disposed on the head of the avatar object 6A. The virtual camera 14A defines a view field 15A according to the position and the orientation of the virtual camera 14A. The virtual camera 14A generates a view image 1517A corresponding to the view area 15A and causes the HMD 120A to display the view image 1517A as shown in FIG. 15 (B). The user 5A visually recognizes a part of the virtual space at the viewpoint of the avatar object 6A by visually recognizing the view image 1517A. Thereby, the user 5A can obtain a virtual experience as if the user 5A itself is the avatar object 6A. The view image 1517A includes an avatar object 1533 that performs the second performance. Therefore, the user 5A can view the second performance by the avatar object 1533 from the viewpoint of the avatar object 6A.

  A plurality of different avatar objects 1533 can also be arranged in the virtual space 11A. In one aspect, different avatars 1533 are associated with different performers, respectively. In another aspect, the same performer is associated with a plurality of avatar objects 1533.

[Live in real space]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating live in real space according to one embodiment. In FIG. 16, the performer 1635 performs a performance (first performance) on the audience 1636 in the live in the real space. The performer 1635 wears motion sensors 1651 to 1653 and 1655. The motion sensor 1651 is attached to the waist of the performer 1635 by a belt 1654. The motion sensor 1652 is attached to the back of the right foot of the performer 1635. The motion sensor 1653 is attached to the back of the left foot of the performer 1635. The motion sensor 1655 is attached to the head of the performer 1635 by a belt 1656. In FIG. 16, the motion sensor 1655 and the belt 1656 are hidden by the hair of the performer 1635, so the motion sensor 1655 and the belt 1656 are shown by dotted lines.

  The speaker 1635 further holds the right controller 300RB with the right hand (first portion) constituting a part of the right side of the speaker 1635, and the left hand (second portion) constituting a part of the left of the speaker 1635 Hold the left controller 300LB. The performer 1635 further wears a microphone 1657. The microphone 1657 converts the voice (for example, singing voice) emitted by the performer 1635 into a voice signal (electric signal) and outputs it to a computer 1791 (first computer, not shown in FIG. 16). The audio signal output to the computer 1791 is converted to audio by, for example, a speaker (not shown) and output. Thereby, the voice of the performer 1635 is output to the live hall in the real space, and the audience 1636 can listen to the voice.

  In one aspect, a motion sensor attached to the performer 1635 detects the arrival time and angle of a signal (eg, an infrared laser) emitted from the base station 1659. The processor of the computer 1791 detects the position of the motion sensor relative to the base station 1659 based on the detection result of the motion sensor. The processor may further normalize the position of the motion sensor relative to the base station 1659 relative to a predetermined point (eg, the position of the motion sensor 1655 mounted on the head). The processor detects the movement of the performer 1635 based on the detected position of the motion sensor.

  Specifically, the processor detects the positions of the head, waist, hands, and feet of the performer 1635. Hereinafter, the position of the part of the performer 1635 detected by each motion sensor is also referred to as “position information”. The processor calculates the rotation direction of the joint of the performer 1635 based on the current position information of the performer 1635 and the dimension data of the performer 1635 acquired in advance. The dimension data is data representing the dimensions of the body of the performer 1635. The dimension data and the rotational direction will be described later. Detecting the current position information and calculating the direction of rotation are synonymous with detecting the movement of the performer 1635.

  The processor generates information including current position information and a rotation direction, that is, information of detected motion (hereinafter referred to as “first motion information”), and transmits the information to the computer 200 via the server 600. The processor 210 executes a performance in which the avatar object 1533 disposed in the virtual space 11 for providing the virtual experience to the user 5 according to the first motion information reflects the motion of the performer 1635 in the real space live. Let The first motion information may include an audio signal output to the computer 1791 via the microphone 1657. Thereby, the processor 210 can cause the avatar object 1533 to output the sound emitted by the performer 1635. The user 5 can view the second performance performed by the avatar object 1533 corresponding to the first performance performed by the performer 1635 in the real space live. Thus, the performer 1635 also has a role as a distributor who distributes the live of the avatar object 1533 to the users 5A, 5B, and 5C, respectively.

  The first motion information may be any information as long as the avatar object 1533 can execute the second performance in the virtual space 11, and is not limited to the information including the current position information and the rotation direction. The first motion information may be, for example, information not including the rotation direction. In this case, the processor 210 of the computer 200, for example, corresponds to each of the avatar objects 1533 corresponding to each part of the speaker 1635 so as to correspond to the position of each part constituting the body of the speaker 1635 included in the received movement information. Control the position of part object.

  In the example of FIG. 16, the audience 1636 holds the chemical light 1658 (first terminal device). In the present embodiment, the chemical light 1658 includes a sensor (for example, an acceleration sensor) that detects the movement of the chemical light 1658. That is, the sensor can detect an operation (first operation) in which the audience 1636 shakes the chemical light 1658. Information indicating that the sensor has detected a motion (hereinafter referred to as “second motion information”) is transmitted to the server 600 via a gateway 1793 (not shown in FIG. 16). The second motion information may be, for example, information identifying the chemical light 1658 (ID of the chemical light 1658). The sensor provided in the chemical light 1658 may be a sensor that can detect whether the chemical light 1658 is shaken, and is not limited to the acceleration sensor. Further, the object held by the audience 1636 may be provided by a sensor that detects the first operation, and is not limited to the chemical light. For example, it may be a rod-like luminaire different from a chemical light, such as a light stick or a pen light. Alternatively, it may be different from the lighting equipment such as fan, towel and the like. It is preferable that the object held by the audience 1636 be one used to boost the live.

  Note that, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the avatar object 1533 associated with the performer 1635 is preferably an avatar object closely resembling the performer 1635. In other words, the avatar object 1533 is preferably a high precision 3D model of the performer 1635. As a result, it is possible to give the user 5 who views live in the virtual space 11 a virtual experience as if the live of the performer 1635 is being viewed.

System Configuration
FIG. 17 shows a schematic of the configuration of a system 1700 in accordance with an embodiment. System 1700 is provided, for example, as a business system.

  The system 1700 includes a server 600, a computer 200A (second computer), 200B, 200C, a computer 1791, a smartphone 1792 (second terminal device), a gateway 1793, an external device 700, and the network 2. Although FIG. 17 does not show an apparatus indirectly connected to the network 2 by being connected to each illustrated apparatus in a wired or wireless manner, the system 1700 also performs such an apparatus. Including. Examples of such devices include the devices included in the HMD set 110 such as the HMD 120 worn by the user 5, the motion sensor worn by the performer, the base station 1659, the chemical light 1658, and the like.

  The computers 200A, 200B, and 200C are computers provided in the HMD sets 110A, 110B, and 110C, respectively. The HMD set 110 has already been described with reference to FIG. 1, so the description will not be repeated here. As the external device 700 has already been described with reference to FIG. 1, the description will not be repeated here.

