JP7368770B1 - Information processing system, information processing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing system, an information processing device, and a program that present content to an avatar in a virtual space. In a game system system 1, a control unit 23 of an information processing device 2 performs a game process that executes a game process related to a game played by the user in response to an instruction from a user of a game device 3 who has logged into the game system. a content storage unit that stores content to be presented to a user; a presentation determination unit that determines to present content to a user according to a situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user; and an avatar at a predetermined time. a situation identification unit that identifies the situation of the avatar, a history accumulation unit that accumulates history regarding the avatar, and a schedule acquisition unit that acquires schedule information that specifies that the avatar is scheduled to take a predetermined action in a predetermined time period. , a presentation control section that functions as a presentation section that presents the content determined by the presentation determination section to the user. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, and a program.

Patent Document 1 discloses that the display position and display direction of a signboard displaying an advertisement etc. are changed and displayed in the virtual space based on input history data and movement trajectory data of a user's movement operation for a character in the virtual space. A technique for doing so has been disclosed.

JP2003-248844A

The use of virtual spaces such as the metaverse is expected to increase further in the future.

In view of the above circumstances, in the present disclosure, content is presented to an avatar in a virtual space.

(1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing system is provided. In the display step in this information processing system, an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space viewed from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar are displayed. In the determining step, it is determined to present the content to the user when the situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user satisfies the presentation condition. The situation is specified by what the avatar is doing in the virtual space at a given time. In the presentation step, the determined content is presented in the virtual space, including at least a part of the period from the start to the end of the situation.

According to this aspect, content can be presented to the avatar in the virtual space.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a game system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a control section of each device. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing. This is an example of schedule information. This is an example of action history accumulated in the history accumulation unit 205. This is an example of a content table. This is an example of a map representing virtual space. This is an example of content presented in virtual space. This is an example of content presented in virtual space. This is an example of content presented in virtual space. This is an example of content presentation results. This is an example of content presented in virtual space. This is an example of presented content. This is an example of content presented in virtual space. This is an example of content presented in virtual space. This is an example of an avatar presented in virtual space.

[Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Various features shown in the embodiments described below can be combined with each other.

By the way, the program for implementing the software appearing in this embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, or may be downloaded from an external server. The program may be provided in a manner that allows the program to be started on an external computer and the function thereof is realized on the client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the term "unit" may include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by circuits in a broad sense and software information processing that can be concretely implemented by these hardware resources. . In addition, various types of information are handled in this embodiment, and these information include, for example, the physical value of a signal value representing voltage and current, and the signal value as a binary bit collection consisting of 0 or 1. It is expressed by high and low levels or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculations can be performed on circuits in a broad sense.

Further, a circuit in a broad sense is a circuit realized by at least appropriately combining a circuit, a circuit, a processor, a memory, and the like. That is, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (for example, simple programmable logic devices (SPLD), complex programmable logic devices (COMPLEX), etc. Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and field This includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and the like.

1. Game Description FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a game system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the game system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a game management device 2 and a plurality of game devices 3 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 11, and a game is executed on the game devices 3. Each device connected in the game system 1 is an information processing device, and the game system 1 is an information processing system including these information processing devices.

The game according to this embodiment is an online game executed by the game system 1. In this game, the user of the game device 3 causes one or more player characters to act in a virtual game space, and causes the player character to compete against an enemy character that is a non-player character (NPC). Further, a character is an example of an object.

The above games can be played on home game consoles such as PlayStation (registered trademark), portable game consoles such as Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or game devices 3 that are electronic devices such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals. It is executed using

2. Overview of Game System 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 includes a game management device 2 and a plurality of game devices 3. The game management device 2 stores game programs and game data, and manages the game data of the game device 3 (for each account information described below). The game management device 2 is configured by, for example, a server. Each of the plurality of game devices 3 has the same configuration. Note that in this embodiment, the system is composed of one or more devices or components. Therefore, for example, even a single game management device 2 or game device 3, which will be described later, can be an example of the game system 1.

The game device 3 executes a predetermined game based on a user's operation. For this purpose, the game device 3 receives (specifically downloads and installs) the game program and game data from the game management device 2 via the communication network 11. Account information including identification information and a password is assigned to each user in association with the game device 3. This account information is transmitted from the game device 3 to the game management device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication in the game management device 2.

After user authentication, mutual communication between the game management device 2 and the game device 3 becomes possible. After logging in, the game device 3 receives data necessary for the game progress (data related to the game progress status) from the game management device 2, and then outputs game images and sounds to the display 4a and speaker 4b based on the user's operations. , advance the game.

2.1 Hardware Configuration Hereinafter, each hardware configuration of the game system 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

<Game management device 2>
As shown in FIG. 1, the game management device 2 includes a communication section 21, a storage section 22, and a control section 23. The communication unit 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via the communication bus 20.

The communication unit 21 is a so-called network interface that is communicably connected to each game device 3 via the communication network 11 such as the Internet and a LAN. The main information that the game management device 2 receives via the communication unit 21 includes game program download request information, gacha lottery request in response to user operations, quest execution request, autoplay execution/termination request, Examples include account information and game data. The main information that the game management device 2 transmits via the communication unit 21 includes information for confirming that the game device 3 has received the game program, information regarding game media obtained through gacha, etc. .

The storage unit 22 includes a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including a part of the game program according to the present embodiment, various data related to games, and the like.

Specifically, for example, the storage unit 22 stores a user DB, a lottery list, and the like. The user DB contains information such as the user name, user rank, and status regarding the player character operated by the user, the amount of consumption media that can be used in the virtual game space, and parameters for each identification number of the user who plays the game. Information etc. are stored in association with each other. The lottery list is used for a lottery process generally called gacha, and includes a plurality of pieces of information regarding game media to be selected. In the lottery list, information regarding the game medium (name, ability parameters, rarity, level, etc.) is associated with selection ratios based on the lottery. Further, the ability parameters include, for example, when the game medium is a player character, military strength, HP, attack power, defense power, intelligence, or speed.

The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game management device 2, which is its own device. In particular, the control section 23 realizes various functions related to the game management device 2, which is its own device, by reading out a predetermined program stored in the storage section 22. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically implemented by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, so that each functional unit described below can be executed. Note that the control section 23 is not limited to a single control section, and may be implemented so as to have a plurality of control sections 23 for each function. It may also be a combination thereof.

Examples of the information processing executed by the control unit 23 include billing settlement processing, user account authentication processing, gacha lottery selection processing, and the like. The billing settlement process is executed, for example, based on a billing request necessary to recover a predetermined amount of parameters during the game. The user account authentication process is executed using user identification information received from the game device 3, for example. The gacha lottery selection process is a process in which, in response to a gacha lottery request, one or more game media are selected by lottery from a lottery list based on the selection probability for each game medium. According to the gacha lottery selection process, the information regarding the selected game medium and the identification information of the user who performed the operation to send the lottery request are associated in the user DB, so that the user can: You will receive the winning game content as a result of drawing the gacha yourself.

