WO2023286727A1

WO2023286727A1 - Virtual space provision device, virtual space provision method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2023286727A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/027216
Authority: WO
Inventors: 徹津田
Original assignee: ＡｘｒｏｓｓＩｎｖｅｓｔｏｒｓ合同会社
Priority date: 2021-07-14
Filing date: 2022-07-11
Publication date: 2023-01-19
Also published as: JP2023012716A

Abstract

The present invention provides a virtual space provision device, virtual space provision method, and program using a virtual space having a novel concept. A virtual space provision server 1 which is connected to a plurality of user terminals 5 over a communication network N comprises: a virtual space generation unit 11 which determines an output aspect of a room by referencing a room information storage unit 33 which stores room information including information relating to locations and output aspects of rooms disposed in a three-dimensional computer-graphic virtual space and generates a virtual space including a room having the determined output aspect; an avatar generation unit 12 which generates avatars associated with users using the user terminals 5; and a generated image output unit 15 which outputs to the user terminals 5 a generated image in which avatars generated by the avatar generation unit 12 are disposed in the virtual space generated by the virtual space generation unit 11.

Description

Virtual space providing device, virtual space providing method and program

The present invention relates to a virtual space providing device, a virtual space providing method, and a program.

Conventionally, there is a mechanism for sharing a virtual space between multiple user terminals and displaying an avatar image representing the user. As an example, in a system in which a plurality of user terminals share a virtual space, a plurality of user terminals, based on the received virtual space information, have a virtual space image and an avatar image as user information of the user terminal sharing the virtual space. is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3859018

In a conventional virtual space, one large space is open to the user, and the user operates an avatar that acts as a substitute for the user to move the avatar in the space, and the users corresponding to the avatar in the virtual space can interact with each other. It used SNS services such as chat. In this way, the structure of the virtual space itself was simple.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a virtual space providing device, a virtual space providing method, and a program that use a new concept of virtual space.

The present invention is a virtual space providing device connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network, and is capable of providing small space information including information on the position and output mode of a small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space. a small space mode determination means for determining an output mode of the small space by referring to the small space information storage section; and the output mode determined by the small space mode determination means. virtual space generating means for generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the space; object generating means for generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal; and the three-dimensional virtual generated by the virtual space generating means The present invention relates to a virtual space providing apparatus comprising generated image output means for outputting to each user terminal a generated image in which the object generated by the object generation means is arranged in space.

Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, the three-dimensional virtual space has a nested structure in which a further small space can be arranged within the small space, and the small space information storage unit further stores information about the nested structure. You may

Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, the small space mode determining means determines at least one of display color and transparency of the small space to be different according to the number of objects belonging to the position of the small space. may

Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, an operation receiving means for receiving an operation signal for movement of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal from the user terminal; and object moving means for moving the object.

Further, the virtual space providing apparatus includes a user information storage unit that stores user information including authority information of the user, and the small space information storage unit further stores entry permission/prohibition information for the small space corresponding to the authority information. and when the object is moved to the position of the small space by the object moving means, the user information storage unit and the small space information storage unit are referred to to move the object into the small space. internal movement determining means for determining whether or not movement is permitted, and the object moving means moves the object into the small space only when movement into the small space is permitted by the internal movement determining means; You can move it into

Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, the generated image output means outputs the generated image related to the three-dimensional virtual space within a predetermined range from the position of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal to the user terminal. outputting, according to the movement of the object by the object moving means, the three-dimensional virtual space within the predetermined range from the position of the object after movement, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space for the unoutput portion is generated; An image may be output to the user terminal in units of the small space.

Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, sound control means for controlling sound output for each space including the three-dimensional virtual space and the small space; and sound output means for outputting the sound of the space controlled by the sound control means to the user terminal.

Further, the virtual space providing apparatus further includes audio reception means for receiving audio from the user terminal, and the sound output means outputs the audio received by the audio reception means to another object in the space corresponding to the position of the object. It may be output to the user terminal of the user associated with the object.

The present invention also provides a method for providing a virtual space by a computer connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network, wherein the computer provides a position and an output mode of a small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space. a small space mode determination step of determining an output mode of the small space by referring to a small space information storage unit storing small space information including information about the output mode of the output mode determined by the small space mode determination step; a virtual space generating step of generating the three-dimensional virtual space including a small space; an object generating step of generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal; The present invention relates to a virtual space providing method including a generated image output step of outputting, to each user terminal, a generated image in which the object generated by the object generating step is arranged in the original virtual space.

In addition, the present invention provides a computer connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network as a small space information storing small space information including information on the position and output mode of a small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space. a small space mode determining means for determining an output mode of the small space by referring to a space information storage; and generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space in the output mode determined by the small space mode determining means. virtual space generation means; object generation means for generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal; The present invention relates to a program for functioning as generated image output means for outputting a generated image in which objects are arranged to each user terminal.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a virtual space providing device, a virtual space providing method, and a program that use a new conceptual virtual space.

1 is an overall schematic diagram of a virtual space providing system and a functional block diagram of a virtual space providing server according to this embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user information storage unit of the virtual space providing server according to this embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a room display condition storage unit of the virtual space providing server according to this embodiment; 4 is a diagram showing an example of a room information storage unit of the virtual space providing server according to this embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing of the virtual space providing server according to the embodiment; FIG. 3A is a continuation. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a virtual space generated by the virtual space providing server according to the embodiment; 6 is a flow chart showing use start processing of the virtual space providing server according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an avatar generated by the virtual space providing server according to the embodiment; It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the user terminal which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flow chart showing operation signal reception processing of the virtual space providing server according to the present embodiment. 7 is a flow chart showing room display change processing of the virtual space providing server according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the user terminal which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an avatar generated by a virtual space providing server according to a modified embodiment; FIG.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated, referring a figure. This is just an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this.
(embodiment)
<Virtual space providing system 100>
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a virtual space providing system 100 and a functional block diagram of a virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.
2A to 2C are diagrams showing examples of the storage unit 30 of the virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.

A virtual space providing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a system comprising a virtual space providing server 1 (virtual space providing device) and user terminals 5 .
The virtual space providing system 100 provides the user with a communication space on the server by accessing the virtual space (three-dimensional virtual space) generated by the virtual space providing server 1 using the user terminal 5. It is a system that In the virtual space provided by the virtual space providing system 100, an avatar (object) that is operated by the user and acts on behalf of the user moves and communicates with avatars of other users.

Here, the virtual space provided by the virtual space providing system 100 provides, for example, a place for communication by a plurality of users, and may be used for any purpose. In addition, the virtual space may be, for example, for viewing decorations in the space, paintings installed in the space, etc., or for listening to sounds such as performances and speeches in the space. may be of
In the following description, the virtual space provided by the virtual space providing system 100 is used for communication between users as an example.

The virtual space providing server 1 and the user terminal 5 are connected via a communication network N so as to be communicable. The communication network N is, for example, an Internet line or the like, and may be wired or wireless.

<Virtual space providing server 1>
The virtual space providing server 1 generates a virtual space, and transmits the viewpoint screen of the avatar to the user terminal 5 according to the operation of the user terminal 5 . Here, the viewpoint by the avatar may be a first-person viewpoint, which is a viewpoint as seen by the avatar itself, or may be a third-person viewpoint including the image of the avatar itself. Then, the viewpoint may be changed by the user. The virtual space providing server 1 also transmits the voice received from the user terminal 5 to another user terminal 5 .

The virtual space providing server 1 is, for example, a web server. There is no limit to the number of pieces of hardware that make up the virtual space providing server 1 . One or more may be configured as necessary. Also, the virtual space providing server 1 may be, for example, a cloud.
The virtual space providing server 1 includes a control unit 10 , a storage unit 30 and a communication IF (interface) 39 .
The control unit 10 is a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire virtual space providing server 1 . The control unit 10 reads and executes an operating system (OS) and application programs stored in the storage unit 30 as appropriate, thereby cooperating with the above-described hardware and executing various functions.

The control unit 10 includes a virtual space generation unit 11 (small space mode determination means, virtual space generation means), an avatar generation unit 12 (object generation means), an avatar processing unit 13 (operation reception means, object movement means), Avatar position determination unit 14 (internal movement determination means), generated image output unit 15 (generated image output unit), sound control unit 21 (sound control unit), voice reception unit 22 (voice reception unit), and sound output and a section 23 (sound output means).