  The computer 1791 is a computer associated with the speaker 1635. The computer 1791 controls the base station 1659 to emit a signal to the motion sensor. Further, the computer 1791 generates first motion information based on the detection result acquired from the motion sensor, and transmits the first motion information to the server 600.

  The smartphone 1792 is a smartphone associated with the audience 1636. Details of the smartphone 1792 will be described later.

  The gateway 1793 is a relay device that receives the second motion information detected by the chemical light 1658 and transmits the second motion information to the server 600.

  The server 600 receives the first motion information from the computer 1791 and receives the second motion information from the gateway 1793 in addition to the functions described with reference to FIG.

[Acquisition of dimension data]
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a method of acquiring dimension data. FIG. 18A shows a state where the performer 1635 faces the front, spreads both hands horizontally, and stands up. Hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 18A is also referred to as a first attitude. FIG. 18B shows a state in which the performer 1635 faces the front, with both hands lowered to the side of the thigh, and standing up. Hereinafter, the state illustrated in FIG. 18B is also referred to as a second posture.

  In one aspect, the processor of computer 1791 urges performer 1635 to assume a first position and a second position. As an example, the processor outputs, from a speaker (not shown), an audio indicating that the first attitude and the second attitude should be taken.

  The processor acquires positional information of the head, waist, both hands, and both legs of the performer 1635 based on the output of the motion sensor attached to the performer 1635 in each of the two postures (first and second postures). These pieces of position information can be acquired as positions in the real coordinate system (x, y, z) as shown in FIG.

  The processor calculates dimension data of the performer 1635 from position information corresponding to the two postures. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the processor calculates the height, shoulder width, arm length, foot length, and head to shoulder height of the performer 1635 as dimensional data. The processor may calculate the distance between both hands in the second posture as the shoulder width. The processor may calculate half of the distance between the two hands in the first posture minus the shoulder width as the arm length. The processor may calculate the distance from the height of the foot to the height of the head as height. The processor may calculate the distance from the height of the foot to the height of the waist as the length of the foot. The processor may calculate the height from the hand height to the head in the first posture as the height from the head to the shoulder.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process for acquiring dimension data. In step S2110, the processor instructs the performer 1635 to be in the first position. For example, the processor implements the process of step S2110 by outputting the instruction as sound from the speaker. In step S2120, the processor obtains position information corresponding to the first attitude.

  In step S2130, the processor instructs the performer 1635 to be in the second position. In step S2140, the processor obtains position information corresponding to the second orientation.

  In step S2150, the processor calculates dimension data of the performer 1635 from the position information corresponding to the first attitude and the position information corresponding to the second attitude. The processor stores the dimensional data in the storage of the computer 1791.

  As described above, the performer 1635 can easily input its own dimensions to the computer 1791 only by taking two positions. In another aspect, the performer 1635 may input its dimensions to the computer 1791 using an input device such as a keyboard.

[Rotation of joints]
In one embodiment, the processor of the computer 1791 estimates the rotation direction of the joint of the performer 1635 based on the output (position information) of the six motion sensors attached to the performer 1635 and the dimension data. As one example, the processor estimates a shoulder position based on head position information, a shoulder width, and a head-to-shoulder height. The processor estimates the elbow position from the shoulder position and the hand position information. This estimation can be performed by known applications using Inverse Kinetics.

  In one embodiment, the processor obtains the tilt (rotational direction) of the neck (head), waist, wrists, and ankle joints of the performer 1635 from the six motion sensors. In addition, the processor estimates the rotation directions of the joints of both shoulders, both elbows, both hips (roots of feet), and both knees based on inverse kinematics. As shown in FIG. 22, the processor obtains or estimates the rotational direction of each joint in the uvw view coordinate system.

  When the rotation direction is calculated based on the position information and the dimension data, the processor determines that the shoulder of the speaker 1635 is not facing the front (that is, when the head and the waist are facing in different directions). The position of the subject can not be estimated accurately. Therefore, in another embodiment, the computer 1791 may estimate the rotational direction of the joint by further considering the tilt of the portion of the performer 1635 detected by the motion sensor. For example, the computer 1791 estimates the position of the shoulder based on head position information, head inclination, waist inclination, shoulder width, and head-to-shoulder height. According to this configuration, the computer 1791 can improve the accuracy in the rotational direction of the joint.

[Live viewing process flow]
FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating a portion of the processing performed in system 1700 in accordance with an embodiment. In the present embodiment, a series of processes on the viewer side for starting live viewing will be described as being executed by the HMD set 110A. However, the process may be performed by another HMD set 110B or 110C, or part or all of the process may be performed by the server 600.

  In step S2301, the processor 210A defines a virtual space 11A. The said process is corresponded to the process of FIG.11 S1110. Specifically, the processor 210A defines the virtual space 11A represented by the virtual space data by specifying the virtual space data. The virtual space 11A is a virtual space in which the avatar object 6A views live of the avatar object 1533. In other words, the virtual space 11A is a virtual space in which the performance by the avatar object 1533 is performed.

  In step S2302, the processor 210A generates a virtual camera 14A and arranges the virtual camera 14A in the virtual space 11A. In step S2303, the processor 210A generates a stage object 1532 and arranges it in the second virtual space 11A. In step S2304, the processor 210A places the avatar object 1534 in the virtual space 11A. As an example, the processor 210A places the virtual camera 14A and the avatar object 6A at the same position.

  In step S2305, the processor 210A receives avatar information of avatar objects 6B and 6C from the server 600. In step S2306, the processor 210A places the avatar objects 6B and 6C in the virtual space 11A based on the received avatar information. The processor 210A further receives avatar information of the other avatar object 6 and arranges it in the virtual space 11A. In the virtual space 11A, a large number of avatar objects 6 and a large number of avatar objects 1534 are arranged. However, for convenience of explanation, avatar objects 6B and 6C and two avatar objects 1534 are representatively shown in the drawing (eg, FIG. 15) showing the virtual space 11. Hereinafter, the other avatar object 6 and the other avatar object 1534 will not be referred to unless otherwise required.

  In step S2307, the processor 210A arranges the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A as the avatar object control module 1424. Although not shown, the processor 210A generates avatar information of the avatar object 6A at any timing and transmits it to the server 600.

  In step 2308, processor 210A, as virtual camera control module 1422, determines the position and tilt of virtual camera 14A in virtual space 11A according to the movement of HMD 120A. More specifically, processor 210A controls field of view area 15A, which is the field of view from virtual camera 14A in virtual space 11A, according to the posture of the head of user 5A and the position of virtual camera 14A in virtual space 11A. . The process corresponds to part of the process of step S1140 in FIG. Since the virtual camera 14A is disposed at the same position as the avatar object 6A, the position of the virtual camera 14A is synonymous with the position of the avatar object 6A. Furthermore, the view from the virtual camera 14A is synonymous with the view from the avatar object 6A.

