JP2019046455A - Method executed by computer to provide virtual experience, program and computer - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve virtual experience of a user.SOLUTION: A method executed by a computer to provide a user with virtual experience comprises the steps to: define a virtual space to provide the user with the virtual experience; move a virtual observing point in the virtual space in accordance with movement of a head of the user; move an operation object in the virtual space in accordance with the movement of a part of a body of the user; and update a state of an item used in the virtual space under a condition that the operation object is moved at least out of a field of vision from the virtual observing point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method, program and computer to provide a virtual experience.

  According to Patent Document 1 below, it is as if the user himself is fighting against an enemy object in the virtual space by operating the virtual hand and treating items such as a sword object used in the virtual space with the virtual hand A technique for providing users with a virtual experience such as is disclosed.

Patent No. 5996138 gazette

  However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the idea of how to update the state of an item used in a virtual space is not disclosed. Therefore, with the technology as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is room to improve the virtual experience that the user experiences virtually.

  The present disclosure aims to provide a computer implemented method, program and computer for providing a virtual experience that can improve the virtual experience of a user.

  According to one aspect the present disclosure illustrates, a computer implemented method for providing a virtual experience to a user, comprising: defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience; Moving the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space according to the movement of the user, moving the manipulation object in the virtual space according to the movement of the part of the user's body, and at least from the virtual viewpoint Updating the state of an item used in the virtual space on condition that the operation object is moved out of the range of view.

  According to the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method, program and computer can be provided to provide a virtual experience that can improve the virtual experience of a user.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an HMD system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an aspect. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an aspect of representing a virtual space according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view of the head of a user wearing the HMD device according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a YZ cross section in which the visibility region is viewed from the X direction in the virtual space. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an XZ cross section in which the visibility region is viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a controller according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram representing a computer according to an embodiment as a modular configuration. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing processing executed by the HMD system used by the user to provide the user with a virtual space. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of a user who holds the HMD apparatus and holds the controller. FIG. 11B is a view showing an example of the virtual camera, the left hand object, and the right hand object arranged in the virtual space in the state shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a view image in which the inside of the virtual space shown in FIG. 11B is represented by the view area of the virtual camera. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the user moves the right hand holding the controller to the vicinity of the right shoulder located out of the field of view of the user. FIG. 13B is a view showing an example of the virtual camera, the left hand object, and the right hand object arranged in the virtual space in the state shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a view image in which the inside of the virtual space shown in FIG. 13B is represented by the view area of the virtual camera. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the user holds the controller and moves the right hand into the field of view of the user while performing the selection operation. FIG. 15B is a view showing an example of the virtual camera, the left hand object, and the right hand object arranged in the virtual space in the state shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a view image in which the inside of the virtual space shown in FIG. 15 (B) is represented by the view area of the virtual camera. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the update process for updating the state of the item in the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the item activation process in the present embodiment. FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the user moves the right hand holding the controller out of the field of view of the user. FIG. 19B is a view showing an example of the virtual camera, the left hand object, and the right hand object arranged in the virtual space in the state shown in FIG. 19A. FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of a view image in which the inside of the virtual space shown in FIG. 19B is represented by the view area of the virtual camera. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the update process for updating the state of the item in the present embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a UI board, a left hand object, and a right hand object arranged in the virtual space and used to associate an item with the first area. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a specific object is selected by the right hand object. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the specific object is arranged in the second area by the right hand object. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the specific object is arranged in the second area. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the update process for updating the state of the item in the present embodiment.

<Details of Embodiment Shown by Present Disclosure>
Hereinafter, details of the embodiments indicated by the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are basically given the same reference numerals. For this reason, components that have already been described (components with reference numerals already described) will, in principle, not be repeated unless necessary.

[Configuration of HMD system]
The configuration of an HMD (Head Mount Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the 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, 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 may include the motion sensor 130.

  In one aspect, the computer 200 can connect to the Internet or other network 19 and can communicate with a server 150 or other computer 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 the user with virtual space during operation. More specifically, the HMD device 110 displays the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye on the display 112, respectively. When each eye of the user views each image, the user can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax of both eyes. The display 112 may be integrally configured with the HMD device 110 or may be separate.

  The display 112 is realized, for example, as a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the display 112 is disposed on the main body of the HMD device 110 so as to be located in front of the user's eyes. Therefore, when the user visually recognizes the three-dimensional image displayed on the display 112, the user can immerse in the virtual space. In one embodiment, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object, and an image of a user-selectable menu. In one embodiment, the display 112 can be realized as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display included in a so-called smart phone or other information display terminal.

  In one aspect, the display 112 can 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 integrally display an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye. In this case, the display 112 includes a high speed shutter. The high speed shutter operates so as to alternately display the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye so that the image is recognized only for 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 may be used to detect the user's expression by image analysis processing. The camera 116 may be, for example, an infrared camera built in the HMD device 110 in order to detect movement of the pupil, opening and closing of the eyelid, movement of the eyebrows, and the like. Alternatively, the camera 116 may be an external camera located outside the HMD device 110 as shown in FIG. 1 to detect movement of the user's mouth, cheeks, jaws, etc. Also, the camera 116 may be configured by both the infrared camera and the external camera described above.

  The microphone 118 acquires the voice emitted by the user. The speech acquired by the microphone 118 may be used to detect the user's emotions by speech analysis processing. The voice can also be used to give voice instructions to the virtual space. Further, the voice may be sent to the HMD system used by another user via the network 19 and the server 150 or the like, and may be output from a speaker or the like connected to the HMD system. Thereby, conversation (chat) between users sharing the virtual space is realized.

  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 light. The HMD sensor 120 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD device 110. The HMD sensor 120 uses this function to detect the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 in the physical space.

  In another aspect, the HMD sensor 120 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the position and the inclination of the HMD device 110 by executing the image analysis process using the 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. HMD device 110 may use sensor 114 to detect the position and tilt of HMD device 110 itself. 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 one of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 120 to position and tilt itself. Can be detected. As an example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects the angular velocity around three axes of the HMD device 110 in real space over time. The HMD device 110 calculates temporal changes in angles around the three axes of the HMD device 110 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates inclination of the HMD device 110 based on temporal changes in angles. The HMD device 110 may also include a transmissive display device. In this case, the transmissive display device may be configured as a temporary non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance thereof. In addition, an element for presenting a real space may be included on the view image displayed on the display 112. 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 the field of view can be set by setting the transmittance of part of the transmissive display device high. The real space may be visible from part of the image.

  The gaze sensor 140 detects the 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 sensor for the right eye and a sensor for the left eye. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that emits infrared light to the right and left eyes of the user 190, and detects the rotation angle of each eye by receiving reflected light from the cornea and iris to the irradiated light. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the gaze direction of the user 190 based on each detected rotation angle.

  The server 150 may send the program to the computer 200 to provide a virtual space for the user.

