JP6623199B2 - Computer-executable program and information processing apparatus for providing virtual reality using a head-mounted device - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to display control in a virtual reality space, and more particularly to a technique for controlling display of an avatar used in a virtual reality space.

  A technique for providing virtual reality using a head-mounted device (HMD) is known. In addition, a technique for interacting with a partner using an avatar in a virtual reality space is also known. For example, Japanese Patent No. 6017008 (Patent Document 1) discloses “an avatar display system that can selectively disclose the movement of a user's head and line of sight to other users” [[ See summary]).

Japanese Patent No. 6017008

  When providing virtual reality, the viewpoint of the user wearing the HMD is taken as the position of the virtual camera, the orientation of the virtual camera changes according to the movement of the user's head, and the image presented on the HMD also changes.

  In virtual reality, an avatar is not limited to a person, but an animal or an animated character is used. Some animals and characters do not have their eyes in front of the face, like a normal human face. In this case, depending on the orientation of the HMD, as a result of processing of the drawing software, the inside of the avatar may be drawn on the HMD monitor, and the immersive feeling may be hindered. Therefore, there is a need for a technique that does not impair the sense of immersion regardless of the orientation of the HMD.

  The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object in one aspect is to provide a technique in which an immersion feeling is not hindered regardless of the orientation of the HMD.

  According to an embodiment, a program is provided that is executed on a computer to provide virtual reality using a head mounted device. The program includes a step of defining a virtual space in a computer, a step of defining an appearance of an avatar object corresponding to the user wearing the head mounted device, and a head of the avatar object corresponding to the user wearing the head mounted device. And setting a user's viewpoint in the virtual space at a position corresponding to the above and displaying an image including the appearance of an avatar object other than the head as a drawing target on the head-mounted device based on the user's viewpoint .

  In one aspect, the monitor can display the appearance of the avatar object selected by the HMD user according to the orientation of the HMD, so that the immersive feeling is less likely to be hindered.

  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. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer 200 according to one situation. It is a figure which represents notionally the uvw visual field coordinate system set to HMD110 according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the one aspect | mode which represents the virtual space 2 according to a certain embodiment. It is the figure showing the head of user 190 wearing HMD110 according to a certain embodiment from the top. 3 is a diagram illustrating a YZ cross section of a visual field region 23 viewed from the X direction in a virtual space 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an XZ cross section of a visual field region 23 viewed from a Y direction in a virtual space 2. FIG. It is a figure showing schematic structure of the controller 160 according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration. It is a sequence chart showing a part of process performed in the HMD system 100 according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure showing a response | compatibility with the user 190 which mounted | wore with HMD110, and the attitude | position of the virtual camera 1. FIG. It is a figure showing the horse object 1210 and the head of the user 190, respectively. It is a block diagram showing an example of a structure of the avatar object control module 260 according to a certain embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by processor 10. It is a figure showing the change of the image displayed on the monitor 112 when the user 190 selects the horse avatar object. It is a figure showing the aspect in which other users wearing other HMD110 are visually recognizing the horse object 1210 on the monitor 112. It is a figure showing the one aspect by which the mirror object is shown on the monitor.

  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.

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

[Configuration of HMD system]
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 includes an HMD 110, an HMD sensor 120, a controller 160, and a computer 200. The HMD 110 includes a monitor 112, a gaze sensor 140, a speaker 115, and a microphone 119. 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 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 the virtual space 2 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, the user 190 can immerse in the virtual space 2 when viewing the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 112. In an embodiment, the virtual space 2 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. If a plurality of computers 200 deliver a signal based on each user's operation so that a plurality of users can virtually experience in one virtual space 2, an avatar object corresponding to each user is presented in the virtual space 2. Is done.

  The object is a virtual object that exists in the virtual space 2. In one aspect, the object includes an avatar object corresponding to the user, a virtual accessory and virtual clothes worn by the avatar object, a virtual panel imitating a panel showing information about the user, a virtual letter imitating a letter, and a post. Includes simulated virtual posts. Furthermore, the avatar object is a character symbolizing the user 190 in the virtual space 2 and includes, for example, a human type, an animal type, a robot type, and the like. There are various shapes of objects. The user 190 may present a favorite object among predetermined objects in the virtual space 2 or may present an object created by the user 190 in the virtual space 2.

  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 audio data corresponding to the utterance of the user 190 to the computer 200. The user 190 can speak to another user using the microphone 119, and can listen to the voice (utterance) of the other user using the speaker 115.

  More specifically, when the user 190 speaks into the microphone 119, audio data corresponding to the user 190 's utterance is input to the computer 200. The computer 200 outputs the audio data to the server 150 via the network 19. The server 150 outputs the audio data received from the computer 200 to the other computer 200 via the network 19. The other computer 200 outputs the audio data received from the server 150 to the speaker 115 of the HMD 110 worn by another user. As a result, other users can hear the voice of the user 190 via the speaker 115 of the HMD 110. Similarly, utterances from other users are output from the speaker 115 of the HMD 110 worn by the user 190.

  The computer 200 displays an image on the monitor 112 that moves another avatar object corresponding to the other user according to the audio data received from the computer 200 of the other user. For example, in one aspect, the computer 200 displays an image that moves the mouth of another avatar object on the monitor 112, so that the virtual space 2 is displayed as if the avatar objects are talking in the virtual space 2. Express. As described above, voice data is transmitted and received between the plurality of computers 200, thereby realizing conversation (chat) between a plurality of users in one virtual space 2.

  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 2. 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 are common in the same virtual space 2. Allows you to enjoy the games. Further, as described above, a plurality of computers 200 can enjoy conversations in one virtual space 2 by transmitting and receiving signals based on each user's operation.

  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 (hereinafter also referred to as detection data) representing 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.

[Computer 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. Programs stored in the storage 12 include a program for providing the virtual space 2 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 2.

  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 HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or other terminals. The input / output interface 13 is not limited to the above.

  In certain embodiments, the input / output interface 13 may further communicate with the controller 160. For example, the input / output interface 13 receives an input of a signal output from the motion sensor 130. In another aspect, the input / output interface 13 sends an 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 and other users' computers 200) 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 may include an operating system of the computer 200, an application program for providing the virtual space 2, game software that can be executed in the virtual space 2 using the controller 160, and the like. The processor 10 sends a signal for providing the virtual space 2 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 2 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 2.

  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 (up-down 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 2.

[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 190 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 2 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 can be viewed by the user 190. The virtual space 2 in which 22 is deployed is provided to the user 190.

  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 190 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 line of sight (reference line of sight 5) used as a reference when the user 190 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 view area 23 corresponds to the view of the user 190 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 190 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 gaze direction of the user 190 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 a 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 view field area 23.

[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 2 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 2 to the user 190 by causing the monitor 112 to display a view field image based on a signal from the computer 200. The view image 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 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 190 faces in the virtual space 2 in the virtual space image 22. The user 190 can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 2.

  While wearing the HMD 110, the user 190 can visually recognize 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 190 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. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of controller 160 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in the partial diagram (A) of FIG. 8, in one aspect, the controller 160 may include a right controller 800 and a left controller (not shown). 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. In the example shown in FIG. 8, infrared LEDs 35 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. 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, and a dry battery type. In other aspects, 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 2 corresponding to the right hand of the user 190 holding the right controller 800. For example, yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined for the hand object 810 corresponding to the right hand of the user 190. For example, when an 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, a partial diagram ( As shown in B), 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, a virtual space control module 230, a voice control module 225, a memory module 240, a communication control module 250, an avatar object control module 260, a mirror. An object control module 270.

  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, and a hand object control module 233 as submodules.

  In some embodiments, the display control module 220, the virtual space control module 230, and the audio control module 225 are implemented by the processor 10. In other embodiments, multiple processors 10 may operate as display control module 220, virtual space control module 230, and audio control module 225. 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 view image data (also referred to as view image data) displayed on the monitor 112 based on the determined view area 23. Furthermore, the view image generation module 223 generates view image data 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 virtual space control module 230 controls the virtual space 2 provided to the user 190. 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. Objects may include, for example, other avatar objects, virtual panels, virtual letters, virtual posts, and the like. The data generated by the virtual object generation module 232 is output to the view field image generation module 223.

  The hand object control module 233 places the hand object in the virtual space 2. The hand object corresponds to the right hand or the left hand of the user 190 holding the controller 160, for example. In one aspect, the hand object control module 233 generates data for arranging a hand object corresponding to the right hand or the left hand in the virtual space 2. Further, the hand object control module 233 generates data for moving the hand object in accordance with the operation of the controller 160 by the user 190. The data generated by the hand object control module 233 is output to the view image generation module 223.

  In other aspects, if a movement of a part of the user 190's body (eg, movement of the left hand, right hand, left foot, right foot, head, etc.) is associated with the controller 160, the virtual space control module 230 may Data for arranging a partial object corresponding to a part of the body in the virtual space 2 is generated. When the user 190 operates the controller 160 using a part of the body, the virtual space control module 230 generates data for moving the partial object. These data are output to the view field image generation module 223.

  When the voice control module 225 detects an utterance using the microphone 119 of the user 190 from the HMD 110, the voice control module 225 identifies the computer 200 that is the transmission target of voice data corresponding to the utterance. The audio data is transmitted to the computer 200 specified by the audio control module 225. When the voice control module 225 receives voice data from another user's computer 200 via the network 19, the voice control module 225 outputs a voice (utterance) corresponding to the voice data from the speaker 115.

  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, and user information 243.

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

  The object information 242 holds information for arranging content reproduced in the virtual space 2 and objects used in the content. The content may include, for example, content representing a scene similar to a game or a real society. Further, the object information 242 includes data for placing a hand object corresponding to the hand of the user 190 operating the controller 160 in the virtual space 2, data for placing each user's avatar object in the virtual space 2, Data for arranging other objects such as a virtual panel in the virtual space 2.

  The user information 243 holds 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, and the like. 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 communication control module 250 can communicate with the server 150 and other information communication devices via the network 19.

  The avatar object control module 260 controls the display mode of the avatar object presented in the virtual space 2. In one aspect, the avatar object control module 260 defines the appearance of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110. The avatar object control module 260 sets the viewing position of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 at a position corresponding to the head of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110. The view image generation module 223 generates data for displaying an image including the appearance of an avatar object other than the head as a drawing target on the HMD 110 based on the viewpoint of the user 190.

  The mirror object control module 270 performs the virtual space 2 based on an instruction from the user 190, an instruction from another user with whom the user 190 interacts, or based on a predetermined presentation condition being satisfied. Present a mirror object. It presents an image, just like a mirror in real space. For example, assuming that another virtual camera that opposes the virtual camera 1 is arranged at the position of the mirror object, the processor 10 generates an image based on the other virtual camera and presents the image to the mirror object.

  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.

[Control structure of HMD system]
A control structure of the HMD system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence chart showing a part of processing executed in HMD system 100 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in step S <b> 1010, the processor 10 of the computer 200 specifies virtual space image data and defines the virtual space 2 as the virtual space definition module 231.

  In step S1020, processor 10 initializes virtual camera 1. For example, the processor 10 places the virtual camera 1 at a predetermined center point in the virtual space 2 in the work area of the memory, and directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 1 in the direction in which the user 190 is facing.

  In step S1030, the processor 10 generates view image data for displaying an initial view image as the view image generation module 223. The generated view image data is output to the HMD 110 by the communication control module 250.

  In step S <b> 1032, the monitor 112 of the HMD 110 displays a view image based on the view image data received from the computer 200. The user 190 wearing the HMD 110 can recognize the virtual space 2 when viewing the visual field image.

  In step S <b> 1034, HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of HMD 110 based on a plurality of infrared lights transmitted from HMD 110. The detection result is output to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

  In step S1040, processor 10 specifies the viewing direction of user 190 wearing HMD 110 based on the position and tilt included in the motion detection data of HMD 110.

  In step S1050, processor 10 executes an application program and presents an object in virtual space 2 based on an instruction included in the application program. The objects presented at this time include other avatar objects.

  In step S1060, controller 160 detects an operation of user 190 based on the signal output from motion sensor 130, and outputs detection data representing the detected operation to computer 200. In another aspect, the operation of the controller 160 by the user 190 may be detected based on an image from a camera arranged around the user 190.

  In step S <b> 1065, the processor 10 detects the operation of the controller 160 by the user 190 based on the detection data acquired from the controller 160.

  In step S1070, processor 10 generates view field image data for presenting the hand object to virtual space 2.

  In step S1080, processor 10 generates view field image data based on operation of controller 160 by user 190. The generated view image data is output to the HMD 110 by the communication control module 250.

  In step S1092, the HMD 110 updates the view image based on the received view image data, and displays the updated view image on the monitor 112.

[Technology]
The technical concept according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 and the posture of the virtual camera 1. As shown in the state (A), when the user 190 is facing the front in the horizontal direction, the virtual camera 1 is also facing the same direction. As shown in the state (B), when the user 190 bends the neck, the virtual camera 1 also faces a direction corresponding to the inclination.

  As shown in the state (C), when the user 190 bends his / her waist, the virtual camera 1 also turns in a direction corresponding to the inclination. As shown in the state (D), when the user 190 bends the neck and the waist, the virtual camera 1 turns in a direction corresponding to the total inclination of the neck inclination and the waist inclination.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, a person (= user 190) visually recognizes the virtual space 2. The virtual camera 1 is arranged at the position of the eye as being equivalent to a human eye. Since the human eyes are on the front of the face, when the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 faces down, the virtual camera 1 also faces down. At this time, when the user 190 selects a human avatar object as the avatar object, the virtual camera 1 displays the feet of the avatar object in the virtual space 2 by facing down.

  In chat or other communication in the virtual space 2, the user 190 can select an avatar object other than a person, for example, an animal as an avatar object. Some avatar objects may not have eyes in front of the face, such as crocodiles, horses or animated monsters. Therefore, in the following, it is assumed that the user 190 selects a horse avatar object.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the horse object 1210 and the head of the user 190, respectively. In the partial diagram (A), the eye 1211 of the horse object 1210 corresponds to the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. In the partial diagram (B), the eye 1221 of the user 190 corresponds to the virtual camera 1.

  When the user 190 wearing the HMD 190 bends the neck or waist downward, the virtual camera 1 rotates downward about the position. A lower view image is presented on the monitor 112 of the HMD 110. At this time, when the user 190 selects the horse object as the avatar object, the virtual camera 1 may face the inside of the head of the horse object 1210. Then, if the image is accurately drawn in that state, the inside of the head is drawn, which is not appropriate.

  The configuration of the avatar object control module 260 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of avatar object control module 260 according to an embodiment. The avatar object control module 260 includes an appearance definition module 1310, an attachment definition module 1320, and a drawing data generation module 1330.

  The appearance definition module 1310 defines the appearance of the avatar object. For example, the appearance definition module 1310 accesses the memory module 240 to reference appearance data associated with the avatar selected by the user 190.

  The wearing object definition module 1320 defines the wearing object of the avatar object. A wearing thing means what is worn somewhere on the head like glasses, a hat, and a mask, for example.

  The drawing data generation module 1330 generates data for drawing an avatar object on the monitor 112 using the data defined by the appearance definition module 1310 and the data of the wearing object defined by the wearing object definition module 1320. .

  (1) In one aspect, the processor 10 defines the appearance of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 as the appearance definition module 1310. For example, the processor 10 reads data prepared in advance for expressing the avatar object from the memory module 240, and generates data for drawing the appearance of the avatar object in the work area using the data. The processor 10 sets the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 at a position corresponding to the head of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 as a drawing data generation module, and based on the viewpoint of the user 190, Data for displaying on the HMD 110 an image including the appearance of an avatar object other than the head as a drawing target is generated. When this data is sent from the computer 200 to the HMD 110, the monitor 112 may display the appearance of the butter object according to the tilt of the head of the user 190.

  (2) In a certain situation, the processor 10 receives an input of a signal representing the attitude of the HMD 110. The processor 10 sets the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space according to the attitude of the HMD 110. For example, when the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 is facing the front, the monitor 112 displays an image representing a state where the user is facing the front in the virtual space 2. On the other hand, when the user 190 turns his neck and faces downward, the monitor 112 displays the body part or foot part of the avatar selected by the user 190. In this case, even if the virtual camera 1 is rotated downward at that position, the appearance of the avatar is not drawn and the appearance is displayed.

  (3) In one aspect, the processor 10 includes, as the drawing data generation module 1330, an image including an object representing a part of the nose or part of the mouth of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 as a drawing target. Data to be displayed on the HMD 110 is generated, and the data is output to the HMD 110. For example, when the user 190 has selected a kappa object, the processor 10 generates drawing data so that the head portion of the mouth of the kappa is displayed on the monitor 112.

  (4) In a certain aspect, the processor 10 as the wearing object definition module 1320, based on the fact that a pre-prepared wearing object exists around the eyes of the avatar object, at least one of the wearing objects that enters the field of view. Define the part. The processor 10 displays at least part of the field of view on the HMD 110. A wearing thing says what can be worn in front of the face of an avatar object, such as glasses and a mask, for example.

  (5) In a certain aspect, the processor 10 defines a mirror object in the virtual space 2. Based on the virtual camera 1 arranged based on the arrangement position of the mirror object in the virtual space 2, the mirror object presents an image of the visual field area of the virtual camera by the mirror object. When the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 of the HMD 110 is included in the visual field area of the virtual camera 1 with respect to the mirror object, the processor 10 sets the appearance including the head of the avatar object as a drawing target to the mirror object. Present the field of view image. According to such a configuration, the image presented on the mirror object presents the appearance of the avatar object selected by the user 190. Therefore, since the user 190 visually recognizes his / her appearance on the mirror surface of the mirror object, the user 190 does not feel discomfort.

  (6) In one aspect, the processor 10 establishes communication with another computer to which another HMD 110 is connected via the communication control module 250. The processor 10 defines the appearance of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 of the other HMD 110 in the virtual space 2. Based on the viewpoint of the user 190, the processor 10 displays on the HMD 110 an image including the appearance including the head of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 of the other HMD 110 in the drawing target. According to such a configuration, when the user 190 is interacting with another user using an avatar, the partner's avatar can be recognized normally.

  (7) In a certain situation, the range in which the avatar object can be operated is determined in advance according to the inclination of the HMD 110. The processor 10 defines the viewpoint of the user 190 as the position of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. The virtual camera 1 rotates according to the inclination of the HMD 110.

[Control structure]
A control structure of the computer 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a part of processing executed by the processor 10.

  In step S1410, the processor 10 defines the virtual space 2 provided by the HMD 110.

  In step S1420, processor 10 defines the appearance of the avatar object. The avatar object can be selected by the user 190. Selectable avatar objects include animals, animated characters and the like in addition to people. An avatar object other than a person may have protrusions such as a mouth and a nose in front of eyes. In another aspect, the avatar object may have glasses or other accessories attached to the head.

  In step S1430, processor 10 sets the view of user 190 in the virtual space at a position corresponding to the head of the avatar object. More specifically, the camera 1 corresponding to the user 190 is associated with the position corresponding to the head.

  In step S1440, processor 10 generates image data for rendering an appearance other than the head of the avatar object based on the viewpoint. Appearances other than the head include, for example, the body part, limbs, and the like of the avatar object. Furthermore, when the avatar object is an animal other than a human and has a protruding portion in front of the line of sight, data for displaying the protruding portion is also generated. For example, when a crocodile is selected as an avatar, the processor 10 generates data for displaying the mouth part of the crocodile on the monitor 112 in a viewable manner.

  At this time, when the user 110 faces downward, the virtual camera 1 also faces downward. When the virtual camera 1 turns downward with the location as the center of rotation, the user sees directly under the eyes. In this case, since it is not appropriate to draw, the processor 10 draws a lower part other than the head, that is, a body part such as a foot and a tail.

  In step S1450, processor 10 presents an image based on the image data to HMD 110. When the user 190 is facing the front, the monitor 112 visually recognizes the avatar object existing in the front (corresponding to the chat partner) based on the posture of the HMD 110 detected by the HMD 110. When the user 190 has selected the horse object, the image visually recognized on the monitor 112 may display the tip of the nose of the horse object. Even when the user 190 is using an avatar, the user 190 is less likely to feel uncomfortable.

[Display mode]
With reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the display mode of monitor 112 according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a change in an image displayed on the monitor 112 when the user 190 selects a horse avatar object. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a mode in which another user wearing another HMD 110 is viewing the horse object 1210 on the monitor 112.

  As shown in the state (A) of FIG. 15, when the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 is facing the front, the monitor 112 presents a front view image in the virtual space 2. For example, when the user 190 is communicating with another user wearing the HMD 110 via the virtual space 2, the avatar object (for example, kappa object 1510) used by the other user is displayed in the view image of the user 190. Is presented. The kappa object 1510 includes a mouth 1511 and a foot 1512.

  In this case, when the user 190 slightly tilts his / her head downward, the monitor 112 presents his / her feet (horse feet) of the user 190 as shown in the state (B). That is, the virtual camera 1 rotates downward according to the inclination of the HMD 110 worn by the user 190, but the processor 10 draws the head according to the rotation of the virtual camera 1 when drawing according to the rotation. Do not draw inside. For example, when detecting the rotation of the pitch angle (FIG. 3), the processor 10 executes the same drawing process as when the human head rotates downward regardless of the avatar object selected by the user 190. Thereby, it is possible to prevent inconvenient drawing due to accurate drawing according to the avatar object selected by the user 190.

  Referring to FIG. 16, another user who visually recognizes horse object 1210 visually recognizes horse object 1210 in the front as shown in the state (A). In this case, in another situation, as shown in the state (B), the tip of the mouth 1511 of the kappa object 1510 may be displayed. In this way, other users who use the kappa object 1510 can recognize their part (mouth 1511) a little, so that they can enjoy virtual reality with the same feeling as in the real space.

  A display when a mirror object is presented in the virtual space 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an aspect in which a mirror object is presented on the monitor 112.

  As shown in the state (A), in a certain situation, the user 190 visually recognizes the horse object 1210 of the chat partner. Thereafter, when the user 190 or the chat partner operates the controller 160 to present the mirror object 1700 in the virtual space 2, the mirror object 1700 captures an image of the user 190 avatar object. For example, when the user 190 selects the kappa object 1500, the mirror object 1700 captures an image of the kappa object 1510. In this way, when the view image as the first-person viewpoint is displayed on the monitor 112 and the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 turns his head downward, the body of the avatar object is not drawn, but in the virtual space 2 The arranged mirror object 1700 displays the entire appearance of the user 190 avatar object. Thereby, the fall of an immersion feeling in the case where a mirror is arrange | positioned in the virtual space 2 can be prevented.

Various technical features disclosed above can be summarized as follows as an example.
(Configuration 1) A program executed by the computer 200 to provide virtual reality using the HMD 110 is provided. The program corresponds to the step of defining the virtual space 2 in the computer 200, the step of defining the appearance of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110, and the head of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110. The position of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 is set at a position where the image is to be displayed, and an image including the appearance of an avatar object other than the head as a drawing target is displayed on the HMD 110 based on the user 190's viewpoint.
(Configuration 2) The program causes the computer 200 to further execute a step of receiving an input of a signal representing the attitude of the HMD 110. The step of displaying includes the step of setting the viewpoint of the user 190 in the virtual space 2 according to the attitude of the HMD 110.
(Configuration 3) The program further executes a step of displaying on the HMD 110 an image including an object representing a part of the nose or part of the mouth of the avatar object corresponding to the user 190 wearing the HMD 110 on the computer 200. Let
(Configuration 4) The program further executes the step of defining at least a part of the wearing object that enters the field of view based on the fact that the wearing object prepared in advance exists around the eyes of the avatar object. Let The step of displaying the appearance other than the head on the HMD 110 includes the step of displaying on the HMD 110 at least a part of the visual field.
(Configuration 5) The program causes the computer 200 to further execute a step of defining a mirror object 1700 in the virtual space 2. The mirror object 1700 presents an image of the visual field area of the virtual camera 1 by the mirror object based on the virtual camera 1 arranged based on the arrangement location of the mirror object 1700 in the virtual space 2. In the step of displaying, when an avatar object corresponding to the user 190 of the HMD 110 is included in the visual field area of the virtual camera for the mirror object, the appearance including the head of the avatar object is drawn on the mirror object as a drawing target. Presenting an image of the viewing area.
(Configuration 6) The program establishes communication with another computer 200 to which another HMD 110 is connected to the computer 200, and defines the appearance of an avatar object corresponding to the user of the other HMD 110 in the virtual space 2 And execute. The displaying step displays an image including an appearance including a head of an avatar object corresponding to a user of another HMD 110 as a drawing target on the HMD 110 based on the viewpoint of the user 190 (configuration 7). The operable range is determined in advance according to the inclination of the HMD 110. The user's viewpoint is defined as the position of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. The virtual camera 1 rotates according to the inclination of the HMD 110.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the user 190 faces downward, the inside of the avatar object is not drawn, so that the user 190 does not feel uncomfortable.

  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 virtual space image, 23 viewing area, 24, 25 areas, 30 grips, 31 frames, 32 top, 33, 34, 36, 37 buttons, 38 analog sticks, 100 systems, 110, 190 users, 112 monitors, 114, 120 sensors, 115 speakers, 119 microphones, 130 motions Sensor, 140 Gaze sensor, 150 server, 160 controller, 200 computers.

Claims (8)

A program executed on a computer to provide virtual reality using a head mounted device, the program being stored in the computer,
Defining a virtual space;
Defining an appearance of an avatar object corresponding to a user wearing the head mounted device;
Setting a virtual camera as a view of the user in the virtual space at a position corresponding to the head of the avatar object corresponding to the user wearing the head mounted device;
Placing the avatar object in the virtual space;
Drawing other than the head of the avatar object according to the settings of the virtual camera;
Receiving an input of a signal representing the posture of the head mounted device, and updating the setting of the virtual camera in response to the change of the posture in response to the input of the signal;
When drawing an image according to the field of view of the virtual camera in accordance with the object arranged in the virtual space and the setting of the virtual camera, the posture of the head mounted device is other than the head of the avatar object. When facing the direction included in the field of view, regardless of the direction, the step of drawing the appearance of the avatar object other than the head of the avatar object as a drawing target;
And a step of displaying an image generated by the drawing on the head mounted device. The program displays, on the head-mounted device, an image including an object representing a part of the nose or mouth of an avatar object corresponding to a user wearing the head-mounted device on the computer. Let it run further,
The program according to claim 1. The program causes the computer to further execute a step of defining at least a part of the wearable object that enters a field of view based on the presence of a prepared wearable object around the eyes of the avatar object. ,
The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of displaying an appearance other than the head on the head mounted device includes a step of displaying on the head mounted device at least a part of the visual field. The program further causes the computer to execute a step of defining a mirror object in the virtual space,
The mirror object is based on a virtual camera arranged based on the arrangement position of the mirror object in the virtual space, and presents an image of a visual field area of the virtual camera by the mirror object
In the display step, when an avatar object corresponding to a user of the head mounted device is included in the visual field region of the virtual camera for the mirror object, the appearance including the head of the avatar object is used as a drawing target. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a step of presenting an image of the visual field area of the virtual camera on a mirror object. The program is stored in the computer.
Establishing communication with other computers to which other head mounted devices are connected;
Defining an appearance of an avatar object corresponding to a user of the other head-mounted device in the virtual space,
The displaying step includes a step of displaying, on the head mounted device, an image including an appearance including a head of an avatar object corresponding to a user of the other head mounted device as a drawing target based on the user's viewpoint. The program in any one of Claims 1-4 containing. The range in which the avatar object can be operated is determined in advance according to the inclination of the head mounted device,
The user's viewpoint is defined as the position of the virtual camera in the virtual space,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the virtual camera rotates in accordance with an inclination of the head mounted device. A memory storing the program according to claim 1;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a processor that executes the program. A method performed by a computer to provide virtual reality using a head mounted device, the method comprising:
Defining a virtual space;
Defining an appearance of an avatar object corresponding to a user wearing the head mounted device;
Setting a virtual camera as a view of the user in the virtual space at a position corresponding to the head of the avatar object corresponding to the user wearing the head mounted device;
Placing the avatar object in the virtual space;
Drawing other than the head of the avatar object according to the settings of the virtual camera;
Receiving an input of a signal representing the posture of the head mounted device, and updating the setting of the virtual camera in response to the change of the posture in response to the input of the signal;
When drawing an image according to the field of view of the virtual camera in accordance with the object arranged in the virtual space and the setting of the virtual camera, the posture of the head mounted device is other than the head of the avatar object. When facing the direction included in the field of view, regardless of the direction, the step of drawing the appearance of the avatar object other than the head of the avatar object as a drawing target;
Displaying the image generated by the drawing on the head mounted device.

Images