JP2020156103A - Program, information processing device, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow a performer to view a message addressed to the performer while maintaining a camera eye line.SOLUTION: A video distribution system (1500) includes an entire celestial sphere camera (1531), a server (600), and a display device (1535). The display device (1535) and the entire celestial sphere camera (1531) are arranged in a vertical direction. A display region (1536) of the display device (1535) includes a first end part (1537), and a second end part (1538) facing the first end part (1537) in the vertical direction. The first end part (1537) is located on a side closer to the entire celestial sphere camera (1531) than the second end part (1538). A processor (610) of the server (600) sets a region closer to the first end part (1537) side than the second end part (1538) side as a first region (2272) which displays a first message addressed to a subject in the display region (1536).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

The present invention relates to programs, information processing devices, and methods.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of superimposing and displaying comments from viewers on the live streaming video during distribution of the live streaming video.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-121998

In the conventional technique, a message addressed to the performer, such as a comment from the viewer, is displayed at a position away from the camera that shoots the performer. Therefore, there is a problem that the performer cannot maintain the line of sight of the camera when reading the message.

One aspect of the present invention is intended to enable a performer to visually recognize a message addressed to the performer while maintaining the line of sight of the camera.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a photographing device for photographing a subject, a first computer for delivering an image of the subject photographed by the photographing device to a first viewer, and a first computer addressed to the subject from the first viewer. A program executed by a first computer is provided in a system including a display device for displaying a message. The photographing device and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction. The display area of the display device has a first end portion and a second end portion facing the first end portion in the vertical direction. The first end is an end closer to the imaging device than the second end. The program includes a step of setting, in the processor provided in the first computer, an area of the display area closer to the first end side than the second end side as the first area for displaying the first message. The step of displaying the first message in the first area and the step of displaying the first message are executed.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the performer can make the message addressed to the performer visible while maintaining the line of sight of the camera.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure of the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure that conceptually represents the uvw field coordinate system set in the HMD according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which conceptually represents one aspect which expresses a virtual space according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which showed the head of the user who wears an HMD according to a certain embodiment from the top. It is a figure which shows the YZ cross section which looked at the visual field area from the X direction in the virtual space. It is a figure which shows the XZ cross section which looked at the visual field area from the Y direction in the virtual space. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the controller according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of each direction of yaw, roll, and pitch defined for the right hand of the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the server according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the computer according to a certain embodiment as a module structure. FIG. 5 is a sequence chart representing a portion of the processing performed in an HMD set according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the situation that each HMD provides a virtual space to a user in a network. It is a figure which shows the field of view image of the user 5A in FIG. 12A. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process to perform in the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the module of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure of the video distribution system according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the field of view of a camera according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the camera which follows a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of shooting of a subject using a video distribution system. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the module of the server according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a part of processing performed in a server, an HMD set, and a display device according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image which is displayed on the display device according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image which is displayed on the display device according to a certain embodiment.

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

[HMD system configuration]
The configuration of the HMD (Head-Mounted Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the 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 the HMD set 110. The number of HMD sets 110 constituting the HMD system 100 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. The HMD set 110 includes an HMD 120, a computer 200, an HMD sensor 410, a display 430, and a controller 300. The HMD 120 includes a monitor 130, a gaze sensor 140, a first camera 150, a second camera 160, a microphone 170, and a speaker 180. The controller 300 may include a motion sensor 420.

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

The HMD 120 may be worn on the user 5's head and provide virtual space to the user 5 during operation. More specifically, the HMD 120 displays an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye on the monitor 130, respectively. When each eye of the user 5 visually recognizes the respective 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 either a so-called head-mounted display including a monitor and a head-mounted device capable of mounting a smartphone or other terminal having a monitor.

The monitor 130 is realized as, for example, a non-transparent display device. In one aspect, the monitor 130 is arranged in the body of the HMD 120 so as to be located in front of both eyes of the user 5. Therefore, the user 5 can immerse himself in the virtual space when he / she visually recognizes the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 130. In one aspect, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object that the user 5 can manipulate, and an image of a menu that the user 5 can select. 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, the monitor 130 can be realized as a transmissive display device. In this case, the HMD 120 may be an open type such as a glasses type instead of a closed type that covers the eyes of the user 5 as shown in FIG. The transmissive monitor 130 may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting its transmittance. The monitor 130 may include a configuration that simultaneously displays a part of the image constituting the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 130 may display an image of the real space taken by the camera mounted on the HMD 120, or may make the real space visible by setting a part of the transmittance to be high.

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

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

In another aspect, the HMD sensor 410 may be implemented by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the position and tilt of the HMD 120 by executing the image analysis process 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 in place of the HMD sensor 410 or in addition to the HMD sensor 410. The HMD 120 can use the sensor 190 to detect the position and tilt of the HMD 120 itself. For example, if the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor, the HMD 120 may use any of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 410 to detect its position and tilt. 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 real space over time. The HMD 120 calculates the temporal change of the angle around the three axes of the HMD 120 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD 120 based on the temporal change of the angle.

The gaze sensor 140 detects the directions in which the eyes of the user 5's right eye and left eye are 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 certain aspects, the gaze sensor 140 preferably includes a sensor for the right eye and a sensor for the left eye. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by irradiating the right eye and the left eye of the user 5 with infrared rays and receiving the reflected light from the cornea and the iris with respect to the irradiation light. The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on each of the detected rotation angles.

The first camera 150 captures the lower part of the user 5's face. More specifically, the first camera 150 captures the nose and mouth of the user 5. The second camera 160 captures the eyes, eyebrows, and the like of the user 5. The housing on the user 5 side of the HMD 120 is defined as the inside of the HMD 120, and the housing on the side opposite to the user 5 of the HMD 120 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 voice signal into voice and outputs it to the user 5. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include earphones instead of the speaker 180.

The controller 300 is connected to the computer 200 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 300 receives input of an instruction from the user 5 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be wearable on a body or part of 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 yet another aspect, the controller 300 receives from the user 5 an operation for controlling the position and movement of the object arranged in the virtual space.

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

In a certain aspect, the motion sensor 420 is attached to the user 5's hand and detects the movement of the user 5's hand. For example, the motion sensor 420 detects the rotation speed, 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, for example, in a controller 300 configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, for safety in real space, the controller 300 is attached to something that does not easily fly by being attached to the user 5's hand, such as a glove type. In yet another aspect, a sensor not attached to the user 5 may detect the movement of the user 5's hand. For example, the signal of the camera that shoots the user 5 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal indicating the operation of the user 5. As an example, the motion sensor 420 and the computer 200 are wirelessly connected to each other. In the case of wireless communication, the communication mode is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other known communication method is used.

The display 430 displays an image similar to the image displayed on the monitor 130. As a result, users other than the user 5 who wears the HMD 120 can also view the same image as the user 5. The image displayed on the display 430 does not have to be a three-dimensional image, and may be an image for the right eye or an image for the left eye. Examples of the display 430 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL monitor.

The server 600 may send the program to the computer 200. In another aspect, the server 600 may communicate with another computer 200 to provide virtual reality to the HMD 120 used by another user. 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 a server 600, and a plurality of users are used in the same virtual space. Allows users to enjoy a common game. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 without going 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 by short-range wireless communication or a wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include, but are not limited to, smart devices, PCs (Personal Computers), and peripheral devices of the computer 200.

[Computer hardware configuration]
The computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the 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 bus 260, respectively.

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

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

The storage 230 permanently holds programs and data. The storage 230 is realized as, for example, a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk device, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The program stored in the storage 230 includes 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, objects, and the like for defining the virtual space.

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

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 a certain aspect, the input / output interface 240 is realized by using USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and other terminals. The input / output interface 240 is not limited to the above.

In some aspects, the input / output interface 240 may further communicate with the controller 300. For example, the input / output interface 240 receives input of signals output from the controller 300 and the motion sensor 420. In another aspect, the input / output interface 240 sends an instruction output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The command instructs the controller 300 to vibrate, output voice, emit light, and the like. Upon receiving the command, the controller 300 executes either vibration, voice output, or light emission in response 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 a certain aspect, the communication interface 250 is realized as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. Will be 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 contained in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of a computer 200, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 210 sends a signal to the HMD 120 to provide virtual space via the input / output interface 240. The HMD 120 displays an image on the monitor 130 based on the signal.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the computer 200 is configured to be provided outside the HMD 120, but 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 a monitor 130 may function as a computer 200.

The computer 200 may have a configuration commonly used for a plurality of HMD 120s. According to such a configuration, for example, the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, so that each user can enjoy the same application as other users in the same virtual space.

In a certain embodiment, in the HMD system 100, a real coordinate system, which is a coordinate system in the real space, is preset. The real coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) that are parallel to the vertical direction in the real space, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the front-back 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 in real space. The y-axis is parallel to the vertical direction in real space. The z-axis is parallel to the front-back direction of the real space.

In some aspects, 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 inclination (orientation) of the HMD 120 in the real space according to the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 based on the value of each point (each coordinate value in the real coordinate system). To do. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 can detect a temporal change in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 by using each value detected over time.

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

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

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

In a certain aspect, when the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 is upright and visually recognizing the front surface, the processor 210 sets the uvw field 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 anteroposterior direction (z axis) in the real coordinate system are the pitch axis (u axis) and the yaw axis (v axis) of the uvw field coordinate system in the HMD 120. , And the roll axis (w axis).

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

The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw field coordinate system in 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 field coordinate system of the HMD 120 is always constant regardless of the position and tilt of the HMD 120. When the position and inclination of the HMD 120 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system change in conjunction with the change of the position and inclination.

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

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually representing one aspect of expressing the virtual space 11 according to a certain embodiment. The virtual space 11 has an all-sky spherical structure that covers the entire center 12 in the 360-degree direction. In FIG. 4, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 11 is illustrated so as not to complicate the explanation. Each mesh is defined in the virtual space 11. The position of each mesh is predetermined as a coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system, which is a global coordinate system defined in the virtual space 11. The computer 200 associates each partial image constituting the panoramic image 13 (still image, moving image, etc.) expandable in the virtual space 11 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 11.

In a certain aspect, the virtual space 11 defines an XYZ coordinate system with the center 12 as the origin. The XYZ coordinate system is, for example, parallel to the real coordinate system. The horizontal direction, vertical direction (vertical direction), and front-back direction in the XYZ coordinate system are defined as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, respectively. Therefore, the X-axis (horizontal direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the x-axis of the real coordinate system, the Y-axis (vertical direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the y-axis of the real coordinate system, and the XYZ coordinate system The Z-axis (front-back direction) is parallel to the z-axis of the real coordinate system.

At the time of starting the HMD 120, 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 moves in the virtual space 11 in the same manner in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 120 in the real space. As a result, changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 11.

As in the case of the HMD 120, the virtual camera 14 is defined with an uvw field-of-view coordinate system. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined to be linked to the uvw field-of-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 also changes accordingly. The virtual camera 14 can also move in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space.

The processor 210 of the computer 200 defines the field of view 15 in the virtual space 11 based on the position and tilt (reference line of sight 16) of the virtual camera 14. The visual field area 15 corresponds to an area 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 a direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes an object. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the HMD 120 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes the monitor 130. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is linked to the uvw field-of-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 field of view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14.

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

In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 detects each line of sight of the user 5's right and left eyes. In a certain aspect, 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 identifies the gaze point N1 which is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 based on the detected values. On the other hand, when the computer 200 receives the detected values of the lines of sight R2 and L2 from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 identifies the intersection of the lines of sight R2 and L2 as the gaze point. The computer 200 identifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the position of the specified gazing point N1. The computer 200 detects, for example, the extending direction of the straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 5 and the gazing point N1 as the line of sight N0. The line of sight N0 is the direction in which the user 5 actually directs the line of sight with both eyes. The line of sight N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 5 actually directs the line of sight with respect to the field of view area 15.

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

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

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

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

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

In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the user 5 with a field of view in the virtual space 11 by displaying the field of view image 17 on the monitor 130 based on the signal from the computer 200. The visual field image 17 is an image corresponding to a portion of the panoramic image 13 corresponding to the visual field region 15. When the user 5 moves the HMD 120 attached to the head, the virtual camera 14 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the visual field region 15 in the virtual space 11 changes. As a result, the field-of-view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 is updated to an image of the panoramic image 13 superimposed on the field-of-view area 15 in the direction in which the user 5 faces 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 (reference line of sight 16) of the user 5 in the virtual space 11, and the position where the virtual camera 14 is arranged corresponds to the viewpoint of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. Therefore, by changing the position or tilt of the virtual camera 14, the image displayed on the monitor 130 is updated and the field of view of the user 5 is moved.

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

In a certain 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 identifies an image region (field of view region 15) projected onto the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 based on the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11.

In some aspects, the virtual camera 14 may include two virtual cameras, a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. Appropriate parallax is set 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, an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye may be generated from the 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 synthesizing the roll axes of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll axis (w) of the HMD 120. The technical idea of the present disclosure is illustrated as being configured as such.

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

As shown in FIG. 8, in some aspects, 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 by the left hand of the user 5. In a certain aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller are symmetrically configured 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 accepts operations of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 300R will be described.

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

The grip 310 includes buttons 340, 350 and a motion sensor 420. The button 340 is arranged on the side surface of the grip 310 and accepts an operation by the middle finger of the right hand. The button 350 is arranged in front of the grip 310 and accepts an operation by the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, the buttons 340,350 are configured as trigger-type buttons. The motion sensor 420 is built in the housing of the grip 310. If the movement of the user 5 can be detected from around the user 5 by a camera or other device, the grip 310 may not include the motion sensor 420.

The frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along its circumferential direction. The infrared LED 360 emits infrared rays as the program progresses during the execution of the program using the controller 300. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 360 can be used to detect each position and orientation (tilt, orientation) of the right controller 300R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. An array with one or more columns may be used.

The top surface 330 includes buttons 370, 380 and an analog stick 390. The buttons 370 and 380 are configured as push-type buttons. Buttons 370 and 380 accept operations by the thumb of the user 5's right hand. The analog stick 390 accepts an operation in any direction 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position) in a certain aspect. The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object arranged in the virtual space 11.

In one aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller include batteries for driving the infrared LED 360 and other components. 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, for example, the USB interface of the computer 200. 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 with respect to 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 direction axis and the roll direction axis is the pitch direction. Is defined as.

[Server hardware configuration]
The server 600 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 600 according to a certain 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 bus 660, respectively.

The processor 610 executes a series of instructions included in the program stored in the memory 620 or the storage 630 based on the signal given to the server 600 or the condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied. In some aspects, the 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 storage 630, for example. The data includes data input to the server 600 and data generated by the processor 610. In one aspect, the memory 620 is realized as a RAM or other volatile memory.

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

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

The input / output interface 640 communicates a signal with the input / output device. In some aspects, 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 some aspects, the communication interface 650 is implemented as, for example, 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 one aspect, the processor 610 accesses the storage 630, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 630 into the memory 620, and executes a series of instructions contained in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system for the server 600, an application program for providing the virtual space, game software that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 610 may send a signal to the computer 200 to provide virtual space via the input / output interface 640.

[HMD control device]
The control device of the HMD 120 will be described with reference to FIG. In certain embodiments, the control device is implemented by a computer 200 having a well-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 some aspects, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 are implemented by the processor 210. In another aspect, the plurality of processors 210 may operate as the control module 510 and the 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 by using the virtual space data representing the virtual space 11. The virtual space data is stored in, for example, the memory module 530. The control module 510 may generate virtual space data or acquire virtual space data from a server 600 or the like.

The control module 510 arranges an object in the virtual space 11 by using the object data representing the object. The object data is stored in, for example, the memory module 530. The control module 510 may generate object data or acquire object data from a server 600 or the like. The objects are, for example, an avatar object that is the alter ego of the user 5, a character object, an operation object such as a virtual hand operated by the controller 300, a landscape including forests, mountains, etc. arranged as the story of the game progresses, a cityscape, and animals. Etc. may be included.

The control module 510 arranges the avatar object of the user 5 of another computer 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the control module 510 places the user 5's avatar object in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the control module 510 arranges an avatar object imitating the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on the image including the 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 among a plurality of types of avatar objects (for example, an animal-like object or a deformed human object). To do.

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

The control module 510 detects the line of sight of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140. The control module 510 detects the viewpoint position (coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system) at which the detected line of sight of the user 5 and the celestial sphere in the virtual space 11 intersect. More specifically, the control module 510 detects the viewpoint position based on the line of sight of the user 5 defined by the uvw coordinate system and the position and inclination of the virtual camera 14. The control module 510 transmits the detected viewpoint position to the server 600. In another aspect, the control module 510 may be configured to transmit 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 tilts and arranges the avatar object. The control module 510 reflects the detected movement of the facial organ on the face of the avatar object arranged in the virtual space 11. The control module 510 receives the line-of-sight information of the other user 5 from the server 600 and reflects it in the line-of-sight of the avatar object of the other user 5. In a certain aspect, the control module 510 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on the avatar object and the operation object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs), and the like for detecting the movement of the controller 300.

The control module 510 arranges an operation object for receiving the operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 in the virtual space 11. By operating the operation object, the user 5 operates, for example, an object arranged in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object which is a virtual hand corresponding to the hand of the user 5. In a certain aspect, the control module 510 moves the hand object in the virtual space 11 so as to be linked to the movement of the user 5's hand in the real space based on the output of the motion sensor 420. In some aspects, the manipulation object can correspond to the hand portion 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 the collision area of one object and the collision area of another object touch each other, and when the detection is made, a predetermined process is performed. The control module 510 can detect the timing when the object and the object are separated from the touching state, and when the detection is made, a predetermined process is performed. The control module 510 can detect that the object is in contact with the object. For example, when the operation object touches another object, the control module 510 detects that the operation object touches the other object, and performs a predetermined process.

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

When the control module 510 detects an utterance using the microphone 170 of the user 5 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 identifies the computer 200 to which the voice data to be transmitted corresponding to the utterance is transmitted. The voice data is transmitted to the computer 200 identified by the control module 510. When the control module 510 receives voice data from another user's computer 200 via the network 2, the control module 510 outputs the 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 a certain aspect, the memory module 530 holds spatial information, object information, and user information.

Spatial information holds one or more templates defined to provide the virtual space 11.

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

The user information holds a user ID that identifies the user 5. The user ID may be, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address set in the computer 200 used by the user. In another aspect, the user ID may be set by the user. The user information includes a program for operating the computer 200 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, a server 600) operated by a business operator that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 530.

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

In certain aspects, 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 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that realize each process.

The processing in the computer 200 is realized by the hardware and the software executed by the processor 210. Such software may be pre-stored in a hard disk or other memory module 530. 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 other networks. Such software is read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from a server 600 or other computer via a communication control module 540, and then temporarily stored in a storage module. .. The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 210 executes the program.

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

As shown in FIG. 11, in step S1110, the processor 210 of the computer 200 identifies the virtual space data as the control module 510 and defines the virtual space 11.

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

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

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

In step S1134, the HMD sensor 410 detects the position and tilt of the HMD 120 based on the plurality of infrared rays emitted from the HMD 120. The detection result is output to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

In step S1140, the processor 210 specifies the visual field direction of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 based on the position and the inclination included in the motion detection data of the HMD 120.

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

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

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

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

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

[Avatar Object]
An avatar object according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. Hereinafter, it is a figure explaining the avatar object of each user 5 of the HMD set 110A, 110B. 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 added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110A, B is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110B, and C is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110C. A D is added to the reference code of each component with respect to 110D. For example, the HMD 120A is included in the HMD set 110A.

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram showing a situation in which each HMD 120 provides the virtual space 11 to the user 5 in the network 2. The computers 200A to 200D provide the virtual spaces 11A to 11D to the users 5A to 5D via the HMD 120A to 120D, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B are composed of 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, the avatar object 6A of the user 5A and the 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 clarity, and in reality, these objects are equipped with the HMD 120. Not.

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

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

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

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

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

In step S1310A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A acquires the avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A. This avatar information includes information about the avatar such as motion information, face tracking data, and voice data. The motion information includes information indicating a temporal change in the position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating the hand motion of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A or the like, 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. Examples of the face tracking data include data indicating the movement of each organ constituting the face of the user 5A and line-of-sight data. Examples of the voice data include data indicating the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A of the HMD 120A. The avatar information may include information that identifies the avatar object 6A or the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information that identifies the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists, and the like. Examples of the information that identifies the avatar object 6A and the user 5A include a user ID. Information that identifies the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists includes a room ID. 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 the avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B and transmits it to the server 600, as in the process in step S1310A. Similarly, in step S1310C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C acquires the avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11C and transmits it to the server 600.

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

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

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

In step S1330B, the processor 210B in the HMD set 110B updates the information of the avatar objects 6A, 6C of the users 5A, 5C in the virtual space 11B, as in the process in step S1330A. Similarly, in step S1330C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C updates the information of the avatar objects 6A, 6B of the users 5A, 5B in the virtual space 11C.

[Detailed configuration of computer 200 modules]
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 the computer 200 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the control module 510 includes a field of view control module 1421 and a motion detection module 1422.