  In step S2309, the processor 210A displays the view image 17A on the monitor 130A. Specifically, the processor 210A defines the view image 17A corresponding to the view area 15A based on the movement of the HMD 120A (that is, the position and inclination of the virtual camera 14A) and virtual space data defining the virtual space 11A. Do. Defining the view image 17A is synonymous with generating the view image 17A. The processor 210A further causes the HMD 120A to display the view image 17A by outputting the view image 17A to the monitor 130A of the HMD 120A. The process corresponds to the process of steps S1180 and S1190 of FIG.

  In step S2321, the processor of the computer 1791 starts receiving the detection result from the motion sensor attached to the performer 1635. Specifically, when a performer 1635 wearing a motion sensor appears on the stage in the physical space, the motion sensor starts detection of arrival time and angle of a signal emitted from the base station 1659. Thus, the computer 1791 starts receiving the detection result from the motion sensor.

  In step S2322, the processor transmits information indicating the reception start from the motion sensor to the computer 200A in real time via the server 600. The information may be first motion information generated based on a detection result initially received from a motion sensor.

  In step S2310, the processor 210A receives information indicating the start of reception from the motion sensor. In step S2311, the processor 210A arranges the avatar object 1533 in the virtual space 11A based on the received information. In particular, processor 210A places avatar object 1533 on stage object 1532.

(Live start)
FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of the posture of the performer 1635 according to an embodiment. After the start of live in the real space, the performer 1635 moves his / her body, for example, to assume the posture shown in FIG. The attitude shown in FIG. 24 is an attitude when the first performance is performed. In step S2323, the processor of the computer 1791 detects the movement taking the attitude shown in FIG. 24, that is, the movement of the first performance. In step S2324, the processor generates first motion information based on the detected motion, and transmits the first motion information to the computer 200A in real time via the server 600.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2511A and a view image 2517A according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 25, the two avatar objects 1534 will be referred to as an avatar object 1534A and an avatar object 1534B, respectively.

  In step S2312, the processor 210A receives the first motion information of the speaker 1635 via the server 600 in real time. In step S2313, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 1533 to execute the second performance based on the received first motion information. Thereby, the processor 210A can cause the avatar object 1533 to execute a second performance corresponding to the first performance of the performer 1635 shown in FIG.

  The processor 210A causes the avatar object 6A to view the second performance by the avatar object 1533 in the virtual space 2511A. The processor 210A displays, for example, a view image 2517A corresponding to the virtual space 2511A shown in FIG. 25A on the monitor 130A as shown in FIG. 25B. The user 5A recognizes that the avatar object 1533 has performed the second performance on the stage object 1532 by visually recognizing the view image 2517A. Thus, the user 5A can enjoy the second performance by the avatar object 1533 from the viewpoint of the avatar object 6A.

  In this manner, the user 5 of the HMD set 110 can virtually experience in the virtual space 2511 the second performance of the avatar object 1533 reflecting the first performance of the performer 1635 in the live performance performed in the real space. . In other words, the system 1700 can provide the user 5 with a new option of viewing the live in the virtual space 2511, in addition to the conventional options of viewing the live locally and viewing in live viewing. As a result, the user 5 can experience the live virtually even in a situation where he can not get a live ticket or can not go to the live venue or the live viewing venue.

[Implication of information in real space to virtual space]
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating live in real space according to one embodiment. For the convenience of description, in FIG. 26, the audience 1636A and the audience 1636B are representatively shown among a large number of audiences 1636. Also, in FIG. 26, the description of the base station 1659 is omitted. The same is true for the subsequent figures showing live in real space.

  During the live in the real space, the audience 1636 shakes the held chemical light 1658 as shown in FIG. 26, for example. Thereby, second movement information indicating that the chemical light 1658 has been waved is transmitted to the computer 200A via the gateway 1793 and the server 600. The processor 210A executes the first process in the virtual space 11A in response to the second motion information, in other words, the motion of the audience 1636 shaking the chemical light 1658.

(Example 1 of the first process)
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2511A and a field of view image 2717A according to an embodiment. As an example, the processor 210A moves the avatar object 1534 according to the received second motion information as the first process. For example, as shown in FIG. 27A, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 1534 to shake the light object 1541 in the virtual space 2511A.

  In this example, the processor 210A obtains information identifying each chemical light 1658 and stores the information in the storage 230 before the start of live. Further, when arranging the avatar object 1534 in the virtual space 2511A, the processor 210A associates each avatar object 1534 with the information identifying each chemical light 1658 stored in the storage 230. Thereby, before the start of live, each avatar object 1534 is associated with the audience 1636 having the chemical light 1658. In other words, processor 210A places avatar object 1534 associated with each spectator 1636 in virtual space 2511A.

  When processor 210A receives second motion information, ie, information identifying chemical light 1658 based on spectator 1636 waving chemical light 1658, processor 210A identifies avatar object 1534 associated with the information. Then, the processor 210A causes the identified avatar object 1534 to shake the light object 1541. In the example of FIG. 26, the spectators 1636A and 1636B shake the chemical lights 1658. In the example of FIG. 27, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 1534A to shake the light object 1541 according to the second movement information based on the audience 1636A waving the chemical light 1658. Also, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 1534B to shake the light object 1541 in accordance with the second movement information based on the audience 1636B shaking the chemical light 1658.

  The processor 210A displays, for example, a view image 2717A corresponding to the virtual space 2511A shown in FIG. 27A on the monitor 130A as shown in FIG. 27B. The user 5A recognizes that the avatar object 1534 shakes the light object 1541 by visually recognizing the view image 2717A.

  Thus, in response to the spectator 1636 swinging the chemical light 1658 in the real space, the avatar object 1534 swings the light object 1541 in the virtual space 2511 A, and the live of live performed in the real space is It can be reflected in the virtual space 2511A. In other words, the live performed in the virtual space 2511A swells in the same manner as the live performed in the real space. As a result, it is possible to create a state as if the live audience 1636 in the real space and the user 5 watching the live in the virtual space 2511 integrally view the live.

(Example 2 of the first process)
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a virtual space 2511A and a field of view image 2817A in accordance with an embodiment. As an example, the processor 210 </ b> A executes an effect according to the number of spectators 1636 waving the chemical light 1658 as the first process.

  Specifically, the processor 210A specifies the number of spectators 1636 who are waving the chemical light 1658 by calculating the number of the received second motion information. And processor 210A performs the above-mentioned production, for example, when specified number is more than a predetermined threshold. The processor 210A may, for example, produce a shooting star in the virtual space 2511A as shown in FIG. 28A as the effect. That is, the processor 210A may arrange the star object 2842 which is a virtual object of star shape in the virtual space 2511A, and may further move the star object 2842.

  The processor 210A, for example, displays a view image 2817A corresponding to the virtual space 2511A shown in FIG. 28A on the monitor 130A as shown in FIG. 28B. The user 5A recognizes that an effect of a shooting star is being performed in the virtual space 2511A by visually recognizing the view image 2817A.

  In this way, by performing effects in the virtual space 2511A according to the number of spectators 1636 who waved the chemical light 1658 in the real space, the liveliness of live performed in the real space is reflected in the virtual space 2511A be able to. By the effect being performed in the virtual space 2511A, the live performed in the virtual space 2511A swells in the same manner as the live performed in the real space. As a result, it is possible to create a state as if the live audience 1636 in the real space and the user 5 watching the live in the virtual space 2511 integrally view the live.

  The processor 210A may make the effect to be performed more flashy as the number of the received second motion information is larger. For example, the processor 210 </ b> A may increase the number of star-shaped objects 2842 as the number of the received second motion information increases in the effect of the shooting star described above.

  The server 600 may specify the number of spectators 1636 who are waving the chemical light 1658. The server 600 may further determine whether the specified number is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold. When the server 600 only specifies the number of spectators 1636 waving the chemical light 1658, the server 600 transmits the specified number to the computer 200A. When the server 600 performs both identification of the number of spectators 1636 waving the chemical light 1658 and determination as to whether the identified number is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the server 600 determines that the identified number is a predetermined number. If it is determined that the threshold value is exceeded, the processor 210A is notified of that.

[Example 1 of reflection of information in virtual space to real space]
The system 1700 may include an apparatus for reflecting information in the virtual space 11 to the real space. The apparatus provides the audience 1636 with a virtual experience in Augmented Reality (AR) space, as an example. For example, the device may include a display unit that displays a physical space, and may cause the display unit to display a first image according to the information in the virtual space 11 together with the physical space. Note that “displaying the real space” may be, for example, displaying an image (second image) obtained by photographing the real space, or displaying the real space as it is. Further, “to display the real space as it is” means, for example, that the user visually recognizes the real space through the transmissive display unit. Hereinafter, a smartphone 1792 shown in FIG. 17 will be described as an example of the device.
(Hardware configuration of smartphone)
FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a smartphone 1792 according to the present embodiment. As described above, the smartphone 1792 is a smartphone associated with the audience 1636 (eg, a smartphone owned by the audience 1636). The smartphone 1792 includes a processor 2951, a memory 2952, a storage 2953, a touch panel 2954, a display 2955 (display unit), a camera 2956, and a communication interface 2957 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 2958, respectively.

  The processor 2951 executes a series of instructions included in the program stored in the memory 2952 or the storage 2953 based on a signal given to the smartphone 1792 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, the processor 2951 is realized as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a micro processor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another device.

  The memory 2952 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from, for example, the storage 2953. The data includes data input to the smartphone 1792 and data generated by the processor 2951. In one aspect, the memory 2952 is implemented as random access memory (RAM) or another volatile memory.

  The storage 2953 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 2953 is realized, for example, as a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or another non-volatile storage device. The programs stored in the storage 2953 include an application program, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with another device. In another aspect, the storage 2953 may be realized as a removable storage device like a memory card.

  Touch panel 2954 is operated by audience 1636 to receive an input of an instruction from audience 1636 to smartphone 1792. As an example, the operation of the spectator 1636 on the touch panel 2954 is to bring an object into contact with the touch panel 2954, to release the contact of the object, or to move the touched object while maintaining the contact. In one aspect, the touch panel 2954 is arranged to overlap with the display 2955. In other words, the touch panel 2954 and the display 2955 are integrated.

  The display 2955 can be realized, for example, as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor. The camera 2956 shoots a real space. An image (still image or moving image) captured by the camera 2956 is displayed on the display 2955.

  The communication interface 2957 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with other computers (for example, the server 600) connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 2957 is implemented as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. Be done. The communication interface 2957 is not limited to the one described above.

  In one aspect, the processor 2951 accesses the storage 2953, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 2953 into the memory 220, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the smartphone 1792, various application programs, game software, and the like.

  As an example, the storage 2953 stores an application program for providing the user with a virtual experience in the AR space. That is, by executing the application program, the smartphone 1792 can display the virtual object on the display 2955 together with the second image of the real space captured by the camera 2956.

(Detailed configuration of module)
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a module of the smartphone 1792 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 30, the smartphone 1792 includes a control module 3061, a rendering module 3062, and a memory module 3063. In an aspect, the control module 3061 and the rendering module 3062 are implemented by the processor 2951. In another aspect, multiple processors 2951 may operate as a control module 3061 and a rendering module 3062. The memory module 3063 is realized by the memory 2952 or the storage 2953.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the control module 3061 includes a virtual object generation module 3064 and a virtual object control module 3065.

  The virtual object generation module 3064 generates various virtual objects in the AR space. The virtual object control module 3065 controls the behavior of the virtual object in the AR space. As one example, the virtual object control module 3065 deforms a virtual object. As another example, the virtual object control module 3065 changes the arrangement position of the virtual object. As another example, the virtual object control module 3065 moves a virtual object.

  In one aspect, the control module 3061 obtains a second image of the real space captured by the camera 2956. The rendering module 3062 generates an image to be displayed on the display 2955 based on the second image and the virtual object. As an example, the rendering module 3062 generates an image to be displayed on the display 2955 by superimposing the virtual object on the second image.

  The memory module 3063 holds data used by the smartphone 1792 to provide an AR space to the audience 1636. In one aspect, the memory module 3063 holds space information, object information, and user information.

  Spatial information holds one or more templates defined to provide AR space. The object information includes object data for arranging an object in the AR space.

  The user information holds a user ID identifying the user (ie the audience 1636). The user ID may be, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address set in the smartphone 1792 used by the audience 1636. In another aspect, the user ID may be set by the user.

  Data and programs stored in the memory module 3063 are input by the user of the smartphone 1792 (ie, the audience 1636). Alternatively, the processor 2951 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, the server 600) operated by a provider who provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 3063.

  In one aspect, the control module 3061 and the rendering module 3062 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that implement each process.

  The processing in the smartphone 1792 is realized by hardware and software executed by the processor 2951. Such software may be stored in advance in a hard disk or other memory module 3063. The software may be stored in a CD-ROM or other computer readable non-volatile data storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or other network. Such software is read from the data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from a server 600 or other computer via a communication control module (not shown), and then temporarily stored in the storage module. Stored. The software is read from the storage module by the processor 2951 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 2951 executes the program.

(Processing flow)
FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram illustrating a portion of the processing performed in system 1700 in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating live in real space according to an embodiment. In the present embodiment, a series of processes on the viewer side will be described as being executed by the HMD set 110A. However, the process may be performed by another HMD set 110B or 110C, or part or all of the process may be performed by the server 600. Also, part or all of the series of processes on the audience side may be performed by the server 600.

  In step S3111, the processor 2951 causes the display to display a second image obtained by imaging the physical space. In the example of FIG. 32, as shown in FIG. 32A, the audience 1636A captures a real space, specifically, a physical space including the performer 1635, using the smartphone 1792. The processor 2951 displays, for example, a second image 3271 obtained by imaging the physical space on the display 2955 as shown in FIG. 32 (B). In the present embodiment, the second image 3271 is described as a moving image (video), but the second image 3271 may be a still image. The second image 3271 includes a speaker 1635. The audience 1636A views the first performance of the performer 1635 via the display 2955 of the smartphone 1792 by viewing the second image 3271.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2511A and a view image 3317A according to an embodiment. While live in the virtual space 2511A, the user 5A performs a second operation for causing the avatar object 5A to execute the third operation. The second motion may be, for example, a motion of swinging down in the lower left direction after raising the right hand. In step S3101, the processor 210A detects a second operation performed by the user 5A. In step S3102, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 6A to execute the third operation based on the detected second operation. As an example, as shown in FIG. 33A, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 6A to shake the light object 1541 as the third operation.

  In step S3103, the processor 210A receives avatar information of the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6C via the server 600. These pieces of avatar information are respectively transmitted from the computer 200B and the computer 200C. In step S3104, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6C to execute the third operation based on the received avatar information. That is, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6C to shake the light object 1541. The processor 210A may also cause the avatar object 1534 to swing the light object 1541, as shown in FIG.

  The processor 210A displays, for example, a view image 3317A corresponding to the virtual space 2511A shown in FIG. 33A on the monitor 130A as shown in FIG. 33B. The user 5A recognizes that the avatar object 6B, the avatar object 6C, and the avatar object 1534 shake the light object 1541 by visually recognizing the view image 2517A.

  In step 3105, the processor 210A transmits third motion information indicating that the avatar object 6A is performing the third operation to the smartphone 1792 via the server 600.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating live in real space according to an embodiment. At step S3112, the processor 2951 receives the third motion information. In step S3113, the processor 2951 causes the display 2955 to display the first image corresponding to the third motion information together with the second image. In the example of FIG. 33, as in the example of FIG. 32, the spectator 1636A captures a real space including the performer 1635 using a smartphone 1792 as shown in FIG. 33 (A). The processor 2951 displays the first image together with the second image 3471, for example, on the display 2955 as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 34B, the first image may be a heart-shaped object 3472 which is a heart-shaped virtual object.

  That is, the smartphone 1792 displays the heart-shaped object 3472 not in the real space on the display 2955 together with the second image 3471 obtained by photographing the real space. Thus, the smartphone 1792 can provide the user with a virtual experience as if the heart-shaped object 3472 appeared in the real space.

  As an example, the processor 2951 specifies the total number of avatar objects 6 executing the third operation by specifying the total number of third motion information received from each processor 210. Then, the processor 2951 displays the heart-shaped object 3472 together with the second image 3471 on the display 2955, for example, when the specified total number is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold.

  As the total number of avatar objects 6 executing the third operation increases, the processor 2951 may make the effect to be performed more flashy. For example, the processor 2951 may increase the number of heart-shaped objects 3472 as the total number increases.

  The server 600 may specify the total number of avatar objects 6 that are executing the third operation. The server 600 may further determine whether the specified total number is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. When the server 600 only specifies the total number of avatar objects 6 that are performing the third operation, the server 600 transmits the specified total number to the smartphone 1792. When the server 600 performs both the specification of the total number of avatar objects 6 executing the third operation and the determination of whether the total number is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, the server 600 determines the total number. When it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the processor 2951 is notified of that.

  Thus, the processor 2951 displays the heart-shaped object 3472 together with the second image 3471 obtained by imaging the physical space according to the total number of avatar objects 6 executing the third operation in the virtual space 2511. Thereby, liveliness of live performed in the virtual space 2511 can be reflected to the real space. A live audience 1636 in the real space can virtually experience the liveliness of live performed in the virtual space 2511 while in the real space. As a result, it is possible to create a state as if the live audience 1636 in the real space and the user 5 watching the live in the virtual space 2511 integrally view the live.

[Example 2 of reflection of information in virtual space to real space]
(Hardware configuration of AR glass)
FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an AR glass 3594 (second terminal apparatus) according to the present embodiment. The audience 1636 can enjoy the virtual experience in the AR space also by using the AR glass 3594 instead of the smartphone 1792. Specifically, the audience 1636 can enjoy the virtual experience in the AR space by wearing the AR glass 3594 on the head.

  The AR glass 3594 includes, as main components, a processor 3581, a memory 3582, a storage 3583, a display 3584 (display unit), and a communication interface 3585. Each component is connected to the bus 3586, respectively.

  The processor 3581 executes a series of instructions included in a program stored in the memory 3582 or the storage 3583 based on a signal given to the AR glass 3594 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. . In one aspect, the processor 3581 is realized as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a micro processor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another device.

  Memory 3582 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from, for example, storage 3583. The data includes data input to the AR glass 3594 and data generated by the processor 3581. In one aspect, the memory 3582 is implemented as random access memory (RAM) or another volatile memory.

  The storage 3583 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 3583 is realized, for example, as a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or another non-volatile storage device. The programs stored in the storage 3583 include an application program, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with another device. In another aspect, the storage 3583 may be realized as a removable storage device like a memory card.

  The display 3584 is a transmissive display device. Here, the "transmission type display device" is a display device which can also visually recognize the scenery behind the display device when the user views the display device. With such a display device, the transmittance of the display 3584 is not particularly limited. A display 3584 is provided on the so-called lens portion of the glasses and displays an image based on the processing of the processor 3581. Thereby, the spectator 1636 wearing the AR glass 3594 visually recognizes the physical space and visually recognizes the image displayed on the display 3584. Note that all of the lens portions of the AR glass 3594 may be the display 3584, or part of the lens portions may be the display 3584.

  As one example, the storage 3583 stores an application program for providing the user with a virtual experience in the AR space. That is, the AR glass 3594 causes the display 3584 to display a virtual object as an example of an image by executing the application program. Thus, the spectator 1636 wearing the AR glass 3594 visually recognizes the real space and the virtual object at the same time. Thus, the AR glass 3594 can provide the audience 1636 with the AR glass 3594 with a virtual experience in the AR space.

  The communication interface 3585 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with other computers (for example, the server 600) connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 3585 is implemented as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. Be done. The communication interface 3585 is not limited to the one described above.

  In one aspect, the processor 3581 accesses the storage 3583, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 3583 into the memory 220, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an AR glass 3594 operating system, various application programs, game software, and the like.

