JP2023010714A - Method executed by computer to provide virtual experience, program and computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve virtual experience of a user.

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

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

Patent Law Article 30, Paragraph 2 application filed April 14-15, 2017 VRLA Expo 2017 COLOPL Co., Ltd. exhibited and released the trial version of the VR action game "TITAN SLAYER".

The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, programs, and computers for providing virtual experiences.

In Patent Document 1 below, a user manipulates a virtual hand to handle an item such as a sword object used in the virtual space, making it appear as if the user is fighting an enemy object in the virtual space. A technique for providing a user with a virtual experience such as is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 5996138

However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not disclose the idea of how to update the state of items used in the virtual space. Therefore, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is room for improving the virtual experience experienced by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure aims to provide a computer implemented method, program and computer for providing a virtual experience that can improve a user's virtual experience.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for providing a virtual experience to a user, comprising the steps of defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience; moving a virtual viewpoint within the virtual space according to the movement of the user; moving an operation object within the virtual space according to the movement of a part of the user's body; and updating a state of an item used in the virtual space on condition that the manipulation object is moved out of the field of view.

According to the present disclosure, a computer implemented method, program and computer for providing a virtual experience may be provided that may improve the user's virtual experience.

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

<Details of Embodiments Presented by the Present Disclosure>
Hereinafter, details of embodiments indicated by the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, basically the same constituent elements are given the same reference numerals. Therefore, in principle, descriptions of components that have already been described (components to which reference numbers have been attached) will not be repeated unless necessary.

[Configuration of HMD system]
The configuration of an HMD (Head Mount Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an HMD system 100 according to an embodiment. In one aspect, the HMD system 100 is provided as a system for home use or as a system for business use.

The HMD system 100 includes an HMD device 110 , an HMD sensor 120 , a controller 160 and a computer 200 . HMD device 110 includes display 112 , camera 116 , microphone 118 , and gaze sensor 140 . Controller 160 may include motion sensor 130 .

In one aspect, computer 200 is connectable to the Internet or other network 19 and is capable of communicating with server 150 and other computers connected to network 19 . In another aspect, HMD device 110 may include sensor 114 instead of HMD sensor 120 .

The HMD device 110 can be worn on the user's head and provide the user with a virtual space during operation. More specifically, HMD device 110 displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image on display 112 . When each eye of the user sees the respective image, the user can perceive the image as a three-dimensional image based on the binocular parallax. The display 112 may be configured integrally with the HMD device 110, or may be a separate body.

The display 112 is implemented as, for example, a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the display 112 is arranged on the main body of the HMD device 110 so as to be positioned in front of the user's eyes. Therefore, the user can immerse himself in the virtual space by visually recognizing the three-dimensional image displayed on the display 112 . In one embodiment, the virtual space includes, for example, images of backgrounds, objects, and user-selectable menus. In one embodiment, the display 112 can be realized as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display provided in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal.

In one aspect, display 112 may include a sub-display for displaying images for the right eye and a sub-display for displaying images for the left eye. In another aspect, the display 112 may be configured to display the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye as one. In this case, display 112 includes a fast shutter. The high speed shutter operates to alternately display the right eye image and the left eye image so that the image is perceived by only one eye.

Camera 116 acquires a facial image of the user wearing HMD device 110 . Facial images captured by camera 116 may be used to detect the user's facial expressions through image analysis processing. The camera 116 may be an infrared camera built into the main body of the HMD device 110, for example, to detect the movement of the pupil, the opening and closing of the eyelids, the movement of the eyebrows, and the like. Alternatively, camera 116 may be an external camera positioned outside HMD device 110 as shown in FIG. 1 to detect movement of the user's mouth, cheeks, jaw, and the like. Also, camera 116 may comprise both the infrared camera and the external camera described above.

A microphone 118 picks up the voice uttered by the user. The voice captured by the microphone 118 can be used to detect the user's emotions through voice analysis processing. The audio can also be used to give verbal instructions to the virtual space. Also, the voice may be sent to an HMD system used by another user via the network 19, the server 150, etc., and output from a speaker or the like connected to the HMD system. This realizes a conversation (chat) between users who share the virtual space.

The HMD sensor 120 includes multiple light sources (not shown). Each light source is implemented by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared rays. HMD sensor 120 has a position tracking function for detecting movement of HMD device 110 . The HMD sensor 120 uses this function to detect the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 in the physical space.

In another aspect, HMD sensor 120 may be implemented by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 by executing image analysis processing using the image information of the HMD device 110 output from the camera.

In another aspect, HMD device 110 may include sensor 114 instead of HMD sensor 120 as a position detector. The HMD device 110 can detect the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 itself using the sensor 114 . For example, if the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like, the HMD device 110 uses one of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 120 to determine its own position and inclination. can be detected. As an example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor temporally detects angular velocities around three axes of the HMD device 110 in real space. The HMD device 110 calculates temporal changes in the angles about the three axes of the HMD device 110 based on the respective angular velocities, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD device 110 based on the temporal changes in the angles. Also, the HMD device 110 may include a transmissive display device. In this case, the transmissive display device may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting its transmittance. Also, the visual field image displayed on the display 112 may include an element presenting the real space. For example, an image captured by a camera mounted on the HMD device 110 may be superimposed on a part of the field of view image and displayed. The physical space may be visible from part of the image.

Gaze sensor 140 detects the direction in which the user's 190 right and left eyes are directed (line-of-sight direction). Detection of the direction is realized by, for example, a known eye-tracking function. Gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, gaze sensor 140 preferably includes a right eye sensor and a left eye sensor. Gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates the right eye and left eye of user 190 with infrared light and receives reflected light from the cornea and iris of the irradiated light, thereby detecting the rotation angle of each eyeball. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line-of-sight direction of the user 190 based on each detected rotation angle.

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

In another aspect, server 150 may also communicate with other computers 200 for providing virtual reality to HMD devices used by other users. For example, when a plurality of users play a participatory game in an amusement facility, each computer 200 communicates with other computers 200 a signal based on the actions of each user, so that a plurality of users can share a common game in the same virtual space. Allows you to enjoy the game.

Controller 160 accepts command input from user 190 to computer 200 . In one aspect, controller 160 is configured to be grippable by user 190 . In another aspect, controller 160 is configured to be attachable to part of user's 190 body or clothing. In another aspect, controller 160 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on signals sent from computer 200 . In another aspect, controller 160 accepts an operation given by user 190 to control the position, movement, etc. of an object placed in a space providing virtual reality.

Motion sensor 130, in one aspect, is attached to a user's hand to detect movement of the user's hand. For example, the motion sensor 130 detects hand rotation speed, number of rotations, and the like. The detected signal is sent to computer 200 . The motion sensor 130 is provided, for example, in a glove-type controller 160 . In one embodiment, for safety in real space, controller 160 is desirably attached to a glove-type object that does not easily fly away when attached to user's 190 hand. In another aspect, sensors not worn by user 190 may detect movement of user's 190 hand. For example, a signal from a camera that captures the image of the user 190 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal representing the motion of the user 190 . Motion sensor 130 and computer 200 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly. In the case of wireless communication, the form of communication is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other known communication methods are used.

[Hardware configuration]
A computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of computer 200 according to one aspect. The computer 200 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, an input/output interface 13, and a communication interface 14 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 15 respectively.

Processor 10 executes a series of instructions contained in a program stored in memory 11 or storage 12 based on a signal given to computer 200 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, processor 10 is implemented as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processor Unit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or other device.

Memory 11 temporarily stores programs and data. Programs and/or data are loaded from storage 12, for example. Data stored in memory 11 includes data input to computer 200 and data generated by processor 10 . In one aspect, memory 11 is implemented as RAM (Random Access Memory) or other volatile memory.

The storage 12 permanently holds programs and data. The storage 12 is implemented as, for example, a ROM (Read-Only Memory), hard disk device, flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The programs stored in the storage 12 include programs for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, simulation programs, game programs, user authentication programs, programs for realizing communication with other computers 200, and the like. The data stored in the storage 12 includes data and objects for defining the virtual space.

In another aspect, the storage 12 may be realized as a removable storage device like a memory card. In still another aspect, instead of the storage 12 built into the computer 200, a configuration using programs and data stored in an external storage device may be used. According to such a configuration, for example, in a scene where a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used, such as an amusement facility, it is possible to collectively update programs, data, and the like.

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

In some embodiments, input/output interface 13 may also communicate with controller 160 . For example, the input/output interface 13 receives signals output from the motion sensor 130 . In another aspect, input/output interface 13 sends instructions output from processor 10 to controller 160 . The command instructs the controller 160 to vibrate, output sound, emit light, or the like. Upon receiving the command, the controller 160 performs either vibration, audio output, or light emission according to the command.

The communication interface 14 is connected to the network 19 and communicates with other computers connected to the network 19 (for example, the server 150). In one aspect, the communication interface 14 is implemented as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. be done. Note that the communication interface 14 is not limited to the one described above.

In one aspect, processor 10 accesses storage 12, loads one or more programs stored in storage 12 into memory 11, and executes a sequence of instructions contained in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of computer 200, an application program for providing virtual space, game software executable in virtual space using controller 160, and the like. The processor 10 sends a signal for providing the virtual space to the HMD device 110 via the input/output interface 13 . HMD device 110 displays an image on display 112 based on the signal.

The server 150 is connected to each control device of the plurality of HMD systems 100 via the network 19 .

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

Also, the computer 200 may be configured to be used in common by a plurality of HMD devices 110 . According to such a configuration, for example, the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, so each user can enjoy the same application as other users in the same virtual space. In such a case, the multiple HMD systems 100 in this embodiment may be directly connected to the computer 200 via the input/output interface 13 . Also, each function of the server 150 in this embodiment may be implemented in the computer 200 .

In one embodiment, the HMD system 100 is preset with a global coordinate system. The global coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) parallel to the vertical direction in real space, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction orthogonal to both the vertical and horizontal directions. In this embodiment, the global coordinate system is one of viewpoint coordinate systems. Therefore, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the front-rear direction in the global coordinate system are defined as x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, respectively. More specifically, in the global coordinate system, the x-axis is parallel to the horizontal direction of the physical 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 physical space.

In one aspect, HMD sensor 120 includes an infrared sensor. The presence of the HMD device 110 is detected when the infrared sensor detects infrared rays emitted from each light source of the HMD device 110 . HMD sensor 120 further calculates the position and tilt of HMD device 110 in physical space according to the movement of user 190 wearing HMD device 110 based on the value of each point (each coordinate value in the global coordinate system). To detect. More specifically, the HMD sensor 120 can detect temporal changes in the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 using the values detected over time.

The global coordinate system is parallel to the real space coordinate system. Therefore, each tilt of the HMD device 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 corresponds to each tilt of the HMD device 110 around the three axes in the global coordinate system. The HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD device 110 based on the tilt of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system. The uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD device 110 corresponds to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 sees an object in virtual space.

[uvw visual field coordinate system]
The uvw visual field coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD device 110 according to an embodiment. HMD sensor 120 detects the position and tilt of HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system when HMD device 110 is activated. The processor 10 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD device 110 based on the detected values.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the HMD device 110 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system centered (origin) on the head of the user wearing the HMD device 110 . More specifically, the HMD device 110 rotates the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) defining a global coordinate system around each axis of the HMD device 110 within the global coordinate system. The three directions newly obtained by tilting around each axis by the tilt of are the pitch direction (u-axis), yaw direction (v-axis), and roll direction (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD device 110. set as

In one aspect, when user 190 wearing HMD device 110 is standing upright and looking straight ahead, processor 10 sets HMD device 110 to a uvw visual field coordinate system parallel to the global coordinate system. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), vertical direction (y-axis), and front-back direction (z-axis) in the global coordinate system correspond to the pitch direction (u-axis) and yaw direction (v axis), and the roll direction (w-axis).

After the uvw visual field coordinate system is set in the HMD device 110, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the tilt (amount of change in tilt) of the HMD device 110 in the set uvw visual field coordinate system based on the movement of the HMD device 110. . In this case, the HMD sensor 120 detects the pitch angle (θu), yaw angle (θv), and roll angle (θw) of the HMD device 110 in the uvw visual field coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD device 110 . The pitch angle (θu) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the pitch direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the yaw direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the roll direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system.

The HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD device 110 after the HMD device 110 moves based on the detected tilt angle of the HMD device 110 . The relationship between the HMD device 110 and the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 is always constant regardless of the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 . When the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 change, the position and tilt of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system change in conjunction with the change in the position and tilt.

In one aspect, the HMD sensor 120 detects the HMD based on the infrared light intensity obtained based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between the plurality of points (for example, the distance between the points). A position of the device 110 in the physical space may be specified as a relative position with respect to the HMD sensor 120 . Also, the processor 10 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 in the physical space (global coordinate system) based on the specified relative position.

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing one aspect of expressing the virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 2 has a spherical structure covering the entire 360-degree direction of the center 21 . In FIG. 4, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 2 is illustrated in order not to complicate the explanation. Each mesh is defined in the virtual space 2 . The position of each mesh is defined in advance as coordinate values in the XYZ coordinate system defined in the virtual space 2 . The computer 200 associates each element (for example, an object, a still image, a moving image, etc.) that can be deployed (arranged) in the virtual space 2 with a mesh corresponding to the deployment position (arrangement position) in the virtual space 2, so that the user can provides the user with a virtual space 2 in which visible virtual space elements are developed. A virtual space element is an element that is deployed in the virtual space 2. For example, various objects (for example, objects that can be operated by a user, objects that operate based on a predetermined algorithm, objects that do not operate, etc.), Various images (background images, menu images selected by the user, photographs, moving images, etc.) are included.

In one aspect, the virtual space 2 defines an XYZ coordinate system with the center 21 as the origin. The XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the global coordinate system, for example. Since the XYZ coordinate system is a kind of viewpoint coordinate system, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the front-rear direction in the XYZ coordinate system are defined as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, respectively. Therefore, the X-axis (horizontal direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the x-axis of the global coordinate system, the Y-axis (vertical direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the y-axis of the global coordinate system, and the The Z-axis (front-back direction) is parallel to the z-axis of the global coordinate system.

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

A uvw field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 1 as in the case of the HMD device 110 . The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 is defined to interlock with the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 in the real space (global coordinate system). Therefore, when the tilt of the HMD device 110 changes, the tilt of the virtual camera 1 also changes accordingly. Also, the virtual camera 1 may move in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement in the real space of the user wearing the HMD device 110 , or may move in accordance with the operation by the user 190 accepted by the controller 160 . , may be moved.

Since the direction of the virtual camera 1 is determined according to the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1, the line of sight (reference line of sight 5) that is the reference when the user visually recognizes the virtual space element is determined according to the direction of the virtual camera 1. . However, the orientation of the virtual camera 1 may be determined according to the line-of-sight direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 . The processor 10 of the computer 200 defines the field of view area 23 in the virtual space 2 based on the reference line of sight 5 . The field of view area 23 corresponds to the field of view of the user wearing the HMD device 110 in the virtual space 2 .

The line-of-sight direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is the direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes an object. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes the display 112 . Also, the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is interlocked with the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 . Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to a certain aspect can regard the line-of-sight direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 as the user's line-of-sight direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 .

[User's line of sight]
Determination of the user's line of sight direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the head of user 190 wearing HMD device 110 according to an embodiment.

In one aspect, gaze sensor 140 detects each of the right and left eye gazes of user 190 . In one aspect, when user 190 is looking near, gaze sensor 140 detects lines of sight R1 and L1. In another aspect, when user 190 is looking far away, gaze sensor 140 detects lines of sight R2 and L2. In this case, the angle formed by the lines of sight R2 and L2 with respect to the roll direction w is smaller than the angle formed by the lines of sight R1 and L1 with respect to the roll direction w. Gaze sensor 140 transmits the detection result to computer 200 .

When computer 200 receives detection values of lines of sight R1 and L1 from gaze sensor 140 as a detection result of lines of sight, computer 200 identifies point of gaze N1, which is the intersection of lines of sight R1 and L1, based on the detected values. On the other hand, when computer 200 receives detection values of lines of sight R2 and L2 from gaze sensor 140, computer 200 identifies the intersection of lines of sight R2 and L2 as the point of gaze. The computer 200 identifies the line-of-sight direction N0 of the user 190 based on the identified position of the gaze point N1. The computer 200 detects, for example, the extending direction of a straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and left eye L of the user 190 and the gaze point N1 as the line-of-sight direction N0. The line-of-sight direction N0 is the direction in which the user 190 is actually looking with both eyes. Also, the line-of-sight direction N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 190 actually looks toward the field of view area 23 .

Also, in another aspect, the HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast reception tuner. With such a configuration, the HMD system 100 can display television programs in the virtual space 2 .

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

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

As shown in FIG. 6 , the field of view area 23 in the YZ cross section includes area 24 . A region 24 is defined by the reference line of sight 5 of the virtual camera 1 and the YZ section of the virtual space 2 . The processor 10 defines a range centered on the reference line of sight 5 in the virtual space 2 and including the polar angle α as a region 24 .

As shown in FIG. 7, the field of view area 23 in the XZ cross section includes area 25 . A region 25 is defined by the reference line of sight 5 and the XZ section of the virtual space 2 . The processor 10 defines a range including an azimuth angle β around the reference line of sight 5 in the virtual space 2 as a region 25 .

In one aspect, HMD system 100 provides user 190 with a virtual space by displaying a view image on display 112 based on a signal from computer 200 . The visual field image is an image representing the virtual space elements in the space corresponding to the visual field area 23 among the virtual space elements developed in the virtual space 2 . When the user 190 moves the HMD device 110 worn on the head, the virtual camera 1 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the field of view area 23 in the virtual space 2 changes. As a result, the visual field image displayed on the display 112 changes from the image representing the virtual space elements in the space corresponding to the visual field area 23 before the user 190 moves the HMD device 110 to the visual field image after the user 190 moves the HMD device 110 . is updated to an image representing the virtual space element in the space corresponding to the field of view area 23 of . The user can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 2 .

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

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

According to an embodiment, virtual camera 1 preferably includes two virtual cameras, one for providing images for the right eye and one for providing images for the left eye. Moreover, it is preferable that an appropriate parallax is set for the two virtual cameras so that the user 190 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 2 . In this embodiment, the virtual camera 1 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll direction (w) generated by synthesizing the roll directions of the two virtual cameras is aligned with the roll direction (w) of the HMD device 110. The technical idea according to the present disclosure is illustrated as adapted.

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

As shown in state (A) of FIG. 8, in one aspect, controller 160 may include a right controller 160R and a left controller. The right controller 160R is operated with the user's 190 right hand. The left controller is operated by the user's 190 left hand. In one aspect, right controller 160R and left controller are symmetrically configured as separate devices. Therefore, the user 190 can freely move the right hand holding the right controller 160R and the left hand holding the left controller. In another aspect, controller 160 may be an integrated controller that accepts two-handed operation. The right controller 160R will be described below.

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

Grip 30 includes buttons 33 and 34 and motion sensor 130 . The button 33 is arranged on the side surface of the grip 30 and is operated by the middle finger of the right hand. The button 34 is arranged on the front surface of the grip 30 and is operated by the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, buttons 33 and 34 are configured as trigger buttons. The motion sensor 130 is built into the housing of the grip 30 . It should be noted that the grip 30 may not include the motion sensor 130 if the motion of the user 190 can be detected from around the user 190 by a camera or other device.

Frame 31 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 35 arranged along its circumference. The infrared LED 35 emits infrared light in accordance with the progress of the program using the controller 160 during execution of the program. Infrared rays emitted from infrared LED 35 can be used to detect the respective positions and orientations (inclination and orientation) of right controller 160R and left controller. Although the infrared LEDs 35 arranged in two rows are shown in the example shown in FIG. 8, the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. A single row or three or more row arrays may be used. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the controller 160 is a controller held by the user's hand, and therefore the movement of the user's hand can be detected by detecting the position and orientation (inclination and orientation) of the controller 160 . If the controller 160 can be attached to a part of the user's 190 body or clothing, detecting the position and orientation (inclination, orientation) of the controller 160 can detect the movement of the user's 190 body or a part of the clothing. can be detected.

The top surface 32 has buttons 36 and 37 and an analog stick 38 . Buttons 36 and 37 are configured as push buttons. Buttons 36 and 37 accept operations by the user's 190 right thumb. In a certain aspect, the analog stick 38 accepts an operation in any direction of 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position). The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object placed in the virtual space 2 .

In one aspect, right controller 160R and left controller include batteries for powering infrared LEDs 35 and other components. Batteries include, but are not limited to, rechargeable, button type, dry battery type, and the like. In another aspect, right controller 160R and left controller may be connected to a USB interface of computer 200, for example. In this case, right controller 160R and left controller do not require batteries.

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

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

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

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

A virtual space control module 221 controls the virtual space 2 provided to the user 190 . In this embodiment, the virtual space control module 221 defines the virtual space 2 in the HMD system 100 by specifying virtual space data representing the virtual space 2 . Note that in this embodiment, an example will be described in which a module other than the virtual space control module 221 arranges virtual space elements such as the virtual camera 1, various objects, and background images in the virtual space 2. , and may be performed by the virtual space control module 221 . Also, the arrangement of the virtual space elements in the virtual space 2 may be performed with respect to the entire virtual space 2, or may be performed limited to the field of view 23 determined by the virtual camera control module 222, which will be described later. good too.

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

The object control module 223 places objects in the virtual space 2 and controls the actions of the objects in the virtual space 2 . The object may be any virtual object that can be arranged in the virtual space 2 . Examples of objects include, but are not limited to, target objects such as operation objects, items handled by operation objects, enemy characters, and background objects.

The operation object is an object that is associated with the user wearing the HMD device 110 and whose action is controlled by the user. The operation object may be, for example, the player character itself associated with the user wearing the HMD device 110, or an object forming part of the body of the player character. The player character is an alter ego in the virtual space 2 of the user wearing the HMD device 110, and is sometimes called an avatar. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the operation object is a virtual hand associated with the hand of the user wearing the HMD device 110, that is, a hand object that constitutes the hand of the player character. In this case, the object control module 223 moves the hand object based on the movement of the controller 160 held by the user and the key operation of the controller 160 by the user. However, the manipulation object is not limited to the hand object. For example, instead of the hand object, the operation object may be a finger object (virtual finger), a foot object, a stick object corresponding to a stick used by the user, or the like. When the manipulation object is a finger object, the manipulation object particularly corresponds to the portion of the axis in the direction (axial direction) pointed by the finger. In addition, when the operation object is an object that constitutes a part of the player character's body, among the various objects that constitute the player character's body, the objects that constitute parts other than the operation object may be arranged or not. I don't mind.

The target object may be any object as long as it is directly or indirectly manipulated (handled) by the manipulation object. Target objects include, for example, items used in the virtual space. Items include virtual goods used in progressing the game. However, it does not matter whether the article is tangible or intangible. For example, in an action game in which an enemy character is attacked or attacked by the enemy character, items such as a weapon object for attacking the enemy character and an armor object for preventing the attack from the enemy character are used. Examples include, but are not limited to. Weapon objects include, but are not limited to, objects that resemble guns, swords, spears, axes, bows, grenades, and the like. Armor objects include, for example, objects that imitate shields and armor, but are not limited to these. Weapon objects and armor objects may activate their effects regardless of their parameters, such as contact with other objects, or they may activate their effects by consuming associated parameters. good too. For example, if the weapon object is a gun object imitating a gun, the parameter associated with the gun object is the remaining number of bullet objects fired from the gun object. In this case, the gun object consumes bullet objects if there are any remaining bullet objects, and fires the bullet objects.

Enemy characters are objects that affect each other with the player character. In the action game as described above, the enemy character is, for example, an object that attacks the player character or is attacked by the player character. The enemy character may be an NPC (Non Player Character) whose motion is controlled by a predetermined program, or an object controlled by another user. Background objects may include, for example, landscapes including forests, mountains, etc., animals, etc. that are arranged as the story progresses in the game. It should be noted that the object control module 223 may control an object that does not move while it is arranged at a fixed position.

The collision determination module 224 determines collisions between objects by determining collisions (contacts) of collision areas between objects. The collision determination module 224 can detect, for example, the timing at which an object touches another object, and the timing at which the two objects move away from the touching state. In this embodiment, the collision determination module 224 determines collisions between the manipulation object and various regions. Specifically, the collision determination module 224 determines collision (contact) between a collision area set for the operation object and various areas configured by the collision area, thereby detecting collisions between the operation object and various areas. judge.

A parameter control module 225 controls various parameters. As described above, when the item activates its effect by consuming the associated parameter, the parameter control module 225 controls the remaining amount of the parameter as the item activates its effect.

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

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

Memory module 240 holds data used by computer 200 to provide virtual space 2 to user 190 . In one aspect, memory module 240 holds spatial information 241 , object information 242 , and user information 243 . The space information 241 includes, for example, one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 2. FIG. The object information 242 includes, for example, content to be reproduced in the virtual space 2, information for arranging objects used in the content, and attribute information such as drawing data of the player character and its size information. there is The content may include, for example, games, content showing scenery similar to that in the real world, and the like. The user information 243 includes, for example, a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device for the HMD system 100, an application program using each content held in the object information 242, and the like.

Data and programs stored in memory module 240 are input by a user of HMD device 110 . Alternatively, processor 10 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, server 150 ) operated by an operator that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in memory module 240 .

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

In one aspect, main control module 220 may be implemented using, for example, Unity® provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, main control module 220 can also be implemented as a combination of circuit elements that implement each process.

Processing in computer 200 is implemented by hardware and software executed by processor 10 . Such software may be pre-stored on a hard disk or other memory module 240 . Software may also be distributed as a program product stored in a computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or other network. Such software is read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reading device, or downloaded from the server 150 or other computer via the communication control module 250, and then temporarily stored in the memory module 240. be. The software is read from memory module 240 by processor 10 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. Processor 10 executes the program.

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

The data recording medium is not limited to CD-ROM, FD (Flexible Disk), hard disk, magnetic tape, cassette tape, optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc)/MD (Mini Disc)/DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)). ), IC (Integrated Circuit) cards (including memory cards), optical cards, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash ROM and other semiconductor memories A non-volatile data recording medium that holds a program in a fixed manner may also be used.

The programs mentioned here include not only programs that can be directly executed by the processor 10, but also programs in source program format, compressed programs, encrypted programs, and the like.

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

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

At step S<b>2 , the processor 10 initializes the virtual camera 1 as the virtual camera control module 222 . For example, the processor 10 arranges the virtual camera 1 at the center point defined in advance in the virtual space 2 in the work area of the memory, and directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 1 in the direction the user 190 is facing.

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

In step S<b>4 , display 112 of HMD device 110 displays a view image based on the view image data received from computer 200 . A user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 can recognize the virtual space 2 by visually recognizing the field-of-view image.

In step S<b>5 , the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 based on multiple infrared rays emitted from the HMD device 110 . The detection result is sent to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

In step S<b>6 , the processor 10 , as the virtual camera control module 222 , identifies the viewing direction of the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 based on the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 .

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

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

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

In step S9, the processor 10, as the visual field image generation module 226, generates visual field image data for displaying a visual field image based on the result of the processing in step S8. The display control module 227 outputs the generated visual field image data to the HMD device 110 .

In step S10, the display 112 of the HMD device 110 updates the field-of-view image based on the received field-of-view image data, and displays the updated field-of-view image.

[Item status update method]
Next, a method for updating the item status in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an example of a user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 and holding the controllers 160L and 160R. FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of the virtual camera 1, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 in the state shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a visual field image M in which the inside of the virtual space 2 shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the position and movement of the HMD device 110 in the physical space are detected by position tracking and reflected in the position and movement of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 . Similarly, the positions and movements of the controllers 160L and 160R in the physical space are detected by position tracking and reflected in the positions and movements of the left-hand object 400L and the right-hand object 400R in the virtual space 2, respectively. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the positional relationship of the left hand (controller 160L) and right hand (controller 160R) with respect to the head (HMD device 110) of the user 190 is the positional relationship of the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R with respect to the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space. 2. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 not only moves the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R in the virtual space 2 based on the movements of his or her left hand and right hand, but also moves the left hand object 400L and right hand object 400R. The object 400L and the right hand object 400R can be moved within the virtual space 2 as if they were the user's 190 own virtual hands. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 can experience the virtual space 2 from a subjective viewpoint (first-person viewpoint). can enjoy the experience. In other words, the user 190 can enjoy a virtual experience as if he were the player character 490 and faced off against the enemy character 500 . Note that in the present embodiment, of the objects forming the body of the player character 490, the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R indicated by solid lines in FIG. 11B are arranged in the virtual space 2. In B), placement in the virtual space 2 of objects constituting other parts indicated by dashed lines is omitted. Also, in the following description, the left hand object 400L and the right hand object 400R may be collectively simply referred to as "hand object 400".

In this embodiment, the first area is set to a specific part of the parts that form the body of the player character 490 . The first area is, for example, an area configured by a collision area, and is an area that can be associated with an item to be used by the hand object 400 . Items include, but are not limited to, a weapon object for attacking the enemy character 500 and an armor object for preventing an attack from the enemy character 500 . The user 190 moves his/her hand (controller 160) to cause the collision area set for the hand object 400 to collide with the first area, and performs a selection operation to select an item associated with the first area. By doing so, it is possible to cause the hand object 400 to select the item associated with the first area. The selection operation includes, for example, continuing to press a trigger-type button such as the buttons 33 and 34, but is not limited to this.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user 190 can enjoy a virtual experience as if he were the player character 490 and faced off against the enemy character 500 . Therefore, when attacking the enemy character 500, the user 190 brings the hand object 400 close to the first area associated with the weapon object and performs a selection operation to cause the hand object 400 to select the weapon object. The selected weapon object is operated with the hand object 400 to attack the enemy character 500. - 特許庁Similarly, to prevent an attack from the enemy character 500, the user 190 selects the armor object as the hand object 400 by bringing the hand object 400 close to the first area associated with the armor object and performing a selection operation. and operate the selected armor object with the hand object 400 to prevent the attack from the enemy character 500. - 特許庁

Here, in order to improve the virtual experience of the user 190, the player character 490 may actually wear a weapon object or an armor object among the parts constituting the body of the player character 490 in the first region. It is preferable to set it to the expected site. In addition, if the first area is positioned outside the range of the field of view 23 of the virtual camera 1 (player character 490), the player character 490 can be graphically displayed wearing a weapon object or an armor object. Since drawing can be omitted, it is preferable from the viewpoint of processing load. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the case where the first areas are respectively set to the left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and right hip of the player character 490 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, in the present embodiment, the first area is an area whose relative position to the virtual camera 1 is fixed and which is located outside the range of the field of view 23 .

In the example shown in FIG. 11B, a gun object is associated with the collision area CB, which is the first area set on the right shoulder of the player character 490 . In the example shown in FIG. 11B, the gun object is illustrated in the collision area CB to make it easier to understand that the gun object is associated with the collision area CB, but it is not necessary to visualize the gun object. . A method of selecting a gun object by the right hand object 400R will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. FIG. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R to the vicinity of the user's 190 right shoulder, which is out of sight. FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an example of the virtual camera 1, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 in the state shown in FIG. 13A. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a view image M representing the inside of the virtual space 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R into the field of view of the user 190 while performing a selection operation. FIG. 15B is a diagram showing an example of the virtual camera 1, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 in the state shown in FIG. 15A. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a visual field image M in which the inside of the virtual space 2 shown in FIG.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 15A, the user 190 moves the right hand into the field of view while continuing the selection operation. As a result, the processor 10 moves the right hand object 400R within the range of the field of view 23, as shown in FIG. 15(B). At this time, since the gun object 450 is selected as the right hand object 400R, the gun object 450 is held by the right hand object 400R. Also, since the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 are positioned within the range of the field of view area 23, the field image M includes the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 as shown in FIG.

When the gun object 450 is in the selected state, the user 190 performs an effect activation operation to activate the effect on the gun object 450 . A firing operation for firing a bullet object from the gun object 450 can be given as an effect activation operation. By performing the shooting operation, the bullet object can be shot from the gun object 450 and the enemy object 500 can be attacked. An operation to activate the effect includes, for example, an operation of pressing a push button such as the buttons 36 and 37, but is not limited to this.

Further, when the selection operation by the user 190 is canceled while the gun object 450 is in the selected state, the selection of the gun object 450 by the right hand object 400R is canceled. For example, assume that the selection operation is to keep pressing a trigger button such as buttons 33 and 34 . In this case, when the processor 10 detects that the trigger-type button has been released, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, causes the right hand object 400R to release the gun object 450, and changes the state of the gun object to , to update from the selected state to the non-selected state.

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

In step S11, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, detects the movement of the hand (controller 160) of the user 190, and moves the hand object 400 within the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected movement of the hand. At this time, the processor 10, as the collision determination module 224, determines whether or not the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement collides with another collision area.

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

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

At step S14, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, causes the hand object 400 to select the item associated with the first area. As a result, the item is held in the hand object 400 . Also, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, updates the state of the item from the unselected state to the selected state. However, if no item is associated with the first area, the processor 10 does not cause the hand object 400 to select an item.

In step S15, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, detects the movement of the hand (controller 160) of the user 190, and moves the hand object 400 within the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected movement of the hand. At this time, the processor 10, as the collision determination module 224, determines whether or not the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement collides with another collision area.

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

At step S17, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, deselects the item by the hand object 400. FIG. As a result, the item is released from the hand object 400 . Also, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, updates the state of the item from the selected state to the non-selected state. After that, the process returns to step S11.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of item activation processing in this embodiment. Specifically, the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is performed when the item is in the selected state and the item is an item that activates by consuming the parameters associated with the item.

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

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

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

Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is assumed to be executed when the item selected by the hand object 400 is positioned within the range of the field of view 23, but is not limited to this.

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

As shown in FIG. 19A, the user 190 moves the right hand holding the controller 160R out of the user's field of view in order to recover the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450 . As a result, the processor 10 moves the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 held by the right hand object 400R out of the field of view 23 of the virtual camera 1, as shown in FIG. 19B. In this case, since the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 are located outside the range of the field of view 23, the field image M does not include the right hand object 400R and the gun object 450 as shown in FIG. Here, the processor 10 , as the parameter control module 225 , restores the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450 when the gun object 450 moves out of the range of the field of view 23 . As a result, the processor 10, as the parameter control module 225, changes the state of the gun object 450 from the first state in which at least part of the bullet object is consumed to the second state in which the remaining amount of the bullet object is greater than the first state. update to In this embodiment, a case where the processor 10 restores the remaining number of bullet objects to the upper limit will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The extent to which the remaining number of bullet objects is recovered can be set arbitrarily, and should be at least greater than the number of remaining bullet objects at the time when the gun object 450 moves out of the range of the field of view 23 . As described above, in this embodiment, if the gun object 450 is moved out of the scope of the field of view 23, the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450 is recovered. It is possible to omit the drawing of graphics that would otherwise be required, reducing the processing load. Note that the processor 10 connects the HMD system with a sound effect for informing the user 190 that the gun object 450 has been reloaded with bullet objects at the timing of recovering the remaining number of bullet objects associated with the gun object 450 . It is also possible to output from a speaker or the like.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of update processing for updating the state of an item in this embodiment. 4 shows the update process to the second state. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 21 is performed when the item is in the selected state and is an item that activates its effect by consuming parameters associated with the item.

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

At step S<b>32 , the processor 10 , as the parameter control module 225 , determines whether or not the item selected by the hand object 400 is positioned within the viewing area 23 . If the item is not located within the range of the field of view 23 (No in step S32), the process returns to step S31. If the item is located within the range of the field of view 23 (Yes in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33.

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

At step S33, the processor 10, as the parameter control module 225, fills up the remaining amount of parameters associated with the item.

Next, a technique for associating items with the first area will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25. FIG. In this embodiment, a method of associating an item with the first area using a specific object for specifying the item and a character model representing the player character 490 will be described as an example. It is not limited to this.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the UI board 300, the left hand object 400L, and the right hand object 400R arranged in the virtual space 2 and used for associating items with the first area. A character model 301 representing a player character 490 is drawn on the UI board 300 . A second area 305 associated with the first area set on the right shoulder of the player character 490 is set on the right shoulder portion of the character model 301 . A second area 306 associated with the first area set on the left shoulder of the player character 490 is set on the left shoulder portion of the character model 301 . A second region 307 associated with the first region set on the right waist of the player character 490 is set on the right waist portion of the character model 301 . A second region 308 associated with the first region set on the left waist of the player character 490 is set on the left waist portion of the character model 301 . Also, on the UI board 300, a specific object 311 for specifying a shield object, a specific object 312 for specifying a sword object, and a specific object 313 for specifying a gun object are attachably provided. Shield objects, sword objects, and gun objects are all examples of items. The specified object may be any object as long as it can specify an item.

In this embodiment, by selecting a specific object with the hand object 400 and placing the selected specific object in an arbitrary second area, Associates the item indicated by the specified object. 23 to 25, by arranging the specific object 313 in the second area 305, the gun object indicated by the specific object 313 is placed on the right shoulder of the player character 490 associated with the second area 305. A method of associating with the set first area will be specifically described. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which specific object 313 is selected by right hand object 400R. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the specific object 313 is arranged in the second area 305 by the right hand object 400R. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the specific object 313 is arranged in the second area 305. As shown in FIG.

User 190 moves the right hand holding controller 160R, and processor 10 moves right hand object 400R to the vicinity of specific object 313 as shown in FIG. As the right hand object 400R moves, the processor 10 determines whether or not the collision area CA of the right hand object 400R and the collision area CC of the specific object 313 collide. When the right hand object 400R moves near the specific object 313, the user 190 performs the selection operation described above. As shown in FIG. 23, when the collision area CA and the collision area CC collide, the processor 10 causes the right hand object 400R to select the specific object 313 while the selection operation continues.

The user 190 moves the right hand while continuing the selection operation, and as shown in FIG. move to Along with the movement of right hand object 400R, processor 10 determines whether or not a second positional relationship has been established between specific object 313 and second region 305 . Specifically, the processor 10 determines whether or not the collision area CC of the specific object 313 and the collision area CD of the second area 305 collide. When the specific object 313 moves near the second area 305, the user 190 cancels the selection operation. As shown in FIG. 24, when the collision area CC and the collision area CD collide, the processor 10 moves the specific object 313 to the second area 305 as shown in FIG. 25 when the selection operation is released. Deploy. Thereby, the processor 10 associates the gun object indicated by the specific object 313 with the first area set on the right shoulder of the player character 490 associated with the second area 305, and changes the state of the gun object to the first area. The non-associated state of not being associated is updated to the associated state of being associated with the first area.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of update processing for updating the state of an item in this embodiment. It shows the update process to the associated state.

In step S41, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, detects the motion of the hand (controller 160) of the user 190, and moves the hand object 400 within the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected hand motion. At this time, the processor 10, as the collision determination module 224, determines whether or not the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement collides with another collision area.

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

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

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

In step S45, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, detects the movement of the hand (controller 160) of the user 190, and moves the hand object 400 within the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the detected movement of the hand. At this time, the processor 10, as the collision determination module 224, determines whether or not the collision area CA of the hand object 400 after movement and the collision area CC of the specific object selected by the hand object 400 collide with other collision areas. judge.

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

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

At step S48, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, cancels the selection of the specific object by the hand object 400. FIG. As a result, the specific object is separated from the hand object 400 . After that, the process returns to step S41.

At step S49, the processor 10, as the object control module 223, arranges the specific object selected by the hand object 400 in the second area. As a result, the specific object is separated from the hand object 400 . As a result, the processor 10 associates the item indicated by the specific object with the first area associated with the second area, and changes the state of the item from the non-associated state with the first area to the first area. update to the associated association state.

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

Further, in the present embodiment, the item selection process described with reference to FIG. 17 is described as an example on the condition that the hand object 400 is in the first positional relationship with the first area. The hand object 400 may be positioned outside the range of the field of view 23 as a condition. In this way, by positioning the hand object 400 outside the range of the field of view 23, the hand object 400 can be made to select an item.

In the description of each of the above embodiments, the HMD device 110 exemplifies the virtual space (VR space) in which the user 190 is immersed. good. In this case, augmented reality (AR: The user 190 may be provided with a virtual experience in an Augmented Reality (Augmented Reality) space or a Mixed Reality (MR) space. In this case, instead of the player character's hand object, an action may be generated on a target object such as an item in the virtual space 2 based on the movement of the controller. Specifically, the processor 10 may specify the coordinate information of the position of the controller in the real space and define the position of the target object in the virtual space 2 in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. As a result, the processor 10 can grasp the positional relationship between the controller in the real space and the target object in the virtual space 2, and execute processing corresponding to the above-described collision control and the like between the controller and the target object. As a result, it is possible to give an effect to the target object based on the movement of the controller.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed to be limited by the description of the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is merely an example, and that various modifications of the embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

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

1 virtual camera 2 virtual space 5 reference line of sight 10 processor 11 memory 12 storage 13 input/output interface 14 communication interface 15 bus 19 network 21 center 23... Visual field area, 24, 25... Area, 31... Frame, 32... Top surface, 33, 34, 36, 37... Button, 35... Infrared LED, 38... Analog stick, 100... HMD system, 110... HMD device, 112... display, 114... sensor, 116... camera, 118... microphone, 120... HMD sensor, 130... motion sensor, 140... gaze sensor, 150... server, 160... controller, 160R... right controller, 190... user, 200... Computer 220 Main control module 221 Virtual space control module 222 Virtual camera control module 223 Object control module 224 Collision determination module 225 Parameter control module 226 View image generation module 227 Display Control module 240 Memory module 241 Space information 242 Object information 243 User information 250 Communication control module M View image

Claims (7)

to the computer,
a defining means for defining a virtual space for providing a virtual experience;
an operation means for moving an operation object within the virtual space in accordance with the movement of a part of the user's body;
a first update means for updating from a non-associated state in which the item is not associated with the first area to an associated state in which the item is associated with the first area;
A second update in which the item associated with the first area is updated to a selected state selected by the operating object on condition that a first positional relationship is established between the first area and the operating object. means and
a usage means for using the item in the selected state;
The first area is set to a portion of a player character associated with the user,
A program that makes it work. Based on 110, etc. (← Memorandum at the time of writing the petition. Deleted at the time of formal instruction)
2. The program according to claim 1, wherein said first area is an area set for each of a plurality of locations of said player character associated with said user. Based on 80, etc. (← Memorandum at the time of writing the petition. Deleted at the time of formal instruction)
the item is a weapon object, and consuming parameters associated with the weapon object activates the weapon object;
3. A program according to claim 2. 130
recovery means for recovering parameters associated with the item by moving the item in the selected state selected by the operation object out of the user's field of view;
4. The program according to claim 1, further comprising: Based on 110, etc. (← Memorandum at the time of writing the petition. Deleted at the time of formal instruction)
further comprising means for moving a virtual viewpoint within the virtual space according to movement of the user's head, wherein the first area is positioned outside the user's field of view;
A program according to claim 1. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein drawing processing of said item associated with said first area is omitted. to the computer,
a defining means for defining a virtual space for providing a virtual experience;
an operation means for moving an operation object within the virtual space in accordance with the movement of a part of the user's body;
a first update means for updating from a non-associated state in which the item is not associated with the first area to an associated state in which the item is associated with the first area;
A second update in which the item associated with the first area is updated to a selected state selected by the operating object on condition that a first positional relationship is established between the first area and the operating object. means and
a usage means for using the item in the selected state;
The first area is set to a portion of a player character associated with the user,
A program that makes it work.

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