The field of view control module 1421 controls the field of view area 15 of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. The motion detection module 1422 detects the motion of the user 5. The motion detection module 1422 detects the hand motion of the user 5, for example, in response to the output of the controller 300. The motion detection module 1422 detects the movement of the user 5's body in response to the output of the motion sensor attached to the user's body, for example. The motion detection module 1422 can also detect the motion of the facial organs of the user 5.

[Video distribution system configuration]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the video distribution system 1500 according to a certain embodiment. The video distribution system 1500 distributes a video of a subject to the computer 200 of the user 5 (viewer). As a result, the viewer can view the video. The term "distribution" here means that, for example, the video distribution system 1500 receives the first instruction based on the input of the user 5 to the computer 200 and transmits the video to the computer 200. The video distribution system 1500 distributes the captured video of the subject to the computer 200 in real time. In a certain aspect, the video distribution system 1500 distributes spherical images. The spherical image is an image in which each frame is a spherical image.

The subject according to this embodiment is a human being. Therefore, the subject according to the present embodiment can also be expressed as a "video distributor" or a "performer".

As an example, the video distribution system 1500 includes a computer 200, a server 600, a spherical camera 1531, a spherical video generator 1534, and a display device 1535, as shown in FIG. The video distribution system 1500 may include a plurality of spherical cameras 1531.

[Spherical camera 1531]
The omnidirectional camera 1531 includes a plurality of imaging units and photographs the subject 1551. As an example, the spherical camera 1531 includes two imaging units. Specifically, the spherical camera 1531 includes a first imaging unit 1532 and a second imaging unit 1533. The omnidirectional camera 1531 is, for example, a omnidirectional camera for business use.

The first image pickup unit 1532 and the second image pickup unit 1533 are configured to capture a moving image, and are provided by an image pickup device such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor), and a lens. It is configured. Hereinafter, the moving images captured by the first imaging unit 1532 and the second imaging unit 1533 may be referred to as "captured images".

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the field of view of the spherical camera 1531 according to an embodiment. As an example, the first imaging unit 1532 and the second imaging unit 1533 are arranged on the spherical camera 1531 so as to image in opposite directions. The first imaging unit 1532 has a field of view 1661A shown in FIG. 16 as an example. Further, the second imaging unit 1533 has the field of view 1661B shown in FIG. 16 as an example. The field of view 1661A and the field of view 1661B can also be expressed as imaging regions of the first imaging unit 1532 and the second imaging unit 1533, respectively.

Since FIG. 16 is a top view of the spherical camera 1531, the field of view 1661A and the field of view 1661B are shown as a circle (fan shape) with a part missing. However, the first imaging unit 1532 and the second imaging unit 1533 also have a field of view in the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface). That is, the visual field 1661A and the visual field 1661B are actually spherical shapes in which a part is missing. Therefore, the fields of view of the spherical camera 1531 are two spherical fields of view that are opposite to each other and are partially missing. As a result, the omnidirectional camera 1531 can photograph the entire circumference (360 degrees) of the omnidirectional camera 1531.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the spherical camera 1531 according to a certain embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the spherical camera 1531 has, as main components, a processor 1771, a memory 1772, a storage 1773, a first imaging unit 1532, a second imaging unit 1533, and an input / output interface 1774. , With a communication interface 1775. Each component is connected to bus 1776, respectively.

The processor 1771 issues a series of instructions contained in the program stored in the memory 1772 or the storage 1773 based on the signal given to the spherical camera 1531 or when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Execute. In some aspects, the processor 1771 is implemented as a CPU, GPU, MPU, FPGA or other device.

Memory 1772 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from storage 1773, for example. The data includes data input to the spherical camera 1531 and data generated by the processor 1771. In some aspects, the memory 1772 is realized as a RAM or other volatile memory.

Storage 1773 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 1773 is realized as, for example, a ROM, a hard disk device, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The program stored in the storage 1773 may include a program for realizing the imaging of the captured image, a program for realizing communication with other devices, and the like. The data stored in the storage 1773 may include a photographed image (photographed image data).

In another aspect, the storage 1773 may be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. In yet another aspect, a configuration may be used that uses programs and data stored in an external storage device instead of the storage 1773 built into the spherical camera 1531.

As described above, the first imaging unit 1532 and the second imaging unit 1533 capture the captured image.

The input / output interface 1774 communicates a signal with the input / output device. In some aspects, the input / output interface 1774 is implemented using USB, DVI, HDMI® and other terminals. The input / output interface 1774 is not limited to the above.

The communication interface 1775 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with the device connected to the network 2. In a certain aspect, the communication interface 1775 is realized as, for example, a LAN or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC or other wireless communication interface. The communication interface 1775 is not limited to the above.

The processor 1771 uses the communication interface 1775 to transmit the captured video to the spherical image generator 1534 in real time.

[Spherical image generator 1534]
The omnidirectional image generation device 1534 generates an omnidirectional image using the captured image acquired from the omnidirectional camera 1531. In a certain aspect, the spherical image generator 1534 acquires a captured image from the spherical camera 1531 via the network 2.

The spherical image generator 1534 acquires the captured image captured by the first imaging unit 1532 of the spherical camera 1531 and the captured image captured by the second imaging unit 1533. As shown in FIG. 16, the field of view 1661A of the first imaging unit 1532 and the field of view 1661B of the second imaging unit 1533 partially overlap each other. Therefore, the captured image captured by the first imaging unit 1532 of the spherical camera 1531 and the captured image captured by the second imaging unit 1533 partially overlap each other. The spherical image generator 1534 distorts the corresponding two frames included in these two captured images, and stitches the two distorted frames. The "corresponding two frames" are two frames having the same shooting time. The spherical image generator 1534 generates a spherical image by performing stitching processing on all the two corresponding frames. The spherical image generator 1534 transmits the generated spherical image to the server 600 via the network 2.

The omnidirectional camera 1531 may have a function of generating an omnidirectional image and transmitting it to the server 600. In the case of this example, the video distribution system 1500 may not include the spherical video generator 1534.

[Display device 1535]
The display device 1535 displays at least the first message addressed to the performer. Details of the display device 1535 will be described later.

[Server 600]
The server 600 distributes the received spherical image to the computer 200. In a certain aspect, when the server 600 receives the first instruction based on the input of the user 5 to the computer 200, the server 600 transmits the spherical image to the computer 200. That is, the first instruction is an instruction to transmit a spherical image.

[Shooting the performer]
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of shooting a subject 1551 using the video distribution system 1500. Here, an example in which the performer 1852, which is an example of the subject 1551, is photographed by using the spherical camera 1531 in the photographing space 1800 will be described. In the illustrated example, the performer 1852 is female, but the performer may be male.

The omnidirectional camera 1531 photographs the performer 1852 in the first direction with respect to its own device. In the example of FIG. 18, the first direction is the front direction of the first imaging unit 1532. In FIG. 18, the first imaging unit 1532 is not shown because it is hidden by the display device 1535.

The display device 1535 displays the first message addressed to the performer 1852 in the first direction. That is, the display area 1836 of the display device 1535 is on the performer 1852 side as shown in FIG. As a result, the performer 1852 can visually recognize the first message.

The omnidirectional camera 1531 and the display device 1535 are arranged in the vertical direction as an example. In this embodiment, the display device 1535 is arranged on the spherical camera 1531 as shown in FIG. The arrangement relationship between the spherical camera 1531 and the display device 1535 is not limited to the vertical direction.

As an example, the display area 1836 is rectangular as shown in FIG. That is, the display area 1836 has two sides facing each other in the vertical direction. Specifically, the display area 1836 has a first end 1837 and a second end 1838 facing the first end 1837 in the vertical direction. Since the omnidirectional camera 1531 and the display device 1535 are arranged in the vertical direction, the first end portion 1837 and the second end portion 1838 are arranged in the vertical direction with respect to the omnidirectional camera 1531. In the example of FIG. 18, the first end 1837 and the second end 1838 are above the spherical camera 1531. Further, the first end portion 1837 is an end portion closer to the spherical camera 1531 than the second end portion 1838.

[Detailed configuration of server 600 module]
The details of the module configuration of the server 600 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a module of the server 600 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the server 600 includes a control module 1910, a memory module 1930, and a communication control module 1940. In some aspects, the control module 1910 is implemented by the processor 610. The memory module 1930 is implemented by a memory 620 or a storage 630. The communication control module 1940 is realized by the communication interface 650.

The control module 1910 includes a spherical image control module 1923 and a display device control module 1924.

When the spherical image control module 1923 receives the first instruction from the computer 200, the spherical image control module 1923 transmits the spherical image to the computer 200. As an example, the spherical image control module 1923 performs streaming (live streaming) of spherical images in a live manner. Live streaming is a type of streaming in which data is downloaded and played back at the same time. Video and audio are delivered in real time, data is converted (encoded) in real time, and streamed as it is. That is, the spherical image control module 1923 streams the spherical image received from the spherical image generator 1534 in real time. In other words, the spherical image can be expressed as a live streaming image.

From the above, in the video distribution system 1500, (1) transmission of captured video from the spherical camera 1531 to the spherical image generator 1534, (2) generation of the spherical image by the spherical image generator 1534, Then, the spherical image is transmitted to the server 600, and (3) the spherical image is transmitted from the server 600 to the computer 200 that has transmitted the first instruction in real time. As a result, the user 5 can view the image of the performer 1852 currently being photographed.

The display device control module 1924 controls the display device 1535. Specifically, the display device control module 1924 sets a part of the display area 1836 as the first area for displaying the first message. Further, the display device control module 1924 displays a part of the display area 1836, which is different from the first area, in real time on the first image based on the spherical image generated by the spherical image generator 1534. Set as 2 areas.

Further, the display device control module 1924 controls the display device 1535 to display the first message in the first area and display the first image in the second area.

The communication control module 1940 can communicate with the computer 200 and other information communication devices via the network 2.

[Processing flow]
FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing a part of processing executed in the server 600, the HMD set 110, and the display device 1535 according to an embodiment. In the present embodiment, a series of processes on the viewer side will be described as being executed by the HMD set 110A. However, the process may be executed by another HMD set 110B, 110C, or a part or all of the process may be executed by the server 600.

In step S2001, processor 210A of computer 200A defines virtual space 11A. This process corresponds to the process of step S1110 in FIG. Specifically, the processor 210A defines the virtual space 11A represented by the virtual space data by specifying the virtual space data.

In step S2011, the processor 610 of the server 600 sets, as the display device control module 1924, a first area for displaying the first message and a second area for displaying the first image for the display area 1836 of the display device 1535. To do. In the present embodiment, the first message will be described as a comment addressed to the performer 1852, which is input by the user 5A while viewing the spherical image.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an image displayed on a display device 1535 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, the processor 610 sets the area 2172 of the display area 1836, which is closer to the first end 1837 side than the second end 1838 side, as the first area. Hereinafter, the area 2172 may be referred to as the first area 2172. The first region 2172 may be a region in contact with the first end 1837, as shown in FIG.

Further, the processor 610 sets a region 2173 of the display region 1836, which is farther from the first end portion 1837 side than the first region 2172, as the second region. Hereinafter, the area 2173 may be referred to as the second area 2173. The second region 2173 may be at least a part of the display region 1836 that is farther from the first end 1837 than the first region 2172. As an example, the second region 2173 may be all of the display regions 1836 that are farther from the first end 1837 side than the first region 2172, as shown in FIG. As a result, the display device 1535 can display the first image in a larger size, which makes it easier for the performer 1852 to see the first image.

As an example, the processor 610 sets the first region 2172 and the second region 2173 based on the positional relationship between the preset spherical camera 1531 and the display device 1535. Specifically, in the case of the example of FIG. 21, information indicating that the display device 1535 is arranged on the spherical camera 1531 is stored in the storage 630 in advance. Based on this information, the processor 610 sets the first region 2172 and the second region 2173 as shown in FIG. The storage 630 further stores information indicating the size (area) of the first area 2172 and the second area 2173, and the processor 610 stores the information when setting the first area 2172 and the second area 2173. You may use it.

In step S2012, the processor 610 receives the spherical image from the spherical image generator 1534. The process of step S2012 is continuously executed until the shooting of the subject by the spherical camera 1531 is completed.

In step S2002, the HMD set 110A accepts the content reproduction operation. The operation may be accepted by the controller 300, or may be accepted by the input device when an input device other than the controller 300 is included in the HMD set 110A. In step S2003, the processor 210A transmits a reproduction instruction to the server 600 based on the input of the reproduction operation.

In step S2013, the processor 610 transmits the received spherical image to the computer 200A as the spherical image control module 1923. Specifically, the processor 610 transmits the spherical image received from the spherical image generator 1534 to the computer 200A after receiving the reproduction instruction. That is, when the reproduction instruction is received after the start of shooting, the processor 610 transmits the spherical image to the computer 200A from the middle of the image. The processor 610 may receive a playback instruction before the start of shooting, in other words, before receiving the spherical image from the spherical image generator 1534. In this case, the processor 610 waits until the spherical image is received from the spherical image generator 1534. In this case, the processor 610 can transmit to the computer 200A from the beginning of the spherical image.

In step S2004, the processor 210A deploys the received spherical image in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A associates each partial image constituting the spherical image with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 11A. In step S2005, the processor 210A starts reproducing the spherical image.

In step S2014, the processor 610 generates the first image from the spherical image as the display device control module 1924 and transmits it to the display device 1535. As an example, the processor 610 uses a part of the spherical image in which the performer 1852 is located as the first image. The size of the first image is determined, for example, based on the size of the second region 2173. That is, the processor 610 identifies a partial area in which the performer 1852 is centrally located, based on the size of the second area 2173. Then, the partial area is transmitted to the display device 1535 as the first image.

In step S2021, the display device 1535 displays the first image in the set second area 2173. As a result, the performer 1852 can visually recognize the shot image while shooting.

In step S2006, the processor 210A, as the field of view control module 1421 and the motion detection module 1422, determines the user's field of view in the virtual space 11A according to the movement of the HMD 120A. As an example, processor 210A sets a virtual viewpoint. The virtual viewpoint may be set at the center 12A of the virtual space 11A. The processor 210A may move the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space 11A in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 120A in the real space.

Processor 210A defines the field of view 15A in the virtual space 11A based on the position and tilt of the HMD 120A. The field of view area 15A corresponds to the area of the virtual space 11A that is visually recognized by the user 5A wearing the HMD 120A. That is, the position of the virtual viewpoint can be said to be the viewpoint of the user 5A in the virtual space 11A.

In step 2007, the processor 210A displays the field of view image 17A on the monitor 130A. Specifically, the processor 210A defines the field of view image 17A corresponding to the field of view region 15A based on the movement of the HMD 120A, the virtual space data that defines the virtual space 11A, and the spherical image. Defining the field of view image 17A is synonymous with generating the field of view image 17A. The processor 210A further outputs the field of view image 17A to the monitor 130A of the HMD 120A to display the field of view image 17A on the HMD 120A. The user 5A can visually recognize the performer 1852 by visually recognizing the field of view image 17A.

In step S2008, the HMD set 110A accepts a comment input operation for inputting a comment addressed to the performer 1852. In other words, the user 5A inputs a comment addressed to the performer 1852 while viewing the spherical image. The comment input operation may be accepted by the controller 300, or may be accepted by the input device when an input device other than the controller 300 is included in the HMD set 110A. In step S2009, the processor 210A transmits the comment generated based on the comment input operation to the server 600. Step S2009 can also be expressed as a step in which the processor 610 receives a comment.

In step S2015, the processor 610 transmits the received comment to the computer 200A and the display device 1535. Further, although not shown, the processor 610 transmits the received comment to a computer 200 other than the computer 200A, for example, computers 200B and 200C. That is, in step S2015, the processor 610 performs a comment synchronization process of transmitting the comment input by a certain user 5 to the performer and all the users 5.

In step S2010, the processor 210A displays the received comment on the monitor 130A. As a result, the user 5A can visually recognize the comment entered by the user 5A. The process of step S2010 is also executed by the computer 200 other than the computer 200A. As a result, the user 5 other than the user 5A can visually recognize the comment input by the user 5A.

In step S2022, the display device 1535 displays a comment in the set first area 2172. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, a comment 2181 (second comment) is displayed in the first area 2172. As a result, the performer 1852 can visually recognize the comment input by the user 5 and can take various measures for the comment. For example, performer 1852 may thank you for entering a comment. Since the display device 1535 displays the comment in the first area 2172 based on the synchronous processing of the processor 610, step S2015 can also be expressed as a step in which the processor 610 displays the comment in the first area.

The comment 2182 (first comment) is a comment input at an earlier timing than the comment 2181. Before displaying the comment 2181, the comment 2182 is displayed at the position where the comment 2181 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. When the processor 610 receives the comment 2181 while the comment 2182 is displayed at the position of the first region 2172, the processor 610 controls the display device 1535 to send the comment 2182 to the first end portion in the first region 2172. Move to the side. Then, the processor 610 controls the display device 1535 to display the comment 2181 at the position where the comment 2182 before the movement was displayed. In other words, the first region 2172 is a so-called timeline. With this configuration, the line of sight of the performer 1852 can be naturally taken to the camera's line of sight.

The user 5 who entered the comment 2181 and the comment 2182 may be the same or different as shown in FIG. For example, the user 5 who has input the comment 2181 may be the user 5A, and the user 5 who has input the comment 2182 may be the user 5B.

That is, the server 600 distributes the spherical image to the user 5 (for example, the user 5B) different from the user 5A. Further, the display device 1535 displays a comment 2182 (second message) addressed from the user 5B to the performer 1852. The first area 2172 is an area for displaying the comment 2181 from the user 5A and the comment 2182 from the user 5 (user 5B) different from the user 5A. In other words, when the server 600 receives the comment 2182 from the user 5 (user 5B) different from the user 5A, the server 600 displays the comment 2182 in the first area 2172.

As described above, since the comment is displayed in the first region 2172 closer to the spherical camera 1531, the performer 1852 can visually recognize the comment while maintaining the camera's line of sight. As a result, the performer 1852 can make the user 5A watch the spherical image as if he / she is always facing the user 5A. As a result, the immersive feeling of the user 5A with respect to the delivered video can be further enhanced.

Further, by setting the first region 2172 as a region in contact with the first end portion 1837 as shown in FIG. 21, the deviation of the line of sight from the spherical camera 1531 when the performer 1852 views the comment is minimized. Can be transformed into.

[Modification example]
The first message is not limited to the message (for example, comment) from the user 5 to the performer 1852. For example, the first message may be an instruction addressed to the performer 1852, which is input by a staff member involved in the shooting of the spherical image using a computer (not shown).

Further, the first area 2172 is not limited to the area for displaying the first message and the second message. For example, the first area 2172 may be an area for displaying an effect instead of the first message and the second message (or in addition to the first message and the second message). The effect may be based on the input operation of the user 5. The effect may be, for example, an animation showing that an object (gift) has been presented by the user 5 to the performer 1852 based on the input operation of the user 5.

The camera that shoots the performer 1852 may have a function of shooting an image and a function of transmitting the captured image in real time via the network 2, and is not limited to the spherical camera 1531. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an image displayed on a display device according to an embodiment. As an example, the camera that captures the performer 1852 may be the camera 2231 provided in the smartphone 2235, as shown in FIG. 22 (A). In the case of the example of FIG. 22A, the smartphone 2235 corresponds to the display device, and the display unit 2236 corresponds to the display area of the display device. That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 22 (A), in the display unit 2236, the region 2272 closer to the first end portion 2237 side than the second end portion 2238 side is designated as the first region (hereinafter, the first region 2272). It is set and comments 2281-2283 are displayed. In other words, in the case of the example of FIG. 22A, the upper portion in the display unit 2236 is set as the first region. Further, in the case of the example of FIG. 22 (A), the region 2273 farther from the first end 2237 side than the first region 2272 is set as the second region (hereinafter, the second region 2273), and the first image is displayed. Will be done. In the case of the example of FIG. 22A, since the camera 2231 cannot capture the entire surrounding area of the camera 2231, the image delivered to the computer 200 is an ordinary image that is not a spherical image. Become.

Further, as an example, the camera for photographing the performer 1852 may be a spherical camera 2239 connected to the smartphone 2235 as shown in FIG. 22 (B). The spherical camera 2239 can be used, for example, by inserting it into an earphone jack provided at the bottom of the smartphone 2235. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 22 (B), the smartphone 2235 is used as a display device in a state of being upside down from the example of FIG. 22 (A). That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 22 (B), the first end portion 2237 and the second end portion 2238 are opposite to the example of FIG. 22 (A). Specifically, in the example of FIG. 22 (A), the side closer to the camera 2231 provided on the smartphone 2235 was the first end 2237, but in the example of FIG. 22 (B), the camera 2231 The far side is the first end 2237. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22B, the first region 2272 is a region closer to the spherical camera 2239, in other words, a region farther from the camera 2231. Further, the second region 2273 is a region farther from the spherical camera 2239 than the first region 2272, in other words, a region closer to the camera 2231 than the first region 2272. ..

As shown in FIG. 22 (B), when there are a plurality of cameras (camera 2231, spherical camera 2239) capable of shooting the performer 1852, the processor 610 identifies the camera used for shooting the performer 1852 and obtains a specific result. The first region 2272 and the second region 2273 may be set based on the above.

In the example of FIG. 22B, the two cameras and the display unit 2236 are arranged in the vertical direction with the display unit 2236 in between. The processor 610 identifies, for example, the spherical camera 2239 of the two cameras as the camera used to capture the subject. As an example, when the processor 610 receives information indicating that the spherical camera 2239 is connected from the smartphone 2235, the processor 610 may specify that the spherical camera 2239 is a camera used for photographing the subject.

Then, the processor 610 identifies the first end portion 2237 and the second end portion 2238 based on the positional relationship between the specified camera, that is, the spherical camera 2239 and the display unit 2236. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22B, the processor 610 specifies the side closer to the spherical camera 2239 than the camera 2231 as the first end 2237, and the spherical camera 2231 is closer to the spherical camera 2237. The side far from the camera 2239 is identified as the second end 2238.

The processor 610 then sets the first region 2272 and the second region 2273 based on the identified first end 2237 and second end 2238. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22B, the processor 610 has a region closer to the first end 2237 side than the second end 2238 side, that is, a region closer to the spherical camera 2239. One area 2272 is set, and the area farther from the first end 2237 side than the first area 2272 is set as the second area 2273.

When the processor 610 specifies that the camera 2231 is a camera used for photographing a subject, the first end portion and the second end portion are the opposite of the example of FIG. 22B. Therefore, the positional relationship between the first region 2272 and the second region 2273 and the camera 2231 is also the opposite of the example of FIG. 22 (B). In other words, the positional relationship is the relationship shown in FIG. 22 (A).

The server 600 may set the first region and the second region in the viewing terminal for viewing the spherical image distributed by the user 5. Here, an example will be described in which the viewing terminal is a smartphone provided with a display unit and a camera (shooting unit). In the smartphone, the display unit is rectangular, and the display unit and the camera are arranged in the vertical direction. Therefore, the display unit has two sides facing each other in the vertical direction. One of the two sides is referred to as the third end, and the other is referred to as the fourth end. It is assumed that the third end portion is the end portion closer to the camera than the fourth end portion.

The processor 610 sets, among the display areas of the display unit, an area closer to the fourth end side than the third end side as the first area. Further, the processor 610 sets at least a part of the display area of the display unit, which is farther from the fourth end side than the first area, as the second area. That is, when the smartphone as a viewing terminal is the same as the smartphone 2235 shown in FIG. 22 (A), the positional relationship between the first and second regions and the camera (camera 2231) is shown in FIG. 22 (A). It is the opposite of the positional relationship shown. In other words, in a smartphone as a viewing terminal, the first area is the area far from the camera, and the second area is the area near the camera.

In the above example, the setting of the first area and the second area has been described as being performed by the server 600, but the setting of the first area and the second area is set by the display device 1535, the smartphone 2235, and the smartphone as a viewing terminal. May go. In the case of this example, the display device 1535, the smartphone 2235, and the viewing terminal perform display in the first area and the second area based on the settings made by the own device.

The video (omnidirectional video) viewed by the user 5 is not limited to the video including the performer 1852 itself. For example, the video may be a video that includes an avatar object associated with the performer 1852 that reflects the movement of the performer 1852.

When the video viewed by the user 5 is a video including an avatar object associated with the performer 1852, the shooting space may be a virtual space. In the case of this example, the camera that shoots the performer 1852 is, for example, a virtual camera arranged in a virtual space. Further, the display device that displays the first message or the like toward the performer 1852 is, for example, a timeline arranged in the virtual space. The virtual camera and the timeline are arranged in the vertical direction in the virtual space. For example, a timeline is placed above the virtual camera. The first area is set based on the arrangement relationship between the virtual camera and the timeline. In this example, the setting of the second region on the timeline is not essential.

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 present embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various embodiments can be changed 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 equivalent scope thereof.

[Additional notes]
The contents relating to one aspect of the present invention are listed below.

(Item 1) The program was explained. According to a certain aspect of the present disclosure, the program distributes a photographing device (omnidirectional camera 1531) for photographing a subject (performer 1852) and an image of the subject photographed by the photographing device to a first viewer (user 5A). It is executed by the first computer in the system (video distribution system 1500) including the first computer (server 600) and the display device (1535) for displaying the first message addressed to the subject from the first viewer. .. The photographing device and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction. The display area (1536) of the display device has a first end portion (1537) and a second end portion (1538) facing the first end portion in the vertical direction. The first end is an end closer to the imaging device than the second end. The program displays the first message on the processor (610) provided in the first computer in the first area (2172) of the display area closer to the first end side than the second end side. (S2011) and the step of displaying the first message in the first area (S2015) are executed.

(Item 2) In (Item 1), the program causes the processor to further perform the step of receiving the first message. The first message is a comment addressed to the subject, which is input by the first viewer while watching the video. In the display step, when the first comment, which is a comment, is displayed in the first area and a second comment different from the first comment is received, the first comment is moved to the first end side in the first area. Then, the second comment is displayed at the position where the first comment before the movement was displayed.

(Item 3) In (Item 1) or (Item 2), the first computer further distributes the image of the subject to the second viewer. The display device further displays a second message addressed to the subject from the second viewer. The first area is an area for displaying the first message and the second message. In the display step, the second message is further displayed in the first area.

(Item 4) In any of (Item 1) to (Item 3), the program causes the processor to display at least a part of the display area farther from the first end side than the first area. The step (S2011) of setting as the second area (2173) for displaying the image, and the step (S2014) for displaying the captured image in the second area in real time are further executed.

(Item 5) In the step of setting as the second area in (Item 4), all the display areas farther from the first end side than the first area are set as the second area.

(Item 6) In the step of setting as the first area in (Item 1) to (Item 5), a part of the display area in contact with the first end portion is set as the first area.

(Item 7) In (Item 1) to (Item 6), the system includes two photographing devices (camera 2231 and spherical camera 2239) capable of photographing a subject. The two photographing devices and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction with the display device interposed therebetween. The program first, based on the step of identifying the imaging device (omnidirectional camera 2239) used for photographing the subject among the two imaging devices in the processor, and the positional relationship between the identified imaging device and the display device. Further execution of the step of identifying the end and the second end. In the step of setting as the first region, the first region is set based on the specified first end portion and second end portion.

(Item 8) In (Item 4) or (Item 5), the system further includes a viewing terminal for viewing the distributed video. The viewing terminal includes a display unit for displaying an image and a shooting unit. The display unit and the photographing unit are arranged in the vertical direction. The display area of the display unit has a third end portion and a fourth end portion facing the third end portion in the vertical direction. The third end portion is an end portion closer to the photographing portion than the fourth end portion. The program sets the processor as the first area in the display area of the display unit closer to the fourth end side than the third end side, and the first of the display areas of the display unit. The step of setting at least a part of the region far from the fourth end side as compared with the region as the second region is further executed.

(Item 9) The information processing device has been described. According to a certain aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing device (server 600) displays a photographing device (omnidirectional camera 1531) for photographing the subject (performer 1852) and a first message addressed to the subject from the first viewer. The display device (1535) and the system (video distribution system 1500) including the display device (1535). The information processing device causes the first viewer (user 5A) to view the image of the subject photographed by the photographing device. The information processing device includes a storage unit (memory 620) that stores a program executed by the information processing device, and a control unit (processor 610) that controls the operation of the information processing device by executing the program. The photographing device and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction. The display area (1536) of the display device has a first end portion (1537) and a second end portion (1538) facing the first end portion in the vertical direction. The first end is an end closer to the imaging device than the second end. The control unit sets an area of the display area closer to the first end side than the second end side as the first area (2172) for displaying the first message, and sets the first message as the first area. Display on.

(Item 10) The method of executing the program has been described. According to a certain aspect of the present disclosure, the program distributes a photographing device (omnidirectional camera 1531) for photographing a subject (performer 1852) and an image of the subject photographed by the photographing device to a first viewer (user 5A). It is executed by the first computer in the system (video distribution system 1500) including the first computer (server 600) and the display device (1535) for displaying the first message addressed to the subject from the first viewer. .. The photographing device and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction. The display area (1536) of the display device has a first end portion (1537) and a second end portion (1538) facing the first end portion in the vertical direction. The first end is an end closer to the imaging device than the second end. In the method, the processor (610) provided in the first computer displays the first message in the area closer to the first end side than the second end side in the display area (2172). (S2011) and a step (S2015) of displaying the first message in the first area are included.

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, augmented reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) MR: Mixed Reality) A virtual experience in space may be provided to the user. In this case, instead of the operation object, an action on the target object in the virtual space may be generated based on the movement of the user's hand. Specifically, the processor may specify the coordinate information of the position of the user's hand in the real space, and may define the position of the target object in the virtual space in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. As a result, the processor can grasp the positional relationship between the user's hand in the real space and the target object in the virtual space, and can execute the process corresponding to the collision control described above between the user's hand and the target object. .. As a result, it becomes possible to give an action to the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

2 networks, 5,5A, 5B, 5C users, 6,6A, 6B, 6C avatar objects, 11,11A, 11B, 11C, 11D virtual space, 12,12A center, 13 panoramic images, 14,14A, 14B virtual cameras , 15, 15A, 15B, 15C field of view, 16 reference line of sight, 17, 17A, 17B field of view image, 18, 19 area, 100 HMD system, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D HMD set, 120, 120A, 120B, 120C, HMD, 130, 130A, 130B, 130C monitor, 140 gaze sensor, 150 first camera, 160 second camera, 170, 170A, 170B microphone, 180, 180A, 180B speaker, 190 sensor, 200, 200A, 200B, 200C computer, 210,210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 610,1771 processor, 220,620,1772 memory, 230,230A,230B,630,1773 storage, 240,640,1774 input / output interface, 250,650,1775 Communication interface, 260, 660, 1776 bus, 300, 300B controller, 300 R right controller, 300L left controller, 310 grip, 320 frame, 330 top surface, 340, 340, 350, 370, 380 buttons, 360 infrared L ED, 390 analog stick, 410 HMD sensor, 420, 420A motion sensor, 430, 430A display, 510, 1910 control module, 520 rendering module, 530, 1930 memory module, 540, 1940 communication control module, 600 server, 700 external device, 1421 Field of view control module, 1422 motion detection module, 1500 image distribution system, 1531,239 spherical camera, 1532 first imaging unit, 1533 second imaging unit, 1534 spherical image generator, 1535 display device, 1551 subject, 1661A , 1661B field of view, 1800 shooting space, 1836 display area, 1837 first area, 1838 second end, 1852 performer, 1923 spherical image control module, 1924 display device control module, 2172, 2272 first area, 2173, 2273 Second area, 2181,182,2281,2282,283 Comments, 2231 Camera, 2235 Smartphone, 2236 Display

Claims (10)

A photographing device for photographing a subject, a first computer for distributing an image of the subject photographed by the photographing device to a first viewer, and a display for displaying a first message addressed to the subject from the first viewer. A program executed by the first computer in a system including a device.
The photographing device and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction.
The display area of the display device has a first end portion and a second end portion facing the first end portion in the vertical direction.
The first end portion is an end portion closer to the photographing device than the second end portion, and the program is applied to a processor provided in the first computer.
Among the display areas, a step of setting an area closer to the first end side than the second end side as a first area for displaying the first message, and
A program for executing a step of displaying the first message in the first area. The program causes the processor to further perform the step of receiving the first message.
The first message is a comment addressed to the subject, which is input by the first viewer while viewing the video.
In the display step, when a second comment different from the first comment is received while the first comment, which is the comment, is displayed in the first area, the first comment is displayed in the first area. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is moved to the first end side and the second comment is displayed at the position where the first comment was displayed before the movement. The first computer further distributes the image of the subject to a second viewer different from the first viewer.
The display device further displays a second message addressed to the subject from the second viewer.
The first area is an area for displaying the first message and the second message.
The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the display step, the second message is further displayed in the first area. The program is delivered to the processor.
A step of setting at least a part of the display area farther from the first end side than the first area as a second area for displaying the image.
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further executing a step of displaying the captured image in the second region in real time. The program according to claim 4, wherein in the step of setting as the second region, all the regions of the display region farther from the first end side than the first region are set as the second region. The step according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the step of setting as the first region, a part of the display region in contact with the first end portion is set as the first region. program. The system includes two imaging devices capable of photographing a subject.
The two photographing devices and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction with the display device interposed therebetween.
The program is delivered to the processor.
Of the two imaging devices, the first end and the second end are set based on the step of specifying the imaging device used for photographing the subject and the positional relationship between the identified imaging device and the display device. To perform further steps to identify,
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the step of setting the first region, the first region is set based on the specified first end portion and the second end portion. The system further includes a viewing terminal for viewing the delivered video, and the viewing terminal includes a display unit for displaying the video and a shooting unit.
The display unit and the photographing unit are arranged in the vertical direction.
The display area of the display unit includes a third end portion and a fourth end portion that faces the third end portion in the vertical direction.
The third end is an end closer to the photographing portion than the fourth end, and the program is applied to the processor.
A step of setting a region of the display region of the display unit closer to the fourth end side than the third end side as the first region.
4. The step of setting at least a part of the display area of the display unit farther from the fourth end side than the first area as the second area is further executed. Or the program described in 5. A photographing device for photographing a subject, an information processing device for distributing an image of the subject photographed by the photographing device to a first viewer, and a display for displaying a first message addressed to the subject from the first viewer. The information processing device in the system including the device,
The information processing device
A storage unit that stores a program executed by the information processing device,
A control unit that controls the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the program is provided.
The photographing device and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction.
The display area of the display device has a first end portion and a second end portion facing the first end portion in the vertical direction.
The first end portion is an end portion closer to the photographing device than the second end portion, and the control unit is a control unit.
Of the display areas, an area closer to the first end side than the second end side is set as the first area for displaying the first message.
An information processing device that displays the first message in the first area. A photographing device for photographing a subject, a first computer for distributing an image of the subject photographed by the photographing device to a first viewer, and a display for displaying a first message addressed to the subject from the first viewer. A method in which the first computer executes a program in a system including a device.
The photographing device and the display device are arranged in the vertical direction.
The display area of the display device has a first end portion and a second end portion facing the first end portion in the vertical direction.
The first end portion is an end portion closer to the photographing device than the second end portion, and in the method, a processor provided in the first computer is used.
Among the display areas, a step of setting an area closer to the first end side than the second end side as a first area for displaying the first message, and
A method comprising the step of displaying the first message in the first area.

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