  The detailed configuration of the module of the AR glass 3594 is the same as the detailed configuration of the module of the smartphone 1792 described with reference to FIG. That is, the AR glass 3594 includes a control module 3061, a rendering module 3062, and a memory module 3063. The control module 3061 further includes a virtual object generation module 3064 and a virtual object control module 3065. These details have already been described and will not be repeated here.

(An example of a virtual experience using AR glass)
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating live in real space according to an embodiment. The processor 3581 of the AR glass 3594 causes the display 3584 to display a first image according to the execution of the third operation by the avatar object 6. In the example of FIG. 36, as shown in FIG. 36A, the spectator 1636A wears the AR glass 3594.

  When the processor 3581 receives the third motion information from each processor 210, the processor 3581 identifies the total number of avatar objects 6 executing the third operation by identifying the total number of received third motion information. Then, for example, the processor 3581 causes the display 3584 to display the first image when the specified total number is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold. As one example, the processor 3581 causes the display 3584 to display a heart-shaped object 3472 as a first image, as shown in FIG. 36 (B).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 36B, the audience 1636A visually recognizes the real space, that is, the performer 1635 performing the first performance, and visually recognizes the heart-shaped object 3472. Accordingly, the audience 1636 can experience the liveliness of live performed in the virtual space 2511 virtually while being in the real space. As a result, it is possible to create a state as if the live audience 1636 in the real space and the user 5 watching the live in the virtual space 2511 integrally view the live.

[Modification]
The avatar object 1533 may not be the high precision 3D model of the performer 1635. For example, the avatar object 1533 may have an appearance in which the performer 1635 is deformed, or may have an appearance different from that of the performer 1635.

  If there are a plurality of performers 1635, it is conceivable that the processor of the computer 1791 can not detect the motions of all the performers 1635. For example, depending on the position of the performer 1635, there may be a case where the motion sensor can not detect the signal emitted from the base station 1659. In this case, the processor 210 can not cause the avatar object 1533 associated with some of the performers 1635 to perform the second performance.

  In order to solve this problem, when there are a plurality of performers 1635 and avatar objects 1533, all avatar objects 1533 are not configured to perform a second performance corresponding to the first performance of any performer 1635. Good. For example, only the avatar object 1533 associated with the main performer 1635 (the so-called "center" performer 1635) who performs the first performance may operate according to the move of the performer 1635. The other avatar object 1533 may be operated by the processor 210 using artificial intelligence (AI). In this configuration, the base station 1659 may be installed at a position where the motion sensor worn by the center performer 1635 can detect a signal. Further, in this configuration, the performers 1635 other than the center may not wear the motion sensor.

  In the above example, only the avatar object 1533 associated with the center performer 1635 (ie, one person) has been described as operating in response to the performer 1635's movement. In another aspect, an avatar object 1533 associated with a plurality of performers 1635 among all the performers 1635 may operate in response to the movement of the plurality of performers 1635.

  In addition, avatar objects 1533 of people who do not participate in live in the real space (for example, members of an idle group who is in poor physical condition and not participate) may appear live in the virtual space 2511. For example, the processor 210 may operate the avatar object 1533 using AI. As a result, a non-participant performer in live in the real space will appear in live in the virtual space 2511. That is, the user 5 can enjoy the privilege which is not in the live in the real space in the live in the virtual space 2511.

  In the example of the reflection of the information of the real space to the virtual space (example 1 of the first process) described above, the processor 210A previously associates the information for identifying the chemical light 1658 with the avatar object 1534. On the other hand, when the audience 1636 receives the second motion information based on the swing of the chemical light 1658, the processor 210A receives the second motion information, that is, the information for identifying the chemical light 1658 as any of the avatar objects 1534. May be associated with In this example, when the processor 210A stops receiving the second motion information, the processor 210A may release the association between the second motion information and the avatar object 1534. In other words, the processor 210A may be configured to temporarily associate the audience 1636 and the avatar object 1534 during live.

  Reflection of information in the virtual space to the real space is not limited to the virtual experience in the AR space. For example, if avatar object 6 speaks to avatar object 1534 in virtual space 2511, processor 210 may transmit its contents to smartphone 1792 of audience 1636 associated with avatar object 1534. The processor 2951 of the smartphone 1792 may activate a predetermined application, for example, an application for executing a chat, and may display the received content on the display 2955 as a chat utterance. Thereby, the user 5 and the audience 1636 can communicate directly.

  Alternatively, the processor 210 may post the content of the avatar object 6 speaking in the virtual space 2511 on a bulletin board of SNS (social networking service). The audience 1636 can visually recognize the utterance of the avatar object 6 by activating the application of the SNS using the smartphone 1792.

  The system 1700 may have a configuration in which the avatar object 6 and the avatar object 1534 are not arranged in the virtual space 2511. In other words, the system 1700 may have a configuration in which no spectators are arranged in the virtual space 2511. In addition, since the virtual camera 14 is disposed in the virtual space 2511, the user 5 can view the second performance of the avatar object 1533.

  The processor 210 operates the user 5 in a mode for viewing live by the avatar object 1533 and a mode for viewing live by the performer 1635 in the virtual space (that is, viewing live in the real space in the virtual space). It may be switchable accordingly. The processor 210 may detect, for example, the operation of the user 5 on the controller 300 and switch the above two modes. In the mode in which the live by the performer 1635 is viewed in the virtual space, the processor 210 may arrange the screen object in the virtual space 2511 and display the live image of the received real space on the screen object. The screen object may be, for example, an all-sky screen object. In this example, the processor 210 receives an image captured by the omnidirectional camera capable of capturing a 360-degree direction, and causes the screen object to display the image. As a result, the processor 210 can provide the user 5 with a virtual experience closer to a real space live in the virtual space 2511. In addition, in the mode in which the processor 210 views live by a performer 1635 in a virtual space, a mode in which a live image is displayed on a rectangular screen object and a mode in which a live image is displayed on an omnidirectional screen object And may be switchable according to the operation of the user 5.

  Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner by the description of the present embodiments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is an example, and that modifications of various embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

[Items to be added]
It will be as follows when the contents concerning one side of the present invention are listed.

  (Item 1) Described the system. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system (1700) includes a first computer (computer 1791) associated with a performer (1635) performing a first performance on an audience (1636) in real space, and a first user And a second computer (computer 200) associated with (user 5A) for providing a first user with a virtual experience. The first computer detects movement of the performer's body in the first performance. The second computer defines a virtual space (2511A) for providing a virtual experience to the first user, places the first avatar (avatar object 1533) associated with the performer in the virtual space, and is detected by the first computer In response to the movement of the performer's body, the first avatar is caused to perform a second performance corresponding to the first performance.

  2. The item of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a first terminal (chemical light 1658) associated with the spectator. The first terminal device detects a first motion of the spectator. The second computer executes the first process in the virtual space according to the first operation detected by the first terminal device.

  (Item 3) In (Item 2), the second computer arranges the second avatar (avatar object 1534) associated with the spectator in the virtual space, and performs the first operation detected by the first terminal device as the first process. Move the second avatar accordingly.

  (Item 4) In (Item 2), a plurality of first terminal devices are associated with each of a plurality of spectators. The second computer specifies the number of first terminal devices that have detected the first operation, and executes an effect according to the specified number as the first process.

  (Item 5) In any of (Item 1) to (Item 4), the system further includes a second terminal device (smartphone 1792) associated with the spectator, comprising a display unit (display 2955) for displaying the physical space. Including. The second computer arranges the third avatar (avatar object 6A) associated with the first user in the virtual space, detects the second motion of the first user, and responds to the detected second motion to the third avatar. 3 Run the action. The second terminal device causes the display unit to display the first image (heart-shaped object 3472) according to the execution of the third operation together with the physical space.

  (Item 6) In (Item 5), the second computer arranges a plurality of fourth avatars (avatar objects 6B and 6C) associated with the plurality of second users (users 5B and 5C) in the virtual space, The fourth avatar is caused to execute the third action according to the second action of the second user. The second terminal device specifies the total number of the third avatar and the fourth avatar executing the third operation, and causes the display unit to display a first image according to the total number.

  (Item 7) In any one of (Item 1) to (Item 6), the second computer arranges the virtual camera (14) associated with the first user in the virtual space, and the posture of the head of the first user and The field of view (field of view area 15A) from the virtual camera in the virtual space is controlled according to the position of the virtual camera in the virtual space, and a field of view image (field of view image 17A) corresponding to the field of view from the virtual camera is defined. The view image is output to the image display device (monitor 130A) associated with the head of the user.

  (Item 8) The program was explained. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program is executed by a computer (200A) equipped with a processor (210A) to provide a virtual experience to a user (5A). The program defines the virtual space (virtual space 2511A) for providing the user with a virtual experience to the processor (S2301), and the performer (1635) who performs the first performance on the audience (1636) in the real space. Placing in the virtual space a first avatar (avatar object 1533) to be associated with), receiving in the first performance first information about the movement of the performer's body in the first performance (S2312), and the first information And causing the first avatar to execute a second performance corresponding to the first performance (S2313).

  (Item 9) The information processing apparatus has been described. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing device (computer 200A) stores the program (storage 230A) that stores a program to be executed by the information processing device to provide the virtual experience to the user (5A); And a control unit (processor 210A) that controls the operation of the information processing apparatus. The control unit defines a virtual space (2511A) for providing a virtual experience to the user, and is a first avatar (avatar) associated with the performer (1635) performing the first performance on the audience (1636) in the real space. Place the object 1533) in the virtual space, receive the first information on the movement of the performer's body in the first performance, and respond to the first information to the first avatar for the second performance corresponding to the first performance Run it.

  (Item 10) A method of executing a program has been described. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program is executed by a computer (200A) equipped with a processor (210A) to provide a virtual experience to a user (5A). In the method, the processor defines (S2301) a virtual space (2511A) for providing a virtual experience to the user, and a performer (1635) who performs the first performance on the audience (1636) in the real space. According to the first information, the step of arranging the associated first avatar (avatar object 1533) in the virtual space (S2311), the step of receiving the first information on the movement of the performer's body in the first performance (S2312), and And causing the first avatar to execute a second performance corresponding to the first performance (S2313).

  (Item 11) The program was explained. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program may include a processor (2951) and a physical space to provide a virtual experience to an audience (1636) viewing the first performance of the performer (1635) in the physical space. And a display unit (display 2955) to be displayed. The program is executed by a third avatar (avatar object 6) viewing a second performance corresponding to the first performance in the virtual space by the first avatar (avatar object 1533) associated with the speaker. Step S3112: receiving the third information related to three operations; and displaying the first image (heart-shaped object 3472) according to the third information on the display unit together with the physical space (S3113).

  (Item 12) The information processing apparatus has been described. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus (smartphone 1792) is an information processing apparatus for providing a virtual experience to a spectator (1636) who is watching the first performance of a performer (1635) in a real space. Storage unit (storage 2953) for storing a program to be executed by the control unit, a control unit (processor 2951) for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the program, and a display unit (display 2955) for displaying the real space And have. The control unit performs a third operation performed by a third avatar (avatar object 6) viewing a second performance corresponding to the first performance in the virtual space by the first avatar (avatar object 1533) associated with the performer And causes the display unit to display a first image (heart-shaped object 3472) according to the third information, together with the real space.

  (Item 13) Described how to execute the program. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program may include a processor (2951) and a physical space to provide a virtual experience to an audience (1636) viewing the first performance of the performer (1635) in the physical space. And a display unit (display 2955) to be displayed. The program is executed by a third avatar (avatar object 6) whose processor is viewing a second performance corresponding to the first performance in a virtual space by the first avatar (avatar object 1533) associated with the performer. And 3) receiving the third information related to the three operations (S3112), and displaying the first image (heart-shaped object 3472) corresponding to the third information on the display unit together with the physical space (S3113).

  In the above embodiment, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user is immersed by the HMD is described as an example, but a transmissive HMD may be adopted as the HMD. In this case, an augmented reality (AR) space or a mixed reality (AR) is generated by outputting a view image obtained by synthesizing a part of the image forming the virtual space in the real space viewed by the user through the transmissive HMD. A virtual experience in MR (Mixed Reality) space may be provided to the user. In this case, instead of the operation object, an action on the target object in the virtual space may be generated based on the movement of the user's hand. Specifically, the processor may specify coordinate information of the position of the user's hand in the real space, and define the position of the target object in the virtual space in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. As a result, the processor can grasp the positional relationship between the user's hand in the real space and the target object in the virtual space, and execute processing corresponding to the aforementioned collision control or the like between the user's hand and the target object. . As a result, it is possible to affect the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

  2 Network, 5, 5A, 5B, 5C User, 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 1533, 1534, 1534A, 1534B Avatar Objects, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D Virtual Space, 12 Centers, 13 Panoramic Images, 14 , 14A, 14B virtual camera, 15, 15A, 15B, 15C view area, 16 reference line of sight, 17, 17A, 17B view image, 18, 19 area, 100 HMD system, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D HMD set, 120, 120A, 120B, 120C, HMD, 130, 130A, 130B, 130C monitor, 140 gaze sensor, 150 first camera, 160 second camera, 170, 170A, 170B, 1657 microphone, 180, 180A, 180B speaker, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 90 sensor, 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, 1791 computer, 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 610, 2951, 3581 processor, 220, 620, 2952, 352 memory, 230, 230A, 230B, 630, 2953, 3583 storage, 240, 640 I / O interface, 250, 650, 2957, 3585 communication interface, 260, 660, 2958, 3586 bus, 300, 300B controller, 300R right controller, 300L left controller, 310 grip, 320 frame, 330 heaven Surface, 340, 340, 350, 370, 380 buttons, 360 infrared LED, 390 analog stick, 410 HMD sensor, 420, 420A motion sensor 430 430A display 510 3061 control module 520 3062 rendering module 530 3063 memory module 540 communication control module 600 server 700 external device 1421 3064 virtual object generation module 1422 virtual camera Control module, 1423 operation object control module, 1424 avatar object control module, 1425 motion detection module, 1426, 3065 virtual object control module, 1517A, 2517A, 2717A, 2817A, 3317A view image, 1531 LA virtual left hand, 1531 RA virtual right hand, 1532 stage Object, 1541 Light Object 1635 Performer, 1636, 1636A, 1636B Audience, 1651, 1652, 1653, 1655 Motion Sensor, 1654, 1656 Belt, 1658 Chemical Light, 1659 Base Station, 1700 System, 1792 Smartphone, 1793 Gateway, 2842 Star Object, 2954 Touch Panel, 2955, 3584 display, 2956 camera, 3271, 3471 second image, 3472 heart shaped object

Claims (13)

The first computer associated with the performer performing the first performance in the first venue and the first user associated with the first user who is not in the first venue, for the audience in the first venue of the real space A program executed by a second computer for providing a virtual experience to one user;
The first computer is
Detecting the movement of the performer's body in the first performance;
Acquiring an audio signal of the speaker's speech in the first performance,
The voice converted from the voice signal is output to a speaker installed at the first hall,
The program, on the second computer,
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience to the first user;
Placing a first avatar associated with the performer in the virtual space;
According to the movement of the body of the performer detected by the first computer and the speech signal of the speech acquired by the first computer , the first avatar is subjected to a second performance corresponding to the first performance. A step of performing and a system of performing . The system further includes a first terminal associated with the spectator,
The first terminal device detects a first motion of the spectator,
The program, on the second computer, the first in response to said first operation terminal device detects, further to execute a step of performing a first processing in the virtual space, the system of claim 1. The program further causes the second computer to execute a step of arranging a second avatar associated with the spectator in the virtual space.
The system according to claim 2 , wherein, in the step of executing the first process, the second avatar is moved according to the first operation detected by the first terminal device as the first process. A plurality of said first terminals being associated with each of a plurality of said audiences;
The program further causes the second computer to execute the step of specifying the number of the first terminal devices that have detected the first operation.
The system according to claim 2 , wherein in the step of executing the first process, an effect corresponding to the specified number is performed as the first process. The system further includes a second terminal associated with the spectator, comprising a display for displaying the real space,
The program, on the second computer,
Placing a third avatar associated with the first user in the virtual space;
Detecting a second action of the first user;
A step in accordance with the detected second operation Ru to execute the third operation in the third avatar, further execute a
The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second terminal device causes the display unit to display a first image according to the execution of the third operation together with the physical space. The program, on the second computer,
Placing a plurality of fourth avatars associated with each of a plurality of second users in the virtual space;
Further execute the steps of: Ru to execute the third operation in the fourth avatar in response to the second operation of the second user,
The second terminal device is
Specifying a total number of the third avatar and the fourth avatar executing the third action;
The system according to claim 5, wherein the first image corresponding to the total number is displayed on the display unit. The program, on the second computer,
Placing a virtual camera associated with the first user in the virtual space;
A step in accordance with the position of the virtual camera in the attitude and the virtual space of the head of the first user, to control the field of view from the virtual camera in the virtual space,
Defining a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual camera;
Wherein the step of outputting the field image, to perform another system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in an image display device associated with the head of the first user. A program executed by a computer equipped with a processor to provide a virtual experience to a user who is not at the first venue of the real space ,
The program is executed by the processor
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience to the user;
A speaker including body movement and speech for a spectator in the first hall of the real space , wherein a speaker converted from an audio signal of the speech is installed in the first hall Placing, in the virtual space, a first avatar associated with a performer who performs the first performance output from the first venue at the first venue ;
Receiving the first information related to the movement of the performer's body in the first performance, the first information including the audio signal ;
And causing the first avatar to execute a second performance corresponding to the first performance according to the first information. An information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus is
A storage unit for storing a program to be executed by the information processing apparatus to provide a virtual experience to a user who is not at the first venue of the real space ;
And a controller configured to control the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the program.
The control unit
Define a virtual space for providing the virtual experience to the user,
Against spectators who are first venue of the real space, a first performance including a body movement and speech, from the speaker the sound converted from the audio signal of the utterance is installed in the first venue A first avatar associated with a performer who performs the first performance to be output at the first venue is arranged in the virtual space,
Receiving the first information related to the movement of the performer's body in the first performance, the first information including the audio signal ,
An information processing apparatus, causing the first avatar to execute a second performance corresponding to the first performance according to the first information. A method in which a computer equipped with a processor executes a program to provide a virtual experience for users who are not at the first venue of the real space ,
The method comprises:
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience to the user;
A speaker including body movement and speech for a spectator in the first hall of the real space , wherein a speaker converted from an audio signal of the speech is installed in the first hall Placing, in the virtual space, a first avatar associated with a performer who performs the first performance output from the first venue at the first venue ;
Receiving the first information related to the movement of the performer's body in the first performance, the first information including the audio signal ;
And, in response to the first information, causing the first avatar to perform a second performance corresponding to the first performance. A processor and a display unit for displaying the real space are provided to provide a virtual experience to the audience watching the first performance of the performer in the first hall at the first hall of the real space. A program to be executed by the
The program is executed by the processor
The third action performed by the third avatar associated with the person not in the first venue who is watching the second performance corresponding to the first performance in the virtual space by the first avatar associated with the performer Receiving the third information;
A program for causing the display unit to display a first image according to the third information together with the physical space. An information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus is
At first venue real space, in order to provide a virtual experience to the audience that view the first performance of performers who are the first venue, a storage unit for storing a program executed by the information processing apparatus ,
A control unit that controls the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the program;
A display unit for displaying the real space;
The control unit
The third action performed by the third avatar associated with the person not in the first venue who is watching the second performance corresponding to the first performance in the virtual space by the first avatar associated with the performer Receive the third information,
An information processing apparatus, which causes the display unit to display a first image corresponding to the third information together with the physical space. A processor and a display unit for displaying the real space are provided to provide a virtual experience to the audience watching the first performance of the performer in the first hall at the first hall of the real space. The terminal device executes the program, and
The method comprises:
The third action performed by the third avatar associated with the person not in the first venue who is watching the second performance corresponding to the first performance in the virtual space by the first avatar associated with the performer Receiving the third information;
Displaying on the display unit a first image according to the third information, together with the physical space.

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