To further supplement the above, "game media" is electronic data representing elements related to the game, including the name of the character used as the player character, and the items used by the player character in the virtual game space. Includes weapons, armor, tools, etc. Users can obtain game media through a lottery method called gacha, in addition to direct purchase through payment and quest clearing. The obtained game content is stored and managed in the user DB in association with the identification information of the user who owns the game content. Furthermore, "gacha" is a method in which the game management device 2 selects an arbitrary game medium from a lottery list based on a predetermined selection ratio. The selected arbitrary game content is provided to the user's game device 3. "The game content selected in the gacha is given to the user/owned by the user" is synonymous with "the game content selected in the lottery process is/is associated with identification information indicating the user". be.

<Game device 3>
A display 4a, a speaker 4b, and an input device 4c are externally connected or built into the game device 3. The game device 3 also includes a communication section 31, a storage section 32, a control section 33, a graphics processing section 34a, an audio processing section 34b, and an operation section 34c. The communication section 31, the storage section 32, the graphic processing section 34a, the audio processing section 34b, and the operation section 34c are electrically connected to the control section 33 via the communication bus 30.

The communication unit 31 is a so-called network interface that is communicably connected to the communication network 11 in order to transmit and receive various data between the game device 3 and the game management device 2. The main information that the game device 3 receives via the communication unit 31 includes account information, new game data download request information, gacha execution request, quest execution request, and the like. The main information that the game device 3 transmits via the communication unit 31 includes new game data sent from the game management device 2 in response to download request information, information regarding the game content selected in the lottery process, etc. Can be mentioned.

The storage unit 32 includes an HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, and the like. The storage unit 32 stores game data downloaded from the game management device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the game device 3, which is the own device, user information, etc. Note that the user information is at least part of information in the user DB stored in the storage unit 22 of the game management device 2. The user DB manages a master of user information, and the storage unit 32 of the game device 3 receives at least part of the information of this master from the game management device 2 and stores it.

The control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 3, which is its own device. In particular, the control section 33 realizes various functions related to the game device 3, which is the own device, by reading out a predetermined program stored in the storage section 32. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 32 is specifically implemented by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, so that each functional unit described below can be executed. Note that the control section 33 is not limited to a single control section, and may be implemented so as to have a plurality of control sections 33 for each function. It may also be a combination thereof.

In particular, the control unit 33 is configured to execute the game in accordance with input by the user of the game device 3, which is its own device, via the input device 4c. Specifically, the control unit 33 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 32, or uses data received from the game management device 2 to create two-dimensional or three-dimensional Generates game image information. As the game image information is processed by the graphic processing unit 34a, the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 4a. In other words, the control unit 33 is configured to perform display control on the display 4a and audio output control on the speaker 4b in response to operations by the user of the game device 3, which is the own device, when executing the game.

The graphic processing unit 34a draws a game image including characters and various objects related to the virtual game space in a moving image format according to the game image information output from the control unit 33. The graphic processing unit 34a is connected to, for example, a liquid crystal display 4a, and a game image drawn in a moving image format is displayed on the display 4a as a game screen. The audio processing section 34b is connected to the speaker 4b, and when the game sound is reproduced and synthesized according to instructions from the control section 33, it is output from the speaker 4b. The operation unit 34c is connected to the input device 4c, and transmits and receives data related to operation inputs to and from the input device 4c. The user inputs an operation signal to the game device 3 via the input device 4c. Note that the input device 4c is a general term for a touch panel integrated with the display 4a, an external game pad, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like.

2.2 Functional Configuration This section describes the functional configuration of this embodiment. As described above, the information processing by the software stored in the storage section of each device is specifically implemented by the control section, which is an example of hardware, so that each functional section included in the control section can be executed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control section of each device. The control unit 23 of the game management device 2 includes a game processing unit 201, a content storage unit 202, a presentation determination unit 203, a situation identification unit 204, a history accumulation unit 205, a schedule acquisition unit 206, and a presentation control unit 207. Equipped with. The game device 3 includes a game processing section 301 and an operation reception section 302.

The game processing unit 201 of the game management device 2 executes game processing related to the game played by the user in response to instructions from the user who has logged into the game system 1. In this embodiment, the game processing unit 201 executes game processing of a game in which an avatar corresponding to a user lives a daily life in a virtual space. A virtual space is a virtual space built on a computer network, and is used, for example, as a place where multiple users can participate and simultaneously enjoy games in the same space. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the same time passes in the virtual space as in the real world, that is, the month, day, day of the week, and time are the same as in the real world.

An avatar is a type of player character described above, and in particular, a player character that acts as a user's alter ego in a virtual space. Avatars include those that are provided from the start of the game and those that are purchased or obtained through gacha during the game. The avatar is often a human figure, but an anthropomorphic animal or inanimate object may also be used. The avatar corresponding to the user is an avatar set by the user to be operated by the user.

The game processing unit 201 functions, for example, as a display unit that displays an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space seen from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar. The viewpoint corresponding to the avatar is the viewpoint of the avatar itself (so-called first-person viewpoint) or the viewpoint set around the avatar (so-called third-person viewpoint). In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a third-person viewpoint is used. Note that the game processing unit 201 may perform a process of displaying an avatar and an image of a virtual space as well as a process of producing sounds (natural sounds, sound effects, voices, etc.) as game processing.

Content storage unit 202 stores content presented to the user. Content is information prepared for viewing by a user who operates an avatar, and is represented by data including one or more of a character string, an image (still image/video), and sound. In this embodiment, the content storage unit 202 stores advertisements prepared by companies and the like as content. Advertisements are information intended to make consumers aware of products and services provided by companies, etc., and to increase their desire to purchase them.

The presentation determining unit 203 functions as a determining unit that determines to present content to a user according to a situation regarding an avatar corresponding to the user (hereinafter referred to as “avatar situation”). The avatar's situation is, for example, a situation indicated by the avatar's actions, the environment around the avatar in the virtual space, and the like. The avatar's actions include going to work, taking a break, and leaving work. Further, the surrounding environment includes the weather in the virtual space, the operation status of transportation facilities, the presence of other avatars, and the like. The presentation determining unit 203 determines presentation when the situation of the avatar satisfies the presentation conditions. The presentation conditions will be explained in detail later.

The situation identifying unit 204 identifies the situation of the avatar at a predetermined time. The predetermined time points are, for example, timings that occur at predetermined time intervals. If this time interval is set, for example, to every second, the situation specifying unit 204 repeatedly specifies the situation of the avatar every second. The situation identification unit 204 identifies the situation of the avatar based on what the avatar is doing in the virtual space at a predetermined time. The method for identifying the situation will be explained in detail later.

The history accumulation unit 205 accumulates history regarding avatars. The history accumulation unit 205 accumulates, for example, a history of actions performed by the avatar within the game. The behavior history is information that associates the content of the behavior (attending to work, taking a break, leaving work, etc.) and the period during which the behavior was performed (start time and end time). Note that the behavior history can also be represented by the history of more detailed actions (moving, stopping, sitting, standing, etc.) or the history of operations performed by the user (moving operations, etc.), so the history storage unit 205 A history of actions or a history of operations may be accumulated as a history of actions.

The schedule acquisition unit 206 acquires schedule information that specifies that the avatar is scheduled to take a predetermined action in a predetermined time period. In the game of this embodiment, it is assumed that schedule information indicating future schedules is used in order for the avatar to lead a daily life, similar to the real world. The schedule acquisition unit 206 acquires this schedule information as schedule information, for example.

The presentation control unit 207 functions as a presentation unit that presents the content determined by the presentation determination unit 203 to the user. The presentation control unit 207 presents the content to the user in the situation specified by the situation identification unit 204 in the virtual space. The presentation control unit 207 executes, for example, a process of generating presentation data including image data, sound data, video data, etc. indicating the content and transmitting the generated data to the game device 3 as a process of presenting the content to the user.

The game processing unit 301 of the game device 3 cooperates with the game processing unit 201 of the game management device 2 to execute processing related to the game. The operation accepting unit 302 accepts operations by the user. The operations performed by the user are mainly operations performed when playing the game, and are operations for instructing the movement (movement, etc.) of the avatar in the game and the way the virtual space is viewed (position and orientation of the viewpoint).

3. Flow of Operation of Game System 1 In this section, the flow of operation of the game system 1 described above will be explained. As an example of a preferred embodiment, a game will be described in which a user operates a character and progresses through a quest while acquiring items and the like.

3.1 Overview of Information Processing The flow of information processing executed by the game system 1 will be outlined below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing. First, at A11, the game device 3 receives a login operation by the user through the operation reception unit 302. The operation reception unit 302 transmits login information (for example, user ID and password) to the game management device 2. In A12, the game management device 2 uses the game processing unit 201 to perform game user authentication. Next, in A13, the game management device 2 uses the schedule acquisition unit 206 to acquire schedule information of the avatar corresponding to the authenticated user.

In A21, the game device 3 receives a game operation by the logged-in user through the operation reception unit 302. Next, in A22, the game management device 2 and the game device 3 execute game processing in cooperation with the game processing section 201 and the game processing section 301. More specifically, the game processing unit 201 generates game data indicating a virtual space, an avatar, sounds, etc. that change as the game progresses, and transmits the generated game data to the game device 3. The game device 3 uses the game processing unit 301 to display a game screen indicated by the received game data, and outputs a sound indicated by the received game data.

When the game process is executed, in A23, the game management device 2 uses the situation specifying unit 204 to specify the current situation of the avatar. The situation identifying unit 204 identifies the current situation, for example, based on the schedule indicated by the schedule information acquired in A13. Further, the situation identification unit 204 identifies the current situation based on the history regarding the avatar stored in the history storage unit 205. The details of how to identify the situation will be explained later with reference to another diagram.

In A24, the game management device 2 uses the presentation determining unit 203 to determine whether the situation specified in A23 satisfies the content presentation condition. If it is determined in A24 that the situation does not satisfy the presentation conditions, the game management device 2 returns to A22 and executes the game process. The game management device 2 repeatedly performs the processes from A22 to A24, for example, at predetermined time intervals (for example, every second). In this case, the presentation condition will be satisfied as soon as the situation becomes such that the presentation condition is satisfied.

Note that the game management device 2 may perform the processing in A23 and the processing in A24 at different time intervals. For example, the process A23 is performed every second, but the process A24 is performed every minute. In this case, even if the presentation condition is satisfied, it is not immediately determined that the presentation condition is satisfied, but the presentation condition is satisfied after a while. Further, the game management device 2 may perform the process of A24 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the new situation was identified in A23. In this case, the presentation condition will be satisfied when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the situation where the presentation condition was met. In this way, the process A24 may be performed at a timing when the content is desired to be presented in a situation where the presentation conditions are satisfied.

If it is determined in A24 that the situation satisfies the presentation conditions, the game management device 2 causes the presentation control unit 207 to read out the content to be presented to the user corresponding to the avatar in A31. Next, in A32, the game management device 2 uses the presentation control unit 207 to determine the manner in which the content is presented to the user. The content presentation mode includes, for example, the design, size, color, display time, sound volume, tone color, sound emission time, etc. of an image showing the content. The method for determining the presentation mode will be explained in detail later.

Subsequently, in A33, the game management device 2 generates, by the presentation control unit 207, presentation data for presenting the content in the manner determined as described above, and transmits it to the game device 3. In A34, the game device 3 executes a presentation process of presenting the content indicated by the received presentation data in the manner indicated by the presentation data. In A35, the game management device 2 stores the history regarding the avatar using the history storage unit 205. The history accumulation unit 205 accumulates, as an action history, information that associates the avatar's action indicated by the situation identified in A23 with the current time, for example.

In the game device 3, the user may continue to operate even after the content presentation process is executed in A34. In that case, the game device 3 receives the user's operation using the operation accepting unit 302 at A41. Next, in A42, the game management device 2 and the game device 3 execute game processing in cooperation with the game processing section 201 and the game processing section 301. In the game device 3, the processes of A41 and A42 are repeatedly performed.

After the game processing in A42, the game management device 2 determines in A43 whether the presentation end condition for ending the presentation of the content is satisfied or not. Presentation termination conditions are determined for each content.For example, if the playback time of a video showing the content has elapsed, or if the content presentation area is out of the avatar's field of view, the user may perform an operation to stop the content presentation. This is satisfied when the content is completed, or when the avatar's situation at the time the content was started ends.

For example, suppose that when the presentation condition is satisfied and content is presented in a situation where the avatar goes to work, the elapse of the playback time of the video showing the content is used as the presentation end condition. In this case, the situation where the avatar arrives at the office and goes to work may end before the playback time of the video has elapsed. In this case, the presentation control unit 207 may continue presenting the content even if the situation of the avatar at the time the presentation of the content is started ends. In this way, the content only needs to be presented including at least part of the period from the start to the end of the avatar's situation.

The game management device 2 repeatedly executes the processes of A42 and A43 until it determines that the presentation end condition is satisfied. If the game management device 2 determines that the presentation end condition is satisfied in A43, it transmits end instruction data to the game device 3 instructing it to end the presentation of the content. In the game device 3, the game processing unit 301 ends the content presentation process in A44. Further, when the game management device 2 determines that the presentation end condition is satisfied, the content storage unit 202 records the content history in A45. The content history is information indicating the content presentation schedule, presentation results, and the like. Thereafter, as long as the user continues to play the game while logged in, the processes from A21 onwards are repeated.

To summarize the above, the game system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the following components: a display section (game processing section 201), a decision section (presentation decision section 203), and a presentation section (presentation control section 207). Be prepared. The display unit displays an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space seen from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar. The determining unit determines to present the content to the user when the situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user satisfies the presentation condition. The situation is specified by what the avatar is doing in the virtual space at a given time. The presentation unit presents the determined content including at least a part of the period from the start to the end of the situation in the virtual space.

