JP2008117042A - Virtual space providing server, virtual space providing system, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a virtual stadium server by which a user can select the avatar of the desired player and view a game from the player's standpoint. <P>SOLUTION: Each player 7 is provided with a plurality of radio tags 9. A real position management part 6 detects the real position of each player 7 and a ball 8 based on the communication state of the radio tag 9 and an antenna 5, and transmits it to a virtual space provision server 1. The virtual space provision server 1 reproduces the situations of the game played in a real stadium 3 according to the movement of an avatar 7A in a virtual stadium 1A based on the data of the real position. When the user selects the standpoint of the desire player 7, the virtual space provision server 1 generates a play state viewed from the standpoint of the selected player 7, and transmits it to a client computer 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server, a system, and a computer program that provide a virtual space.

  A system in which a virtual space is generated in a server provided on a network and a character (avatar) that symbolizes a user can be operated in the virtual space is known (Patent Literature). 1). In the prior art described in this document, a sports game or a movie is broadcast in a virtual space in a server so that a plurality of users can view it.

There is also known a 3D video transmission / reception system in which video information visible from each player is prepared for each player in advance, and the video information for each player is assigned to each channel and broadcast. (Patent Document 2). In this three-dimensional video transmission / reception system, the viewer can select a desired player and display a video seen from the player's line of sight on the display.
JP 2005-100053 A JP 2001-028765 A

  In the prior art described in the first document, a plurality of users can enjoy a sports game or the like in a virtual space via an avatar. They only watch sports games from the viewer's point of view. Therefore, there is a lack of realism, and it is not possible to relive a sports game from the standpoint of a player.

  On the other hand, in the prior art described in the second document, it is possible to watch the game from the player's viewpoint and enjoy a video full of realism. However, according to this conventional technique, it is necessary to prepare in advance for each player an image that can be seen from the line of sight of the player, which requires labor and cost for editing work. Further, since it is necessary to multiplex and broadcast the video corresponding to the line of sight of each player, the data processing on the transmission side and the reception side is complicated, and the amount of data communication is greatly increased.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a virtual space providing server, a virtual space providing system, and a computer program that can reproduce a situation that can be seen by a subject's line of sight in a virtual space with a relatively simple configuration. Further objects of the present invention will become clear from the description of the embodiments described later.

  In order to solve the above problem, a virtual space providing server according to one aspect of the present invention is a virtual space providing server that displays a character symbolizing the subject in the virtual space based on the real position of the subject in the real space. A communication unit for bidirectional communication with a client computer operated by a user via a communication network, a virtual space generation unit for generating a virtual space imitating a real space where the target person exists, Coordinate determination means for determining the coordinates of the character in the virtual space according to the real position of the target person, and from the character according to the virtual line of sight and the character coordinates set in advance as the line of sight of the target person in the real space The state of the visible virtual space is transmitted to the client computer via communication means and displayed on the client computer screen. And a virtual space display means for.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, there are a plurality of subjects in the real space, and the user can select a character related to any one of the subjects.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the user can select either the virtual line of sight or the external line of sight of viewing the virtual space from the outside of the virtual space, and the virtual space display means is the user of the virtual line of sight or the external line of sight. The state of the virtual space is displayed in accordance with the line of sight selected by the above and the coordinates of the character.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, motion detection means for detecting the motion of the subject is further provided, and the virtual space display means controls the motion of the character according to the motion detected by the motion detection means.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the target person is provided with a plurality of wireless tags in advance, and the real space is provided with a plurality of antennas for communicating with each wireless tag in advance. The position of the subject is detected based on the communication state with the antenna.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the target person is an athlete, and the virtual space is configured as a virtual stadium simulating an actual stadium where the athlete competes.

  A virtual space providing system according to another aspect of the present invention is a virtual space providing system for providing a virtual space for virtually displaying a competition by a player on a client computer connected via a communication network. Real position detecting means for detecting the real position in the real space, and a virtual space providing server for displaying a character symbolizing the player in the virtual space in accordance with the detected real position, the real position detecting means Determines the actual position of the competitor based on a plurality of wireless tags provided in advance for the athlete, a plurality of antennas for communicating with each of the wireless tags, and a communication state between each of the antennas and each wireless tag. Measuring means for measuring, and communication means for transmitting the real position of the athlete measured by the measuring means to the virtual space providing server, The inter-providing server includes a communication means for communicating with the client computer operated by the user and the real position detection means via the communication network, and a virtual space for generating a virtual space imitating the real space where the athlete exists. According to the space generation means, the coordinate determination means for determining the coordinates of the character in the virtual space according to the real position of the player, the virtual line of sight and the character coordinates set in advance as the line of sight of the player in the real space Correspondingly, a virtual space display means for transmitting the state of the virtual space seen from the character to the client computer via the communication means and displaying it on the screen of the client computer is provided.

  A computer program according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a virtual space generation means for generating a virtual space having a real space in which a subject exists in a server computer connected to a client computer via a communication network; Coordinate determination means for determining the coordinates of the character symbolizing the subject in the virtual space based on the real position of the subject in the real space, and the virtual line of sight and the character set in advance as the line of sight in the real space of the subject The virtual space display means for transmitting to the client and displaying the state of the virtual space visible from the character according to the coordinates is realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall concept of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a virtual stadium 1A is formed inside the server 1, and an avatar 7A imitating a player is placed in the virtual stadium 1A. The server 1 that provides the virtual stadium 1A as a virtual space is hereinafter referred to as a virtual space providing server.

  The virtual space providing server 1 can include, for example, a virtual stadium control unit 1B, a player avatar control unit 1C, and a coordinate conversion unit 1D. The virtual stadium control unit 1B generates the virtual stadium 1A and provides the client computer 2 with the state of the virtual stadium that can be seen from the line of sight selected by the user. The player avatar control part 1C arranges and operates each player's avatar 7A and the ball image 8A in the virtual stadium 1A. The coordinate conversion unit 1D converts the position data received from the real position management unit 6 described later into the coordinates of the virtual stadium 1A.

  The actual stadium 3 that is an actual stadium is provided with a plurality of antennas 5 and an actual position management unit 6. The real position management unit 6 is connected to the virtual space providing server 1 via a communication network 4 such as the Internet, for example.

  For example, each player 7 and ball 8 participating in a sports game such as soccer is provided with a wireless tag 9 in advance. For example, the player 7 is provided with wireless tags 9 on the upper body and both left and right legs, for example. The actual position of the player can be detected by the wireless tag 9 provided on the upper body. Further, the movement of the player's leg can be detected by the wireless tags provided on the left and right legs, for example, the left and right shin guards. For example, one wireless tag 9 is provided at the center of the ball 8. Each wireless tag 9 stores information for identifying each of them and information regarding the installation location. As will be apparent from the examples described later, not only the player 7 and the ball 8 but also the referee, the assistant referee, etc. are provided with the wireless tags 9, and the avatars such as the referee, assistant referee are displayed in the virtual stadium 1A. You can also. Each antenna 5 communicates with each wireless tag 9 located within the communication range, and transmits the communication state and communication result to the actual position management unit 6.

  The actual position management unit 6 includes, for example, a position measurement unit 6A and a position data generation unit 6B. The position measurement unit 6 </ b> A calculates the actual positions of the player 7 and the ball 8 based on information obtained from each antenna 5. The actual position indicates a position in the actual stadium 3. In brief, the position in the actual stadium 3 can be detected based on the strength of the radio wave received by each antenna 5 from each wireless tag 9. The position data generation unit 6B generates position data based on the actual position calculated by the position measurement unit 6A, and transmits the generated position data to the virtual space providing server 1.

  The coordinate conversion unit 1D of the virtual space providing server 1 converts the position data (real position data) received from the real position management unit 6 into coordinates in the virtual stadium 1A. The physical configuration of the real stadium 3 (such as the dimensions of each part of the building) is known, and the virtual stadium 1A is constructed to resemble the real stadium 3. The correspondence between each coordinate of the virtual stadium 1A and the actual position of the real stadium 3 can be defined in advance by a mapping table or the like. Therefore, the real position received from the real position management unit 6 can be converted into the coordinates of the virtual stadium 1A.

  The player avatar control unit 1C displays the avatar 7A of the player 7 and an image of the ball 8 (hereinafter referred to as a ball avatar for convenience) 8A at the converted coordinate position. Images of the avatars 7A and 8A are stored in the virtual space providing server 1 in advance. The player avatar control unit 1C can select an image corresponding to the actual position and moving speed of the player 7 or the ball 8 and display the image on the virtual stadium 1A.

  The virtual stadium control unit 1B controls the entire virtual stadium 1A. The virtual stadium control unit 1B transmits the state of the virtual stadium 1A seen from the viewpoint selected by the user to the client computer 2 in response to a request from the user.

  The client computer 2 includes an operation unit 2A such as a web browser or virtual stadium display client software. The user can select a desired viewpoint through the operation unit 2A. The selected viewpoint is transmitted to the virtual space providing server 1 via the communication network 4.

  The virtual space providing server 1 can provide a plurality of types of viewpoints. One type of viewpoint is an internal viewpoint and the other type of viewpoint is an external viewpoint. The internal viewpoint is a viewpoint for viewing the situation of the virtual stadium 1A from within the virtual stadium 1A. For example, the user can select any one of the desired players 7 and view the situation of the virtual stadium 1A (ie, the situation of the game) from the viewpoint of the selected player 7. The line of sight of each player 7 is set in advance as being directed in the traveling direction (forward direction). The external viewpoint is a viewpoint for viewing the situation of the virtual stadium 1A from the outside of the virtual stadium 1A. For example, the user can also see the status of the game in the same way as when viewing on television broadcasting or the like.

  In this embodiment configured as described above, the state of the virtual stadium 1 </ b> A that can be seen from the viewpoint of each player 7 in the real stadium 3 can be displayed on the client computer 2. Therefore, the user can enjoy the game from the viewpoint of the desired player, and can also perform tactic analysis and the like.

  In this embodiment, each player 7 or ball 8 is provided with a wireless tag 9 in advance, the actual position is detected based on the communication state between the wireless tag 9 and the antenna 5, and the actual position is converted into the coordinates of the virtual stadium 1A. Then, the avatars 7A and 8A are displayed. Therefore, unlike the prior art described in the second document, it is not necessary to prepare video data viewed from the viewpoint of each player in advance, and the data processing load of the virtual space providing server 1 is greatly reduced. can do.

  Further, in the present embodiment, not the actual video data but only the state of the virtual stadium 1A seen from the viewpoint selected by the user is transmitted from the virtual space providing server 1 to the client computer 2. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted from the virtual space providing server 1 to the client computer 2 can be greatly reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless tags 9 are also provided on both legs of the player 7, respectively, based on the actual position of the player 7 and the actual position of both legs, the operation state of the player 7 is determined, and the determined operation state is indicated as an avatar 7A. Can be reflected. Therefore, the operation of the avatar 7A can be controlled by simple data processing, and the data processing load and the data amount of the virtual space providing server 1 can be further reduced. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the virtual space providing system according to the present embodiment. The virtual space providing system includes, for example, a virtual stadium server 10 as a virtual space providing server, a real position analysis server 20 as real position detecting means, a web server 30, and a client computer 40. These computers 10, 20, 30, 40 are connected via a communication network CN such as the Internet.

  The virtual stadium server 10 constructs a virtual stadium as a virtual space inside the computer and provides the virtual stadium server 10 to a plurality of client computers 40, respectively. The virtual stadium server 10 can be composed of, for example, one or a plurality of server computers. When the virtual stadium server 10 is composed of a plurality of server computers, a cluster can be formed by the plurality of server computers and the load can be distributed. Details of the virtual stadium server 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The real position analysis server 20 analyzes the position of the player (competitor), the referee, and the ball who are playing the sports game in the actual stadium in real time, and provides the virtual stadium server 10 with information on the actual position in the stadium. Is. The actual position analysis server 20 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The web server 30 is for exchanging information with the client computer 40. The web server 30 can also be provided on the same server computer as the virtual stadium server 10. The virtual stadium generated by the virtual stadium server 10 is provided to each client computer 40 via the web server 30. Therefore, the virtual stadium is displayed on the web browser provided in the client computer 40. A configuration may be employed in which dedicated software different from the web browser is installed in the client computer 40 and the virtual stadium is accessed by the dedicated software. In this case, the web server 30 can be abolished.

  The client computer 40 is a computer used by a user, and is typically configured as a personal computer. For example, a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified configuration of the real position analysis server 20. Here, a soccer stadium will be described as an example. In the actual stadium 50 where the actual game is played, for example, antennas 52 are provided at four corners of the soccer court 51, respectively. Each antenna 52 communicates with a wireless tag 60 described later with reference to FIGS.

  The actual position analysis server 20 includes, for example, a control unit 200, a storage unit 210, a signal processing unit 220, and a communication unit 230. The control unit 200 includes, for example, a position measurement unit 201 and a position data generation unit 202. The position measurement unit 201 measures the actual positions of the player 70, the referee 80, and the ball 90, which are measurement objects in the actual stadium 50, based on the communication state between each antenna 52 and each wireless tag 60. The actual position is measured as a value in each of the X, Y, and Z axes of the actual stadium 50, that is, as a coordinate value in a three-dimensional space. Then, the position data generation unit 202 generates position data based on the measured actual position. The generated position data is transmitted from the communication unit 230 to the virtual stadium server 10 via the communication network CN.

  In the storage unit 210, for example, reference arrangement information 211 and real position information 212 are stored. The reference arrangement information 211 includes information on the configuration of the actual stadium 50 such as the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the soccer court 51, the position of the bench, the position of the spectator seat, the installation position of the antenna 52, and the like. The actual position information 212 includes information on the actual positions of the player 70, the referee 80, and the ball 90 and information on the detected time. The actual position information 212 is generated and accumulated in real time based on the actual game. By using the actual position information 212 from the start of the game to the end of the game, it is possible to reproduce the state at that time in the virtual stadium even if the game has been played in the past.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing a method for attaching the wireless tag 60. In this embodiment, the attachment method of the wireless tag 60 is changed according to the property of the tracking object. FIG. 4A shows a state where the wireless tag 60 is attached to the player 70. For example, three wireless tags 60 are attached to each player 70 in advance. The first wireless tag 60 is used for detecting the position of the player 70, and is provided, for example, on the upper body uniform 71 of the player 70. Each of the second and third wireless tags 60 detects the position of both legs of the player 70, and is provided on the left and right shin guards 72, for example.

  FIG. 4B shows a state where the wireless tag 60 is attached to the referee. The referee 80 is provided with the wireless tag 60 on at least the upper body uniform 81. The wireless tag 60 is for detecting the position of the referee 80. When the referee 80 possesses the flag 83, the wireless tag 60 is also provided on the flag 83. The wireless tag 60 is for detecting the position of the flag 83. The ball 90 is provided with, for example, a wireless tag 60 at the center thereof.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wireless tag 60. FIG. 5A shows a basic configuration of the wireless tag 60. The wireless tag 60 includes, for example, an antenna 61, a wireless interface (“I / F” in the figure) unit 62, a control unit 63, and a storage unit 64.

  The antenna 61 is used for receiving radio waves transmitted from the antenna 52 installed in the stadium 50 and transmitting radio waves. The wireless interface unit 62 is a circuit in charge of wireless communication. The control unit 63 is a circuit that controls the operation of the wireless tag 60. The storage unit 64 can be composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, for example.

  The storage unit 64 can be provided with, for example, a system area of about several tens of bytes and a user area of about several hundreds to several thousand bytes. In the system area, for example, a unique ID for uniquely identifying each wireless tag 60 in the world is stored. In the user area, a wireless tag ID for identifying an object (player 70, referee 80, ball 90) on which the wireless tag 60 is provided is stored in advance.

  The operation of the wireless tag 60 will be described first. A radio wave including a control signal is transmitted from an antenna 52 installed in the stadium 50. The antenna 61 of the wireless tag 60 receives radio waves transmitted from the antenna 52. The wireless interface unit 62 converts the received radio wave into a power supply voltage by using, for example, electromagnetic induction. The control unit 63 is operated by this power supply voltage. The control unit 63 reads the wireless tag ID from the storage unit 64 according to the control signal included in the received radio wave, and causes the antenna 61 to transmit it. The wireless tag ID transmitted from the wireless tag 60 is received by the antenna 52. Information transmitted from the wireless tag 60 may include information other than the wireless tag ID. The wireless tag 60 may have a built-in power source such as a small battery, a thermoelectric conversion element, or a photoelectric conversion element.

  FIG. 5B is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of the wireless tag 60. The wireless tag 60 can be provided with a posture detection sensor 65. The posture detection sensor 65 detects the posture of the object, that is, the direction and motion (tilt or rotation) of the object. The posture detection sensor 65 can be constituted by, for example, a triaxial acceleration sensor, a triaxial magnetic sensor, or the like. When the posture detection sensor 65 is built in the wireless tag 60, the detection signal from the posture detection sensor 65 and the wireless tag ID can be transmitted from the antenna 61. Thereby, the real position analysis server 20 can know not only the position of the object but also its posture.

  FIG. 6 shows a table T <b> 1 for the real position analysis server 20 and the virtual stadium server 10 to manage information regarding each wireless tag 60. Each wireless tag 60 is associated with a tag attribute, a data type, a wireless tag ID, and a value. The “tag attribute” indicates the type of the object on which the wireless tag 60 is provided. Information (players 1-1, 1-n, 2-1, 2-n) for identifying each player 70 is associated with the wireless tag 60 provided in the player 70 as a tag attribute. Information for identifying the referee 80 (main referee, assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2) is associated with the wireless tag 60 provided in the referee 80 as a tag attribute. The wireless tag 60 provided on the ball 90 is associated with information (ball) for identifying the ball 90 as a tag attribute.

  “Data type” indicates the type of data associated with each wireless tag 60. Each wireless tag 60 is associated with data corresponding to the installation location. Position data is associated with each wireless tag 60 of the ball attribute or the referee attribute. That is, the position of the ball or the referee is measured according to the communication state with the wireless tag 60 provided on the ball or the referee. Among the wireless tags 60 having the assistant referee attribute, position data is associated with the wireless tag 60 provided on the uniform 81 of the referee 80, and the flag indicating the operation of the flag 83 is associated with the wireless tag 60 provided on the flag 83. Data is associated. In the case of the wireless tag 60 having player attributes, the wireless tag 60 provided on the uniform 71 of the player 70 has position data, and the wireless tag 60 provided on the left and right shin guards 72 has leg position data. Associated.

  The “wireless tag ID” is information for identifying each wireless tag 60. The wireless tag ID can be freely set by the operator of the virtual stadium system. The “value” indicates the type of data managed by the real position analysis server 20 regarding the wireless tag 60. “Xyz” indicates three-dimensional position coordinates of the actual stadium 50 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. “1/0” indicates the raised / lowered state of the flag 83. “1” indicates a state in which the flag 83 is raised, and “0” indicates a state in which the flag 83 is lowered.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a configuration of position data transmitted from the real position analysis server 20 to the virtual stadium server 10. This position data can be composed of, for example, a plurality of packets D1 to Dn. Each packet includes a wireless tag ID and a data value. The virtual stadium server 10 can immediately identify which object the data included in the packet is by referring to the table T1.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the virtual stadium server 10. The virtual stadium server 10 includes, for example, a control unit 100, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130.

  The control unit 100 includes, for example, at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 100 reads and executes a program stored in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, thereby constructing a virtual stadium and transmitting the state seen from the viewpoint selected by the user to the client computer 40.

  The storage unit 120 includes, for example, a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, and a hard disk. In the storage unit 120, for example, user management information 121, virtual stadium management information 122, and avatar management information 123 such as players are stored.

  The communication unit 130 performs two-way communication with the real position analysis server 20 and the client computer 40 via the communication network CN. In addition, illustration of the web server 30 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  Functions realized by the control unit 100 will be described. For example, the control unit 100 can include a user management unit 101, a virtual stadium management unit 102, a virtual stadium providing unit 103, and a player position management unit 104.

  The user management unit 101 is a function for managing a plurality of users who use the virtual stadium. The user management unit 101 stores information input from the client computer 40 in the user management information 121 in the storage unit 120. The user management unit 101 performs user authentication when the user logs in to the virtual space providing service. The contents of the user management information 121 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The player position management unit 104 is a function that converts the position data received from the real position analysis server 20 into the coordinates of the virtual stadium and manages them.

  The virtual stadium management unit 102 is a function for generating a virtual stadium in the server 10 and managing the state of the virtual stadium. That is, the virtual stadium management unit 102 generates a virtual stadium including one or a plurality of maps based on the virtual stadium management information 122, and each player 70, the referee 80, and the avatar of the ball 90 in the virtual stadium. Are arranged according to each actual position.

  The virtual stadium management unit 102 controls the image of each avatar based on the player avatar management information 123. Although details will be described later, the avatar management information 123 such as the player stores image data corresponding to the operation state of each player 70 and the like in advance. Based on the data received from the real position analysis server 20, the virtual stadium management unit 102 reads out image data corresponding to the operation state of the player or the referee and controls the display of the avatar.

  The virtual stadium providing unit 103 has a function of providing each client computer 40 with the virtual stadium generated and managed by the virtual stadium management unit 102. The virtual stadium providing unit 103 can be configured as a web server, for example. In this case, the web server 30 illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to the virtual stadium providing unit 103.

  The configuration of the client computer 40 is also shown in a simplified manner on the lower side of FIG. The client computer 40 includes a communication unit 41 and client software 42, for example. The communication unit 41 is for communicating with the virtual stadium server 10 via the communication network CN. The client software 42 is for using the virtual stadium providing service. When the virtual stadium is provided via a web server, the client software 42 is configured as a web browser. In addition, the client software 42 can be configured as a dedicated client for the virtual stadium service.

  FIG. 9 shows a screen for setting a viewpoint when the user uses the virtual stadium. When the user logs in to the virtual stadium server 10, a menu screen for viewpoint setting as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen of the client computer 40. A menu screen for selecting an external viewpoint is shown on the upper side of FIG. 9, and a menu screen for selecting an internal viewpoint is shown on the lower side of FIG.

  The external viewpoint menu will be described first. The external viewpoint means a viewpoint set outside the virtual stadium. When the user selects an external viewpoint, the user views the game from the outside of the virtual stadium, as in the case of viewing a television broadcast or the like.

  In the external viewpoint menu, for example, a 3D display button B11, a flat display button B12, an all display button B13, a selection display button B14, a start button B15, and a reproduction position adjustment unit B16 can be provided.

  The 3D display button B11 is a button for displaying the state in the virtual stadium in three dimensions. When the user operates the 3D display button B11, 3D display is set, and the position and operation state of the player 70 and the like are displayed as a three-dimensional avatar.

  The plane display button B12 is a button for displaying the state in the virtual stadium two-dimensionally. When the user operates the plane display button B12, the plane display is set, and the position of the player 70 or the like is two-dimensionally displayed with, for example, a circular symbol.

  The all display button B13 is a button for displaying all the objects, that is, all the players 70, each referee 80, and the ball 90 in the virtual stadium. The selection display button B14 is a button for selecting an object to be displayed in the virtual stadium from all the objects that can be displayed. The selection display button B14 is further provided with individual selection buttons B14A, B14B, B14C, and B14D. In order to display only the players of either team on the virtual stadium, either the one-side team selection button B14A or the other-side team selection button B14B may be operated. When only the referee 80 is displayed on the virtual stadium, the referee selection button B14C may be operated. Furthermore, when only one specific player or a plurality of players 70 are displayed on the virtual stadium, the player specifying button B14D may be operated to specify a desired player name or spine number.

  When the user operates the start button B15, the game is reproduced under the conditions set by the user in the virtual stadium. The user can fast forward or rewind the game to a desired scene by operating the reproduction position adjustment unit B16.

  The internal viewpoint menu will be described. The internal viewpoint means a viewpoint set inside the virtual stadium. That is, the user can see the inside of the virtual stadium from the viewpoint of one of the objects that can be displayed on the virtual stadium.

  The internal viewpoint menu includes, for example, a one-side team selection button B21, another-side team selection button B22, a referee selection button B23, a ball selection button B24, a start button B25, and a reproduction position adjustment unit B26. The individual selection buttons B21A to B21N correspond to the one team selection button B21, the individual selection buttons B22A to B22N correspond to the other team selection button B22, and the individual selection buttons B23A to B23N correspond to the referee selection button B23, respectively. It is attached. Thereby, the user can see the game from the viewpoint of any one of the desired player 70, the referee 80, or the ball 90.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a simplified example in which a virtual stadium is planarly displayed from an external viewpoint. FIG. 10A shows a state where all the players 70, the referee 80, and the ball 90 are two-dimensionally displayed on the virtual stadium. The viewpoint E1 is located outside the virtual stadium. Reference numeral 80 (cj) indicates the main referee, and reference numeral 80 (lm) indicates the assistant referee. Moreover, the code | symbol 70A shows the player of one side team, and the code | symbol 70B shows the player of the other side team, respectively.

  FIG. 10B shows a state in which only the players of the one team are displayed with the external viewpoint E1. In this way, the user can display only the desired team or player on the virtual stadium and enjoy or study the movement.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of viewing a virtual stadium from an internal viewpoint. As shown in FIG. 11A, the user can select the viewpoint E2 of the specific player 70B (1) belonging to the other team. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11B, a virtual stadium visible from the viewpoint of the specific player 70B (1) is displayed on the screen of the client computer.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of each piece of management information 121 to 123 used by the virtual stadium server 10. The user management information 121 will be described first. The user management information 121 manages each user who uses the virtual stadium providing service. The user management information 121 includes, for example, a user ID, a password, a selected viewpoint, a target (object) designated as an internal viewpoint, a current time, a world ID, a space ID, and coordinates of the target. Are associated and managed.

  The user ID is information for identifying each user. The password is a part of authentication information when logging into the virtual stadium server 10. The viewpoint indicates the type of viewpoint selected by the user. A target is information that identifies an object selected as an internal viewpoint. The time indicates the playing time of the game. The world ID is information for specifying the server to which the user is logged in. The space ID is information for identifying a virtual stadium in the world. That is, a plurality of virtual stadiums can be provided in one world. The coordinates are information indicating the position of the target selected as the internal viewpoint.

  The virtual stadium management information 122 is information for managing the configuration of the virtual stadium. The virtual stadium management information 122 manages, for example, a space ID, a space name, a configuration file name, a game ID, and a world ID in association with each other. The space name is the name of the virtual stadium. The configuration file name is information for specifying a file that defines the configuration of the virtual stadium. The game ID is information for identifying a sports game reproduced in a virtual stadium. This makes it possible to determine which virtual stadium is defined by which file and which game is reproduced.

  The player avatar management information 123 is information for managing each avatar of the player 70, the referee 80, and the ball 90. The avatar management information 123 such as a player manages, for example, an avatar attribute, a wireless tag ID, an operation type, avatar data, time, and coordinates in association with each other. The avatar attribute indicates the type of avatar displayed on the virtual stadium. The action type indicates the action type of the avatar.

  Since only the positions of the ball and the referee's avatar are managed in the virtual stadium, the movement classification is not set. For the assistant referee's avatar, for example, two types of operations, “normal” and “lifting” are set. “Normal” indicates a state where the flag 83 is lowered, and “lifting” indicates a state where the flag 83 is raised. For example, “normal”, “running”, “shoot”, and “walking” are set in the avatar of each player. “Normal” indicates a stopped state, “running” indicates a running state, “shoot” indicates a shooting state, and “walking” indicates a walking state. Avatar data is defined in advance for each action type. In addition, each viewpoint is preset for each avatar. In brief, the line of sight of each avatar is set in advance as facing forward. The forward direction is a moving direction.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the virtual stadium providing service. In the figure, step is abbreviated as “S”. The actual position analysis server 20 communicates with each wireless tag 60 provided on the player 70 or the like via the antenna 52 (S11), and the position of each wireless tag 60 in the actual stadium 50 is determined based on the communication state. Calculate (S12).

  The actual position analysis server 20 stores each calculated actual position (S13), and transmits position data to the virtual stadium server 10 (S14). The configuration of the position data to be transmitted is as described with reference to FIGS.

  On the other hand, the user logs in to the virtual stadium server 10 via the client computer 40 and selects a menu (S15). The virtual stadium server 10 performs user authentication (S16), and sets the viewpoint selected by the user (S17). The virtual stadium server 10 converts the actual position of the player 70 and the like into coordinates in the virtual stadium based on the position data received from the actual position analysis server 20 (S18).

  The virtual stadium server 10 analyzes the position of both legs of each player 70, the distance from the ball 90, etc., and determines the movement state of each player (S19). An example of determining the operation will be described later with reference to FIG. The virtual stadium server 10 arranges and displays an avatar on the virtual stadium according to the coordinates and the operation state of each player 70 (S20).

  The virtual stadium server 10 displays the state of the virtual stadium from the viewpoint selected by the user (S21), and transmits this display state to the client computer 40 via the communication network CN (S22).

  The client computer 40 displays the virtual stadium on the terminal screen based on the data received from the virtual stadium server 10 (S23). When the user operates the viewpoint switching or the like (S24), the operation content is transmitted to the virtual stadium server 10 and reflected in the display state of the virtual stadium (S17).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation determination process shown in S19 in FIG. The virtual stadium server 10 calculates the speed V based on a change in the position of the player or the like (S31), and determines whether the calculated speed V is equal to or higher than a preset stop determination speed V1 (S32). ). When the speed V of a player or the like is smaller than the stop determination speed V1 (S32: NO), the virtual stadium server 10 determines that the player or the like is in a stopped state (S33). When it determines with it being a stop state, the virtual stadium server 10 reads the avatar data matched with the state which the target object has stopped, and displays it on a virtual stadium.

  When the speed V of the player or the like is equal to or higher than the stop determination speed V1 (S32: YES), the virtual stadium server 10 determines whether or not the speed V of the player or the like is equal to or higher than the preset travel determination speed V2 ( S34). When the speed V of the player or the like is equal to or higher than the running determination speed V2 (S34: YES), the virtual stadium server 10 determines that the player or the like is in the running state (S35). When it determines with it being a driving | running | working state, the virtual stadium server 10 reads the avatar data matched with the state which the target object is drive | working, and displays it on a virtual stadium. In this embodiment, the avatar data for the running state is prepared only for the avatar of the player 70, but can also be prepared for the referee 80.

  When the speed V of the player or the like is less than the traveling determination speed V2 (S34: NO), the virtual stadium server 10 determines that the player or the like is in the walking state (S36). When it determines with it being a walking state, the virtual stadium server 10 reads the avatar data matched with the state where the target object is walking, and displays it on a virtual stadium. As described above, in this embodiment, the avatar data in the walking state is prepared only for the player 70, but a configuration in which the avatar data in the walking state is also prepared in the referee 80 is also possible.

  Next, the virtual stadium server 10 determines whether or not the operation state determination target is the player 70 (S37). In the case of the player 70 (S37: YES), the virtual stadium server 10 determines whether the position of both legs has changed by a predetermined value or more and whether the position of the player 70 and the ball 90 is within a predetermined range. (S38). For example, when the position of the player 70 and the position of the ball 90 are close to each other, the difference between the positions of the left and right legs is more than a predetermined value, and then the speed of the ball 90 is increased by a predetermined value or more. It can be determined that the player 70 has shot (S38). When it determines with it being a shooting state, the virtual stadium server 10 reads the avatar data matched with the shooting state, and displays it on a virtual stadium. Note that avatar data corresponding to the shooting state is prepared only for the player 70.

  On the other hand, when it determines with the discrimination | determination object of an operation state not being the player 70 (S37: NO), it is determined whether the discrimination | determination object is an assistant referee (S40). If it is the assistant referee (S40: YES), the virtual stadium server 10 determines whether or not the flag data indicating the raising / lowering state of the flag 83 is set to “1” (S41).

  When 1 is set in the flag data (S41: YES), the virtual stadium server 10 determines that the assistant referee is raising the flag 83 (S42). In this case, the virtual stadium server 10 reads avatar data associated with the flag raising state and displays the avatar data on the virtual stadium. In the present embodiment, the avatar data associated with the flag raising state is prepared only for the assistant referee.

  The virtual stadium server 10 ends this process when the operating state is not a player or assistant referee (S40: NO), and when the assistant referee has lowered the flag 83 (S41: NO).

  Since this embodiment is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained. In the present embodiment, the user can see the state of the virtual stadium by the virtual line of sight set in advance for each player 70, the referee 80, and the ball 90. Therefore, the user can relive the game from the standpoint of a player or the like and can enjoy the game.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless tag 60 detects the actual position of the target player 70 or the like, converts the detected actual position into the coordinates of the virtual stadium, and displays the avatar. Therefore, the real position analysis server 20 only needs to transmit only information related to the real position to the virtual stadium server 10, and the virtual stadium server 10 can quickly arrange and move an avatar such as the player 70 in the virtual stadium. Thereby, the data processing load of the virtual stadium server 10 and the real position analysis server 20 can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, three-dimensional graphics data using an avatar is transmitted to the client computer 40 instead of actual video data. Therefore, the amount of data transmitted from the virtual stadium server 10 to each client computer 40 can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, by providing a plurality of wireless tags 60 for each player 70, the operating state of each player 70 is determined, and a virtual stadium is displayed using avatar data previously associated with each operating state. . Therefore, the avatar of the player 70 can be operated with relatively simple data processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. A person skilled in the art can make various additions and changes within the scope of the present invention. For example, the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 shows a case where an actual game is reproduced in a virtual stadium in real time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if it exists, it can be reproduced in a virtual stadium.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the concept of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of a virtual stadium providing system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a real stadium and a real position analysis server. It is explanatory drawing which shows the method of attaching a wireless tag to a player etc. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a wireless tag. It is a table which shows the management method of the data by a real position analysis server and a virtual stadium server. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the position data transmitted to a virtual stadium server from a real position analysis server. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a virtual stadium server. It is explanatory drawing which shows the menu screen for selecting the appearance of a virtual stadium. It is explanatory drawing which shows the virtual stadium seen from an external viewpoint. It is explanatory drawing which shows the virtual stadium seen from an internal viewpoint. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of each management information used with a virtual stadium server. It is a flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement of a virtual stadium provision stadium. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the operation | movement discrimination | determination process shown by S19 in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Virtual space provision server, 1A ... Virtual stadium, 1B ... Virtual stadium control part, 1C ... Player avatar control part, 1D ... Coordinate conversion part, 2 ... Client computer, 2A ... Operation part, 3 ... Real stadium, 4 ... Communication Network, 5 ... Antenna, 6 ... Real position management unit, 6A ... Position measurement unit, 6B ... Position data generation unit, 7 ... Player, 7A ... Avatar, 8 ... Ball, 8A ... Ball image (avatar), 9 ... Wireless tag DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Virtual stadium server, 20 ... Real position analysis server, 30 ... Web server, 40 ... Client computer, 41 ... Communication part, 42 ... Client software, 50 ... Real stadium, 51 ... Soccer court, 52 ... Antenna, 60 ... Wireless tag, 61 ... antenna, 62 ... wireless interface unit, 63 ... control unit, 64 ... storage unit, 65 ... posture Out sensor, 70, 70A, 70B ... Player, 71 ... Uniform, 72 ... Shin guard, 80 ... Referee, 81 ... Uniform, 83 ... Flag, 90 ... Ball, CN ... Communication network, 100 ... Control unit, 101 ... User management unit , 102 ... Virtual stadium management part, 103 ... Virtual stadium provision part, 104 ... Player position management part, 120 ... Storage part, 121 ... User management information, 122 ... Virtual stadium management information, 123 ... Avatar management information such as players, 130 ... Communication unit 200 ... Control unit 201 ... Position measurement unit 202 ... Position data generation unit 210 ... Storage unit 211 ... Reference arrangement information 212 ... Real position information 220 ... Signal processing unit 230 ... Communication unit

Claims (8)

A virtual space providing server that displays a character representing the subject in a virtual space based on a real position in the real space of the subject,
Communication means for two-way communication with a client computer operated by a user via a communication network;
Virtual space generation means for generating the virtual space imitating the real space in which the target person exists;
Coordinate determining means for determining coordinates of the character in the virtual space according to the actual position of the subject;
According to the virtual line of sight set in advance as the line of sight of the subject in the real space and the coordinates of the character, the state of the virtual space seen from the character is transmitted to the client computer via the communication means, Virtual space display means for displaying on the screen of the client computer;
Virtual space providing server with   The virtual space providing server according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of subjects in the real space, and the user can select the character related to any one of the subjects.   The user can select either the virtual line of sight or an external line of sight that looks at the virtual space from outside the virtual space, and the virtual space display means includes the virtual line of sight or the external line of sight The virtual space providing server according to claim 1, wherein a state of the virtual space is displayed according to a line of sight selected by a user and the coordinates of the character.   The motion detection unit for detecting the motion of the subject is further provided, and the virtual space display unit controls the motion of the character according to the motion detected by the motion detection unit. Virtual space providing server.   The target person is provided with a plurality of wireless tags in advance, and the real space is provided with a plurality of antennas for communicating with the wireless tags in advance. The virtual space providing server according to claim 1, wherein the position of the target person is detected based on the communication state.   2. The virtual space providing server according to claim 1, wherein the target person is an athlete, and the virtual space is configured as a virtual stadium imitating a real stadium where the athlete competes. A virtual space providing system for providing a virtual space for virtually displaying a competition by a player on a client computer connected via a communication network,
A real position detecting means for detecting a real position in the real space of the player, and a virtual space providing server for displaying a character symbolizing the player in the virtual space according to the detected real position; ,
The actual position detecting means is based on a plurality of wireless tags provided in advance for the athlete, a plurality of antennas for communicating with each of the wireless tags, and a communication state between the antennas and the wireless tags. A measuring means for measuring the real position of the athlete, and a communication means for transmitting the real position of the athlete measured by the measuring means to the virtual space providing server,
The virtual space providing server is:
A communication means for communicating with the client computer and the real position detection means operated by a user via a communication network;
Virtual space generating means for generating the virtual space imitating the real space in which the athlete exists;
Coordinate determining means for determining coordinates of the character in the virtual space according to the real position of the player;
According to the virtual line of sight preset as the line of sight of the player in the real space and the coordinates of the character, the state of the virtual space seen from the character is transmitted to the client computer via the communication means, Virtual space display means for displaying on the screen of the client computer;
A virtual space providing system comprising: To a server computer connected to a client computer via a communication network,
A virtual space generating means for generating a virtual space having a real space where the target person exists;
Coordinate determining means for determining coordinates in the virtual space of a character symbolizing the subject based on the real position of the subject in the real space;
Virtual space display means for transmitting to the client and displaying the state of the virtual space visible to the character in accordance with a virtual visual line preset as the visual line in the real space of the subject and the coordinates of the character When,
A computer program that realizes each.

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