JP2019211865A - Computer program, information processing device, and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve quality in virtual experience of a user.SOLUTION: A computer program according to an embodiment causes a computer to perform the steps of: defining a virtual space including a first virtual viewpoint of a first user; generating a first object in the virtual space; controlling a first visual field from the first virtual viewpoint according to a movement of the head of the first user; determining a travel speed of the first object according to whether the first object exists in the first visual field; and moving the first object toward the first virtual viewpoint at the determined travel speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 22

Description

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

  There is a technique for allowing a user to experience content in a virtual space using a head mounted device (HMD) worn by the user. When the user moves the head (HMD), the user's field of view in the virtual space can be changed, so that the user's immersive feeling in the virtual space can be enhanced.

JP 2018-38010 A

  In the prior art as described above, since the user cannot recognize an event that has occurred outside the field of view, when the user changes the field of view, the user may suddenly recognize an event that has occurred outside the field of view. In this case, the user may be busy dealing with the event or feel unreasonable. This leads to a reduction in the quality of the user's virtual experience.

  The present disclosure provides a computer program, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method capable of improving the quality of a user's virtual experience.

  A computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a step of defining a virtual space including a first virtual viewpoint of a first user, a step of generating a first object in the virtual space, a head of the first user The moving speed of the first object is determined according to the step of controlling the first field of view from the first virtual viewpoint according to the movement, and whether or not the first object exists in the first field of view. And causing the computer to execute the step of moving the first object toward the first virtual viewpoint at the determined moving speed.

It is a figure showing the outline of a structure of the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the uvw visual field coordinate system set to HMD according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the one aspect | mode which represents the virtual space according to a certain embodiment. It is the figure showing the head of the user who wears HMD according to a certain embodiment from the top. It is a figure showing the YZ cross section which looked at the visual field area from the X direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the XZ cross section which looked at the visual field area from the Y direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the controller according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of each direction of the yaw, roll, and pitch prescribed | regulated with respect to the user's right hand according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the server according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing a computer according to an embodiment as a module configuration. It is a sequence chart showing a part of process performed in the HMD set according to an embodiment. In a network, it is a mimetic diagram showing the situation where each HMD provides virtual space to a user. It is a figure which shows the visual field image of the user 5A in FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process performed in the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the module of the computer according to a certain embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the user who mounted | wore with HMD and hold | maintained the controller. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to a user. It is a figure which shows the visual field image from a user's virtual viewpoint in the virtual space of FIG. 15B. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to a user. It is a figure which shows the other example of the virtual space provided to a user. It is a flowchart of an example of the process (process of a 1st solution means) which controls the generating place of an enemy object. It is a figure which shows the example of the virtual space provided to a user. It is a figure which shows the visual field image seen from the user's avatar object in the virtual space of FIG. It is a flowchart of an example of the process (process of a 2nd solution means) which controls to slow down the moving speed of the enemy object which exists outside a user's visual field area. It is a flowchart of the other example of the process which determines a moving speed. It is a figure which shows the example of the virtual space provided to a user. It is a figure which shows the visual field image seen from the user's avatar object in the virtual space of FIG. It is a flowchart of the other example of the process which determines a moving speed. It is a figure which shows the example of the corresponding information which matched the distance of an enemy object and an avatar object, and a moving speed. It is a figure which shows the example of the virtual space provided to a user. It is a figure which shows the example of the virtual space in the multiplayer which concerns on the modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which each shows the example of the visual field image seen from two users in the virtual space of FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example of a process for determining a moving speed according to Modification 1. 10 is a flowchart of an example of processing for determining a moving speed according to Modification 2.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the technical idea will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. In one or more embodiments shown in the present disclosure, elements included in each embodiment can be combined with each other, and the combined result is also part of the embodiments shown in the present disclosure.

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

  The HMD system 100 includes a server 600, HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D, an external device 700, and a network 2. Each of the HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D is configured to be able to communicate with the server 600 and the external device 700 via the network 2. Hereinafter, the HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D are collectively referred to as the HMD set 110. The number of HMD sets 110 constituting the HMD system 100 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. The HMD set 110 includes an HMD 120, a computer 200, an HMD sensor 410, a display 430, and a controller 300. The HMD 120 includes a monitor 130, a gaze sensor 140, a first camera 150, a second camera 160, a microphone 170, and a speaker 180. The controller 300 can include a motion sensor 420.

  In one aspect, the computer 200 can be connected to the Internet and other networks 2, and can communicate with the server 600 and other computers connected to the network 2. Examples of other computers include computers of other HMD sets 110 and external devices 700. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include a sensor 190 instead of the HMD sensor 410.

  The HMD 120 may be worn on the head of the user 5 and provide a virtual space to the user 5 during operation. More specifically, the HMD 120 displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image on the monitor 130, respectively. When each eye of the user 5 visually recognizes each image, the user 5 can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax between both eyes. The HMD 120 can include both a so-called head mounted display including a monitor and a head mounted device to which a terminal having a smartphone or other monitor can be attached.

  The monitor 130 is realized as, for example, a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the monitor 130 is disposed on the main body of the HMD 120 so as to be positioned in front of both eyes of the user 5. Therefore, the user 5 can immerse in the virtual space when viewing the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 130. In one aspect, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object that can be operated by the user 5, and an image of a menu that can be selected by the user 5. In one aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor provided in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal.

  In another aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a transmissive display device. In this case, the HMD 120 may be an open type such as a glasses type instead of a sealed type that covers the eyes of the user 5 as shown in FIG. The transmissive monitor 130 may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance. The monitor 130 may include a configuration that simultaneously displays a part of an image constituting the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 130 may display a real space image taken by a camera mounted on the HMD 120, or may make the real space visible by setting a part of the transmittance high.

  In one aspect, the monitor 130 may include a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the monitor 130 may be configured to display a right-eye image and a left-eye image together. In this case, the monitor 130 includes a high-speed shutter. The high-speed shutter operates so that an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye can be displayed alternately so that the image is recognized only by one of the eyes.

  In one aspect, the HMD 120 includes a plurality of light sources (not shown). Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared rays. The HMD sensor 410 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD 120. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted from the HMD 120 and detects the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space.

  In another aspect, the HMD sensor 410 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 120 by executing image analysis processing using image information of the HMD 120 output from the camera.

  In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include a sensor 190 instead of the HMD sensor 410 or in addition to the HMD sensor 410 as a position detector. The HMD 120 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 120 itself using the sensor 190. For example, when the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor, the HMD 120 can detect its own position and inclination using any one of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 410. As an example, when the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects angular velocities around the three axes of the HMD 120 in real space over time. The HMD 120 calculates the temporal change of the angle around the three axes of the HMD 120 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD 120 based on the temporal change of the angle.

  The gaze sensor 140 detects the direction in which the line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user 5 is directed. That is, the gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the user 5. The detection of the direction of the line of sight is realized by, for example, a known eye tracking function. The gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 preferably includes a right eye sensor and a left eye sensor. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates the right eye and left eye of the user 5 with infrared light and detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by receiving reflected light from the cornea and iris with respect to the irradiated light. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on each detected rotation angle.

  The first camera 150 captures the lower part of the face of the user 5. More specifically, the first camera 150 photographs the nose and mouth of the user 5. The second camera 160 photographs the eyes and eyebrows of the user 5. The housing on the user 5 side of the HMD 120 is defined as the inside of the HMD 120, and the housing on the opposite side to the user 5 of the HMD 120 is defined as the outside of the HMD 120. In one aspect, the first camera 150 may be disposed outside the HMD 120 and the second camera 160 may be disposed inside the HMD 120. Images generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160 are input to the computer 200. In another aspect, the first camera 150 and the second camera 160 may be realized as a single camera, and the face of the user 5 may be photographed with the single camera.

  The microphone 170 converts the utterance of the user 5 into an audio signal (electrical signal) and outputs it to the computer 200. The speaker 180 converts the sound signal into sound and outputs the sound to the user 5. In another aspect, HMD 120 may include an earphone instead of speaker 180.

  The controller 300 is connected to the computer 200 by wire or wireless. The controller 300 receives input of commands from the user 5 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be gripped by the user 5. In another aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be attachable to the body of the user 5 or a part of clothing. In yet another aspect, the controller 300 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on a signal transmitted from the computer 200. In yet another aspect, the controller 300 receives an operation from the user 5 for controlling the position and movement of an object arranged in the virtual space.

  In one aspect, the controller 300 includes a plurality of light sources. Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED that emits infrared rays. The HMD sensor 410 has a position tracking function. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted from the controller 300 and detects the position and inclination of the controller 300 in the real space. In another aspect, the HMD sensor 410 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the position and tilt of the controller 300 by executing image analysis processing using the image information of the controller 300 output from the camera.

  In a certain aspect, the motion sensor 420 is attached to the hand of the user 5 and detects the movement of the user 5 hand. For example, the motion sensor 420 detects the rotation speed, the number of rotations, and the like of the hand. The detected signal is sent to the computer 200. The motion sensor 420 is provided in the controller 300, for example. In one aspect, the motion sensor 420 is provided in the controller 300 configured to be gripped by the user 5, for example. In another aspect, for safety in real space, the controller 300 is attached to something that does not fly easily by being attached to the hand of the user 5 such as a glove shape. In yet another aspect, a sensor that is not worn by the user 5 may detect the movement of the user's 5 hand. For example, a signal from a camera that captures the user 5 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal representing the operation of the user 5. As an example, the motion sensor 420 and the computer 200 are connected to each other 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.

  Display 430 displays an image similar to the image displayed on monitor 130. Thereby, a user other than the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can view the same image as that of the user 5. The image displayed on the display 430 need not be a three-dimensional image, and may be a right-eye image or a left-eye image. Examples of the display 430 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL monitor.

  Server 600 may send a program to computer 200. In another aspect, the server 600 may communicate with other computers 200 for providing virtual reality to the HMD 120 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 via the server 600, and the plurality of users in the same virtual space. Users can enjoy a common game. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on each user's operation with another computer 200 without passing through the server 600.

  The external device 700 may be any device that can communicate with the computer 200. For example, the external device 700 may be a device that can communicate with the computer 200 via the network 2, or may be a device that can directly communicate with the computer 200 by short-range wireless communication or wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include a smart device, a PC (Personal Computer), and a peripheral device of the computer 200, but are not limited thereto.

[Computer hardware configuration]
A computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of computer 200 according to the present embodiment. The computer 200 includes a processor 210, a memory 220, a storage 230, an input / output interface 240, and a communication interface 250 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 260.

  The processor 210 executes a series of instructions included in a program stored in the memory 220 or the storage 230 based on a signal given to the computer 200 or based on a predetermined condition being satisfied. In one aspect, the processor 210 is realized as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or other device.

  The memory 220 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from the storage 230, for example. The data includes data input to the computer 200 and data generated by the processor 210. In one aspect, the memory 220 is realized as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other volatile memory.

