JP2019017483A - Information processing method, device, and program for causing computer to execute the information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve entertainment properties of a virtual experience in a virtual space.SOLUTION: An information processing method executed by a first computer to provide a virtual space to a first user through a head mounted device includes: a step for generating motion data indicating a movement when the movement of a movable object from a first character object corresponding to the first user is detected; a step for generating a first view image based on virtual space data and the motion data, and causing a display part to display the first view image; and a step for, by transmitting the motion data to one or more second computers corresponding to one or more second users, causing each of the one or more second computers to display a second view image synchronized with the first view image based on the motion data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

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.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which two users can throw a virtual ball back and forth and each user can observe the influence of the other user on the virtual world.

Special table 2014-513367 gazette

  In a virtual space where a movable object such as a virtual ball appears, the effect of the movable object that moves in response to a user operation can affect the entertainment properties of the virtual space.

  Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing method and apparatus capable of improving the entertainment property of a virtual experience in a virtual space, and a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method.

  According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method executed by a first computer corresponding to a first user in order to provide a virtual space to the first user via a head mounted device including a display unit. Provided. The information processing method includes generating virtual space data defining a virtual space including a movable object associated with a first character object corresponding to a first user, and detecting movement of the movable object from the first character object. And a step of generating motion data indicating the movement, a step of generating a first view image based on the virtual space data and the motion data, and displaying the first view image on a display unit; By transmitting the operation data to one or more second computers corresponding to the second user, the second view image synchronized with the first view image is displayed on each of the one or more second computers based on the operation data. And a step of causing.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing method and apparatus that can improve the entertainment property of a virtual experience in a virtual space, 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 sequence diagram showing the process which HMD system 100A according to a certain embodiment performs. It is a figure which represents typically an example of the virtual space 2 according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the visual field image provided by the HMD apparatus 110 according to an embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the visual field image provided by the HMD apparatus 110 according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the mesh type network according to a certain embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing the synchronization of the movable object 315 according to an embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing the synchronization of the movable object 315 according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart showing control of the movable object 315 by the master side according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of the difference in the position of the movable object 315 between a master and a slave.

  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 (user terminal), an HMD sensor 120, a controller 160, and a computer 200. The HMD device 110 includes a display 112, a camera 116, a microphone 118, and a gaze sensor 140. The controller 160 can include a motion sensor 130.

  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 display 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 display 112 is realized as a non-transmissive display device, for example. In one aspect, the display 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 display 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, an image of a menu that can be selected by the user, and the like. In an embodiment, the display 112 may be realized as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display included in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal. The display 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 display 112 may include a sub-display for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub-display for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the display 112 may be configured to display a right-eye image and a left-eye image together. In this case, the display 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 camera 116 acquires a face image of the user wearing the HMD device 110. The face image acquired by the camera 116 can be used to detect the user's facial expression through image analysis processing. The camera 116 may be, for example, an infrared camera built in the main body of the HMD device 110 in order to detect pupil movement, eyelid opening / closing, eyebrow movement, and the like. Alternatively, the camera 116 may be an external camera disposed outside the HMD device 110 as shown in FIG. 1 in order to detect movements of the user's mouth, cheeks, and jaws. The camera 116 may be configured by both the infrared camera and the external camera described above.

  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 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 the movement of the HMD device 110. The HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 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 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 by executing image analysis processing using image information of the HMD device 110 output from the camera.

  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 can be composed of one or more computer devices. The server 150 may have a hardware configuration (processor, memory, storage, etc.) 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 another aspect, the controller 160 is configured to be attachable to the body of the user 190 or a part of clothing. 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 in order to control the position and movement of an object arranged in the virtual space.

  In one aspect, the motion sensor 130 is attached to the user's hand and detects the movement of the user's hand. For example, the motion sensor 130 detects the rotation speed, rotation speed, etc. of the hand. The detected signal is sent to the computer 200. The motion sensor 130 is provided in a glove-type controller 160, for example. In some embodiments, for safety in real space, it is desirable that the controller 160 be mounted on something that does not fly easily by being mounted on the hand of the user 190, such as a glove shape. In another aspect, a sensor that is not worn by the user 190 may detect the hand movement of the user 190. For example, a signal from a camera that captures the user 190 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal representing the operation of the user 190. The motion sensor 130 and the computer 200 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly. In the case of wireless communication, the communication form is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other known communication methods are used.

[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 with the HMD device 110, the HMD sensor 120, or the motion sensor 130. 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 an input of a signal output from the motion sensor 130. 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 display 112 based on the signal.

  The server 150 is connected to each control device of the HMD system 100 via the network 19. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the server 150 connects a plurality of HMD systems 100 including the HMD systems 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D 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. Each HMD system 100 has the same configuration. For example, the HMD system 100A of the user 190A has an HMD device 110A and a computer 200A. The HMD system 100B of the user 190B has an HMD device 110B and a computer 200B. The HMD system 100C of the user 190C has an HMD device 110C and a computer 200C. The HMD system 100D of the user 190D has an HMD device 110D and a computer 200D. However, each HMD system 100 may be a different model, or may have different performance (processing performance, detection performance related to detection of user action, 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 display 112 may function as the computer 200. Although four HMD systems 100A to 100D are shown in FIG. 2, the number of HMD systems 100 may be any number as long as it is plural.

  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. Each position in the virtual space 2 is uniquely specified by a coordinate value in the XYZ 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 inclination 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 display 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 causing the display 112 to display a view field image 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 a virtual object described later is arranged between the virtual camera 1 and the virtual space image 22 in the view field area 23, the view object image includes the virtual object. That is, in the view field image, the virtual object on the near side of the virtual space image 22 is displayed superimposed on the virtual space image 22. 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 display 112 is updated to an image that is superimposed on the view region 23 in the virtual space 2 in the direction in which the user faces in the virtual space image 22. The user can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 2.

  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, a view field region 23 in the virtual space 2) projected on the display 112 of the HMD device 110 based on the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. That is, the visual field (view) 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.

  As shown in the state (A) of FIG. 8, in one aspect, the controller 160 may include a right controller 160R and a left controller (not shown). The right controller 160R is operated with the right hand of the user 190. The left controller is operated with the left hand of the user 190. In one aspect, the right controller 160R and the left controller are configured symmetrically as separate devices. Therefore, the user 190 can freely move the right hand holding the right controller 160R and the left hand holding the left controller. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be an integrated controller that receives operations of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 160R will be described.

  The right controller 160R includes a grip 30, a frame 31, and a top surface 32. The grip 30 is configured to be held by the right hand of the user 190. For example, the grip 30 can be held by the palm of the right hand of the user 190 and three fingers (middle finger, ring finger, little finger).

  The grip 30 includes buttons 33 and 34 and a motion sensor 130. The button 33 is disposed on the side surface of the grip 30 and receives an operation with the middle finger of the right hand. The button 34 is disposed in front of the grip 30 and accepts an operation with the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, the buttons 33 and 34 are configured as trigger buttons. The motion sensor 130 is built in the housing of the grip 30. Note that when the operation of the user 190 can be detected from around the user 190 by a camera or other device, the grip 30 may not include the motion sensor 130.

  The frame 31 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 35 arranged along the circumferential direction. The infrared LED 35 emits infrared light in accordance with the progress of the program during the execution of the program using the controller 160. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 35 can be used to detect the positions and postures (tilt, orientation), etc., of the right controller 160R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, infrared LEDs 35 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. An array of one or more columns may be used.

  The top surface 32 includes buttons 36 and 37 and an analog stick 38. The buttons 36 and 37 are configured as push buttons. The buttons 36 and 37 receive an operation with the thumb of the right hand of the user 190. In one aspect, the analog stick 38 accepts an operation in an arbitrary direction of 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position). The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object arranged in the virtual space 2.

  In one aspect, the right controller 160R and the left controller include a battery for driving the infrared LED 35 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 right controller 160R and the left controller may be connected to a USB interface of the computer 200, for example. In this case, the right controller 160R and the left controller do not require batteries.

  As shown in the state (A) and the state (B) of FIG. 8, for example, the yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined for the right hand 810 of the user 190. When the user 190 extends the thumb and index finger, the direction in which the thumb extends is the yaw direction, the direction in which the index finger extends is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the yaw direction axis and the roll direction axis is the pitch direction. Is defined as

[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, and a synchronization module 233 as submodules.

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

  In one aspect, the display control module 220 controls image display on the display 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 display 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 virtual object that is a virtual object placed in the virtual space 2 based on object information 242 described later. The virtual object control module 232 also controls the movement (movement, state change, etc.) of the virtual object in the virtual space 2.

  The virtual object is an entire object arranged in the virtual space 2. In the following description, when there is no misunderstanding, the virtual object is simply expressed as “object”. The virtual objects may include, for example, forests, mountains and other landscapes, animals, etc. that are arranged according to the progress of the game story. The virtual object may include a character object such as an avatar as a substitute for the user 190 in the virtual space 2 and a game character (player character) operated by the user 190. One character object corresponds to one user 190, in other words, one character object is associated with one user 190.

  Furthermore, the virtual object may also include a movable object that can be operated by the user 190 via the character object. In the virtual space 2, the movable object is associated with a specific character object (user) and can move with the character object, or can move without being associated with any character object (user). As an example, assuming that the movable object is a ball, when the character object grabs the ball, the ball is associated with the character object, and when the character object moves, the ball moves together. When the character object releases the ball, the association is released and the ball moves independently of any character object (eg, falls, flies, etc.). As another example, assume that the movable object is a ball and the character object has a bat. When the character object hits the ball with the bat, the ball is associated with the character object while the ball is in contact with the bat. When the ball leaves the bat, the association is broken and the ball moves independently of any character object (eg, falls, flies, etc.). Therefore, the association between the character object and the movable object is not limited to the case where the character object and the movable object directly collide with each other. The character object and the movable object are also associated with each other even when an indirect collision occurs such that the tool (for example, bat) that the character object has and the movable object collide with each other.

  The virtual space control module 230 detects the collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 2 collides with another object. The virtual space control module 230 can detect, for example, a timing when a certain object touches another object, 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. In the present disclosure, when the virtual space control module 230 detects a direct or indirect collision between a character object and a movable object, the virtual space control module 230 associates the movable object with the character object. Thereafter, when the movable object leaves the character object, the virtual space control module 230 cancels the association.

  The synchronization module 233 transmits or receives motion data indicating movement of the movable object in order to synchronize the virtual space 2 including the movable object and the visual field image. Since the movement of the movable object is an example of the movement of the virtual object, the movement data is generated by the virtual object control module 232. Synchronizing refers to a process of matching the state (for example, position and motion) of each virtual object in the virtual space 2 (in each view field image) between the plurality of HMD systems 100. Note that it is not essential to synchronize all virtual objects in the virtual space 2, and some virtual objects may not be synchronized. For example, the synchronization may not be executed for a virtual object that is necessary only for one user 190 and not necessary for another user 190. Further, it is not essential to synchronize the virtual object in the entire time from the start to the end of the virtual space 2, and the virtual object may not be synchronized in a certain time zone.

  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. The object information 242 may also include attribute information indicating attributes associated with each object. Examples of the attribute information of the object include information indicating the type of the object (for example, an avatar) and information indicating whether the object is a movable object (movable object) or a fixed object (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 sequence diagram showing processing executed by the HMD system 100A used by the user 190A to provide the virtual space 2 to the user 190A. Similar processing is executed in the other HMD systems 100B, 100C, and 100D.

  In step S <b> 1, the processor 10 of the computer 200 specifies the virtual space image data (virtual space image 22) constituting the background of the virtual space 2 as the virtual space definition module 231, and defines the virtual space 2. The processor 10 generates virtual space data that defines the virtual space 2.

  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 in the virtual space 2 in the work area of the memory, and directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 1 in the direction in which the user 190 is 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 processor 10 generates view field image data based on at least the virtual space data. 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 display 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 110A 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 tilt 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 S6, the processor 10 uses the visual field direction determination module 222 to determine the visual field direction (that is, the position and tilt of the virtual camera 1) of the user 190A wearing the HMD device 110A based on the position and tilt of the HMD device 110A. Identify. 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. In another aspect, the controller 160 detects the operation of both hands of the user 190A (for example, shaking both hands). A signal indicating the detected content is sent to the computer 200.

  In step S8, the processor 10 transmits or receives the motion data of the virtual object as the synchronization module 233. One of the plurality of computers 200 actively manages the operation of the virtual object, and transmits the operation data to the other computer 200. The remaining computer 200 receives the motion data and passively controls the motion of the virtual object. In the present disclosure, a side that transmits motion data of a movable object is also referred to as a “master”, and a side that receives the motion data is also referred to as a “slave”.

  In step S <b> 9, the processor 10 controls the operation of each virtual object as the virtual object control module 232. In one aspect, the processor 10 controls at least one of the character object and the movable object.

  In step S10, the processor 10 generates view image data for displaying the view image based on the processing result of step S9 and the virtual space data as the view image generation module 223, and the generated view image data is the HMD device 110. Output to.

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

  The processes in steps S5 to S11 are repeatedly executed periodically.

[Synchronization between HMD systems]
FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. In this example, the virtual space 2 is a character object 311 associated with the user 190A wearing the HMD device 110A, a character object 312 associated with the user 190B wearing the HMD device 110B, and a user wearing the HMD device 110C. The character object 313 associated with 190C and the character object 314 associated with the user 190D wearing the HMD device 110D are included. Therefore, this virtual space 2 is common to the four users 190A to 190D. Each user 190 </ b> A to 190 </ b> D can experience a common virtual world with other users in this common virtual space 2, and perform communication such as chat. In this example, character objects 311 to 314 are playing baseball, character object 311 is a pitcher, character object 312 is a batter, and character objects 313 and 314 are infielders.

  Further, the virtual space 2 includes a ball as a movable object 315. FIG. 11 shows a situation where the pitcher is holding the ball, which means that the movable object 315 is associated with the character object 311. The character object associated with the movable object 315 in the virtual space 2 can change. For example, when the batter's bat hits the ball, the movable object 315 is associated with the character object 312, and when any infielder catches the ball, the movable object 315 is associated with the character object 313 or 314. It is done. While the thrown or hit ball flies or rolls, the movable object 315 is not associated with any character object.

  The visual fields of the character objects 311 to 314 correspond to the visual fields of the virtual camera 1 in the HMD systems 100A to 100D, respectively. Accordingly, a view image at the first person viewpoint is provided to each of the users 190A to 190D.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a field-of-view image provided by HMD device 110 according to an embodiment. A state (A) in FIG. 12 is a view field image 300A in the first person viewpoint of the character object 311 corresponding to the user 190A. The view image 300A represents a pitching motion of the character object 311 and represents a scene where the movable object (ball) 315 is about to leave the right hand of the character object 311. In this state (A), the association between the character object 311 and the movable object 315 is still maintained, but the association is about to be released soon. The state (B) is the view image 300B in the first person viewpoint of the character object 312 corresponding to the user 190B. The state (C) is the view image 300C in the first person viewpoint of the character object 313 corresponding to the user 190C. The state (D) is the visual field image 300D at the first person viewpoint of the character object 314 corresponding to the user 190D. These four view images 300A, 300B, 300C, and 300D are synchronized with each other. Therefore, each user 190 shares the scene where the character object 311 is about to throw the movable object 315 at the same time.

  FIG. 13 is also a diagram illustrating an example of a field-of-view image provided by HMD device 110 according to an embodiment. A state (A) in FIG. 13 is a view image 300A in the first person viewpoint of the character object 311 corresponding to the user 190A. The view image 300A represents a situation immediately after the state (A) of FIG. 12, and specifically represents a scene in which the movable object 315 thrown by the character object 311 is moving toward the character object 312. In the state (A) of FIG. 13, the association between the character object 311 and the movable object 315 has already been released, and the movable object 315 is not associated with any character object. A state (B) in FIG. 13 is a view image 300B in the first person viewpoint of the character object 312 corresponding to the user 190B. A state (C) in FIG. 13 is a view image 300C in the first person viewpoint of the character object 313 corresponding to the user 190C. The state (D) in FIG. 13 is a view image 300D in the first person viewpoint of the character object 314 corresponding to the user 190D. Four view images 300A, 300B, 300C, and 300D shown in FIG. 13 are also synchronized with each other. Therefore, each user 190 also shares a scene where the movable object 315 is flying toward the character object 312 at the same time.

  In the present disclosure, a plurality of HMD systems 100 (more specifically, a plurality of computers 200) corresponding to a plurality of users 190 sharing the virtual space 2 directly communicate with each other without going through the server 150. To synchronize virtual objects. The network topology for realizing this data communication is not limited, but may be, for example, a mesh type network. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mesh network according to an embodiment. In this example, each computer 200 of each HMD system 100 is directly connected to all the computers 200 of other HMD systems 100. For example, the computer 200A of the HMD system 100A is connected to each of the computers 200B, 200C, and 200D of other HMD systems 100B, 100C, and 100D. The connection method between the computers 200 is not limited, and may be a wireless network or a wired network.

  In order to synchronize a virtual object among a plurality of HMD systems 100, one computer 200 functions as a master and transmits motion data of the virtual object to another computer 200. The other computer 200 functions as a slave, and generates the state of the virtual object by processing the motion data received from the master.

  In the present disclosure, the synchronization of the character object corresponding to a certain user 190 is realized by the computer 200 corresponding to the user 190 functioning as a master. In the example in FIGS. 12 and 13, the motion of the character object 311 is synchronized by the computer 200A transmitting motion data to the other computers 200B, 200C, and 200D. That is, the synchronization of the character object 311 is realized by the computer 200A functioning as a master and the computers 200B, 200C, and 200D functioning as slaves. Similarly, the synchronization of the character objects 312, 313, and 314 is realized by the computers 200B, 200C, and 200D functioning as masters.

  The movable object can be operated by the user 190 via the character object, but is not an object corresponding to the user 190. The movable object may be associated with a specific character object or may not be associated with any character object. That is, the movable object is an object whose owner is indefinite. In the present disclosure, when a movable object is associated with a specific character object, the computer 200 corresponding to the character object functions as a master and transmits motion data of the movable object to another computer 200. Thereafter, even when the association between the movable object and the character object is released (that is, even when the movable object is separated from the character object), the character last associated with the movable object in a predetermined period of time. The computer 200 corresponding to the object continues to function as a master.

  The synchronization of the movable object 315 in the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described. Although the character object 311 is about to throw the movable object 315 in FIG. 12, the movable object 315 is still associated with the character object 311 at this time. Therefore, the computer 200A corresponding to the character object 311 transmits the motion data of the movable object 315 to the other computers 200B, 200C, and 200D. Of course, the computer 200A outputs the field-of-view image 300A shown in FIG. The computers 200B, 200C, and 200D receive and process the operation data to output view images 300B, 300C, and 300D shown in FIG.

  When the movable object 315 moves away from the character object 311, the association between the character object 311 and the movable object 315 is released, and the view field image 300A changes to the state (A) in FIG. Even after the association is released, the computer 200A corresponding to the character object 311 continues to transmit the motion data of the movable object 315 to the other computers 200B, 200C, and 200D. The computers 200B, 200C, and 200D receive and process the operation data to output view images 300B, 300C, and 300D that are synchronized with the view image 300A shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the present disclosure, the synchronization of the movable object is performed between the HMD systems 100 (computers 200) of the individual users 190 without using the server 150.

  The synchronization of the movable object 315 between the plurality of HMD systems 100 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIGS. 15 and 16 are sequence diagrams showing synchronization of movable object 315 according to an embodiment, and more specifically, processing corresponding to view images 300A to 300D shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

  In step S <b> 21, the processor 10 of each HMD system 100 functions as the virtual space definition module 231 and the view image generation module 223 and outputs a view image indicating the common virtual space 2. This process can correspond to steps S1, S3, and S4 in FIG. Each processor 10 reads at least one type of information from the memory module 240 among the space information 241, the object information 242, and the user information 243. Subsequently, each processor 10 defines the virtual space 2 by generating virtual space data defining the virtual space 2 based on the read information. Alternatively, each processor 10 is also based on programs and data (information on virtual space image data, drawing of objects, initial arrangement, etc.) downloaded in advance from a computer (for example, server 150) operated by a provider that provides content. Virtual space data may be generated. Subsequently, each processor 10 generates view image data for displaying an initial view image based on the virtual space data, and outputs (transmits) the view image data to the corresponding HMD device 110. Each HMD device 110 processes the view image data and displays a view image.

  In step S21, the processor 10A of the HMD system 100A outputs a visual field image 300A including at least the character object 311. The processor 10B of the HMD system 100B outputs a view field image 300B including at least the character object 312. The processor 10C of the HMD system 100C outputs a view field image 300C including at least the character object 313. The processor 10D of the HMD system 100D outputs a view field image 300D including at least the character object 314. It is assumed that a movable object 315 is also present in the virtual space 2.

  In step S22, the processor 10A functions as the virtual space control module 230, detects a collision between the character object 311 and the movable object 315, and associates these objects with each other. For example, the processor 10 </ b> A performs this association when the character object 311 grabs the movable object 315 in the virtual space 2.

  In step S23, the processor 10A transmits motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315 associated with the character object 311 to the HMD systems 100B, 100C, and 100D. First, the processor 10A functions as the virtual object control module 232 and generates motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315. Next, the processor 10A functions as the synchronization module 233 and transmits the operation data to the computers 200B, 200C, and 200D. Each of the processors 10B, 10C, and 10D functions as the synchronization module 233 and receives the operation data. These processes may correspond to step S8 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 24, each processor 10 functions as the virtual object control module 232 and the view image generation module 223, and outputs a view image indicating the operation of the movable object 315. This process may correspond to steps S9 to S11 in FIG.

  The processor 10A functioning as a master controls a new motion of the movable object 315 based on the generated motion data. Subsequently, the processor 10A generates view image data for displaying the new movement, and outputs (transmits) the view image data to the HMD device 110A. The HMD device 110A processes the view image data and updates the view image 300A.

  The processor 10B functioning as a slave controls a new motion of the movable object 315 based on the received motion data. Subsequently, the processor 10B generates view image data for displaying the new movement, and outputs (transmits) the view image data to the HMD device 110B. The HMD device 110B processes the view image data and updates the view image 300B. The processors 10C and 10D also perform the same processing as the processor 10B as slaves, and update the view images 300C and 300D, respectively.

  The processes in steps S23 and S24 can be repeatedly executed.

  When step S <b> 24 is executed, the common virtual space 2 is displayed on each HMD system 100 in the form of synchronization among the plurality of HMD systems 100. For example, the view images 300A to 300D (scenes where the movable object 315 is about to leave the character object 311) shown in FIG. 12 are displayed on the HMD devices 110A to 110D, respectively.

  In step S <b> 25, the processor 10 </ b> A functions as the virtual space control module 230 and detects that the movable object 315 has moved from the character object 311. Then, the processor 10A releases the association between the character object 311 and the movable object 315. For example, the processor 10 </ b> A releases the association when the movable object 315 is separated from the hand of the character object 311 in the virtual space 2.

  In step S26, the processor 10A transmits motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315 moved from the character object 311 to the HMD systems 100B, 100C, and 100D. The processor 10A generates motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315, and transmits the motion data to the computers 200B, 200C, and 200D. Each of the processors 10B, 10C, and 10D receives the operation data. These processes may correspond to step S8 in FIG.

  Step S27 is similar to step S24, and therefore can correspond to steps S9 to S11 in FIG. When the process of step S27 is executed, the updated operation of the movable object 315 in the common virtual space 2 is displayed on each HMD system 100 in a form in which the plurality of HMD systems 100 are synchronized. For example, the view images 300A to 300D (scenes where the movable object 315 away from the character object 311 is moving toward the character object 312) shown in FIG. 13 are displayed on the HMD devices 110A to 110D, respectively.

  The processes in steps S26 and S27 can be repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals while satisfying predetermined conditions. In one aspect, the processor 10A detects a movement of the movable object 315 until an arbitrary point in time before the movable object 315 is associated with the character object corresponding to another user (other computer 200). Steps S26 and S27 may be repeated.

  Subsequent processing will be described with reference to FIG. When the movable object 315 away from the character object 311 is associated with another character object, the HMD system 100 corresponding to the other object functions as a master and actively manages the movement of the movable object 315. In the example of FIG. 16, the HMD system 100B (computer 200B and processor 10B) functions as a master.

  In step S28, the processor 10B functions as the virtual space control module 230, detects a collision between the character object 312 and the movable object 315, and associates these objects with each other. For example, the processor 10 </ b> B executes this association at the moment when the character object 312 hits the movable object 315 with a bat in the virtual space 2.

  In step S29, the processor 10B transmits motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315 associated with the character object 312 to the HMD systems 100A, 100C, and 100D. First, the processor 10B functions as the virtual object control module 232, and generates motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315. Next, the processor 10B functions as the synchronization module 233, and transmits the operation data to the computers 200A, 200C, and 200D. Each of the processors 10A, 10C, and 10D functions as the synchronization module 233 and receives the operation data. These processes may correspond to step S8 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 30, each processor 10 functions as the virtual object control module 232 and the view image generation module 223, and outputs a view image indicating the operation of the movable object 315. This process may correspond to steps S9 to S11 in FIG.

  The processor 10B functioning as a master controls a new motion of the movable object 315 based on the generated motion data. Subsequently, the processor 10B generates view image data for displaying the new movement, and outputs (transmits) the view image data to the HMD device 110B. The HMD device 110B processes the view image data and updates the view image 300B.

  The processor 10A functioning as a slave controls a new motion of the movable object 315 based on the received motion data. Subsequently, the processor 10A generates view image data for displaying the new movement, and outputs (transmits) the view image data to the HMD device 110A. The HMD device 110A processes the view image data and updates the view image 300A. The processors 10C and 10D also perform the same processing as the processor 10B as slaves, and update the view images 300C and 300D, respectively.

  By step S30, synchronization is maintained among the plurality of HMD systems 100. For example, the moment when the character object 312 hits the movable object 315 with a bat is displayed on each of the HMD devices 110A to 110D.

  The processes of steps S29 and S30 can be repeatedly executed.

  In step S <b> 31, the processor 10 </ b> B functions as the virtual space control module 230 and detects that the movable object 315 has moved from the character object 312. Then, the processor 10B releases the association between the character object 312 and the movable object 315. For example, the processor 10 </ b> B releases the association when the movable object 315 moves away from the bat of the character object 312 in the virtual space 2.

  In step S32, the processor 10B transmits motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315 moved from the character object 312 to the HMD systems 100A, 100C, and 100D. The processor 10B generates motion data indicating the motion of the movable object 315, and transmits the motion data to the computers 200A, 200C, and 200D. Each of the processors 10A, 10C, and 10D receives the operation data. These processes may correspond to step S8 in FIG.

  Step S33 is similar to step S30, and therefore can correspond to steps S9 to S11 in FIG. By this processing, synchronization is maintained among the plurality of HMD systems 100. For example, scenes where the movable object 315 away from the bat flies are displayed on the HMD devices 110A to 110D, respectively.

  The processes of steps S32 and S33 can be repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals while satisfying predetermined conditions. In an aspect, the processor 10B detects from the time when the movement of the movable object 315 is detected to any time before the movable object 315 is associated with the character object corresponding to the other user (other computer 200). Steps S32 and S33 may be repeated.

  In step S <b> 34, the processor 10 </ b> B executes the same process as in step S <b> 31 and detects the movement of the movable object 315 from the character object 311. In step S35, the processor 10B displays the operation after the update of the movable object 315 on the HMD device 110B by executing the same process as in step S33 without transmitting the operation data. As described above, when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, only the master computer 200 may update the movable object 315.

  Processing performed by the computer 200 functioning as a master will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing control of movable object 315 on the master side according to an embodiment.

  In step S41, the processor 10 serving as a master (hereinafter simply referred to as “processor 10”) functions as the virtual space control module 230, and detects the movement of the movable object 315 from the character object. This process may correspond to, for example, step S25 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 42, the processor 10 functions as the virtual object control module 232 and generates motion data indicating the movement of the movable object 315.

  In step S43, the processor 10 functions as the synchronization module 233 and determines whether to transmit operation data. If it is determined that the movable object 315 needs to be synchronized among the plurality of computers 200, the processor 10 determines to transmit motion data (YES in step S43). In this case, the processor 10 transmits the operation data to the other computer 200 in step S44. This process may correspond to, for example, step S26 in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no need to synchronize the movable object 315 (NO in step S43), the processor 10 omits the process of step S44.

  In step S45, the processor 10 functions as the virtual object control module 232, and updates the motion of the movable object based on the motion data. This process may correspond to, for example, step S27 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 46, the processor 10 functions as the view image generation module 223, generates view image data for displaying a new movement of the movable object 315, and outputs (transmits) the view image data to the HMD device 110. . The HMD device 110 processes the view image data and updates the view image. This process may correspond to, for example, step S27 in FIG.

  The processor 10 repeats steps S41 to S46 until the processor 10 determines to end the process of the movable object 315 in step S47.

  As described above, the master computer 200 (processor 10) may further update the operation of the movable object 315 in its own device without transmitting the operation data to the other computer 200.

  The specific method for determining the necessity of synchronization is not limited, and the master processor 10 may execute step S43 using any method. For example, the processor 10 may determine not to transmit motion data when the movable object 315 is associated with another character object corresponding to another user (another computer 200). Based on the position of the movable object 315 calculated by the own apparatus and the position of the other character object received from the other computer 200, the processor 10 determines whether or not these two objects collide. When the processor 10 determines that the two objects have collided, the processor 10 determines that the two objects are associated with each other, and stops transmitting the motion data.

  The master processor 10 may determine not to transmit motion data before the movable object 315 is associated with another character object corresponding to another user (another computer 200). For example, the processor 10 may determine the end timing of the movement data transmission of the movable object 315 based on the movement vector of the movable object 315. The processor 10 may end the transmission of the motion data when the magnitude of the movement vector (movement distance or speed) becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. The threshold value may be 0, or an arbitrary value greater than 0. Alternatively, the processor 10 may end the transmission of the operation data when the direction of the movement vector is fixed in a predetermined direction.

  As an example, a description will be given of determination of necessity of transmission of motion data when a view field image in which at least a part of the virtual space 2 is expressed by voxels is used. The processor 10 determines whether or not it is necessary to transmit motion data based on whether or not the movable object 315 moves from the current unit section to another unit section, using a unit section represented by a plurality of voxels as a reference. May be. Here, the voxel is a minimum drawing unit constituting a three-dimensional digital image, and is generally expressed as a cube. The unit section is a three-dimensional space generated by arranging a plurality of voxels. Therefore, determining whether or not the movable object 315 moves from the current unit section to another unit section is the same as determining whether or not the moving distance of the movable object 315 is equal to or less than the threshold value represented by the number of voxels. You can say that.

  The processor 10 obtains the current movement vector of the movable object 315 from the motion data. Further, the processor 10 specifies the unit section where the movable object 315 is currently located, and further specifies the position of the movable object 315 within the unit section. Subsequently, the processor 10 determines whether or not the movable object 315 moves from the current unit section to another unit section based on these movement vectors and positions. If it is determined that the movable object 315 moves to another unit section, the processor 10 transmits motion data to the other computer 200. On the other hand, when it is determined that the movable object does not move to another unit section (that is, even if it moves further, it finally stops in the current unit section), the processor 10 does not transmit the operation data.

  The slave processor 10 updates the motion of the movable object 315 only while motion data is sent from the master computer 200. In the view image provided by the master HMD system 100, even if the movable object 315 moves slightly in the unit section where the movable object 315 stops, the movement in the one unit section is not reflected in the slave HMD system 100. Therefore, there may be a slight difference between the master and the slave that can be ignored in the position of the movable object 315 in the view field image.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the difference in position of the movable object 315 between the master and the slave. The example of this figure corresponds to steps S33 to S35 in FIG. 16 and shows a scene where the movable object 315 moved from the character object 312 is about to stop at a certain point in the virtual space 2. The point and its surroundings are represented by three unit sections 401 to 403, and the movable object 315 entering the unit section 401 moves to the unit section 402 and finally stops in the unit section 403. When the movable object 315 moves from the unit section 401 to the unit section 402, the master processor 10B transmits the motion data of the movable object 315 to the other computers 200A, 200C, and 200C. Motion data is also transmitted from the master to the slave when the movable object 315 moves from the unit section 402 to the unit section 403.

  When the movable object 315 enters the unit section 403, the processor 10B obtains further movement of the movable object 315 in the unit section 403 and displays the movement on the view image 300B. However, since the processor 10B determines that the movable object 315 does not exit the unit section 403, the processor 10B does not transmit motion data corresponding to the motion to the other computers 200A, 200C, and 200D. Therefore, the motion of the movable object 315 is not displayed in the view images 300A, 300C, and 300D. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, there may be a difference in the final position of the movable object 315 between the master and the slave. However, this difference is less than the length of one side of the unit section and is so small that it does not affect the provision of the virtual space 2 to each user 190. By ignoring such a difference, the transmission of the operation data is completed early. Therefore, the amount of communication between computers 200 is reduced, and the processing load on each computer 200 due to the transmission of operation data is also reduced.

  As another example, the processor 10 may omit the transmission of motion data when the moving direction of the movable object 315 is parallel to one specific axis of the XYZ coordinate system. For example, when the movable object 315 bounces within a predetermined range (for example, within the dimension of the character object in the Y direction) parallel to the vertical direction (Y direction) at one point, the processor 10 Transmission may be omitted.

  When the master processor 10 determines not to transmit the motion data, the update of the motion of the movable object 315 in the own device may be terminated. In this case, the processing load on the master computer 200 is further reduced.

  The minimum drawing unit constituting the unit section is not limited to voxels, and may be polygons, for example.

[Modification]
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.

  When the communication network between the computers 200 is congested, there is a possibility that the slave computer 200 receives operation data from a plurality of computers for one movable object 315 due to communication delay or the like. In this case, the slave computer 200 (processor 10) may generate a view image using the motion data received from the computer 200 with the latest timing of sending the motion data indicating the movable object 315. Good. The processor 10 may determine the transmission timing of the previous operation data based on the transmission time included in the operation data, or may determine the reception timing of the previous operation data as the transmission timing. In this case, only one of the sent operation data is processed on the slave side, so that the processing load on the slave computer 200 is reduced. In addition, the probability that a field-of-view image can be generated so that a sense of incongruity does not occur in the movement of the movable object 315 increases.

  In the above embodiment, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user 190 is immersed by the HMD device 110 has been described as an example. However, as the HMD device 110, a transmissive HMD device may be employed. In this case, an augmented reality (AR) space or a composite image is output by outputting a visual field image obtained by synthesizing a part of an image constituting the virtual space to the real space visually recognized by the user 190 via the transmission type HMD device. A virtual experience in a Reality (MR) space may be provided to the user 190. In this case, the hand of the user 190 may be processed as all or part of the character object. Specifically, the processor 10 specifies the coordinate information of the position of the hand of the user 190 in the real space, and determines the position of the target object (for example, a movable object) in the virtual space 2 in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. It may be defined. Thereby, the processor 10 grasps the positional relationship between the hand of the user 190 in the real space and the target object in the virtual space 2, and performs processing corresponding to the above-described collision control between the hand of the user 190 and the target object. It becomes executable. As a result, it is possible to act on the target object based on the hand movement of the user 190.

  The subject matter disclosed in the present specification is indicated as, for example, the following items.

(Item 1)
In order to provide a virtual space (virtual space 2) to a first user (for example, user 190A) via a head mounted device (HMD device 110) having a display unit (display 112), a first corresponding to the first user is provided. An information processing method executed by a computer (for example, computer 200A),
Generating virtual space data defining the virtual space including a movable object (movable object 315) associated with a first character object (for example, character object 311) corresponding to the first user (for example, step of FIG. 10); S1 or step S21) of FIG.
When the movement of the movable object from the first character object is detected, generating action data indicating the movement (for example, step S26 in FIG. 15);
Generating a first visual field image (for example, a visual field image 300A) based on the virtual space data and the motion data, and displaying the first visual field image on the display unit (for example, step S27 in FIG. 15);
By transmitting the operation data to one or more second computers (for example, computers 200B, 200C, and 200D) corresponding to one or more second users (for example, users 190B, 190C, and 190D), the one or more second computers Each displaying a second visual field image (for example, visual field images 300B, 300C, 300D) synchronized with the first visual field image based on the operation data (for example, step S27 in FIG. 15). .

  According to the information processing method of this item, when the movable object moves from the first character object corresponding to the first computer, motion data indicating the movement is sent to another computer (second computer). Therefore, the second computer can display the second view image synchronized with the first view image by the first computer. Since the visual field images are synchronized among a plurality of computers, it is possible to improve the entertainment property of the virtual experience of the user in the virtual space.

  In the virtual space, there may be a movable object that moves regardless of the user operation or moves based on the user operation. When and how the association between the movable object and the character object operated by the user changes cannot be predicted. Conventionally, in order to synchronize such a movable object, a server tracks the movement of the movable object and transmits the movement to each user terminal. For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the server tracks the movement and position of the virtual ball, and communicates the exact position and timing of the arrival of the virtual ball to the user device.

  However, in the client-server type system, the synchronization process takes time, so the time required for updating the motion of the movable object also increases. When the processing speed is reduced, there is a possibility that the update frequency (frame rate) of the view image is reduced and the user gets VR sick. According to the information processing method of this item, since the motion data of the movable object is directly transmitted between the HMD systems (computers) of the individual users, the motion data is transmitted to each HMD system at a higher speed than when using a server. Is processed. As a result, the virtual space continues to be displayed smoothly, and VR sickness can be prevented.

  When transmitting / receiving motion data of a movable object using a computer without using a server, it is necessary to decide which computer will transmit motion data to another computer as a master. Although it is conceivable that one computer always functions as a master, in this case, the processing load of the master computer increases, causing inconveniences such as processing delay and communication delay in the master. This can cause the frequency of visual field image updates and VR sickness. According to the information processing method of this item, the computer corresponding to the character object last associated with the movable object functions as a master, so that the operation data transmission processing is distributed to a plurality of computers. As a result, the processing load is balanced among a plurality of computers and the processing load of the entire system is reduced, so that the update frequency of the visual field image is maintained at a high level, and VR sickness can be prevented.

(Item 2)
The motion data is generated from the time when the movement is detected to the time before the movable object is associated with the second character object (for example, the character object 312) corresponding to the second user (for example, the user 190B). Repeating the steps of: displaying the first field-of-view image; and transmitting the motion data.
Item 1. Information processing method.

  According to the information processing method of this item, until the movable object is associated with another character object (second character object), the computer corresponding to the character object associated with the movable object last repeats the motion data. Send. Therefore, the movable object can be kept synchronized in the virtual space.

(Item 3)
A step of determining an end timing of transmission of the motion data based on a movement vector of the movable object (step S43 in FIG. 17)
Information processing method for item 1 or 2 including:

  According to the information processing method of this item, since the transmission period of the motion data is determined in accordance with the motion of the movable object, the communication period and the number of times necessary for synchronization of the movable object can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to display a synchronized view field image with high update frequency while suppressing the processing load on each computer.

(Item 4)
A step of ending the transmission of the motion data when the moving distance of the movable object is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step S43 in FIG. 17).
Information processing method for item 3 including:

  According to the information processing method of this item, since the transmission of motion data is terminated when it is estimated that the movable object will not move much in the future, the communication period and the number of times necessary for synchronization of the movable object can be minimized. . Therefore, it is possible to display a synchronized view field image with high update frequency while suppressing the processing load on each computer.

(Item 5)
The predetermined threshold is represented by the number of minimum drawing units of the first view image.
Item 4. Information processing method.

  According to the information processing method of this item, the moving distance of the movable object and the threshold value for determining whether or not to transmit the motion data are represented by the number of minimum rendering units of the visual field image. Therefore, the movement of the movable object can be controlled. Therefore, it is possible to achieve appropriate synchronization for the view field image.

(Item 6)
A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 5.

(Item 7)
An apparatus comprising at least a memory (memory module 240) and a processor (processor 10) coupled to the memory, and executing the information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 5 under control of the processor.

(Item 8)
An information processing method executed by a first computer (for example, computer 200A) corresponding to a first user in order to provide a virtual space to the first user (for example, user 190A) via a head mounted device having a display unit. There,
Generating virtual space data defining the virtual space including a movable object (for example, step S1 in FIG. 10 or step S21 in FIG. 15);
Step of receiving movement data indicating movement of the movable object from a character object (character object 312) corresponding to a second user (for example, user 190B) from a second computer (for example, computer 200B) corresponding to the second user. (For example, S32 in FIG. 16),
Based on the virtual space data and the motion data, a first view image (for example, view image 300A) that is synchronized with a second view image (for example, view image 300B) displayed by the second computer is generated, and the display An information processing method including a step (for example, S33 in FIG. 16) of displaying the first view field image on the unit.

  According to the information processing method of this item, when a movable object moves from a character object corresponding to another computer (second computer), motion data indicating the movement is sent from the computer. Therefore, the computer (first computer) that has received the operation data can display the first view image synchronized with the second view image by the second computer. Since the visual field images are synchronized among a plurality of computers, it is possible to improve the entertainment property of the virtual experience of the user in the virtual space.

  According to the information processing method of this item, since the motion data of the movable object is directly transmitted between the HMD systems (computers) of the individual users, the motion data is transmitted to each HMD system at a higher speed than when using a server. Is processed. In addition, since the computer corresponding to the character object associated with the last movable object functions as a master, the operation data transmission process is distributed to a plurality of computers. As a result, the processing load is balanced among a plurality of computers, and the processing load of the entire system is reduced. Since these contribute to smooth display of the virtual space, VR sickness can be prevented.

(Item 9)
When the operation data is received from a plurality of the second computers, the step of generating the first visual field image using the operation data received from the second computer with the latest timing of sending the operation data. Information processing method for item 8 including:

  According to the information processing method of this item, since only one of the sent operation data is processed, the processing load on the computer is reduced. In addition, the probability that a field-of-view image can be generated so as not to cause a sense of incongruity in the movement of the movable object increases.

  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 ... Area, 30 ... Grip, 31 ... Frame, 32 ... Top, 33, 34, 36, 37 ... Button, 35 ... Infrared LED, 38 ... Analog stick, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D ... HMD system, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D ... HMD device, 112 ... display, 114 ... sensor, 116 ... camera, 118 ... microphone, 120 ... HMD sensor, 130 ... motion Sensor 140 ... Gaze sensor 150 ... Server 160 ... Control 160R ... right controller 190, 190A ... user, 200 ... computer, 220 ... display control module, 221 ... virtual camera control module, 222 ... view area determination module, 223 ... view image generation module, 224 ... reference line of sight identification module , 230 ... Virtual space control module, 231 ... Virtual space definition module, 232 ... Virtual object control module, 233 ... Synchronization module, 240 ... Memory module, 241 ... Spatial information, 242 ... Object information, 243 ... User information, 250 ... Communication Control module, 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D ... view image, 311 to 314 ... character object, 315 ... movable object, 401-403 ... unit section.

Claims (9)

An information processing method executed by a first computer corresponding to a first user in order to provide a virtual space to the first user via a head mounted device including a display unit,
Generating virtual space data defining the virtual space including a movable object associated with a first character object corresponding to the first user;
Generating movement data indicating the movement when the movement of the movable object from the first character object is detected;
Generating a first view image based on the virtual space data and the motion data, and displaying the first view image on the display unit;
By transmitting the operation data to one or more second computers corresponding to one or more second users, a second view image synchronized with the first view image is transmitted to each of the one or more second computers. An information processing method including a step of displaying based on operation data. The step of generating the motion data from the time when the movement is detected to the time before the movable object is associated with the second character object corresponding to the second user, and displaying the first view image And repeating the step of transmitting the operation data,
The information processing method according to claim 1. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of determining an end timing of transmission of the motion data based on a movement vector of the movable object. The information processing method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of ending the transmission of the motion data when a moving distance of the movable object becomes a predetermined threshold value or less. The predetermined threshold is represented by the number of minimum drawing units of the first view image.
The information processing method according to claim 4.   The program which makes a computer perform the information processing method as described in any one of Claims 1-5.   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. An information processing method executed by a first computer corresponding to a first user in order to provide a virtual space to the first user via a head mounted device including a display unit,
Generating virtual space data defining the virtual space including a movable object;
Receiving movement data indicating movement of the movable object from a character object corresponding to a second user from a second computer corresponding to the second user;
Generating a first view image synchronized with a second view image displayed by the second computer based on the virtual space data and the motion data, and causing the display unit to display the first view image; An information processing method including: When the operation data is received from a plurality of the second computers, the step of generating the first visual field image using the operation data received from the second computer with the latest timing of sending the operation data. The information processing method according to claim 8, including: