JP6321247B1 - Method executed by computer for moving in virtual space, program for causing computer to execute the method, and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily move in a virtual space. The processing executed by a computer that presents a virtual space includes a step of placing an object in the virtual space (S1120), a step of presenting a field-of-view image from an initial position of the user (S1130), and specifying a target object. Step (S1140), a step of detecting an operation for moving the user's viewpoint (S1150), a step of identifying the destination of the user's viewpoint (S1160), and the direction from the destination to the target object, A step of determining the line of sight from the viewpoint of the user's destination (S1170) and a step of presenting data for presenting the view image from the viewpoint of the destination to the HMD (S1180). [Selection] Figure 11

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a technique for providing a virtual space, and more specifically to a technique for realizing movement in a virtual space.

  A technique for moving in a virtual reality space (hereinafter also simply referred to as “virtual space”) is known. For example, Japanese Patent No. 5838278 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for “providing a simulation game with higher game performance”. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-338311 (Patent Document 2) states that “there is no need to perform an unnecessary and complicated space movement operation, it is possible to easily grasp where the user is in the virtual space, and to easily find a point / scene of interest. A virtual reality space movement control device that can be moved to the This virtual reality space movement control device is “operating an input device such as a mouse and moving freely in this virtual space to appreciate the virtual world”, and is separate from the main screen displaying the virtual world. A sub-screen is provided to assist the movement of the virtual world, and a plan view of the entire virtual space currently being searched is displayed in this sub-screen frame, and a camera mark indicating the current camera position and gaze direction is displayed on it. Virtual space search guide means for displaying and accepting an instruction to move the virtual space is provided, and the virtual space search guide means solves the above-mentioned problem by supporting the user's space search "[Summary] reference).

Japanese Patent No. 5838278 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-338311

When moving in the virtual space, it is necessary to look at the destination and press the enter button. Further, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-338311, it is necessary to operate an input device such as a mouse. Therefore, complicated operations are required for movement in the virtual space. Therefore, there is a need for a technique for moving in a virtual space without performing complicated operations.

  The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object in one aspect is to provide a technique that facilitates movement in a virtual space.

  According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for communicating via a virtual space is provided. The method includes the steps of defining a virtual space, placing an object in the virtual space, presenting a field of view image to a user wearing a head mounted device connected to a computer, and directing the user's line of sight. A step of specifying a desired object, a step of accepting an operation for moving the viewpoint of the user in the virtual space, a step of specifying a direction from the destination to the object as a line of sight of the destination of the viewpoint, and a user Providing the user with a view field image from the destination after moving the viewpoint.

In one aspect, the user can easily move in the virtual space.
The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure showing the outline of a structure of the HMD system 100 according to a certain embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 200. FIG. It is a figure which represents notionally the uvw visual field coordinate system set to HMD110. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating one aspect of expressing a virtual space 2. It is the figure which represented the head of the user 190 who wears HMD110 from the top. It is a figure showing the YZ cross section which looked at the visual field area | region 23 from the X direction. It is a figure showing the XZ cross section which looked at the visual field area | region 23 from the Y direction. It is a figure showing schematic structure of the controller 160 according to a certain embodiment. An example of the hand object 810 arrange | positioned in virtual space is shown. It is a block diagram showing the computer 200 as a module structure. It is a figure which represents notionally the one aspect | mode expressing the virtual space 2 presented by each of the computers 200, 200N, and 200X. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by processor 10. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by processor 10. It is a figure showing the detail of the positional information 244. FIG. It is a figure showing the change of the visual field image. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of objects in a virtual space 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of objects in a partial space 1610. It is a figure showing the change of the visual field image. It is a figure showing the mode of a user's 190 movement. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by processor 10. It is a figure showing the aspect by which a user interface is shown to virtual space. It is a figure showing an aspect of a user interface object.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  The configuration of the HMD system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram representing an outline of a configuration of an HMD system 100 according to an embodiment. In one aspect, the HMD system 100 is provided as a home system or a business system.

  The HMD system 100 can communicate with other HMD systems 100N and 100X at remote locations via the network 19. The HMD system 100N can be used by a user 190N. The HMD 100X can be used by a user 190X. The configuration of the HMD systems 100N and 100X is the same as the configuration of the HMD system 100. Constituent elements similar to those of the HMD system 100 are denoted by reference signs N and X. Accordingly, each HMD system will be described below with reference to the configuration of the HMD system 100 as appropriate.

  The HMD system 100 includes an HMD 110, an HMD sensor 120, a controller 160, and a computer 200. The HMD 110 includes a monitor 112, a speaker 115, a microphone 119, and a gaze sensor 140. The controller 160 can include a motion sensor 130.

  In one aspect, the computer 200 can be connected to the Internet and other networks 19, and can communicate with the server 150, the computers 200 </ b> N, 200 </ b> X, and other computers connected to the network 19. In other aspects, the HMD 110 may include a sensor 114 instead of the HMD sensor 120.

  The HMD 110 may be worn on the head of the user 190 and provide a virtual space to the user 190 during operation. More specifically, the HMD 110 displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image on the monitor 112, respectively. When each eye of the user 190 visually recognizes each image, the user 190 can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax of both eyes.

  The monitor 112 is realized as a non-transmissive display device, for example. In one aspect, the monitor 112 is disposed on the main body of the HMD 110 so as to be positioned in front of both eyes of the user 190. Therefore, when the user 190 visually recognizes the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 112, the user 190 can be immersed in the virtual space. In one embodiment, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object that can be operated by the user 190, and an image of a menu that can be selected by the user 190.

  In one aspect, the computers 200, 200N, and 200X communicate signals with other computers based on the operations of the respective users 190, 190N, and 190X. For example, the computer 200 generates a video signal for providing a virtual space, and transmits the video signal to the HMD 110. When the HMD 110 transmits the video signal to the monitor 112, the monitor 112 displays a virtual space image based on the received video signal. The other computer and the HMD connected to the computer are the same as those of the computer 200 and the HMD 110.

  In one embodiment, when the computers 200, 200N, and 200X are executing a VR (Virtual Reality) chat application for communicating via a virtual space, the computers 200, 200N, and 200X are connected to the HMDs 110, 110N, Communication through the virtual space presented by 110X is realized. In communication via a virtual space, video and audio are communicated. At this time, an avatar object corresponding to each user is presented in the virtual space. For example, when the user 190 is communicating with other users 190N and 190X, the HMD 110 worn by the user 190 presents an avatar object corresponding to the users 190N and 190X. The user 190 can communicate with other users 190N and 190X through the avatar object while being immersed in the virtual space.

  In an embodiment, the monitor 112 may be realized as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor provided in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal.

  In one aspect, the monitor 112 may include a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the monitor 112 may be configured to display a right-eye image and a left-eye image integrally. In this case, the monitor 112 includes a high-speed shutter. The high-speed shutter operates so that an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye can be displayed alternately so that the image is recognized only by one of the eyes.

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

  The speaker 115 outputs a sound (speech) corresponding to the sound data received from the computer 200 to the outside. The microphone 119 outputs an audio signal corresponding to the utterance of the user 190 to the computer 200. The user 190 can speak to the other users 190N and 190X using the microphone 119, and can listen to the speech of the other users 190N and 190X using the speaker 115.

  The HMD sensor 120 includes a plurality of light sources (not shown). Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits infrared rays. The HMD sensor 120 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD 110. Using this function, the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 in the real space.

  In other aspects, HMD sensor 120 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 110 by executing image analysis processing using image information of the HMD 110 output from the camera.

  In another aspect, the HMD 110 may include a sensor 114 instead of the HMD sensor 120 as a position detector. The HMD 110 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 110 itself using the sensor 114. For example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like, the HMD 110 uses any of these sensors in place of the HMD sensor 120 to determine its position and inclination. Can be detected. As an example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects angular velocities around the three axes of the HMD 110 in real space over time. The HMD 110 calculates a temporal change in the angle around the three axes of the HMD 110 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates an inclination of the HMD 110 based on the temporal change in the angle.

  The HMD 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 the transmittance. Further, the visual field image may include a configuration for presenting the real space in a part of the image configuring the virtual space. For example, an image captured by a camera mounted on the HMD 110 may be displayed so as to be superimposed on a part of the field-of-view image, or a part of the field-of-view image is set by setting a high transmittance of a part of the transmissive display device. Real space may be visible from a part.

  Server 150 may send a program to computer 200. In other aspects, the server 150 may communicate with other computers 200 for providing virtual reality to the HMD 110 used by other users. For example, when a plurality of users play a participatory game in an amusement facility, each computer 200 communicates a signal based on each user's operation with another computer 200, and a plurality of users interact in the same virtual space ( VR (Virtual Reality) chat) can be enjoyed.

  The controller 160 receives input of commands from the user 190 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 160 is configured to be gripped by the user 190. In another aspect, the controller 160 is configured to be attachable to the body of the user 190 or a part of clothing. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on a signal sent from the computer 200. In another aspect, the controller 160 accepts an operation given by the user 190 to control the position and movement of an object arranged in a space that provides virtual reality.

  In one aspect, the motion sensor 130 is attached to the hand of the user 190 and detects the movement of the user 190 hand. For example, the motion sensor 130 detects the rotation speed, the number of rotations, and the like of the hand. Data indicating the detection result of the hand movement of the user 190 obtained by the motion sensor 130 is sent to the computer 200. The motion sensor 130 is provided in a glove-type controller 160, for example. In some embodiments, for safety in real space, it is desirable that the controller 160 be mounted on something that does not fly easily by being mounted on the hand of the user 190, such as a glove shape. In another aspect, a sensor that is not worn by the user 190 may detect the movement of the hand of the user 190. For example, a signal from a camera that captures the user 190 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal representing the operation of the user 190. The motion sensor 130 and the computer 200 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly. In the case of wireless, the communication mode is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other known communication methods are used.

  In another aspect, the HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast receiving tuner. According to such a configuration, the HMD system 100 can display a television program in the virtual space 2.

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

  More specifically, in one aspect, the user 190 can select a communication partner (hereinafter also referred to as “chat partner”) by using a controller or by selecting an avatar object desired to be communicated with the line of sight. Hereinafter, a case where the user 190N is selected as the chat partner will be described. The chat partner is not limited to one person, and two or more may be selected.

  After the user 190 selects the user 190N and speaks into the microphone 119, a sound signal based on the sound is transmitted to the computer 200. The gaze sensor 140 detects the movement of the line of sight of the user 190. The detection result is sent to the computer 200 as eye tracking data. The computer 200 transmits audio data and eye tracking data based on the received audio signal to the user 190N. For example, the computer 200 transmits audio data and eye tracking data to the server 150 via the network 19. Each of the audio data and the eye tracking data includes a network address of the computer 200N used by the user 190N. The server 150 transmits the audio data and eye tracking data received from the computer 200 to the computer 200N via the network 19, respectively. Note that the timing at which the audio data and the eye tracking data are received by the computer 200N is not always the same, and either data may be delayed from the other data.

  The computer 200N outputs the audio data received from the server 150 to the speaker 115 of the HMD 110N worn by the user 190N. In addition, the computer 200N generates data for changing the line of sight of the user 190's avatar object based on the received eye tracking data, and transmits the data to the monitor 112. The user 190N can hear the voice of the user 190 through the speaker 115 of the HMD 110N and can visually recognize the avatar object presented on the monitor 112.

  When the user 190N speaks to the user 190, the audio data and the eye tracking data are transmitted from the computer 200N to the computer 200 in the same manner as described above. In this way, the user 190 and the user 190N can interact in the virtual space using each avatar object.

[Hardware configuration]
A computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of 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.

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

  The memory 11 temporarily stores programs and data. The program is loaded from the storage 12, for example. The data includes data input to the computer 200 and data generated by the processor 10. In one aspect, the memory 11 is realized as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other volatile memory.

  The storage 12 holds programs and data permanently. The storage 12 is realized, for example, as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk device, a flash memory, or other nonvolatile storage device. The programs stored in the storage 12 include a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with another computer 200. 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 such as a memory card. In still another aspect, a configuration using a program and data stored in an external storage device may be used instead of the storage 12 built in the computer 200. According to such a configuration, for example, in a scene where a plurality of HMD systems 100 are used like an amusement facility, it is possible to update programs and data collectively.

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

  In certain embodiments, the input / output interface 13 may further communicate with the controller 160. For example, the input / output interface 13 receives a signal output from the motion sensor 130. In another aspect, the input / output interface 13 sends the instruction output from the processor 10 to the controller 160. This command instructs the controller 160 to vibrate, output sound, emit light, and the like. When the controller 160 receives the command, the controller 160 executes vibration, sound output, or light emission according to the command.

  The communication interface 14 is connected to the network 19 and communicates with other computers (for example, the server 150, the computers 200N and 200X, etc.) connected to the network 19. In one aspect, the communication interface 14 is implemented as, for example, a local area network (LAN) or other wired communication interface, or a wireless communication interface such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or the like. Is done. The communication interface 14 is not limited to the above.

  In one aspect, the processor 10 accesses the storage 12, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 12 into the memory 11, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs include an operating system of the computer 200, an application program for providing a virtual space, software for realizing a remote conference connecting remote locations, and game software that can be executed in the virtual space using the controller 160 And so on. The processor 10 sends a signal for providing a virtual space to the HMD 110 via the input / output interface 13. The HMD 110 displays an image on the monitor 112 based on the signal.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the computer 200 is configured to be provided outside the HMD 110. However, in another aspect, the computer 200 may be incorporated in the HMD 110. As an example, a portable information communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) including the monitor 112 may function as the computer 200.

  Further, the computer 200 may be configured to be used in common for a plurality of HMDs 110. According to such a configuration, for example, the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, so that each user can enjoy the same application as other users in the same virtual space.

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

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 3, the HMD 110 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system with the head (origin) of the user wearing the HMD 110 as the center (origin). More specifically, the HMD 110 includes a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a front-rear direction (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) that define the global coordinate system by an inclination around each axis of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system. Three directions newly obtained by tilting around the axis are set as the pitch direction (u-axis), yaw direction (v-axis), and roll direction (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110.

  In a certain situation, when the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 stands upright and is viewing the front, the processor 10 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system parallel to the global coordinate system to the HMD 110. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), vertical direction (y-axis), and front-back direction (z-axis) in the global coordinate system are the pitch direction (u-axis) and yaw direction (v-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110. , And the roll direction (w axis).

  After the uvw visual field coordinate system is set to the HMD 110, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the inclination (the amount of change in inclination) of the HMD 110 in the set uvw visual field coordinate system based on the movement of the HMD 110. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 detects the pitch angle (θu), yaw angle (θv), and roll angle (θw) of the HMD 110 in the uvw visual field coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD 110. The pitch angle (θu) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 110 around the pitch direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 110 around the yaw direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 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 110 after the HMD 110 has moved to the HMD 110 based on the detected tilt angle of the HMD 110. The relationship between the HMD 110 and the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 is always constant regardless of the position and inclination of the HMD 110. When the position and inclination of the HMD 110 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system change in conjunction with the change of the position and inclination.

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 120 is based on the infrared light intensity acquired based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between a plurality of points (for example, the distance between the points). The position in the real space may be specified as a relative position to the HMD sensor 120. Further, the processor 10 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the real 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 virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 2 has a spherical structure that covers the entire 360 ° direction of the center 21. In FIG. 4, the upper half of the celestial sphere in the virtual space 2 is illustrated in order not to complicate the description. In the virtual space 2, each mesh is defined. 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 partial image constituting content (still image, moving image, etc.) that can be developed in the virtual space 2 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 2, and the virtual space image 22 that can be visually recognized by the user. Is provided to the user.

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

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

  As with the HMD 110, the uvw visual field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 1. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera in the virtual space 2 is defined so as to be linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the real space (global coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD 110 changes, the inclination of the virtual camera 1 also changes accordingly. The virtual camera 1 can also move in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user wearing the HMD 110 in the real space.

  Since the orientation of the virtual camera 1 is determined according to the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1, the reference line of sight (reference line of sight 5) when the user visually recognizes the virtual space image 22 depends on the orientation of the virtual camera 1. Determined. The processor 10 of the computer 200 defines the visual field region 23 in the virtual space 2 based on the reference line of sight 5. The visual field area 23 corresponds to the visual field of the user wearing the HMD 110 in the virtual space 2.

  The gaze direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is a direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes the object. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes the monitor 112. Further, the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 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 line-of-sight direction of the user in the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1.

[User's line of sight]
With reference to FIG. 5, determination of the user's line-of-sight direction will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the head of user 190 wearing HMD 110 according to an embodiment from above.

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

  When the computer 200 receives the detection values of the lines of sight R1 and L1 from the gaze sensor 140 as the line-of-sight detection result, the computer 200 identifies the point of sight N1 that is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 based on the detection value. On the other hand, when the detected values of the lines of sight R2 and L2 are received from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the lines of sight R2 and L2 as the point of sight. The computer 200 specifies the line-of-sight direction N0 of the user 190 based on the specified position of the gazing point N1. For example, the computer 200 detects the direction in which the straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 190 and the gazing point N1 extends as the line-of-sight direction N0. The line-of-sight direction N0 is a direction in which the user 190 is actually pointing the line of sight with both eyes. The line-of-sight direction N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 190 actually directs his / her line of sight with respect to the field-of-view area 23.

  In another aspect, the HMD system 100 may include a microphone and a speaker in any part constituting the HMD system 100. The user can give a voice instruction to the virtual space 2 by speaking to the microphone.

  In another aspect, HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast receiving tuner. According to such a configuration, the HMD system 100 can display a television program in the virtual space 2.

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

[Visibility area]
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the visual field region 23 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a YZ cross section of the visual field region 23 viewed from the X direction in the virtual space 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an XZ cross section of the visual field region 23 viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space 2.

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

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

  In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the virtual space to the user 190 by displaying the view image 26 on the monitor 112 based on a signal from the computer 200. The view image 26 corresponds to a portion of the virtual space image 22 that is superimposed on the view region 23. When the user 190 moves the HMD 110 worn on the head, the virtual camera 1 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the visual field area 23 in the virtual space 2 changes. As a result, the view image 26 displayed on the monitor 112 is updated to an image that is superimposed on the view region 23 in the direction in which the user faces in the virtual space 2 in the virtual space image 22. The user can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 2.

  While wearing the HMD 110, the user 190 can view only the virtual space image 22 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, the processor 10 can move the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 in the real space. In this case, the processor 10 specifies an image region (that is, a view field region 23 in the virtual space 2) projected on the monitor 112 of the HMD 110 based on the position and orientation of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2.

  According to an embodiment, the virtual camera 1 preferably includes two virtual cameras, that is, a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. Moreover, it is preferable that appropriate parallax is set in the two virtual cameras so that the user 190 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 2. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 1 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll direction (w) generated by combining the roll directions of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll direction (w) of the HMD 110. The technical idea concerning this indication is illustrated as what is constituted.

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

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in one aspect, the controller 160 may include a right controller 800 and a left controller. The right controller 800 is operated with the right hand of the user 190. The left controller is operated with the left hand of the user 190. In one aspect, the right controller 800 and the left controller are configured symmetrically as separate devices. Therefore, the user 190 can freely move the right hand holding the right controller 800 and the left hand holding the left controller. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be an integrated controller that receives operations of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 800 will be described.

  The right controller 800 includes a grip 30, a frame 31, and a top surface 32. The grip 30 is configured to be held by the right hand of the user 190. For example, the grip 30 can be held by the palm of the right hand of the user 190 and three fingers (middle finger, ring finger, little finger).

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

  The frame 31 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 35 arranged along the circumferential direction. The infrared LED 35 emits infrared light in accordance with the progress of the program during the execution of the program using the controller 160. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 35 can be used to detect the positions and postures (tilt and orientation) of the right controller 800 and the left controller (not shown). In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the infrared LEDs 35 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. 8A. An array of one or more columns may be used.

  The top surface 32 includes buttons 36 and 37 and an analog stick 38. The buttons 36 and 37 are configured as push buttons. The buttons 36 and 37 receive an operation with the thumb of the right hand of the user 190. In one aspect, the analog stick 38 accepts an operation in an arbitrary direction of 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position). The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object arranged in the virtual space 2.

  In one aspect, the right controller 800 and the left controller include a battery for driving the infrared LED 35 and other members. The battery includes, but is not limited to, a rechargeable type, a button type, a dry battery type, and the like. In another aspect, the right controller 800 and the left controller may be connected to a USB interface of the computer 200, for example. In this case, the right controller 800 and the left controller do not require batteries.

  FIG. 8B shows an example of a hand object 810 arranged in the virtual space corresponding to the right hand of the user 190 holding the right controller 800. For example, the yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined for the hand object 810 corresponding to the right hand of the user 190. For example, when the input operation is performed on the button 34 of the right controller 800, the index finger of the hand object 810 is held, and when the input operation is not performed on the button 34, FIG. As shown, the index finger of the hand object 810 can be extended. For example, when the thumb and index finger are extended in the hand object 810, the direction in which the thumb extends is the yaw direction, and the direction in which the index finger extends is perpendicular to the plane defined by the roll direction, the yaw direction axis, and the roll direction axis. The direction is defined in the hand object 810 as a pitch direction.

[HMD control device]
The control device of the HMD 110 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the control device is realized by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the computer 200 includes a display control module 220, an audio control module 225, a virtual space control module 230, a memory module 240, and a communication control module 250. The display control module 220 includes a virtual camera control module 221, a visual field region determination module 222, a visual field image generation module 223, and a reference visual line identification module 224 as submodules. The virtual space control module 230 includes a virtual space definition module 231, a virtual object generation module 232, a gaze detection module 233, a movement management module 234, a chat control module 235, and a gaze change module 236 as submodules. .

  In an embodiment, the display control module 220, the audio control module 225, and the virtual space control module 230 are realized by the processor 10. In other embodiments, the plurality of processors 10 may operate as the display control module 220, the voice control module 225, or the virtual space control module 230, respectively. The memory module 240 is realized by the memory 11 or the storage 12. The communication control module 250 is realized by the communication interface 14.

  In one aspect, the display control module 220 controls image display on the monitor 112 of the HMD 110. The virtual camera control module 221 arranges the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 and controls the behavior and orientation of the virtual camera 1. The view area determination module 222 defines the view area 23 according to the direction of the head of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110. The view image generation module 223 generates a view image to be displayed on the monitor 112 based on the determined view area 23. Further, the view image generation module 223 generates a view image based on the data received from the virtual space control module 230. The view image data generated by the view image generation module 223 is output to the HMD 110 by the communication control module 250. The reference line-of-sight identifying module 224 identifies the line of sight of the user 190 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140.

  The voice control module 225 detects that a voice signal based on the utterance of the user 190 is input from the HMD 110 to the computer 200. The voice control module 225 attaches the input time to the voice signal corresponding to the utterance and generates voice data. The voice control module 225 transmits the voice data to the computer used by the user selected by the user 190 among the other computers 200N and 200X in a state where the computer 200 can communicate as the chat partner of the user 190.

  The virtual space control module 230 controls the virtual space 2 provided to the user 190. First, the virtual space definition module 231 defines the virtual space 2 in the HMD system 100 by generating virtual space data representing the virtual space 2.

  The virtual object generation module 232 generates data of objects arranged in the virtual space 2. For example, the virtual object generation module 232 generates data of avatar objects representing the other users 190N and 190X who chat with the user 190 via the virtual space 2. Furthermore, the virtual object generation module 232 can change the line of sight of the user's avatar object based on the line of sight detected in response to speech from other users 190N and 190X.

  The line-of-sight detection module 233 detects the line of sight of the user 190 based on the output from the gaze sensor 140. In one aspect, the line-of-sight detection module 233 detects the line of sight of the user 190 at that time based on the detection of the utterance by the user 190. The detection of the line of sight is realized by a known technique such as non-contact type eye tracking. As an example, like the scleral reflection method, the gaze sensor 140 applies the infrared rays to the eyes of the user 190, and based on the data obtained by photographing the reflected light with a camera (not shown), the gaze of the user 190 Motion can be detected. In one aspect, the line-of-sight detection module 233 specifies each position according to the movement of the line of sight of the user 190 as a coordinate value (x, y) based on one of the display areas of the monitor 112.

  The movement management module 234 manages movement of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 of the computer 200 in the virtual space 2. The movement management module 234 determines whether or not movement to the location of the virtual space 2 designated by the user 190 is possible in a certain situation. This determination is made based on, for example, the usage status of the place. Data representing the usage status is held by the server 150. In another aspect, the movement management module 234 acquires the movement history of the user 190, stores it in the computer 200, and further transmits it to the server 150. The movement history includes, for example, a user ID, coordinate values in the virtual space 2, and time data. Further, the movement management module 234 manages the movement of the user 190 in the virtual space 2. For example, the movement management module 234 identifies an object that the user 190 desires to direct his / her line of sight in the virtual space 2 based on the operation of the user 190.

  In one aspect, the virtual object generation module 232 generates data for presenting a map object including one or more place candidates that can be selected by the user 190 in the virtual space 2. The view image generation module 223 generates data that presents a view including the map object based on the data, and outputs the data to the monitor 112. The map object is presented above the virtual space 2, for example. The place to be presented is not limited to the upper side of the virtual space 2 and may be any place that does not hinder the visibility of other existing objects (for example, other users' avatar objects, chairs, tables, etc.). When the monitor 112 displays the field of view based on the data, the user 190 recognizes the map object in the virtual space 2. The map object is configured to provide a bird's-eye view of locations that can be selected by one or more users who share the virtual space 2, for example. The map object includes one or more sub-items configured to be selectable. The sub item corresponds to the seat. A seat that is not used by another user can be a candidate location where the user 190 can move.

  The user 190 can select any seat of the map object by operating the controller 160. When the user 190 selects a seat, the mobility management module 234 determines that the location candidate has been selected for the seat. In another aspect, when the user 190 directs his / her line of sight toward the map object, the line-of-sight detection module 233 detects the line of sight of the user 190 directed to the map object based on a signal output from the gaze sensor 140. When the user 190 continues to look at any one of the predetermined time map objects, the movement management module 234 determines the position candidate as the movement destination of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190. Based on the determination, the view image generation module 223 generates a view image for moving the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 to the location candidate, and outputs the view image to the monitor 112. When the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 visually recognizes the image displayed on the monitor 112, it can be recognized that the user 190 has moved to the selected location candidate.

  For example, when the virtual space 2 is a conference room, a map object is presented when the user 190 at the entrance of the conference room looks at the ceiling of the conference room. The map object corresponds to a seat provided around the table in the conference room. In the map object, a seat already occupied by an avatar object corresponding to another user and a vacant seat are presented separately. Vacant seats can be selected by the user 190 as place candidates. The user 190 can select a vacant seat as the destination location by operating the controller 160. In another aspect, when the user 190 continues to look at any of the vacant seats, the vacant seat may be determined as the destination location. Thereafter, when the user 190 performs an operation defined in advance as a finalizing operation, the user 190 moves to that location. For example, when the user 190 presses the determination button of the controller 160, the vacant seat is determined as the destination location. As a result, the viewpoint of the user 190 (that is, the virtual camera 1) moves to that location.

  In one aspect, the virtual object generation module 232 detects the operation of the user 190 based on a signal output from the motion sensor 130, the HMD sensor 120, or the gaze sensor 140, and presents a map object in response to the detection. Generate data for The operation of the user 190 includes, for example, operating the controller 160, changing the direction of the line of sight, changing the posture, and the like. Changing the direction of the line of sight includes looking above or below the virtual space image 22. Changing the posture includes stretching the upper body in order to look toward the avatar object when the avatar object of the other user exists immediately in front of the line of sight of the user 190. When such an operation is detected, a map object is presented in the virtual space 2. In this way, since the map object is presented in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the normal operation of the user 190 in the real space, the movement can be realized without impairing the immersive feeling in the virtual space 2.

  In another situation, the user 190 may face backward depending on the situation of the virtual space 2. When the HMD 110 includes an acceleration sensor, a signal output from the acceleration sensor is input to the computer 200 when the head of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 rotates. The virtual object generation module 232 generates data for presenting a map object including a location candidate behind the current location of the user 190 based on the fact that the user 190 faces backward, and monitors the data. To 112. For example, when the user 190 is in front of a university classroom presented in the virtual space 2, when the head is rotated backward, a map object representing a seat behind the classroom is presented so as to enter the field of view of the user 190. The When the user 190 operates the controller 160 to select one of the location candidates indicated in the map object, the location candidate is selected, and when the operation for confirming the selection is further performed, the location candidate is selected. The selection is confirmed. The virtual camera 1 is moved to the location, and the view field image generation module 223 generates data for displaying an image viewed from the location, and outputs the data to the monitor 112. The user 190 can see the front from the back of the classroom.

  In another aspect, the user 190 may move based on the operations of other users 190N and 190X sharing the virtual space 2. For example, when the avatar object corresponding to the user 190N moves to a new place in the virtual space 2, the avatar object is presented at the new place in the view field image visually recognized by the user 190. At this time, the place candidates that can be selected by the user 190 are changed. Therefore, in order to prompt the user 190 to make a new selection, the virtual object generation module 232 generates a map object in which the place candidates are updated, 2 can be presented. Since the user 190 can select a destination location from the map object, occurrence of a collision with movement by other users 190N and 190X is prevented.

  In one aspect, the map object generated by the virtual object generation module 232 includes the position of the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 and the positions of other users 190N and 190X sharing the virtual space 2. The position of the viewpoint of the user 190 and the positions of the other users 190N and 190X can be displayed differently. The mobility management module 234 accepts selection of a location candidate where the viewpoint of the user 190 and the other users 190N and 190X do not exist. In this way, the user 190 can select a destination while confirming his / her position.

  In one aspect, the virtual object generation module 232 generates data for presenting an object (for example, an arrow object) indicating the direction in which the map object exists after the viewpoint of the user 190 moves in the virtual space 2. When the arrow object is presented in the virtual space 2, the user 190 can check the location of the map object by looking at the arrow object even after moving in the virtual space 2, so that the position after the movement can be easily grasped.

  In one aspect, the movement management module 234 records the movement path of the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 in the memory module 240. Based on the operation of the user 190, the virtual object generation module 232 generates data for presenting a route object representing the movement route in the virtual space 2 using the history data stored in the memory module 240. The history data is stored in the server 150 and is transmitted from the server 150 to the computer 200 in response to a request from the computer 200. When the view field image generation module 223 outputs the generated data to the monitor 112, an object indicating movement in the virtual space 2 is presented. The object is shown as a broken line connecting the points, for example. A point indicates a place in the virtual space. The line includes arrows, which indicate the order of movement. When the user 190 visually recognizes the object, the user 190 can confirm the trajectory that the user 190 has moved in the virtual space 2. Further, based on the operation of the user 190, the view field image generation module 223 can generate an image in which the viewpoint of the user 190 is returned to the position before the movement. Accordingly, the user 190 can easily cancel the movement even in the virtual space 2.

  The chat control module 235 controls communication via the virtual space. In one aspect, the chat control module 235 reads a chat application from the memory module 240 based on an operation of the user 190 or based on a chat start request transmitted by another computer 200N, and passes through the virtual space 2. Communication started. When the user 190 inputs a user ID and password to the computer 200 and performs a login operation, the user 190 becomes one of the chat members via the virtual space 2 and participates in the chat session (also referred to as “room”). Associated. Thereafter, when the user 190N using the computer 200N logs in to the chat in the session, the user 190 and the user 190N are associated with each other as members of the chat. When the chat control module 235 recognizes the user 190N of the computer 200N that is the communication partner of the computer 200, the virtual object generation module 232 uses the object information 242 to generate data for presenting the avatar object corresponding to the user 190N. Generate the data and output the data to the HMD 110. When the HMD 110 displays the avatar object corresponding to the user 190N on the monitor 112 based on the data, the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 recognizes the avatar object in the virtual space 2.

  In one embodiment, the chat control module 235 waits for input of voice data based on the utterance of the user 190 and input of data from the gaze sensor 140. When the user 190 performs an operation for selecting an avatar object in the virtual space 2 (for example, operation of a controller, gesture, selection by voice, gaze by line of sight, etc.), the chat control module 235 is based on the operation. , It is detected that a user (for example, user 190) corresponding to the avatar object is selected as a chat partner. When the chat control module 235 detects an utterance by the user 190, the chat control module 235, based on the network address of the computer 200N used by the user 190N, voice data based on a signal sent from the microphone 119 via the communication control module 250; The eye tracking data based on the signal sent from the gaze sensor 140 is transmitted to the computer 200N. The computer 200N updates the line of sight of the user 190's avatar object based on the eye tracking data, and transmits the audio data to the HMD 110N. When the computer 200N has a synchronization function, the change in the line of sight of the avatar object on the monitor 112 and the output of the sound from the speaker 115 are realized at substantially the same timing, so that the user 190N feels uncomfortable. It becomes difficult to feel.

  The line-of-sight change module 236 specifies the direction from the movement destination to the object as the line of sight of the movement destination of the viewpoint.

  The memory module 240 holds data used for the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 2 to the user 190. In one aspect, the memory module 240 holds space information 241, object information 242, user information 243, and position information 244.

  The space information 241 holds one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 2.

  The object information 242 includes data for displaying an avatar object used for communication via the virtual space 2, content reproduced in the virtual space 2, and information for arranging objects used in the content. keeping. The content may include, for example, content representing a scene similar to a game or a real society. The data for displaying the avatar object may include, for example, image data that schematically represents a communication partner with which a relationship has been established in advance as a chat partner, a photograph of the communication partner, and the like.

  The user information 243 includes a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100, an application program that uses each content held in the object information 242, a user ID required when executing the application program, I have a password etc. Data and programs stored in the memory module 240 are input by the user 190 of the HMD 110. Alternatively, the processor 10 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, the server 150) operated by a provider that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 240.

  The position information 244 includes position information of one or more objects presented in the virtual space 2. The one or more objects include, for example, a movable object such as an avatar object used by each user sharing the virtual space 2 and a non-movable object such as a screen object presented in the virtual space 2. The location information is managed in the server 150. After each user logs in to the room for chatting, when each user performs an operation of moving the avatar object in the virtual space 2, the position information of the avatar object is updated. The data structure in the server 150 will be described later.

  The communication control module 250 can communicate with the server 150 and other information communication devices via the network 19. The communication control module 250 is realized by a known communication technique such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

  In one aspect, the mobility management module 234 identifies an object that the user 190 desires to look at. The movement management module 234 receives an operation for moving the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2. The line-of-sight change module 236 specifies the direction from the movement destination to the object as the line of sight of the movement destination of the viewpoint. The view image generation module 223 provides the user 190 with a view image from the destination after moving the viewpoint of the user 190.

  In one aspect, the mobility management module 234 specifies an avatar object corresponding to another user (for example, the users 190N and 190X) that communicates with the user 190 as an object that the user 190 desires to direct his / her line of sight. The line-of-sight change module 236 specifies a direction from the destination to the avatar object. The view image generation module 223 generates a view image according to the specified direction.

  In one aspect, the movement management module 234 specifies a screen object on which an image is displayed in the virtual space 2 as an object that the user 190 desires to direct his / her line of sight. The line-of-sight change module 236 specifies a direction from the movement destination toward the screen object.

  In one aspect, the mobility management module 234 detects an object that is visually recognized by the user 190 based on the operation of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110. The operation of the user 190 includes at least one of the movement of the head of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110, the movement of the line of sight of the user 190, or the operation of the controller 160 by the user 190. The movement management module 234 identifies the detected object as an object that the user 190 desires to direct his / her line of sight. For example, the movement management module 234 identifies an object that collides with the reference line of sight 5 determined according to the movement of the head of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 as an object being visually recognized by the user 190. Further, the movement management module 234 may identify an object identified by the user's 190 line of sight as an object visually recognized by the user 190 based on the detection result of the movement of the user's 190 line of sight. At this time, the movement management module 234 may detect an object designated by the user as an object being visually recognized by the user 190 based on the operation of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 for a predetermined time or longer. In this way, the movement management module 234 determines that an object that the user 190 has turned his / her line of sight for a certain period of time (for example, 2 seconds) is desired to be directed even after the user 190 has moved his / her viewpoint. Identify. As described above, when the movement management module 234 specifies an object that the user 190 desires to turn his / her line of sight, the computer 200 may notify the user of the specification. For example, when the movement management module 234 identifies an object that the user 190 desires to turn his / her eyes on, the computer 200 presents the object to the user 190 by the HMD 110 by adding an effect to the object. Also good.

  In one aspect, the virtual object generation module 232 generates data for presenting the user interface object 2000 including one or more items to be selected in the virtual space 2 to the virtual space 2. The view image generation module 223 displays a view image object including the data on the monitor 112. The mobility management module 234 identifies an object corresponding to the selected item as the object based on the selection of any item from the user interface object 2000.

  For example, the user interface object 2000 may correspond to a chat space in the virtual space 2. The user 190 watches the user interface object 2000 for a predetermined time, for example, several seconds. The gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the user 190. When it is detected that a part of the user interface object 2000 is visually recognized, the location of the virtual space 2 corresponding to the part is specified as the movement destination of the line of sight. Since the computer 200 presents the field-of-view image of the moving destination to the HMD 110, the user 190 can easily move in the virtual space 2.

  In one aspect, the virtual object generation module 232 generates data for presenting in the virtual space 2 a user interface object 2000 that accepts designation of directions in the virtual space 2. The view image generation module 223 displays a view image object including the data on the monitor 112. The line-of-sight change module 236 specifies the direction specified in the user interface object 2000 as the direction.

  In one aspect, the mobility management module 234 receives an operation for adjusting the state of the user 190 in the virtual space 2. The line-of-sight change module 236 specifies the direction from the destination to the object based on the adjusted state. For example, when the user 190 corrects the posture and moves the head on which the HMD 110 is worn, the direction toward the object is specified from the viewpoint of the state after the posture is corrected. The computer 200 generates a visual field image according to the direction and presents it to the HMD 110. As a result, since the user 190 can view the object without moving in the virtual space 2, communication in the virtual space 2 can be promoted.

  In an aspect, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 can be realized using, for example, Unity (registered trademark) provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that realize each process.

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

  The hardware that constitutes the computer 200 is general. Therefore, it can be said that the most essential part according to the present embodiment is a program stored in the computer 200. Since the hardware operation of computer 200 is well known, detailed description will not be repeated.

  The data recording medium is not limited to a CD-ROM, FD (Flexible Disk), and hard disk, but is a magnetic tape, cassette tape, optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)). ), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (including memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM (Electronically Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), semiconductor memory such as flash ROM, etc. It may be a non-volatile data recording medium that carries a fixed program.

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

[Operation between computers by communication between two users]
Here, the operation of the computers 200 and 200N when the two users 190 and 190N communicate via the virtual space 2 will be described. Hereinafter, a case where the user 190N wearing the HMD 110N connected to the computer 200N speaks to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 connected to the computer 200 will be described.

  (Transmitter) In one aspect, the user 190N wearing the HMD 110N speaks into the microphone 119 in order to chat with the user 190. The voice signal of the utterance is transmitted to the computer 200N connected to the HMD 110N. The voice control module 225 converts the voice signal into voice data and associates the voice data with a time stamp indicating when speech is detected. The time stamp is, for example, time data of an internal clock of the processor 10. In one aspect, time data when the audio signal is converted into audio data by the communication control module 250 is used as a time stamp.

  When the user 190N is speaking, the movement of the line of sight of the user 190N is detected by the gaze sensor 140. The detection result (eye tracking data) by the gaze sensor 140 is sent to the computer 200N. The line-of-sight detection module 233 identifies each position (for example, the position of the pupil) representing a change in the line of sight of the user 190N based on the detection result.

  The computer 200N transmits audio data and eye tracking data to the computer 200. Audio data and eye tracking data are first sent to the server 150. The server 150 refers to the destination in each header of the audio data and the eye tracking data, and transmits the audio data and the eye tracking data to the computer 200. At this time, the timing at which the audio data reaches the computer 200 may not match the timing at which the eye tracking data reaches the computer 200.

  (Reception Side) The computer 200 receives data transmitted from the computer 200N from the server 150. In one aspect, the processor 10 of the computer 200 detects that audio data has been received based on data sent from the communication control module 250. When the processor 10 specifies the voice data transmission source (ie, the computer 200N), the processor 10 displays the chat screen on the monitor 112 of the HMD 110 as the chat control module 235.

  The processor 10 further detects that eye tracking data has been received. When the transmission source of eye tracking data (that is, the computer 200N) is specified, the processor 10 generates data for displaying the avatar object of the user 190N as the virtual object generation module 232.

  In another aspect, the processor 10 may receive eye tracking data prior to audio data. In this case, when detecting the transmission source identification number from the eye tracking data, the processor 10 determines that there is audio data transmitted corresponding to the eye tracking data. The processor 10 waits for output of data for displaying the avatar object until it receives audio data including the same transmission source identification number and time data as the transmission source identification number and time data included in the eye tracking data.

  In yet another aspect, the processor 10 may receive audio data prior to eye tracking data. In this case, when detecting the transmission source identification number from the audio data, the processor 10 determines that there is eye tracking data transmitted corresponding to the audio data. The processor 10 waits for output of audio data until it receives eye tracking data including the same transmission source identification number and time data as the transmission source identification number and time data included in the audio data.

  In each of the above aspects, the time data to be compared does not have to indicate the completely same time.

  When the processor 10 confirms the reception of the audio data and the eye tracking data including the same time data, the processor 10 outputs the audio data to the speaker 115 and monitors the data for displaying the avatar object in which the change based on the eye tracking data is reflected. To 112. As a result, since the user 190 can recognize the voice and the avatar uttered by the user 190N at the same timing, the user 190 does not feel a time lag due to a signal transmission delay (for example, a change in the timing of the avatar object and the voice output). Can enjoy chatting.

  The processor 10 of the computer 200N used by the user 190N can also synchronize the output timing of the audio data and the output timing of the avatar object reflecting the movement of the line of sight of the user 190, as in the above-described processing. it can. As a result, the user 190N can also recognize the output of the voice uttered by the user 190 and the change of the avatar object at the same timing, so that the user can enjoy the chat without feeling a time lag due to a signal transmission delay.

[Overview of chat]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an outline of chat performed through the virtual space according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an aspect of expressing the virtual space 2 presented by each of the computers 200, 200N, and 200X.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the computers 200, 200 </ b> N, and 200 </ b> X can communicate with the server 150 via the network 19. The computers 200, 200N, and 200X provide the virtual space images 22, 22N, and 22X via the HMDs 110, 110N, and 110X connected to the computers 200, 200N, and 200X, respectively. Virtual space images 22, 22N and 22X present avatar objects 1010, 1010N and 1010X corresponding to users of computers 200, 200N and 200X, respectively.

  For example, avatar objects 1010, 1010N, and 1010X correspond to users 190, 190N, and 190X, respectively. For example, the avatar objects 1010N and 1010X are presented as the communication partner of the user 190 in the virtual space image 22 visually recognized by the user 190. In the virtual space image 22N visually recognized by the user 190N, avatar objects 1010 and 1010X are presented as communication partners of the user 190N. In the virtual space image 22X visually recognized by the user 190X, avatar objects 1010 and 1010N are presented as communication partners of the user 190X.

  The HMDs 110, 110N, and 110X transmit motion detection data corresponding to the positions and inclinations of the users 190, 190N, and 190X to the server 150 via the computers 200, 200N, and 200X, respectively. The motion detection data may include eye tracking data. The server 150 transmits the motion detection data received from the HMD 110 to the HMDs 110N and 110X, respectively. The HMDs 110N and 110X change the display mode of the chat partner's avatar object presented in the virtual space 2 (for example, the position and inclination of the avatar object) according to the motion detection data.

  In one aspect, the HMDs 110, 110N, and 110X transmit audio data corresponding to the utterances of the users 190, 190N, and 190X to the server 150, respectively. For example, the server 150 transmits the audio data and eye tracking data received from the HMD 110 to the computers 200N and 200X. The computers 200N and 200X change the display mode of the avatar object (for example, the direction of the eyes and head) according to the eye tracking data. The HMDs 110N and 110X output sound based on the sound data from the speaker 115.

  As described above, when the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 moves his / her eyes and speaks, the display mode of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 is displayed in the virtual space 2 presented by the other HMDs 110 </ b> N and 110 </ b> X that can communicate with the HMD 110. Is changed, and sound is output from the speaker 115. Since the timing at which the display mode changes and the timing at which the audio is output are synchronized, each communication partner can perform communication using the audio and the avatar object without a sense of incongruity in communication via the virtual space 2.

[Control structure]
A control structure of the computer 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts showing a part of the processing executed by the processor 10 of the computer 200, respectively.

  In step S1110, the processor 10 defines the virtual space 2 in the memory 11 based on the operation of the user 190.

  In step S <b> 1120, processor 10 places an object in virtual space 2 based on object information 242.

  In step S1130, the processor 10 presents a view field image from the initial position of the user 190 in the virtual space 2. The initial position is specified based on, for example, initial information predetermined in a program that realizes the processing.

  In step S1140, the processor 10 specifies a target object that the user 190 desires to direct his / her line of sight from the arranged objects based on the operation of the controller 160 by the user 190. In another aspect, the processor 10 may identify an object that is on the line of sight to which the user 190 is directed based on a signal output from the gaze sensor 140.

  In step S1150, the processor 10 detects an operation for moving the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 based on a signal from the controller 160. For example, when the user 190 performs an operation for confirming the movement on the controller 160, the line of sight of the user 190 may move. In another aspect, this determination operation does not necessarily have to be performed. For example, when the state in which the target object is specified continues for a predetermined time, the processor 10 may confirm the movement of the viewpoint of the user 190.

  In step S1160, the processor 10 specifies the movement destination of the viewpoint of the user 190. For example, the processor 10 specifies the place determined by the operation of the controller 160 performed in step S1150 as the movement destination. In another aspect, the processor 10 specifies a place where the user 190 has been watching for a predetermined time as a destination.

  In step S1170, the processor 10 determines the direction from the movement destination to the target object as the line of sight from the viewpoint of the movement destination of the user 190. For example, consider a case where the user 190 is talking to another user between the screen object and the user 190. When the user 190 moves in front of the screen object, there is a possibility that another user may be out of the view of the user 190 or that only the other user's profile is seen. In such a case, the processor 10 generates data for presenting the field-of-view image in a manner in which the user 190 is viewing another user from the destination location (that is, in front of the screen object).

  In step S1180, processor 10 presents data for presenting a view image from the viewpoint of the movement destination to HMD 110. When the HMD 110 displays an image based on the data on the monitor 112, the user 190 views the target object from the movement destination of the virtual space 2. For example, since a state in which the face of another user is included in the view field image is maintained, communication via the virtual space 2 can be maintained.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an aspect in which the target object is specified in another aspect. For example, the processor 10 may further present in the virtual space 2 a user interface object that accepts a selection of a movement destination. User 190 may determine a destination from a user interface object.

  Specifically, in step S <b> 1210, the processor 10 presents a user interface object including a target object that turns its line of sight in the virtual space 2. The user interface object is, for example, an image representing the virtual space 2 from the top of the user 190, an image representing a place predetermined as a movable place in the virtual space 2, or the like.

  In step S1220, processor 10 detects selection of a target object to turn its line of sight. The target object is selected by an operation on the controller 160, a movement of the head of the user 190 with the HMD 110 worn, a line of sight detection by the user 190, and the like. Thereafter, control is returned to the main flow.

[data structure]
The data structure of the computer 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of the position information 244 held in the memory module 240 of the computer 200.

  As shown in the state (A), the position information 244 includes an object ID 1310, a user ID 1320, a user name 1330, a viewpoint position 1340, and a line-of-sight direction 1350. The object ID 1310 identifies an object placed in the virtual space 2. The object may be an avatar object corresponding to each of one or more users sharing the virtual space 2, for example. The user ID 1320 identifies a user corresponding to the object specified by the object ID. The user name 1330 represents the name of the user identified by the user ID. The viewpoint position 1340 specifies the position of the user's avatar object in the virtual space 2. The line-of-sight direction 1350 represents the direction that the user of the virtual space 2 is looking from the viewpoint position 1340. The line-of-sight direction 1350 is represented by a vector, for example.

  For example, in the state (A), the viewpoint position 1340 of the user “A” is the coordinate value (Xa, Ya, Za), and the line-of-sight direction 1350 is the Va direction. Thereafter, when the user “A” moves in the virtual space 2, for example, as shown in the state (B), the viewpoint position 1340 includes coordinate values (Xa (2), Ya (2), Za (2)). Become.

[Movement in virtual space]
With reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the change of the visual field image 26 in a certain situation is demonstrated. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a change in the view image 26 when one of the two users sharing the virtual space 2 moves. The visual field image 26 is visually recognized by the user 190, for example. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each object in the virtual space 2 that provides the view field image 26.

  As shown in the state (A) of FIG. 14, in a certain aspect, the view field image 26 includes a screen object 1410 and an avatar object 1420. The avatar object 1420 corresponds to the user 190N. When the user 190 is in front of the user 190N in the virtual space 2, the avatar object 1420 corresponding to the user 190N is presented at the center of the view field image 26.

  Thereafter, when the user 190 moves in the virtual space 2, the contents of the view image 26 change according to the movement of the line of sight of the user 190. For example, when the user 190 moves in the right direction of the user 190N in the virtual space 2, as shown in the state (B), the avatar object 1420 is presented in the left direction of the field-of-view image 26 while maintaining a normal view. The

  Referring to FIG. 15, as shown in state (A), subspace 1510 of virtual space 2 includes screen object 1410 and avatar objects 1420 and 1520. In the state (A), the user 190 and the user 190N face each other. At this time, the view image 26 is presented as shown in the state (A) of FIG.

  Thereafter, when the user 190 moves in the right direction in the partial space 1510, for example, the avatar object 1520 is arranged at a location indicated in the state (B). At this time, the visual field image 26 is presented as shown in the state (B) of FIG. Since the line-of-sight direction of the user 190N (avatar object 1420) does not change, the user 190N is not facing the user 190.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the movement of the virtual space 2 according to an embodiment will be further described. FIG. 16 is a diagram representing the arrangement of objects in subspace 1610 of virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a change in the view field image 26 when one of the two users sharing the virtual space 2 moves.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in a certain situation, as in the state (A), the user 190 (avatar object 1520) and the user 190N (avatar object 1420) face each other. At this time, as shown in the state (A) of FIG. 17, the view image 26 presented to the user 190 is an image in which the avatar object 1420 of the user 190N faces the front (toward the user 190).

  Thereafter, the user 190 moves in the virtual space 2 and moves to the right front of the user 190N. At this time, as shown in the state (B), the line of sight of the user 190 faces the user 190N. The gaze direction of the user 190N is not changed from the gaze direction of the state (A). Accordingly, as shown in the state (B) of FIG. 17, the view image 26 presented to the user 190 presents the profile of the user 190N. Therefore, the user 190 can continue to visually recognize at least the direction of the user 190N even after moving in the virtual space 2.

  With reference to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, another aspect of the movement in the virtual space 2 will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a manner of movement of the user 190 (= avatar object 1520) who is looking at the screen object 1410 in the partial space 1810 of the virtual space 2.

  Referring to FIG. 18, as shown in state (A), in one aspect, user 190 (= avatar object 1520) is looking toward screen object 1410. Thereafter, the user 190 moves in the virtual space 2. For example, the user 190 may move to the right of the screen object 1410 as shown in the state (B).

  At this time, based on the fact that the line of sight 1811 of the avatar object 1520 is pointed at the screen object 1410 in the state (A), the line of sight of the user 190 from the destination after the movement of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 is Continue to be directed to the screen object 1410. Specifically, as shown in the state (B), the line of sight 1812 of the avatar object 1520 is directed to the screen object 1410. As a result, the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 faces the center of the screen object 1410 even after moving in the virtual space 2, so that the immersive feeling is unlikely to be impaired.

  The line of sight 1811 is defined as a vector that connects the coordinate value of the center of the screen object 1410 and the coordinate value of the center of the avatar object 1520, for example. The line of sight 1812 is defined as a vector connecting the coordinate value of the center of the screen object 1410 and the coordinate value of the center of the avatar object 1520.

  The coordinate value of the center of the screen object 1410 is specified based on position information where the screen object 1410 is arranged. For example, when the position of each object in the virtual space 2 is indicated by the coordinate value of the center of the object, the position information of the screen object 1410 is used as the coordinate value of the center of the screen object 1410. As an initial position of each object, a position defined in advance in a program executed to present the virtual space 2 is used.

[Control structure]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by the computer 200 to present a view field image when movement in the virtual space 2 is performed. The following processing is executed based on, for example, the processor 10 of the computer 200 detecting the operation of the controller 160 by the user 190 or the line of sight of the user 190.

  In step S1910, processor 10 identifies an object at a certain position in virtual space 2. For example, the processor 10 specifies the screen object 1410 as a visual recognition target based on the output of the controller 160 or based on the line of sight of the user 190. When the screen object 1410 is specified, the coordinate value of the center of the screen object 1410 can be loaded into the memory 11.

  In step S1920, processor 10 specifies the reference position of the object. For example, the processor 10 uses the coordinate value of the center of the screen object 1410 selected by the user 190 as the reference position.

  In step S1930, the processor 10 specifies the viewpoint of the user 190 as the movement destination. As the viewpoint, for example, the coordinate value of the destination avatar object in the virtual space 2 is referred to.

  In step S1940, processor 10 determines a line-of-sight direction from the destination to the object. The processor 10 specifies the direction from the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 to the target object (for example, the screen object 1410). This direction is derived as a vector in the virtual space 2, for example.

  In step S1950, processor 10 generates view field image data based on the determined line-of-sight direction. More specifically, when the user 190 moves in the virtual space 2, the processor 10 generates view field image data for presenting a view field image with the destination location as a viewpoint.

  In step S1960, processor 10 outputs the view image data to HMD 110. When the monitor 112 displays an image based on the view image data, the user 190 can recognize a view image in which the center of the screen object 1410 is viewed from the place after moving in the virtual space 2.

  Another aspect will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a manner in which a user interface is presented in virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. The computer 200 may display a user interface object for supporting the designation of the movement destination on the view field image 26.

  As shown in the state (A), the computer 200 presents the view image 26 to the HMD 110. The view field image 26 is visually recognized by the user 190. The view image 26 includes a screen object 1410 and an avatar object 1420.

  As shown in state (B), the computer 200 may further present a user interface object 2000 in the view image 26. User interface object 2000 represents subspace 1610, for example. The user 190 can select a movement destination by referring to the layout diagram of the partial space 1610 presented in the user interface object 2000, using the controller 160, or by staring for a certain time with a line of sight. When the user 190 confirms the selection, the user 190 moves in the virtual space 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the user 190 may move from the avatar object 1520 in the state (A) to the location of the avatar object 1520 in the state (B).

  As a result, as shown in the state (C) of FIG. 20, the view field image 26 is presented in a manner in which the avatar object 1420 of the chat partner user 190N is viewed from the destination. Thus, since the user 190N faces the user 190N even after moving in the virtual space 2, the communication through the virtual space 2 is maintained.

  With reference to FIG. 21, another aspect of the user interface object 2000 will be described. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of a user interface object 2000 that accepts selection of a moving direction in the virtual space 2 according to an embodiment. User interface object 2000 includes an avatar object 2100 corresponding to user 190 and arrow objects 2110, 2120, 2130 that accept selection of a moving direction.

  The user 190 can select any of the arrow objects 2110, 2120, 2130 presented in the virtual space 2. For example, when the arrow object 2110 is selected, the user 190 moves forward in the virtual space 2 and a part of the view field image is enlarged and displayed. In another aspect, an arrow object in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow object 2110 may be presented. In this case, when the arrow object is selected, the user 190 moves backward in the virtual space 2 and the range presented as the view field image is expanded. The enlargement or reduction of the view field image may depend on the time for selecting the arrow object, for example, the time for pressing the controller.

  In another aspect, when the user 190 selects the arrow object 2120, the view field image is switched to the left front image of the user. Conversely, when the user 190 selects the arrow object 2130, the view field image is switched to an image on the right front of the user. The reception of the left front or right front movement is not limited to the arrow objects 2120 and 2130. For example, instead of the arrow objects 2120 and 2130, a handle object that receives a rotation motion may be presented. In this case, the visual field direction can be switched linearly according to the rotation of the handle object.

(Summary) From the above, the disclosed technical features can be summarized as follows.
[Configuration 1] According to an embodiment, the method executed by the computer 200 to communicate via the virtual space 2 is such that the processor 10 of the computer 200 identifies an object that the user 190 desires to look at. A step of accepting an operation for moving the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 as the movement management module 234, and a line-of-sight of the viewpoint from the movement destination to the object as the line-of-sight change module 236 And a step of providing the user 190 with a visual field image from the destination after moving the viewpoint of the user 190 as the visual field image generation module 223.

  [Configuration 2] According to an embodiment, the step of specifying an object includes specifying an avatar object corresponding to another user (for example, users 190N and 190X) communicating with the user 190. The step of specifying the direction toward the object includes specifying the direction from the destination to the avatar object.

  [Configuration 3] According to an embodiment, the step of specifying an object includes specifying a screen object 1410 on which an image is displayed in the virtual space 2. The step of specifying the direction toward the object includes specifying the direction from the movement destination toward the screen object 1410.

  [Configuration 4] The step of specifying an object includes detecting an object visually recognized by the user 190 based on an operation of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110.

  [Configuration 5] The operation of the user 190 includes at least one of the movement of the head of the user 190 wearing the HMD 110, the movement of the line of sight of the user 190, or the operation of the controller 160 by the user 190.

  [Configuration 6] The method further includes a step in which the processor 10 generates data for presenting the user interface object 2000 including one or more items to be selected in the virtual space 2 to the virtual space 2. The step of identifying an object includes identifying an object corresponding to the selected item as the object based on selection of any item from the user interface object 2000.

  [Configuration 7] The method further includes a step in which the processor 10 presents, in the virtual space 2, a user interface object 2000 that accepts designation of a direction in the virtual space 2. The step of specifying the direction includes specifying the direction specified in the user interface object 2000 as the direction.

  [Configuration 8] The step of receiving an operation includes receiving an operation for adjusting the state of the user 190 in the virtual space 2. The step of specifying the direction includes specifying the direction from the destination to the object based on the adjusted state.

  [Configuration 9] According to an embodiment, there is provided a program that causes a computer to execute a method having any one of the above configurations.

  [Configuration 10] According to an embodiment, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a memory storing the program and a processor for executing the program.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  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, 22, 22N, 22X virtual space image, 23 field of view Area, 24, 25 area, 26 field of view image, 30 grip, 31 frame, 32 top surface, 33, 34, 36, 37 button, 38 analog stick, 100, 100N, 100X system, 112 monitor, 114, 120 sensor, 115 Speaker, 119 microphone, 130 motion sensor, 140 gaze sensor, 150 server, 160 controller.

Claims (10)

A computer-implemented method for communicating through a virtual space, comprising:
Defining the virtual space;
Placing an object in the virtual space;
Presenting a field of view image to a user wearing a head mounted device connected to the computer;
Identifying an object that the user desires to look at;
Receiving an operation for determining a viewpoint of a movement destination of the user's viewpoint in the virtual space irrespective of the desired object ;
As line of sight from the viewpoint of the previous KiUtsuri Dosaki, identifying a direction toward the object from the perspective of the destination,
Providing the user with a view image from the destination viewpoint after moving the viewpoint of the user. Identifying the object includes identifying an avatar object corresponding to another user communicating with the user;
The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying a direction toward the object includes identifying a direction from the destination toward the avatar object. Identifying the object includes identifying a screen object on which an image is displayed in the virtual space;
The method according to claim 1, wherein identifying a direction toward the object includes identifying a direction toward the screen object from the destination.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the object includes detecting an object being visually recognized by the user based on an action of the user wearing the head mounted device.   The method according to claim 4, wherein the user's operation includes at least one of a movement of a head of the user wearing the head mounted device, a movement of a line of sight of the user, or an operation of a controller by the user. Further comprising presenting a user interface object including one or more items to be selected in the virtual space to the virtual space;
The step of identifying the object includes identifying an object corresponding to the selected item as the object based on selection of any item from the user interface object. 4. The method according to any one of 3. Further comprising presenting, in the virtual space, a user interface object that accepts designation of a direction in the virtual space;
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of specifying the direction includes specifying a direction designated in the user interface object as the direction. The step of receiving the operation includes receiving an operation for adjusting the state of the user in the virtual space,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of specifying the direction includes specifying a direction from the movement destination to the object based on the adjusted state.   The program which makes a computer perform the method in any one of Claims 1-8. A memory storing the program according to claim 9;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a processor coupled to the memory for executing the program.

Images