JP2020052775A - Program, virtual space providing method, and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a program, a providing method, and an information processor that improve a sense of reality given to a user in a virtual space.SOLUTION: A program causes a processor to perform the steps of: defining a virtual space; arranging a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space; determining, according to a movement of a user's head, a field of view from a virtual viewpoint; arranging, in the virtual space, an avatar that follows a user's movement; detecting at least one of a user's vocalized sound and a mouth shape; determining whether to arrange an effect in a near-field region associated with the avatar according to at least one of a volume of the vocalized sound, a vowel, and the mouth shape; and displaying a view image corresponding to the field of view from the virtual viewpoint on a head-mounted device. Then, the view image, when the arrangement of the effect is determined and the near-field region is included in the field of view, includes the effect.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a program, a virtual space providing method, and an information processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a virtual space has been provided to a user using a head mounted device (hereinafter, HMD). In the virtual space, various technologies have been proposed for giving a user an immersive feeling as if the user were actually present in the virtual space.

  For example, in order to move a character with a natural movement close to reality, weight is set for characters arranged in a virtual space, and each character is moved in a moving direction and a moving amount according to the weight when the characters come into contact with each other. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-106701A

  In a virtual space, a user can have a difficult experience in a real space. For example, in a virtual space in which another country, a creative town, and the like are defined, the user can experience a distant country, the creative world, and the like. In a virtual space where a battle game is provided, it is also possible to interact with an enemy avatar or an avatar of another user to battle. As described above, it is important for a user to experience a virtual space in which a user can experience difficulties in reality as if it were real, and it is required to provide a higher sense of reality.

  An object of the present disclosure is to improve the sense of reality given to a user in a virtual space.

  According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a program executed by a processor. The program has the processor define a virtual space, arrange a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space, determine a view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head, and link the movement of the user. Placing the avatar in the virtual space, detecting at least one of the user's utterance and the shape of the mouth, and associating the avatar with the avatar according to at least one of the volume of the utterance, the vowel and the shape of the mouth. Determining whether or not to place an effect in a nearby area to be viewed, and displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on a head-mounted device. When the arrangement of the effect is determined and the vicinity area is included in the view, the view image includes the effect.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the sense of reality given to a user in a virtual space.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an HMD system according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating one mode of expressing a virtual space according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a head of a user wearing the HMD according to an embodiment from above. It is a figure showing the YZ section which looked at the visibility field from the X direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the XZ section which looked at the field of view in the virtual space from the Y direction. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a controller according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of each of yaw, roll, and pitch directions defined for a right hand of a user according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a computer according to an embodiment as a module configuration. 9 is a sequence chart showing a part of a process executed in the HMD set according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a situation in which each HMD provides a user with a virtual space in a network. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a view image of a user 5A in FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a process executed in the HMD system according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a module of a computer according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process of detecting a mouth from a user's face image. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a process in which the face organ detection module detects the shape of the mouth. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a process in which the face organ detection module detects the shape of the mouth. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of face tracking data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual space in which a temperature parameter is set. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling display of a temperature effect executed in a computer according to an embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a field-of-view image containing a breath effect. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a virtual viewpoint of the view image of FIG. 21. It is a figure showing an example of a field-of-view image containing a breath effect. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling display of an effect of an attack executed in a computer according to an embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a field-of-view image containing an effect of an attack.

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

[Configuration of HMD system]
The configuration of an HMD (Head-Mounted Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an 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, 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 an HMD set 110. The number of the HMD sets 110 configuring the HMD system 100 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. The HMD set 110 includes the HMD 120, the computer 200, the HMD sensor 410, the display 430, and the 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. Controller 300 may include a motion sensor 420.

  In one aspect, the computer 200 is connectable to the Internet and other networks 2 and can communicate with the server 600 and other computers connected to the network 2. As other computers, for example, a computer of another HMD set 110 and an external device 700 can be mentioned. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include the 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, HMD 120 displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image on 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 of both eyes. The HMD 120 may include any of a so-called head-mounted display having a monitor, and a head-mounted device to which a smartphone or other terminal having a monitor can be attached.

  The monitor 130 is realized, for example, as a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, monitor 130 is disposed on the main body of HMD 120 so as to be located in front of both eyes of user 5. Therefore, when the user 5 visually recognizes the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 130, the user 5 can immerse in the virtual space. 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 a certain aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor included in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal.

  In another aspect, monitor 130 may be implemented as a transmissive display. In this case, the HMD 120 may be an open type such as a glasses type instead of a closed type that covers the eyes of the user 5 as illustrated in FIG. The transmissive monitor 130 may be temporarily configurable as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting its transmittance. The monitor 130 may include a configuration that simultaneously displays a part of an image forming the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 130 may display an image of the real space captured by a camera mounted on the HMD 120, or may make the real space visually recognizable by setting a high transmittance for a part.

  In one aspect, monitor 130 may include a sub-monitor for displaying a right-eye image and a sub-monitor for displaying a left-eye image. In another aspect, the monitor 130 may be configured to display the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye integrally. 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 light. The HMD sensor 410 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD 120. More specifically, HMD sensor 410 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted by HMD 120, and detects the position and inclination of 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 the inclination of the HMD 120 by executing image analysis processing using the image information of the HMD 120 output from the camera.

  In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include a sensor 190 as a position detector instead of, or in addition to, the HMD sensor 410. 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 by using any 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 the angular velocity around the three axes of the HMD 120 in the real space over time. The HMD 120 calculates a temporal change of an angle around three axes of the HMD 120 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates a tilt of the HMD 120 based on a temporal change of the angle.

  The gaze sensor 140 detects a 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, it is preferable that the gaze sensor 140 includes a sensor for the right eye and a sensor for the left eye. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates infrared light to the right and left eyes of the user 5 and detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by receiving reflected light from the cornea and the iris with respect to the irradiated light. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on the detected rotation angles.

  The first camera 150 photographs the lower part of the face of the user 5. More specifically, first camera 150 captures the nose and mouth of user 5 and the like. The second camera 160 captures an image of the user 5's eyes and eyebrows. The case of the user 5 of the HMD 120 is defined as the inside of the HMD 120, and the case of the HMD 120 opposite to the user 5 is defined as the outside of the HMD 120. In some aspects, the first camera 150 may be located outside the HMD 120 and the second camera 160 may be located inside the HMD 120. The 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 one camera, and the face of the user 5 may be photographed by the one camera.

  The microphone 170 converts the utterance of the user 5 into an audio signal (electric signal) and outputs it to the computer 200. The speaker 180 converts the audio signal into audio and outputs the audio 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 wirelessly. Controller 300 accepts an input of a command from user 5 to computer 200. In a certain aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be graspable by the user 5. In another aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be attachable to a part of the body or clothing of the user 5. 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 still another aspect, controller 300 receives an operation from user 5 for controlling the position and movement of an object placed in the virtual space.

  In one aspect, controller 300 includes a plurality of light sources. Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED that emits infrared light. 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 the 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 the inclination of the controller 300 by executing image analysis processing using the image information of the controller 300 output from the camera.

  In a certain situation, the motion sensor 420 is attached to the hand of the user 5 and detects a movement of the hand of the user 5. For example, the motion sensor 420 detects a rotation speed, a rotation speed, 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, for example, the controller 300 configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, for safety in the real space, the controller 300 is mounted on a glove-shaped object that is not easily fly by being mounted on the hand of the user 5. In yet another aspect, a sensor that is not worn by the user 5 may detect the movement of the hand of the user 5. For example, a signal from a camera that captures the user 5 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal indicating the operation of the user 5. The motion sensor 420 and the computer 200 are mutually connected by wireless as an example. In the case of wireless communication, the communication mode is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or another known communication method is used.

  The display 430 displays an image similar to the image displayed on the monitor 130. This allows a user other than the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 to view the same image as the user 5. The image displayed on the display 430 need not be a three-dimensional image, but 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.

  The server 600 can transmit a program to the computer 200. In another aspect, server 600 may communicate with other computers 200 to provide virtual reality to 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 the operation of each user with another computer 200 via the server 600, and transmits a plurality of signals in the same virtual space. Of users can enjoy a common game. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 without passing through the server 600.

  The external device 700 may be any device as long as it can communicate with the computer 200. The external device 700 may be, for example, a device capable of communicating with the computer 200 via the network 2 or a device capable of directly communicating with the computer 200 through short-range wireless communication or wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include, but are not limited to, a smart device, a PC (Personal Computer), and peripheral devices of the computer 200.

[Computer hardware configuration]
With reference to FIG. 2, a computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating 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 provided to the computer 200 or based on satisfaction of a predetermined condition. 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 another 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 computer 200 and data generated by processor 210. In one aspect, the memory 220 is realized as a random access memory (RAM) or other volatile memory.

  The storage 230 permanently stores programs and data. The storage 230 is realized, for example, as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk device, a flash memory, or another nonvolatile storage device. The 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 for defining a virtual space, objects, and the like.

  In another aspect, the storage 230 may be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. In still another aspect, a configuration using programs and data stored in an external storage device may be used instead of the storage 230 built in the computer 200. According to such a configuration, for example, in a situation 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, input / output interface 240 may further communicate with 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 instruction output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The command instructs the controller 300 to perform vibration, sound output, light emission, and the like. Upon receiving the command, the controller 300 executes any of vibration, sound output, and light emission according to the command.

  The communication interface 250 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with another computer (for example, the server 600) connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 250 is implemented as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) 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 executable 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. HMD 120 displays an image on monitor 130 based on the signal.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the configuration in which the computer 200 is provided outside the HMD 120 is illustrated. 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 have a configuration commonly used by a plurality of HMDs 120. According to such a configuration, for example, the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, so that each user can enjoy the same application as another user in the same virtual space.

  In one 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, a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and a front-rear direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction, vertical direction (vertical direction), and front-back direction in the real coordinate system are defined as x-axis, y-axis, and 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-back direction of the real space.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 410 includes an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects 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 the inclination (direction) 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). I do. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 can detect a temporal change in the position and the 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 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 a virtual space.

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

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the HMD 120 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system centered on the head (origin) of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120. More specifically, the HMD 120 adjusts the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) that define the real coordinate system by tilts around the respective axes of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. Three directions newly obtained by tilting around the axes are set as a pitch axis (u axis), a yaw axis (v axis), and a 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 is standing upright and viewing the front, the processor 210 sets the uvw view coordinate system parallel to the real coordinate system to the HMD 120. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), the vertical direction (y-axis), and the front-rear direction (z-axis) in the real coordinate system are the pitch axis (u-axis) and the yaw axis (v-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120. , And the roll axis (w-axis).

  After the uvw view coordinate system is set to the HMD 120, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the inclination of the HMD 120 in the set uvw view 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, respectively, 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) indicates the inclination angle of the HMD 120 about the roll axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system.

  The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 after the HMD 120 has moved to the HMD 120 based on the detected inclination of 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 the inclination of the HMD 120 change, the position and the inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system change in conjunction with the change in the position and the inclination.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 410 determines the HMD 120 based on the light intensity of the infrared light 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 view 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 mode of expressing virtual space 11 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 11 has a spherical structure that covers the entire center 12 in the 360-degree direction. FIG. 4 illustrates the upper half celestial sphere of the virtual space 11 in order not to complicate the description. In the virtual space 11, each mesh is defined. The position of each mesh is defined in advance as a coordinate value in an XYZ coordinate system which is a global coordinate system defined in the virtual space 11. The computer 200 associates each partial image forming 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 a certain situation, in the virtual space 11, an XYZ coordinate system having the center 12 as the origin is defined. The XYZ coordinate system is, for example, parallel to the real coordinate system. The horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the front-back 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 Z axis (front-back 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 arranged 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, the change of the position and the inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 11.

  The uvw visual field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 14 as in the case of the HMD 120. The uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined so as to be linked to the uvw view 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 view area 15 in the virtual space 11 based on the position and the inclination (reference line of sight 16) of the virtual camera 14. The view area 15 corresponds to an area in 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 the direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes the object. The uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 views the monitor 130. The uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is linked to the uvw view 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 eyes]
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 a certain situation, 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 detection result of the line of sight, the computer 200 specifies the gazing point N1 which is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 based on the detection values. On the other hand, when the computer 200 receives the detection values of the sight lines R2 and L2 from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the sight lines R2 and L2 as the gazing point. The computer 200 specifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the specified position of the gazing point N1. The computer 200 detects, as the line of sight N0, for example, the direction in which the straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 5 and the gazing point N1. The line of sight N0 is a direction in which the user 5 is actually turning his or her 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 to the field of view 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 visibility area 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a YZ cross section of the visual field 15 viewed in the X direction in the virtual space 11. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an XZ cross section of the visual field 15 in the virtual space 11 viewed from the Y direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the visibility region 15 in the YZ section includes a region 18. The area 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 visibility region 15 in the XZ section includes a region 19. The area 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 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 (direction) 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 view image 17 is an image corresponding to a portion corresponding to the view area 15 in the panoramic image 13. When the user 5 moves the HMD 120 mounted on the head, the virtual camera 14 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the view 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 of the panoramic image 13 that is superimposed on the view area 15 in the direction in which the user 5 is facing in the virtual space 11. The user 5 can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 11.

  As described above, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 corresponds to the line of sight of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 (the reference line of sight 16), 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 the inclination 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 provide the user 5 with a high sense of immersion in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the processor 210 may 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 area (view area 15) projected on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 based on the position and the inclination of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, 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 for 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 according to the present disclosure will be exemplified as having such a configuration.

[controller]
An example of the controller 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing 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 by 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. In another aspect, the controller 300 may be an integrated controller that receives an operation 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 gripped by the right hand of the user 5. For example, the grip 310 may be held by the right palm 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 arranged on a side surface of the grip 310 and receives an operation by the middle finger of the right hand. The button 350 is arranged on the front surface of the grip 310 and receives an operation by the right index finger. In one aspect, buttons 340, 350 are configured as trigger-type buttons. The motion sensor 420 is built in the housing of the grip 310. When the movement of the user 5 can be detected from around the user 5 by a camera or other devices, the grip 310 may not include the motion sensor 420.

  The frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along the circumferential direction. The infrared LED 360 emits infrared light during the execution of the program using the controller 300 in accordance with the progress of the program. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 360 can be used to detect the positions and postures (inclination, direction) of the right controller 300R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. Single or three or more arrays 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. Buttons 370 and 380 accept an operation by the right thumb of user 5. In a certain situation, analog stick 390 receives 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 an aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller include a battery for driving the infrared LED 360 and other members. Batteries include, but are not limited to, rechargeable, button type, dry cell type, and the like. 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 batteries.

  As shown in the states (A) and (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 the index finger, the direction in which the thumb extends is the yaw direction, the direction in which the index finger extends is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the yaw axis and the roll direction axis is the pitch direction. Is defined as

[Server hardware configuration]
Referring to FIG. 9, server 600 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a 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.

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

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

  The storage 630 permanently stores programs and data. The storage 630 is realized, for example, as a ROM, a hard disk device, a flash memory, or another nonvolatile storage device. The programs 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 for defining a virtual space, objects, and the like.

  In another aspect, the storage 630 may be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. In still another aspect, a configuration that uses programs and data stored in an external storage device may be used instead of the storage 630 built in the server 600. According to such a configuration, for example, in a situation 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, and 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, for example, as a LAN or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC or other wireless communication interface. The communication interface 650 is not limited to the above.

  In an 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 executable 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.

[Control device of HMD]
The control device of the HMD 120 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the control device is realized by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing 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 an 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, a character object, an operation object such as a virtual hand operated by the controller 300, which is an alter ego of the user 5, a landscape including a forest, a mountain, and the like arranged according to the progress of the game story, a cityscape, and an animal And the like.

  The control module 510 places an avatar object of the user 5 of another computer 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, control module 510 places an avatar object of user 5 in virtual space 11. In one aspect, control module 510 arranges an avatar object imitating user 5 in virtual space 11 based on an image including user 5. In another aspect, the control module 510 arranges, 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 an object of a deformed person). I 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 functioning as a motion sensor. The control module 510 detects an organ (for example, mouth, eyes, and eyebrows) constituting the face of the user 5 from the image of the face of the user 5 generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160. The control module 510 detects the detected movement (shape) of each organ.

  Control module 510 detects a line of sight of user 5 in virtual space 11 based on a signal from gaze sensor 140. The control module 510 detects a viewpoint position (coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system) where the detected line of sight of the user 5 and the celestial sphere in the virtual space 11 intersect. More specifically, control module 510 detects a viewpoint position based on the line of sight of user 5 defined in the uvw coordinate system, and the position and inclination of 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 gaze information representing the gaze 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 arranges the avatar object with the tilt. The control module 510 reflects the detected movement of the face 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 the line-of-sight information of the other user 5 on the line of sight of the avatar object. In one aspect, the control module 510 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on an avatar object or an operation object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs) for detecting the movement of the controller 300.

  The control module 510 arranges an operation object for receiving an operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 in the virtual space 11. The user 5 operates, for example, an object arranged 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 based on the output of the motion sensor 420 so as to interlock with the movement of the hand of the user 5 in the real space. In one aspect, the operation object may correspond to the hand of the avatar object.

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

  In one aspect, control module 510 controls image display on monitor 130 of 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 (direction) of the virtual camera 14. The control module 510 defines the view area 15 according to the tilt of the head of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 and the position of the virtual camera 14. The rendering module 520 generates the view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined view area 15. The view image 17 generated by the rendering module 520 is output to the HMD 120 by the communication control module 540.

  When detecting an utterance using the microphone 170 of the user 5 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 specifies the computer 200 to which the audio data corresponding to the utterance is transmitted. The audio data is transmitted to the computer 200 specified by the control module 510. When receiving voice data from another user's computer 200 via the network 2, the control module 510 outputs a voice (utterance) corresponding to the voice 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 space information, object information, and user information.

  The space 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 of a non-real space and an image of a real space. Examples of the image in the unreal space include an image generated by computer graphics.

  The user information holds a user ID for identifying 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, and the like.

  The 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 may be implemented using, for example, Unity® provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 may be realized as a combination of circuit elements for realizing each processing.

  The processing in the computer 200 is realized by hardware and software executed by the processor 210. Such software may be stored in the hard disk or other memory module 530 in advance. The software may be stored on a CD-ROM or other computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or another network. Such software is temporarily stored in a storage module after being read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reading device, or downloaded from a server 600 or other computer via the communication control module 540. . The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in the RAM in the form of an executable program. 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 illustrated in FIG. 11, in step S1110, the processor 210 of the computer 200 specifies the virtual space data as the control module 510 and defines the virtual space 11.

  At step S1120, processor 210 initializes virtual camera 14. For example, the processor 210 arranges the virtual camera 14 at a predetermined center 12 in the virtual space 11 in the work area of the memory, and turns the line of sight of the virtual camera 14 in the direction in which the user 5 is facing.

  In step S1130, processor 210, as rendering module 520, generates 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, monitor 130 of HMD 120 displays a view image based on the view image data received from computer 200. The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 when viewing the view image.

  In step S1134, 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.

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

  At step S1150, processor 210 executes the application program and arranges the 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.

  At step S1170, processor 210 detects an operation of controller 300 by user 5 based on the detection data acquired from controller 300.

  At step S1180, processor 210 generates view 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, HMD 120 updates the view image based on the received view image data, and displays the updated view image on monitor 130.

[Avatar object]
With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an avatar object according to the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, an avatar object of each user 5 of the HMD sets 110A and 110B will be described. Hereinafter, the user of the HMD set 110A is referred to as a user 5A, the user of the HMD set 110B is referred to as a user 5B, the user of the HMD set 110C is referred to as a user 5C, and the user of the HMD set 110D is referred to as a user 5D. A is attached to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110A, B is attached to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110B, and C is added to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110C. D is added to the reference numeral of each component related to 110D. For example, the HMD 120A is included in the HMD set 110A.

  FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram illustrating a situation in which each HMD 120 provides the user 5 with the virtual space 11 in the network 2. Computers 200A to 200D provide virtual spaces 11A to 11D to users 5A to 5D via 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. In the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B, an avatar object 6A of the user 5A and an avatar object 6B of the user 5B exist. 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 the sake of simplicity of explanation. Not.

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

  FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating a 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. This 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 image 17A. Although not particularly shown, the avatar object 6A of the user 5A is also displayed on the view image of the user 5B.

  In the state of FIG. 12B, the user 5A can communicate with the user 5B via the virtual space 11A by conversation. More specifically, the voice of user 5A acquired by microphone 170A is transmitted to HMD 120B of user 5B via server 600, and output from speaker 180B provided in HMD 120B. The voice of the user 5B is transmitted to the HMD 120A of the user 5A via the server 600, and 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 action 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 similarly to the HMD sets 110A, 110B, and 110C. Also in the following description, A is attached to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110A, B is attached to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110B, and C is added to the reference numeral of each component related to the HMD set 110C. It is assumed that D is added to the reference numeral of each component related 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 about the avatar such as motion information, face tracking data, and audio data. The motion information includes information indicating a temporal change in the position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating a hand motion of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A and the like. The face tracking data includes data for specifying 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 audio data includes data indicating the audio of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A of the HMD 120A. The avatar information may include information specifying the avatar object 6A or the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information specifying the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists, and the like. The information for specifying the avatar object 6A and the user 5A includes a user ID. Room ID is given as information for specifying the virtual space 11A 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, as in 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 the avatar information 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 the avatar information of all the users (in this example, the users 5A to 5C) 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. As a result, a synchronization process is performed. By such a synchronization process, the HMD set 110A, the HMD set 110B, and the HMD 110C can share their avatar information at substantially the same timing.

  Subsequently, based on the avatar information transmitted from the server 600 to each of the HMD sets 110A to 110C, each of the HMD sets 110A to 110C executes the processing 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 6C of the other users 5B and 5C in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A updates the position, the orientation, and the like 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 210A updates information (position, orientation, etc.) of the avatar object 6B included in the object information stored in the memory module 530. Similarly, the processor 210A updates information (position, orientation, and the like) 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 on the avatar objects 6A, 6C of the users 5A, 5C in the virtual space 11B, similarly to the processing in step S1330A. Similarly, in step S1330C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C updates information on the avatar objects 6A, 6B of the users 5A, 5B in the virtual space 11C.

[Detailed configuration of module]
The details of the module configuration of the computer 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a module of computer 200 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the control module 510 includes a virtual camera control module 1421, a view area determination module 1422, a reference gaze identification module 1423, a face organ detection module 1424, a motion detection module 1425, and a virtual space definition. It includes a module 1426, a virtual object generation module 1427, an operation object control module 1428, and an avatar control module 1429. The rendering module 520 includes a view image generation module 1438. The memory module 530 holds space information 1431, object information 1432, user information 1433, and face information 1434.

  The virtual camera control module 1421 arranges the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The virtual camera control module 1421 controls the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the direction (tilt) of the virtual camera 14. The view area determination module 1422 defines the view area 15 according to the orientation of the head of the user wearing the HMD 120 and the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14. The view image generation module 1438 generates the view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined view area 15.

  The reference line of sight specification module 1423 specifies the line of sight of the user 5 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140. The face organ detection module 1424 detects an organ (for example, a mouth, an eye, and an eyebrow) configuring the face of the user 5 from the image of the face of the user 5 generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160. The motion detection module 1425 detects the motion (shape) of each organ detected by the face organ detection module 1424. 15 to 18, the control contents of the face organ detection module 1424 and the motion detection module 1425 will be described later.

  The virtual space definition module 1426 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 1427 generates an object arranged in the virtual space 11. The objects may include, for example, landscapes, animals, and the like, including forests, mountains, and the like arranged according to the progress of the story of the game.

  The operation object control module 1428 arranges an operation object for accepting a user operation in the virtual space 11 in the virtual space 11. By operating the operation object, the user operates, for example, an object arranged in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object corresponding to the hand of the user wearing the HMD 120 or the like. In one aspect, the operation object may correspond to a hand portion of an avatar object described later.

  The avatar control module 1429 generates data for arranging an avatar object of a user of another computer 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the avatar control module 1429 generates data for arranging the avatar object of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. In an aspect, the avatar control module 1429 generates an avatar object imitating the user 5 based on an image including the user 5. In another aspect, the avatar control module 1429 stores, 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 an object of a deformed person). Generate data for placement.

  The avatar control module 1429 reflects the movement of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 on the avatar object. For example, the avatar control module 1429 detects that the HMD 120 is tilted, and generates data for tilting and arranging the avatar object. In an aspect, the avatar control module 1429 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on the avatar object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs) for detecting the movement of the controller 300. The avatar control module 1429 reflects the motion of the face organ detected by the motion detection module 1425 on the face of the avatar object arranged in the virtual space 11. That is, the avatar control module 1429 reflects the movement of the face of the user 5A on the avatar object.

  When each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object, the control module 510 detects the collision. The control module 510 can detect, for example, the timing at which a certain object touches another object, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is performed. The control module 510 can detect a timing at which the object leaves the state in which the object is in contact with the object, and when the detection is performed, performs a predetermined process. The control module 510 can detect that the objects are touching each other. Specifically, the operation object control module 1428 detects a touch between the operation object and another object when the operation object touches another object, and performs a predetermined process. .

  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 space information 1431, object information 1432, user information 1433, and face information 1434.

  The space information 1431 holds one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 11.

  The object information 1432 holds content to be reproduced in the virtual space 11, objects used in the content, and information (for example, position information) for arranging the object in the virtual space 11. The content may include, for example, a game, a content representing a landscape similar to the real world, or the like.

  The user information 1433 holds a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100, an application program using each content held in the object information 1432, and the like.

  The face information 1434 holds a template stored in advance for the face organ detection module 1424 to detect the face organ of the user 5. In one aspect, the face information 1434 holds a mouth template 1435, an eye template 1436, and an eyebrow template 1437. Each template may be an image corresponding to an organ constituting a face. For example, mouth template 1435 can be a mouth image. Each template may include multiple images.

[Face tracking]
Hereinafter, a specific example for detecting a facial expression (face movement) of a user will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18, a specific example of detecting the movement of the mouth of the user 5 will be described as an example. Note that the detection method described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18 is not limited to the movement of the mouth of the user 5, and detects the movement of another organ (for example, eyes, eyebrows, nose, and cheeks) constituting the face of the user 5 It can also be applied to

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating control for detecting a mouth from a user's face image 1521. The face image 1521 generated by the first camera 150 includes the nose and mouth of the user 5.

  The face organ detection module 1424 specifies the mouth area 1531 from the face image 1521 by pattern matching using the mouth template 1435 stored in the face information 1434. In one aspect, the face organ detection module 1424 sets a rectangular comparison region in the face image, and changes the size, position, and angle of the comparison region, while comparing the image of the comparison region and the image of the mouth template 1435. Is calculated. The face organ detection module 1424 can identify a comparison region in which a similarity greater than a predetermined threshold is calculated as the mouth region 1531.

  The face organ detection module 1424 further determines the comparison area based on the relative relationship between the position of the comparison area where the calculated degree of similarity is greater than the threshold value and the position of another face organ (eg, eye or nose). It can be determined whether or not it corresponds to the mouth area.

  The motion detection module 1425 detects a more detailed mouth shape from the mouth area 1531 detected by the face organ detection module 1424.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a process in which the motion detection module 1425 detects the shape of the mouth. Referring to FIG. 16, motion detection module 1425 sets contour detection line 1641 for detecting the shape of the mouth (lip contour) included in mouth area 1531. A plurality of contour detection lines 1641 are set at predetermined intervals in a direction orthogonal to the face height direction.

  The motion detection module 1425 can detect a change in the brightness value of the mouth area 1531 along each of the plurality of contour detection lines 1641, and can specify a position where the change in the brightness value is sharp as a contour point. More specifically, the motion detection module 1425 can specify, as a contour point, a pixel whose luminance difference (that is, a change in luminance value) from an adjacent pixel is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. The luminance value of a pixel is obtained, for example, by integrating the RBG values of the pixel with a predetermined weight.

  The motion detection module 1425 specifies two types of contour points from the image corresponding to the mouth area 1531. The motion detection module 1425 specifies a contour point 1642 corresponding to the contour outside the mouth (lip) and a contour point 1643 corresponding to the contour inside the mouth (lip). In one aspect, when three or more contour points are detected on one contour detection line 1641, the motion detection module 1425 may identify the contour points at both ends as outer contour points 1642. In this case, the motion detection module 1425 may identify a contour point other than the outer contour point 1642 as the inner contour point 1643. In addition, when two or less contour points are detected on one contour detection line 1641, the motion detection module 1425 can identify the detected contour points as outer contour points 1642.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a process in which the motion detection module 1425 detects the shape of the mouth. In FIG. 17, the outer contour point 1642 is shown as a white circle, and the inner contour point 1643 is shown as a hatched circle.

  The motion detection module 1425 specifies the mouth shape 1721 by interpolating between the inner contour points 1643. In one aspect, the motion detection module 1425 can identify the mouth shape 1721 using a non-linear interpolation method such as spline interpolation. In another aspect, the motion detection module 1425 may specify the mouth shape 1721 by interpolating between the outer contour points 1642. In still another aspect, the motion detection module 1425 excludes a contour point that largely deviates from an assumed mouth shape (a predetermined shape that can be formed by the upper lip and the lower lip of a person), and uses the remaining contour points to determine a mouth. The shape 1721 may be specified. In this way, the motion detection module 1425 can identify the motion (shape) of the user's mouth. Note that the method for detecting the mouth shape 1721 is not limited to the above, and the motion detection module 1425 may detect the mouth shape 1721 by another method. In addition, the motion detection module 1425 can similarly detect the motion of the user's eyes and eyebrows. Note that the motion detection module 1425 may be configured to be able to detect the shape of an organ such as a cheek or a nose.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of the structure of face tracking data. The motion detection module 1425 generates face tracking data representing the facial expression of the user 5. The face tracking data represents the position coordinates of a feature point constituting the shape of each organ to be detected in the uvw view coordinate system. For example, points m1, m2,... Shown in FIG. 18 correspond to outer contour points 1642 forming the mouth shape 1721. In one aspect, the face tracking data is a coordinate value in a uvw view coordinate system with the position of the first camera 150 as a reference (origin). In another aspect, the face tracking data is a coordinate value in a coordinate system using a feature point predetermined for each organ as a reference (origin). As an example, the points m1, m2,... Are coordinate values in a coordinate system having one of the feature points corresponding to the corners of the outer contour points 1642 as the origin.

  The computer 200 transmits the generated face tracking data to the server 600. The server 600 transfers this data to another computer 200 that communicates with the computer 200. The other computer 200 reflects the received face tracking data on the avatar object corresponding to the user of the computer 200 of the receiving source.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the computer 200A receives face tracking data representing the expression of the user 5B from the computer 200B. Computer 200A reflects the received data on avatar object 6B. As an example, among the vertices of the polygon constituting the avatar object 6B, the vertices corresponding to the face tracking data are set. Computer 200A moves the position of the corresponding vertex based on the face tracking data. Thereby, the expression of the user 5B is reflected on the avatar object 6B. As a result, the user 5A can recognize the facial expression of the user 5B via the avatar object 6B.

[Speech analysis]
When the microphone 170 detects the uttered sound (utterance) of the user 5 and receives an audio signal, the computer 210 analyzes the audio signal by the processor 210 and specifies the volume or vowel of the uttered sound. The storage 230 stores data used for voice analysis in advance.

  For example, the processor 210 can determine the volume from the amplitude of the waveform of the audio signal. Further, the processor 210 extracts a feature amount from the waveform of the audio signal, and checks the extracted feature amount with the acoustic model. The acoustic model is a feature amount of all phonemes constituting a speech to be recognized. The processor 210 can read an acoustic model stored in the storage 230 in advance as data used for speech analysis, and use the acoustic model for collation. Examples of the feature amount that can be used include MFCC (Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficient) and LPC (Linear Predictive Coding).

  The processor 210 specifies a phoneme having the highest similarity with the extracted feature amount by collating with the acoustic model. By preparing each acoustic model by dividing phonemes into consonants and vowels, the processor 210 can identify vowels. Note that as long as the volume or vowel of the uttered sound can be specified by the processor 210, the analysis method of the voice is not limited to the above analysis method, and a known analysis method can be used.

[360 degree video]
In one embodiment, one or more virtual spaces 11z associated with the virtual space 11 may be defined separately from the virtual space 11. The virtual space 11z is a spherical space defined by the 360-degree moving image data. The 360-degree moving image data can be captured by the 360-degree camera and stored in the storage 230. The computer 200 reads out 360-degree space image data from the storage 230 by the processor 210, and generates virtual space data defining the virtual space 11z including the virtual camera 14 as in the virtual space 11. Note that the 360-degree moving image data may be downloaded from a computer on the network 2, for example, the server 600 or the like via the communication interface 250. The downloaded 360-degree space image data is incorporated in the storage 230.

  In the virtual space 11, one of the associated virtual spaces 11z may be selected by the avatar object 6 of the user 5. For example, the processor 210 arranges a plurality of virtual objects respectively associated with a plurality of selectable 360-degree moving image data in the virtual space 11. This virtual object for selection may be a virtual object such as a crystal ball or the like in which a 360-degree moving image preview is reproduced. The processor 210 acquires 360-degree moving image data corresponding to one virtual object selected by the avatar object 6 of the user 5 from the storage 230, and defines the virtual space 11z by the acquired 360-degree moving image data.

[Setting of temperature parameter]
In an embodiment, in each of the virtual spaces 11 and 11z, a temperature parameter is set in all or a part of the virtual spaces 11 and 11z. For example, in a virtual space 11z that defines a desert area by a 360 ° moving image, a temperature parameter of 40 ° C. is set for the entire virtual space 11z. In the virtual space 11z that defines the Arctic Circle by the 360-degree moving image, a temperature parameter of −20 ° C. is set for the entire virtual space 11z. As a part of the virtual spaces 11 and 11z, for example, regions such as countries and cities defined in the virtual spaces 11 and 11z, spaces in facilities, and underground passages are exemplified.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of the virtual space 11 in which temperature parameters are set. In the example illustrated in FIG. 19, in the virtual space 11, a temperature parameter of −10 ° C. is set in a space 1921 corresponding to a cold region, and a temperature parameter of 35 ° C. is set in a space 1922 corresponding to a hot region. In the other space 1923, a temperature parameter of 20 ° C. at normal temperature is set. In the space 1921, the temperature parameter of the space 1924 corresponding to the inside of the facility or the like is set to 20 ° C. In the underground space 1925, a temperature parameter of 0 ° C. is set.

  The temperature parameter may be a parameter that changes continuously or stepwise according to the time axis of the virtual spaces 11 and 11z. For example, temperature parameters that change stepwise can be set, such as 5 ° C. in the morning, 20 ° C. in the daytime, and 5 ° C. in the nighttime.

  As with the virtual spaces 11 and 11z, a temperature parameter can be set for the avatar object 6 of the user 5 as well. The temperature parameter of the avatar object 6 is set to the same temperature as the human body temperature, for example, 36 ° C., for the purpose of causing the user to feel the temperature in the virtual space 11 or 11z.

[Display control of temperature effect]
In one embodiment, the processor 210 of the computer 200 performs control for displaying an effect representing the temperature of the virtual space 11 on the HMD 120. The effect expressing the temperature is, for example, a breath effect. The effect in a certain situation is arranged in the virtual space 11 as a three-dimensional object, and is drawn in the view image by rendering. An effect in a certain situation is a two-dimensional image drawn when a view image is generated. The processor 210 can read and use effects stored in a memory such as the storage 230. Further, the processor 210 may download the effect from a computer on the network 2, for example, the server 600 or the like via the communication interface 250. In this case, the effect is stored in the storage 230.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the processor 210 at the time of controlling the display of the temperature effect. This process is executed as a part of the process shown in FIG. Hereinafter, an example in which the processing shown in FIG. 20 is executed after the avatar object 6 is arranged in the virtual space 11 by the processing shown in FIG. 11 will be described. Then, the process shown in FIG. 20 may be executed.

  As illustrated in FIG. 20, in step S2021, the processor 210 determines whether the microphone 170 has detected the utterance of the user 5 or the face organ detection module 1424 has detected the mouth shape 1721 of the user 5. I do.

  If at least one of the utterance and the mouth shape 1721 is detected (YES in step S2021), the processor 210 acquires the temperature parameter set in the avatar object 6 in step S2022. Further, the processor 210 acquires the temperature parameter set at the position where the avatar object 6 is arranged, from the virtual space 11 where the avatar object 6 is arranged. The processor 210 calculates a temperature difference between the acquired temperature parameters, and determines whether the calculated temperature difference exceeds a threshold.

  The threshold value of the temperature difference can be set based on the difference between the environmental temperature and the human body temperature when a phenomenon in which the breath exhaled by the person becomes white and cloudy occurs in the real space. For example, when a person's body temperature is around 36 ° C. and the environmental temperature is 13 ° C. or less, when the phenomenon of a person's exhaled breath becomes white and cloudy, the threshold value of the temperature difference is 13 ° C. (36 ° C.-13 ° C.). Can be set. When the temperature parameter of the virtual space 11 is lower than the temperature parameter of the avatar object 6 by 13 ° C. or more, by placing the breath effect, it becomes possible to reproduce the same phenomenon as the real space in the virtual space.

  If it is determined that the temperature difference exceeds the threshold (YES in step S2022), in step S2023, processor 210 is associated with avatar object 6 according to at least one of the volume of the utterance, the vowel, and the shape of the mouth. It is determined whether or not an effect that represents the temperature of the virtual space 11 is arranged in the vicinity area. The vicinity area associated with the avatar object 6 is an area within a certain range from the body around the body of the avatar object 6, and is set in advance. When the effect is a breath effect, the neighborhood area where the breath effect is arranged is a neighborhood area associated with the mouth in the body of the avatar object 6. A region around the mouth within a certain range from the mouth of the avatar object 6 is associated with the avatar object 6 as a nearby region.

  For example, when the volume of the uttered sound is equal to or higher than the threshold, when the vowel of the uttered sound is recognized, or when the mouth shape 1721 is an open shape, the processor 210 determines to place the breath effect. it can.

  If the arrangement of the breath effect has been determined (YES in step S2023), in step S2024, processor 210 determines the position of the breath based on at least one of the detected volume of the uttered sound and the size of mouth shape 1721. Control the size of the effect. For example, the processor 210 can increase the size of the volume, length, and the like of the breath effect as the volume of the utterance sound increases or as the shape of the mouth 1721 increases.

  The processor 210 may change the size of the breath effect continuously or stepwise according to the volume of the utterance sound or the size of the mouth shape 1721. When continuously changing, the processor 210 can determine the size of the breath effect corresponding to the volume or the size of the mouth shape 1721 using a predetermined function. Also, when changing gradually, the processor 210 may compare the volume or the size of the shape of the mouth 1721 with a threshold, and determine that the size is larger than the threshold if it is equal to or larger than the threshold. The processor 210 can change the size in a plurality of steps by using a plurality of thresholds.

  In step S2025, the processor 210 controls at least one of the shape, direction, and arrangement position of the breath effect based on at least one of the detected vowel sound and the mouth shape 1721. The processor 210 can make the breath effect spherical or circular, for example, when the vowel of the uttered sound is “a” or when the mouth shape 1721 has a wide mouth angle. In addition, the processor 210 can set the position of the breath effect to a close position that partially overlaps the mouth in the vicinity area associated with the mouth of the avatar object 6.

On the other hand, if the vowel is “u” or “o”, or if the mouth angle is a narrowed narrowed mouth shape 1721, the breath effect can be an elongated shape extending in one direction. . In addition, the processor 210 sets the length direction of the elongated shape breath effect in the direction from the mouth toward the front of the mouth, and sets the position of the breath effect away from the mouth in the vicinity area associated with the mouth of the avatar object 6. Location.
Note that the processor 210 can determine whether the mouth angle is wide or narrow by comparing the distance between the two outer contour points 1642 corresponding to the mouth angle in FIG. 17 with a threshold value.

  In step S2026, the processor 210 controls at least one of the color and the density of the breath effect according to the temperature difference calculated in step S2022. For example, the processor 210 can set the color of the breath effect to white, and increase the density of white as the temperature difference increases. The processor 210 can also adjust the transparency of the breath effect by setting the color of the breath effect to the same color as the background color of the avatar object 6 in the virtual space 11.

  In step S2027, the processor 210 generates view image data for displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual camera 14. The virtual camera 14 is a virtual viewpoint arranged in the virtual space 11. The processor 210 determines a view from a virtual viewpoint in accordance with the movement of the user 5, and generates view image data corresponding to the view by rendering.

  If the effect determined to be arranged in the nearby area is a three-dimensional object, the processor 210 arranges the object of the effect in the virtual space 11 and then generates view image data by rendering. On the other hand, when the effect is a two-dimensional image, the processor 210 draws an image of the effect in parallel with the rendering, and generates view image data. When the arrangement of the effect in the neighboring area is determined and the neighboring area is included in the field of view from the virtual viewpoint, the view image includes the effect.

  When the processor 210 outputs the generated view image data, the HMD 120 updates the view image based on the view image data received from the computer 200, and displays the updated view image on the monitor 130.

  After the visual field image including the breath effect is displayed as described above, when a new vocal sound or mouth shape 1721 is detected, the processor 210 repeats the above processing. Accordingly, the processor 210 causes the HMD 120 to display a view image including a new breath effect based on the newly detected vocal sound and the mouth shape 1721. At this time, the processor 210 may control at least one of the size, shape, direction, position, color, and density of the previously displayed breath effect. For example, the processor 210 can move the previously placed breath effect further away from the mouth to reduce the white density. This makes it possible to reproduce a phenomenon in which the vapor of the breath disappears over time.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a view image displayed on the HMD 120. FIG. 22 shows a virtual viewpoint of the view image shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 22, in the virtual space 11, an avatar object 6A of a user 5A and an avatar object 6B of another user 5B are arranged. Further, a virtual camera 14 is arranged in the virtual space 11. The position of the virtual camera 14 corresponds to the virtual viewpoint 2222, and the inclination of the virtual camera 14 corresponds to the reference line of sight 2216. The virtual viewpoint 2222 is the same as the viewpoint of the user 5A, and the reference line of sight 2216 is the same as the line of sight of the user 5A. The view area 2215 is defined by the virtual viewpoint 2222 and the reference line of sight 2216. Since the reference line of sight 2216 is the same as the line of sight of the user 5A, as shown in FIG. 21, a first-person viewpoint field of view image 2117 is displayed on the HMD 120A of the user 5A.

  The view area 2215 from the virtual viewpoint 2222 includes a nearby area 2231 associated with the mouth of the avatar object 6A. Therefore, when the arrangement of the breath effect is determined for the neighboring area 2231, the view effect 2171 includes the breath effect 2171 as shown in FIG. Since the utterance sound of the user 5A is loud, the size of the breath effect 2171 is also large. In addition, since the vowel of the uttered sound of the user 5A is [a], the breath effect 2171 has a circular shape.

  The view area 2215 also includes an avatar object 6B of another user 5B and a nearby area 2232 associated with the mouth of the avatar object 6B. Therefore, the view image 2117 includes the avatar 2161 of the other user 5B and the breath effect 2172 arranged in the vicinity area 2232. Since the shape 1721 of the mouth of the user 5B is small, the size of the breath effect 2172 is also small. In addition, since the mouth angle of the user 5B is a narrow mouth shape 1721, the shape of the breath effect 2172 is elongated, and its length direction is located in the front direction from the mouth to the mouth.

  The view image including the effect is not only the above-described first-view viewpoint image in which the virtual viewpoint 2222 is the viewpoint of the user 5, but also the third-person view image in which the view from the virtual viewpoint includes the avatar of the user 5. Good. The view image of the third person viewpoint is obtained by moving the virtual camera 14 to a position in which the view from the virtual viewpoint 2222 also includes the avatar object 6 of the user 5. For example, by moving the virtual camera 14 of the first-person viewpoint by 180 degrees and further separating it from the position of the first-person viewpoint by a predetermined distance, the virtual camera 14 is moved to the position of the third-person viewpoint where the avatar object 6 is viewed from the front. Can be.

  According to the display control of the temperature effect, the view image including the breath effect in the virtual space 11 is displayed on the HMD 120. The breath effect is arranged according to the utterance sound of the user 5 or the shape 1721 of the mouth, and is arranged in the vicinity area associated with the mouth of the avatar object 6. Therefore, the user 5 can experience the temperature of the virtual space 11 by the effect of the breath in the view image, and can further enhance the sense of reality as if the virtual space 11 exists.

As a method for causing the user 5 to experience the temperature, there is a haptic or the like that sends low-temperature fog, wind, and the like to the user 5 in a real space, but haptic equipment is required. On the other hand, according to the display control of the effect, the temperature of the virtual space 11 can be sensed in the representation on the view image without using any special equipment.
In addition, since the breath effect is not provided unilaterally, but is provided in a size, shape, or the like that is linked to the utterance of the user 5 or the movement of the mouth, the sense of reality in the virtual space 11 can be further enhanced.

[Setting of cloudy material]
In a certain aspect, a part of the virtual object arranged in each of the virtual spaces 11 and 11z is set to a cloudy material. A virtual object set to a cloudy material is a virtual object having a material that becomes cloudy white when steam is blown in a real space, where water droplets adhere to the surface due to a temperature difference between the steam and the environmental temperature, and light is diffusely reflected on the water droplets. It is. Examples of the virtual object set to the cloudy material include virtual objects such as windows, mirrors, glasses lenses, and helmet windows.

  When a cloudy material virtual object is placed around the avatar object 6 in the virtual space 11, the processor 210 may detect a collision between the cloudy material virtual object and the breath effect. For example, if the breath effect is an object, the processor 210 detects a collision between the objects. If the breath effect is an image, the processor 210 detects a collision between the images when the position at which the image is drawn from the virtual object by rendering and the position at which the effect image is drawn overlap. When the collision is detected, the processor 210 determines the color and density of the collision part with the breath effect in the virtual object of the cloudy material according to the volume of the vocal sound, the vowel, the shape of the mouth 1721, the temperature difference, and the like. Control at least one.

  For example, when a collision with a virtual object of a window set as a cloudy material is detected, the processor 210 turns the color of a portion of the virtual object of the window that collides with and overlaps with the breath effect into white. White density can be increased. Since the size of the breath effect increases as the volume of the utterance sound increases, the size of the portion of the window represented by white that collides with the virtual object increases, and the appearance of changing the degree of cloudiness is reproduced. Thus, a phenomenon in which a cold window is breathed, water drops adhere to the window, and fogging due to diffuse reflection can be expressed, and the user 5 can experience the temperature in the virtual space 11.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a view image displayed on the HMD 120.
When the virtual object of the window is included in the area near the avatar object 6 in the virtual space 11, as shown in FIG. 23, the avatar 2361 and the image 2362 of the window drawn by rendering are included in the third-person viewpoint image 2317. included. When the breath effect is arranged in the vicinity area, the view image 2317 also includes the breath effect 2371. Since the virtual object in the window and the breath effect are in the same neighborhood, a collision between the two is detected. As a result, the image 2362 of the window is gray, but the image portion 2363 colliding with the breath effect 2371 is controlled to be white, and cloudiness is expressed.

[Effect display control for 360-degree video]
In one aspect, one of one or a plurality of 360-degree moving image data associated with the virtual space 11 may be selected by the avatar object 6 that is linked to the movement of the user 5. When the 360-degree moving image data is selected, the processor 210 acquires one selected 360-degree moving image data from the storage 230. The processor 210 defines the virtual space 11z based on the obtained 360-degree moving image data, and arranges the virtual viewpoint 14 and the virtual camera 14 corresponding to the reference line of sight. The processor 210 can generate view image data in the defined virtual space 11z in the same manner as in the case of the virtual space 11 described above.

  Thus, even in the virtual space 11z defined by the 360-degree moving image data, the user 5 can experience the temperature of the virtual space 11z. The user can experience the temperature of each virtual space 11z such as the desert area at 40 ° C. and the arctic circle at −20 ° C. represented in the 360 ° moving image, and the user 5 can obtain a higher immersion feeling.

[Display control of attack effect]
In one embodiment, the processor 210 of the computer 200 controls the display of the effect of the attack in order to express the attack power in the battle game provided in the virtual space 11. The effect of the attack is, for example, an effect representing an attack by light, flame, water, gas, ice, magic, or the like. The effect may be a three-dimensional object as described above, or may be a two-dimensional image.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the processor 210 of the computer 200 at the time of controlling the display of the effect of the attack. This process is executed as a part of the process shown in FIG. 11 in, for example, the attack mode of the battle game. Hereinafter, an example in which the processing illustrated in FIG. 24 is executed after the avatar object 6 is arranged in the virtual space 11 by the processing illustrated in FIG. 11 will be described. 24 may be executed.

  As shown in FIG. 24, in step S2421, the processor 210 determines whether the microphone 170 has detected the utterance of the user 5 or the face organ detection module 1424 has detected the mouth shape 1721.

  If at least one of the utterance and the mouth shape 1721 is detected (YES in step S2421), in step S2422, the processor 210 determines whether to arrange an attack effect as an effect expressing attack power. . The vicinity area associated with the avatar object 6 is an area that is set in advance around the body of the avatar object 6, as in the case of the breath effect. The vicinity area may be an area associated with a part of the body of the avatar object 6, such as a hand, a foot, an eye, and a mouth. The appearance of an attack from the body of the avatar object 6 is reproduced by the arrangement in the nearby area.

  For example, if the volume of the utterance or the size of the mouth shape 1721 is greater than or equal to the threshold, the processor 210 may determine to place an attack effect. The user 5 can launch an attack only when he / she has a clear intention to launch the attack, instead of launching the attack only by slightly opening his mouth.

  In step S2423, the processor 210 controls at least one of the size, color, and density of the effect of the attack based on at least one of the volume of the detected utterance sound and the size of the mouth shape 1721. For example, the processor 210 can increase the volume or length of the effect of the attack as the volume increases or as the shape of the mouth 1721 increases. The processor 210 can change the size of the attack effect continuously or stepwise according to the volume and the size of the mouth shape 1721 in the same manner as the breath effect.

  In addition, the processor 210 can change the color of the attack effect from a cool color to a warm color or increase the density as the volume or the shape of the mouth 1721 increases. For example, if the effect of the attack is a flame, the processor 210 may control the color of the flame from yellow to red, or increase the density of the red. The processor 210 can change the color and density of the attack effect continuously or stepwise according to the volume and the size of the mouth shape 1721 in the same manner as the breath effect.

  In step S2424, the processor 210 controls at least one of the shape, direction, and arrangement position of the attack effect based on at least one of the vowel of the vocal sound and the shape of the mouth 1721. For example, if the vowel is “a” or the mouth shape 1721 has a wide interval between mouth angles, the processor 210 sets the shape of the effect of the attack to a sphere, a disk, or the like, and sets the location of the mouth immediately adjacent to the opened mouth. Can be controlled to a nearby location. When the vowel is [u] or [o], or when the mouth angle is a narrow and narrow mouth shape 1721, the processor 210 elongates the shape of the attack effect and moves the length direction from the mouth. The direction can be toward the front of the mouth.

  In step S2425, the processor 210 generates view image data for displaying a view image in the virtual space 11. The arrangement of the effect of the attack on the nearby area is determined, and when the nearby area is included in the field of view, the view image includes the effect of the attack.

  The HMD 120 updates the view image based on the view image data received from the computer 200, and displays the updated view image on the monitor 130.

FIG. 25 shows another example of the view image displayed on the HMD 120.
When the attack target avatar object is arranged on the reference line of sight from the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space 11, as shown in FIG. 25, the first person viewpoint view image 2517 includes the attack target avatar 2561. Since the view from the virtual viewpoint that is the same as the viewpoint of the user 5 includes the nearby area associated with the avatar object 6, the effect 2571 of the flame attack arranged in the nearby area is included in the view image 2517. The attack effect 2571 is controlled to have a long size corresponding to the size of the mouth shape 1721, and is arranged so that the length direction is from the mouth toward the front of the mouth.

  According to the display control of the attack effect, a view image including the attack effect is displayed on the HMD 120. The effect of the attack is arranged in the vicinity area associated with the body of the avatar object 6 based on at least one of the volume, vowel, and mouth shape 1721 of the utterance sound of the user 5. Therefore, the user 5 can experience the action of issuing an attack from the body by the effect of the attack in the view image. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the sense of reality in the virtual space where a battle game that is difficult in the real space is provided.

  The size and the like of the attack effect 2571 are controlled in conjunction with the movement of the mouth, so that the user 5 has higher attack power by being arranged in the vicinity area associated with the mouth in the body of the avatar object 6. It is easy to experience and the sense of reality is likely to increase. In addition, an intuitive attack operation is possible.

  Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the description of the embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various embodiments can be modified within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, the computer 200 may arrange the breath effect not only in the person such as the user 5 but also in a nearby area associated with the body of the animal object. The computer 200 may control the size, color, density, and the like of the breath effect based on the loudness of the animal's call defined in the virtual space 11.

  Further, the computer 200 may perform control to change the effect of the attack based on the temperature difference between the temperature set in the virtual space 11 and the temperature set for the effect of the attack. For example, in the case of a water attack effect, the processor 210 determines that the water attack is an ice attack if the difference between the temperature set in the virtual space 11 and the temperature set in the water attack effect is 0 ° C. or less. Change to an effect. When the temperature difference is 50 ° C. or more, the water attack is changed into an effect of gas attack. Thereby, the user 5 can experience the temperature of the virtual space.

  In the above embodiment, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user is immersed by the HMD has been described as an example, but a transmissive HMD may be adopted as the HMD. In this case, an augmented reality (AR: Augmented Reality) space or a mixed reality (AR) space is output by outputting a view image in which a part of an image constituting the virtual space is synthesized into a real space visually recognized by the user via a transmission-type HMD. A virtual experience in an MR (Mixed Reality) space may be provided to the user. In this case, the action on the target object in the virtual space may be generated based on the movement of the user's hand instead of the operation object. 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. Thereby, 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 execute a process corresponding to the above-described collision control or the like between the user's hand and the target object. . As a result, it is possible to give an effect to the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

(Constitution)
The technical features disclosed above can be summarized as follows.

(Configuration 1)
According to an embodiment, a program executed by the processor 210 is provided. The program provides the processor 210 with a step of defining the virtual space 11 (S1110), a step of arranging the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space 11 (S1120), and changing the view from the virtual viewpoint in accordance with the movement of the user 5's head. Determining (S1140), arranging an avatar linked to the movement of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 (S1150), detecting at least one of the utterance of the user 5 and the shape of the mouth, and (S2023, S2422) determining whether or not to place an effect in a nearby area associated with an avatar according to at least one of the volume, vowel, and mouth shape of the user, and a view corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint Displaying the image on the HMD 120 (S2027, S1190). When the arrangement of the effect is determined and the vicinity area is included in the view, the view image includes the effect.

(Configuration 2)
In (Configuration 1), the effect is a breath effect, and the vicinity region where the breath effect is arranged is a vicinity region associated with the mouth of the avatar.

(Configuration 3)
In (Configuration 2), the program causes the processor 210 to further execute a step (S2024) of controlling the size of the breath effect based on at least one of the volume of the uttered sound and the size of the mouth shape.

(Configuration 4)
In (Structure 2) or (Structure 3), the program causes the processor 210 to control at least one of a shape, a direction, and a position of a breath effect based on at least one of a vowel sound and a mouth shape. Step (S2025) is further executed.

(Configuration 5)
In any one of (Configuration 2) to (Configuration 4), the program causes the processor 210 to provide the processor 210 with a temperature difference between a temperature parameter set for the avatar and a temperature parameter set for all or a part of the virtual space 11. , A step of controlling at least one of the color and the density of the breath effect (S2026) is further executed.

(Configuration 6)
In any one of (Structure 2) to (Structure 5), the program causes the processor 210 to execute one 360 ° moving image in which a temperature parameter is set and one 360 ° moving image selected by an avatar. A step of defining a virtual space 11, a step of arranging a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space 11 defined by the 360-degree moving image, a step of determining a field of view from the virtual viewpoint in accordance with the movement of the user 5, Arranging the avatar in the virtual space 11 defined by the video, detecting at least one of the utterance of the user 5 and the shape of the mouth, and determining the volume, vowel and mouth shape of the utterance of the user 5; Determining whether to place the breath effect in the neighborhood based on at least one of the steps; If determined, controlling at least one of the color and density of the breath effect according to the temperature difference between the temperature parameter set for the avatar and the temperature parameter of the virtual space 11 defined by the 360-degree video. And displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on the HMD 120. When the arrangement of the breath effect is determined and the vicinity area is included in the view, the view image is displayed as a breath image. Including effects.

(Configuration 7)
In any one of (Structure 2) to (Structure 6), the program causes the processor 210 to detect a collision between a virtual object of a cloudy material, which is arranged in the virtual space 11, and a breath effect. Controlling at least one of the color and the density of the collision portion of the virtual object with the breath effect.

(Configuration 8)
In (Configuration 1), the effect is an effect of an attack, and the vicinity area where the effect of the attack is arranged is a vicinity area associated with a part of the body of the avatar.

(Configuration 9)
In (Configuration 8), the program causes the processor 210 to control at least one of the size, color, and density of the attack effect based on at least one of the volume of the utterance sound and the size of the mouth shape (S2423). ) Is further executed.

(Configuration 10)
In (Configuration 8) or (Configuration 9), the program causes the processor 210 to control at least one of the shape, direction, and arrangement position of the attack effect based on at least one of the vowel sound and the shape of the mouth. Step (S2424) is further executed.

(Configuration 11)
In any one of (Configuration 8) to (Configuration 10), the nearby area where the offensive object is located is a nearby area associated with the avatar's mouth.

(Configuration 12)
According to an embodiment, a method for providing a virtual space is provided. The method of providing the virtual space includes a step of defining the virtual space 11 (S1110), a step of arranging a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space 11 (S1120), and a view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the head of the user 5. (S1140), arranging an avatar linked to the movement of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 (S1150), detecting at least one of the utterance of the user 5 and the shape of the mouth, A step (S2023, S2422) of deciding whether or not to place an effect in a nearby area associated with an avatar according to at least one of a volume of a voice, a vowel, and a shape of a mouth; Displaying the view image on the HMD 120 (S2027, S1190). When the arrangement of the effect is determined and the vicinity area is included in the view, the view image includes the effect.

(Configuration 13)
According to an embodiment, an information processing device is provided. The information processing device includes a processor 210 and a memory 220 storing a program. The program provides the processor 210 with a step of defining the virtual space 11 (S1110), a step of arranging the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space 11 (S1120), and changing the view from the virtual viewpoint in accordance with the movement of the user 5's head. Determining (S1140), arranging an avatar linked to the movement of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 (S1150), detecting at least one of the utterance of the user 5 and the shape of the mouth, and (S2023, S2422) determining whether or not to place an effect in a nearby area associated with an avatar according to at least one of the sound volume, vowel, and mouth shape of the user, and a view corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint Displaying the image on the HMD 120 (S2027, S1190). When the arrangement of the effect is determined and the vicinity area is included in the view, the view image includes the effect.

2: Network, 5: User, 6: Avatar object, 11: Virtual space, 12: Center, 14: Virtual camera, 15: Viewing area, 100: HMD system, 110: HMD set, 130: Monitor, 170: Microphone, 180 speaker, 190 sensor, 200 computer, 210 processor, 220 memory, 230 storage, 240 input / output interface, 250 communication interface, 300 controller, 310 grip, 320 frame, 340, 350 370, 380: button, 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, 610 processor, 620 memory, 630 storage, 640 input / output interface, 650 communication interface, 1421 virtual camera control module, 1422 view area determination module, 1423 reference gaze identification module , 1424: motion detection module, 1424: face organ detection module, 1425 ... motion detection module, 1426 ... virtual space definition module, 1427 ... virtual object generation module, 1428 ... operation object control module, 1429 ... avatar control module, 1431 ... space Information, 1432 ... object information, 1433 ... user information, 1434 face information, 1435 ... mouth template, 1438 ... view image generation module, 1531 ... mouth area, 1 41 ... contour detection line

Claims (13)

A program executed by a processor, wherein the program is executed by the processor,
Defining a virtual space;
Placing a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space;
Determining a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head;
Arranging an avatar linked to the movement of the user in the virtual space;
Detecting at least one of the user's utterance and mouth shape;
Determining whether to place an effect in a nearby area associated with the avatar, according to at least one of the volume of the vocal sound, a vowel and the shape of the mouth;
Displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on a head-mounted device,
The arrangement of the effect is determined, and when the near area is included in the field of view, the view image includes the effect.
program. The effect is a breath effect,
The neighborhood area where the breath effect is arranged is a neighborhood area associated with the mouth of the avatar.
The program according to claim 1. The program is provided to the processor,
Controlling the size of the breath effect based on at least one of a volume of the vocal sound and a size of the shape of the mouth,
The program according to claim 2. The program is provided to the processor,
Controlling at least one of a shape, a direction, and an arrangement position of the breath effect based on at least one of a vowel sound and a mouth shape of the vocal sound;
The program according to claim 2. The program is provided to the processor,
A step of controlling at least one of a color and a density of the breath effect according to a temperature difference between the temperature parameter set in the avatar and a temperature parameter set in all or a part of the virtual space. Run,
The program according to claim 2. The program is provided to the processor,
Defining a virtual space by one 360-degree moving image selected by the avatar among one or a plurality of 360-degree moving images for which a temperature parameter is set;
Placing the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space defined by the 360-degree video;
Determining a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user;
Placing the avatar in the virtual space defined by the 360-degree video;
Detecting at least one of the user's utterance and mouth shape;
Deciding whether or not to place the breath effect in the vicinity area, based on at least one of the volume of the utterance of the user, the vowel and the shape of the mouth,
When the arrangement of the breath effect is determined, the color of the breath effect is determined according to a temperature difference between the temperature parameter set for the avatar and the temperature parameter of the virtual space defined by the 360-degree video. And controlling at least one of the concentration;
Displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on the head-mounted device,
The arrangement of the breath effect is determined, and when the vicinity area is included in the view, the view image includes the breath effect.
The program according to any one of claims 2 to 5. The program is provided to the processor,
Detecting a collision between the virtual object of cloudy material and the virtual breath effect,
Controlling at least one of a color and a density of a collision portion of the virtual object with the breath effect.
The program according to any one of claims 2 to 6. The effect is an attack effect,
The proximity area where the effect of the attack is located is a proximity area associated with a part of the body of the avatar.
The program according to claim 1. The program is provided to the processor,
Controlling at least one of a size, a color, and a density of the effect of the attack based on at least one of a volume of the utterance sound and a size of a mouth shape;
The program according to claim 8. The program is provided to the processor,
Controlling at least one of a shape, a direction, and an arrangement position of the effect of the attack based on at least one of a vowel sound and a mouth shape of the vocal sound;
The program according to claim 8. The vicinity area where the object of the attack is arranged is a vicinity area associated with the mouth of the avatar.
The program according to claim 8. Defining a virtual space;
Placing a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space;
Determining a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head;
Arranging an avatar linked to the movement of the user in the virtual space;
Detecting at least one of the user's utterance and mouth shape;
Determining whether to place an effect in a nearby area associated with the avatar, according to at least one of the volume of the vocal sound, a vowel and the shape of the mouth;
Displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on a head-mounted device,
The arrangement of the effect is determined, and when the near area is included in the field of view, the view image includes the effect.
How to provide virtual space. A processor,
And a memory storing the program,
The program is provided to the processor,
Defining a virtual space;
Placing a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space;
Determining a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head;
Arranging an avatar linked to the movement of the user in the virtual space;
Detecting at least one of the user's utterance and mouth shape;
Determining whether to place an effect in a nearby area associated with the avatar, according to at least one of the volume of the vocal sound, a vowel and the shape of the mouth;
Displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on a head-mounted device,
The arrangement of the effect is determined, and when the near area is included in the field of view, the view image includes the effect.
Information processing device.

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