  The storage 230 permanently holds programs and data. The storage 230 is realized as, for example, a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk device, a flash memory, and other nonvolatile storage devices. Programs stored in the storage 230 include a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with another computer 200. The data stored in the storage 230 includes data and objects for defining a virtual space.

  In another aspect, the storage 230 may be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. In yet another aspect, instead of the storage 230 built in the computer 200, a configuration using a program and data stored in an external storage device may be used. According to such a configuration, for example, in a scene where a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used as in an amusement facility, it is possible to update programs and data collectively.

  The input / output interface 240 communicates signals with the HMD 120, the HMD sensor 410, the motion sensor 420, and the display 430. The monitor 130, the gaze sensor 140, the first camera 150, the second camera 160, the microphone 170, and the speaker 180 included in the HMD 120 can communicate with the computer 200 via the input / output interface 240 of the HMD 120. In one aspect, the input / output interface 240 is implemented using a USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or other terminal. The input / output interface 240 is not limited to the above.

  In certain aspects, the input / output interface 240 may further communicate with the controller 300. For example, the input / output interface 240 receives signals output from the controller 300 and the motion sensor 420. In another aspect, the input / output interface 240 sends the command output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The instruction instructs the controller 300 to vibrate, output sound, emit light, and the like. When the controller 300 receives the command, the controller 300 executes vibration, sound output, or light emission according to the command.

  The communication interface 250 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with other computers (for example, the server 600) connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 250 is implemented as, for example, a local area network (LAN) or other wired communication interface, or a wireless communication interface such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or the like. Is done. The communication interface 250 is not limited to the above.

  In one aspect, the processor 210 accesses the storage 230, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 230 into the memory 220, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the computer 200, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 210 sends a signal for providing a virtual space to the HMD 120 via the input / output interface 240. The HMD 120 displays an image on the monitor 130 based on the signal.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, a configuration in which the computer 200 is provided outside the HMD 120 is shown. However, in another aspect, the computer 200 may be built in the HMD 120. As an example, a portable information communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) including the monitor 130 may function as the computer 200.

  The computer 200 may be configured to be used in common for a plurality of HMDs 120. 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 an embodiment, in the HMD system 100, a real coordinate system that is a coordinate system in the real space is set in advance. The real coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) parallel to the vertical direction in the real space, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction, vertical direction (vertical direction), and front-rear direction in the real coordinate system are defined as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, respectively. More specifically, in the real coordinate system, the x-axis is parallel to the horizontal direction of the real space. The y axis is parallel to the vertical direction of the real space. The z axis is parallel to the front-rear direction of the real space.

  In one aspect, HMD sensor 410 includes an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared rays emitted from each light source of the HMD 120, the presence of the HMD 120 is detected. The HMD sensor 410 further detects the position and inclination (orientation) of the HMD 120 in the real space according to the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 based on the value of each point (each coordinate value in the real coordinate system). To do. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 can detect temporal changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 using each value detected over time.

  Each inclination of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 corresponds to each inclination around the three axes of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 120 based on the inclination of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. The uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD 120 corresponds to a viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 views an object in the virtual space.

[Uvw visual field coordinate system]
The uvw visual field coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the uvw visual field coordinate system set in HMD 120 according to an embodiment. The HMD sensor 410 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system when the HMD 120 is activated. The processor 210 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 120 based on the detected value.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the HMD 120 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system with the head (origin) of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 as the center (origin). More specifically, the HMD 120 includes a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a front-rear direction (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) that define the real coordinate system by an inclination around each axis of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. Three directions newly obtained by tilting around the axis are set as the pitch axis (u-axis), yaw axis (v-axis), and roll axis (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120.

  In a certain situation, when the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 stands upright and is viewing the front, the processor 210 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system parallel to the real coordinate system to the HMD 120. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), vertical direction (y-axis), and front-rear direction (z-axis) in the real coordinate system are the pitch axis (u-axis) and yaw axis (v-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120. , And the roll axis (w axis).

  After the uvw visual field coordinate system is set to the HMD 120, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the inclination of the HMD 120 in the set uvw visual field coordinate system based on the movement of the HMD 120. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 detects the pitch angle (θu), the yaw angle (θv), and the roll angle (θw) of the HMD 120 in the uvw visual field coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD 120. The pitch angle (θu) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the pitch axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the yaw axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the roll axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system.

  The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120 after the HMD 120 moves based on the detected inclination of the HMD 120 in the HMD 120. The relationship between the HMD 120 and the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 is always constant regardless of the position and inclination of the HMD 120. When the position and inclination of the HMD 120 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system change in conjunction with the change of the position and inclination.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 410 uses the HMD 120 based on the infrared light intensity acquired based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between a plurality of points (for example, the distance between the points). May be specified as a relative position with respect to the HMD sensor 410. The processor 210 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real space (real coordinate system) based on the specified relative position.

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing one aspect of expressing virtual space 11 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 11 has a spherical shape that covers the entire 360 ° direction of the center 12. In FIG. 4, the upper half of the celestial sphere in the virtual space 11 is illustrated in order not to make the description complicated. In the virtual space 11, each mesh is defined. The position of each mesh is defined in advance as coordinate values in an XYZ coordinate system that is a global coordinate system defined in the virtual space 11. The computer 200 associates each partial image constituting the panoramic image 13 (still image, moving image, etc.) that can be developed in the virtual space 11 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the virtual space 11 defines an XYZ coordinate system with the center 12 as the origin. The XYZ coordinate system is, for example, parallel to the real coordinate system. The horizontal direction, vertical direction (up and down direction), and front and 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 real coordinate system, the Y axis (vertical direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the y axis of the real coordinate system, and the XYZ coordinate system The Z axis (front-rear direction) is parallel to the z axis of the real coordinate system.

  When the HMD 120 is activated, that is, in the initial state of the HMD 120, the virtual camera 14 is disposed at the center 12 of the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the processor 210 displays an image captured by the virtual camera 14 on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. The virtual camera 14 similarly moves in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 120 in the real space. Thereby, changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 11.

  As with the HMD 120, the uvw visual field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 14. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined so as to be interlocked with the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real space (real coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD 120 changes, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 changes accordingly. The virtual camera 14 can also move in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space.

  The processor 210 of the computer 200 defines the field-of-view area 15 in the virtual space 11 based on the position and tilt (reference line of sight 16) of the virtual camera 14. The visual field area 15 corresponds to an area of the virtual space 11 that is visually recognized by the user 5 wearing the HMD 120. That is, the position of the virtual camera 14 can be said to be the viewpoint of the user 5 in the virtual space 11.

  The line of sight of the user 5 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is a direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes the object. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes the monitor 130. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to a certain aspect can regard the line of sight of the user 5 detected by the gaze sensor 140 as the line of sight of the user 5 in the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14.

[User's line of sight]
The determination of the line of sight of the user 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the head of user 5 wearing HMD 120 according to an embodiment from above.

  In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 detects each line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user 5. In a certain situation, when the user 5 is looking near, the gaze sensor 140 detects the lines of sight R1 and L1. In another aspect, when the user 5 is looking far away, the gaze sensor 140 detects the lines of sight R2 and L2. In this case, the angle formed by the lines of sight R2 and L2 with respect to the roll axis w is smaller than the angle formed by the lines of sight R1 and L1 with respect to the roll axis w. The gaze sensor 140 transmits the detection result to the computer 200.

  When the computer 200 receives the detection values of the lines of sight R1 and L1 from the gaze sensor 140 as the line-of-sight detection result, the computer 200 identifies the point of sight N1 that is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 based on the detection value. On the other hand, when the detected values of the lines of sight R2 and L2 are received from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the lines of sight R2 and L2 as the point of sight. The computer 200 specifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the specified position of the gazing point N1. For example, the computer 200 detects, as the line of sight N0, the extending direction of the straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 5 and the gazing point N1. The line of sight N0 is a direction in which the user 5 is actually pointing the line of sight with both eyes. The line of sight N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 5 is actually pointing the line of sight with respect to the view field area 15.

  In another aspect, the HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast receiving tuner. According to such a configuration, the HMD system 100 can display a television program in the virtual space 11.

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

[Visibility area]
The field-of-view area 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a YZ cross section of the visual field region 15 as viewed from the X direction in the virtual space 11. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an XZ cross section of the visual field region 15 as viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space 11.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the field-of-view region 15 in the YZ section includes a region 18. The region 18 is defined by the position of the virtual camera 14, the reference line of sight 16, and the YZ section of the virtual space 11. The processor 210 defines a range including the polar angle α around the reference line of sight 16 in the virtual space as the region 18.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the field-of-view region 15 in the XZ section includes a region 19. The region 19 is defined by the position of the virtual camera 14, the reference line of sight 16, and the XZ cross section of the virtual space 11. The processor 210 defines a range including the azimuth angle β around the reference line of sight 16 in the virtual space 11 as the region 19. The polar angles α and β are determined according to the position of the virtual camera 14 and the inclination (orientation) of the virtual camera 14.

  In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the user 5 with a view in the virtual space 11 by displaying the view image 17 on the monitor 130 based on a signal from the computer 200. The visual field image 17 is an image corresponding to a portion corresponding to the visual field region 15 in the panoramic image 13. When the user 5 moves the HMD 120 worn on the head, the virtual camera 14 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the visual field area 15 in the virtual space 11 changes. As a result, the view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 is updated to an image that is superimposed on the view region 15 in the direction in which the user 5 faces in the virtual space 11 in the panoramic image 13. The user 5 can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 11.

  Thus, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 corresponds to the line of sight of the user 5 (reference line of sight 16) in the virtual space 11, and the position where the virtual camera 14 is arranged corresponds to the viewpoint of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. Therefore, by changing the position or tilt of the virtual camera 14, the image displayed on the monitor 130 is updated, and the field of view of the user 5 is moved.

  While wearing the HMD 120, the user 5 can visually recognize only the panoramic image 13 developed in the virtual space 11 without visually recognizing the real world. Therefore, the HMD system 100 can give the user 5 a high sense of immersion in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the processor 210 can move the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space. In this case, the processor 210 specifies an image region (view region 15) projected on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 based on the position and inclination of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the virtual camera 14 may include two virtual cameras: a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. Appropriate parallax is set in the two virtual cameras so that the user 5 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 11. In another aspect, the virtual camera 14 may be realized by one virtual camera. In this case, a right-eye image and a left-eye image may be generated from an image obtained by one virtual camera. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 14 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll axis (w) generated by combining the roll axes of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll axis (w) of the HMD 120. The technical idea concerning this indication is illustrated as what is constituted.

[controller]
An example of the controller 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of controller 300 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in one aspect, the controller 300 may include a right controller 300R and a left controller (not shown). The right controller 300R is operated with the right hand of the user 5. The left controller is operated with the left hand of the user 5. In one aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller are configured symmetrically as separate devices. Therefore, the user 5 can freely move the right hand holding the right controller 300R and the left hand holding the left controller, respectively. In another aspect, the controller 300 may be an integrated controller that receives operations of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 300R will be described.

  The right controller 300R includes a grip 310, a frame 320, and a top surface 330. The grip 310 is configured to be held by the right hand of the user 5. For example, the grip 310 can be held by the palm of the right hand of the user 5 and three fingers (middle finger, ring finger, little finger).

  The grip 310 includes buttons 340 and 350 and a motion sensor 420. The button 340 is disposed on the side surface of the grip 310 and receives an operation with the middle finger of the right hand. The button 350 is disposed on the front surface of the grip 310 and receives an operation with the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, the buttons 340 and 350 are configured as trigger buttons. The motion sensor 420 is built in the housing of the grip 310. The grip 310 does not have to include the motion sensor 420 when the operation of the user 5 can be detected from around the user 5 by a camera or other devices.

  The frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along the circumferential direction thereof. The infrared LED 360 emits infrared light in accordance with the progress of the program while the program using the controller 300 is being executed. Infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 360 can be used to detect the positions and postures (tilt and orientation) of the right controller 300R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. 8. An array of one or more columns may be used.

  The top surface 330 includes buttons 370 and 380 and an analog stick 390. Buttons 370 and 380 are configured as push buttons. The buttons 370 and 380 receive an operation with the thumb of the right hand of the user 5. In a certain situation, analog stick 390 accepts an operation in an arbitrary direction of 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position). The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object arranged in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller include a battery for driving the infrared LED 360 and other members. The battery includes, but is not limited to, a rechargeable type, a button type, and a dry battery type. In another aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller may be connected to a USB interface of the computer 200, for example. In this case, the right controller 300R and the left controller do not require a battery.

  As shown in the state (A) and the state (B) of FIG. 8, for example, the yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined for the right hand of the user 5. When the user 5 extends the thumb and index finger, the direction in which the thumb extends is the yaw direction, the direction in which the index finger extends is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the axis of the yaw direction and the axis of the roll direction is the pitch direction. Is defined as

[Hardware configuration of server]
A server 600 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of server 600 according to an embodiment. The server 600 includes a processor 610, a memory 620, a storage 630, an input / output interface 640, and a communication interface 650 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 660.

  The processor 610 executes a series of instructions included in a program stored in the memory 620 or the storage 630 based on a signal given to the server 600 or when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In one aspect, the processor 610 is implemented as a CPU, GPU, MPU, FPGA, or other device.

  The memory 620 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from the storage 630, for example. The data includes data input to the server 600 and data generated by the processor 610. In one aspect, the memory 620 is implemented as a RAM or other volatile memory.

  The storage 630 permanently stores programs and data. The storage 630 is realized as, for example, a ROM, a hard disk device, a flash memory, or other nonvolatile storage device. The program stored in the storage 630 may include a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with the computer 200. The data stored in the storage 630 may include data and objects for defining the virtual space.

  In another aspect, the storage 630 may be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. In yet another aspect, instead of the storage 630 built in the server 600, a configuration using a program and data stored in an external storage device may be used. According to such a configuration, for example, in a scene where a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used as in an amusement facility, it is possible to update programs and data collectively.

  The input / output interface 640 communicates signals with input / output devices. In one aspect, the input / output interface 640 is implemented using USB, DVI, HDMI, or other terminals. The input / output interface 640 is not limited to the above.

  The communication interface 650 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with the computer 200 connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 650 is implemented as, for example, a LAN or other wired communication interface, or a wireless communication interface such as WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, or the like. The communication interface 650 is not limited to the above.

  In one aspect, the processor 610 accesses the storage 630, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 630 into the memory 620, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the server 600, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 610 may send a signal for providing a virtual space to the computer 200 via the input / output interface 640.

[HMD control device]
With reference to FIG. 10, the control apparatus of HMD120 is demonstrated. In one embodiment, the control device is realized by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the computer 200 includes a control module 510, a rendering module 520, a memory module 530, and a communication control module 540. In one aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 are implemented by the processor 210. In another aspect, multiple processors 210 may operate as control module 510 and rendering module 520. The memory module 530 is realized by the memory 220 or the storage 230. The communication control module 540 is realized by the communication interface 250.

  The control module 510 controls the virtual space 11 provided to the user 5. The control module 510 defines the virtual space 11 in the HMD system 100 using virtual space data representing the virtual space 11. The virtual space data is stored in the memory module 530, for example. The control module 510 may generate virtual space data or acquire virtual space data from the server 600 or the like.

  The control module 510 arranges the object in the virtual space 11 using object data representing the object. The object data is stored in the memory module 530, for example. The control module 510 may generate object data or acquire object data from the server 600 or the like. The objects include, for example, an avatar object that is a substitute of the user 5, a character object, an operation object such as a virtual hand operated by the controller 300, a landscape arranged in accordance with the progress of a game story, a mountain, etc., a cityscape, an animal Etc.

  The control module 510 places the avatar object of the user 5 of another computer 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the control module 510 places the avatar object of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. In an aspect, the control module 510 arranges an avatar object that imitates the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on an image including the user 5. In another aspect, the control module 510 places in the virtual space 11 an avatar object that has been selected by the user 5 from a plurality of types of avatar objects (for example, an object imitating an animal or a deformed human object). To do.

  The control module 510 specifies the inclination of the HMD 120 based on the output of the HMD sensor 410. In another aspect, the control module 510 specifies the inclination of the HMD 120 based on the output of the sensor 190 that functions as a motion sensor. The control module 510 detects organs (for example, mouth, eyes, eyebrows) constituting the face of the user 5 from the face image of the user 5 generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160. The control module 510 detects the movement (shape) of each detected organ.

  The control module 510 detects the line of sight of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140. The control module 510 detects a viewpoint position (a coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system) where the detected line of sight of the user 5 and the celestial sphere of the virtual space 11 intersect. More specifically, the control module 510 detects the viewpoint position based on the line of sight of the user 5 defined by the uvw coordinate system and the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14. The control module 510 transmits the detected viewpoint position to the server 600. In another aspect, the control module 510 may be configured to transmit line-of-sight information representing the line of sight of the user 5 to the server 600. In such a case, the viewpoint position can be calculated based on the line-of-sight information received by the server 600.

  The control module 510 reflects the movement of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 on the avatar object. For example, the control module 510 detects that the HMD 120 is tilted, and tilts and arranges the avatar object. The control module 510 reflects the detected movement of the facial organ on the face of the avatar object arranged in the virtual space 11. The control module 510 receives the line-of-sight information of the other user 5 from the server 600 and reflects it in the line-of-sight of the avatar object of the other user 5. In one aspect, the control module 510 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on the avatar object and the operation object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor for detecting the movement of the controller 300, an acceleration sensor, or a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs).

  The control module 510 arranges an operation object in the virtual space 11 for accepting the operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. The user 5 operates, for example, an object placed in the virtual space 11 by operating the operation object. In one aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object that is a virtual hand corresponding to the hand of the user 5. In one aspect, the control module 510 moves the hand object in the virtual space 11 so as to be interlocked with the movement of the hand of the user 5 in the real space based on the output of the motion sensor 420. In one aspect, the operation object may correspond to a hand portion of the avatar object.

  The control module 510 detects the collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object. The control module 510 can detect, for example, a timing at which a collision area of a certain object and a collision area of another object touch each other, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is performed. The control module 510 can detect the timing when the object is away from the touched state, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is made. The control module 510 can detect that the object is touching the object. For example, when the operation object touches another object, the control module 510 detects that the operation object touches another object, and performs a predetermined process.

  In one aspect, the control module 510 controls image display on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. For example, the control module 510 arranges the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The control module 510 controls the position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the tilt (orientation) of the virtual camera 14. The control module 510 defines the visual field area 15 according to the inclination of the head of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 and the position of the virtual camera 14. The rendering module 520 generates a visual field image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined visual field region 15. The view image 17 generated by the rendering module 520 is output to the HMD 120 by the communication control module 540.

  When the control module 510 detects an utterance using the microphone 170 of the user 5 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 specifies the computer 200 that is the transmission target of the audio data corresponding to the utterance. The audio data is transmitted to the computer 200 specified by the control module 510. When receiving audio data from another user's computer 200 via the network 2, the control module 510 outputs audio (utterance) corresponding to the audio data from the speaker 180.

  The memory module 530 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 11 to the user 5. In one aspect, the memory module 530 holds spatial information, object information, and user information.

  The spatial information holds one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 11.

  The object information includes a plurality of panoramic images 13 constituting the virtual space 11 and object data for arranging the objects in the virtual space 11. The panoramic image 13 may include a still image and a moving image. The panoramic image 13 may include an image in an unreal space and an image in a real space. As an image of unreal space, the image produced | generated by computer graphics is mentioned, for example.

  The user information holds a user ID that identifies the user 5. The user ID may be, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address set in the computer 200 used by the user. In another aspect, the user ID can be set by the user. The user information includes a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100.

  Data and programs stored in the memory module 530 are input by the user 5 of the HMD 120. Alternatively, the processor 210 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, the server 600) operated by a provider that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 530.

  The communication control module 540 can communicate with the server 600 and other information communication devices via the network 2.

  In one aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 can be implemented using, for example, Unity (registered trademark) provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that realize each process.

  Processing in the computer 200 is realized by hardware and software executed by the processor 210. Such software may be stored in advance in a memory module 530 such as a hard disk. The software may be stored in a CD-ROM or other non-volatile computer-readable data recording medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a program product that can be downloaded by an information provider connected to the Internet or other networks. Such software is read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from the server 600 or other computer via the communication control module 540 and then temporarily stored in the storage module. . The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in the RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 210 executes the program.

[Control structure of HMD system]
The control structure of the HMD set 110 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing a part of processing executed in HMD set 110 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in step S <b> 1110, the processor 210 of the computer 200 specifies virtual space data as the control module 510 and defines the virtual space 11.

  In step S1120, processor 210 initializes virtual camera 14. For example, the processor 210 places the virtual camera 14 in the center 12 defined in advance in the virtual space 11 in the work area of the memory, and directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 14 in the direction in which the user 5 is facing.

  In step S1130, processor 210 generates, as rendering module 520, view image data for displaying an initial view image. The generated view image data is output to the HMD 120 by the communication control module 540.

  In step S1132, the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 displays a view image based on the view image data received from the computer 200. The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 when viewing the visual field image.

  In step S <b> 1134, HMD sensor 410 detects the position and inclination of HMD 120 based on a plurality of infrared lights transmitted from HMD 120. The detection result is output to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

  In step S1140, processor 210 identifies the viewing direction of user 5 wearing HMD 120 based on the position and tilt included in the motion detection data of HMD 120.

  In step S1150, processor 210 executes the application program and places an object in virtual space 11 based on an instruction included in the application program.

  In step S1160, controller 300 detects an operation of user 5 based on a signal output from motion sensor 420, and outputs detection data representing the detected operation to computer 200. In another aspect, the operation of the controller 300 by the user 5 may be detected based on an image from a camera arranged around the user 5.

  In step S <b> 1170, processor 210 detects the operation of controller 300 by user 5 based on the detection data acquired from controller 300.

  In step S1180, processor 210 generates view field image data based on operation of controller 300 by user 5. The generated view image data is output to the HMD 120 by the communication control module 540.

  In step S1190, the HMD 120 updates the view image based on the received view image data, and displays the updated view image on the monitor 130.

[Avatar object]
With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an avatar object according to the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, it is a figure explaining the avatar object of each user 5 of HMD set 110A, 110B. Hereinafter, the user of HMD set 110A is represented as user 5A, the user of HMD set 110B is represented as user 5B, the user of HMD set 110C is represented as user 5C, and the user of HMD set 110D is represented as user 5D. A is attached to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110A, B is attached to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110B, C is attached to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110C, and the HMD set D is attached to the reference number of each component relating to 110D. For example, the HMD 120A is included in the HMD set 110A.

  FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram illustrating a situation where each HMD 120 provides the virtual space 11 to the user 5 in the network 2. The computers 200A to 200D provide the virtual spaces 11A to 11D to the users 5A to 5D via the HMDs 120A to 120D, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B are configured by the same data. In other words, the computer 200A and the computer 200B share the same virtual space. The avatar object 6A of the user 5A and the avatar object 6B of the user 5B exist in the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B. The avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A and the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B are each equipped with the HMD 120, but this is for easy understanding. In fact, these objects are equipped with the HMD 120. Not.

  In one aspect, the processor 210A may place the virtual camera 14A that captures the view image 17A of the user 5A at the eye position of the avatar object 6A.

  FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a field-of-view image 17A of the user 5A in FIG. The view image 17A is an image displayed on the monitor 130A of the HMD 120A. The view image 17A is an image generated by the virtual camera 14A. The avatar object 6B of the user 5B is displayed in the view field image 17A. Although not specifically illustrated, the avatar object 6A of the user 5A is also displayed in the view image of the user 5B.

  In the state of FIG. 12 (B), the user 5A can communicate with the user 5B through the virtual space 11A through communication (communication). More specifically, the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A is transmitted to the HMD 120B of the user 5B via the server 600 and output from the speaker 180B provided in the HMD 120B. The voice of the user 5B is transmitted to the HMD 120A of the user 5A via the server 600, and is output from the speaker 180A provided in the HMD 120A.

  The operation of the user 5B (the operation of the HMD 120B and the operation of the controller 300B) is reflected on the avatar object 6B arranged in the virtual space 11A by the processor 210A. Thereby, the user 5A can recognize the operation of the user 5B through the avatar object 6B.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence chart showing a part of processing executed in HMD system 100 according to the present embodiment. Although the HMD set 110D is not shown in FIG. 13, the HMD set 110D operates in the same manner as the HMD sets 110A, 110B, and 110C. In the following description, A is added to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110A, B is added to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110B, and C is assigned to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110C. It is assumed that D is added to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110D.

  In step S1310A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A. The avatar information includes, for example, information related to the avatar such as motion information, face tracking data, and voice data. The motion information includes information indicating temporal changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating the motion of the hand of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A and the like. The face tracking data includes data that specifies the position and size of each part of the face of the user 5A. The face tracking data includes data indicating the movement of each organ constituting the face of the user 5A and line-of-sight data. The voice data includes data indicating the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A of the HMD 120A. The avatar information may include information for specifying the avatar object 6A or the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information for specifying the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists, and the like. User ID is mentioned as information which specifies avatar object 6A and user 5A. Room ID is mentioned as information which specifies 11 A of virtual spaces in which the avatar object 6A exists. The processor 210A transmits the avatar information acquired as described above to the server 600 via the network 2.

  In step S1310B, the processor 210B in the HMD set 110B acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B, and transmits the avatar information to the server 600, similarly to the process in step S1310A. Similarly, in step S1310C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11C, and transmits it to the server 600.

  In step S1320, server 600 temporarily stores player information received from each of HMD set 110A, HMD set 110B, and HMD set 110C. The server 600 integrates avatar information of all users (users 5A to 5C in this example) associated with the common virtual space 11 based on the user ID and the room ID included in each avatar information. Then, the server 600 transmits the integrated avatar information to all users associated with the virtual space 11 at a predetermined timing. Thereby, a synchronous process is performed. By such synchronization processing, the HMD set 110A, the HMD set 110B, and the HMD 110C can share each other's avatar information at substantially the same timing.

  Subsequently, based on the avatar information transmitted from the server 600 to the HMD sets 110A to 110C, the HMD sets 110A to 110C execute the processes of steps S1330A to S1330C. The process in step S1330A corresponds to the process in step S1180 in FIG.

  In step S1330A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates information on the avatar objects 6B and avatar objects 6C of the other users 5B and 5C in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A updates the position and orientation of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11 based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110B. For example, the processor 210 </ b> A updates information (position and orientation, etc.) of the avatar object 6 </ b> B included in the object information stored in the memory module 530. Similarly, the processor 210A updates the information (position, orientation, etc.) of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11 based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110C.

In step S1330B, the processor 210B in the HMD set 110B updates the information of the avatar objects 6A and 6C of the users 5A and 5C in the virtual space 11B, similarly to the process in step S1330A. Similarly, in step S1330C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C updates information on the avatar objects 6A and 6B of the users 5A and 5B in the virtual space 11C.
[Detailed module configuration]
Details of the module configuration of the computer 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of modules of the computer 200. The computer 200 includes a control module 510, a rendering module 520, and a memory module 530.

  The control module 510 includes a virtual camera control module 1421, a view area determination module 1422, a virtual space definition module 1423, a virtual object generation module 1424, an operation object control module 1425, and a collision detection module 1426. . The rendering module 520 includes a view field image generation module 1438. The control module 510 is connected to the rendering module 520 and the memory module 530. The rendering module 520 is connected to the memory module 530.

  The virtual camera control module 1421 arranges the virtual viewpoint 14 that is a virtual camera in the virtual space 11. The virtual camera control module 1421 controls the arrangement position of the virtual viewpoint 14 in the virtual space 11 and the direction (tilt) of the virtual viewpoint 14 according to the movement of the user's head (HMD). For example, the virtual camera control module 1421 controls the direction (view) of the virtual viewpoint 14 in the virtual space so as to be linked to the direction of the HMD 120 (the direction of the user's head) in the real space.

  The visual field area determination module 1422 defines a visual field area (also simply referred to as a visual field) 15 according to the orientation of the virtual viewpoint 14 and the arrangement position of the virtual viewpoint 14.

  The view image generation module 1438 of the rendering module 520 generates the view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined view area 15.

  The virtual space definition module 1423 defines the virtual space 11 in the HMD system 100 by generating virtual space data representing the virtual space 11.

  The virtual object generation module 1424 generates an object placed in the virtual space 11. Objects may include, for example, landscapes including forests, mountains, etc., animals, enemies, people, etc. arranged according to the progress of the game story.

  The object may include an avatar object of another user 5 (hereinafter, the avatar object is referred to as “avatar”).

  The object may also include a weapon object used to attack the enemy object, and a armor object that prevents an attack from the enemy object. The enemy object is an object that affects the avatar (also referred to as a player character) of the user 5. Examples of the enemy object include an object that attacks an avatar or is attacked by an avatar.

  The object may include an operation object for receiving a user operation. The operation object is, for example, a hand object (avatar hand portion) that is a virtual hand corresponding to the hand of the user 5, but is not limited thereto. The operation object is operated by a body other than the head of the user 5 (for example, the hand or the controller 300 held by the hand). The entire avatar of the user 5 may be an operation object, or an object constituting a portion other than the avatar's body hand may be an operation object. Alternatively, the weapon object or the armor object held by the hand object may be an operation object.

  The operation object control module 1425 controls an operation object disposed in the virtual space 11 for receiving a user operation. The operation object can be operated by, for example, the user's hand wearing the HMD 120, the controller 300, or both.

  The collision detection module 1426 detects a collision when an object arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object. For example, the timing at which a collision area of a certain object and a collision area of another object touch can be detected. The collision area is, for example, an area having an arbitrary shape set in the outer area of the object. Further, the collision detection module 1426 can detect the timing at which the object is away from the state in which the object is touching. In addition, the collision detection module 1426 can detect that the object is in a touching state. For example, when a certain object touches another object, it is detected that the certain object touches another object. The collision detection module performs a predetermined process when the collision, separation, or contact is detected. Alternatively, the collision detection module notifies the other module of the collision, separation, or contact detection, and the other module performs a predetermined process. As an example, when the operation object control module 1425 detects a contact between the operation object and another object, the collision detection module notifies the operation object control module 1425 of the detection, and the operation object control module 1425 Perform the prescribed processing.

  The memory module 530 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 11 to the user 5. In one aspect, the memory module 530 holds spatial information 1428, object information 1429, and user information 1430.

  The space information 1428 holds one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 11.

  The object information 1429 holds content to be played back in the virtual space 11, objects used in the content, and information (for example, position information) for arranging the objects in the virtual space 11. The content may include, for example, game content, content representing a landscape similar to the real world, or video content.

  The user information 1430 holds a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100, an application program (for example, an action game program) that uses each content held in the object information 1429, and the like.

  Hereinafter, the game program according to the present embodiment will be described. In this game program, a case where the avatar object (avatar) of the user 5 is a fighting action game (first-person sensation VR action game) that defeats enemy characters (enemy objects) attacking one after another will be described as an example. The enemy character is an NPC (Non Player Character), and its operation is controlled by this game program.

  The outline of the game program according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C.

  FIG. 15A shows an example of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 and holding the controllers 300L and 300R. The controller 300L is a controller held in the left hand, and the controller 300R is a controller held in the right hand. These controllers are collectively referred to as a controller 300.

  FIG. 15B shows an example of a virtual space 1511 provided to the user 5 by the HMD 120. In the virtual space 1511, the enemy object 1531 exists in the field of view 1515 from the virtual viewpoint 1514 of the user 5. The enemy object 1531 is directed in the direction of the avatar object (avatar) 1506 (the direction of the arrow).

  FIG. 15C shows a view image viewed from the avatar 1506 of the user 5 in the virtual space 1511, that is, a view image in the view area 1515 from the virtual viewpoint (virtual camera) 1514 of the user 5. The avatar hand of the user 5 is displayed as an operation object (left hand object) 1532L and an operation object (right hand object) 1532R. The right hand object 1532R is equipped with a gun object 1533. The gun object 1533 is an example of a weapon object, and the weapon object may be other types such as a bow and arrow object or a sword object. The field of view of the user 5's avatar may be included in the view image. Moreover, the whole body of an avatar may be included. Or conversely, the part of the avatar of the user 5 may not be included at all. The operation objects (hand objects) 1532L and 1532R are collectively referred to as operation objects (hand objects) 1532. Although the hand object is an operation object here, the hand object and an item (for example, a weapon object) held by the hand object may be combined into an operation object.

  The position and movement of the HMD 120 in the real space are detected by position tracking and reflected in the position and movement of the virtual viewpoint 1514 in the virtual space 1511. Similarly, the position and movement of the controller 300 in the real space are detected by position tracking, respectively, and are reflected in the position and movement of the operation object 1532 in the virtual space 1511. The controller 300 is held in the left hand and the right hand of the user 5 in the real space. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the positional relationship of the left hand or the right hand (controller 300L or 300R) with respect to the head (HMD 120) of the user 5 is reflected in the virtual space 2 as the positional relationship of the operation objects 1532L and 1532R with respect to the virtual camera 1514. That is, the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can move the left hand object 1532L and the right hand object 1532R in the virtual space 1511 as if they were the user's own virtual hands. Since the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can experience the virtual space 1511 from a subjective viewpoint (first person viewpoint), the user 5 can enjoy a virtual experience as if the user 5 became a player character. That is, the user 5 can enjoy a virtual experience as if he / she was a player character and confronted with the enemy object 1531.

  A method for attaching items to the operation object (hand object) 1532 will be described. A first region is set in a specific part (for example, a shoulder or a waist) among parts constituting the body of the avatar 1506. For example, the first area is an area constituted by a collision area, and is an area to which an item to be used by the operation object (hand object) 1532 can be associated. Examples of the item include a weapon object for attacking the enemy object 1531 and a armor object for preventing an attack from the enemy object 1531, but are not limited thereto. The user 5 moves his / her hand (controller 300) to associate the collision area set in the hand object 1532 with the first area set in the specific part, and is associated with the first area. By performing a selection operation for selecting an item, the hand object 1532 can be equipped with an item associated with the first region. For example, when the specific part is the shoulder, the right hand object 1532R is moved to the shoulder (the right hand object 1532R disappears from the view image at this time), and the collision area of the right hand object 1532R is made to collide with the first region set to the shoulder. On the other hand, by performing a selection operation with the controller 300, the right-hand object 1532R is equipped with a gun object. When the right hand object 1532R is returned to the original position, an image in which the gun object 1533 is mounted on the right hand object 1532R is displayed as shown in FIG. 15C. Examples of the selection operation include, for example, continuously pressing a trigger type button such as the buttons 340 and 350, but the selection operation is not limited thereto. When the selection operation by the user 5 is released, the selection of the gun object 1533 by the right hand object 1532R is released. In this case, the processor 210 releases the gun object 1533 from the right hand object 1532R and updates the state of the gun object from the selected state to the non-selected state. The item mounting method described here is merely an example, and other methods are possible. For example, an item placed in front of the avatar 1506 (eg, an item hung on a wall, an item falling on the ground, etc.) is directly gripped by the hand object 1532 so that the item is attached to the hand object 1532. May be.

  When attacking the enemy object 1531, the user 5 operates the selected weapon object with the hand object 1531 to attack the enemy object 1531. Similarly, when preventing an attack from the enemy object 1531, the user 5 operates the selected armor object with the hand object 1532 to prevent an attack from the enemy object 1531.

  The left hand object 1532L in FIG. 15C is not equipped with any items, but the left hand object 1532L may be equipped with an armor object or a weapon object.

  The user 5 operates the operation object 1532 in order to defeat the enemy objects 1531 that are generated one after another and attack the avatar 1506 (only one is shown in the figure, but there may be a plurality of them). By attacking the enemy object 1531, a predetermined action is exerted on the enemy object 1531. For example, by operating a weapon (sword, gun, bow, etc.) object attached to the operation object 1532R and attacking the enemy object 1531, a predetermined action can be exerted on the enemy object 1531. In addition, a weapon object such as a gun or a bow that can be remotely attacked performs an attack by outputting (flying) an attack object (second object) such as a bullet. These weapon objects may have a range (range). In this case, it is possible to attack an enemy object existing at a range. The magnitude of damage caused by the attack may depend on the distance between the enemy object and the avatar 1506, or may be constant.

  A collision area for determination is set in each of the outer area of the enemy object 1531 and the outer area of the weapon object or the attack object. When the collision area of the enemy object 1531 comes into contact with the collision area of the weapon object or the attack object, it is determined that the enemy object 1531 has been attacked. In this case, a predetermined action according to the attack content such as a decrease in the physical strength parameter of the enemy object 1531 is exerted. As a result, actions such as the enemy object 1531 falling down, disappearing, or wobbling are performed.

  The operation object (hand object) 1532 itself may function as a weapon object. In this case, the attack is performed by moving the operation object so as to directly hit the enemy object 1531 as a bare hand weapon object. As a result, a predetermined action can be exerted on the enemy object 1531.

  Here, in the virtual space 1511, the virtual viewpoint 1514 rotates according to the movement of the head (HMD) of the user 5, and the field of view of the user 5 (the field of view of the avatar 1506) is controlled. In the action game as described above, the enemy object 1531 is randomly generated, for example, and attacks the avatar 1506. However, since the user 5 cannot recognize an event outside the field of view, the following problem occurs. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a virtual space provided to the user 5. In the virtual space 1511 in the upper left diagram of FIG. 16, an enemy object 1531A is generated in the view field area 1515 from the virtual viewpoint (virtual camera) 1514 of the user 5. For example, the enemy object 1531A is generated in the front direction of the avatar 1506. The generated enemy object 1531A attacks the avatar 1506. That is, the enemy object 1531A moves toward the avatar 1506 (that is, toward the virtual viewpoint 1514). In the upper right diagram of FIG. 16, the user 5 is dealing with the enemy object 1531A that has attacked (for example, the enemy object 1531A is attacked by flying a bullet object from the gun object). During this time, the enemy object 1531B is generated outside the field of view of the user 5. The enemy object 1531B moves outside the field of view of the user 5 and attacks the user 5 (avatar 1506). In the lower right diagram of FIG. 16, the user 5 defeats the enemy object 1531A, and immediately thereafter, the field of view is changed to the right in order to confirm the surrounding situation. At this time, the enemy object 1531 </ b> B that has moved outside the field of view of the user 5 suddenly appears in front of the user 5. The user 5 will deal with the enemy object 1531B and may feel unreasonable.

  The problem that the user 5 suddenly appears in front of the user and feels unreasonable can also occur when the user 5 knows that the enemy object exists outside the field of view. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 shows another example of the virtual space provided to the user 5.

  In the upper left diagram of FIG. 17, enemy objects 1531 </ b> A and 1531 </ b> B are randomly generated in the field of view 1515 of the user 5 and come toward the avatar 1506. The user 5 decides to deal with the enemy object 1531A first. For this reason, as shown in the upper right view of FIG. 17, the user 5 rotates his / her head so as to face the front direction of the enemy object 1531A. That is, during the battle, the direction is usually changed so that the avatar 1506 faces the enemy object. As a result, the view field 1515 rotates to the right and the enemy object 1531A is positioned in front of the avatar 1506, but the enemy object 1531B is outside the view field 1515 and is not visible to the user 5. While the user 5 is dealing with the enemy object 1531A, the enemy object 1531B moves outside the view area 1515 and approaches the avatar 1506. When the user 5 finishes dealing with the enemy object 1531A (for example, defeats the enemy object 1531A), it decides to deal with the enemy object 1531B next. As shown in the lower right diagram of FIG. 17, the user 5 rotates his head in the left direction so as to face the front direction of the enemy object 1531 </ b> B. Since the enemy object 1531B approaches the avatar of the user 5 while the user 5 is dealing with the enemy object 1531A, the enemy object 1531B suddenly appears in front of the user when the user 5 changes the field of view. The user 5 may be busy dealing with the enemy object 1531B and may feel unreasonable. Further, if the enemy object 1531B holds a weapon object that can be remotely attacked, the user 5 may be attacked by the enemy object 1531B outside the field of view. It is not convinced that an enemy object 1531B outside the field of view is attacked during a battle with another enemy object 1531A.

  This embodiment reduces the situation where an enemy object suddenly appears in front of the user 5 as described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 or is attacked from outside the field of view. As one solution of the present embodiment, an enemy object may be generated only in the field of view without being generated outside the field of view of the user 5. As a second solving means of the present embodiment, the moving speed of the enemy object that faces the avatar of the user 5 outside the field of view of the user 5 may be slower than when the enemy object exists in the field of view. In addition, there are other solutions based on the first solution or the second solution. Hereinafter, the operation of these solutions will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an example of a process for controlling the occurrence location of the enemy object 1531 (first object) (the process of the first solving means). User 5 is playing an action game. A virtual viewpoint (virtual camera) 1514 and various objects are arranged in the virtual space, and the user 5 displays an image (view image) of the view area from the virtual viewpoint 1514 via the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. ing. The operation object (hand object) 1532 of the avatar 1506 is operated using the controller 300 held by the user 5 with the left hand and the right hand. During the progress of the game, an enemy object 1531 that attacks the user 5 is generated at random timing and place in the virtual space. In this process, the location where the enemy object 1531 is generated is limited to the view area 1515 of the user 5. As a result, it is possible to prevent an enemy object from being generated outside the field of view 1515, and to reduce the situation where the enemy object 1531 suddenly appears in front of the user 5 or the avatar 1506 is attacked from outside the field of view of the user 5. .

  In step S1811, the processor 210 specifies the viewing direction and the viewing area 1515 of the user 5 based on the HMD sensor 410 and the like.

  In step S1812, the processor 210 generates a visual field image based on the identified visual field region 1515 and outputs the visual field image to the HMD 120. The view field image is displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 and visually recognized by the user 5. In addition, the processor 210 places various objects in the identified visual field area 1515. The objects to be arranged include landscape objects such as forests, mountains, buildings, generated enemy objects, operation objects for receiving user operations, and the like. An image of the placed object is output to the HMD 120 and displayed on the monitor 130.

  In step S1813, the processor 210 determines whether an enemy object generation condition is satisfied. As an example of the generation condition of the enemy object, for example, a certain period of time has passed since the enemy object was generated most recently. In addition, a certain time has passed since the enemy object was defeated most recently. In addition, a random number is generated, and the generated value may fall within a predetermined range. In addition, the number of enemy objects existing in the field-of-view area may become a predetermined value or less. A specific event may have occurred in the game. The conditions described here may be combined, or conditions other than those described here may be used.

  In step S1813, if the enemy object generation condition is not satisfied (NO), the process proceeds to step S1817. If the enemy object generation condition is satisfied (YES), the process proceeds to step S1814.

  In step S <b> 1814, the processor 210 determines an occurrence point of the enemy object within the field of view 1515 of the user 5. In one aspect, a plurality of generation point candidates (coordinates) are determined in advance in the virtual space 1511, and among these generation point candidates, all or a certain number of generation point candidates included in the view field region 15115 are specified. . One or more occurrence points are randomly selected from the identified occurrence point candidates. For example, if each of the specified occurrence point candidates is selected with a probability of 0.1, a random number is generated in the range of 0 to 9 for each occurrence point candidate, and the generated random number value is predetermined. If it is within the range (for example, 1 or more and less than 2), the candidate for the occurrence point is selected, and is not selected when it is outside the predetermined range. A plurality of occurrence points may be selected. When the number to be selected is determined in advance, the process may be terminated when the number of occurrence points is selected. As an example of the number to be selected, when there is an upper limit value of the number of enemy objects that can exist simultaneously in the view field 1515, the number of enemy objects existing in the current view area is subtracted from the upper limit value and subtracted. The number may be the upper limit of the number of occurrence points to be selected. The point of occurrence may be determined by methods other than those described here.

  In step S1815, the processor 210 generates an enemy object 1531 at the determined generation point. That is, the enemy object 1531 is arranged at the occurrence point. An image of the generated enemy object is output to the HMD 120 and displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120.

  In step S1816, the moving speed of the generated enemy object 1531 is determined. The moving speed may be a predetermined value, or may be a value determined at random from a plurality of moving speed candidates. Further, it may be determined according to the type or attribute of the generated enemy object 1531.

  In step S1817, the enemy object 1531 existing in the virtual space 1511 is moved toward the avatar 1506 of the user 5 at the moving speed determined in step S1816. That is, the object information (position information) of the enemy object 1531 is updated at regular intervals. When a plurality of enemy objects 1531 exist, this processing is performed for each enemy object 1531. Note that the route along which the enemy object 1531 moves toward the avatar 1506 may be the shortest route (straight route) to the avatar 1506, and a plurality of candidates are determined in advance. The movement route may be selected by a method.

  In step S1818, the processor 210 detects the operation of the controller 300 by the user 5 based on the detection data acquired from the controller 300 or the like.

  In step S1819, processor 210 generates a visual field image based on operation of controller 300 by user 5. For example, when the operation object 1532 is operated to move (fire) the gun object 1533, a view field image including an image corresponding to the operation is generated. An image in which the fired bullet object hits the enemy object 1531 may be included in the view image. The generated view field image is output to the HMD 120 and displayed on the monitor 130. If no operation by the user 5 is detected in step S1818, this step may be skipped.

  In step S1820, the processor 210 determines whether or not to end the process of this flowchart. If it is determined not to end (NO), the process returns to step S1811. When it is determined that the process is to be ended (YES), the processor 210 ends the process of this flowchart. For example, the user 5 performs a game end operation with the controller 300, and the processor 210 determines the end of the process. Note that a series of processes in this flowchart may be repeated at regular intervals. In this case, a step of determining whether a certain time has elapsed may be added.

  A specific operation example of the flowchart of FIG. 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. 19 shows an example of a virtual space provided to the user 5. FIG. 20 shows a view field image viewed from the avatar 1506 of the user 5 in the virtual space of FIG.

  As shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 19, one occurrence point is determined in the front direction of the avatar 1506 of the user 5 in the view field 1515 (step S1814), and one enemy object 1531A is generated at the determined occurrence point. (Step S1815). The view image of the user 5 at this time is shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. The enemy object 1531A moves toward the avatar 1506 (toward the virtual viewpoint 1514) at the moving speed determined in step S1816 (step S1817).

  In the upper right view of FIG. 19, the user 5 operates the operation object 1532 using the controller 3 to deal with the enemy object 1531A that has moved close to the user 5 (S1818). Specifically, the enemy object 1531A is attacked with the gun object 1533. The gun object 1533 flies (moves) the bullet object (second object) toward the enemy object 1531A, and acts according to the positional relationship with the enemy object 1531A. For example, when a bullet object comes into contact with the enemy object 1531A, a predetermined action is exerted on the enemy object 1531A. While the user 5 is dealing with (attacking) the enemy object 1531A, the processor 210 determines one occurrence point in the view field 1515 (step S1814), and in the subsequent step S1815, the enemy object 1531B is determined at the determined occurrence point. Is generated. The view image of the user 5 at this time is shown in the upper right view of FIG. The sizes of the enemy objects 1531A and 1531B are substantially the same, and the size of the enemy object illustrated in the drawing depends on the distance from the user 5's avatar. Enemy objects closer to the user 5's avatar are drawn larger.

  By dealing with the enemy object 1531A, the user 5 disappears as shown in the lower right diagram of FIG. 19 (S1819). As a result, the view image of the user 5 is updated as shown in the lower right diagram of FIG.

  The user 5 recognizes the enemy object 1531B located behind in the field-of-view area 1515 immediately after the handling of the enemy object 1531A is completed. Accordingly, as shown in the lower left diagram of FIG. 19, the user 5 faces the enemy object 1531B and prepares to attack the enemy object 1531B. At this time, the user's view image is updated as shown in the lower left diagram of FIG. The enemy object 1531A is located in the front direction of the user 5.

  As described above, the enemy object is generated only in the field of view 1515 of the user 5 and is not generated outside the field of view 1515, so that the enemy object suddenly appears in front of the user immediately after the user 5 changes the field of view. The phenomenon of being attacked from the outside can be reduced. Thereby, the user 5 can play with a sense of convincing and can improve the quality of the virtual experience of the user 5. In the case of multiplayer in which a virtual space to be described later is shared by a plurality of users 5, even if it is outside the view area 1515 of the user 5 and within the view area of the other user 5, the enemy is in the view area of the other user 5. Objects may be generated.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of an example of a process (a process of the second solving means) for controlling the moving speed of the enemy object (first object) existing outside the field of view of the user 5 to be slow.

  Steps S1811 to S1812 are the same as those in FIG. If the enemy object generation condition is satisfied in step S1813, the process proceeds to step S2114; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2116.

  In step S2114, the processor 210 determines an occurrence point of the enemy object in the virtual space 1511 (in the visual field area and outside the visual field area). In the flowchart of FIG. 18, the generation point is limited to the view area, but in step S2114, there is no such restriction. That is, the occurrence point can be determined either or both inside and outside the viewing area. An example of a specific method for determining the occurrence point is the same as step S1814 in FIG.

  In step S1815, an enemy object 1531 is generated at the determined generation point, as in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S2116, the moving speed of the enemy object 1531 is determined according to whether the enemy object 1531 is present in or outside the visual field area. FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of detailed operation of step S2116. In step S2221, the processor 210 determines whether the enemy object 1531 is inside or outside the view area. When it is determined that the enemy object 1531 is within the field of view (NO in S2222), in step S2223, the first movement speed (eg, normal speed) is determined as the movement speed of the enemy object 1531. If it is determined that the enemy object 1531 is outside the field of view (YES in S2222), in step S2224, the processor 210 determines a second movement speed that is slower than the first movement speed.

  Here, the value of the first moving speed may be different depending on the type of enemy object, or may be common regardless of the type of enemy object. The value of the second moving speed may also vary depending on the type of enemy object, or may be common regardless of the type of enemy object.

  In step S1817 of FIG. 21, the enemy object 1531 is moved toward the avatar of the user 5 at the moving speed determined in step S2116. As a result, the enemy object 1531 outside the view field moves slowly at the second movement speed, and the enemy object 1531 within the view field moves at the normal speed. The user 5 rotates the head (HMD 120) so that the same enemy object enters or falls outside the field of view of the user 5, but in step S2116 described above, the enemy object is The existing area is determined and the moving speed is determined.

  The processes in steps S2116 and S1817 described above are performed for each enemy object when there are a plurality of enemy objects.

  Steps S1818 to S1820 are the same as those in FIG.

  Specific operation examples of the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG. 23 shows an example of a virtual space provided to the user 5. FIG. 24 shows a view field image viewed from the avatar 1506 of the user 5 in the virtual space of FIG.

  As shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. 23, two generation points are determined in the view field 1515 (step S2114), and an enemy object 1531A and an enemy object 1531B are generated at the two generation points (step S1815). The view image of the user 5 at this time is shown in the upper left diagram of FIG. Since both the enemy object 1531A and the enemy object 1531B exist in the field-of-view area 1515, the first moving speed (referred to as V1) is determined (S2223). In the figure, a symbol indicating the moving speed is attached in parentheses after a code indicating an enemy object. For example, 1531A (V1) means that the moving speed of the enemy object 1531A is V1. The enemy object 1531A and the enemy object 1531B move toward the avatar 1506 (toward the virtual viewpoint 1514) at the moving speed V1 (step S1817). The user 5 decides to deal with the enemy object 1531A first.

  As shown in the upper right view of FIG. 23, the user 5 rotates his / her head so as to face the front direction of the enemy object 1531A. In response to this, the view area 1515 also rotates to the right, the view of the user 5 changes, and the enemy object 1531A is located in the front direction of the avatar 1506 (S1811, S1812). Since the enemy object 1531B is outside the field of view 1515, the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B is changed from V1 to the second moving speed (V2) (S2224). The enemy object 1531A moves in the direction of the user 5's avatar with the movement speed V1 (S1817), and the user 5 handles the enemy object 1531A that has moved nearby by operating the operation object 1532 using the controller 3. (S1818). The view image of the user 5 at this time is shown in the upper right view of FIG. While the user 5 is dealing with the enemy object 1531A, the enemy object 1531B moves outside the view area 1515 at the moving speed V2 (S1817) and approaches the avatar 1506.

  As shown in the lower right diagram of FIG. 23, when the user 5 finishes dealing with the enemy object 1531A (eg, defeats the enemy object 1531A), the enemy object 1531A disappears (S1819). At this time, the view image of the user 5 is updated as shown in the lower right diagram of FIG. Next, the user 5 decides to deal with the enemy object 1531 </ b> B outside the view field 1515.

  As shown in the lower left diagram of FIG. 23, the user 5 rotates his / her head in the left direction so as to face the front direction of the enemy object 1531B. In response to this, the view area 1515 also rotates to the left, and the view of the user 5 changes (S1811, S1812). At this time, the view image of the user 5 is updated as shown in the lower left diagram of FIG. Although the enemy object 1531B has moved in the direction of the avatar 1506 of the user 5 while the user 5 is dealing with the enemy object 1531A, the enemy object 1531B is still away from the avatar 1506 because the moving speed V2 is slow. . Since the enemy object 1531B has entered the field of view 1515 of the user 5 again, the moving speed is changed from V2 to V1, and the moving speed V1 approaches the avatar of the user 5 (S1817). The user 5 can calm down and deal with the enemy object 1531B.