According to this aspect, content can be presented to the avatar in the virtual space. In particular, since it becomes possible to present advertisements to users who meet the situation in which the avatar is placed in virtual space, it is possible to present advertisements to users who meet the situation in which the avatar is placed in virtual space, so it is better than street corner advertisements, which present advertisements at a particular spatial location at a particular time. , the advertisement can be presented to more appropriate users.

3.2 Details of Information Processing Next, details of the information processing outlined above will be explained. First, among the methods for specifying the avatar's situation at A23 shown in FIG. 3, a method using schedule information indicating the avatar's schedule will be described.

FIG. 4 is an example of schedule information. In the example of FIG. 4, schedule information C1 indicating "schedule", "start time", "end time", "related location", and "transportation means" is shown. "Schedule" is information indicating the avatar's schedule itself. The "start time" and "end time" are the times when the scheduled period starts and ends. “Related location” is information indicating a location related to the schedule. "Transportation means" is a means of movement performed regarding a schedule. If the travel plan is minor, the means of transportation is left blank.

In the example of FIG. 4, a schedule C11 representing the movement itself of moving from the "boarding station" to the "disembarking station" by "train" and "going to work" during the period T10 from the start time t11 to the end time t12, and the start time In a period T20 from t21 to end time t22, a schedule C12 is shown in which "business" is to be performed at the "workplace". In addition, there is a plan C13 to take a "break" at the "dining room" during the period T30 from start time t31 to end time t32, and a "car" to the "customer's address" during period T40 from start time t41 to end time t42. A schedule C14 indicating a stay at the destination of "visiting a customer" is shown. Note that the period T40 may or may not include a period of movement, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that it does not.

The schedule information C1 is, for example, information indicating the schedule of the avatar V1 corresponding to the user U1, and is assumed to be acquired by the schedule acquisition unit 206 at A13 shown in FIG. Methods for identifying the situation using schedule information include a first method of identifying the situation from reservation information and the current time, a second method of identifying the situation from the schedule, current time, and current location indicated by the schedule information, and a second method that identifies the situation from the schedule indicated by the schedule information, the current time, and the current location. There is a third method of specifying the situation from the schedule inferred from the schedule indicated by .

The case of using the first method will be explained. For example, if the current time is included in the period T10, the situation specifying unit 204 specifies that the avatar V1 is traveling from the boarding station to the disembarking station by train and going to work. Furthermore, if the current time is included in the period T20, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies that the avatar V1 is working at the workplace. Furthermore, if the current time is included in the period T30, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies that the avatar V1 is taking a break at the cafeteria. Further, if the current time is included in the period T40, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies that the avatar V1 is visiting a customer by car.

The case of using the second method will be explained. For example, if the current time is included in the period T10 and the avatar V1 is on a roadway in the virtual space, the situation identifying unit 204 determines that the avatar V1 is going to work by car regardless of the means of transportation indicated by the schedule information. Identify the situation. Similarly, if the current position is in a station or a railway area, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies the situation as a person going to work by train. Furthermore, if the current position is on the sidewalk, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies the situation as a person walking to work.

Further, the situation identification unit 204 identifies the situation of being at home when the current time is included in the period T10 but the current location is still at home, and identifies the situation of being at home when the current location is outside the home. Identify the situation in which you are In this case, even after period T10 ends, if the current location is not yet at the workplace, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies the situation as continuing to work, and when the current location becomes the workplace, the situation identifying unit 204 determines that the current location is still at work. Identify the situation in which you are doing so. In this manner, in the second method, the situation identifying unit 204 accurately identifies the current situation based on the current time and current location even if the time or means of transportation is different from the scheduled one.

The case of using the third method will be explained. For example, the situation identification unit 204 determines whether the schedule C13 will be held at the cafeteria (which is adjacent to the workplace) and the schedule C14 will be held at the customer's site. It is determined that there is a planned move to . Since "car" is indicated as the means of transportation in schedule C14, the situation identification unit 204 calculates the time required to travel by car from the workplace to the customer's place using a map service or the like.

The situation identification unit 204 estimates that the period from the time when the travel time calculated from the start time of the schedule C14 has passed until the travel time has elapsed is the schedule of the travel period, and regards the estimated schedule as schedule information and uses the first method. Alternatively, the situation of the avatar V1 is specified using the second method. Further, after the end time of the schedule C14, if the end time is still early, the situation identifying unit 204 estimates the schedule for the travel period when returning to the workplace, and if the end time is late, for example, after 5 p.m. Then, the schedule for the travel period is estimated in the same manner as above, with the home of the avatar V1 as the travel destination.

As described above, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies the situation of the avatar based on the schedule information that specifies that the avatar is scheduled to take a predetermined action in a predetermined time period.

Next, among the methods of identifying the avatar's situation at A23 shown in FIG. 3, a method using the avatar's action history will be described.
FIG. 5 is an example of action history accumulated in the history accumulation unit 205. In the example of FIG. 5, an action history C2 indicating "action", "start time", "end time", "related location", and "type of action" is shown. "Movement" is information indicating the motion of the avatar. The "start time" and "end time" are the time when the operation started and the time when it ended. “Related location” is information indicating a location related to the action. The "type of behavior" is the type of behavior specified from the behavior, time, and related location.

The behavior history C2 indicates the behavior history of the avatar V1 described above. The action history C2 includes action histories C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, and the like. The action history C21 is a history of the actions of the avatar V1 when he moved from his home to the station on foot. The action history C22 is a history of the actions of the avatar V1 from boarding the train to moving along the train route (while moving, just standing or sitting) until getting off the train. The action history C23 is a history of the action of the avatar V1 moving from the station to the workplace on foot.

The action history C24 is a history of actions performed by the avatar V1 while staying at the workplace (actions for proceeding with work, etc.). The action history C25 is a history of actions performed by the avatar V1 while staying at the restaurant (for example, actions of talking with other avatars, etc.). These motion histories are the histories of the motions of the avatar V1 executed by the game processing section 201 based on the operations of the user U1, which are accumulated in the history accumulation section 205.

The history storage unit 205 identifies the type of behavior according to the relationship between the motion, time, and related location, and stores the identified type of behavior. For example, the history storage unit 205 associates and stores the action type "going to work" with the action history of moving from home to work in the morning (in the example of FIG. 5, C21, C22, and C23) among the action histories. . Further, the history storage unit 205 stores, for example, an action history of staying at the workplace for a longer time than a certain period (C24 in the example of FIG. 5) in association with the action type "work". Further, the history storage unit 205 stores, for example, the action history of staying at the cafeteria for a shorter time than a certain period (C25 in the example of FIG. 5) in association with the action type "rest". Note that the relationships among the operations, times, and related locations described here are merely examples, and other relationships may be used.

The history accumulation unit 205 thus accumulates the action history of the avatar V1. The accumulated action history will show actions performed at the same time every week. For example, on weekdays, employees go to work from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., work takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and they take a break from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. . When there is a behavior history that has become a habit in this way, the situation identifying unit 204 regards the habitual behavior as a scheduled behavior and identifies the situation of the avatar V1 in the same manner as when using schedule information. do. As described above, the situation identifying unit 204 identifies the situation of the avatar based on the fact that the avatar has performed a predetermined action in a predetermined time period.

Next, a method for determining whether the avatar's situation satisfies the content presentation conditions at A24 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The presentation determining unit 203 uses, for example, a content table to determine presentation conditions.
FIG. 6 is an example of a content table. In the example of FIG. 6, a content table C3 is shown that associates "user attributes", "avatar status", "content owner", "presentation mode", "content data", and "presentation conditions".

"User attribute" is the attribute of the user corresponding to the avatar. In the content table C3, for example, attributes that are common to groups that are likely to have the same interesting content are shown as user attributes. In the example of FIG. 6, combinations of age and gender are shown as user attributes, such as "male in his 30s" and "female in her 30s."

The "avatar situation" is represented by a "time frame" and "area attribute." A "time frame" is a time frame in which content is scheduled to be presented to a user, and is not a fixed time slot, but rather a period in which the user is in a specific situation. In the example of FIG. 6, "work", "break", "clock out", etc. are shown as time frames.

A plurality of areas with different attributes exist in the virtual space. "Area attributes" are attributes of those regions, and in the example of FIG. 6, "outdoors" and "indoors" are shown. Note that area attributes also include inside a car, inside a train, inside a building, inside a ship, inside an airplane, on the street, in a park, on a rooftop, on the water, in the city, in the suburbs, and the like. "Area attribute" indicates the area attribute of the area where the avatar is located in the virtual space in the situation indicated in the time frame. For example, in the case of "going to work", a situation in which the user moves "outdoors" such as on foot, and a situation in which the user moves "indoors" such as at a station or on a train are shown.

“Content owner” indicates a company etc. that prepared the content. In the example of FIG. 6, "Company A" has prepared content for the avatar situations of "outdoor" and "indoor" and "work". Further, "Company B" prepares content for "break" in "indoors", and "Company C" prepares content for "clocking out" in "indoors".

“Presentation mode” indicates the mode when presenting the content. In the example of FIG. 6, the content prepared by Company A is presented in the form of a ``2D building object projection'' when the message is ``outdoor'' and ``going to work,'' and when the content is ``going to work'' which is ``indoor,'' it is presented in the form of a ``3D character object projection.'' ”. “2D building object projection” is a mode of projecting two-dimensional (planar) design content onto a building in virtual space. A "3D character object" is a mode in which content with a three-dimensional (stereoscopic) design is presented with the participation of a character in a virtual space.

The character refers to an avatar operated by a user or an NPC (Non Player Character) controlled by the game processing unit 201. The mode in which the character is involved is, for example, a mode in which content is displayed on the surface of the character, a character outputs the sound of the content, or a character holds up a signboard showing the content. Note that the presentation mode shown here is an example, and modes aiming at various effects involving changes in design, color, size, movement, sound, etc. may be adopted.

"Content data" is data for presenting content prepared by a "content owner" in the manner shown in "presentation mode", and in the example of FIG. 6, "content Ea1", "content Ea2", "content Eb1" and "Content Ec1". Specifically, "content data" includes image data, video data, sound data, parameter data, etc. that indicate content. Parameter data is data indicating parameters for setting the size of an image, the direction of movement, the volume of sound, etc. when presenting content.

"Presentation conditions" are conditions for presenting content, and are defined for each content. In this embodiment, when the combination of the user U1's attributes and the avatar V1's situation specified by the situation specifying unit 204 matches the combination of the user attributes and the avatar's situation shown in the content table Then, the presentation condition of the content associated with that combination is satisfied. The presentation determining unit 203 determines content whose identified situation satisfies the presentation conditions as content to be presented to the user.

For example, if the user U1 is a man in his 30s and the avatar V1 is in a situation where he goes to work while moving outdoors on foot or the like, the presentation condition Fa1 of the content Ea1 provided by Company A is satisfied. Further, if the user U1 is a man in his 30s and the avatar V1 is in a situation where he is going to work while moving indoors on a train or the like, the presentation condition Fa2 of the content Ea2 provided by Company A is satisfied. Furthermore, if the user U1 is a man in his 30s and the avatar V1 is taking a break indoors, the presentation condition Fb1 of the content Eb1 provided by Company B is satisfied. Further, if the user U1 is a man in his 30s and the avatar V1 is in a situation where he is leaving work while moving indoors on a train or the like, the presentation condition Fc1 of the content Ec1 provided by Company C is satisfied.

The presentation control unit 207 uses the content table to determine the manner in which content that satisfies the presentation conditions is presented. For example, when the presentation condition of the content Ea1 is satisfied, the presentation control unit 207 determines the mode of "2D object projection" associated with the content Ea1 as the mode of presenting the content. “2D object projection” is a method of projecting two-dimensional (planar) content onto an object having a plane in a virtual space.

Further, when the presentation condition of content Ea2 is satisfied, the presentation control unit 207 determines the mode of "3D character object" associated with content Ea2 as the mode of presenting the content. "3D character object" is a method of projecting content expressed three-dimensionally (stereoscopically) onto an area related to a character (including an avatar) object in a virtual space. In this way, the presentation control unit 207 presents content in a manner that corresponds to the attribute of the area where the avatar is located in the virtual space.

FIG. 7 is an example of a map representing virtual space. In the example of FIG. 7, a map M1 including the home and workplace of the avatar V1 is shown. It is assumed that the avatar V1 commutes along either a commuting route H1 in which he walks to his workplace, or a commuting route H2 in which he uses a train en route. When the avatar V1 goes to work using the commuting route H1, the avatar V1 moves outdoors all the time, and therefore continues to satisfy the presentation condition Fa1 of the content Ea1 shown in FIG. 6. For example, the presentation control unit 207 determines whether the situation of the avatar V1 satisfies the presentation conditions at predetermined time intervals (every minute, etc.), and presents the content Ea1 to the user U1 when it is determined that the situation of the avatar V1 satisfies the presentation conditions. .

FIG. 8 is an example of content presented in virtual space. In the example of FIG. 8, the game processing unit 201 displays a virtual space G1 indicating an outdoor commuting route H1 as a virtual space within the field of view seen from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar V1. The presentation control unit 207 causes a two-dimensionally represented content Ea1 to be displayed on a plane portion of an object O1 that is close to the commuting route H1 in the virtual space G1. The presentation control unit 207 presents the content Ea1 to the user U1 by displaying the content Ea1 in such a manner that a planar image is projected onto the object.

Note that the presentation mode of content Ea1 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 8. For example, the content Ea1 may be displayed on a building along the commuting route H1 in a manner such as projection mapping. Further, the content Ea1 may be presented in such a manner that surrounding avatars or newly appeared characters enliven the displayed content (a so-called flash mob-like performance). Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these, and various aspects described above or hereinafter may be adopted.

When the avatar V1 goes to work using the commuting route H2, the period during which the avatar is going to work is divided into a period of walking outdoors and a period of moving indoors on a train. While moving outdoors, content Ea1 is displayed in a manner as shown in FIG. While moving indoors, the presentation control unit 207 presents the content Ea2 to the user U1 because the situation of the avatar V1 satisfies the presentation condition Fa2.