The virtual space generation unit 11 generates a three-dimensional virtual space including small spaces called rooms. Here, the virtual space is image data generated by 3DCG. The virtual space may contain multiple rooms. Further, a room may be included in the room. A room is a space within a virtual space in which control contents can be set. The virtual space providing server 1 can vary the control content for each room.

The virtual space generation unit 11 refers to the room information storage unit 33 (small space information storage unit), which will be described later, to determine the position of the room and the output mode. Here, the output mode relates to the display method of the room, and in addition to the display/non-display of the room, when the room is displayed, the inside of the room can be seen from outside the room. Including what you don't want or about. Also, when displaying a room, the display color of the image indicating the boundary of the room is included.
The virtual space generation unit 11 may also generate a virtual space in which the display color of the image indicating the boundary of the room is changed to a different color based on the number of avatars in each room. At this time, the virtual space generation unit 11 may refer to the room display condition storage unit 34, which will be described later, to determine the display color of the image indicating the boundary of the room.

The avatar generation unit 12 generates an avatar associated with the user using the user terminal 5 . Avatars are image data generated by 3DCG. Here, the avatar will be described as an example of a person-shaped one. It should be noted that the avatar may be one in which the appearance color or the like can be changed by the user's settings.
Upon receiving from the user terminal 5 an operation signal for moving the avatar generated by the avatar generation unit 12, the avatar processing unit 13 moves the avatar according to the operation signal.
The avatar position determining unit 14 determines the position of the avatar within the virtual space. In particular, when the avatar is moved to a room position by the avatar processing unit 13, the avatar position determination unit 14 refers to the user information storage unit 32 and the room information storage unit 33, which will be described later, to determine the movement of the avatar into the room. is permitted or not.

The generated image output unit 15 outputs to the user terminal 5 a generated image in which the avatar generated by the avatar generation unit 12 is arranged in the virtual space generated by the virtual space generation unit 11 .
More specifically, the generated image output unit 15 outputs a predetermined range of virtual space to the user terminal 5 . A virtual space within a predetermined range is, for example, a virtual space that includes a room within a predetermined distance from the position of the user's own avatar. Then, when the avatar is moved by the avatar processing unit 13, the generated image output unit 15 includes a room in the virtual space within a predetermined range from the position of the avatar after the movement, and the virtual space that has not been output in the previous process. is output to the user terminal 5 in units of rooms.

The sound control unit 21 controls sound output for each space including a virtual space and a room. That is, the sound control unit 21 controls the output of sound, for example, in units of the smallest space. Therefore, the sound control unit 21 controls the sound of the space next to the space where the avatar is located so that it cannot be heard in the space.
The voice reception unit 22 receives voice from the user terminal 5 . For example, when the user speaks into a microphone (not shown) of the user terminal 5 , the voice reception unit 22 receives voice data transmitted by the user terminal 5 .
The sound output unit 23 outputs the sound of the space corresponding to the position of the avatar of the user of the user terminal 5 and controlled by the sound control unit 21 to the user terminal 5 of the user. Also, the sound output unit 23 outputs the user's voice received by the voice receiving unit 22 to the user terminal 5 of the user corresponding to the other avatar in the space corresponding to the position of the avatar of the user.

The storage unit 30 is a storage area such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory device for storing programs, data, etc. necessary for the control unit 10 to execute various processes.
Storage unit 30 includes program storage unit 31 , user information storage unit 32 , room information storage unit 33 , and room display condition storage unit 34 .
The program storage unit 31 is a storage area that stores various programs. The program storage unit 31 stores a virtual space providing program 31 a (program) for performing various functions executed by the control unit 10 of the virtual space providing server 1 .

The user information storage unit 32 is a storage area that stores information about users who use the virtual space. FIG. 2A shows an example of the user information storage unit 32. As shown in FIG.
The user information storage unit 32 shown in FIG. 2A has items such as user ID (IDentification), user name, authority, room ID, and the like.
A user ID is identification information that identifies a user who uses this virtual space. After being authenticated by the user ID, the user can use the virtual space.
The user name is the name of the user, and may be a nickname or the like.
Authority indicates the user's rank, and includes general, premium, owner, etc. in this example. The numbers (0 to 2) next to each authority are flags indicating ranks, with 0 representing general, 1 representing premium, and 2 representing owner. Premium indicates a special user such as a paying user. Also, the owner indicates the owner of a certain room.
The room ID is identification information for identifying a room owned by the owner when the authority is the owner.

The user whose user ID is U001 illustrated in FIG. 2A has general authority, and the user whose user ID is U002 has premium authority. Note that the premium authority may have, for example, a period during which the premium authority is continued.
In addition, the user with the user ID U003 has the authority of the owner in the room with the room ID R023, and has general authority in the other rooms.

The room information storage unit 33 is a storage area that stores information (small space information) about each room in the virtual space. An example of the room information storage unit 33 is shown in FIG. 2C.
The room information storage unit 33 shown in FIG. 2C has items such as a room ID, a position, an output mode, an upper layer, permission authority (room entry permission/prohibition information), and the like.
Room ID is identification information for identifying a room.
The position indicates the position of the room by coordinates. In this example, the position of the room represents the position on the plane, but may also include the position in the height direction.
The output mode indicates the display mode of the room. If the output mode is transparent, it indicates that the image showing the boundary of the room is transparent. Also, if the output mode is a wall, it indicates that an image with the boundary of the room as the wall is to be output.
The upper layer indicates the upper layer of the room. For example, a room with a room ID of R002 has an upper layer of R001, so the room with a room ID of R002 is formed inside the room with a room ID of R001.
The permission authority indicates authority to permit entry to the room. For example, anyone can enter a room with a room ID of R001, but a normal user cannot enter a room with a room ID of R002.

The room display condition storage unit 34 is a storage area that stores conditions for changing the display mode of the room based on the number of avatars in the room. FIG. 2B shows an example of the room display condition storage unit 34. As shown in FIG.
The room display condition storage unit 34 shown in FIG. 2B stores conditions and output modes in association with each other.
The condition relates to the number of avatars in the room.
The output mode indicates the mode of the display color of the image showing the boundary of the room.
In the example of FIG. 2B, colors indicate the number of avatars.

Note that the above configuration of each storage unit of the storage unit 30 is merely an example, and there may be other storage units or other configurations. Moreover, the above items are only examples of the items in each storage unit, and there may be other items or there may be no items.
The communication IF 39 in FIG. 1 is an interface for communicating with the user terminal 5 or the like via the communication network N. FIG.

<User terminal 5>
The user terminal 5 is, for example, a personal computer such as a notebook PC as shown in FIG. The user terminal 5 may also be a mobile terminal such as a tablet or a smart phone, which also has the functions of a computer.
Although not shown, the user terminal 5 includes at least a control unit, a storage unit, an input unit and an output unit (or a touch panel display), and a communication IF. An output device, a camera, or the like may be provided.

Here, the computer means an information processing device having a control unit, a storage device, etc., and the virtual space providing server 1 and the user terminal 5 are information processing devices each having a control unit, a storage device, etc. included in the concept of

<Processing of Virtual Space Providing System 100>
Next, processing performed between the virtual space providing server 1 and the user terminal 5 will be described with reference to a flowchart.
3A and 3B are flowcharts showing the main processing of the virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a virtual space 40 generated by the virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing use start processing of the virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an avatar 60 generated by the virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 70 displayed on the user terminal 5 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing operation signal reception processing of the virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing room display change processing of the virtual space providing server 1 according to this embodiment.

By executing the virtual space providing program 31a of the virtual space providing server 1, the main processing shown in FIG. 3A is started.
In step S (hereinafter, "step S" is simply referred to as "S") 11 in FIG. Generate a virtual space in which each room is arranged.
For example, in the schematic diagram of the virtual space 40 shown in FIG. 4, two

rooms

41 and 42 are provided in the virtual space. The room 41 further has

rooms

41a, 41b, . . . Further, the room 42 further has

rooms

42a, 42b, . . .

In this way, the virtual space 40 can have a plurality of

rooms

41 and 42, and furthermore, the room 41a and the like can be provided inside the room 41, so that the rooms can have a nested structure.
The virtual space 40 also has an entrance area 43 outside the

rooms

41 and 42 . The entrance area 43 is, for example, an area where an avatar corresponding to the user is output when the user starts using. Note that the virtual space 40 may set the entrance area 43 as one room.

In S12 of FIG. 3A, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a usage request has been received from the user terminal 5. FIG. For example, a user who uses the virtual space providing service provided by the virtual space providing server 1 accesses the virtual space providing server 1 using the user terminal 5, and the control unit of the user terminal 5 performs authentication using the user ID. conduct. The control unit 10 may determine that the usage request has been received from the user terminal 5 when the authentication is successful. If a usage request has been received from the user terminal 5 (S12: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S13. On the other hand, if no usage request has been received from the user terminal 5 (S12: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S14.
In S13, the control unit 10 performs a usage start process.

Here, the usage start processing will be described with reference to FIG.
In S31 of FIG. 5, the control unit 10 acquires the authenticated user ID.
In S32, the control unit 10 (avatar generation unit 12) refers to the user information storage unit 32 and acquires the authority of the user.
In S33 , the control unit 10 receives designation of the display color of the avatar selected by the user, for example, from an avatar display color designation screen (not shown).
At S34, the control unit 10 generates an avatar of the specified color.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a generated avatar 60. FIG.
The avatar 60 is a humanoid image consisting of a face 61 and a body 62 . In this embodiment, the avatar 60 is designed with a reduced number of polygons because it is displayed using a web browser. Avatar 60 is a 3D image.

In S35 of FIG. 5, the control unit 10 places the generated avatar at a predetermined position in the virtual space already generated by the process of S11 of FIG. 3A. By specifying, for example, the entrance area of the virtual space (see FIG. 4) as the predetermined position, the control unit 10 places the avatar in the entrance area.

In S36 , the control unit 10 (generated image output unit 15 ) transmits the generated image in which the avatar is arranged in the virtual space to the user terminal 5 .
FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen 70 displayed on the user terminal 5. As shown in FIG. The screen 70 has

rooms

72 and 73 arranged on a floor 71 . Also, the user's own avatar 75 is displayed in the front center. Avatars 76 are avatars of other users.
Floor 71 corresponds, for example, to virtual space 40 in FIG. 4, and

rooms

72 and 73 correspond to

rooms

42a and 42b in FIG. Since the room 42 (see FIG. 4) is displayed in a transparent output mode on the screen 70, the image indicating the boundary corresponding to the room 42 is not displayed.

In S37 of FIG. 5 , the control unit 10 (sound control unit 21 , sound output unit 23 ) transmits sound corresponding to the position of the avatar to the user terminal 5 .
By this process, the user terminal 5 hears the sound of the space corresponding to the position where the avatar is arranged from the speaker of the user terminal 5 . Therefore, the user can feel as if he/she is in the space.
After that, the control unit 10 shifts the processing to S14 in FIG. 3A.

In S14 of FIG. 3A , the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13 ) determines whether or not an operation signal has been received from the user terminal 5 . If an operation signal has been received from the user terminal 5 (S14: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S15. On the other hand, if the operation signal has not been received (S14; NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S17 in FIG. 3B.
In S15, the control unit 10 performs operation signal reception processing.

Here, operation signal reception processing will be described based on FIG.
In S41 of FIG. 8, the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13) moves the avatar in response to the operation signal.
In S42 , the control unit 10 (generated image output unit 15 ) transmits to the user terminal 5 generated images in which the avatar is arranged in the virtual space during and after the movement of the avatar. Also, the control unit 10 (sound control unit 21, sound output unit 23) transmits the sound corresponding to the moved position to the user terminal 5. FIG.
In S43, the control unit 10 (avatar position determination unit 14) determines whether or not the movement is movement into a room. Based on the positional relationship between the avatar and the room, the control unit 10 can determine whether the movement is for entering the room. If the movement is to enter a room (S43: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S44. On the other hand, if the move is not to enter a room (S43: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S46.

In S44, the control unit 10 (avatar position determination unit 14) refers to the user information storage unit 32 and the room information storage unit 33 to confirm whether movement into the room is possible. For example, if the authority of the user stored in the user information storage unit 32 is included in the permission authority of the room in the room information storage unit 33, the control unit 10 determines that the user is permitted to move into the room. to decide. On the other hand, for example, if the authority of the user stored in the user information storage unit 32 is not included in the permission authority of the room in the room information storage unit 33, the control unit 10 cannot move into the room. judge there is.
In S45, the control unit 10 (avatar position determination unit 14) determines whether or not to enter the room based on the confirmation result. When entering the room (S45: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S46. On the other hand, if the room cannot be entered (S45: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S49.

In S46, the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13) moves the avatar in response to the operation signal.
In S47 , the control unit 10 (generated image output unit 15 ) transmits to the user terminal 5 generated images in which the avatar is arranged in the virtual space during and after the movement of the avatar. Also, the control unit 10 (sound control unit 21, sound output unit 23) transmits the sound corresponding to the moved position to the user terminal 5. FIG. After that, the control unit 10 shifts the process to S16 in FIG. 3A.
On the other hand, in S49, the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13) stops the movement of the avatar. In other words, the avatar cannot enter the destination room according to the operation signal, so it stays at the boundary between the rooms. After that, the control unit 10 shifts the process to S16 in FIG. 3A.

In S16 of FIG. 3A, the control unit 10 performs room display change processing.
Here, room display change processing will be described with reference to FIG.
In S51 of FIG. 9, the control unit 10 counts the number of avatars placed in each room.
In S52, the control unit 10 refers to the room display condition storage unit 34 and determines the display mode of each room based on the total number of avatars.

In S53, the control unit 10 (virtual space generation unit 11) changes the display mode of each room to the determined display mode.
For example, when the number of avatars belonging to a certain room is changed from 9 to 10, the control unit 10 changes the color of the image indicating the boundary of the room to green. If the image indicating the boundary of the room is transparent, a greenish transparent wall is displayed.
After that, the control unit 10 shifts the processing to S17 in FIG. 3B.

In S17 of FIG. 3B , the control unit 10 (voice reception unit 22 ) determines whether voice data has been received from the user terminal 5 . If voice data has been received (S17: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S18. On the other hand, if no audio data has been received (S17: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S19.
In S18, the control unit 10 (sound control unit 21, sound output unit 23) transmits the received audio data to the user terminals 5 of users corresponding to other avatars in the same space as the avatar.

In S19 , the control unit 10 determines whether or not a termination request has been received from the user terminal 5 . The control unit 10 determines that the termination request has been accepted by receiving, for example, an instruction to leave the avatar from the virtual space (that is, to log out) from the user terminal 5 . If the end request has been accepted (S19: YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S20. On the other hand, if the end request has not been received (S19: NO), the control unit 10 shifts the process to S12 in FIG. 3A.
In S20, the control unit 10 (virtual space generation unit 11) deletes from the virtual space the avatar of the user for whom the termination request has been received.
Through such processing, the user of each user terminal 5 can enter and exit the generated virtual space using an avatar.
After that, the control unit 10 shifts the processing to S12 in FIG. 3A.

Next, an example of use in a virtual space providing service will be described.
(Usage example 1) When used for selling goods The virtual space can be used for selling various goods. A room can then be, for example, a space used by a single store. A store owner is associated with a room ID of a certain room. Images of articles to be sold are arranged in the room.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 80 displayed on the user terminal 5 according to this embodiment.
Screen 80 shows, for example, a virtual store that conducts a comic market. Screen 80 includes room 81 , wall section 82 , store clerk avatar 83 , product image 84 and customer avatar 85 .
The room 81 has a wall portion 82 at a partial boundary. Various animation images are arranged on the wall portion 82 . The store clerk avatar 83 is a substitute for the user who sells the product image 84 . The customer avatar 85 can purchase a desired product image 84 while communicating with the store clerk avatar 83 by voice.

Here, the item to be sold may be image data such as the item image 84 for sale. Also, the item for sale may be an actual item instead of an image. In the case of image data, the image data is transmitted to the user terminal 5 of the user who purchased the item by making a payment for the item. In addition, if the item is an actual item, the delivery of the item is arranged by paying the amount of money for the item. Various online payment methods such as credit cards, electronic money, and virtual currency can be used for payment. In that case, the control unit 10 may request a settlement server (not shown) to perform settlement processing.

(Usage Example 2) When used for communication with a user associated with a specific avatar For example, the virtual space can be used to enjoy conversations with idols. In that case, the room is a space used by multiple users who want to talk with the idol and the idol. A special room is further provided within the room to create a space shared by only one idol and one user.
A user's avatar waiting to talk with an idol waits in the room. Then, only for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), it is allowed to enter the special room where the idol avatar is present in order. In that case, permission to enter the special room is granted to each user for each hour. Then, when a predetermined time has passed, the player is forced to leave the special room. By doing so, the user can enjoy one-on-one conversation with a favorite idol. In this case as well, the conversation with the idol can be billed.

(Usage example 3) When used as a conference space A virtual space can be used for a conference with a specific user. If so, assign the room to the user hosting the meeting. Then, the user who hosts the conference sets the authority to allow the conference participants to enter the room.
By doing so, conversations and chats can be held in the room, and the room can be used like a normal conference.

Thus, according to the virtual space providing server 1 of this embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(1) A generated image in which a room is arranged in a virtual space and an avatar is arranged is output to the user terminal 5 . Then, the room is arranged in the specified position in the virtual space in the specified output mode by referring to the room information storage unit 33 that contains the room position and the output mode. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with a new-concept virtual space having a room in the virtual space. Moreover, the room can be used for various purposes because the room can be displayed so as to be seen by the user or hidden so as not to be seen by the user.

(2) Since a virtual space can have rooms within rooms, various controls can be conveniently performed on a room-by-room basis.
(3) The room display condition storage unit 34 stores conditions related to the number of avatars and output modes. It can be changed by the number of avatars. Therefore, the degree of congestion in the room can be visually indicated by color.

(4) Move the position of the avatar in response to receiving an operation signal for moving the avatar from the user terminal 5 . Therefore, it is possible to move one's own avatar within the virtual space according to the movement operation of the user.
(5) Referring to the user information storage unit 32 storing user information including the user's authority information and the permission authority of the room stored in the room information storage unit 33, the moving avatar is permitted to move into the room. Only when the movement within the room is permitted, the avatar is controlled to move into the room (enter the room).
Therefore, it is possible to control whether or not the avatar is allowed to enter the room depending on the authority.

(6) Generated images related to the virtual space of a predetermined range are output to the user terminal 5, and in accordance with the movement of the avatar, among the generated images related to the virtual space of the predetermined range from the position of the avatar, the difference is calculated in units of rooms by the user terminal. 5. Therefore, the transmission of generated image data can be limited to a necessary range, so that the processing load can be reduced. In particular, when displaying a generated image using a Web browser, processing can be lightened by suppressing the amount of data.

(7) Sound output is controlled in each space including the virtual space and the room, and the sound of the space at the position of the avatar corresponding to the user is output to the user terminal 5, so that the user feels as if the user is in the virtual space or room. You can hear the sound with a feeling.
(8) When the voice is received from the user terminal 5, the voice is transmitted to the user terminal 5 of the user associated with the other avatar in the space corresponding to the avatar's position. It can be performed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Moreover, the effects described in the embodiments are merely enumerations of the most suitable effects produced by the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. The above-described embodiments and modifications described later can be used in combination as appropriate, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(deformed form)
(1) In the present embodiment, as shown by the avatar 60 in FIG. 6, the avatars have the same shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the difference may be shown by outputting the actual user's face image to the part located on the face of the avatar.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an avatar 60-2 generated by the virtual space providing server according to the modification.
When the user terminal is equipped with a camera and the user uses the service, the control unit of the user terminal acquires the user's facial image via the camera and transmits the facial image data to the virtual space providing server. The control unit of the virtual space providing server receives the face image data of the user and generates an avatar 60-2 by synthesizing the face image 65 with the face part 61-2. The control unit of the user terminal continuously transmits the user's face image data while using the service, so that the control unit of the virtual space providing server generates an avatar based on the received face image data. Therefore, an avatar whose expression changes in real time can be output in the virtual space.

(2) In the present embodiment, an example in which the color of the room is changed according to the number of avatars has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may change the transparency of the room.
Moreover, the number of avatars is not limited to changing the display mode of the room. For example, the color and transparency of the room may vary depending on the volume.
(3) In the present embodiment, an example of displaying each user's avatar has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of displaying all avatars, only some avatars positioned near the user's own avatar may be displayed according to the number of users associated with avatars in the room. By doing so, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a large number of avatars are displayed and visually crowded.

(4) In the present embodiment, voice conversation within a room has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A chat, which is a text-based conversation, may be held in the room. In that case, the content of the chat is output to the user terminal only when the user is in the room. Therefore, while in the room, the user can participate in the written conversation that takes place in the room.
Also, the virtual space providing server may have a translation function, or may cooperate with an external device having a translation function. Conversation by voice or text in the language of each country can be converted into the language of one's own country by using the translation function, which is convenient.

1 virtual space providing server 5 user terminal 10 control unit 11 virtual space generation unit 12 avatar generation unit 13 avatar processing unit 14 avatar position determination unit 15 generated image output unit 21 sound control unit 22 voice reception unit 23 sound output unit 30 storage unit 31a Virtual space providing program 32 User information storage unit 33 Room information storage unit 34 Room display condition storage unit 60, 60-2 Avatar 100 Virtual space providing system N Communication network

Claims

A virtual space providing device connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network,
a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information on the position and output mode of the small space arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space;
small space mode determination means for determining an output mode of the small space by referring to the small space information storage unit;
a virtual space generation means for generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space in the output mode determined by the small space mode determination means;
an object generating means for generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal;
generated image output means for outputting to each user terminal a generated image in which the object generated by the object generation means is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generation means;
A virtual space providing device comprising:
The virtual space providing device according to claim 1,
the three-dimensional virtual space has a nested structure in which a small space can be further arranged in the small space;
The virtual space providing device, wherein the small space information storage unit further stores information about the nested structure.
In the virtual space providing device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The small space mode determining means determines at least one of display color and transparency of the small space to be different according to the number of objects belonging to the position of the small space.
In the virtual space providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
operation receiving means for receiving, from the user terminal, an operation signal for movement of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal;
an object moving means for moving the object according to the operation signal received by the operation receiving means;
A virtual space providing device comprising:
In the virtual space providing device according to claim 4,
A user information storage unit that stores user information including the user's authority information,
The small space information storage unit further stores entry permission/prohibition information for the small space corresponding to the authority information,
When the object is moved to the position of the small space by the object moving means, whether to refer to the user information storage unit and the small space information storage unit and permit the movement of the object into the small space Equipped with internal movement determination means for determining whether
The virtual space providing device, wherein the object moving means moves the object into the small space only when the movement into the small space is permitted by the internal movement determining means.
In the virtual space providing device according to claim 4 or 5,
The generated image output means is
outputting to the user terminal the generated image related to the three-dimensional virtual space within a predetermined range from the position of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal;
In response to the movement of the object by the object movement means, the generated image related to the three-dimensional virtual space in the predetermined range from the position of the object after movement and in the three-dimensional virtual space that has not been output, A virtual space providing device that outputs to the user terminal in units of the small spaces.
In the virtual space providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
sound control means for controlling sound output for each space including the three-dimensional virtual space and the small space;
sound output means for outputting, to the user terminal, the spatial sound controlled by the sound control means and corresponding to the position of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal;
A virtual space providing device comprising:
In the virtual space providing device according to claim 7,
Provided with voice reception means for receiving voice from the user terminal,
The virtual space providing device, wherein the sound output means outputs the sound received by the sound receiving means to the user terminal of a user associated with another object in the space corresponding to the position of the object.
A virtual space providing method by a computer connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network,
the computer
a small space mode determination step of determining the output mode of the small space by referring to a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information on the position and output mode of the small space arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space;
a virtual space generating step of generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space of the output mode determined by the small space mode determining step;
an object generation step of generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal;
a generated image output step of outputting to each user terminal a generated image in which the object generated by the object generating step is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generating step;
A method for providing a virtual space, including
A computer connected to multiple user terminals via a communication network,
small space mode determination means for determining the output mode of the small space by referring to a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information on the position and output mode of the small space arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space;
a virtual space generation means for generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space in the output mode determined by the small space mode determination means;
an object generating means for generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal;
generated image output means for outputting to each user terminal a generated image in which the object generated by the object generation means is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generation means;
A program to function as