  In this way, when the enemy object is outside the field of view, the movement speed is slowed to increase the time until the enemy object approaches the avatar of the user 5, and immediately after the user 5 changes the field of view, This reduces the phenomenon of enemy objects appearing in front. Thereby, the user 5 can play with a sense of convincing and can improve the quality of the virtual experience of the user 5. In addition, in the case of multiplayer played by a plurality of users (see Modification 1 to be described later, or the embodiment in FIGS. 12 and 13 described above), the enemy object 1531B is the avatar of the user 5 from other users. It seems that it is approaching slowly from the blind spot of the avatar 1506 so that 1506 is not noticed, and it looks natural.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 22, the moving speed of the enemy object is determined depending on whether the enemy object is inside or outside the view area. The moving speed may be changed according to the distance to the avatar 1506.

  FIG. 25 shows a flowchart of another example of the process for determining the moving speed.

  Step S2221 is the same as the flowchart of FIG. That is, the processor 210 determines whether the enemy object 1531 is inside or outside the view area. If it is determined that the enemy object 1531 is within the view area (NO in S2222), the process proceeds to step S2223. If it is determined that the enemy object 1531 is outside the view area (YES in S2222), the process proceeds to step S2526.

  In step S2223, the processor 210 determines the moving speed of the enemy object 1531 as a first moving speed (for example, a normal speed).

  In step S <b> 2526, the processor 210 calculates the distance between the enemy object 1531 and the avatar 1506 of the user 5. The distance to be calculated is, for example, the Euclidean distance between the coordinates where the avatar of the user 5 exists and the coordinates where the enemy object 1531 exists.

  In step S2527, as the calculated distance is shorter (smaller), that is, as the enemy object 1531 is closer to the user 5, a smaller moving speed is determined as the second moving speed. As an example, if the moving speed is v and the distance between the enemy object 1531 and the avatar 1506 is d, the moving speed is calculated by the function v = f (d). f is a monotonically increasing function that decreases as d decreases (that is, v increases as d increases).

  Alternatively, correspondence information in which the distance between the enemy object 1531 and the avatar 1506 is associated with the moving speed may be defined in advance. An example of the table as such correspondence information is shown in FIG. The table holds a distance range and a moving speed. v1 is greater than v2, and v2 is greater than v3 (v1> v2> v3). In the table, the moving speed corresponding to the range to which the calculated distance d belongs is determined. For example, when the calculated distance d is less than d2 and greater than d3, the moving speed v2 is determined.

  The functions and tables described above may be defined for each type of enemy object. Further, the function, the table, and the like may be changeable according to the difficulty level setting of the game.

  It is assumed that the maximum value of the moving speed outside the visual field area (second moving speed) is equal to or less than the moving speed within the visual field area (first moving speed). However, such a restriction may not be required.

  A specific example of the operation when the moving speed is determined according to the flowchart of FIG. 25 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 27 shows an example of a virtual space provided to the user 5.

  The enemy object 1531A exists in the field of view 1515 of the user 5, and the enemy object 1531B exists outside the field of view 1515. In the figure, the moving path of the enemy object is indicated by a dashed arrow. Along the broken arrows, the moving speed when moving along the corresponding route is also shown. Since the enemy object 1531A exists in the field-of-view area 1515, the first moving speed v0 is determined. Accordingly, the enemy object 1531A approaches the avatar 1506 of the user 5 at the moving speed v0. On the other hand, the enemy object 1531B exists outside the field-of-view area 1515, and the distance to the avatar 1506 is longer than d2, so v1 (v0 or less) that is the second movement speed is determined. When the enemy object 1531B moves in the direction of the avatar 1506 at v1, and the distance d becomes d2 or less, the moving speed is then changed to v2. When the enemy object 1531B moves further and the distance d becomes d3 or less, the moving speed is changed to v3. Thus, the enemy object 1531A in the view field 1515 moves at the same moving speed v0, while the enemy object 1531B outside the view field 1515 gradually changes to a lower moving speed as it approaches the avatar 1506. For this reason, even when the enemy object 1531A reaches the vicinity of the avatar 1506, the enemy object 1531B is located in a place still away from the avatar 1506. Thus, even if the user 5 faces the enemy object 1531A after facing the enemy object 1531A, the phenomenon that the enemy object 1531B suddenly appears in front of the user can be reduced.

(Modification 1)
In the embodiment described above, an example of single play in which one user plays a game is shown, but in this modification, an example of multiplay in which a plurality of users play is shown. In the following, an example of multiplay by two users is shown, but multiplay by three or more users is also possible.

  In FIG. 28, the example of the virtual space provided to the user 5 which concerns on this modification 1 is shown. The virtual space 1511 is shared by two users (user 5A and user 5B). In the virtual space 1511, an avatar 1506A and a virtual viewpoint 1514A of the user 5A, and an avatar 1506B and a virtual viewpoint 1514B of the user 5B are shown. The enemy object 1531A exists in the field of view 1515A from the virtual viewpoint 1514A of the user 5A, but does not exist in the field of view 1515B from the virtual viewpoint 1514B of the user 5B. The enemy object 1531B exists in the field of view 1515B from the virtual viewpoint 1514B of the user 5B, but does not exist in the field of view 1515A from the virtual viewpoint 1514A of the user 5A.

  FIG. 29 shows an example of a view image (right side) viewed from the avatar 1506A of the user 5A and an example of the view image (left side) viewed from the avatar 1506B of the user 5B in the virtual space of FIG. The view image of the user 5B includes a left hand object, right hand objects 1532L_B and 1532R_B, and a gun object 1533B mounted on the right hand object 1532R_B with respect to the user 5B. The user 5A is fighting the enemy object 1531A in front, and the enemy object 1531B is not visible. On the other hand, the user 5B sees the enemy object 1531B moving toward the user 5A from the side. The operation object of the user 5B may be the left hand / right hand objects 1532L_B and 1532R_B of the user 5B, or a combination of the left hand / right hand objects 1532L_B and 1532R_B of the user 5B and a weapon object (gun object) 1533B. It may be defined as an object. The operation object of the user 5B may be defined by a method other than this.

  In the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22 described above, when the enemy object 1531 is outside the field of view 1515 of the user 5, the moving speed of the enemy object 1531 is reduced (see step S2224 in FIG. 22). In this modified example, even if the enemy object 1531 is outside the field of view 1515 of the user 5, if the enemy object 1531 is inside the field of view 1515 of another user 5, the moving speed of the enemy object 1531 is not slowed down. In the example of FIGS. 28 and 29, the enemy object 1531B is outside the field of view 1515A of the user 5A, but is inside the field of view 1515B of the user 5B. For this reason, the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B moving toward the user 5A is not slowed down. That is, the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B is set to the first moving speed (eg, normal speed). This is based on the idea that the user 5B deals with the enemy object 1531B on behalf of the user 5A (the user 5B supports the user 5A). That is, since the user 5B can be expected to deal with the enemy object 1531B on behalf of the user 5A, it is not necessary for the user 5A to slow down the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B. On the other hand, for the user 5B, the enemy object 1531B as an attack target is moving at the first moving speed (for example, normal speed), so that the game can be played without a sense of incongruity.

  FIG. 30 shows a flowchart of an example of processing for determining the moving speed according to the first modification. As a premise, as shown in FIG. 13, the virtual space is synchronized between the HMD set 110 </ b> A related to the user 5 </ b> A and the HMD set 110 related to the user 5 </ b> B via the server 300. Specifically, HMD set 110 </ b> A and HMD set 110 </ b> B transmit the avatar information of the avatars and the information of enemy objects related to users 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B to server 600. Server 600 stores the received information. Then, the server 600 transmits information received from the user 5A to the user 5B at a predetermined timing, and transmits information received from the user 5B to the user 5A. Thereby, the synchronization process between the user 5A and the user 5B is executed. The avatar information includes information on the avatar object, information on the virtual viewpoint and field of view of the avatar object, information on the virtual space where the avatar object exists, and the like.

  In step S <b> 3010, the processor 210 in the HMD set 110 </ b> A related to the user 5 </ b> A receives the user 5 </ b> B's avatar information, enemy object information, and the like via the server 600. Here, it is assumed that an enemy object for the user 5B has not yet occurred and only the avatar information of the user 5B is received.

  In step S3030, the processor 210 updates the information of the avatar 1506B of the user 5B in the virtual space 1511 based on the received avatar information. Thereby, for example, the operation objects 1532L_B and 1532R_B of the user 5B, the weapon object 1533B, and the like are also arranged in the virtual space 1511. If the enemy object information is also received from the user 5B, the enemy object information of the user 5B is also updated in the virtual space 1511. Further, the processor 201 may perform an operation of controlling the visual field area 1515B from the virtual viewpoint 1514B according to the movement of the head of the user 5B. In this case, information on the movement of the head of the user 5B may be acquired from the HMD set 110B of the user 5B via the server 600. Alternatively, the processor 201 may receive information on the view area 1515B from the virtual viewpoint 1514B from the HMD set 110B of the user 5B via the server 600.

  In step S2221, the processor 210 determines whether or not the enemy object 1531 of the user 5A exists in the view area 1515A. If it is determined that the enemy object 1531 exists in the view field 1515A (NO in S2222), the process proceeds to step S2223. If it is determined that the enemy object 1531 is outside the field of view 1515A (YES in S2222), the process proceeds to step S3028. When there are a plurality of enemy objects, the determination in step S2221 is performed for each enemy object. Here, as in the example of FIG. 28 described above, it is determined that the enemy object 1531A exists in the visual field area 1515A of the user 5A, but the enemy object 1531B exists outside the visual field area 1515A. Accordingly, the process related to the enemy object 1531A proceeds to step S2223, and the process related to the enemy object 1531B proceeds to step S3028.

  In step S2223, the processor 210 determines the first movement speed as the movement speed of the enemy object 1531A.

  In step S3028, the processor 210 determines whether or not the enemy object 1531B exists within the field of view 1515B of the user 5B.

  When the enemy object 1531B exists in the field of view 1515B of the user 5B (YES), the process proceeds to step S2223. In step S2223, the processor 210 determines a first movement speed (for example, a normal speed) as the movement speed of the enemy object 1531B.

  On the other hand, when the enemy object 1531B does not exist in the field of view 1515B of the user 5B (NO), the process proceeds to step S2224. In step S2224, the processor 210 determines a second movement speed slower than the first movement speed as the movement speed of the enemy object 1531B. That is, the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B is decreased.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 31 shows a flowchart of an example of processing for determining the moving speed according to the second modification. Step S3129 is added to the flowchart of FIG. 30 before step S2223.

  If it is determined in step S3028 that the enemy object 1531B exists in the field of view 1515B of the user 5B (YES in S3028), the enemy object 1531B exists within the attack range of the operation object of the avatar 1506B of the user 5B. That is, it is determined whether the operation object of the avatar 1506B can cause the enemy object 1531B to act (S3129). For example, when the avatar 1506B of the user 5B is equipped with a weapon object for remote attack, the enemy object 1531B exists within the range of the attack of the user 5B, that is, the operation object of the avatar 1506B becomes the enemy object 1531B. It is determined that the action can be caused.

  Here, the weapon object for remote attack is an object that outputs (for example, skips) the attack object (second object) toward the enemy object, and the action according to the positional relationship between the output object and the enemy object is the enemy. Effect on objects. For example, if the weapon object is a gun object, the attack object to be output is a bullet object. If the weapon object is a bow object, the attack object to be output is an arrow object. If the avatar is a character that can emit energy waves, a weapon that can emit energy waves or a body part that emits energy waves (for example, both hands) corresponds to a weapon object, and the emitted energy waves are output. Corresponds to the attack object.

  Further, when the user 5B's avatar 1506B holds a sword as a weapon object, if the enemy object 1531B exists within the attackable range of the sword, the enemy object 1531B exists within the attack range of the user 5B. to decide. That is, it is determined that the operation object of the avatar 1506B can cause the enemy object 1531B to act.

  If it is determined that the enemy object 1531B is within the range of the avatar 1506B of the user 5B (YES), the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B is not slowed down. That is, the first moving speed (normal speed) is determined as the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B.

  On the other hand, when there is no enemy object 1531B within the range of the avatar 1506B of the user 5B (NO in S3129), the moving speed of the enemy object 1531B is slowed down. That is, the second movement speed slower than the first movement speed is determined as the movement speed of the enemy object 1531B (S2224). This is based on the idea that if there is no enemy object 1531B within the range of the avatar 1506B of the user 5B, the user 5B cannot support the user 5A (for example, support shooting).

(Modification 3)
In the above-described embodiment and each modification, the enemy object is an enemy character. However, when the enemy character can be remotely attacked, the attack object output by the enemy character toward the user 5 is the enemy object. There may be. In this case, for example, the embodiment and other modifications described above can be implemented by replacing the enemy object 1531 with an attack object. The types of ranged attacks include bullets, arrows, energy waves, etc., as described above. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the phenomenon that the user is attacked by the attack object immediately after the view is changed or the attack by the attack object from the blind spot.

  In the embodiment described above, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user is immersed by the HMD has been described as an example. However, a transmissive HMD may be adopted as the HMD. In this case, an augmented reality (AR) space or a mixed reality (AR) space or a mixed reality (AR) is output by outputting a view field image obtained by synthesizing a part of an image constituting a virtual space to a real space visually recognized by a user via a transmissive HMD. A virtual experience in an MR (Mixed Reality) space may be provided to the user. In this case, instead of the operation object, an action on the target object in the virtual space may be generated based on the movement of the user's hand. Specifically, the processor may specify the coordinate information of the position of the user's hand in the real space and define the position of the target object in the virtual space in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. As a result, the processor can grasp the positional relationship between the user's hand in the real space and the target object in the virtual space, and can execute processing corresponding to the above-described collision control and the like between the user's hand and the target object. . As a result, it is possible to act on the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various constituent elements of the present invention can be embodied. In addition, the present invention can be formed by appropriately expanding, changing, deleting, or combining each component in the above embodiment. It is also possible to add another component to form the present invention. For example, the embodiment of the first solving means and the embodiment of the second solving means may be combined. Moreover, you may combine the modifications 1-3 arbitrarily. Combinations other than those described here are possible.

  The subject matter disclosed in the present specification will be added below.

[Item 1]
Defining a virtual space including the first virtual viewpoint of the first user;
Generating a first object in the virtual space;
Controlling the first field of view from the first virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the first user;
Determining a moving speed of the first object according to whether or not the first object is present in the first field of view; and determining the first virtual viewpoint from the first object at the determined moving speed. A step to move towards
A computer program for causing a computer to execute.
Depending on whether the first object (enemy object) exists in or outside the field of view of the first user, the first user can have a convincing virtual experience by changing the moving speed of the first object. it can.

[Item 2]
In the step of determining the moving speed, when the first object exists in the first field of view, the moving speed of the first object is set as the first moving speed, and the first object is in the first field of view. The computer program according to item 1, wherein when there is not, the moving speed of the first object is set to a second moving speed that is slower than the first moving speed.
By slowing down the movement speed of the first object (enemy object) outside the field of view of the first user, the enemy object suddenly appears in front of the user immediately after the user changes the field of view or is attacked from outside the field of view. Can be reduced.

[Item 3]
In the step of determining the moving speed, when the first object does not exist in the first field of view, the moving speed of the first object is increased as the distance between the first object and the first virtual viewpoint becomes shorter. The computer program according to item 1 or 2, which is delayed.
By slowing down the moving speed of the first object (enemy object) outside the field of view of the first user as it approaches the first virtual viewpoint, an enemy object suddenly appears in front of you immediately after the user changes the field of view. The phenomenon of being attacked from outside the field of view can be reduced.

[Item 4]
The virtual space further includes a second virtual viewpoint of the second user,
Further causing the computer to execute a step of controlling a second field of view from the second virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the second user,
In the step of determining the moving speed, when the first object does not exist in the first field of view and exists in the second field of view, the first object and the first virtual viewpoint The computer program according to item 3, wherein the moving speed of the first object is not slowed even when the distance is short.
Since it can be expected that the second user will deal with the first object on behalf of the first user, it is not necessary for the first user to slow down the moving speed of the first object, and for the second user, You can play more natural.

[Item 5]
The virtual space further includes a second operation object;
Controlling the movement of the second operation object in accordance with the movement of a body part other than the head of the second user;
Determining whether or not the second operation object is in a state in which an action can be caused on the first object;
In the step of determining the moving speed, when the second operation object is in a state in which an action is caused on the first object, the distance between the first object and the first virtual viewpoint may be short. Item 5. The computer program according to Item 4, wherein the moving speed of the first object is not slowed down.
Since it can be expected that the second user will deal with the first object on behalf of the first user, it is not necessary for the first user to slow down the moving speed of the first object, and for the second user, You can play a game that doesn't feel uncomfortable.

[Item 6]
The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein in the step of generating the first object, the first object is generated in the first field of view.
By generating the first object (enemy object) only within the user's field of view, it is possible to reduce a phenomenon in which an enemy object suddenly appears in front of the user immediately after the user changes his field of view or is attacked from outside the field of view. .

[Item 7]
The virtual space further includes a first operation object,
Controlling the movement of the first operation object according to the movement of a body part other than the head of the first user;
Exerting an action on the first object based on the movement of the first operation object;
7. The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 6, further causing the computer to execute.
The first user can move the operation object in the virtual space as if it were a part of the user's own body.

[Item 8]
An information processing apparatus including a processor,
Defining a virtual space including the first virtual viewpoint of the first user;
Generating a first object in the virtual space;
Controlling the first field of view from the first virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the first user;
Determining a moving speed of the first object according to whether or not the first object is present in the first field of view; and determining the first virtual viewpoint from the first object at the determined moving speed. A step to move towards
Is an information processing apparatus executed under the control of the processor.

[Item 9]
Defining a virtual space including the first virtual viewpoint of the first user;
Generating a first object in the virtual space;
Controlling the first field of view from the first virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the first user;
Determining a moving speed of the first object according to whether or not the first object is present in the first field of view; and determining the first virtual viewpoint from the first object at the determined moving speed. A step to move towards
An information processing method comprising:

2: Network 11: Virtual space 13: Panoramic image 14: Virtual camera 15: Field of view area 17: Field of view image 100: HMD system 110: HMD set 120: HMD
130: monitor 140: gaze sensor 150: first camera 160: second camera 170: microphone 180: speaker 200: computer 210: processor 220: memory 230: storage 240: input / output interface 250: communication interface 300: controller 310: grip 320: Frame 330: Top surface 340, 350, 370, 380: Button 360: Infrared LED
390: Analog stick 410: HMD sensor 420: Motion sensor 430: Display 510: Control module 520: Rendering module 530: Memory module 540: Communication control module 600: Server 700: External device 1421: Virtual camera control module 1422: Visual field determination Module 1423: Virtual space definition module 1424: Virtual object generation module 1425: Operation object control module 1426: Collision detection module 1428: Spatial information 1429: Object information 1430: User information 1506: Avatar object (avatar)
1514: Virtual viewpoint (virtual camera)
1511: Virtual space 1515: Field of view 1531: Enemy object 1532: Operation object 1533: Weapon object

Claims (9)

Defining a virtual space including the first virtual viewpoint of the first user;
Generating a first object in the virtual space;
Controlling the first field of view from the first virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the first user;
Determining a moving speed of the first object according to whether the first object exists in the first field of view;
Moving the first object toward the first virtual viewpoint at the determined moving speed;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute. In the step of determining the moving speed, when the first object exists in the first field of view, the moving speed of the first object is set as the first moving speed, and the first object is in the first field of view. The computer program product according to claim 1, wherein when it does not exist, the moving speed of the first object is set to a second moving speed that is slower than the first moving speed. In the step of determining the moving speed, when the first object does not exist in the first field of view, the moving speed of the first object is increased as the distance between the first object and the first virtual viewpoint becomes shorter. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the computer program is delayed. The virtual space further includes a second virtual viewpoint of the second user,
Further causing the computer to execute a step of controlling a second field of view from the second virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the second user,
In the step of determining the moving speed, when the first object does not exist in the first field of view and exists in the second field of view, the first object and the first virtual viewpoint The computer program according to claim 3, wherein the moving speed of the first object is not slowed even when the distance is short. The virtual space further includes a second operation object;
Controlling the movement of the second operation object in accordance with the movement of a body part other than the head of the second user;
Determining whether or not the second operation object is in a state in which an action can be caused on the first object;
In the step of determining the moving speed, when the second operation object is in a state in which an action is caused on the first object, the distance between the first object and the first virtual viewpoint may be short. The computer program according to claim 4, wherein the moving speed of the first object is not slowed down. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of generating the first object, the first object is generated in the first field of view. The virtual space further includes a first operation object,
Controlling the movement of the first operation object according to the movement of a body part other than the head of the first user;
Exerting an action on the first object based on the movement of the first operation object;
Further causing the computer to execute
The computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. An information processing apparatus including a processor,
Defining a virtual space including the first virtual viewpoint of the first user;
Generating a first object in the virtual space;
Controlling the first field of view from the first virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the first user;
Determining a moving speed of the first object according to whether the first object exists in the first field of view;
Moving the first object toward the first virtual viewpoint at the determined moving speed;
Is an information processing apparatus executed under the control of the processor. Defining a virtual space including the first virtual viewpoint of the first user;
Generating a first object in the virtual space;
Controlling the first field of view from the first virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the first user;
Determining a moving speed of the first object according to whether the first object exists in the first field of view;
Moving the first object toward the first virtual viewpoint at the determined moving speed;
An information processing method comprising: