JP2018147378A - Information processing method, apparatus, and program for implementing that information processing method in computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further enrich virtual experience using a controller.SOLUTION: An information processing method implemented by a computer in order to provide a virtual space to a first user via a head mounted device provided with a display comprises: acquiring virtual space data defining a virtual space which includes a first avatar associated with the first user and including hand objects, a second avatar associated with a second user, and a virtual camera defining a view image; determining an applied mode among a plurality of modes including a first mode, in which motions of the left and right hand objects are determined based on the position of a controller, and a second mode, in which motions of the left and right hand objects are independently determined; and providing the first user with the view image defined by the virtual camera.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an information processing method, an apparatus, and a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method.

  PlayStation (registered trademark) VR is known as hardware that provides a user with a game experience (VR game) in a virtual space (see Non-Patent Document 1). In PlayStation VR, a user can play a VR game by operating a player character or the like in a virtual space using a controller that can be held with both hands, for example. Techniques for playing a VR game using a controller are also disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-232783 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-158794

"PlayStation (registered trademark) VR | PlayStation (registered trademark) official site", [online], SONY, [Search February 8, 2017], Internet <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= NCpNKLXovtE>

  By the way, the movement of the user's avatar in the virtual space is basically determined based on the movement of the user in the real space. However, for example, when using a two-handed controller as described above, the position of the user's hand in the real space is fixed at both side positions of the controller. For this reason, when performing a virtual experience using such a controller, it may be difficult to realize a rich motion expression of the hand object representing the virtual hand of the avatar.

  The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an information processing method and apparatus that can make a virtual experience using a controller richer, and a computer for executing the information processing method The purpose is to provide a program.

  According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method executed by a computer to provide a virtual space to a first user via a head mounted device including a display unit is provided. This information processing method includes a first avatar associated with a first user and including a hand object representing a virtual hand, a second avatar associated with the second user, and a view field image provided to the head mounted device. Based on at least one of a step of acquiring virtual space data defining a virtual space including a virtual camera to be defined, a predetermined input operation on the controller used by the first user, and a state of the controller, Determining a mode to be applied from a plurality of modes including a first mode in which the motion of the object is determined based on the position of the controller and a second mode in which the motion of the hand object is determined separately on the left and right And a visual field image defined by the virtual camera to the first user via the head mounted device. Including the steps of providing, the.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing method and apparatus that can make a virtual experience using a controller richer, and a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method.

It is a figure showing the outline of a structure of the HMD system 100 according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer 200 according to one situation. It is a figure which represents notionally the uvw visual field coordinate system set to the HMD apparatus 110 according to an embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the one aspect | mode which represents the virtual space 2 according to a certain embodiment. It is the figure showing the head of user 190 wearing HMD device 110 according to a certain embodiment from the top. 3 is a diagram illustrating a YZ cross section of a visual field region 23 viewed from the X direction in a virtual space 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an XZ cross section of a visual field region 23 viewed from a Y direction in a virtual space 2. FIG. It is a figure showing schematic structure of the controller 160 according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration. It is a flowchart showing the process which HMD system 100A performs. It is a figure showing typically virtual space 2 shared by a plurality of users. It is a figure showing an example of the visual field image M1 provided to the user 190A. It is a sequence diagram showing the processing which HMD system 100A, HMD system 100B, and server 150 perform. It is a flowchart showing the detailed process of step S23A in FIG. It is a flowchart showing the process which concerns on a 1st modification. It is a figure showing an example of operation control of avatar A1 in the 2nd operation mode. It is a flowchart showing the process which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is a flowchart showing the process of the HMD system 100B which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is a figure showing an example of the virtual space 2 which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is a figure showing an example of the visual field image M2 provided to the user 190B which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is a flowchart showing the process which concerns on a 3rd modification. It is a figure showing an example of motion control of hand object VH1 of avatar A1 in the 2nd mode. It is a figure showing the modification of a controller.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described 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.

[Configuration of HMD system]
A configuration of an HMD (Head Mount Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram representing an outline of a configuration of an HMD system 100 according to an embodiment. In one aspect, the HMD system 100 is provided as a home system or a business system.

  The HMD system 100 includes an HMD device 110 (head mounted device), an HMD sensor 120, a controller 160, and a computer 200. The HMD device 110 includes a monitor 112 (display unit), a microphone 118, 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 device 110 may include a sensor 114 instead of the HMD sensor 120.

  The HMD device 110 may be worn on the user's head and provide a virtual space to the user during operation. More specifically, the HMD device 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 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 device 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 one embodiment, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object that can be operated by the 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 provided in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal. The monitor 112 may be configured integrally with the main body of the HMD device 110 or may be configured as a separate body.

  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 microphone 118 acquires the voice uttered by the user. The voice acquired by the microphone 118 can be used to detect a user's emotion by voice analysis processing. The detection result may be reflected in an avatar's facial expression described later. The voice can also be used to give a voice instruction to the virtual space 2. Further, the sound may be sent to the HMD system used by another user via the network 19 and the server 150, and output from a speaker or the like connected to the HMD system. Thereby, the conversation (chat) between the users who share a virtual space is implement | achieved.

  The HMD sensor 120 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 movements of the HMD device 110 and the controller 160. The HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 and the position and inclination of the controller 160 in the real space using this function.

  In another aspect, HMD sensor 120 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 performs image analysis processing using the image information of the HMD device 110 and the controller 160 output from the camera, whereby the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 and the position and tilt of the controller 160 are detected. Can be detected.

  In another aspect, the HMD device 110 may include a sensor 114 instead of the HMD sensor 120 as a position detector. The HMD device 110 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 itself using the sensor 114. For example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like, the HMD device 110 uses any one of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 120 to detect its position and inclination. Can be detected. As an example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects angular velocities around the three axes of the HMD device 110 in real space over time. The HMD device 110 calculates the temporal change of the angle around the three axes of the HMD device 110 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD device 110 based on the temporal change of the angle. The HMD device 110 may include a transmissive display device. In this case, the transmissive display device may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance. Further, the view field image may include a configuration for presenting the real space in a part of the image configuring the virtual space. For example, an image captured by a camera mounted on the HMD device 110 may be displayed so as to be superimposed on a part of the field-of-view image, or a part of the transmission-type display device may be set to have a high transmittance. The real space may be visible from a part of the image.

  The gaze sensor 140 detects a direction (gaze direction) in which the gaze 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 direction 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 HMD devices 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. The server 150 is configured by one or a plurality of computer devices, and includes a hardware configuration (processor, memory, storage, etc.) included in a general computer, similar to the hardware configuration of the computer 200 described later.

  The controller 160 receives input of commands from the user 190 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 160 is configured to be gripped by the user 190. In the present embodiment, the controller 160 is an input device of the type that is held by the user 190 with both hands. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on a signal sent from the computer 200. In another aspect, the controller 160 receives an operation given by the user 190 to control the position and movement of an object arranged in a space that provides virtual reality. As described above, the position and inclination of the controller 160 in the real space can be detected by the HMD sensor 120 (or a camera or the like). In another aspect, the controller 160 may include a sensor (not shown) similar to the sensor 114 described above as a position detector. In this case, the position and inclination of the controller 160 can be detected by the sensor. Further, the HMD sensor 120 and the sensor included in the controller 160 may be used in combination. In this case, for example, the position of the controller 160 is detected by the HMD sensor 120, and the inclination of the controller 160 is detected by a sensor included in the controller 160.

[Hardware configuration]
A computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of computer 200 according to one 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. Data stored in the memory 11 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, a program for realizing communication with another computer 200, and the like. 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 like an amusement facility, it is possible to update programs and data in a batch.

  In some embodiments, the input / output interface 13 communicates signals between the HMD device 110 and the HMD sensor 120. In one aspect, the input / output interface 13 is realized using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, 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 the above. For example, the input / output interface 13 may include a wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  In certain embodiments, the input / output interface 13 may further communicate with the controller 160. For example, the input / output interface 13 receives a signal output from the controller 160. In another aspect, the input / output interface 13 sends an instruction output from the processor 10 to the controller 160. The command instructs the controller 160 to vibrate, output sound, emit light, and the like. When the controller 160 receives the command, the controller 160 executes vibration, sound output, or light emission according to the command.

  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 using the controller 160, and the like. The processor 10 sends a signal for providing a virtual space to the HMD device 110 via the input / output interface 13. The HMD device 110 displays an image on the monitor 112 based on the signal.

  The server 150 is connected to each control device of the plurality of HMD systems 100 via the network 19. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the server 150 connects a plurality of HMD systems 100 including an HMD system 100A having an HMD device 110A and an HMD system 100B having an HMD device 110B so that they can communicate with each other. Thereby, the virtual experience using a common virtual space is provided to the user who uses each HMD system. The HMD system 100A, the HMD system 100B, and the other HMD systems 100 all have the same configuration. However, each HMD system 100 may be a different model, or may have different performance (processing performance, detection performance, etc.).

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the configuration in which the computer 200 is provided outside the HMD device 110 is illustrated. However, in another aspect, the computer 200 may be incorporated in the HMD device 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 the plurality of HMD devices 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 such a case, the plurality of HMD systems 100 in this embodiment may be directly connected to the computer 200 by the input / output interface 13. In addition, each function (for example, synchronization processing described later) of the server 150 in the present embodiment may be implemented in the computer 200.

  In an embodiment, in the HMD system 100, a global coordinate system is set in advance. 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 each infrared ray emitted from each light source of the HMD device 110, the presence of the HMD device 110 is detected. The HMD sensor 120 further determines the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 in the real space according to the movement of the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 based on the value of each point (each coordinate value in the global coordinate system). To detect. More specifically, the HMD sensor 120 can detect temporal changes in the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 using each value detected over time.

  The global coordinate system is parallel to the real space coordinate system. Therefore, each inclination of the HMD device 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 corresponds to each inclination around the three axes of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system. The HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD device 110 based on the inclination of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system. The uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD device 110 corresponds to a viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 wearing the HMD device 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 diagram conceptually showing a uvw visual field coordinate system set in HMD device 110 according to an embodiment. The HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system when the HMD device 110 is activated. The processor 10 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD device 110 based on the detected value.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the HMD device 110 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system with the head (origin) of the user wearing the HMD device 110 as the center (origin). More specifically, the HMD device 110 uses the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction (x axis, y axis, z axis) that define the global coordinate system around each axis of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system. The three new directions obtained by inclining around the respective axes by the inclination of the pitch are the pitch direction (u-axis), yaw direction (v-axis), and roll direction (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD device 110. Set as.

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

  After the uvw visual field coordinate system is set in the HMD device 110, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the inclination of the HMD device 110 in the set uvw visual field coordinate system based on the movement of the HMD device 110. . In this case, the HMD sensor 120 detects the pitch angle (θu), yaw angle (θv), and roll angle (θw) of the HMD device 110 in the uvw visual field coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD device 110. The pitch angle (θu) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the pitch direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the yaw direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the roll direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system.

  Based on the detected tilt angle of the HMD device 110, the HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD device 110 after the HMD device 110 has moved to the HMD device 110. The relationship between the HMD device 110 and the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 is always constant regardless of the position and inclination of the HMD device 110. When the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 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 of the device 110 in the real space may be specified as a relative position with respect to the HMD sensor 120. Further, the processor 10 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 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 diagram conceptually showing one aspect of expressing 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 device 110 is activated, that is, in the initial state of the HMD device 110, the virtual camera 1 is disposed at the center 21 of the virtual space 2, for example. The virtual camera 1 similarly moves in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD device 110 in the real space. Thereby, changes in the position and orientation of the HMD device 110 in the real space are similarly reproduced in the virtual space 2.

  As in the case of the HMD device 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 device 110 in the real space (global coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD device 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 device 110 in the real space.

  Since the orientation of the virtual camera 1 is determined according to the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1, the reference line of sight (reference line of sight 5) when the user visually recognizes the virtual space image 22 depends on the orientation of the virtual camera 1. Determined. The processor 10 of the computer 200 defines the visual field region 23 in the virtual space 2 based on the reference line of sight 5. The view area 23 corresponds to the view of the user wearing the HMD device 110 in the virtual space 2.

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

[User's line of sight]
With reference to FIG. 5, determination of the user's line-of-sight direction will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the head of user 190 wearing HMD device 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 direction w is smaller than the angle formed by the lines of sight R1 and L1 with respect to the roll direction 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 direction N0 of the user 190 based on the specified position of the gazing point N1. For example, the computer 200 detects the direction in which 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 extends as the line-of-sight direction N0. The line-of-sight direction N0 is a direction in which the user 190 is actually pointing the line of sight with both eyes. The line-of-sight direction N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 190 actually directs his / her line of sight with respect to the field-of-view 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]
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the visual field region 23 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a YZ cross section of the visual field region 23 viewed from the X direction in the virtual space 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an XZ cross section of the visual field region 23 viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the visual field region 23 in the YZ cross section includes a region 24. The region 24 is defined by the reference line of sight 5 of the virtual camera 1 and the YZ cross 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 2 as the region 24.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the visual field region 23 in the XZ cross section includes a region 25. The region 25 is defined by 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.

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

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

  In one aspect, the processor 10 can move the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with movement of the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 in real space. In this case, the processor 10 specifies an image region (that is, the visual field region 23 in the virtual space 2) projected on the monitor 112 of the HMD device 110 based on the position and orientation of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. That is, the visual field of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 is defined by the virtual camera 1.

  According to an embodiment, the virtual camera 1 preferably includes two virtual cameras, that is, a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. Moreover, it is preferable that appropriate parallax is set in the two virtual cameras so that the user 190 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 2. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 1 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll direction (w) generated by combining the roll directions of the two virtual cameras is the roll direction (w) of the HMD device 110. The technical idea concerning this indication is illustrated as what is constituted so that it may be adapted.

[controller]
An example of the controller 160 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of controller 160 according to an embodiment. The state (A) in FIG. 8 shows the external configuration of the top surface of the controller 160, and the state (B) in FIG. 8 shows the external configuration of the back side surface of the controller 160. Here, the upper surface of the controller 160 is a surface that faces the user 190 when the user 190 holds the controller 160 with both hands.

  As shown in the state (A) of FIG. 8, on the upper surface of the controller 160, as an input unit, a direction key 161, analog sticks 162 </ b> L and 162 </ b> R, four types of operation buttons 163, a touch pad 164, and function buttons 165 are provided. Etc. are provided. In addition, the controller 160 includes a grip unit 166 for the user 190 to grip the controller 160. The gripper 166 includes a left gripper 166L gripped by the left hand of the user 190 and a right gripper 166R gripped by the right hand of the user 190. Further, as shown in the state (B) of FIG. 8, light emission is performed on the back side surface of the controller 160 based on the upper buttons 167L and 167R serving as input units, instruction information transmitted from the controller 160, and the like. Part 168.

  The touch pad 164 is provided between the direction key 161 and the operation button 163. The function button 165 is provided between the left and right analog sticks 162L and 162R. The function button 165 can be used, for example, to activate the controller 160 and activate a communication connection between the controller 160 and the computer 200. The other input units (direction key 161, analog stick 162, operation button 163, and upper button 167) can be used for operations of avatars and player characters described later. For example, the analog stick 162 accepts an operation in an arbitrary direction 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position) in a certain situation. The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object arranged in the virtual space 2.

  The direction key 161 and the analog stick 162L are arranged on the assumption that the operation with the thumb of the left hand of the user 190 is received. The operation buttons 163 and the analog stick 162R are arranged on the assumption that an operation with the thumb of the right hand of the user 190 is received. The upper button 167L is arranged on the assumption that the operation with the index finger of the left hand of the user 190 is accepted, and the upper button 167R is arranged on the assumption that the operation of the index finger with the right hand of the user 190 is accepted. However, the shape of the controller 160, the arrangement configuration of each part, and the function of each part are not limited to the above example. For example, the number of operation buttons 163 may be other than four (for example, two), and the analog sticks 162L and 162R may be omitted.

  In one aspect, the controller 160 includes a battery for driving the light emitting unit 168 and other members. The battery includes, but is not limited to, a rechargeable type, a button type, a dry battery type, and the like. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be connected to a USB interface of the computer 200, for example. In this case, the controller 160 does not require a battery.

[Control device for HMD device]
The control device of the HMD device 110 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the control device is realized by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 9, 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 control module 232, a controller information acquisition module 233, and a chat control module 234 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.

  In one aspect, the display control module 220 controls image display on the monitor 112 of the HMD device 110. The virtual camera control module 221 arranges the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 and controls the behavior, orientation, and the like of the virtual camera 1. The view area determination module 222 defines the view area 23 according to the orientation of the head of the user wearing the HMD device 110. The view image generation module 223 generates a view image to be displayed on the monitor 112 based on the determined view area 23. The reference line-of-sight identifying module 224 identifies 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 control module 232 generates a target object arranged in the virtual space 2 based on object information 242 described later. The virtual object control module 232 controls the movement (movement, state change, etc.) of the target object in the virtual space 2. Further, the virtual object control module 232 controls the actions (movement, state change, etc.) of the avatar and the player character based on the controller information acquired by the controller information acquisition module 233 described later. The target object may include, for example, a forest, a landscape including mountains, animals, and the like arranged according to the progress of the game story. An avatar is an object associated with a user wearing the HMD device 110. The avatar is an object having a position as a user's alternation in the virtual space 2. On the other hand, the player character is a character object operated by the user in the game developed in the virtual space 2. In the present embodiment, a game developed in the virtual space 2 is a battle game in which a plurality of users fight their player characters on a game field (for example, a battlefield) prepared in the virtual space 2 (or a plurality of games). For example, an action game that the users cooperate to advance. The avatar is a humanoid object, and the player character is an object imitating an animal. However, the player character can take an appropriate form according to the content of the game developed in the virtual space 2. For example, the player character may be a human-type object, or may be an object that imitates a creature such as a robot. More specifically, when the game developed in the virtual space 2 is a racing game using a radio controlled car, the player character may be an object representing the radio controlled car.

  The controller information acquisition module 233 acquires controller information including state information for specifying the state of the controller 160 and operation information indicating the contents of an input operation performed by the user 190 on the controller 160. The state information is information for specifying the position and inclination of the controller 160 detected by the above-described HMD sensor 120 or the like, for example. The controller information is transferred to the virtual object control module 232 in order to reflect the state of the controller 160 and the content of the input operation on the controller 160 to the avatar or player character in the virtual space 2. In addition, the controller information acquisition module 233 also appropriately transfers the controller information of other users acquired via the chat control module 234 described later to the virtual object control module 232. Thereby, the avatar or player character linked | related with the other user can be operated based on the controller information of the other user.

  The chat control module 234 performs control for chatting with an avatar of another user who stays in the same virtual space 2. For example, the chat control module 234 transmits data necessary for chatting via the virtual space 2 (for example, voice data input to the microphone 118) to the server 150. The chat control module 234 outputs the other user's voice data received from the server 150 to a speaker (not shown). As a result, voice chat is realized. The chat control module 234 also transmits / receives data to be shared among other users to / from other users' HMD systems 100 via the server 150. The data to be shared includes movement information for controlling the movement of a part of the avatar's body, controller information for controlling the movement of the player character, and the like. The motion information is, for example, information for specifying the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 or the like (hereinafter referred to as “orientation data”), eye tracking data detected by the gaze sensor 140 or the like. . In the present embodiment, the chat control module 234 uses information (hereinafter referred to as “player information”) including voice data, movement information, and controller information as other information to be shared between users via the server 150. Data is transmitted to and received from the user's HMD system 100. The player information is transmitted / received by using a function of the communication control module 250 described later.

  The virtual space control module 230 detects the collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 2 collides with another object. For example, the virtual space control module 230 can detect a timing at which 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 at which 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 contact with the object by executing a known hit determination based on, for example, a collision area set for each object.

  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 includes, for example, one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 2. The object information 242 includes, for example, content reproduced in the virtual space 2, information for arranging objects used in the content, and the like. The content can include, for example, content representing a scene similar to a game or a real society. The object information 242 includes drawing information for drawing each object (for example, a target object and an avatar). The object information 242 may also include attribute information indicating attributes associated with each object. Examples of the attribute information of the target object include information indicating whether the target object is a movable object or a fixed object. The user information 243 includes, for example, 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 device 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 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 memory module 240. The The software is read from the memory module 240 by the processor 10 and stored in the RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 10 executes the program.

  The hardware configuring the computer 200 shown in FIG. 9 is general. Therefore, it can be said that the most essential part according to the present embodiment is a program stored in the computer 200. Since the hardware operation of computer 200 is well known, detailed description will not be repeated.

  The data recording medium is not limited to a CD-ROM, FD (Flexible Disk), and hard disk, but is a magnetic tape, cassette tape, optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)). ), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (including memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash ROM, etc. It may be a non-volatile data recording medium that carries a fixed program.

  The program here may include not only a program directly executable by the processor 10, but also a program in a source program format, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

[Control structure]
With reference to FIG. 10, a control structure of computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the HMD system 100A used by the user 190A (first user) to provide the virtual space 2 to the user 190A.

  In step S <b> 1, the processor 10 of the computer 200 specifies virtual space image data as the virtual space definition module 231, and acquires virtual space data that defines the virtual space 2. Here, the processor 10 receives information related to the initial arrangement and the like of other users 'avatars and player characters sharing the virtual space 2 from the server 150 and the like, thereby including a virtual space including the other users' avatars and player characters. Virtual space data defining 2 can be generated. Alternatively, virtual space data defining a virtual space 2 common to a plurality of users may be generated by a server 150 connected to be communicable with each HMD system 100. In this case, the processor 10 can acquire the virtual space data by downloading the virtual space data from the server 150.

  In step S <b> 2, the processor 10 initializes the virtual camera 1 as the virtual camera control module 221. For example, the processor 10 places the virtual camera 1 at a predetermined center point (or other predetermined default position) in the virtual space 2 in the work area of the memory, and the user 190 changes the line of sight of the virtual camera 1. Turn in the direction you are facing.

  In step S <b> 3, the processor 10 generates view image data for displaying an initial view image as the view image generation module 223. The generated view image data is sent to the HMD device 110 by the communication control module 250 via the view image generation module 223.

  In step S <b> 4, the monitor 112 of the HMD device 110 displays a view field image based on the signal received from the computer 200. The user 190A wearing the HMD device 110 can recognize the virtual space 2 when viewing the visual field image.

  In step S <b> 5, the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 based on a plurality of infrared lights transmitted from the HMD device 110. The detection result is sent to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

  In step S <b> 6, the processor 10 specifies the visual field direction of the user 190 </ b> A wearing the HMD device 110 as the visual field region determination module 222 based on the position and inclination of the HMD device 110. The processor 10 executes the application program and places an object in the virtual space 2 based on instructions included in the application program.

  In step S7, the controller 160 detects the operation of the user 190A in the real space. For example, in one aspect, the controller 160 detects that a button has been pressed by the user 190A. Further, as described above, the sensor included in the HMD sensor 120 or the controller 160 itself detects the position and inclination of the controller 160. A signal indicating the detection result is sent from the HMD sensor 120 or the controller 160 to the computer 200. In this way, controller information including operation information indicating the contents of the input operation performed by the user 190 </ b> A on the controller 160 and state information for specifying the state (position, inclination, etc.) of the controller 160 is sent to the computer 200. Then, the processor 10 acquires the controller information as the controller information acquisition module 233.

  In step S8, the processor 10 acquires player information (audio data, motion information, controller information, etc.) of other users who share the virtual space 2 from the server 150 as the controller information acquisition module 233 and the chat control module 234. To do.

  In step S <b> 9, the processor 10 controls the movement of each user's avatar and player character based on the player information of each user 190 including the user 190 </ b> A as the virtual object control module 232.

  In step S <b> 10, the processor 10 generates view image data for displaying the view image based on the processing result of step S <b> 9 as the view image generation module 223, and outputs the generated view image data to the HMD device 110.

  In step S11, the monitor 112 of the HMD device 110 updates the view image based on the received view image data, and displays the updated view image.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the virtual space 2. As shown in FIG. 11, the virtual space 2 is operated based on an input operation on an avatar A1 (first avatar) associated with the user 190A and a controller 160A (first controller) used by the user 190A. A player character C1 (first character object), an avatar A2 (second avatar) associated with a user 190B (second user) different from the user 190A, and a controller 160B (second controller) used by the user 190B A player character C2 (second character object) operated based on an input operation, and a field of view provided to an HMD device 110A (first head mounted device) that is attached to the user 190A and includes a monitor 112 (first display unit). Define image M1 A virtual camera 1B that defines a vision image M2 that is provided to a virtual camera 1A (first virtual camera) and an HMD device 110B (second head-mounted device) that is attached to a user 190B and includes a monitor 112 (second display unit). (Second virtual camera). In the example shown in FIG. 11, the virtual space 2 further includes controller objects VC1 and VC2 representing virtual controllers corresponding to the controllers 160A and 160B, and hand objects representing virtual hands of the avatars A1 and A2. VH1 and VH2 are included.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, in the virtual space 2, a battle game in which a plurality of users 190A and 190B fight their player characters C1 and C2 on the game field F (here, a game in which the bomb B1 is thrown) is developed. Has been. In the virtual space 2, not only the player characters C1 and C2 related to the game but also avatars A1 and A2 holding the controller objects VC1 and VC2 are arranged at predetermined positions. Thereby, in the virtual space 2, the situation where the avatars A1 and A2 of the users 190A and 190B are operating the player characters C1 and C2 is expressed. The virtual cameras 1A and 1B are associated with the viewpoints of the avatars A1 and A2. Thereby, view images M1 and M2 at the first person viewpoint of avatars A1 and A2 are provided to users 190A and 190B.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a view field image M1 provided to the user 190A via the HMD device 110A. As shown in FIG. 12, the user 190A can have a virtual experience as if he / she exists in the virtual space 2 as the avatar A1 by recognizing the view image M1. Similarly, the user 190B can experience a virtual experience as if he / she exists in the virtual space 2 as the avatar A2 by recognizing the view image M2.

  Here, the design of the controller objects VC1 and VC2 in the virtual space 2 may be determined according to the models of the controllers 160A and 160B. For example, the processor 10 may acquire information indicating the model of the controller 160A from the controller 160A and draw the controller object VC1 based on the drawing data of the controller object prepared in advance for each model as the object information 242. As a result, each user 190A, 190B can use the type of controller 160 (for example, two-handed or one-handed) used by other users based on the design of the controller objects VC1, VC2 displayed in the view images M1, M2. Can be grasped).

  According to such a virtual space 2, a chat and a multi-play game via avatars A1 and A2 can be provided to each user 190A and 190B. The virtual space 2 includes both the avatars A1 and A2 and the player characters C1 and C2 of the users 190A and 190B. For this reason, each user 190A, 190B can enjoy a common game in the virtual space 2 while recognizing each other's presence via the avatars A1, A2. Thereby, each user 190A, 190B can easily obtain a sense that a plurality of people are excited in the virtual space 2. As a result, the entertainment property of the virtual experience of each user 190A, 190B can be improved.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing processing executed by the HMD systems 100A and 100B and the server 150 in order to allow the plurality of users 190A and 190B to share the same virtual space 2. The process shown in FIG. 13 partially overlaps the process shown in steps S7 to S9 in FIG.

  In step S21A, the processor 10 in the HMD system 100A acquires the controller information about the controller 160A as the controller information acquisition module 233. Further, the processor 10 acquires the voice data of the user 190A as the chat control module 234. Further, the processor 10 acquires motion information including orientation data and eye tracking data detected by the HMD sensor 120, the gaze sensor 140, and the like. Thereby, player information including audio data, controller information, and movement information is acquired. Further, the player information may include information (user ID or the like) for specifying the avatar A1 (or the user 190A) and information (room ID or the like) for specifying the virtual space 2 where the avatar A1 exists. . As the chat control module 234, the processor 10 transmits the player information acquired as described above to the server 150 via the network 19.

  In step S <b> 21 </ b> B, the processor 10 of the HMD system 100 </ b> B acquires player information of the user 190 </ b> B and transmits it to the server 150 in the same manner as in step S <b> 21 </ b> A.

  In step S22, the server 150 temporarily stores player information received from each of the plurality of HMD systems 100 (here, the HMD systems 100A and 100B). The server 150 integrates the player information of all users (in this example, the users 190A and 190B) associated with the common virtual space 2 based on the user ID and room ID included in each player information. Then, the server 150 transmits the integrated player information to all users associated with the virtual space 2 at a predetermined timing. Thereby, a synchronous process is performed. By such synchronization processing, the HMD systems 100A and 100B can share each other's player information at substantially the same timing.

  Subsequently, based on the player information transmitted from the server 150 to the HMD systems 100A and 100B, the HMD systems 100A and 100B execute the processes of steps S23A and S23B. The process of step S23A corresponds to the process of step S9 in FIG.

  In step S23A, the processor 10 in the HMD system 100A controls the movements of the avatars A1 and A2 and the player characters C1 and C2 in the virtual space 2 as the virtual object control module 232. The process of step S23B is the same as the process of step S23A.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of step S23A. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, the processing content of step S23A (basic motion control for the avatar and the player character) will be described.

  In step S <b> 31, the processor 10 acquires player information (audio data, movement information, and controller information) for each user 190 </ b> A, 190 </ b> B from the server 150.

  In step S32, the processor 10 controls the operations of the avatars A1 and A2 based on the movement information (direction data and eye tracking data) included in the player information of each user 190A and 190B. For example, the processor 10 changes the orientation of the heads of the corresponding avatars A1 and A2 based on the orientation data of the users 190A and 190B. Further, the processor 10 blinks the corresponding avatars A1 and A2 or changes the line-of-sight directions of the avatars A1 and A2 based on the eye tracking data of the users 190A and 190B. The processor 10 also uses the HMD devices 110A and 110B of the controllers 160A and 160B in the real space based on the position information of the HMD devices 110A and 110B included in the motion information and the position information of the controllers 160A and 160B included in the controller information. The relative position with respect to is calculated. Then, the processor 10 determines the positions of the controller objects VC1 and VC2 held by the respective avatars A1 and A2 based on the relative positions. For example, the processor 10 determines that the relative positions of the controllers 160A and 160B in the real space with respect to the HMD devices 110A and 110B coincide with the relative positions of the controller objects VC1 and VC2 in the virtual space 2 with respect to the heads of the avatars A1 and A2. The controller objects VC1 and VC2 are arranged in the virtual space 2. Further, the processor 10 determines the positions of the hand objects VH1 and VH2 of the avatars A1 and A2 based on the positions of the controller objects VC1 and VC2 thus determined. For example, the processor 10 arranges the hand objects VH1 and VH2 so that the hand objects VH1 and VH2 hold both sides of the controller objects VC1 and VC2 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

  In step S33, the processor 10 controls the movement of the player characters C1 and C2 based on the controller information included in the player information of each user 190A and 190B. For example, the processor 10 changes the positions of the player characters C1 and C2 based on the contents (operation information) of the input operation to the controllers 160A and 160B, or performs a specific action (for example, an action of throwing a bomb and an action of defending). ).

  Through the motion control as described above, the motions of the users 190A and 190B (here, head and eye motions) and the motions corresponding to the input operations on the controllers 160A and 160B are applied to the avatars A1 and A2 and the player characters C1 and C2. Can be reflected. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, the process of step S33 may be executed prior to the process of step S32, or may be executed concurrently with the process of step S32.

[First Modification]
Then, the 1st modification of this embodiment is demonstrated. The first modification is configured to switch between a first operation mode in which a player character is operated based on an input operation on the controller 160 and a second operation mode in which an avatar is operated based on an input operation on the controller 160. Have Hereinafter, the motion control of the avatar and the player character in the first modification will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing executed instead of the flowchart shown in FIG. 14 in the present modification.

  In step S41, the processor 10 acquires the player information of each user 190A, 190B from the server 150, similarly to the process of step S31.

  In steps S <b> 42 to S <b> 45, the processor 10 determines an operation mode to be applied for each user, and performs motion control according to the applied operation mode for each user's avatar and player character.

  In step S42, the processor 10 selects a user to be determined (here, the user 190A as an example).

  In step S43, the processor 10 determines an operation mode to be applied to the determination target user 190A. For example, the processor 10 determines the operation mode to be applied based on whether or not a predetermined input operation has been performed on the controller 160A. For example, when the pressing operation of the touch pad 164 is a predetermined input operation, the first operation mode and the second operation mode may be switched every time the touch pad 164 is pressed once. In this case, the processor 10 can determine the operation mode to be applied based on information indicating the current operation mode (for example, information held in the memory module 240) and the controller information of the user 190A. For example, when the above-described predetermined input operation (here, pressing operation of the touch pad 164) is included in the operation information included in the controller information, the processor 10 is different from the current operation mode. The operation mode can be determined as the operation mode to be applied. On the other hand, when the predetermined input operation is not included in the operation information, the processor 10 can determine the current operation mode as the operation mode to be continuously applied.

  In step S43, the processor 10 may determine the operation mode to be applied based on the state of the controller 160A. In this case, the processor 10 may specify the position or inclination of the controller 160A by referring to the state information included in the controller information of the user 190A. For example, the processor 10 determines whether or not the inclination of the controller 160A (for example, an inclination angle based on when the upper surface of the controller 160A is parallel to the horizontal plane) is a predetermined value or more. Then, the processor 10 may determine that the state of the controller 160A is the first state held by both hands by the user 190A when the inclination of the controller 160A is less than a predetermined value. On the other hand, when the inclination of the controller 160A is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the processor 10 may determine that the state of the controller 160A is the second state held by the user 190A with one hand. When it is determined that the state of the controller 160A is the first state, the processor 10 determines the first operation mode as the mode to be applied, and when the state of the controller 160A is determined to be the second state. Alternatively, the second operation mode may be determined as a mode to be applied. According to this, the user 190A can operate the player character C1 in the first operation mode in which the player character C1 can be operated and the avatar A1 in accordance with the holding state of the controller 160A (that is, the state of being held with both hands or the one hand). It is possible to intuitively switch between the two operation modes.

  In step S43, the processor 10 may determine the operation mode to be applied based on the relative position of the controller 160A to the HMD device 110A. For example, the processor 10 determines whether or not the controller 160A is located at a position higher than the height position of the head on the left side or the right side of the head of the user 190A based on the relative position. it can. Then, when it is determined that the controller 160A is in the state, the processor 10 may determine that the state of the controller 160A is the second state (a one-handed state).

  Further, when the operation mode is switched based on a predetermined input operation by the user 190A to the controller 160A, the state determination of the controller 160A described above may be used in combination. For example, the processor 10 determines that the state of the controller 160A is the second state (one-handed state) based on the determination as described above, and performs a predetermined input operation (for example, the upper button 167 of the upper button 167). The operation mode may be switched when a pressing operation or the like is performed. Thus, according to the configuration in which the operation mode is switched when predetermined conditions are satisfied for both the input operation to the controller 160A and the state of the controller 160A, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an erroneous operation related to the switching of the operation mode. By suppressing the occurrence of operation mode switching not intended by the user 190A, the usability of the user 190A can be improved.

  When it is determined that the first operation mode is applied (step S43: YES), in step S44, the processor 10 performs the operation of the avatar A1 based on the motion information of the user 190A, similarly to the process in step S32 described above. (Head direction, eye movement, etc.) are controlled. Further, the processor 10 controls the action of the player character C1 based on the controller information of the user 190A, similarly to the process in step S33 described above.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the second operation mode is applied (step S43: NO), in step S45, the processor 10 moves the avatar A1 based on the movement information and the controller information of the user 190A (head direction). And eye movement etc.). Further, the processor 10 controls the movement of the virtual body part of the avatar A1 based on the controller information of the user 190A. When the second operation mode is applied when the state of the controller 160A is the second state (one-handed state), the processor 10 has the hand (left hand or right hand) of the user 190A holding the controller 160A. You may control operation | movement of hand object VH1 of avatar A1 linked | related to. For example, when the hand of the user 190A holding the controller 160A is the right hand, the processor 10 may cause the hand object VH1 corresponding to the right hand portion of the avatar A1 to execute a predetermined action. Whether the controller 160A is held by the left hand or the right hand can be grasped based on the detected tilt of the controller 160A or the content of the input operation to the controller 160A. For example, since it is necessary to operate the controller 160A with the left hand (right hand) in order to press the upper button 167L (167R), when the pressing operation of the upper button 167L (167R) is detected, the controller 160A It can be determined that it is held by (right hand).

  The operation to be executed by the avatar A1 by the above-described operation control may be determined in accordance with, for example, an input operation (for example, pressing of the operation button 163) on the controller 160A by the hand of the user 190A holding the controller 160A. . In this case, the operation of the avatar A1 may be controlled by the following two-step operation. That is, when the processor 10 detects that the controller 160A is in the second state, the processor 10 applies the second operation mode and changes the state of the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1 to a predetermined state. May be. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the predetermined state is a state where a bomb is held in the hand. Thereafter, when detecting a predetermined input operation (for example, pressing of the operation button 163) on the controller 160A, the processor 10 may cause the hand object VH1 to perform an operation of throwing a bomb. For example, as the virtual object control module 232, the processor 10 blows a bomb that is a kind of target object in a direction instructed by the user 190A by an input operation on the controller 160A. Then, the processor 10 calculates a trajectory of the bomb by executing a physical calculation based on environmental conditions (gravity, air resistance, etc.) associated with the virtual space 2 in advance, and moves the bomb along the trajectory.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation control of the avatar A1 in the second operation mode. The example shown in FIG. 16 represents a state in which the hand object VH1 corresponding to the right hand portion of the avatar A1 throws the bomb B2 into the game field F by the above-described motion control of the avatar A1. Thus, the user 190A can cause the avatar A1 to intervene in the game by switching the operation mode to the second operation mode. That is, as in this example, the user 190A can support his player character C1 by operating the avatar A1. For example, even when the player character C1 becomes unable to fight (or temporarily paralyzed, etc.), the user 190A continues to intervene in the game by operating the avatar A1 by switching the operation mode to the second operation mode. be able to.

  In step S46, the processor 10 determines whether or not the process has been completed for all users sharing the virtual space 2, and ends the process when it is determined that the process has been completed for all users. Thereby, according to the operation mode applied to each user, the motion of each user's avatar and player character is controlled.

  In the first modified example, when the first operation mode is applied to the user 190A, in the view images M1 and M2 provided to the users 190A and 190B, the avatar A1 uses the controller object VC1 as the hand object VH1. It is displayed in the mode that is held by. Thereby, each user 190A, 190B can grasp intuitively that the 1st operation mode is applied to user 190A based on the display contents of field-of-view images M1, M2.

  On the other hand, when the second operation mode is applied to the user 190A, the controller object VC1 is not displayed in the view images M1 and M2 provided to the users 190A and 190B, and the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1 is It is displayed in a manner corresponding to the input operation for 160A (see FIG. 16). Thereby, each user 190A, 190B can grasp intuitively that the 2nd operation mode is applied to user 190A based on the display contents of field-of-view images M1, M2.

  In the first modification, the operation mode to be applied may be determined from among a plurality of operation modes including operation modes other than the first operation mode and the second operation mode. As an operation mode other than the first operation mode and the second operation mode, for example, an operation mode in which a predetermined menu screen is displayed on the view field image and a predetermined item on the menu screen is selected and operated can be considered.

[Second Modification]
Then, the 2nd modification of this embodiment is demonstrated. The second modification has a configuration capable of switching between a first viewpoint mode in which the virtual camera 1 is associated with the viewpoint of the avatar and a second viewpoint mode in which the virtual camera 1 is associated with the viewpoint of the player character.

  Specifically, the processor 10 determines the viewpoint mode to be applied as part of the process of step S10 in FIG. 10, and generates view field image data for displaying a view field image according to the determined viewpoint mode. Then, the generated view field image data is output to the HMD device 110. Hereinafter, the processing in the second modification will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of step S10 in FIG. 10 executed in the present modification.

  In step S51, the processor 10 determines which of the first viewpoint mode and the second viewpoint mode is to be applied. Here, the viewpoint mode is similar to the switching of the operation mode described above, and includes a predetermined input operation (for example, pressing of a predetermined operation button 163) on the controller 160A and a state (position, inclination, etc.) of the controller 160A. Switching can be based on at least one. That is, the user 190A can freely switch the viewpoint by performing a predetermined input operation on the controller 160A or by setting the controller 160A to a predetermined state (for example, a one-handed state). it can. Information indicating the viewpoint mode currently applied can be held in the memory module 240. In this case, the processor 10 can determine the viewpoint mode to be applied by referring to the memory module 240.

  When it is determined that the first viewpoint mode is applied (step S51: YES), in step S52, the processor 10 is associated with the viewpoint of the avatar A1 based on the virtual camera 1A to which the first viewpoint mode is applied. The view image data for displaying the view image (see the view image M1 shown in FIG. 12) is generated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the second viewpoint mode is applied (step S51: NO), in step S53, the processor 10 determines the viewpoint of the player character C1 based on the virtual camera 1A to which the second viewpoint mode is applied. The view image data for displaying the view image associated with is generated. Here, the viewpoint of the player character C1 may be a first-person viewpoint of the player character C1, or a third-person viewpoint captured from slightly behind the player character C1.

  As described above, normally, the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 is controlled based on the eye tracking data of the user 190A. However, when the second viewpoint mode is applied, the user 190A is viewing the inside of the virtual space 2 from the viewpoint of the player character C1 instead of the viewpoint of the avatar A1. Therefore, the gaze direction of the user 190A in the real space in this case should be reflected on the player character C1, and should not be reflected on the avatar A1. However, unless a special process is executed, even if the second viewpoint mode is applied, the line-of-sight direction of the user 190A in the real space is reflected in the avatar A1. For this reason, when the avatar A1 is included in the field-of-view image M2 provided to another user (here, the user 190B), the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 in the field-of-view image M2 is a direction that the user 190A does not actually see. There is a risk of facing. Such a situation is not preferable because it may give the user 190B a sense of incongruity and impair the user 190B's sense of immersion in the virtual space 2. In addition, since incorrect information is notified to the user 190B, the direction in which the avatar A1 is viewing (that is, the direction in which the user 190A is viewing) is important information in playing the game. Appropriate game progress can be hindered.

  Therefore, in the present modification, when the second viewpoint mode is applied, the processor 10 is connected to the computer 200 (that is, the processor 10 of the HMD system 100B) connected to the HMD device 110B worn by the user 190B. Thus, auxiliary information for specifying the position where the user 190A is looking through the viewpoint of the player character C1 may be output. For example, the processor 10 may transmit the auxiliary information to the server 150 as part of the player information described above. Thereby, the processor 10 of the HMD system 100B can appropriately express the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 in the view field image M2 based on the auxiliary information.

  The auxiliary information is, for example, information for specifying a position (hereinafter referred to as “attention point”) that the user 190A is looking through the viewpoint of the player character C1. The attention point can be specified based on the eye tracking data of the user 190A and the viewpoint position in the virtual space 2 (that is, the viewpoint position of the player character C1). For example, the processor 10 specifies the line-of-sight direction with the position of the virtual camera 1A to which the second viewpoint mode is applied (the viewpoint position of the player character C1) as the reference position based on the eye tracking data. Then, the processor 10 specifies a virtual object ahead of the line-of-sight direction (that is, a target that the user 190A is actually paying attention through the viewpoint of the player character C1), and the line-of-sight direction and the virtual object are determined. The intersecting position is specified as a point of interest. Then, the processor 10 may generate information indicating the attention point (for example, coordinate data) as auxiliary information. On the other hand, when the virtual object does not exist beyond the line of sight of the player character C1, the processor 10 specifies the intersection position between the line of sight of the player character C1 and the celestial virtual space image 22 (see FIG. 4) as a point of interest. Also good. Alternatively, when the line of sight of the player character C1 and a predetermined reference plane (for example, the ground defined in the virtual space 2) intersect, the processor 10 may specify the intersection position as a point of interest.

  The auxiliary information may not be information directly indicating the attention point, but may be information used for specifying the attention point. For example, the auxiliary information may be set information of the eye tracking data of the user 190A and the viewpoint position of the player character C1. In this case, the processor 10 of the HMD system 100B that has received the auxiliary information can identify the attention point based on the auxiliary information. Alternatively, the server 150 that first receives the player information may identify a point of interest based on auxiliary information included in the player information, and transmit information indicating the identified point of interest to the HMD system 100B. In this case, the process for specifying the attention point can be performed collectively on the server 150 side.

  Hereinafter, the process executed by the HMD system 100B in the second modification will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a part of the process corresponding to the process of step S10 of FIG. 10 executed on the HMD system 100B side. In the description of this flowchart, “processor 10” refers to the processor 10 of the HMD system 100B unless otherwise specified.

  In step S61, the processor 10 determines whether or not auxiliary information has been acquired from the HMD system 100A. For example, the processor 10 can execute the above-described determination based on whether or not the information corresponding to the auxiliary information is included in the player information of the user 190A.

  If it is determined that the auxiliary information has been acquired (step S61: YES), in step S62, the processor 10 determines the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 based on the auxiliary information. For example, when the auxiliary information is information indicating the attention point described above, the processor 10 determines the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 so as to face the attention point. As a result, a view field image M2 in which the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 is appropriately expressed is provided to the user 190B so that the user 190A actually faces the position viewed through the player character C1.

  On the other hand, when it is not determined that the auxiliary information has been acquired (step S61: NO), the processor 10 can determine that the user 190A is using the first viewpoint mode. For this reason, in step S63, the processor 10 determines the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 based on the eye tracking data of the user 190A as usual.

  19 and 20 are diagrams illustrating examples of the virtual space 2 and the view field image M2 when the control illustrated in FIG. 18 is executed, respectively. As shown in FIG. 19, when the second viewpoint mode is applied to the virtual camera 1A of the user 190A, the virtual camera 1A is associated with the viewpoint of the player character C1. In this example, the user 190A is looking at a target (player character C2) ahead of the line-of-sight direction E1 through the viewpoint of the player character C1. That is, in this example, the position where the player character C2 and the line-of-sight direction E1 intersect corresponds to the attention point described above.

  On the HMD system 100B side, if the gaze direction of the avatar A1 is determined based on the eye tracking data of the user 190A, the gaze direction of the avatar A1 is expressed to be parallel to the gaze direction E1 of the player character C1. . However, as described above, when the view field image M2 expressed as such is provided to the user 190B, the user 190B may be uncomfortable. Therefore, in the present modification, the control shown in FIG. 18 is executed on the HMD system 100B side. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 20, in the view field image M2 provided to the user 190B, the line-of-sight direction E2 of the avatar A1 is expressed so as to face the player character C2 based on the auxiliary information.

  As described above, the auxiliary information is sent from the HMD system 100A to which the second viewpoint mode is applied to the other HMD system 100B, so that the HMD system 100B determines the line-of-sight direction of the avatar A1 based on the auxiliary information. Can be determined appropriately. With such a configuration, even when one user 190A switches the viewpoint mode to the second viewpoint mode, the other user 190B can be moved to the virtual space 2 without feeling uncomfortable with the other user 190B. It is possible to prevent the sense of immersion from being impaired. In other words, from the opposite viewpoint, even if the second user 190B applies the second viewpoint mode to the other user 190A, the other user 190A focuses on the target of the other user 190A. It is possible to accurately grasp the line-of-sight direction E2 of the avatar A1.

  Further, for example, when the virtual space 2 is shared by three or more users and the game field F is wide, one user can find a place that is rising in the game based on the direction of the line of sight of other users. A situation may be envisaged to be found. According to the control of the viewing direction of the avatar based on the auxiliary information described above, the viewing direction of the user's avatar to which the second viewpoint mode is applied is appropriately expressed. For this reason, each user easily grasps the place where the other user is using the viewpoint direction of the other user's avatar as a clue, regardless of which viewpoint mode the other user is using. be able to.

  In the second modification, when a predetermined condition is established in the virtual space 2, the viewpoint mode associated with the condition may be forcibly applied. For example, when the processor 10 determines that the player character C1 has become unable to battle (predetermined state) when the second viewpoint mode is applied to the user 190A, the processor 10 changes from the second viewpoint mode to the first viewpoint mode. You may forcibly switch to According to this, when the player character C1 becomes inoperable, the viewpoint can be forcibly returned to the operable avatar A1. As a result, the user 190A can play the game smoothly. The trigger for forcibly switching the viewpoint mode is not limited to the above example. For example, the processor 10 may forcibly switch from the first viewpoint mode to the second viewpoint mode when a predetermined event occurs when the first viewpoint mode is applied to the user 190A.

  Further, an applied viewpoint mode may be determined from among a plurality of viewpoint modes including viewpoint modes other than the first viewpoint mode and the second viewpoint mode. As an operation mode other than the first viewpoint mode and the second viewpoint mode, for example, a viewpoint mode in which these objects are looked down from above the avatar and the player character can be considered.

[Third Modification]
Then, the 3rd modification of this embodiment is demonstrated. The third modified example switches between a first mode in which the motion of the left and right hand object VH1 is determined based on the position of the controller 160A and a second mode in which the motion of the left and right hand object VH1 is determined separately on the left and right. It has a possible configuration. It should be noted that the motion control of the avatar hand object in this modification is a case where there is no player character in the virtual space 2 and only the avatar is present (for example, when only chatting via an avatar is performed). It is also applicable to.

  Hereinafter, the processing in the third modification will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing related to motion control of the avatar's hand object (that is, part of the processing in step S23A in FIG. 13) among the processing executed instead of the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 21, the processing other than the avatar's hand object and the player character's motion control are omitted.

  In step S <b> 71, the processor 10 acquires player information of each user 190 </ b> A, 190 </ b> B from the server 150 in the same manner as in step S <b> 31.

  In steps S <b> 72 to S <b> 75, the processor 10 determines a mode to be applied for each user, and performs motion control on the hand object of each user's avatar according to the applied mode.

  In step S72, the processor 10 selects a determination target user (here, the user 190A as an example).

  In step S73, the processor 10 determines a mode to be applied to the determination target user 190A. For example, the processor 10 can determine the mode to be applied by the same method as in the first modification (step S43 in FIG. 15).

  If it is determined that the first mode is applied (step S73: YES), in step S74, the processor 10 controls the movement of the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1 based on the position of the controller 160. For example, the processor 10 may arrange the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1 in the virtual space 2 based on the relative position of the controller 160 with respect to the HMD device 110A. Specifically, the processor 10 virtualizes the controller object VC1 so that the relative position of the controller 160A in the real space with respect to the HMD device 110A matches the relative position of the controller object VC1 in the virtual space 2 with respect to the head of the avatar A1. It may be arranged in the space 2. Then, the processor 10 may arrange the left and right hand objects VH1 so that the left and right hand objects VH1 hold both sides of the controller object VC1 thus determined. Thereby, when the first mode is applied, the hand object VH1 and the controller object VC1 can be moved in accordance with a change in the relative position of the controller 160 with respect to the HMD device 110A.

  According to the process in step S74, when the first mode is applied to the user 190A, in the view images M1 and M2 provided to the users 190A and 190B, the avatar A1 uses the controller object VC1 as the hand object VH1. It is displayed in the retained state. Thereby, each user 190A, 190B can grasp | ascertain intuitively that the 1st mode is applied to the user 190A based on the display content of the visual field images M1, M2.

  Further, since the controller object VC1 corresponding to the controller 160A is displayed in the view images M1 and M2, the type of the controller 160A used by the user 190A (for example, whether it is two-handed or one-handed) is set to another user. 190B can grasp. For example, among a plurality of users who share the virtual space 2, a highly functional controller that can accurately reflect the movement of the hand in the real space to the avatar (for example, a hand that is separately attached to the left and right hands and includes a motion sensor) There may be a user who uses the device. On the other hand, there may be a user who uses a low-spec controller (here, a two-handed controller) such as the controller 160 of the present embodiment. A user who uses such a low-spec controller cannot reflect the movement of the user's hand in the real space on the avatar. For this reason, the surrounding user may misunderstand that the user does not enjoy the virtual experience because the operation of the user's avatar is monotonous. Therefore, displaying the controller object in the view field image as described above and notifying other users of the controller specifications and the like can contribute to smooth communication in the virtual space.

  In addition, when the avatar A1 is expressed in a manner in which the controller object VC1 is held in the view image, such as when the controller object VC1 does not match the world view provided in the virtual space 2, each user feels uncomfortable. There can be a situation. Therefore, the processor 10 does not need to arrange the controller object VC1 while arranging the hand object VH1 in the virtual space 2. Further, whether or not to arrange the controller object VC1 may be switched by an explicit operation (for example, a predetermined operation on the controller 160) by the user 190A.

  When it is determined that the second mode is applied (step S73: NO), in step S75, the processor 10 determines the left and right hand objects VH1 separately for left and right. For example, the processor 10 specifies the specific position that the user 190A is paying attention to in the virtual space 2 by the method as described above based on the eye tracking data (gaze information) of the user 190A. Then, the processor 10 may operate the hand object VH1 so that one of the left and right hand objects VH1 points to a specific position.

  Alternatively, the processor 10 triggers the detection of a predetermined input operation with respect to the controller 160A as a trigger so that the hand object VH1 associated with the input operation among the left and right hand objects VH1 indicates a specific position. In addition, the movement of the hand object VH1 may be controlled. For example, the processor 10 operates the left hand object VH1 when the left upper button 167L of the controller 160A is pressed, and moves the right hand when the right upper button 167R of the controller 160A is pressed. The object VH1 may be operated.

  In step S76, the processor 10 determines whether or not the process has been completed for all users sharing the virtual space 2, and ends the process when it is determined that the process has been completed for all users. Thereby, according to the mode applied to each user, operation | movement of the hand object of each user's avatar is controlled.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of motion control of the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1 in the second mode. Specifically, FIG. 22 represents a state in which the hand object VH1 corresponding to the right hand of the avatar A1 points to the specific position P specified based on the line-of-sight direction E2 of the avatar A1 by the above-described motion control. . Accordingly, in a situation where the users 190A and 190B play a game in cooperation with each other, the user 190A causes the avatar A1 to perform a pointing action, thereby giving an instruction to the user 190B (for example, a target position to which the bomb B1 is applied). Instruction) can be issued. As described above, the user 190A actually operates the controller 160A with both hands, but executes a predetermined action (here, pointing) that is not interlocked with the hand movement of the actual user 190A on the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1. Can be made. As a result, even a user who does not have a high-spec controller equipped with a motion sensor or the like can communicate intuitively with other users in the virtual space 2. In particular, in a game played in cooperation with a plurality of users, the motion control of the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1 according to this modification is effective.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this indication was described, the technical scope of this invention should not be limitedly interpreted by description of this embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, the above-described processing related to the motion control of the avatar and the player character (the processing in step S9 in FIG. 10) may be executed only for an avatar or the like included in the view field image in the HMD system of each user. Thereby, the process for control regarding the avatar etc. which are not contained in a visual field image can be reduced. Note that whether or not an avatar or the like is included in the view image is based on whether or not an avatar or the like is included in the view area 23 determined based on the view direction specified by the process of step S6 in FIG. Can be determined.

  Also, part or all of the processing (steps S1 to S3, S6, S9, S10, etc. in FIG. 10) executed by the computer 200 (processor 10) of each HMD system 100 may be executed by the server 150. The computer 200 and the server 150 may be executed in a distributed manner. In this way, by bearing a part or all of the processing on the server 150 side, the processing amount on each HMD system 100 side can be reduced. In addition, the server 150 collectively processes processes that are common to the respective HMD systems 100, whereby the efficiency of the processes can be improved.

  Moreover, the form of the controller is not limited to the above-described controller 160 (see FIG. 8). For example, in the HMD system 100, a controller having a left and right controller that can be attached to and detached from the support member, such as a controller for Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), may be used. With reference to FIG. 23, a modified example (controller 260) of such a controller will be described. Hereinafter, an example of a method for determining a state (in particular, the above-described one-handed state and the two-handed state) when the controller 260 is used will be described. On the other hand, since the functions and roles of the various buttons of the controller 260 are the same as the functions and roles of the various buttons of the controller 160 described above, detailed description will not be repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the controller 260 includes a support member 261, a left controller 262, and a right controller 263. Each of the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 is provided with various buttons and the like for accepting the operation of the user 190. The left controller 262 and the right controller 263 are detachable by sliding with respect to the support member 261, respectively.

  FIG. 23A illustrates a state in which both the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 are mounted on the support member 261 (hereinafter “mounted state”). In the wearing state, the left controller 262 is operated with the left hand of the user 190, and the right controller 263 is operated with the right hand of the user 190. That is, the controller 260 in the mounted state is operated by the user 190 while being held with both hands as an integrated controller. Therefore, the processor 10 may associate the wearing state with the two-handed state described above. That is, the processor 10 may determine that the controller 260 is in the two-handed state described above when the controller 260 is in the mounted state.

  FIG. 23B shows a state where both the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 are not attached to the support member 261. Thus, in a state where at least one of the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 is not attached to the support member 261 (hereinafter, “non-attached state”), the user 190 makes the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 independent. Can be moved. For example, the user 190 can swing or shake only the right controller 263 over the head independently of the left controller 262. Therefore, the processor 10 may associate the non-wearing state with the one-handed state described above. That is, the processor 10 may determine that the controller 260 is in the above-described one-handed state when the controller 260 is not attached.

  Information indicating whether the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 are attached to the support member 261 can be notified from the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 to the processor 10 as part of the controller information described above. Thereby, the processor 10 can grasp | ascertain whether the controller 260 is a mounting state or a non-mounting state based on controller information. However, the state determination applicable to the controller 260 is not limited to the determination based on whether or not the wearing state. For example, the above-described state determination may be executed based on whether or not the controller 260 is in the mounted state and whether or not a predetermined button operation is performed. Further, the non-mounted state is not only the state where both the left controller 262 and the right controller 263 are not mounted on the support member 261 as shown in FIG. 23B, but only the left controller 262 is attached to the support member 261. The state where the right controller 263 is not attached to the support member 261 may be included.

The subject matter disclosed in the present specification is indicated as, for example, the following items.
(Item 1)
Information processing method executed by a computer (computer 200 or server 150) to provide virtual space 2 to a first user (user 190A) via a head mounted device (HMD device 110A) having a display unit (monitor 112) Because
A first avatar (avatar A1) associated with the first user and including a hand object VH1 representing a virtual hand, a second avatar (avatar A2) associated with the second user (user 190B), and the head Acquiring virtual space data defining a virtual space 2 including a virtual camera 1A defining a view image M1 provided to the mount device (for example, S1 in FIG. 10);
Based on at least one of a predetermined input operation on the controller 160A used by the first user and a state of the controller 160A, the movement of the left and right hand objects VH1 is determined based on the position of the controller 160A. Determining a mode to be applied from among a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode in which the movement of the hand object VH1 is determined separately on the left and right sides (for example, S73 in FIG. 21);
Providing the visual field image M1 defined by the virtual camera 1A to the first user via the head mounted device (for example, S10 in FIG. 10);
Including an information processing method.
According to the information processing method of this item, the first user uses the second mode, for example, while actually operating the controller 160A with both hands, the hand object VH1 of the avatar A1 is actually the first user. It is possible to execute an operation not linked with the movement of the hand. Thereby, the virtual experience of the first user using the controller 160A can be made richer.
(Item 2)
Acquiring gaze information (eye tracking data) for specifying the gaze direction of the first user (for example, S71 in FIG. 21);
When the second mode is applied, based on the line-of-sight information, the step of moving the left or right hand object VH1 (for example, S75 in FIG. 21);
Further including
Item 1. Information processing method.
According to the information processing method of this item, the first user can move the hand object VH1 based on the line-of-sight direction while operating the controller 160A.
(Item 3)
In the step of moving, the hand object VH1 is moved so as to point to a specific position in the virtual space specified based on the line-of-sight information.
Item 2. Information processing method.
According to the information processing method of this item, the first user can cause the hand object VH1 to perform an action indicating a specific position based on the line-of-sight direction. Therefore, an intuitive virtual experience can be provided to the first user while operating the controller 160A.
(Item 4)
In the visual field image M1, when the first mode is applied, the left and right hand objects VH1 are displayed in a manner in which a virtual controller corresponding to the controller 160A is held with both hands.
The information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 3.
According to the information processing method of this item, the first user can intuitively grasp that the first mode is applied based on the display content of the view field image M1.
(Item 5)
In the view field image M1, a controller object VC1 representing the virtual controller is displayed.
Item 4. Information processing method.
According to the information processing method of this item, the 1st user can grasp | ascertain more intuitively that the 1st mode is applied based on the display content of the visual field image M1.
(Item 6)
In the view image M1, the controller object VC1 representing the virtual controller is not displayed.
Item 4. Information processing method.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to prevent the world view of the virtual space from being damaged by not displaying the controller object VC1 in the view image M1.
(Item 7)
Further including a step of acquiring state information for specifying the tilt and position of the controller 160A (eg, S71 in FIG. 21);
In the determining step (for example, S73 of FIG. 21), the applied mode is determined based on at least the state information.
The information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 6.
According to the information processing method of this item, the first user can intuitively determine the mode based on the inclination and position of the controller 160A.
(Item 8)
A program that causes a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of Items 1 to 7.
(Item 9)
An apparatus comprising at least a memory (memory module 240) and a processor (processor 10) coupled to the memory, wherein the information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 7 is executed under the control of the processor.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Virtual camera, 2 ... Virtual space, 5 ... Base line of sight, 10 ... Processor, 11 ... Memory, 12 ... Storage, 13 ... Input / output interface, 14 ... Communication interface, 15 ... Bus, 19 ... Network, 21 ... Center, 22 ... Virtual space image, 23 ... Field of view, 24, 25 ... Region, 100, 100A, 100B ... HMD system, 110, 110A, 110B ... HMD device, 112 ... Monitor, 114 ... Sensor, 118 ... Microphone, 120 ... HMD Sensor, 140 ... Gaze sensor, 150 ... Server, 160, 160A, 160B, 260 ... Controller, 190, 190A, 190B ... User, 200 ... Computer, 220 ... Display control module, 221 ... Virtual camera control module, 222 ... View field Decision module, 223 ... view image generation module 224 ... reference gaze identification module, 230 ... virtual space control module, 231 ... virtual space definition module, 232 ... virtual object control module, 233 ... controller information acquisition module, 234 ... chat control module, 240 ... memory module, 241 ... Spatial information, 242 ... Object information, 243 ... User information, 250 ... Communication control module, A1, A2 ... Avatar, B1, B2 ... Bomb, C1, C2 ... Player character, F ... Game field, M1, M2 ... View image , VC1, VC2 ... controller object, VH1, VH2 ... hand object.

Claims (9)

An information processing method executed by a computer to provide a virtual space to a first user via a head mounted device including a display unit,
A first avatar associated with the first user and including a hand object representing a virtual hand, a second avatar associated with the second user, and a virtual camera defining a view field image provided to the head mounted device Obtaining virtual space data defining a virtual space including:
A first mode in which movements of the left and right hand objects are determined based on the position of the controller based on at least one of a predetermined input operation on the controller used by the first user and a state of the controller; Determining a mode to be applied from a plurality of modes including a second mode in which the movement of the hand object is determined separately on the left and right sides;
Providing the field-of-view image defined by the virtual camera to the first user via the head mounted device;
Including an information processing method. Obtaining line-of-sight information for identifying the line-of-sight direction of the first user;
Moving the left or right hand object based on the line-of-sight information when the second mode is applied;
Further including
The information processing method according to claim 1. In the step of moving, the hand object is moved so as to point to a specific position in the virtual space specified based on the line-of-sight information.
The information processing method according to claim 2. In the field-of-view image, when the first mode is applied, the left and right hand objects are displayed in a manner in which a virtual controller corresponding to the controller is held with both hands.
The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the view field image, a controller object representing the virtual controller is displayed.
The information processing method according to claim 4. In the view image, a controller object representing the virtual controller is not displayed.
The information processing method according to claim 4. Further comprising obtaining status information for identifying the tilt and position of the controller;
In the determining step, determining the applied mode based at least on the state information;
The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The program which makes a computer perform the information processing method as described in any one of Claims 1-7.   An apparatus comprising: at least a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the information processing method according to claim 1 is executed under the control of the processor.