  Also, 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 to share a plurality of users in the same virtual space. Allows you to enjoy the game.

  The controller 160 receives an input of an instruction from the user 190 to the computer 200. In one aspect, controller 160 is configured to be graspable by user 190. In another aspect, the controller 160 is configured to be attachable to the body of the user 190 or a part of the clothing. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be configured to output vibration, sound, light, and / or light based on a signal sent from the computer 200. In another aspect, the controller 160 receives operations given by the user 190 to control the position, movement, etc. of objects placed in the space providing virtual reality.

  The motion sensor 130 is attached to the user's hand and detects movement of the user's hand in one aspect. For example, the motion sensor 130 detects the rotation speed, rotation speed, and the like of the hand. The detected signal is sent to the computer 200. The motion sensor 130 is provided, for example, in a glove-type controller 160. In one embodiment, for security in real space, the controller 160 is preferably worn like a glove type that does not easily fly by being worn on the hand of the user 190. In another aspect, a sensor not attached to the user 190 may detect hand movement of the user 190. For example, a signal of a camera that captures the user 190 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal representing an 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 a computer 200 according to an aspect. The computer 200 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, an input / output interface 13, and a communication interface 14 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 15 respectively.

  The processor 10 executes a series of instructions included in a program stored in the memory 11 or the storage 12 based on a signal supplied to the computer 200 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, the processor 10 is realized as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other devices.

  The memory 11 temporarily stores programs and data. The program and / or data is loaded from, for example, the storage 12. The 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 implemented as a random access memory (RAM) or another volatile memory.

  The storage 12 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 12 is implemented, for example, as a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or another non-volatile storage device. 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, objects, etc. for defining a virtual space.

  In another aspect, the storage 12 may be realized as a removable storage device like a memory card. In still another aspect, a configuration using programs 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, when a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used, such as an amusement facility, it is possible to perform updating of programs, data, etc. collectively.

  In one embodiment, input / output interface 13 communicates signals with HMD device 110, HMD sensor 120 or motion sensor 130. In one aspect, the input / output interface 13 is realized using a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Digital Visual Interface (DVI), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI (registered trademark)), and other terminals. The input / output interface 13 is not limited to the one described above.

  In one embodiment, input / output interface 13 may further communicate with 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, voice output or light emission according to the command.

  The communication interface 14 is connected to the network 19 to communicate with other computers (for example, the server 150) connected to the network 19. In one aspect, the communication interface 14 is implemented as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), an NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. Be done. The communication interface 14 is not limited to the one described 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 executable 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 the control devices of each of the plurality of HMD systems 100 via the network 19.

  Although the configuration in which the computer 200 is provided outside the HMD device 110 is shown in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the computer 200 may be incorporated in the HMD device 110 in another aspect. As one example, a portable information communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) including the display 112 may function as the computer 200.

  In addition, the computer 200 may be configured to be commonly used by a plurality of HMD devices 110. According to such a configuration, for example, since the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, 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 the present embodiment may be directly connected to the computer 200 by the input / output interface 13. In addition, each function of the server 150 in the present embodiment may be implemented in the computer 200.

  In one embodiment, in the HMD system 100, a global coordinate system is preset. The global coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) parallel to the vertical direction in real space, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the front-back direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the global coordinate system is one of viewpoint coordinate systems. Therefore, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical 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 and back direction of the real space.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 120 includes an infrared sensor. When an infrared sensor detects infrared light 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 physical 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 inclination 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 the visual point coordinate system when the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 views an object in the virtual space.

[Uvw view coordinate system]
The uvw view coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD device 110 according to an embodiment. The HMD sensor 120 detects the position and tilt 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 centered on the head of the user wearing the HMD device 110 (origin). More specifically, the HMD device 110 defines the global coordinate system in the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-back direction (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) around each axis of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system. The pitch direction (u axis), the yaw direction (v axis), and the roll direction (w axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD device 110 are newly obtained by inclining each direction about each axis by the inclination of Set as.

  In one aspect, when the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 stands upright and views the front, the processor 10 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system parallel to the global coordinate system to the HMD device 110. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), vertical direction (y-axis) and front-back direction (z-axis) in the global coordinate system are the pitch direction (u-axis) of the uvw view coordinate system in the HMD device 110 and the yaw direction (v Match the 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 (the amount of change in 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), the yaw angle (θv), and the roll angle (θw) of the HMD device 110 in the uvw view 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 view coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the yaw direction in the uvw view coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the roll direction in the uvw view coordinate system.

  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 based on the detected inclination angle of the HMD device 110. The relationship between the HMD device 110 and the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD device 110 is always constant regardless of the position and tilt of the HMD device 110. When the position and the inclination of the HMD device 110 change, the position and the 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 the inclination.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 120 detects the HMD based on the light intensity of the infrared light acquired based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between the plurality of points (for example, the distance between each point). The position of the device 110 in the physical space may be identified as a relative position to the HMD sensor 120. Also, 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 identified relative position.

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an aspect of representing virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 2 has an all-sky spherical structure that covers the entire 360-degree direction of the center 21. In FIG. 4, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 2 is illustrated so as not to complicate the description. In the virtual space 2, each mesh is defined. The position of each mesh is previously defined as coordinate values in the XYZ coordinate system defined in the virtual space 2. The computer 200 associates each element (for example, an object, a still image, a moving image, etc.) that can be developed (arranged) in the virtual space 2 with the mesh corresponding to the expanded position (arranged position) in the virtual space 2. Provides the user with a virtual space 2 in which virtual space elements that can be viewed by are expanded. The virtual space element is an element developed in the virtual space 2 and, for example, various objects (eg, objects operable by the user, objects operating based on a predetermined algorithm, objects not operating, etc.), It includes various images (background images, menu images selected by the user, photographs, moving images, etc.).

  In one aspect, in the virtual space 2, an XYZ coordinate system having a center 21 as an origin is defined. 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, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the 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-back direction) is parallel to the z-axis of the global coordinate system.

  When the HMD device 110 is activated, that is, in the initial state of the HMD device 110, the virtual camera 1 is disposed at the center 21 of the virtual space 2. The virtual camera 1 similarly moves in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD device 110 in the real space. Thereby, changes in the position and orientation of the HMD device 110 in the real space are similarly reproduced in the virtual space 2.

  As in the case of the HMD device 110, the uvw visual field coordinate system is defined in the virtual camera 1. The uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 is defined to interlock with the uvw view 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 may move in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user wearing the HMD device 110 in the real space, or according to the operation by the user 190 accepted by the controller 160 , May move.

  Since the direction of the virtual camera 1 is determined according to the position and the inclination of the virtual camera 1, the line of sight (reference line of sight 5) serving as a reference when the user views virtual space elements is determined according to the direction of the virtual camera 1 . However, the direction of the virtual camera 1 may be determined according to the line-of-sight direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140. The processor 10 of the computer 200 defines a view area 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 an object. The uvw view coordinate system of HMD device 110 is equivalent to the view coordinate system when user 190 views display 112. Further, the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is interlocked with the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to an aspect can regard the gaze direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 as the gaze direction of the user in the uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 1.

[User's gaze]
The determination of the user's gaze direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the head of a user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 according to one embodiment.

  In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 detects the gaze of each of the right eye and the left eye of the user 190. In one aspect, when the user 190 is looking close, the gaze sensor 140 detects the sight lines R1 and L1. In another aspect, if the user 190 is looking far, the gaze sensor 140 detects the gazes R2 and L2. In this case, the angle between the lines of sight R2 and L2 with respect to the roll direction w is smaller than the angle between the lines of sight R1 and L1 with respect to the direction of roll 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 detection result of the line of sight, the gaze point N1 which is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 is specified based on the detection values. On the other hand, when the computer 200 receives the detection values of the sight lines R2 and L2 from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the sight lines R2 and L2 as the gaze point. The computer 200 identifies the gaze direction N0 of the user 190 based on the identified position of the fixation point N1. The computer 200 detects, for example, 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 gaze point N1 is the line of sight direction N0. The gaze direction N0 is the direction in which the user 190 is actually pointing the gaze with both eyes. Further, the line-of-sight direction N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 190 actually points the line of sight with respect to the view area 23.

  Also, in another aspect, the HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast receiver 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 be provided with a communication circuit for connecting to the Internet, or a call function for connecting to a telephone line.

[View area]
The view area 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a YZ cross section of the virtual space 2 when the field of view 23 is viewed from the X direction. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an XZ cross section in which the visibility region 23 is viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the view area 23 in the YZ cross section includes the area 24. The area 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 centering on the reference gaze 5 in the virtual space 2 as a region 24.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the view area 23 in the XZ cross section includes the area 25. The area 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 centered on the reference gaze 5 in the virtual space 2 as a region 25.

  In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the virtual space to the user 190 by causing the display 112 to display a view image based on a signal from the computer 200. The view image is an image representing a virtual space element in the space corresponding to the view area 23 among virtual space elements developed in the virtual space 2. 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 view area 23 in the virtual space 2 changes. Thereby, the view image displayed on the display 112 is an image representing a virtual space element in the space corresponding to the view area 23 before the user 190 moves the HMD device 110 after the user 190 moves the HMD device 110. The image is updated to a virtual space element in the space corresponding to the view area 23 of The user can view a desired direction in the virtual space 2.

  While wearing the HMD device 110, the user 190 can visually recognize virtual space elements developed in the virtual space 2 without visually recognizing the real world. Therefore, the HMD system 100 can provide the user with a high sense of immersion in the virtual space 2.

  In one aspect, the processor 10 may move the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user 190 equipped with the HMD device 110 in the real space. In this case, the processor 10 specifies an image area (that is, a view area 23 in the virtual space 2) to be projected on the display 112 of the HMD device 110 based on the position and the orientation of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. That is, the virtual camera 1 defines the field of view of the user 190 in the virtual space 2.

  According to an embodiment, the virtual camera 1 desirably includes two virtual cameras, ie, a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye, and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. Further, it is preferable that appropriate parallaxes be set to 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 according to the present disclosure is illustrated as being configured to be adapted.

[controller]
An example of the controller 160 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram representing a schematic configuration of the controller 160 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in state (A) of FIG. 8, in one aspect, the controller 160 may include the right controller 160R and the left controller. The right controller 160R is operated by the right hand of the user 190. The left controller is operated by 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 the operation of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 160R will be described.

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

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

  The frame 31 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 35 disposed along the circumferential direction. The infrared LED 35 emits infrared light in accordance with the progress of the program while the program using the controller 160 is being executed. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 35 can be used to detect the position and attitude (tilt, orientation) of the right controller 160R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the infrared LEDs 35 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. One or three or more arrays may be used. In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the controller 160 is a controller that the user holds by hand, it is possible to detect the motion of the user's hand by detecting the position and orientation (tilt, orientation) of the controller 160. In addition, when the controller 160 can be attached to the body of the user 190 or a part of the clothes, the movement of the body or part of the user 190 is detected by detecting the position and posture (tilt, direction) of the controller 160. Can detect

  The top surface 32 includes buttons 36 and 37 and an analog stick 38. The buttons 36, 37 are configured as push-type buttons. Buttons 36 and 37 receive an operation by the thumb of the right hand of user 190. The analog stick 38 receives an operation in any direction 360 degrees from the initial position (the position of neutral) in a certain phase. 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 batteries for driving the infrared LED 35 and other members. The battery includes, but is not limited to, a rechargeable battery, a button battery, and a dry battery battery. In another aspect, the right controller 160R and the left controller may be connected to, for example, a USB interface of the computer 200. In this case, the right controller 160R and the left controller do not require a battery.

As shown in state (A) and state (B) of FIG. 8, for example, with respect to the right hand 810 of the user 190, yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined. When the user 190 stretches the thumb and forefinger, the extension direction of the thumb is the yaw direction, the extension direction of the forefinger is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the yaw and roll axes Defined as
[Control device of HMD device]

  The control device of the HMD device 110 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the controller is implemented by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 9 is a block diagram representing a computer 200 as a modular configuration according to one embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the computer 200 includes a main control module 220, a memory module 240, and a communication control module 250. The main control module 220 is, as sub-modules, a virtual space control module 221, a virtual camera control module 222, an object control module 223, a collision determination module 224, a parameter control module 225, a view image generation module 226, and display And a control module 227. However, the main control module 220 does not have to include all of the above-described modules, and may not include some of them.

  In one embodiment, main control module 220 is implemented by processor 10. In another embodiment, multiple processors 10 may operate as a main control module 220. The memory module 240 is realized by the memory 11 or the storage 12. The communication control module 250 is realized by the communication interface 14.

  The virtual space control module 221 controls the virtual space 2 provided to the user 190. In the present embodiment, the virtual space control module 221 specifies virtual space 2 in the HMD system 100 by specifying virtual space data representing the virtual space 2. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of virtual space elements such as the virtual camera 1, various objects, and a background image in the virtual space 2 will be described by way of an example where modules other than the virtual space control module 221 perform this. The virtual space control module 221 may perform this processing. In addition, arrangement of virtual space elements in the virtual space 2 may be performed on the entire virtual space 2 or limited to the view area 23 determined by the virtual camera control module 222 described later. It is also good.

  The virtual camera control module 222 arranges the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 and controls the operation of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera control module 222 can control the behavior, orientation, etc. of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 based on the orientation of the head of the user wearing the HMD device 110, ie, the movement of the HMD device 110. . That is, the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1 is defined based on the orientation of the head of the user wearing the HMD device 110. However, operation control of the virtual camera 1 is not limited to this. For example, it may be defined based on the key operation of the controller 160 by the user.

  The object control module 223 places an object in the virtual space 2 and controls the movement of the object in the virtual space 2. The object may be any virtual object that can be placed in the virtual space 2. Examples of the object include, but are not limited to, an operation object, a target object such as an item handled by the operation object, an enemy character, a background object, and the like.

  The operation object is an object that is associated with the user who wears the HMD device 110 and whose operation is controlled by the user. The operation object may be, for example, the player character itself associated with the user wearing the HMD device 110, or may be an object constituting a part of the body of the player character. The player character is a part of the virtual space 2 of the user wearing the HMD device 110, and may be referred to as an avatar. In the present embodiment, the case where the operation object is a virtual hand associated with the hand of the user wearing the HMD device 110, that is, a hand object constituting the hand of the player character will be described as an example. In this case, the object control module 223 operates the hand object based on the movement of the controller 160 held by the user or the key operation of the controller 160 by the user. However, the operation object is not limited to the hand object. For example, the operation object may not be a hand object, but may be a finger object (virtual finger), a foot object, a stick object corresponding to a stick used by the user, or the like. When the operation object is a finger object, in particular, the operation object corresponds to the part of the axis in the direction (axial direction) indicated by the finger. When the operation object is an object constituting a part of the player character's body, the presence or absence of the arrangement of the objects constituting the part other than the operation object among the various objects constituting the player character's body is It doesn't matter.

  The target object may be any object that is manipulated (handled) directly or indirectly by the operation object. The target object includes, for example, an item used in a virtual space. Items include virtual goods used in advancing the game. However, it does not matter whether the articles are tangible or intangible. For example, in an action game in which an enemy character is attacked or attacked by an enemy character, as an item, a weapon object for attacking the enemy character, a armor object for preventing an attack from the enemy character, etc. Examples include, but are not limited to. Examples of the weapon object include, but are not limited to, objects that imitate a gun, a sword, a whistle, a whistle, a bow, a hand grenade and the like. Examples of the armor object include, but are not limited to, objects imitating shields and scissors. Note that the weapon object and the armor object may activate their effects regardless of the parameters, such as contact with other objects, or activate their effects by consuming the associated parameters. It is also good. For example, if the weapon object is a gun object imitating a gun, the parameters associated with the gun object will be the remaining number of bullet objects fired from the gun object. In this case, the gun object consumes the bullet object if there are any remaining number of bullet objects and fires the bullet object.

  An enemy character is an object that affects and interacts with the player character. In the action game as described above, the enemy character may be, for example, an object that attacks the player character or is attacked by the player character. The enemy character may be an NPC (Non Player Character) whose operation is controlled by a predetermined program, or an object controlled by another user. Background objects may include, for example, landscapes, including forests, mountains, etc, arranged according to the progression of the game's story, animals, etc. The object control module 223 may control the non-operating objects while being arranged at the fixed position.

  The collision determination module 224 determines the collision between the objects by determining the collision (contact) of the collision area between the objects. The collision determination module 224 can detect, for example, the timing at which an object touches another object, or the timing at which the object is away from the touching state. In the present embodiment, the collision determination module 224 determines a collision between the operation object and various areas. Specifically, the collision determination module 224 determines the collision between the operation object and the various areas by determining the collision (contact) between the collision area set in the operation object and the various areas configured by the collision areas. judge.

  The parameter control module 225 controls various parameters. As described above, when the item is to activate the effect by consuming the associated parameter, the parameter control module 225 controls the remaining amount of the parameter in response to the activation of the item.

  The view image generation module 226 generates view image data to be displayed on the display 112 based on the view area 23 determined by the virtual camera control module 222. Specifically, the view image generation module 226 sets the view image data based on the view of the virtual camera 1 defined based on the movement of the virtual camera 1, the virtual space data specified by the virtual space control module 221, and the like. Generate

  The display control module 227 causes the display 112 of the HMD device 110 to display a view image based on the view image data generated by the view image generation module 226. For example, the display control module 227 causes the display 112 to display a view image by outputting the view image data generated by the view image generation module 226 to the HMD device 110.

  Memory module 240 holds data used by computer 200 to provide virtual space 2 to 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 to provide the virtual space 2. The object information 242 includes, for example, content to be reproduced in the virtual space 2, information for arranging an object used in the content, and other attribute information such as drawing data of the player character and its size information. There is. The content may include, for example, a game, content representing a scene similar to a real society, and the like. 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 using 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.

  Communication control module 250 may communicate with server 150 and other information communication devices via network 19.

  In one aspect, the main control module 220 can be implemented using, for example, Unity (registered trademark) provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the main control module 220 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that implement 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 hard disk or other memory module 240. The software may be stored in a CD-ROM or other computer readable non-volatile data storage medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or other network. Such software is temporarily stored in the memory module 240 after being read from the 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. Ru. The software is read by the processor 10 from the memory module 240 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 10 executes the program.

  The hardware constituting the computer 200 shown in FIG. 9 is general. Since the operation of the hardware of computer 200 is well known, the detailed description will not be repeated.

  Incidentally, the data recording medium is not limited to CD-ROM, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk, magnetic tape, cassette tape, optical disk (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) ), IC (Integrated Circuit) cards (including memory cards), optical cards, mask ROMs, EPROMs (erasable programmable read-only memories), EEPROMs (electrically erasable programmable read-only memories), semiconductor memories such as flash ROMs, etc. It may be a non-volatile data storage medium that carries a program fixedly.

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

Control structure
The control structure of the computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing processing executed by the HMD system 100 used by the user 190 to provide the virtual space 2 to the user 190.

  In step S1, the processor 10 of the computer 200 specifies virtual space data as the virtual space control module 221, and defines the virtual space 2. Also, the processor 10 arranges various objects in the virtual space 2 as the object control module 223. The virtual space control module 221 controllably defines the operation in the virtual space 2.

  In step S2, the processor 10 initializes the virtual camera 1 as the virtual camera control module 222. For example, in the work area of the memory, the processor 10 arranges the virtual camera 1 at a predetermined center point in the virtual space 2 and directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 1 in the direction in which the user 190 is facing.

  In step S3, the processor 10 generates visibility image data for displaying an initial visibility image as the visibility image generation module 226. The display control module 227 transmits (outputs) the generated view image data to the HMD device 110 via the communication control module 250.

  In step S4, the display 112 of the HMD device 110 displays a view image based on the view image data received from the computer 200. The user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 can recognize the virtual space 2 when viewing the view image.

  In step S5, the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 based on the plurality of infrared light beams emitted from the HMD device 110. The detection result is sent to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

  In step S6, the processor 10 specifies, as the virtual camera control module 222, the view direction of the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 based on the position and the inclination of the HMD device 110.

  In step S7, the controller 160 detects an operation of the user 190 in the real space. For example, in one aspect, controller 160 detects that a button has been pressed by user 190. In another aspect, controller 160 detects hand activity of user 190. A signal indicating the content of detection is sent to the computer 200.

  In step S8, the processor 10 causes the object control module 223, the collision determination module 224, and the parameter control module 225 to detect the motion detection data sent from the HMD sensor 120, the detection content sent from the controller 160, and the control content of various objects. Is reflected in the virtual space 2.

  For example, as the object control module 223, the processor 10 moves the operation object in the virtual space 2 based on the motion detection data of the HMD device 110 and the detection content of the controller 160. Also, for example, the processor 10 performs collision determination of the collision area of each object as the collision determination module 224. Also for example, the processor 10 controls the parameter associated with the item as the parameter control module 225.

  In step S9, the processor 10 causes the view image generation module 226 to generate view image data for displaying a view image based on the result of the process in step S8. The display control module 227 outputs the generated view image data to the HMD device 110.

  In step S10, 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.

[Item status update method]
Next, a method of updating the state of the item in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of the user 190 who holds the HMD device 110 and holds the controllers 160L and 160R. FIG. 11B is a view showing an example of the virtual camera 1, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 in the state shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a view image M in which the inside of the virtual space 2 shown in FIG. 11 (B) is represented by the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1.

  In the present embodiment, the position and movement of the HMD device 110 in the real space are detected by position tracking and reflected in the position and movement of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. Similarly, the positions and movements of the controllers 160L and 160R in the real space are detected by position tracking, respectively, and reflected in the positions and movements of the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R in the virtual space 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the left hand (controller 160L) and the right hand (controller 160R) with respect to the head (HMD device 110) of the user 190 is the virtual space as the positional relationship between the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R with respect to the virtual camera 1. Reflected in 2. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 not only moves the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R in the virtual space 2 simply based on the movement of his / her left hand and right hand. The object 400L and the right hand object 400R can be moved in the virtual space 2 as if they were the user's 190 own virtual hand. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 can experience the virtual space 2 from the subjective viewpoint (first-person viewpoint), so that the user 190 itself looks like a player character 490 You can enjoy the experience. That is, the user 190 can enjoy a virtual experience as if the player character 490 is a player character and faces the enemy character 500. In the present embodiment, among the objects constituting the body of the player character 490, the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R shown by solid lines in FIG. 11B are arranged in the virtual space 2; The arrangement in the virtual space 2 is omitted for the objects constituting the other part shown by the broken line in B). Further, in the following description, the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R may be simply referred to as “hand object 400”.

  In the present embodiment, the first region is set to a specific part of the parts constituting the body of the player character 490. The first area is, for example, an area constituted by a collision area, and is an area to which an item to be used by the hand object 400 can be associated. The items include, but are not limited to, a weapon object for attacking the enemy character 500 and a armor object for preventing an attack from the enemy character 500, and the like. The user 190 moves his / her hand (the controller 160) to cause the collision area set in the hand object 400 to collide with the first area, and a selection operation for selecting an item associated with the first area. By doing, the hand object 400 can be made to select an item associated with the first area. Examples of the selection operation include, but is not limited to, pressing and holding a trigger-type button such as the button 33 or 34.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user 190 can enjoy a virtual experience as if the player character 490 is a player facing the enemy character 500 and fighting. Therefore, when attacking the enemy character 500, the user 190 causes the hand object 400 to select the weapon object by performing the selection operation by bringing the hand object 400 close to the first area associated with the weapon object. The selected weapon object is manipulated by the hand object 400 to attack the enemy character 500. Similarly, when the user 190 prevents an attack from the enemy character 500, the user 190 selects the armor object as the hand object 400 by performing the selection operation by bringing the hand object 400 close to the first area associated with the armor object. To operate the selected armor object with the hand object 400 to prevent an attack from the enemy character 500.

  Here, in order to improve the virtual experience of the user 190, it is possible that the player character 490 actually wears the weapon object or the armor object among the parts constituting the body of the player character 490 in the first region. It is preferable to set the site as expected. In addition, if the first area is located outside the range of the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1 (player character 490), the graphic of the player character 490 wearing a weapon object or a protective object Since drawing can be omitted, it is preferable also from the viewpoint of processing load. Therefore, in the present embodiment, although the case where the first area is set for each of the left shoulder, the right shoulder, the left hip, and the right hip of the player character 490 is described as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. As described above, in the present embodiment, the first area is an area whose relative position to the virtual camera 1 is fixed and which is located outside the range of the view area 23.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11B, the gun object is associated with the collision area CB which is the first area set on the right shoulder of the player character 490. Although the gun object is illustrated in the collision area CB in the example illustrated in FIG. 11B in order to make it clear that the gun object is associated with the collision area CB, it is not necessary to visualize the gun object. . Hereinafter, the gun object selection method using the right hand object 400R will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. FIG. 13A is a view showing an example in which the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R to the vicinity of the right shoulder located out of the field of view of the user 190. FIG. 13B is a view showing an example of the virtual camera 1, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 in the state shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a view image M in which the inside of the virtual space 2 shown in FIG. 13 (B) is represented by the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R into the field of view of the user 190 in a state where the user 190 has performed a selection operation. FIG. 15B is a view showing an example of the virtual camera 1, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 in the state shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a view image M in which the inside of the virtual space 2 shown in FIG. 15 (B) is represented by the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R to the vicinity of his right shoulder. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 13B, the processor 10 moves the right hand object 400R to the vicinity of the right shoulder of the player character 490 located outside the range of the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1. In this case, since the right hand object 400R is located outside the range of the view area 23, as shown in FIG. 14, the view image M does not include the right hand object 400R. Further, in accordance with the movement of the right hand object 400R, the processor 10 determines whether or not the first positional relationship is established between the right hand object 400R and the first area set on the right shoulder of the player character 490. Specifically, the processor 10 determines whether or not the collision area CA of the right hand object 400R and the collision area CB constituting the first area collide with each other.

  When the user 190 moves the right hand near the right shoulder, the user 190 performs the selection operation described above. As illustrated in FIG. 13B, when the collision area CA and the collision area CB collide, the processor 10 causes the right-hand object 400R to select a gun object while the selection operation is continued. As a result, the processor 10 updates the state of the gun object as the object control module 223 from the non-selected state not selected in the right hand object 400R to the selected state selected in the right hand object 400R.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the user 190 moves the right hand into his / her view while continuing the selection operation. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15B, the processor 10 moves the right hand object 400R within the range of the view area 23. At this time, since the gun object 450 is in the selected state of being selected by the right hand object 400R, the gun object 450 is held by the right hand object 400R. Further, since the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 are located within the range of the view area 23, as shown in FIG. 16, the view image M includes the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450.

  When the gun object 450 is in the selected state, the user 190 performs an activation operation to activate the gun object 450. The effect activation operation includes a firing operation for firing a bullet object from the gun object 450. By performing the firing operation, the gun object 450 can fire a bullet object to attack the enemy object 500. Examples of the effect activation operation include, but not limited to, an operation of pressing a push-type button such as the button 36 or 37.

  Also, when the gun object 450 is in the selected state, when the selection operation by the user 190 is released, the selection of the gun object 450 by the right hand object 400R is released. For example, it is assumed that the selection operation is to keep pressing the trigger type button such as the button 33 or 34. In this case, when it is detected by the processor 10 that the depression of the trigger button has been released, the processor 10 causes the right-hand object 400R to release the gun object 450 as the object control module 223 and causes the state of the gun object to be released. , Update from selected state to non-selected state.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the update processing for updating the state of the item in the present embodiment, and in detail, shows the update processing between the selected state and the non-selected state of the item.

  In step S11, the processor 10 detects the movement of the hand (the controller 160) of the user 190 as the object control module 223, and moves the hand object 400 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected hand movement. At this time, the processor 10 determines, as the collision determination module 224, whether the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement collides with another collision area.

  In step S12, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, determines whether or not the selection operation by the user 190 has been performed. If the selection operation has not been performed (No in step S12), the process returns to step S11. When the selection operation is performed (Yes in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, as the object control module 223, the processor 10 determines whether the collision determination module 224 determines that the collision area CA of the hand object 400 and the collision area CB forming the first area collide with each other. Confirm. When the collision area CA and the collision area CB do not collide (No in step S13), the process returns to step S11. When collision area CA and collision area CB collide (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the processor 10 causes the hand object 400 to select an item associated with the first area as the object control module 223. Thus, the hand object 400 holds an item. The processor 10 also updates the state of the item from the non-selected state to the selected state as the object control module 223. However, when an item is not associated with the first area, the processor 10 does not cause the hand object 400 to select an item.

  In step S15, the processor 10 detects the movement of the hand (the controller 160) of the user 190 as the object control module 223, and moves the hand object 400 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected hand movement. At this time, the processor 10 determines, as the collision determination module 224, whether the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement collides with another collision area.

  In step S16, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, determines whether or not the selection operation by the user 190 has been released. If the selection operation is not canceled (No in step S16), the process returns to step S15. If the selection operation is canceled (Yes in step S16), the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, cancels the selection of the item by the hand object 400. This releases the item from the hand object 400. The processor 10 also updates the state of the item from the selected state to the non-selected state as the object control module 223. After this, the process returns to step S11.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the item activation process in the present embodiment. Specifically, the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed when the state of the item is a selected state and the item is an item that activates the effect by consuming the associated parameter.

  In step S21, the processor 10, as the parameter control module 225, determines whether or not the user 190 has performed an effect activation operation. If the effect activation operation has not been performed (No in step S21), the process ends. When the effect activation operation is performed (Yes in step S21), the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the processor 10 checks, as the parameter control module 225, whether or not the parameter associated with the item in the selected state remains the amount necessary for effecting activation. If there are no parameters of the amount necessary to activate the effect (No in step S22), the process ends. When the parameter of the amount necessary for effect activation remains (Yes in step S22), the process proceeds to step S23. For example, the item is a gun object 450, the parameter associated with the gun object 450 is the remaining number of bullet objects to be fired from the gun object 450, and the gun object 450 consumes one bullet object to generate the gun object 450. Suppose you want to fire a bullet object from. In this case, if the remaining number of bullet objects is 1 or more, it means that the parameter of the amount necessary for effect activation remains, and if the remaining number of bullet objects is 0, the parameter of the amount necessary for effect activation Will not be left.

  In step S23, the processor 10 causes the item control module 223 to activate the item in the selected state, and the parameter control module 225 consumes a quantity of parameters necessary for activating the item. Specifically, the processor 10 subtracts the amount necessary for activation from the remaining amount of the parameter. For example, as described above, if the item is a gun object 450, one bullet object can be fired from the gun object 450 by consuming one bullet object.

  Although the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 18 is assumed to be executed when the item selected by the hand object 400 is located within the range of the view area 23, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 19 to 20, a method of recovering parameters associated with items will be described. In the present embodiment, by moving the item selected by the hand object 400 out of the range of the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1, a method of recovering the remaining amount of the parameter associated with the item is adopted. Here, although a method of recovering the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450 is described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 19A is a diagram showing an example in which the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R out of the field of view of the user 190. FIG. 19B is a diagram showing an example of the virtual camera 1, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 in the state shown in FIG. 19A. FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of a view image M in which the inside of the virtual space 2 shown in FIG. 19B is represented by the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R out of the field of view in order to recover the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450. Thus, as shown in FIG. 19B, the processor 10 moves the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 held by the right hand object 400R out of the range of the view area 23 of the virtual camera 1. In this case, since the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 are located out of the range of the view area 23, the view image M does not include the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 as shown in FIG. Here, as the parameter control module 225, when the gun object 450 moves out of the range of the view area 23, the processor 10 recovers the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450. Thereby, the processor 10 causes the parameter control module 225 to set the state of the gun object 450 from the first state in which at least a portion of the bullet object is consumed to the second state in which the remaining amount of bullet object is larger than the first state. Update to In the present embodiment, the processor 10 will be described by way of an example in which the remaining number of bullet objects is recovered to the upper limit value, but the present invention is not limited to this. The extent to which the remaining number of bullet objects is to be recovered can be arbitrarily set, and at least it should be greater than the remaining number of bullet objects when the gun object 450 moves out of the range of the view area 23. As described above, in the present embodiment, if the gun object 450 is moved out of the range of the view area 23, the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450 is recovered, so the bullet object is reloaded to the gun object 450. Graphics can be omitted and processing load can be reduced. Note that the processor 10 is connected to the HMD system with a sound effect for notifying the user 190 that the gun object 450 has reloaded the bullet object at the timing of recovering the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450. It may be output from a speaker or the like.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of an update process for updating the state of an item in the present embodiment. Specifically, the consumed parameter is recovered from the first state in which the parameter associated with the item is consumed. The update process to the 2nd state is shown. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 21 is performed when the item state is the selected state and the item is an item that activates the effect by consuming the associated parameter.

  In step S31, the processor 10 detects the movement of the hand (the controller 160) of the user 190 as the object control module 223, and moves the hand object 400 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected hand movement.

  In step S32, the processor 10 determines, as the parameter control module 225, whether the item selected by the hand object 400 is located within the range of the view area 23. If the item is not located within the range of the view area 23 (No in step S32), the process returns to step S31. If the item is located within the range of the view area 23 (Yes in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the processor 10 causes the parameter control module 225 to determine whether or not the remaining amount of the parameter associated with the item selected by the hand object 400 is full. If the remaining amount of parameters is full (Yes in step S33), the process returns to step S31. If the remaining amount of the parameter is not full (No in step S33), the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S33, the processor 10 causes the parameter control module 225 to fill the remaining amount of parameters associated with the item.

  Next, a method of associating an item with the first area will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a method of associating an item with a first area using a specific object for specifying an item and a character model representing the player character 490 is described as an example, but a method of associating an item with the first area is It is not limited to this.

  FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of the UI board 300, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R, which are arranged in the virtual space 2 and used to associate an item with the first area. On the UI board 300, a character model 301 representing a player character 490 is drawn. In the right shoulder portion of the character model 301, a second area 305 associated with the first area set on the right shoulder of the player character 490 is set. In the left shoulder portion of the character model 301, a second area 306 associated with the first area set on the left shoulder of the player character 490 is set. In the right hip portion of the character model 301, a second area 307 associated with the first area set in the right hip of the player character 490 is set. In the left hip portion of the character model 301, a second area 308 associated with the first area set in the left hip of the player character 490 is set. The UI board 300 is attachably provided with a specific object 311 for specifying a shield object, a specific object 312 for specifying a sword object, and a specific object 313 for specifying a gun object. The shield object, the sword object, and the gun object are all examples of items. The specific object may be any object that can specify an item.

  In the present embodiment, the specific object is selected by the hand object 400, and the selected specific object is arranged in an arbitrary second area, so that the specific area is arranged in the second area in the first area associated with the second area. Associate the item indicated by the specified object. Hereinafter, the gun object indicated by the specific object 313 is placed on the right shoulder of the player character 490 associated with the second area 305 by arranging the specific object 313 in the second area 305 while referring to FIGS. 23 to 25. The method of associating with the set first area will be specifically described. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the specific object 313 is selected by the right hand object 400R. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the specific object 313 is arranged in the second area 305 by the right hand object 400R. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the specific object 313 is disposed in the second area 305.

  The user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R, whereby the processor 10 moves the right hand object 400R to the vicinity of the specific object 313, as shown in FIG. As the right-hand object 400R moves, the processor 10 determines whether the collision area CA of the right-hand object 400R and the collision area CC of the specific object 313 collide with each other. When the right hand object 400R moves near the specific object 313, the user 190 performs the selection operation described above. As shown in FIG. 23, when the collision area CA and the collision area CC collide, the processor 10 causes the right hand object 400R to select the specific object 313 while the selection operation is continued.

  By moving the right hand while the user 190 continues the selection operation, as shown in FIG. 24, the processor 10 causes the specific object 313 selected by the right hand object 400R and the right hand object 400R to be in the vicinity of the second area 305. Move to As the right-hand object 400R moves, the processor 10 determines whether a second positional relationship is established between the specific object 313 and the second area 305. Specifically, the processor 10 determines whether the collision area CC of the specific object 313 and the collision area CD of the second area 305 collide with each other. When the specific object 313 moves near the second area 305, the user 190 cancels the selection operation. As shown in FIG. 24, when the collision area CC and the collision area CD collide, the processor 10 places the specific object 313 in the second area 305 as shown in FIG. 25 when the selection operation is released. Deploy. Thus, the processor 10 associates the gun object indicated by the specific object 313 with the first area set on the right shoulder of the player character 490 associated with the second area 305, and sets the state of the gun object to the first area. Update from an unassociated state to an associated state associated with the first area.

  FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an example of the update processing for updating the state of the item in this embodiment, and in detail, from the non-association state where the item is not associated with the first area, it is associated with the first area Shows the process of updating to the association state.

  In step S41, the processor 10 detects the movement of the hand (the controller 160) of the user 190 as the object control module 223, and moves the hand object 400 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected hand movement. At this time, the processor 10 determines, as the collision determination module 224, whether the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement collides with another collision area.

  In step S42, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, determines whether or not the selection operation by the user 190 has been performed. If the selection operation has not been performed (No in step S42), the process returns to step S11. When the selection operation is performed (Yes in step S42), the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, the processor 10 determines, as the object control module 223, whether or not the collision determination module 224 determines that the collision area CA of the hand object 400 and the collision area CC of the specific object collide with each other. . If the collision area CA and the collision area CC do not collide (No in step S43), the process returns to step S41. When collision area CA and collision area CC collide (Yes in step S43), the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, the processor 10 causes the hand object 400 to select a specific object as the object control module 223. As a result, the hand object 400 holds a specific object.

  In step S45, the processor 10 detects the movement of the hand (the controller 160) of the user 190 as the object control module 223, and moves the hand object 400 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected hand movement. At this time, the processor 10 determines, as the collision determination module 224, whether the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement and the collision area CC of the specific object selected by the hand object 400 collide with another collision area. Determine

  In step S46, the processor 10 causes the object control module 223 to determine whether or not the selection operation by the user 190 has been released. If the selection operation has not been canceled (No in step S46), the process returns to step S45. If the selection operation is canceled (Yes in step S46), the process proceeds to step S47.

  In step S47, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, confirms whether or not the collision determination module 224 determines that the collision area CC of the specific object and the collision area CD of the second area collide with each other. . If the collision area CC and the collision area CD do not collide (No in step S47), the process proceeds to step S48. If the collision area CC and the collision area CD collide (Yes in step S47), the process proceeds to step S49.

  In step S48, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, cancels the selection of the specific object by the hand object 400. As a result, the specific object is released from the hand object 400. Thereafter, the process returns to step S41.

  In step S49, the processor 10 arranges, as the object control module 223, the specific object selected by the hand object 400 in the second area. As a result, the specific object is released from the hand object 400. Thereby, the processor 10 associates the item indicated by the specific object with the first area associated with the second area, and associates the state of the item with the first area from the non-associated state not associated with the first area. Update to the associated association status.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the process shown in FIG. 26, the process shown in FIG. 17, the process shown in FIG. 18, and the process shown in FIG. 21 are different modes. The process of updating the state of the item shown in FIG. 26 from the non-association state to the association state is assumed to be executed in a mode other than the game play mode such as a lobby mode, for example. The update process between the selected state and the non-selected state of the item shown in FIG. 17, the effect activation process of the item shown in FIG. 18, and the update process of the parameters associated with the item shown in FIG. Are supposed to be However, it is not limited to this.

  In the present embodiment, the item selection process described with reference to FIG. 17 is described based on the condition that the hand object 400 has a first positional relationship with the first area, but the present invention is not limited to this. The condition may be that the hand object 400 is located out of the range of the view area 23. In this way, the hand object 400 can be made to select an item by positioning the hand object 400 out of the range of the view area 23.

  In the above description of each embodiment, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user 190 is immersed by the HMD device 110 is described as an example. However, even if a transmissive HMD device is adopted as the HMD device 110 Good. In this case, augmented reality (AR :) is output by outputting a view image so that a part of the image constituting the virtual space is superimposed as a view image in the real space viewed by the user 190 via the transmissive HMD device. A virtual experience may be provided to the user 190 in Augmented Reality (MR) space or Mixed Reality (MR) space. In this case, instead of the hand object of the player character, an action on a target object such as an item in the virtual space 2 may be generated based on the movement of the controller. Specifically, the processor 10 may specify coordinate information of the position of the controller in the real space, and define the position of the target object in the virtual space 2 in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. As a result, the processor 10 can grasp the positional relationship between the controller in the real space and the target object in the virtual space 2, and can execute the processing corresponding to the above-described collision control or the like between the controller and the target object. As a result, it is possible to affect the target object based on the movement of the controller.

  Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited by the description of the present embodiments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is an example, and that modifications of various embodiments are possible 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 scope of equivalents thereof.

The subject matter disclosed in the present specification is indicated, for example, as the following items.
(Item 1)
A method performed on a computer (eg, computer 200) to provide a virtual experience to a user (eg, user 190),
Defining a virtual space (eg, virtual space 2) for providing the virtual experience (eg, step S1 of FIG. 10);
Moving a virtual viewpoint (for example, virtual camera 1) in the virtual space according to the movement of the head of the user (for example, step S6 in FIG. 10);
Moving an operation object (for example, a hand object 400) in the virtual space according to the movement of a part of the user's body (for example, step S8 in FIG. 10);
Updating the state of an item used in the virtual space (for example, as shown in FIG. 4) on condition that the operation object has been moved out of the range of the field of view (for example, the field of view 23) from the virtual viewpoint at least Step S14 of 17 and Step S34 of FIG. 21;
Method including.
(Item 2)
In the updating step (for example, FIG. 17), when the state of the item is a non-selected state not selected by the operation object, at least a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint is fixed and out of the range of the view The method according to Item 1, wherein the state of the item is updated to the selected state selected by the operation object, on the condition that a first positional relationship is established between the first region located in the area and the operation object. .
(Item 3)
In the updating step (for example, FIG. 17), when the item is associated with the first area, and the state of the item is the non-selected state, at least the first area and the operation object The method according to Item 2, wherein the state of the item is updated to the selected state on condition that the first positional relationship is established therebetween.
(Item 4)
In the updating step (for example, FIG. 17), a condition that the first positional relationship is established between the first area and the operation object, and a selection operation for selecting the item is performed The method according to Item 2 or 3, wherein the state of the item is updated to the selected state, and the state of the item is updated to the unselected state when the selection operation is released.
(Item 5)
In the updating step (for example, FIG. 26), a state of the item is a non-association state not associated with the first area, and a specific object for specifying the item in the operation object is selected If there is a second positional relationship established between at least a second area associated with the first area and the operation object, the state of the item is associated with the first area The method according to Item 3 or 4, wherein the association state is updated.
(Item 6)
The method according to Item 5, wherein the mode of updating the state of the item from the non-association state to the association state and the mode of updating the state of the item from the non-selection state to the selection state are different modes.
(Item 7)
The item (eg, gun object 450) activates by consuming the parameters associated with the item,
In the updating step (for example, FIG. 21), the item is selected by the operation object, and the state of the item is a first state in which at least a part of the parameters associated with the item is consumed. In this case, when the operation object moves out of the range of the field of view, the state of the item is updated to a second state in which the remaining amount of the parameter is larger than that of the first state.
(Item 8)
The program for making a computer perform the method of any one of items 1-7.
(Item 9)
A computer for providing a virtual experience to a user,
Under control of a processor included in the computer,
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience;
Moving a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space according to the movement of the head of the user;
Moving an operation object in the virtual space in response to movement of a part of the user's body;
Updating the state of an item used in the virtual space, at least on the condition that the operation object has been moved out of the range of the view from the virtual viewpoint;
Is the computer on which it runs.

1 ... virtual camera, 2 ... virtual space, 5 ... reference gaze, 10 ... processor, 11 ... memory, 1
2 ... storage, 13 ... input / output interface, 14 ... communication interface, 15 ...
Bus 19 19 network 21 center 23 view field 24 25 area 31 31 frame 32 top surface 33, 34, 36, 37 button 35, infrared LED, 38 analog stick, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... HMD system, 110 ... HMD apparatus, 112 ... Display, 114 ... Sensor, 116 ... Camera, 118 ... Microphone, 120 ... HMD sensor, 130
... motion sensor, 140 ... gaze sensor, 150 ... server, 160 ... controller, 1
60R: right controller, 190: user, 200: computer, 220: main control module, 221: virtual space control module, 222: virtual camera control module, 223
... Object control module, 224 ... Collision determination module, 225 ... Parameter control module, 226 ... View image generation module, 227 ... Display control module, 2
40 ... memory module, 241 ... space information, 242 ... object information, 243 ... user information, 250 ... communication control module, M ... view image &#8195;

Claims (9)

A computer implemented method for providing a virtual experience to a user, comprising:
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience;
Moving a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space according to the movement of the head of the user;
Moving an operation object in the virtual space in response to movement of a part of the user's body;
Updating the state of an item used in the virtual space, at least on the condition that the operation object has been moved out of the range of the view from the virtual viewpoint;
Method including.   In the updating, when the state of the item is a non-selected state not selected by the operation object, at least a first area whose relative position to the virtual viewpoint is fixed and which is located outside the range of the field of view The method according to claim 1, wherein the state of the item is updated to a selected state selected by the operation object on condition that a first positional relationship is established between the and the operation object.   In the updating, when the item is associated with the first area and the state of the item is the non-selected state, at least the first area and the operation object The method according to claim 2, wherein the state of the item is updated to the selected state on condition that a positional relationship is established.   In the updating step, the state of the item is determined on the condition that the first positional relationship is established between the first area and the operation object and a selection operation for selecting the item is performed. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the item state is updated to the non-selected state when the selection operation is released.   In the updating, at least when the state of the item is a non-association state not associated with the first area and the operation object selects a specific object for specifying the item, The condition of the item is updated to the association state associated with the first area on condition that a second positional relationship is established between the second area associated with the first area and the operation object. Item 5. The method according to Item 3 or 4.   The method according to claim 5, wherein the mode of updating the state of the item from the non-association state to the association state and the mode of updating the state of the item from the non-selection state to the selection state are different modes. The item activates by consuming a parameter associated with the item,
In the updating, when the item is selected by the operation object, and the state of the item is a first state in which at least a part of parameters associated with the item is consumed, the operation object The method according to claim 1, wherein the state of the item is updated to a second state in which the remaining amount of the parameter is larger than the first state, when is moved out of the range of the field of view.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A computer for providing a virtual experience to a user,
Under control of a processor included in the computer,
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience;
Moving a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space according to the movement of the head of the user;
Moving an operation object in the virtual space in response to movement of a part of the user's body;
Updating the state of an item used in the virtual space, at least on the condition that the operation object has been moved out of the range of the view from the virtual viewpoint;
Is the computer on which it runs.