JP2018120521A - Method for providing virtual space, program for causing computer to execute the method and information processing apparatus for executing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for realizing a comfortable operation by users on a virtual space.SOLUTION: A method to be performed with a computer comprises: a step (S1520) of detecting movement of a head mounted device; a step (S1510) of arranging in a virtual space an object following a viewpoint of the user of the head mounted device in the virtual space; a step (S1540) of detecting that the user is staring at the object; and a step (S1560) of displaying a predetermined screen on the head mounted device in response to for the user looking at the object for a predetermined period of time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

  This disclosure relates to a technique for providing a virtual space, and more particularly to a technique for displaying a desired screen in the virtual space.

  A technique for providing virtual reality using a head-mounted device (HMD) device is known. In general, a user can control movement or the like in a virtual space by operating a controller connected to a computer by hand.

  However, the controller may not be connected to the computer. Even in such a case, various techniques for realizing a user's free operation have been proposed. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for aiming at an object using a user's line of sight in a shooting game in a virtual space.

“The experience changes so far with a single line of sight. VR headset“ FOVE ”with eye tracking system”, [online], [Search January 8, 2017], Internet <URL: http://www.gizmodo.jp /2016/09/tgs2016-vr-fove.html>

  As described above, when an operation device such as a controller is not connected to the computer, the user may want to display some screen (for example, a menu screen) on the monitor of the HMD. For example, the user can open a desired screen by gazing at an object placed at a predetermined position in the virtual space.

  However, when the user cannot visually recognize this object, the user needs to visually recognize the object after moving to a position where the object in the virtual space can be visually recognized. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for displaying a desired screen at a user's arbitrary timing even when a controller that can be operated by hand is not provided.

  This indication is made in order to solve the above problems, and the objective in a certain situation is to provide the art for realizing comfortable operation of a user on virtual space.

  According to certain embodiments, a computer-implemented method for providing virtual space to a head mounted device is provided. The method includes the steps of defining a virtual space, displaying an image on the head mounted device to provide a user of the head mounted device with a view in the virtual space, detecting movement of the head mounted device, Updating the image displayed on the mount device in conjunction with the detected movement; placing an object in the virtual space following the user's view of the head mounted device; and A step of detecting staring, and a step of displaying a predetermined screen on the head mounted device in response to the user staring at the object for a predetermined time.

  The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed technical features will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention which is to be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure showing the outline of a structure of a HMD system. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer according to a certain situation. It is a schematic diagram which represents notionally the uvw visual field coordinate system set to HMD according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which represents notionally the one aspect | mode which represents the virtual space according to a certain embodiment. It is the schematic diagram showing the head of the user who wears HMD according to an embodiment from the top. It is a figure showing the YZ cross section which looked at the visual recognition area from the X direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the XZ cross section which looked at the visual recognition area from the Y direction in virtual space. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a computer according to an embodiment as a modular configuration. It is a figure for demonstrating the data structure example of motion detection data. It is a flowchart showing the process in a HMD system. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining a tracking object; It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating a tracking object. It is a figure for demonstrating the menu display using a tracking object. It is a figure which shows an example of a menu screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process for displaying a menu screen on a monitor using a following object. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method that the following object according to another situation is staring at the user. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination method that the following object according to the other situation is staring at the user. It is a figure which shows an example of a map screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the change method of the display mode of a tracking object.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of this technical idea will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Each embodiment described below may be combined appropriately and appropriately.

[Configuration of HMD system]
A configuration of an HMD (Head-Mounted Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of the HMD system 100. The HMD system 100 is provided as a home system or a business system.

  The HMD system 100 includes an HMD 110, an HMD sensor 120, and a computer 200. The HMD 110 includes a monitor 112 and a gaze sensor 140.

  In one aspect, the computer 200 can be connected to the Internet and other networks 19, and can communicate with the server 150 and other computers connected to the network 19. In another aspect, the HMD 110 may include a sensor 114 instead of the HMD sensor 120.

  The HMD 110 may be worn on the user's head and provide a virtual space to the user during operation. More specifically, the HMD 110 displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image on the monitor 112, respectively. When each eye of the user visually recognizes each image, the user can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax of both eyes. The HMD 110 may include both a so-called head mounted display including a monitor and a head mounted device on which a terminal having a smartphone or other monitor can be attached.

  The monitor 112 is realized as, for example, a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the monitor 112 is disposed on the main body of the HMD 110 so as to be positioned in front of both eyes of the user. Therefore, when the user visually recognizes the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 112, the user can be immersed in the virtual space. In some embodiments, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object that can be manipulated by a user, and an image of a menu that can be selected by the user. In an embodiment, the monitor 112 may be realized as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor included in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal.

  In another aspect, the monitor 112 can be realized as a transmissive display device. In this case, the HMD 110 may be an open type such as a glasses type instead of a sealed type that covers the eyes of the user as shown in FIG. The transmissive monitor 112 may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance. Further, the monitor 112 may include a configuration in which a part of an image constituting the virtual space and the real space are displayed simultaneously. For example, the monitor 112 may display an image of the real space taken by a camera mounted on the HMD 110, or may make the real space visible by setting a part of the transmittance high.

  In one aspect, the monitor 112 may include a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the monitor 112 may be configured to display a right-eye image and a left-eye image together. In this case, the monitor 112 includes a high-speed shutter. The high-speed shutter operates so that an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye can be displayed alternately so that the image is recognized only by one of the eyes.

  The HMD sensor 120 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 110. In one aspect, the HMD 110 includes a plurality of light sources (not shown). Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared rays. The HMD sensor 120 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD 110. More specifically, the HMD sensor 120 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted from the HMD 110 and detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 in the real space.

  In another aspect, HMD sensor 120 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 110 by executing image analysis processing using image information of the HMD 110 output from the camera.

  In yet another aspect, the HMD 110 may include a sensor 114 instead of the HMD sensor 120 as a device for detecting the movement of the HMD 110. The HMD 110 can detect the inclination of the HMD 110 using the sensor 114. For example, the sensor 114 may be a gyro sensor that detects angular velocities around three axes (yaw axis, roll axis, pitch axis) set in the HMD 110 over time. The computer 200 calculates the temporal change of the angle around the three axes of the HMD 110 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD 110 based on the temporal change of the angle. In other examples, the sensor 114 may include an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or other sensor.

  The gaze sensor 140 detects a direction (line of sight) in which the line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user 190 is directed. The detection of the direction is realized by, for example, a known eye tracking function. The gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 preferably includes a right eye sensor and a left eye sensor. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates the right eye and the left eye of the user 190 with infrared light and detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by receiving reflected light from the cornea and iris with respect to the irradiated light. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 190 based on each detected rotation angle.

  Server 150 may send a program to computer 200. In another aspect, the server 150 may communicate with other computers 200 for providing virtual reality to HMDs used by other users. For example, when a plurality of users play a participatory game in an amusement facility, each computer 200 communicates a signal based on each user's operation with another computer 200, and a plurality of users are common in the same virtual space. Allows you to enjoy the game.

[Hardware configuration]
A computer 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of computer 200 according to an aspect. The computer 200 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, an input / output interface 13, and a communication interface 14 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 15.

  The processor 10 executes a series of instructions included in the program stored in the memory 11 or the storage 12 based on a signal given to the computer 200 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, the processor 10 is realized as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or other device.

  The memory 11 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from the storage 12, for example. The data includes data input to the computer 200 and data generated by the processor 10. In one aspect, the memory 11 is realized as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other volatile memory.

  The storage 12 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 12 is realized as, for example, a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk device, a flash memory, and other nonvolatile storage devices. The programs stored in the storage 12 include a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with another computer 200. The data stored in the storage 12 includes data and objects for defining the virtual space.

  In another aspect, the storage 12 may be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. In still another aspect, a configuration using a program and data stored in an external storage device may be used instead of the storage 12 built in the computer 200. According to such a configuration, for example, in a scene where a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used as in an amusement facility, it is possible to update programs and data collectively.

  In some embodiments, the input / output interface 13 communicates signals between the HMD 110 and the HMD sensor 120. In one aspect, the monitor 112 and the sensor 114 included in the HMD 110 can communicate with the computer 200 via the interface of the HMD 110. In one aspect, the input / output interface 13 is implemented using a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a DVI (Digital Visual Interface), an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or other terminals. The input / output interface 13 is not limited to that described above.

  The communication interface 14 is connected to the network 19 and communicates with other computers (for example, the server 150) connected to the network 19. In one aspect, the communication interface 14 is realized as, for example, a local area network (LAN) or other wired communication interface, or a wireless communication interface such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or the like. Is done. The communication interface 14 is not limited to the above.

  In one aspect, the processor 10 accesses the storage 12, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 12 into the memory 11, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the computer 200, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 10 sends a signal for providing a virtual space to the HMD 110 via the input / output interface 13. The HMD 110 displays an image on the monitor 112 based on the signal.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the computer 200 is configured to be provided outside the HMD 110. However, in another aspect, the computer 200 may be incorporated in the HMD 110. As an example, a portable information communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) including the monitor 112 may function as the computer 200.

  Further, the computer 200 may be configured to be used in common for a plurality of HMDs 110. According to such a configuration, for example, the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, so that each user can enjoy the same application as other users in the same virtual space.

  In an embodiment, in the HMD system 100, a global coordinate system is preset. The global coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) parallel to the vertical direction in the real space, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the global coordinate system is one of the viewpoint coordinate systems. Therefore, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction (up-down direction), and the front-rear direction in the global coordinate system are defined as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, respectively. More specifically, in the global coordinate system, the x axis is parallel to the horizontal direction of the real space. The y axis is parallel to the vertical direction of the real space. The z axis is parallel to the front-rear direction of the real space.

  In one aspect, HMD sensor 120 includes an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared rays emitted from each light source of the HMD 110, the presence of the HMD 110 is detected. The HMD sensor 120 further detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 in the real space according to the movement of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 based on the position of each light source (each coordinate value in the global coordinate system). More specifically, the HMD sensor 120 can detect temporal changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 110 using each value detected over time.

  In another aspect, the sensor 114 may be a motion sensor having a triaxial gyro sensor and a triaxial acceleration sensor. The HMD 110 calculates an inclination angle of the HMD 110 with respect to a reference direction (for example, a gravitational (vertical) direction) based on the output of the sensor 114. Thereby, the computer 200 can acquire the inclination of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system.

  The global coordinate system is parallel to the real space coordinate system. Therefore, each inclination of the HMD 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 or the sensor 114 corresponds to each inclination around the three axes of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system. The computer 200 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 110 based on the inclination of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system. The uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD 110 corresponds to a viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 views an object in the virtual space.

[Uvw visual field coordinate system]
The uvw visual field coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD 110 according to an embodiment. The sensor 114 or the HMD sensor 120 detects the inclination of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system when the HMD 110 is activated. The processor 10 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 110 based on the detected value.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the HMD 110 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system with the head (origin) of the user wearing the HMD 110 as the center (origin). More specifically, the HMD 110 has a horizontal direction (x-axis), a vertical direction (y-axis), and a front-rear direction (z-axis) that define the global coordinate system, which are inclined around each axis of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system. Three directions newly obtained by tilting around each axis are set as the pitch axis (u-axis), yaw axis (v-axis), and roll axis (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the yaw axis extends in the height direction of the user 190.

  In a certain situation, when the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 stands upright and is viewing the front, the processor 10 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system parallel to the global coordinate system to the HMD 110. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), vertical direction (y-axis), and front-back direction (z-axis) in the global coordinate system are the pitch axis (u-axis) and yaw axis (v-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110. , And the roll axis (w axis).

  After the uvw visual field coordinate system is set to the HMD 110, the sensor 114 or the HMD sensor 120 can detect the inclination (the amount of change in inclination) of the HMD 110 in the set uvw visual field coordinate system based on the movement of the HMD 110. In this case, the sensor 114 or the HMD sensor 120 detects the pitch angle (θu), yaw angle (θv), and roll angle (θw) of the HMD 110 in the uvw visual field coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD 110, respectively. The pitch angle (θu) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 110 around the pitch axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 110 around the yaw axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the tilt angle of the HMD 110 around the roll axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system. In one aspect, the sensor 114 is configured to be able to acquire angular velocities about the pitch angle, the yaw angle, and the roll angle.

  The computer 200 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110 after the HMD 110 is moved to the HMD 110 according to the inclination angle of the HMD 110 detected based on the output of the sensor 114 or the HMD sensor 120. The relationship between the HMD 110 and the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 is always constant regardless of the position and inclination of the HMD 110. When the position and inclination of the HMD 110 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system change in conjunction with the change of the position and inclination.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 120 is based on the infrared light intensity acquired based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between a plurality of points (for example, the distance between the points). The position in the real space may be specified as a relative position to the HMD sensor 120. Further, the processor 10 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the real space (global coordinate system) based on the specified relative position.

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing one aspect of expressing the virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 2 has a spherical structure that covers the entire 360 ° direction of the center 21. In FIG. 4, the upper half of the celestial sphere in the virtual space 2 is illustrated in order not to complicate the description. In the virtual space 2, each mesh is defined. The position of each mesh is defined in advance as coordinate values in the XYZ coordinate system defined in the virtual space 2. The computer 200 associates each partial image constituting content (still image, moving image, etc.) that can be developed in the virtual space 2 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 2, and the virtual space image 22 that can be visually recognized by the user. Is provided to the user.

  In one aspect, the virtual space 2 defines an XYZ coordinate system with the center 21 as the origin. The XYZ coordinate system is, for example, parallel to the global coordinate system. Since the XYZ coordinate system is a kind of viewpoint coordinate system, the horizontal direction, vertical direction (vertical direction), and front-rear direction in the XYZ coordinate system are defined as an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, respectively. Therefore, the X axis (horizontal direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the x axis of the global coordinate system, the Y axis (vertical direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the y axis of the global coordinate system, and The Z axis (front-rear direction) is parallel to the z axis of the global coordinate system.

  When the HMD 110 is activated, that is, in the initial state of the HMD 110, the virtual camera 1 is disposed at the center 21 of the virtual space 2. In one aspect, the processor 10 displays an image captured by the virtual camera 1 on the monitor 112 of the HMD 110. The virtual camera 1 similarly moves in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 110 in the real space. Thereby, changes in the position and orientation of the HMD 110 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 2.

  As with the HMD 110, the uvw visual field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 1. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 is defined so as to be linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the real space (global coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD 110 changes, the inclination of the virtual camera 1 also changes accordingly. The virtual camera 1 can also move in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user wearing the HMD 110 in the real space.

  The processor 10 of the computer 200 defines the viewing area 23 in the virtual space 2 based on the position of the virtual camera 1 and the tilt direction of the virtual camera 1, in other words, the reference line of sight 5 indicating the shooting direction of the virtual camera 1. To do. The visual recognition area 23 corresponds to an area of the virtual space 2 that is visually recognized by the user wearing the HMD 110. As described above, the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110. Therefore, the reference line of sight 5 is determined by the inclination of the HMD 110 determined based on the output of the sensor 114 or the HMD 120.

  The line of sight of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is the direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes the object. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes the monitor 112. Further, the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to an aspect can regard the line of sight of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 as the line of sight of the user in the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1.

[User's line of sight]
The determination of the user's line of sight will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the head of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 according to an embodiment from above.

  In one aspect, gaze sensor 140 detects each line of sight of user 190's right eye and left eye. In a certain aspect, when the user 190 is looking near, the gaze sensor 140 detects the lines of sight R1 and L1. In another aspect, when the user 190 is looking far away, the gaze sensor 140 detects the lines of sight R2 and L2. In this case, the angle formed by the lines of sight R2 and L2 with respect to the roll axis w is smaller than the angle formed by the lines of sight R1 and L1 with respect to the roll axis w. The gaze sensor 140 transmits the detection result to the computer 200.

  When the computer 200 receives the detection values of the lines of sight R1 and L1 from the gaze sensor 140 as the line-of-sight detection result, the computer 200 identifies the point of sight N1 that is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 based on the detection value. On the other hand, when the detected values of the lines of sight R2 and L2 are received from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the lines of sight R2 and L2 as the point of sight. The computer 200 specifies the line of sight N0 of the user 190 based on the specified position of the gazing point N1. For example, the computer 200 detects, as the line of sight N0, the extending direction of the straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 190 and the gazing point N1. The line of sight N0 is a direction in which the user 190 is actually pointing the line of sight with both eyes. The line of sight N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 190 is actually pointing the line of sight with respect to the visual recognition area 23.

  In another aspect, HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast receiving tuner. According to such a configuration, the HMD system 100 can display a television program in the virtual space 2.

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

[Visibility area]
The visual recognition area 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a YZ cross section of the visual recognition area 23 viewed from the X direction in the virtual space 2. FIG. 7 represents an XZ cross section of the visual recognition area 23 viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the visual recognition area 23 in the YZ cross section includes an area 24. The region 24 is defined by the position of the virtual camera 1, the reference line of sight 5, and the YZ section of the virtual space 2. The processor 10 defines a range including the polar angle α around the reference line of sight 5 in the virtual space as the region 24.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the visual recognition area 23 in the XZ cross section includes an area 25. The region 25 is defined by the position of the virtual camera 1, the reference line of sight 5, and the XZ cross section of the virtual space 2. The processor 10 defines a range including the azimuth angle β around the reference line of sight 5 in the virtual space 2 as a region 25. The polar angles α and β are determined according to the position of the virtual camera 1 and the orientation of the virtual camera 1.

  In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the user 190 with a visual field in the virtual space by displaying the visual field image 26 on the monitor 112 based on a signal from the computer 200. The view image 26 corresponds to a portion of the virtual space image 22 that is superimposed on the viewing area 23. When the user 190 moves the HMD 110 worn on the head, the virtual camera 1 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the visual recognition area 23 in the virtual space 2 changes. Thereby, the visual field image 26 displayed on the monitor 112 is updated to an image that is superimposed on the visual recognition area 23 in the virtual space 2 in the direction in which the user faces in the virtual space image 22. The user can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 2.

  Thus, the inclination of the virtual camera 1 corresponds to the direction (reference line of sight 5) in which the head of the user 190 is facing in the virtual space 2. In addition, the position where the virtual camera 1 is arranged corresponds to the user's viewpoint in the virtual space 2 (a position to see things). Therefore, by moving the virtual camera 1 (including an operation of changing the position and an operation of changing the tilt), the view image 26 displayed on the monitor 112 is updated, and the view of the user 190 is moved.

  While wearing the HMD 110, the user 190 can view only the virtual space image 22 developed in the virtual space 2 without visually recognizing the real world. Therefore, the HMD system 100 can give the user a high sense of immersion in the virtual space 2.

  According to an embodiment, the virtual camera 1 may include two virtual cameras: a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. In addition, appropriate parallax is set in the two virtual cameras so that the user 190 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 2. In the following, the virtual camera 1 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll axis (w) generated by combining the roll axes of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll axis (w) of the HMD 110. The technical idea which concerns on this indication is illustrated as what is comprised.

[HMD control device]
A control device of the HMD 110 will be described with reference to FIG. In an embodiment, the control device is realized by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a modular configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the computer 200 includes a display control module 220, a virtual space control module 230, a memory module 240, and a communication control module 250. The display control module 220 includes a virtual camera control module 221, a visual field region determination module 222, a visual field image generation module 223, and a reference visual line identification module 224 as submodules. The virtual space control module 230 includes a virtual space definition module 231, a virtual object generation module 232, and an object control module 233 as submodules.

  In an embodiment, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 are realized by the processor 10. In another embodiment, multiple processors 10 may operate as the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230. The memory module 240 is realized by the memory 11 or the storage 12. The communication control module 250 is realized by the communication interface 14.

  The display control module 220 controls image display on the monitor 112 of the HMD 110. The virtual camera control module 221 arranges the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. The virtual camera control module 221 controls the position of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 and the tilt (orientation) of the virtual camera 1. The visual field area determination module 222 defines the visual recognition area 23 according to the inclination of the HMD 110 (that is, the output of the sensor 114) and the position of the virtual camera 1. The view image generation module 223 generates a view image 26 displayed on the monitor 112 based on the determined viewing area 23.

  The reference line-of-sight identifying module 224 identifies the inclination of the HMD 110 based on the output of the sensor 114 or the HMD sensor 120. Further, the reference line-of-sight specifying module 224 can specify the line of sight of the user 190 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140.

  The virtual space control module 230 controls the virtual space 2 provided to the user 190. The virtual space definition module 231 defines the virtual space 2 in the HMD system 100 by generating virtual space data representing the virtual space 2.

  The virtual object generation module 232 generates an object arranged in the virtual space 2. The objects may include, for example, forests, mountains and other landscapes, animals, etc. that are arranged according to the progress of the game story. The object includes a following object that follows the user's viewpoint (that is, the position of the virtual camera 1). The computer 200 can display a predetermined screen on the monitor 112 in response to the tracking object being visually recognized by the user. Details of this control will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The object control module 233 controls the operation of an object arranged in the virtual space 2. For example, the object control module 233 can arrange the following object so as to follow the position of the virtual camera 1. As a specific example, the object control module 233 can arrange the following object in the upward (Y) direction of the position of the virtual camera 1.

  The virtual space control module 230 detects the collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 2 collides with another object. The virtual space control module 230 can detect, for example, the timing when a certain object and another object touch each other, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is performed. The virtual space control module 230 can detect the timing when the object is away from the touched state, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is made. The virtual space control module 230 can detect that the object is in a touched state.

  The memory module 240 holds data used for the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 2 to the user 190. In one aspect, the memory module 240 holds space information 241, object information 242, and user information 243.

  The space information 241 holds one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 2.

  The object information 242 holds content reproduced in the virtual space 2, objects used in the content, and information (for example, position information) for arranging the objects in the virtual space 2. The content can include, for example, content representing a scene similar to a game or a real society.

  The object information 242 further includes motion detection data 244. The motion detection data 244 may be data indicating the inclination of the HMD 110 detected by the sensor 114 or the HMD sensor 120.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example data structure of the motion detection data 244. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the motion detection data 244 is an angular velocity around each axis of the HMD 110 detected by the sensor 114. The motion detection data 244 holds time and an angular velocity around each axis (pitch axis (u axis), yaw axis (v axis), roll axis (w axis)) set in the HMD 110 in association with each other. This time is a timing at which the sensor 114 detects data (for example, a voltage value) corresponding to the angular velocity.

  When the motion detection data 244 is an output of the HMD 120, the motion detection data 244 may be data indicating the position of the HMD 110 (relative position with respect to the HMD sensor 120) and inclination. In yet another aspect, the motion detection data 244 may include an acceleration sensor output or a geomagnetic sensor output.

  Referring to FIG. 8 again, the user information 243 holds a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100, an application program that uses each content held in the object information 242, and the like.

  Data and programs stored in the memory module 240 are input by the user of the HMD 110. Alternatively, the processor 10 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, the server 150) operated by a provider providing the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 240.

  The communication control module 250 can communicate with the server 150 and other information communication devices via the network 19. In addition, the communication control module 250 can communicate with various devices mounted on the HMD 110.

  In an aspect, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 may be realized using, for example, Unity (registered trademark) provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that realize each process.

  Processing in the computer 200 is realized by hardware and software executed by the processor 10. Such software may be stored in advance in a memory module 240 such as a hard disk. The software may be stored in a CD-ROM or other non-volatile computer-readable data recording medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the Internet or other networks. Such software is read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from the server 150 or other computer via the communication control module 250 and then temporarily stored in the storage module. . The software is read from the storage module by the processor 10 and stored in the RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 10 executes the program.

[Control structure of computer 200]
With reference to FIG. 10, the update method of the visual field image in the computer 200 is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in the HMD system 100.

  In step S <b> 1010, the processor 10 of the computer 200 defines the virtual space 2 as the virtual space definition module 231. More specifically, the processor 10 can define the size and shape of the virtual space 2.

  In step S <b> 1020, the processor 10 places the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. At this time, the processor 10 can place the virtual camera 1 in the center 21 defined in advance in the virtual space 2.

  In step S1030, the processor 10 generates view image data for displaying the initial view image 26 as the view image generation module 223. The generated view image data is transmitted to the HMD 110 by the communication control module 250 via the view image generation module 223.

  In step S1032, the monitor 112 of the HMD 110 displays the view field image 26 based on the signal received from the computer 200. The user 190 wearing the HMD 110 can recognize the virtual space 2 when viewing the view image 26.

  In step S1034, the sensor 114 detects the movement of the HMD 110 (angular velocity around each axis of the HMD 110). The movement of the HMD 110 is linked to the movement of the user 190's head. The sensor 114 outputs the detection result to the computer 200.

  In step S1040, processor 10 calculates an angular velocity around each axis of HMD 110 based on the detection result input from sensor 114. The processor 10 detects the inclination of the HMD 110 based on the calculated angular velocity. Further, as the virtual camera control module 221, the processor 10 changes the tilt of the virtual camera 1 (that is, the reference line of sight 5 of the virtual camera 1) so as to be interlocked with the detected tilt. Thereby, the field-of-view image 26 photographed by the virtual camera 1 is updated.

  In step S1050, the processor 10 generates, as the view image generation module 223, view image data for displaying the view image 26 captured by the virtual camera 1 whose inclination has been changed, and outputs the generated view image data to the HMD 110. To do.

  In step S1052, the monitor 112 of the HMD 110 displays the updated view image based on the received view image data. Thereby, the user's view in the virtual space 2 is updated.

[Menu display using following objects]
A method for displaying a predetermined screen on the monitor 112 using the following object will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the following object 1100. FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a virtual camera 1, a following object 1100, and a position moving object 1110 are arranged in the virtual space 2. The following object 1100 is arranged in the upward (Y) direction with respect to the position of the virtual camera 1.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the position moving object 1110 is included in the visual recognition area 23 that is the shooting range of the virtual camera 1, but the following object 1100 is not included in the visual recognition area 23. In a state where the tracking object 1100 is not included in the viewing area 23, the transmittance (transparency) of the tracking object 1100 can be set high. As an example, the transmittance can be set to 100%. When the transmittance is set to 100%, the processor 10 does not have to generate data for drawing the following object 1100, so the processing load on the processor 10 can be reduced.

  The position moving object 1110 functions as a trigger for moving the position of the virtual camera 1. In a certain aspect, when the gaze point of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is pointed at the position moving object 1110 for a predetermined time, the virtual camera control module 221 moves the virtual camera 1 as illustrated in FIG. The position moving object 1110 can be moved to the position. Accordingly, the user 190 can change the viewpoint of the user 190 (the position of the virtual camera 1) in the virtual space 2 even when there is no controller that can be operated by hand.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram (No. 2) for explaining the following object 1100. In FIG. 12, the following object 1100 moves upward in the virtual camera 1 as the virtual camera 1 moves. Thereby, the X coordinate position of the virtual camera 1 and the X coordinate position of the following object 1100 are the same, and the Z coordinate position of the virtual camera 1 and the Z coordinate position of the following object 1100 are the same.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining menu display using the following object 1100. In the example of FIG. 13, the virtual camera 1 is facing the upward (Y) direction. As a result, the tracking object 1100 is included in the visual recognition area 23. As the object control module 233, the processor 10 decreases the transmittance of the tracking object 1100 in response to the tracking object 1100 being included in the visual recognition area 23. As the transmittance of the tracking object 1100 decreases, the user 190 can visually recognize the tracking object 1100. In another aspect, the processor 10 can gradually decrease the transmittance of the tracking object 1100 according to the time during which the tracking object 1100 is included in the visual recognition area 23 (the field of view of the user 190). Accordingly, the computer 200 can feed back to the user 190 that the user 190 has detected that the user 190 is staring at the following object 1100.

  The processor 10 according to an embodiment has a predetermined screen (e.g., 2 seconds) in response to the tracking object 1100 being included in the user 190's field of view (viewing area 23) for a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds). , The menu screen) is displayed on the monitor 112.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a menu screen. Menu screen 1400 includes tutorial button 1410, setting button 1420, end button 1430, and return button 1440. In one aspect, the menu screen 1400 can be arranged as an object on the virtual space 2. In other aspects, menu screen 1400 may be displayed on monitor 112 as a screen rather than as an object in virtual space.

  In one aspect, the processor 10 may determine that the button has been selected if the gaze point of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is directed to any of these buttons for a predetermined time. If the processor 10 determines that the button 1440 has been selected, the processor 10 may display the view image 26 corresponding to the viewing area 23 on the monitor 112 again.

[Control flow]
With reference to FIG. 15, a method for displaying the series of menu screens will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying a menu screen on the monitor 112 using the following object. The processing shown in FIG. 15 can be realized by the processor 10 of the computer 200 executing a control program stored in the memory 11 or the storage 12.

  In step S1505, the processor 10 defines (creates) the virtual space 2 as the virtual space definition module 231. In step S <b> 1510, the processor 10 arranges the virtual camera 1, the following object 1100, and other objects in the virtual space 2 as the virtual object generation module 232.

  In step S1515, the view image generation module 223 outputs view image data for displaying the view image 26 captured by the virtual camera 1 to the monitor 112.

  In step S <b> 1520, the processor 10 specifies the movement (tilt) of the HMD 110 based on the output of the sensor 114 or the HMD sensor 120 as the reference line-of-sight specifying module 224. The movement of the HMD 110 is linked to the movement of the user 190's head. In step S1525, the processor 10 specifies the reference line of sight 5 as the reference line-of-sight specifying module 224.

  In step S1530, the processor 10 determines whether or not the virtual camera 1 (that is, the viewpoint of the user 190) has moved. As an example, the processor 10 is configured to perform the processing of steps S1520 to S1555 during one frame (for example, 1/30 second). The processor 10 determines whether or not the current position of the virtual camera 1 and the position of the virtual camera 1 one frame before stored in the memory 11 are the same. The processor 10 may determine that the virtual camera 1 has moved when these positions are not the same.

  If processor 10 determines that virtual camera 1 has moved (YES in step S1530), the process proceeds to step S1535. If processor 10 determines that virtual camera 1 has not moved (NO in step S1530), the process proceeds to step S1540.

  In step S1535, as the object control module 233, the processor 10 moves the following object 1100 in the upward (Y) direction of the user 190's viewpoint (the position of the virtual camera 1). In another aspect, the processor 10 may be configured to move the virtual camera 1 and the following object 1100 at the same distance at the same time. According to this configuration, the following object 1100 can follow the virtual camera 1 without delay.

  In step S1540, the processor 10 determines whether or not the following object 1100 is being stared by the user 190. As an example, when the tracking object 1100 is included in the visual recognition area 23 (that is, the field of view of the user 190), the processor 10 determines that the tracking object 1100 is being watched by the user 190.

  If processor 10 determines that tracking object 1100 is being stared (YES in step S1540), processing proceeds to step S1545. On the other hand, when processor 10 determines that tracking object 1100 is not stared (NO in step S1540), the process proceeds to step S1550.

  In step S <b> 1545, the processor 10 lowers the transmittance of the following object 1100 as the object control module 233. As an example, the processor 10 may reduce the transmittance of the following object 1100 by 10%. Thereby, the user 190 can visually recognize the following object 1100.

  In step S <b> 1550, the processor 10 displays the view image 26 captured by the virtual camera 1 on the monitor 112 as the view image generation module 223.

  In step S1555, the processor 10 determines whether or not the following object 1100 has been stared by the user 190 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). If processor 10 determines that tracking object 1100 has been stared for a predetermined time (YES in step S1555), the process proceeds to step S1560. On the other hand, when processor 10 determines that tracking object 1100 has not been stared for a predetermined time (NO in step S1555), processor 10 returns the process to step S1520.

  In step S <b> 1560, the processor 10 displays a menu screen on the monitor 112. It is assumed that data for displaying the menu screen is stored in the memory module 240 in advance.

  According to the above, the HMD system 100 according to an embodiment can display a menu screen in response to the tracking object 1100 being viewed by the user 190. Therefore, the user 190 can easily open the menu screen without having a controller operated by hand.

  The following object 1100 follows the user 190's viewpoint (the position of the virtual camera 1). Therefore, the user 190 can visually recognize the following object 1100 for opening the menu screen by looking up in the upper (Y) direction at an arbitrary place in the virtual space 2. The HMD system 100 can realize a comfortable operation of the user 190 on the virtual space 2 by adopting the above configuration.

  Further, since the following object 1100 is arranged in the upper (Y) direction of the virtual camera 1, the following object 1100 is visible to the user 190 (that is, the viewing area 23) unless the user 190 intentionally turns upward. Is not included. The reason is that the user 190 is usually facing the front. Therefore, the computer 200 can suppress the loss of the immersive feeling of the user 190 due to the user 190 frequently viewing the following object 1100.

  Further, the computer 200 does not simply detect that the user 190 has turned upward and displays the menu screen, but detects that the following object 1100 has been stared at the user 190 for a predetermined time and displays the menu screen. To do. Therefore, the computer 200 can display the menu screen reflecting the user 190's intention to open the menu screen. In other words, the computer 200 can suppress displaying the menu screen against the intention of the user 190.

[Other configurations]
(Determination method that the following object is staring at the user)
<Is the tracking object included in the central area of the user's field of view>
In the above example, the processor 10 is configured to determine that the following object 1100 is stared by the user 190 when the following object 1100 is included in the field of view of the user 190. Hereinafter, other determination methods will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining that a following object according to another aspect is being watched by a user. In one aspect, the processor 10 determines that the following object 1100 is being watched by the user 190 in response to the following object 1100 being included in the central region of the field of view of the user 190.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the visual recognition region 23 is a range including the polar angle α in the YZ section and the polar angle β in the XZ section with the reference line of sight 5 as the center. The central area of the field of view of the user 190 is set as a range including the polar angle α1 (<α) in the YZ section and the polar angle β1 (<β) in the XZ section with the reference line of sight 5 as the center. As an example, the polar angle α1 can be set to half the polar angle α, and the polar angle β1 can be set to half the polar angle β.

  The field-of-view image 1600 shown in the state (A) of FIG. 16 and the field-of-view image 1650 shown in the state (B) are images displayed on the monitor 112, in other words, the field of view of the user 190. In the state (A), the tracking image 1600 includes the following object 1100, but the central region 1610 does not include the following object 1100. Therefore, the processor 10 determines that the following object 1100 is not stared at by the user 190 in the state (A). Therefore, in the state (A), the transmittance of the following object 1100 is set high.

  On the other hand, in the state (B), the following object 1100 is included in the central area 1610. Therefore, the processor 10 determines that the following object 1100 is being watched by the user 190 in the state (A). Therefore, in the state (B), the transmittance of the following object 1100 can be set low. Even with the above configuration, the processor 10 can determine whether or not the following object 1100 is being stared by the user 190.

<Is the user's point of interest directed at the following object>
In yet another aspect, the processor 10 determines that the following object 1100 is being stared at the user 190 in response to the point of interest of the user 190 detected by the attention sensor 140 being directed to the following object 1100. To do.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining that a user is staring at a following object according to another aspect. The view image 1700 includes a following object 1100 and a point 1710. A point 1710 indicates the gaze point of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140.

  In the state (A), the point 1710 is not superimposed on the following object 1100. In other words, the line of sight of the user 190 is not poured into the following object 1100. Therefore, the processor 10 determines that the following object 1100 is not stared at by the user 190 in the state (A). Accordingly, the transmittance of the following object 1100 is set high. In this case, the transmittance of the following object 1100 is not 100%, and may be set to a level that the user 190 can visually recognize. The reason for this is to prevent the user 190 from being able to visually recognize the target to which the line of sight is poured.

  In the state (B), the point 1710 is superimposed on the following object 1100. In other words, the line of sight of the user 190 is poured into the following object 1100. Therefore, the processor 10 determines that the following object 1100 is being watched by the user 190 in the state (B). Accordingly, the transmittance of the following object 1100 is set low. Even with the above configuration, the processor 10 can determine whether or not the following object 1100 is being stared by the user 190. According to the said structure, it can detect more correctly that the user 190 is staring at the tracking object 1100. FIG.

(Predetermined screen)
In the above example, the processor 10 is configured to display a menu screen on the monitor 112 in response to the user 190 watching the following object 1100 for a predetermined time. In another aspect, the processor 10 may be configured to display a map screen instead of the menu screen.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of the map screen. In the example of FIG. 18, an art museum is constructed in the virtual space 2. On the map screen 1800, a character 1810 indicating the current location of the virtual camera 1 (user 190) and artworks 1820 and 1830 are displayed. In addition, movement points 1840 to 1860 are further displayed on the map screen 1800.

  When the processor 10 detects that the line of sight of the user 190 has been poured into any of the movement points 1840 to 1860 over a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), the processor 10 moves the virtual camera 1 to that point. obtain. For example, the user 190 gazes at the movement point 1860 when he wants to see the artwork 1830. As a result, the user 190's perspective (the position of the virtual camera 1) moves close to the artwork 1830. According to this configuration, the user 190 can easily move to a desired position in the virtual space 2 after grasping the overall image of the virtual space 2.

  Note that the screen displayed in response to the tracking object 1100 being viewed by the user 190 for a predetermined time is not limited to the menu screen and the map screen.

(Display mode of the tracking object 1100)
In the above example, the processor 10 is configured to change the transparency of the tracking object 1100 in response to the tracking object 1100 being viewed by the user 190. In other aspects, the processor 10 may be configured to change the size of the tracking object 1100 in response to the tracking object 1100 being viewed by the user 190.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a method for changing the display mode of the following object 1100. In the example of FIG. 19, the visual recognition area 23 includes a following object 1100. Therefore, the processor 10 determines that the following object 1100 is being watched by the user 190. In response to this determination, the processor 10 enlarges the following object 1100 (from a broken line to a solid line). At this time, the processor 10 can increase the tracking object 1100 as the interval between the reference line of sight 5 (the center of the visual recognition area 23) and the tracking object 1100 decreases. According to this configuration, the user 190 can easily recognize that he / she is staring at the following object 1100.

  In yet another aspect, the processor 10 may be configured to blink the tracking object 1100 in response to the tracking object 1100 being viewed by the user 190. In yet another aspect, the processor 10 may be configured to change the color of the tracking object 1100 in response to the tracking object 1100 being viewed by the user 190.

[Constitution]
The technical features disclosed above can be summarized as follows.

  (Configuration 1) According to an embodiment, a method executed by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 2 to the HMD 110 is provided. In this method, the step of defining the virtual space 2 (S1505), the step of displaying an image on the HMD 110 to provide the user 190 of the HMD 110 with a field of view in the virtual space 2 (S1515), and the step of detecting the movement of the HMD 110 (S1520), a step of updating the image displayed on the HMD 110 in conjunction with the detected movement (S1550), and the virtual space 2 to the user 190 of the HMD 110 in the virtual space 2 (position of the virtual camera 1) ) Arranging the following object 1100 that follows (S1510), detecting that the user 190 is staring at the following object 1100 (S1540), and the user 190 staring at the following object 1100 for a predetermined time. In response to being in HMD110, Because a defined window (e.g., a menu screen) and a step (S1560) of displaying.

  (Configuration 2) In (Configuration 1), the step of arranging the tracking object 1100 includes arranging the tracking object 1100 in a predetermined direction (for example, the upward (Y) direction) with respect to the user 190's viewpoint. .

  (Configuration 3) In (Configuration 1) or (Configuration 2), the step of detecting that the tracking object 1100 is stared is that the tracking object 1100 is included in the field of view of the user 190 (viewing area 23, field of view image 26). In response to detecting that the following object 1100 is stared.

  (Configuration 4) In (Configuration 3), the step of detecting that the tracking object 1100 is stared is that the tracking object 1100 is stared in accordance with the fact that the tracking object 1100 is included in the central area of the field of view of the user 190. Including detecting.

  (Configuration 5) The method of (Configuration 1) or (Configuration 2) further includes a step of detecting the gaze (gaze point) of the user 190 by the gaze sensor 140. The step of detecting that the tracking object 1100 is stared includes detecting that the tracking object 1100 is stared in response to the detected gaze of the user 190 being poured into the tracking object 1100.

  (Configuration 6) In any one of (Configuration 1) to (Configuration 5), the predetermined screen includes at least one of a menu screen and a map (map screen) in the virtual space 2.

  (Structure 7) The method of (Structure 1)-(Structure 6) changes the display mode of the tracking object 1100 according to having detected that the user 190 is staring at the tracking object 1100 (S1545). Further prepare.

  (Configuration 8) In (Configuration 7), the step of changing the display mode of the tracking object 1100 includes lowering the transmittance of the tracking object 1100.

  (Configuration 9) In (Configuration 7), the step of changing the display mode of the tracking object 1100 includes increasing the size of the tracking object 1100.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1 virtual camera, 2 virtual space, 5 reference line of sight, 10 processor, 11 memory, 12 storage, 19 network, 23 viewing area, 26, 1600, 1700 field of view image, 100 HMD system, 112 monitor, 114 sensor, 120 HMD sensor, 140 gaze sensor, 150 server, 190 user, 200 computer, 220 display control module, 221 virtual camera control module, 222 visual field region determination module, 223 visual field image generation module, 224 reference visual line identification module, 230 virtual space control module, 231 virtual Space definition module, 232 virtual object generation module, 233 object control module, 240 memory module, 241 space information, 242 object information, 243 User information, 244 Motion detection data, 250 communication control module, 1100 following object, 1110 position moving object, 1400 menu screen, 1610 central area, 1800 map screen, N1 gazing point.

Claims (11)

A computer-implemented method for providing virtual space to a head-mounted device, comprising:
Defining a virtual space;
Displaying an image on the head mounted device and providing a user with a view in the virtual space to the head mounted device;
Detecting the movement of the head mounted device;
Updating an image displayed on the head mounted device in conjunction with the detected movement;
Placing in the virtual space an object that follows the user's perspective of the head mounted device in the virtual space;
Detecting that the user is staring at the object;
Displaying a predetermined screen on the head mounted device in response to the user gazing at the object for a predetermined time.   The method of claim 1, wherein placing the object comprises placing the object in a predetermined direction relative to the user's perspective.   The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting that the object is stared includes detecting that the object is stared in response to the object being included in the user's field of view.   The method of claim 3, wherein detecting that the object is stared comprises detecting that the object is stared in response to the object being included in a central region of the user's field of view. . Further comprising detecting the user's line of sight,
The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting that the object is stared includes detecting that the object is stared in response to the user's line of sight being focused on the object. .   The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined screen includes at least one of a menu and a map in the virtual space.   The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of changing a display mode of the object in response to detecting that the user is staring at the object.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of changing a display mode of the object includes lowering a transmittance of the object.   The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of changing a display mode of the object includes increasing a size of the object.   The program for making a computer implement | achieve the method of any one of Claims 1-9. A memory storing the program according to claim 10;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a processor for executing the program.

Images