JP2003150978A - Three-dimensional virtual space display method, program, and recording medium storing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To autonomously change a viewpoint of an avatar without necessitating the operation of a terminal of a participator. SOLUTION: A first algorithm displays the avatar, or the other self of each participant in participating a three-dimensional virtual space, in the three- dimensional virtual space, allows a terminal of each participant to respond thereto, and changes the display position or the viewpoint of the avatar of the participant, and displays a speech message inputted from the terminal of an arbitrary participant in the three-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the avatar of the participant, or is applied to the three-dimensional virtual space display method displaying a prescribed message board. This method includes a first step (S18) specifying the position of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the speech message in the three-dimensional virtual space and a second step (S20) making the viewpoint of the avatar of another participant to direct to the specified position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional virtual space display method, a program, and a recording medium storing the program. Specifically, a three-dimensional virtual space display method, program, and its program improved so that the line of sight of a participant who participates in the three-dimensional virtual space is naturally directed toward the target person (for example, the speaker or the person who wants to talk). The present invention relates to a stored recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a virtual world (Virtual World) is provided to a participant's terminal connected via the Internet.
3D virtual space image imitating rld) is displayed, and a participant's alter ego object called "avatar" (incarnation of god appearing in Indian mythology) is arranged in the space, and the avatar is the participant. There is known a so-called cyber space service system in which a user can freely walk around in a virtual world and have a conversation with other participants by operating the device (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-81).
781 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-14182).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional virtual space provided by such a cyber space service system. In this figure, the screen 201 is
It is an image of a virtual world displayed on a terminal of a participant (for convenience, referred to as “participant A”). On this screen 201,
A plurality of avatars 202 and 203 and pets 204 and 205 are arranged in front of a background image (a townscape and a mountain on the far right in the figure). The avatars 202 and 203 are alternations of other participants (hereinafter referred to as “participant B” and “participant C”), and the pets 204 and 205 are agents (avatars) of those participants B and C, respectively. Object that appears for each).

Here, the illustrated composition is a picture as seen from the viewpoint of the participant A. That is, the participant A is currently
Standing on a hill overlooking the cityscape and the mountains in the far right, on top of this hill, in addition to participant A, participants B and C's avatars 202,
203 and their agents (pets 204, 20
5) exists. In addition, on the screen 201, the participant A
The avatar of is not displayed. This is because the mode currently viewed from the avatar's point of view is selected. The avatar of the participant A can be displayed on the screen 201 by selecting another viewpoint mode. There is also an agent of the participant A, but now it is located outside the screen 201 and cannot be seen.

Now, all avatars are the alter ego of the participants as described above. That is, the hidden avatar that is the basis of the viewpoint of the screen 201 is the altercation of the participant A, the avatar 202 is the altercation of the participant B, and the avatar 203 is the altercation of the participant C. Each participant operates their own terminal to display screen 2
It is possible to move the position of the avatar of 01 and change the viewpoint. Furthermore, a message can be sent to the screen 201. The results of those operations are reflected in the terminals of other participants as well as in their own terminals, so that the same virtual world can be shared by multiple participants.

[0006] For example, in the screen 201, ( "Yes, hello") message ( "Hello>Hanako") 206 and the participant B of the reply message of the participants C 207 is displayed on each of the avatar . “Hanako” is the nickname of the participant B (also called chat name or handle name), and “Taro” is the nickname of the participant C. Message 206 is sent from the terminal of participant C (Mr. Taro), and message 207 is participant B.
The screen 201 including the messages 206 and 207, which is transmitted from the terminal of (Hanako-san), has all the participants (participants A to A) who are accessing the virtual world.
It is displayed equally on the terminal of C).

When the participant A wants to change the line of sight of the avatar, the participant A operates the control panel 208 displayed on the lower side of the screen 201.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the control panel 208 and an application explanatory view. Control panel 208
Has a plurality of switch objects 208a to 208m designed for each purpose. Describing the uses in order from the left, for example, the switch object 208a is for changing the viewpoint elevation angle, the switch object 208b is for changing the viewpoint depression angle, and the switch object 20.
8c is for turning the viewpoint left, switch object 208d is for moving the viewpoint forward, switch object 208e is for moving the viewpoint backward, switch object 208f is for turning the viewpoint right, switch object 208g is for moving the viewpoint left horizontal, and switch object 208h is the viewpoint. For altitude increase,
The switch object 208i is for horizontally moving the viewpoint to the right, the switch object 208j is for descending the altitude of the viewpoint, the switch object 208k is for continuously rotating small viewpoint, and the switch object 208m is for continuously rotating large viewpoint.

In the figure, the avatar 209 of the participant A is
It is represented by two types: "simplified standing figure" and "overhead figure". The circular bird's-eye view graphic is a simplified view of the head of the avatar 209, and the arrow symbol of the bird's-eye view graphic represents the direction of the line of sight (that is, the front direction of the face).

The participant A is the switch object 208a.
When clicking (clicking operation with a pointing device such as a mouse; the same applies below), the line of sight of the avatar 209 changes to look up overhead, and accordingly, the screen 20
The composition of 1 changes. Similarly, switch object 20
When 8b is clicked, the same line of sight changes to look down at the feet, and when the switch object 208c is clicked, the body axis of the avatar 209 rotates counterclockwise (viewpoint moves in the same direction). Also, switch object 2
If you click 08d, the avatar 209 advances, and if you click the switch object 208e, the avatar 2
09 will retreat. Also, the switch object 208f
When you click, the axis of the avatar 209 rotates clockwise, and when you click the switch object 208g,
The avatar 209 horizontally moves to the left. Further, when the switch object 208h is clicked, the viewpoint position of the avatar 209 becomes high (as if floating in the air), and when the switch object 208i is clicked, the viewpoint position becomes low, and further, the switch object 20h.
When 8j is clicked, the avatar 209 horizontally moves to the right.

Therefore, for example, when it is desired to direct the participant A's line of sight (of the avatar 209) to the direction of the participant B's (avatar 202) (to directly face the participant), the participant A uses a switch for turning the viewpoint to the left. Click the object 208c,
The composition may be finely adjusted so that the participant B (avatar 202) is in the center of the screen 201. Alternatively, the switch object 208g for horizontally moving the viewpoint left may be clicked. In this case, since the participant A (the avatar of the avatar) moves left, the participant A (avatar 202) can be positioned in front of the participant B by finely adjusting the amount of movement.

In this way, by operating the participant's terminal, his or her own altercation (for participant A, avatar 20
9, the avatar 202 for the participant B and the avatar 203 for the participant C) can freely change their viewpoints in the virtual world, and it is as if they were in the virtual world. You can enjoy virtual reality.

[0013]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the control panel 20 is not always used.
Since it is necessary to operate 8 to change the viewpoint of the avatar, there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

In view of the above, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that, in the real world, for example, it is a natural behavior to react to the voice of a nearby person and direct his or her gaze in the direction of the voice. By incorporating such a mechanism as an algorithm, it is possible to change the avatar's viewpoint autonomously without the need for participant's terminal operation.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional virtual space display method, a program, and a recording medium storing the program, the operability of which is greatly improved.

[0015]

[Means for Solving the Problems] One invention is to display an avatar, which is the alter ego of each participant participating in the three-dimensional virtual space, in the three-dimensional virtual space and respond to the terminal operation of each participant. Change the display position of the participant's avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar, and display the utterance message input from the terminal of any participant in the three-dimensional virtual space in correspondence with the participant's avatar. Or in a three-dimensional virtual space display method of displaying on a predetermined message board, the first step of specifying the position of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the other participant's avatar. A second step of directing the avatar's line of sight to the specified position.

In the present invention, the position of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message in the three-dimensional virtual space is specified based on the utterance message from the terminal of the arbitrary participant, and the avatars of other participants are specified. The line of sight is directed to the specified position.

Further, in a preferred aspect of the invention, when the distance between the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message and the avatar of the other participant is within a predetermined limit distance, the line of sight of the avatar of the other participant. Is directed to the specified position.

[0018] In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the line of sight of the avatars of the other participants is only when the distance between the avatars of the participants corresponding to the speech message and the avatars of the other participants is within a predetermined limit distance. It is directed to the specified position.

In the second invention, an avatar, which is the alter ego of each participant participating in the three-dimensional virtual space, is displayed in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the participant's terminal operation is made to respond to that participant. While changing the display position of the avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar,
The speech message input from the terminal of any participant,
In the three-dimensional virtual space display method of displaying in the three-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the avatar of the participant or displaying on a predetermined message board, whether or not the utterance message includes information about the utterance partner And a second step of identifying the utterance partner's avatar based on the information when the result of the determination is affirmative, and the position of the utterance partner's avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space. The third step and the fourth step of directing the line of sight of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the speech message to the specified position are included.

According to the present invention, when the utterance message from the terminal of any participant includes information about the utterance partner, the avatar of the utterance partner is specified based on the information, and the avatar of the utterance partner is specified. A position in the three-dimensional virtual space is specified, and the line of sight of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the speech message is directed to the specified position.

Further, in a preferred aspect of the second invention, when the distance between the utterance partner avatar and the participant avatar corresponding to the utterance message is within a predetermined limit distance, the participant corresponding to the utterance message is This is to direct the avatar's line of sight to the specified position.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the avatars of the participants corresponding to the utterance message are set only when the distance between the avatar of the utterance partner and the avatars of the participants corresponding to the utterance message is within a predetermined limit distance. The line of sight is directed to the specified position.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the identification of various details in the following description or examples and examples of numerical values, character strings, and other symbols are merely references for clarifying the idea of the present invention, and may be used by all or a part of them. Obviously, the inventive idea is not limited.
In addition, a detailed description of well-known methods, well-known procedures, well-known architectures, well-known circuit configurations, and the like (hereinafter referred to as “well-known matters”) will be omitted, but this is also for the sake of brevity and these well-known matters. It does not intentionally exclude all or part of the matter. Such a well-known matter can be known to those skilled in the art at the time of filing the present invention, and is naturally included in the following description.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a network computing system 1 to which the “three-dimensional virtual space display method” according to the present invention can be applied. On this network computing system 1, a community that is developed in a three-dimensional virtual space (hereinafter also referred to as “three-dimensional virtual world” or simply “virtual world”)
System is constructed and provided. As will be described later, this community system displays a three-dimensional virtual space, and a browser (CP browser described later) for navigation,
A shared virtual world server (CP server described later) that manages the three-dimensional virtual space so that each participant can share it, and AO (Application) that is a shared application development environment.
It is composed of three elements, that is, a (regionObject).

Innumerable computer systems are connected to the network computing system 1. These computer systems are scattered all over the world, and some computers operate as "servers" that provide various services for a fee or free of charge, and some others request services from the servers. Running as a client.

The network computing system 1 uses the Internet 2 as a communication medium.
LAN as other small networks (Lo (Lo
calArea Network) 3a, 3b, ...
It includes the public telephone network 4 constructed and provided by the telephone companies in each country. Each of the LANs 3a, 3b, ... May be a single network segment or a configuration in which a plurality of segments are connected by a router.

Internet 2 and each LAN 3
A, 3b, ... Are interconnected via routers 5a, 5b ,. The substance of Internet 2 is L
The servers of the ANs 3a, 3b, ... Are growing as a result of repeated interconnections with each other to become a huge network. These Internet 2, LAN 3a, 3b, ...
For example, TCP / IP (Trans
mission Control Protocol /
Mutual access is possible according to a predetermined communication protocol such as Internet Protocol.

The Internet 2, LANs 3a, 3
.., etc. and the public telephone network 4 are interconnected by a gateway system (G / W) 6. In the public telephone network 4, for example, PSTN (P
public Switched Telephone N
network) and ISDN (Integrated Se)
rvice Digital Network).

The public telephone network 4 further has an infinite number of exchanges and terminals (not shown), and subscriber telephones installed in ordinary households are connected to the ends. Further, the public telephone network 4 is further provided with a mobile telephone service provider, PH
S (Personal Handyphone System
em) Many wireless telephone networks are laid by many carriers that provide wireless communication services, such as service providers.

A computer system on the Internet 2 (including a computer connected to the Internet 2 via a LAN) is assigned an IP address that can be identified on the Internet 2, and this IP address is assigned to each computer and the Internet 2. It becomes a logical connection point with.

On the Internet 2, a telecommunications carrier providing a connection service to the Internet 2, a so-called "Internet service provider" (ISP), for general users who cannot make an IP connection by a dedicated line. ) Exists. Commercial Internet
The service provider is required to register and notify the type 2 telecommunications carrier. An example of an internet service provider is "So-net". A general user can make an IP connection to the Internet 2 by dialing up to a server installed by a service provider, that is, "access points" (AP) 2a to 2d. In addition, today's Internet service providers use DSL (Digital Su
bscriber Line) and CATV (Commu)
Many companies offer a flat-rate 24-hour connection service using, for example, "Nature Antenna TeleVision". A general user who uses such an always-on service does not need to dial up every time he / she connects.

A general user terminal (hereinafter referred to as "user PC") 7a connected to the Internet 2 via a leased line or any Internet service provider,
, 7b, 7c, ... Operate mainly as “clients” on the Internet 2, and WWW (World
Wide Web) servers and other servers can be requested to provide required services.

In general, the Internet service provider, in addition to the connection service for connecting to the Internet 2, may use chat or BBS (Bulletin Board).
System: electronic bulletin board system), various applications such as electronic mail are provided on the Internet 2. Of course, various operating bodies other than the Internet service provider can provide Internet 2 applications such as chat, BBS, and electronic mail.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the Internet service provider operating the LAN 3a uses the community system according to the present embodiment, that is, each user via the "avatar" as an alternation in the three-dimensional virtual world. We provide a community system service that enables users to enjoy simulated communication such as chat.

The "chat" is a service for performing real-time communication between remote users via the Internet 2. In particular, the three-dimensional chat is a tertiary drawing rendered using three-dimensional graphics. This service provides an environment in which each logged-in user (hereinafter referred to as a "participant") sends his or her own "avatar" in the original virtual space to perform real-time communication. A three-dimensional virtual world on the WWW system, that is, a community system is, for example,
ISO (International Organization)
ation for Standardization)
Standard VRML (Virtual Reality Mo)
It is possible to describe the behavior by using Java (registered trademark). In addition, such a three-dimensional virtual world,
It can be displayed and navigated using a VRML browser (described later).

On the LAN 3a, a three-dimensional virtual world is constructed and provided on the Internet 2, and an environment for various social activities in this three-dimensional virtual world is provided to manage the three-dimensional virtual world. Shared virtual world (CP: Co
mmmunity Place) server (hereinafter referred to as “CP server”) 8 and one or more application object (AO) servers (hereinafter referred to as “AO server”)
9a, 9b, ... Are provided.

On the LAN 3a, HTML (Hy
HTTP (Hyper Text T) such as per text Markup Language content 10a
One or more WWW servers 10 that provide resource objects are provided, and in addition to this, a mail server 11 that provides an e-mail transmission / reception service for each user account exists. Good. Each server on the LAN 3a, that is, the CP server 8 and the AO servers 9a, 9
The WWW server 10 and the mail server 11 can be accessed from the Internet 2 via the router 5a.

In this embodiment, the WWW server 10 is
In addition to the normal HTML content 10a, a VRML file 10b describing a three-dimensional virtual world is provided.
This VRML file 10b includes a virtual world and a shared application (Shared Application).
Description, the Internet 2 address of the CP server 8 (URL: Uniform Resource Local
tor) or its reference link.

FIG. 2 is a computer (for example, user PC 7) of a user (participant; for convenience, participant A and participant C) who logs in to the three-dimensional virtual world according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the relationship between a, 7b) and WWW server 10 and CP server 8. The computers of the participant A and the participant C (user PCs 7a and 7b) respectively have an HTML browser 12 for browsing the HTML content 10a provided by the WWW server 10 and a VRML file 10b.
Both of the VRML browsers 13 capable of handling are installed.

The VRML browser 13 used in this embodiment is, in particular, a shared virtual world (CP: Communi).
It is also referred to as a "CP browser 13" because it displays a "ty place" and performs navigation. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the VRML browser 13 and the CP browser 13 will be treated as synonyms.
The HTML browser 12 and the CP browser 13 can operate on the same platform provided by, for example, the operating system “Windows (R) series” of Microsoft Corporation. The user PCs 7a, 7b, 7c, ... Are, for example, PCs / ATs (Personal C
computer / Advanced Technology
gy) A compatible machine or a successor machine.

In the three-dimensional virtual world constructed by using the VRML file 10b, each object placed in the virtual world is associated with an event that occurs in response to a user operation or a preset time elapses. It is possible to realize autonomous movement, that is, "Behavior" in response to a timer event or the like that occurs.

The Behavior mechanism is realized by the cooperative operation of three elements of "sensor", "routing" and "script". That is,
(1) A sensor node previously associated with a node such as an object placed in a three-dimensional virtual world and described as a VRML file 10b senses an external event based on a change in the field, and V
Raise an event in the RML scene. (2) The generated event is routed (that is, transmitted) to an external script that is a program that defines the behavior of the object, based on the routing described as the VRML file 10b. (3) In the external script,
The method that is called when the event arrives is described in advance. The external script, which has received the event transmitted by the routing, executes the processing based on the description and then changes the field value of the corresponding node in the VRML scene based on the processing result and the description of the routing.

In VRML, as a sensor node, for example, "TouchSensor" which generates an event when a mouse cursor passes or clicks on a specified object, or a user's viewpoint (ViewPoint) within a specified area. ) Raises an event when an intrusion “ProximitySenso
r ”,“ TimerSensor ”that occurs each time a predetermined time arrives or a predetermined time interval elapses are defined.

As described above, on the user PCs 7a and 7b of the participants A and C, the HTML browser 12 and the CP browser 1 capable of interpreting VRML contents are used.
3 are running. Examples of the HTML browser 12 include “Netscape Navigator” manufactured by Netscape Communications of the US and Mi of the US.
"Internet Explorer" from Microsoft
A general-purpose browser such as "er" can be used.

The user PCs 7a, 7b, 7c, ... Are connected to the Internet 2 through a predetermined procedure such as dial-up connection to the nearest access point (AP).
, Or in the case of constant connection, such a procedure is omitted and the Internet 2 is connected. further,
The user PCs 7a, 7b, 7c, ... Access the WWW server 10 by the HTML browser 12 according to the HTTP protocol. Then, the VRML file 10b describing the three-dimensional virtual world is downloaded from the WWW server 10 and passed to the CP browser 13.

The CP browser 13 analyzes the passed VRML file 10b and displays it on the browser screen. Also, if the address of the CP server 8 is described in the VRML file 10b, connection to that address is tried. Therefore, the CP browser 13 of each participant who has downloaded the same VRML file 10b establishes a connection (logs in) to the same CP server 8, and the VRML scene described in the VRML file 10b (that is, the same tertiary The former virtual world) can be shared by multiple logged-in users (participants).

When the connection to the CP server 8, that is, the login to the three-dimensional virtual world is successful, the communication thereafter is C.
It is performed between the P server 8 and the CP browser 13. This communication is performed by using a predetermined server-client protocol [in this specification, VSCP (Virtual Society).
Called ServerClientProtocol)]. The VSCP protocol includes a function of notifying the CP server 8 of a change made by the user through the CP browser 13 and a function of notifying the CP server 8 of the notified information to another CP browser 13.

The CP server 8 can limit the distribution of the information that each CP browser 13 needs to know (that is, the information to be transmitted to the CP browser 13) by using an aura algorithm. The aura means a region around the avatar, that is, a region where the user is supposed to be interested, and an object outside the aura is regarded as not interested and does not send information. By applying the aura algorithm, the amount of information to be delivered is reduced and the network traffic to each participant is limited to the specified communication capacity.

In the three-dimensional virtual world provided by the CP server 8, avatars, which are the altercations of each user, and pets kept by the avatars (virtual creatures; also called agents).
There are various objects such as. The operations of these objects and other applications in the virtual world are shared between the users existing in the three-dimensional virtual world (that is, logged in), and are referred to as “shared applications” in this specification.

FIG. 3 shows the CP server 8, the AO server 9a,
9b, ... Shows a hardware configuration common to the WWW server 10. CPU (Central Proc
The essing unit 21 is a ROM (Read
Various processes are executed according to the program stored in the Only Memory) 22. RAM (Rand
om Access Memory) 23 is CPU2
1 appropriately stores programs and data necessary for executing various processes. The hard disk 24 stores a database, other necessary data, a program processed by the CPU 21, and the like. These are bus 25
Are connected to each other via.

An input / output interface 26 is also connected to the bus 25, and the input / output interface 26 is connected to the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
lay) and CRT (Cathode Ray Tub)
e) and the like, a display unit 27, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, etc. are connected to the input unit 28, and a modem or the like is further built-in through a general telephone line, a dedicated line, the Internet 2, etc. A communication unit 29 for communicating with an external device and a drive device 30 for driving a disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and inputting / outputting data are connected.

FIG. 4 shows user PCs 7a, 7b, 7c, ...
It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of. User PC 7
a, 7b, 7c, ... Are CPU 41, RAM 42, disk controller 43, disk device 44, display controller 45, display device 46, keyboard controller 47, keyboard device 48, pointing device device 49, communication unit 50, main. Bus 5
1, a bus interface 52, an internal bus 53, and the like, and software resources such as an operating system (HT stored in advance in the disk device 44.
ML browser 12, CP browser 13, etc.) RAM 42
And the CPU 41 executes the above, the WWW server 10 and the CP server 8 can be accessed and the required 3D virtual space sharing service (community system service according to the present embodiment) can be received. .

The user PCs 7a, 7b, 7c, ...
Displays various user interface screens related to the service on the display device 46, and operates the keyboard device 48 and the pointing device device 49 on the interface screen to move the position of the avatar, move the avatar's viewpoint, and send a message. It is possible to create and send.

When the participant A operates his terminal, for example, the user PC 7a, and inputs a predetermined command, the HTML
The browser 12 sends a predetermined U via the Internet 2.
Access the WWW server 10 specified by the RL to perform VR
Obtain the ML file 10b. HTML browser 12
When it gets the VRML file 10b, CP it
Hand it over to the browser 13. CP browser 13 is VRM
The L file 10b is analyzed and displayed on the display device 46. Further, the CP browser 13 connects to the CP server 8 when the address of the CP server 8 is specified in the VRML file 10b.

When the connection is successful, thereafter, the communication between the CP browser 13 and the CP server 8 is performed using VSCP. The VSCP has a function of notifying the CP server 8 of changes made by participants via the CP browser 13, and the information from the CP server 8 to other Cs connected thereto.
It has a function of notifying the P browser 13.

As with the participant A, the other participants (eg the participant B) also have their own terminals (eg the user PC 7).
Operate b) to access the WWW server 10 and execute VRM
When the L file 10b is acquired, the CP browser 13
The VRML file 10b is analyzed and displayed on the display device 4
Display in 6.

In this way, a plurality of participants share the same virtual space.

Participants who have accessed the virtual space are represented in the virtual space as avatars. When a given avatar (participant) navigates the virtual space, the action is reflected in other avatars sharing the virtual space. Information on such avatar movement is also sent from the CP browser 13 to the CP server 8 by VSCP. The CP server 8 sends this information to another CP browser 13 connected to itself. Upon receiving this information, the CP browser 13 updates the corresponding avatar to reflect the change made in the CP browser 13 that is the source of the information.

FIG. 5 shows AO servers 9a, 9b, ..., C.
P server 8 and CP browser 13 (user PC 7
a, 7b, 7c, ..., which are present above). The AO servers 9a, 9b, ... Have a universal AO 60. The universal AO 60 is an AO that controls the entire virtual world.
AO manages shared applications,
The shared application means an application in which an object such as an avatar and its operation are shared by participants in the shared space.

In the example of FIG. 5, in the virtual world 61,
Avatars 62 to 64 corresponding to users (each participant A to participant C) who operate the user PC 7a to user PC 7c.
User object group 65 consisting of, and each avatar 6
2 to 64, the agent object group 69 consisting of agents (dogs 66 to 68 for convenience in the figure) and shared objects shared by the respective avatars 62 to 64 (shop 70 for convenience in the figure). , A recycle box 71) shared object group 73
And are arranged.

When the universal AO 60 is started, the default configuration file (PAW.CON
F) is read, and according to the contents described in it,
User Manager 7
4. Agent Manager
ger) 75, object manager (Objec)
t Manager) 76 is generated.

When the participants access the virtual world 61, the user manager 74 creates a user object (User Object) for each participant. For example, 3 participants (Participants A to C)
User manager 74 creates three user objects 74a-74c, and these user objects 74a-74c are assumed to have access.
Generates and manages avatars for each participant. That is, the user object 74a creates and manages the avatar 62 of the participant A, and the user object 74b
The avatar 63 of the participant B is created and managed, and the user object 74c creates and manages the avatar 64 of the participant C.
A database 77 is connected to the AO servers 9a, 9b, ... In order to be able to appropriately read out information necessary for executing such various processes.

The agent manager 75 creates an agent AO for each participant. In this case, since there are three participants A to C, the agent manager 75 uses the agent AO7 corresponding to the participant A.
5a, an agent AO75b corresponding to the participant B, and an agent AO75c corresponding to the participant C are generated. These agent AOs 75a to 75c generate and manage agents for each participant. That is, the agents AO75a to 75a generate and manage the agent 66 of the participant A, and the agent AO75a
The agents a to 75b generate and manage the agent 67 of the participant B, and the agents AO 75a to 75c generate and manage the agent 68 of the participant A.

In the user objects 74a to 74c and the agents AO 75a to 75b, the participants are the virtual world 6
It is generated when you access (log in) to 1.
It is deleted when you leave (log out) from the virtual world 61. For example, another participant (for convenience, participant D
When the user accesses the virtual world 61,
A user object and agent AO corresponding to the participant D are newly created, and the newly created user object and agent AO add the avatar and agent of the participant D to the virtual world. Or a participant from the virtual world (we will call participant A for convenience)
Is removed, the user object 74a and the agent AO 75a corresponding to the participant A are deleted, so that the avatar 62 and the agent 66 of the participant A are removed from the virtual world 61.

The object manager 76, at a predetermined timing set in advance, shares the shared object A
O (shop AO76a or recycle box AO76b in the illustrated example) is generated, and these shared objects AO exist for a predetermined time set in advance. The shop AO76a creates and manages the shop 70, and the recycle box AO76b creates and manages the recycle box 71.

The CP server 8 includes AO servers 9a, 9b,
... and the virtual world 6 located between each CP browser 13
1 and the CP browser 13 sends the corresponding avatar in the virtual world 61 (for example, avatar 6 for participant A).
A predetermined range based on 2) is managed on the terminal of the participant A (user PC 7a).

Participant A now has his own terminal (user PC 7
Regarding the processing for causing the agent 66 to perform a predetermined operation (for example, an operation of "Wow!") when the pointing device device 49 of a) is operated and the agent (the agent 66 as a dog) is clicked. explain.

First, the AO servers 9a, 9b, ...
When connecting to the P server 8, AO servers 9a, 9b, ...
A shared application (shared object) managed by
Request to add in the virtual world 61 managed by the server 8. The CP server 8 sends AO servers 9a, 9b, to all CP browsers 13 connected to itself.
・ Send the request from. Upon receiving this request, each CP browser 13 causes the corresponding shared application to appear.

In this state, the participant A is the agent 66.
When is clicked with the mouse, the corresponding script is activated by the CP browser 13 of the user PC 7a. This script sends a message to the CP server 8 indicating that the agent 66 has been clicked. The CP server 8 is an AO server 9a that manages the selected agent 66,
Send this message to 9b, ....

The AO servers 9a, 9b, ... Execute the processing corresponding to the message and send the message corresponding to the processing result to the CP server 8. In the case of this example, this message is a message for causing the agent 66 to ring. Then, this message is passed from the CP server 8 to the corresponding agent 66 via all the CP browsers 13 connected thereto and processed. As a result, P of all participants who are logged in
On C, agent 66, for example, "Wow!"
Will cry.

FIG. 6 shows the community system according to the present embodiment, which is displayed on the PC of the logged-in participant.
It is a figure which shows the user interface screen for services. The user interface screen 80 is composed of, for example, four screens whose positions and sizes can be changed independently.

The first screen is the view window 81. In this view window 81, a predetermined range in the virtual world 61 based on the position of the avatar of the participant (hereinafter referred to as participant A for convenience) is displayed. In this example, avatars 82 and 83 and agents 84 and 85 are displayed on a predetermined background. The avatars 82 and 83 and the agents 84 and 85 belong to other participants (for example, the participant B and the participant C), and the avatar of the participant A is hidden (that is, the view window 8).
The picture shown in 1 is the composition as seen from the avatar's point of view). The agent of the participant A is also outside the display frame of the view window 81 and cannot be seen. At the lower end of the view window 81, there is provided a control panel 86 for changing and operating the position and viewpoint of one's own avatar. This control panel 86 is the control panel 2 of the prior art described above.
08 (see FIG. 13), and FIG. 13 will be appropriately referred to for the operating method and the like.

The second screen is the world tool window 87 for displaying personal information. In this world tool window 87, an avatar viewpoint switching button 88, a pet information button 89, and a personal information button 9
0, a pet information display area 91 and the like are provided.
It should be noted that each time the viewpoint switching button 88 of the avatar is pressed,
The composition of the view window 81 can be switched to a view from the viewpoint of the avatar (in this case, the avatar is not displayed), a view from behind the avatar's back, and a view from the front of the avatar.

The third screen is a chat window (message board) 92. This chat window 9
2 is provided with an action button group 93 for executing various actions for its own agent (not currently visible in the figure), a chat log area 94, and a message input section 95. The chat log area 94 displays all chat logs exchanged between the currently logged-in participants or agents (however, some old logs are deleted). When chatting with other participants or sending a message to one's own agent, the desired character string is input to the message input section 95 using the keyboard device 48, and the enter key (for example, the return key) of the keyboard device 48 is input. push.

The fourth screen is the communication tool window 96. The communication tool window 96 is provided with a chat button 97, a mane button 98, a PHS button 99, a map button 100 and the like. Click the chat button 97
The third screen (chat window 92) can be opened or closed. Further, when the manuscript button 98 is clicked, it is possible to open a letter window (not shown) in which a letter (such as an electronic mail) having a delivery range in the virtual space can be created and can be sent and received. Also, if you click the PHS button 99, you can create a message to your mobile phone, PHS, etc.
A PHS window (not shown) for sending can be opened. In addition, when the map button 100 is clicked, a map window (not shown) that clearly shows the current location and direction of the self (avatar) (for example, indicated by a red arrow) can be opened.

When the participant A wants to change the viewpoint of his / her avatar, for example, when he / she wants to face (directly face) the participant B (avatar 82), he / she is at the bottom of the view window 81. The control panel 86 is operated.
As explained earlier, this control panel 86
13 is the same as that shown in FIG. 13 (control panel 208). In such a case, the switch object 208c for turning the viewpoint to the left in FIG. 13 is clicked, and the participant B ( Finely adjust the composition so that the avatar 82) comes. Alternatively, the switch object 208g for horizontally moving the viewpoint left in FIG. 13 may be clicked. In this case, since the viewpoint of the participant A moves left, the participant A (avatar 82) can be positioned in front of the participant B by finely adjusting the amount of movement.

The movement of the viewpoint by the manual operation is the same as the conventional one, and there is no feature in this point. However, in the present embodiment, in addition to such a viewpoint movement by the manual operation, the autonomous movement described below is performed. A technical feature is that the operability is improved by making it possible.

<Seeing the direction of the speaker: Speech reaction type> FIG.
Is a first algorithm for making the direction of the speaker look natural. This algorithm is applied to the server side (line-of-sight control process in the CP server 8: steps S11 to S20) and the client side (CP
Display process in browser 13: executed in step S21). This algorithm is executed and the CP server 8
Receives a packet consisting of the speaker and the content of the speaker from the client PC 7b of an arbitrary participant (hereinafter referred to as participant B for convenience) (step S11), then extracts the speaker from the packet ( In step S12, the avatar of each participant displayed in the view window 81 is searched for one corresponding to the speaker (step S1).
3). Here, the speaker is the participant B, and the avatar of the participant B is displayed at the left end of the view window 81, so the next determination result (step S14) is affirmative (YES).
Becomes In addition, the determination result of step S14 is negative (N
O), that is, when the avatar corresponding to the speaker is not displayed in the view window 81, the avatar of the speaker is outside the frame of the view window 81. In that case, the direction of the speaker is changed. Since it is not necessary to see and it is not necessary to display the utterance content, it is processed as an error and the packet is truncated (step S1).
5).

The determination result of step S14 is affirmative (YE
S), that is, if the avatar of the participant B corresponding to the speaker is displayed in the view window 81, then the participant A (who is looking at the view window 81) and the participant The distance between B (speaker) is calculated (step S16), and it is determined whether the distance is within a predetermined limit distance (step S17). Here, the predetermined limit distance is, for example, a distance corresponding to a normal conversationable distance in the real world.

The determination result of step S17 is negative (NO).
In the case of, that is, when the distance between the participant A and the participant B exceeds the distance equivalent to the normal conversationable distance in the real world, the voice of the participant B does not reach the participant A. Therefore, it is determined that the participant A is not in a state where he / she can react to the voice, and the following processing (gaze movement amount calculation, gaze direction control, etc.) is passed, and the speech content of the participant B is displayed in the view window 81. Display on the avatar 82 (step S
21).

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S17 is affirmative (YES), that is, if the distance between the participants A and B is within the distance equivalent to the normal conversationable distance in the real world, Participant A responds to the voice of Participant B
Is determined to be sufficiently responsive, and the amount of eye movement of the participant A is calculated (step S18: first step).

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for calculating the amount of movement of the line of sight.
In this figure, first, a straight line L connecting the center points Pa and Pb of the faces of the participant A and the participant B is obtained (step S18).
a), and then the angle θ between the line-of-sight direction F of the participant A and the straight line L
Is calculated (step S18b). The angle θ is the line-of-sight movement amount of the participant A. That is, by changing the line-of-sight direction F of the participant A so that θ becomes 0 degrees, the line-of-sight of the participant A can be directed toward the participant B.

When the line-of-sight movement amount θ is calculated in this way, the CP server 8 next determines whether or not the line-of-sight movement amount θ is a value other than 0 (step S19). When θ = 0, the line of sight of Participant A has already turned to Participant B, so the utterance content of Participant B is displayed on avatar 82 of view window 81 without performing gaze direction control. Yes (step S21).

If θ << 0, then information for controlling the movement of the participant A in the line-of-sight direction F by the line-of-sight movement amount θ is transmitted to the CP browser 13 (step S20: second step), Based on the information, the CP browser 13 directs the line of sight of the participant A toward the participant B, and then displays the speech content of the participant B on the avatar 82 of the view window 81 (step S21).

Therefore, according to this first algorithm, when an avatar displayed in the view window 81 utters, in response to the utterance, the avatar that made the utterance of another avatar's line of sight. It can be turned all at once. As a result, in addition to the movement of the avatar by the manual operation, it is possible to give the avatar a speech-reaction-type autonomous movement, so that the operability is of course improved.
It is possible to provide a three-dimensional virtual space display method with an increased sense of reality.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram showing the utterance reaction type autonomous movement. In this example, it is assumed that the participant B is a speaker and the participant B makes a predetermined utterance (for example, "hi everyone"). If the distance between the other participants (participants A and C in the figure) and the speaker is within a predetermined limit distance, the other participants (participants A and The line-of-sight movement amount of the participant C) (only the line-of-sight movement amount θ of the participant A is shown in the figure for convenience) is calculated, and each line-of-sight direction is controlled so that each line-of-sight movement amount θ is zero. That is, the line of sight of the participants A and C is autonomously controlled so as to face the speaker (participant B).

In the first algorithm, only when the distance to the speaker is within a predetermined limit distance (for example, a distance corresponding to a normal talkable distance in the real world), the voice of the speaker is changed. Although it is made to react, it is not limited to this. Depending on the loudness of the voice, the limitation on the distance may be eliminated, or the predetermined limitation distance may be variable according to the situation.

<Interpretation of Utterance Content and Viewing Direction of Utterance Partner: Utterance Partner Designation Type> FIG. 10 shows a second algorithm for interpreting the utterance content and viewing the direction of the utterance partner. is there. This algorithm is server side (C
Line-of-sight direction control processing in P server 8: Step S30
Up to step S41) and the client side (display processing in the CP browser 13: step S42). When this algorithm is executed, first, the CP server 8 makes an arbitrary participant (hereinafter referred to as participant A for convenience).
There desired partner (for example, participants B) that was input by operating its own terminal (client PC7a) speech content for (for example, "Hello>Hanako") receives a (step S30).

Here, the symbol (">") in the utterance content is
In the chat of the world, is a common symbol of order to clarify that it is a message for a particular opponent, in this case, it is "Hello" is of the other party "Hanako".

Next, the CP server 8 determines whether or not the utterance content includes the above symbol (">") (step S31: first step). If not, the following processing is performed. And the utterance content of the participant A is transmitted to the CP browser 13 and displayed on the view window 81 (step S42). If it is included, the utterance target is specified from the utterance content (step S32). . That is, the character string on the right side of the utterance content symbol “>” is extracted, the suffix (“san” or “sama”, etc.) is removed from the character string, and the chat name (in this case, “Hanako”) of the utterance target is removed. )).

Next, the avatar of each participant displayed in the view window 81 is searched for one corresponding to the chat name ("Hanako") (step S33: second step). The chat name of the utterance target is "Hanako"
Since the avatar of the participant B having the chat name is displayed at the left end of the view window 81, the next determination result (step S34) is affirmative (YES). When the determination result of step S34 is negative (NO), that is, when the avatar corresponding to the utterance target is not displayed in the view window 81, the avatar of the utterance target is outside the view window 81. In that case, the suffix (“san”) deleted in step S32 is returned to the utterance content (step S35), the presence or absence of the utterance target is determined again (step S36), and the utterance target is displayed in the view window. If it is not displayed in 81, the following processing is passed and the utterance content of the participant A is displayed in the view window 81 (step S42).

The determination result of step S34 is affirmative (YE
S), that is, when the avatar of the participant B corresponding to the utterance target is displayed in the view window 81, next, the participant A (speaker) and the participant B (speaker). ) Is calculated (step S37), and it is determined whether the distance is within a predetermined limit distance (step S38). Here, the predetermined limit distance is, for example, a distance corresponding to a normal conversationable distance in the real world.

The determination result of step S38 is negative (NO).
In the case of, that is, when the distance between the participant A and the participant B exceeds the distance equivalent to a normal conversationable distance in the real world, the voice uttered by the participant A is the voice of the participant B.
Therefore, it is judged that the participant B is not in a state in which he / she can react to the voice, and the following processes (gaze movement amount calculation, gaze direction control, etc.) are passed, and the utterance content of the participant A is viewed. It is displayed in the window 81 (step S42).

On the other hand, if the determination result in step S38 is affirmative (YES), that is, if the distance between the participants A and B is within the distance equivalent to the normal conversationable distance in the real world. , It is determined that the participant B can sufficiently react to the voice uttered by the participant A, and the amount of eye movement of the participant A is calculated (step S39: third step). The calculation concept of the eye movement amount is the same as that of the first algorithm (see FIG. 8). That is, first, a straight line L connecting the center points Pa and Pb of the faces of the participants A and B is obtained (step S18a), and then an angle θ between the line-of-sight direction F of the participant A and the straight line L is obtained (step S18b). ). The angle θ is the line-of-sight movement amount of the participant A. By changing the line-of-sight direction F of the participant A so that θ becomes 0 degree, the line-of-sight of the participant A can be directed toward the participant B.

When the line-of-sight movement amount θ is calculated in this way, the CP server 8 next determines whether or not the line-of-sight movement amount θ is a value other than 0 (step S40). In the case of θ = 0, the line of sight of the participant A has already turned to the side of the participant B, so that the speech content of the participant A is displayed in the view window 81 without controlling the line-of-sight direction (step S4).
2).

If θ <> 0, then information for controlling movement of the participant A in the line-of-sight direction F by the line-of-sight movement amount θ is transmitted to the CP browser 13 (step S41: fourth step). Based on the information, the CP browser 13 directs the line of sight of the participant A toward the participant B, and then displays the utterance content of the participant A in the view window 81 (step S4).
2).

Therefore, according to this second algorithm, when an avatar displayed in the view window 81 utters, it is possible to direct the avatar's line of sight to the direction of the utterance partner. As a result, in addition to the movement of the avatar by manual operation, it is possible to give the avatar an autonomous line-of-sight movement that specifies the speaking partner, which not only improves operability but also enhances the sense of reality in 3D virtual. A spatial display method can be provided.

FIG. 11 is an example of the utterance partner designation type autonomous movement. In this example, participant A
Is a speaker, and a predetermined utterance designated by the other party (for example,
It is assumed that the speech a "Hello>Hanako"). If the distance between the utterance target (participant B in the figure) and the utterer is within a predetermined limit distance, in response to the utterance of the participant A, the eye movement amount θ of the participant A with respect to the utterance target is The line-of-sight direction of the participant A is calculated so that the line-of-sight movement amount θ is zero. That is, the line of sight of the participant A is autonomously controlled so as to face the utterance target (participant B; Mr. Hanako). The difference from the above-mentioned first algorithm is that only the utterer faces the utterance target. That is, in the first algorithm described above, all the participants other than the speakers within the predetermined limit distance face the speakers all at once, but in the second algorithm, only the speakers change the line of sight. Especially, the reality of one-on-one communication can be increased.

In the second algorithm, when a specific symbol (">") is present in the utterance content, the proper noun (nickname, etc.) of the uttering partner is extracted from the character string on the right side of the symbol. However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. For example, using artificial intelligence technology,
The proper noun (nickname) of the utterance partner may be extracted from the conversation content.

Further, in the second algorithm, the line of sight of the speaker can be obtained only when the distance to the target speaker is within a predetermined limit distance (for example, a distance corresponding to a normal conversationable distance in the real world). , But is not limited to this. Depending on the loudness of the speaker's voice, the limitation on the distance may be eliminated, or the predetermined limitation distance may be variable according to the situation.

The main function of this embodiment is functionally realized by organically combining hardware assets including a microcomputer and software assets such as an operating system (OS) and various programs. However, since general-purpose hardware assets and OS can be used, essential items essential to the present invention are substantially summarized in the first or second algorithm (FIG. 7 or FIG. 10). It can be said that it has been done. Therefore, according to the present invention, a recording medium such as an FD, an MO, a CD, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory, which stores all or a part of the first or second algorithm described above (of course, a recording medium which itself is in a distribution channel) is used. , And those that provide only the recorded contents on the network).

[0102]

According to one aspect of the invention, the position of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message in the three-dimensional virtual space is specified based on the utterance message from the terminal of any participant, and The line of sight of the avatar of the participant is directed to the specified position.

Therefore, it is possible to give each avatar a "speech response type movement" in which the sight line of another avatar is autonomously changed in response to the utterance of the avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space. It is possible to provide a three-dimensional virtual space display method that eliminates the need for operation and enhances the sense of reality.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, only when the distance between the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message and the avatar of the other participant is within a predetermined limit distance, the line of sight of the avatar of the other participant. Are directed to the specified position.

Therefore, for example, when the distance is equal to or more than the normal conversationable distance in the real world, it is possible to prevent the avatar's line of sight from moving, avoid a mismatch with the real world, and feel uncomfortable. Can be eliminated.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the utterance message from the terminal of any participant includes information about the utterance partner, the avatar of the utterance partner is specified based on the information, and the utterance partner is also specified. The position of the avatar of the avatar is specified in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the line of sight of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the speech message is directed to the specified position.

Therefore, a "speech partner designation type movement" in which the utterance partner is specified from the utterance content of the avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space and is changed autonomously so that the line of sight of the utterer faces the utterance partner. Can be given to the speaker's avatar,
It is possible to provide a three-dimensional virtual space display method that does not require manual operation by the user and has a more realistic feeling.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, only when the distance between the utterance partner avatar and the participant avatar corresponding to the utterance message is within a predetermined limit distance, the participant corresponding to the utterance message is The avatar's line of sight is directed to the specified location.

Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the avatar's line of sight from moving when the distance is equal to or more than the normal conversationable distance in the real world, avoiding a mismatch with the real world, and feeling discomfort. Can be eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network computing system 1 to which a “three-dimensional virtual space display method” according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a computer (for example, user PC 7) of a user who logs in to the three-dimensional virtual world according to the present embodiment.
It is a relationship diagram of a, 7b) and WWW server 10 and CP server 8.

FIG. 3 is a CP server 8, AO servers 9a, 9b, ...
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram common to the WWW server 10.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of user PCs 7a, 7b, 7c, ...

FIG. 5: AO servers 9a, 9b, ..., CP server 8,
3 is a relationship diagram of the CP browser 13. FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a community system according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the user interface screen for services.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a first algorithm (speech response type).

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of calculation of a line-of-sight movement amount.

FIG. 9 is an example diagram showing a speech reaction type autonomous movement.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second algorithm (speech partner designation type).

FIG. 11 is an example diagram showing an utterance partner designation type autonomous movement.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a three-dimensional virtual space provided by a conventional cyber space service system.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the control panel 208 and an application explanatory view.

[Explanation of symbols]

S18 ... Step (first step), S20 ... Step (second step), S31 ... Step (first step), S33 ... Step (second step), S39
··· Step (3rd step), S41 ··· Step (4th step), 201 ··· Screen (three-dimensional virtual space), 7a, 7b, 7c ··· User PC (terminal) , 8
2, 83, 62, 63, 64 ... Avatar, 92 ... Chat window (message board).

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An avatar, which is the alter ego of each participant participating in the three-dimensional virtual space, is displayed in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the participant's avatar is displayed in response to the terminal operation of each participant. While changing the position and viewpoint of the avatar, you can change the utterance message input from the terminal of any participant.
In the three-dimensional virtual space display method of displaying in the three-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the participant's avatar or displaying on a predetermined message board, the three-dimensional virtual of the participant's avatar corresponding to the speech message. A three-dimensional virtual space display method comprising: a first step of specifying a position in space; and a second step of directing the line of sight of an avatar of another participant to the specified position. 2. The second step, when the distance between the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message and the avatar of the other participant is within a predetermined limit distance, the line of sight of the avatar of the other participant is set. The three-dimensional virtual space display method according to claim 1, wherein the display is directed to a specified position. 3. The three-dimensional virtual space display method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined limit distance can be set arbitrarily. 4. An avatar, which is the alter ego of each participant participating in the three-dimensional virtual space, is displayed in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the participant's avatar is displayed in response to the terminal operation of each participant. While changing the position and viewpoint of the avatar, you can change the utterance message input from the terminal of any participant.
In the three-dimensional virtual space display method of displaying in the three-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the avatar of the participant or displaying on a predetermined message board, whether the utterance message includes information about the utterance partner or not. A second step of identifying the utterance partner's avatar based on the information when the result of the determination is affirmative, and the position of the utterance partner's avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space. The three-dimensional virtual space display method comprising: a third step; and a fourth step of directing the line of sight of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the speech message to the specified position. 5. In the fourth step, when the distance between the avatar of the utterance partner and the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message is within a predetermined limit distance, the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message is detected. The three-dimensional virtual space display method according to claim 4, wherein the line of sight is directed to the specified position. 6. The three-dimensional virtual space display method according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined limit distance can be set arbitrarily. 7. A program for causing a computer to execute a predetermined processing function, wherein a speech message input from a terminal of an arbitrary participant,
In the three-dimensional virtual space of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the speech message, the step of displaying in the three-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the avatar that is the participant's own alternation, or displaying on a predetermined message board. And a second step of directing the line of sight of an avatar of another participant to the specified position. 8. The second step, when the distance between the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message and the avatar of the other participant is within a predetermined limit distance, the line of sight of the avatar of the other participant is set. The program according to claim 7, wherein the program is directed to a specified position. 9. The program according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined limit distance can be set arbitrarily. 10. A program for causing a computer to execute a predetermined processing function, wherein a speech message input from a terminal of an arbitrary participant,
Displaying in a three-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the participant's own avatar, or displaying on a predetermined message board, and determining whether or not the utterance message includes information about the utterance partner And a second step of identifying the utterance partner's avatar based on the information when the result of the determination is affirmative, and a third step of identifying the position of the utterance partner's avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space. A program comprising: a step; and a fourth step of directing the line of sight of the avatar of the participant corresponding to the speech message to the specified position. 11. The fourth step comprises: if the distance between the avatar of the utterance partner and the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message is within a predetermined limit distance, the avatar of the participant corresponding to the utterance message is detected. The program according to claim 10, wherein the line of sight is directed to the specified position. 12. The program according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined limit distance can be set arbitrarily. 13. A recording medium in which the program according to any one of claims 7 to 9 is stored. 14. A recording medium storing the program according to any one of claims 10 to 12.