FIG. 9 is an example of content presented in virtual space. In the example of FIG. 9, the game processing unit 201 displays a virtual space G2 showing the inside of the train as a virtual space that can be seen from the viewpoint corresponding to the avatar V1. As shown in FIG. 9A, the game processing unit 201 displays an avatar V1 and avatars V2 and V3 corresponding to users different from the user U1 in the virtual space G2.

Here, when the presentation control unit 207 determines that the presentation condition Fa2 is satisfied, it first determines whether another avatar is displayed in an overlapping manner in the area where the content Ea2 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 9, it is assumed that avatars V2 and V3 are displayed overlapping the display area of content Ea2. In that case, the presentation control unit 207 instructs the game processing unit 201 to switch avatars. When this instruction is given, the game processing unit 201 ends the display of avatars V2 and V3, and displays avatars V2-2 and V3-2 in their place, as shown in FIG. 9(b).

Avatars V2-2 and V3-2 are character objects displayed to present content, and are NPCs (non-player characters) that operate under the control of the presentation control unit 207, so they correspond to avatars V2 and V3. It does not work if the user does the following.

For example, the presentation control unit 207 causes the object O2 representing the three-dimensionally represented content Ea2 to be displayed, and causes the game processing unit 201 to display the object O2 so that the avatars V2-2 and V3-2 are holding up the object O2. instruct. The presentation control unit 207 thus presents the content Ea2 to the user U1 in a manner that utilizes the character objects (avatars V2-2 and V3-2).

The presentation control unit 207 switches the avatar and presents the content Ea2 only on the game device 3 of the user U1. That is, the game processing unit 201 continues to display the avatars V2 and V3 on the game devices 3 of other users, and causes them to operate in accordance with the operations of the respective users.

As described above, the game processing unit 201 determines whether the content (also content Ea2) presented to a certain avatar (also avatar V1 in the example of FIG. 9) and other avatars (also avatars V2 and V3) are different from each other in the field of view. If they overlap, the other avatars are replaced with content presentation avatars (also avatars V2-2 and V3-2) in that field of view. The presentation control unit 207 then presents the content using the displayed presentation avatar.

Note that the presentation mode of the content Ea2 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9. For example, the content Ea2 may be displayed using the surfaces of the skins of the avatars V2-2 and V3-2 as display surfaces, rather than the objects held by the avatars V2-2 and V3-2. Furthermore, the avatars V2-2 and V3-2 may change into mascot forms instead of their original avatar forms. Alternatively, a new avatar, mascot, or the like may appear in addition to the originally displayed avatar to present the content Ea2. Alternatively, the content Ea2 may be explained by a character object using audio instead of an image. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these, and various aspects described above or hereinafter may be employed.

When the avatar V1 arrives at the workplace and takes a lunch break, the presentation condition Fb1 is satisfied. In that case, the presentation control unit 207 presents the content Eb1 associated with the presentation condition Fb1 to the user U1.
FIG. 10 is an example of content presented in virtual space. In the example of FIG. 10, the game processing unit 201 displays a virtual space G3 representing a workplace as a virtual space that is visible from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar V1. As shown in FIG. 10A, the game processing unit 201 displays avatars V4 and V5 corresponding to users different from the user U1 in addition to the avatar V1 in the virtual space G3.

Here, when the presentation control unit 207 determines that the presentation condition Fb1 is satisfied, the presentation control unit 207 first causes the game processing unit 201 to finish displaying the avatars V4 and V5, and instead displays the avatars V4 and V5 as shown in FIG. 10(b). , instructs to display avatars V4-2 and V5-2, which are NPCs. Avatars V4-2 and V5-2, like avatars V2-2 and V3-2 shown in FIG. 9, are character objects displayed for presenting content. Furthermore, the presentation control unit 207 further instructs the game processing unit 201 to display the character W1, which is a new NPC, in the virtual space G3.

In the game device 3 of the user U1, the presentation control unit 207 changes the skins of the avatars V4-2 and V5-2 to those for aerobics, for example. Then, the presentation control unit 207 displays a balloon image showing a line from the character W1 recommending aerobics as the content Eb1. The presentation control unit 207 presents the content Eb1 to the user U1 by displaying the content Eb1 in such a manner that the character objects (avatars V4-2, V5-2, and character W1) are used.

In the example of FIG. 10, the presentation control unit 207 instructs the game processing unit 201 to also change the skin of the avatar V1 to one for aerobics. In the game device 3 of the user U1, the presentation control unit 207 controls the operation of the avatars V4-2 and V5-2 in order to present the content Eb1, but the game processing unit 201 continues to control the operation of the avatar V1. and allows user U1 to operate it.

Note that the presentation mode of the content Eb1 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 10. For example, a mode may be adopted in which a moving image showing the content is displayed on an object representing a monitor existing in the virtual space G3. Further, in addition to changing the skin of the avatar, the atmosphere (brightness, pattern, color tone, etc.) of the room displayed in the virtual space G3 may be changed. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these, and various aspects described above or hereinafter may be employed.

The presentation results of the content recorded in A45 will be explained.
FIG. 11 is an example of content presentation results. In the example of FIG. 11, a content history C4 indicating "time", "schedule", "scheduled presentation content", "behavior history", and "presentation results" is shown. The content history C4 is, for example, a history regarding content presented to the user U1 corresponding to the avatar V1. The content storage unit 202 stores schedule information or habitual behavior history as a "schedule" at each time indicated by "time".

Further, the content storage unit 202 stores content that is scheduled to be presented when the avatar V1 behaves as planned, as a "presentation schedule advertisement." Further, the content storage unit 202 stores the behavior history shown in FIG. 5 as the "behavior history". Further, the content storage unit 202 stores, as a “presentation record”, the content actually presented by the presentation control unit 207 and the presentation time in association with each other. By storing the content history C4 in this manner, it is possible, for example, to analyze the presentation status of the content.

[others]
As described in the embodiment, a plurality of areas with different attributes exist in the virtual space. The plurality of regions may have a region attribute of existing along the route to the avatar's destination in the virtual space. It is assumed that the content has a plurality of sub-contents in a predetermined order. In that case, the presentation control unit 207 may present a plurality of sub-contents in order when the avatar moves along the route.

FIG. 12 is an example of content presented in virtual space. In the example of FIG. 12, the map M1 shown in FIG. 7 includes a commuting route H1 from the home to the workplace of the avatar V1, and route areas H11, H12, H13, H14 and H15 (hereinafter referred to as "route area H10" if not distinguished).When traveling from home to work along commuting route H1, avatar V1 moves to route areas H11, H12, H13, H14, and H15. It will pass through each route area H10 in turn.

Path areas H11, H12, H13, H14, and H15 are associated with subcontents Eh11, Eh12, Eh13, Eh14, and Eh15 (hereinafter referred to as "subcontent Eh10" if not distinguished) in the content table, respectively. As a result, the order of the sub-content Eh10 is determined according to the numbers (11, 12, . . . ) included in the codes, similarly to the corresponding route area H10.

When the avatar V1 is commuting along the commuting route H1, the presentation control unit 207 presents the sub-content Eh10 associated with the route area H10 including the current position to the user U1. Thereby, the presentation control unit 207 presents the plurality of sub-contents Eh10 in order when the avatar V1 moves along the commuting route H1.

As mentioned above, there are multiple types of avatar situations, such as attendance, work, break, and leaving work. The presentation control unit 207 may present the content in a manner according to the type of situation that satisfies the presentation condition. In this case, the presentation control unit 207 may present the content in a manner that is associated with the type of situation of the avatar in a content table as shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is an example of the presented content. In the example of FIG. 13, FIG. 13(a) shows avatar V1's commuting route H1-1 from home to work (commuting route H1 when going to work), and FIG. 13(b) shows avatar V1's leaving work route from work to home. A route H1-2 (commuting route H1 when leaving work) is shown. The presentation control unit 207 satisfies the presentation condition when the user goes to work using the work route H1-1, and presents the content Ea1 in a manner using an outline character string as shown in FIG. 13(a).

Further, the presentation control unit 207 satisfies the presentation condition when the user goes to work using the leaving route H1-2, and presents the content Ea1 in a manner using black character strings as shown in FIG. 13(b). In the example of FIG. 13, even when the same commuting route H1 is used, content is presented in different ways depending on whether the type of situation is "going to work" or "leaving work." In the example of FIG. 13, the color of the characters and the background are different, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various embodiments described above or below may be adopted.

When a common area in the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as a "common area") exists in the field of view of two or more avatars, the presentation control unit 207 controls the presentation control unit 207 to display the common area only for those avatars whose situations satisfy the presentation conditions among the two or more avatars. Content may be presented in the area.

FIG. 14 is an example of content presented in virtual space. As shown in FIG. 14(a), the game processing unit 201 displays the virtual space G5 seen from the viewpoint of the avatar V1, and as shown in FIG. 14(b), the avatar A virtual space G5 viewed from the viewpoint of V2 (avatar corresponding to user U2) is displayed. The virtual space G5 includes a common area G51 that is common to the field of view of the avatar V1 and the field of view of the avatar V2.

In the example of FIG. 14, it is assumed that the situation of avatar V1 satisfies the presentation condition, and the situation of avatar V2 does not satisfy the presentation condition. In that case, the presentation control unit 207 causes the content Ea3 to be displayed in the common area G51 of the field of view of the avatar V1, and does not display the content Ea3 in the common area G51 of the field of view of the avatar V2. That is, the content Ea3 is displayed on the game device 3 of the user U1 corresponding to the avatar V1, and the content Ea3 is not displayed on the game device 3 of the user U2 corresponding to the avatar V2.

If an avatar of another user exists in the field of view of an avatar whose situation satisfies the presentation conditions, the game processing unit 201 displays the avatar whose situation satisfies the presentation conditions, and prevents the display of avatars whose situations do not satisfy the presentation conditions. It's okay.

FIG. 15 is an example of content presented in virtual space. As shown in FIG. 15(a), the game processing unit 201 displays a virtual space G6 seen from the viewpoint of the avatar V2, and the avatars V1, V2, V3, and V4. After FIG. 15(a), when the situation of avatar V2 satisfies the presentation conditions, the presentation control unit 207 displays content Ea3 as shown in FIG. 15(b). At this time, it is assumed that the situation of avatar V4 satisfies the presentation condition, and the situations of avatars V1 and V3 do not satisfy the presentation condition. Then, the game processing unit 201 displays the avatars V2 and V4 in the virtual space G6, and does not display the avatars V1 and V3, as shown in FIG. 15(b).

Note that the avatars V2 and V4 in which the content Ea3 is visible and the avatars V1 and V3 in which the content Ea3 is not visible may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. For example, the invisible avatars V1 and V3 may be displayed with high transmittance, or the visible avatars V2 and V4 may be given a predetermined landmark image. As a result, the user can recognize the avatar that can see content Ea3, and can recognize that the user of that avatar satisfies a common presentation condition and that the user has a common topic called content Ea3. , which can facilitate communication between users in a virtual space.

The above display is on the game device 3 of the user U2 corresponding to the avatar V2. The content is also displayed on the game device 3 of the user U4 corresponding to the avatar V4. On the other hand, in the game device 3 of the user U1 corresponding to the avatar V1 and the game device 3 of the user U3 corresponding to the avatar V3, the situations of the avatars V1 and V3 do not satisfy the presentation conditions. As shown in (b), a virtual space G6 in which no content is displayed is displayed.

If an avatar of another user exists in the field of view of an avatar whose situation does not satisfy the presentation conditions, the game processing unit 201 displays the avatar whose situation does not satisfy the presentation conditions, and does not display the avatar whose situation satisfies the presentation conditions. You can also do this.

FIG. 16 is an example of an avatar presented in virtual space. As shown in FIG. 16(a), the game processing unit 201 displays a virtual space G6 seen from the viewpoint of the avatar V3, and the avatars V1, V2, V3, and V4. Here, it is assumed that after FIG. 16A, as in the example of FIG. 15, the situations of avatars V2 and V4 satisfy the presentation condition, but the situations of avatars V1 and V3 do not satisfy the presentation condition.

In this case, the presentation control unit 207 causes the content Ea3 to be displayed in the virtual space G6 on the game device 3 of the user U1 corresponding to the avatars V2 and V4, as shown in FIG. 15(b). On the other hand, the presentation control unit 207 does not display the content in the virtual space G6 on the game devices 3 of the users U1 and U3 corresponding to the avatars V1 and V3, as shown in FIG. and V3 are displayed, and avatars V2 and V4 are not displayed. This prevents users who cannot see content Ea3 from feeling suspicious about what they were reacting to when the visible user's avatars V2 and V4 see content Ea3 and make some kind of reaction. It is possible. Note that the avatars V2 and V4 in which the content Ea3 is visible and the avatars V1 and V3 in which the content Ea3 is not visible may be displayed in a distinguishable manner as described above.

Note that, when there are a plurality of avatars to which content is to be presented somewhat nearby, the presentation control unit 207 may adjust the display timing of the content on the game device 3 of the user corresponding to those avatars to match. By doing so, even strangers can use the content as a topic for conversation, making it easier for people who are viewing the same content to communicate with each other, compared to when the content is displayed at different times.

The overall configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the game management device 2 may be distributed over two or more devices, or may be replaced by a cloud computing system. Moreover, the functional configuration shown in FIG. 2 is also an example, and is not limited to this. For example, the functions of the game management device 2 may be realized by being distributed among two or more devices. Furthermore, two functions may be integrated into one function, or one function may be decomposed into two or more functions. In short, any configuration may be adopted as long as the game system 1 as a whole implements functions corresponding to the functions shown in FIG. 2 .

The aspect of the embodiment described above may be an information processing apparatus. The information processing device includes each part of an information processing system such as the game system 1. The information processing system referred to here is not limited to a system for games, but may be a system for business use, or a system that provides applications that use virtual spaces other than those. Moreover, the aspect of the embodiment described above may be an information processing method. The information processing method includes each part of a similar information processing system. Moreover, the aspect of the embodiment described above may be a program. The program causes the computer to execute each step of the information processing system.

<Additional notes>
Furthermore, each aspect described below may be provided.

(2) In the information processing system according to (1), the situation is specified based on the avatar performing a predetermined action in a predetermined time period.

According to such an aspect, the situation can be judged more accurately by limiting the time period.

(3) In the information processing system according to (1), the situation is specified based on schedule information that specifies that the avatar is scheduled to take a predetermined action in a predetermined time period.

(4) In the information processing system according to (1) or (2), the virtual space includes a plurality of areas with different attributes, and in the presenting step, the area where the avatar is located in the virtual space is Something that presents the content in a manner according to its attributes.

According to this aspect, content can be presented in a manner that is compatible with the area in the virtual space.

(5) In the information processing system according to (4), the plurality of areas have an attribute of existing along a route to the destination of the avatar in the virtual space, and the content is arranged in a predetermined order. wherein the presenting step presents the plurality of sub-contents in the order when the avatar moves along the route.

According to this aspect, it is possible for the avatar to easily reach the destination.

(6) In the information processing system according to any one of (1) to (5), there are a plurality of types of the situation, and in the presentation step, the type of the situation that satisfies the presentation condition is selected. that presents the content in a corresponding manner.

According to this aspect, content can be presented in a manner that is compatible with the situation of the avatar.

(7) In the information processing system according to any one of (1) to (6), in the presenting step, if a common area in the virtual space exists in the field of view of two or more avatars, the two or more avatars The content is presented in the area only to avatars whose situation satisfies the presentation conditions among the avatars.

According to such an aspect, content can be presented only to necessary users even in the same area.

(8) In the information processing system according to (7), in the displaying step, if an avatar of another user exists in the field of view of an avatar whose situation satisfies the presentation condition, an avatar whose situation satisfies the presentation condition is displayed, and avatars whose situations do not satisfy the presentation conditions are not displayed.

According to this aspect, it is possible to easily communicate using content as a topic.

(9) In the information processing system according to (6) or (8), in the displaying step, if an avatar of another user exists in the field of view of an avatar in which the situation does not satisfy the presentation condition, the situation is Avatars that do not satisfy the presentation conditions are displayed, and avatars whose situations satisfy the presentation conditions are not displayed.

According to this aspect, content that has not been presented to the user can be prevented from being talked about.

(10) In the information processing system according to any one of (1) to (9), in the displaying step, the content presented to a certain avatar and another avatar overlap in the field of view of the avatar. If the content is visible, the other avatar is replaced with an avatar for presentation of the content in the field of view, and in the presentation step, the content is presented using the avatar for presentation.

According to this aspect, content can be presented without reducing the number of surrounding avatars.

(11) An information processing device configured to execute each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (10).

(12) A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (10).
Of course, this is not the case.
Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described above may be implemented in any combination.

Finally, although various embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described, these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The new embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. The embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the disclosure, as well as within the scope of the disclosure described in the claims and its equivalents.

1: Game system 2: Game management device 3: Game device 23: Control section 33: Control section 201: Game processing section 202: Content storage section 203: Presentation determining section 204: Situation identification section 205: History accumulation section 206: Schedule acquisition Section 207: Presentation control section 301: Game processing section 302: Operation reception section

Claims (9)

An information processing system comprising a processor ,
The processor,
In the display step, an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space viewed from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar are displayed;
In the determining step, it is determined to present the content to the user when a situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user satisfies the presentation condition, and here, the situation is such that the avatar is in the virtual space at a predetermined point in time. The situation is identified based on what the avatar is doing at the time, and the situation is further identified based on the fact that the avatar has performed a predetermined action during a predetermined time period,
In the presenting step, the information processing system presents the determined content in the virtual space, including at least a part of the period from the start to the end of the situation. An information processing system comprising a processor ,
The processor,
In the display step, an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space viewed from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar are displayed;
In the determining step, it is determined to present the content to the user when a situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user satisfies the presentation condition, and here, the situation is such that the avatar is in the virtual space at a predetermined point in time. There are multiple types of situations, depending on what you are doing at the time.
In the presenting step, the determined content is presented in the virtual space including at least a part of the period from the start to the end of the situation, and in a manner according to the type of the situation that satisfies the presentation condition. presenting said content;
Information processing system . An information processing system comprising a processor ,
The processor,
In the display step, an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space viewed from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar are displayed;
In the determining step, it is determined to present the content to the user when a situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user satisfies the presentation condition, and here, the situation is such that the avatar is in the virtual space at a predetermined point in time. It is determined by what you are doing at the time,
In the presenting step, the determined content is presented in the virtual space including at least a part of the period from the start to the end of the situation;
If a common area in the virtual space exists in the field of view of two or more avatars, presenting the content in the area to only those avatars whose situation satisfies the presentation condition among the two or more avatars;
Information processing system . The information processing system according to claim 3 ,
In the displaying step, if another user's avatar exists within the field of view of the avatar whose situation satisfies the presentation condition, the avatar whose situation satisfies the presentation condition is displayed, and the avatar whose situation does not satisfy the presentation condition is displayed. Information processing system that does not display. The information processing system according to claim 2 ,
In the display step, if another user's avatar exists in the field of view of the avatar whose situation does not satisfy the presentation condition, the avatar whose situation does not satisfy the presentation condition is displayed, and the situation satisfies the presentation condition. An information processing system that does not display avatars. An information processing system comprising a processor ,
The processor,
In the display step, an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space viewed from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar are displayed;
In the determining step, it is determined to present the content to the user when a situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user satisfies the presentation condition, and here, the situation is such that the avatar is in the virtual space at a predetermined point in time. It is determined by what you are doing at the time,
In the presenting step, the determined content is presented in the virtual space including at least a part of the period from the start to the end of the situation;
In the displaying step, if the content presented to a certain avatar and another avatar appear to overlap in the field of view of a certain avatar, the other avatar is displayed in place of the avatar for presenting the content in the field of view. ,
In the presentation step, the content is presented using the presentation avatar.
Information processing system . An information processing system comprising a processor ,
The processor,
In the displaying step, an avatar corresponding to the user and a virtual space viewed from a viewpoint corresponding to the avatar are displayed, and a plurality of avatars corresponding to each of the plurality of users exist in the virtual space,
In the determining step, if there is an avatar among the plurality of avatars whose situation regarding the avatar corresponding to the user satisfies the presentation condition, it is determined to present the content to the user corresponding to the avatar ; , the situation is specified by what the avatar is doing in the virtual space at a predetermined time,
In the presenting step, the information processing system presents the determined content in the virtual space, including at least a part of the period from the start to the end of the situation.
In the presenting step, the information processing system . An information processing device,
An information processing device configured to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . A program,
A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .