JP6659793B1 - Program, method and information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program, a method and an information processing device capable of improving a virtual experience of a user. SOLUTION: A processor defines a virtual space, arranges a virtual viewpoint, a collision area, and an operation object in the virtual space, and determines the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head. Changing at least one of them, moving at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint, and moving the collision area so that the collision area becomes a relative position after a lapse of the first time, and the head of the user. Other than the step of moving the operation object in the virtual space according to the movement of the first part that is a part of the user's body, and the collision action based on the operation object and the collision area having the first positional relationship. And a step of displaying a visual field image corresponding to the visual field from the virtual viewpoint on the head mounted device. To row. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a program, a method, and an information processing device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game is known in which a user operates an avatar arranged in a virtual space and enjoys immersion in the virtual space. Patent Literature 1 discloses an invention in which, when operating an operation target object such as a “sword” in a virtual space, control is performed to avoid a risk that a user moves too fast in a real space too much to be immersed in the virtual space and impairs safety. Is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 5996138

  However, in the invention described in Patent Literature 1, the idea of how the avatar equips the sword-like equipment in the virtual space is not disclosed. For this reason, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is room for improving the virtual experience that the user virtually experiences.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a program, a method, and an information processing device capable of improving a virtual experience of a user.

  According to one aspect indicated by the present disclosure, the program includes, in the processor, a step of defining a virtual space, and in the virtual space, a virtual viewpoint and a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint are determined, and a collision action is associated with the virtual viewpoint. Arranging the collision area and the operation object, and changing at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint in accordance with the movement of the head of the user associated with the head mounted device; When at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint changes, after the first time elapses, moving the collision area so as to be the relative position; and Moving the operation object in the virtual space according to the movement of the first part that is a part of the body; Generating the collision action in response to the work object and the collision area being in the first positional relationship; and displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on the head mounted device. And let it run.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a program, a method, and an information processing device that can improve a virtual experience of a user.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of an HMD system according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating one mode of expressing a virtual space according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a head of a user wearing the HMD according to an embodiment from above. It is a figure showing the YZ section which looked at the visibility field from the X direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the XZ section which looked at the field of view in the virtual space from the Y direction. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a controller according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of each of yaw, roll, and pitch directions defined for a right hand of a user according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a computer according to an embodiment as a module configuration. 9 is a sequence chart showing a part of a process executed in the HMD set according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a situation in which each HMD provides a user with a virtual space in a network. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a view image of a user 5A in FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a process executed in the HMD system according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a module of a computer according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a view image corresponding to a view from a virtual camera according to an embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a virtual space corresponding to the view image of FIG. 15. FIG. 6 is a left side view of the avatar object according to an embodiment, in which the right hand is in the foreground; FIG. 7 is a rear view of the avatar object according to an embodiment, in which the back is visible. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a collision between a hand object and a right shoulder region of a collision region has occurred in a virtual space according to an embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the collision action occurs due to the collision in FIG. 19 and the equipment is replaced. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which collision between a hand object and a right waist region of a collision region has occurred in a virtual space according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of an avatar object viewed from above in a virtual space according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state after a face of an avatar object has moved and a collision area has not yet moved according to an embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a processor according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an avatar object according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an avatar object according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an avatar object when the user tilts his / her head according to an embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a processor according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an avatar object when a user lowers a head according to an embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a processor according to an embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a collision area is arranged behind an avatar object arranged in a virtual space and away from the avatar object according to an embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a processor according to an embodiment.

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

[Configuration of HMD system]
The configuration of an HMD (Head-Mounted Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an HMD system 100 according to the present embodiment. The HMD system 100 is provided as a home system or a business system.

  The HMD system 100 includes a server 600, HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, an external device 700, and a network 2. Each of the HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D is configured to be able to communicate with the server 600 and the external device 700 via the network 2. Hereinafter, the HMD sets 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D are collectively referred to as an HMD set 110. The number of the HMD sets 110 configuring the HMD system 100 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. The HMD set 110 includes the HMD 120, the computer 200, the HMD sensor 410, the display 430, and the controller 300. The HMD 120 includes a monitor 130, a gaze sensor 140, a first camera 150, a second camera 160, a microphone 170, and a speaker 180. Controller 300 may include a motion sensor 420.

  In one aspect, the computer 200 is connectable to the Internet and other networks 2 and can communicate with the server 600 and other computers connected to the network 2. As other computers, for example, a computer of another HMD set 110 and an external device 700 can be mentioned. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include the sensor 190 instead of the HMD sensor 410.

  The HMD 120 may be worn on the head of the user 5 and provide a virtual space to the user 5 during operation. More specifically, HMD 120 displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image on monitor 130, respectively. When each eye of the user 5 visually recognizes each image, the user 5 can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax of both eyes. The HMD 120 may include any of a so-called head-mounted display having a monitor, and a head-mounted device to which a smartphone or other terminal having a monitor can be attached.

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

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

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

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

  In another aspect, the HMD sensor 410 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the position and the inclination of the HMD 120 by executing image analysis processing using the image information of the HMD 120 output from the camera.

  In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include a sensor 190 as a position detector instead of, or in addition to, the HMD sensor 410. The HMD 120 can detect the position and inclination of the HMD 120 itself using the sensor 190. For example, when the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor, the HMD 120 can detect its own position and inclination by using any of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 410. As an example, when the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects the angular velocity around the three axes of the HMD 120 in the real space over time. The HMD 120 calculates a temporal change of an angle around three axes of the HMD 120 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates a tilt of the HMD 120 based on a temporal change of the angle.

  The gaze sensor 140 detects a direction in which the line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user 5 is directed. That is, the gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the user 5. The detection of the direction of the line of sight is realized by, for example, a known eye tracking function. The gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, it is preferable that the gaze sensor 140 includes a sensor for the right eye and a sensor for the left eye. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates infrared light to the right and left eyes of the user 5 and detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by receiving reflected light from the cornea and the iris with respect to the irradiated light. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on the detected rotation angles.

  The first camera 150 photographs the lower part of the face of the user 5. More specifically, first camera 150 captures the nose and mouth of user 5 and the like. The second camera 160 captures an image of the user 5's eyes and eyebrows. The case of the user 5 of the HMD 120 is defined as the inside of the HMD 120, and the case of the HMD 120 opposite to the user 5 is defined as the outside of the HMD 120. In some aspects, the first camera 150 may be located outside the HMD 120 and the second camera 160 may be located inside the HMD 120. The images generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160 are input to the computer 200. In another aspect, the first camera 150 and the second camera 160 may be realized as one camera, and the face of the user 5 may be photographed by the one camera.

  The microphone 170 converts the utterance of the user 5 into an audio signal (electric signal) and outputs it to the computer 200. The speaker 180 converts the audio signal into audio and outputs the audio to the user 5. In another aspect, HMD 120 may include an earphone instead of speaker 180.

  The controller 300 is connected to the computer 200 by wire or wirelessly. Controller 300 accepts an input of a command from user 5 to computer 200. In a certain aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be graspable by the user 5. In another aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be attachable to a part of the body or clothing of the user 5. In yet another aspect, the controller 300 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on a signal transmitted from the computer 200. In still another aspect, controller 300 receives an operation from user 5 for controlling the position and movement of an object placed in the virtual space.

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

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

  The display 430 displays an image similar to the image displayed on the monitor 130. This allows a user other than the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 to view the same image as the user 5. The image displayed on the display 430 need not be a three-dimensional image, but may be a right-eye image or a left-eye image. Examples of the display 430 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL monitor.

  The server 600 can transmit a program to the computer 200. In another aspect, server 600 may communicate with other computers 200 to provide virtual reality to HMD 120 used by other users. For example, when a plurality of users play a participatory game in an amusement facility, each computer 200 communicates a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 via the server 600, and transmits a plurality of signals in the same virtual space. Of users can enjoy a common game. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 without passing through the server 600.

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

[Computer hardware configuration]
With reference to FIG. 2, a computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of computer 200 according to the present embodiment. The computer 200 includes a processor 210, a memory 220, a storage 230, an input / output interface 240, and a communication interface 250 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 260.

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

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

  The storage 230 permanently stores programs and data. The storage 230 is realized, for example, as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk device, a flash memory, or another nonvolatile storage device. The programs stored in the storage 230 include a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, and a program for realizing communication with another computer 200. The data stored in the storage 230 includes data for defining a virtual space, objects, and the like.

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

  The input / output interface 240 communicates signals with the HMD 120, the HMD sensor 410, the motion sensor 420, and the display 430. The monitor 130, the gaze sensor 140, the first camera 150, the second camera 160, the microphone 170, and the speaker 180 included in the HMD 120 can communicate with the computer 200 via the input / output interface 240 of the HMD 120. In one aspect, the input / output interface 240 is implemented using a USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or other terminal. The input / output interface 240 is not limited to the above.

  In certain aspects, input / output interface 240 may further communicate with controller 300. For example, the input / output interface 240 receives signals output from the controller 300 and the motion sensor 420. In another aspect, the input / output interface 240 sends the instruction output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The command instructs the controller 300 to perform vibration, sound output, light emission, and the like. Upon receiving the command, the controller 300 executes any of vibration, sound output, and light emission according to the command.

  The communication interface 250 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with another computer (for example, the server 600) connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 250 is implemented as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or a wireless communication interface such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or the like. Is done. The communication interface 250 is not limited to the above.

  In one aspect, the processor 210 accesses the storage 230, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 230 into the memory 220, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the computer 200, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software executable in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 210 sends a signal for providing a virtual space to the HMD 120 via the input / output interface 240. HMD 120 displays an image on monitor 130 based on the signal.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the configuration in which the computer 200 is provided outside the HMD 120 is illustrated. However, in another aspect, the computer 200 may be built in the HMD 120. As an example, a portable information communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) including the monitor 130 may function as the computer 200.

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

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

  In one aspect, the HMD sensor 410 includes an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects infrared rays emitted from each light source of the HMD 120, the presence of the HMD 120 is detected. The HMD sensor 410 further detects the position and the inclination (direction) of the HMD 120 in the real space according to the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120, based on the value of each point (each coordinate value in the real coordinate system). I do. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 can detect a temporal change in the position and the inclination of the HMD 120 using each value detected over time.

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

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

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

  In a certain situation, when the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 is standing upright and viewing the front, the processor 210 sets the uvw view coordinate system parallel to the real coordinate system to the HMD 120. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), the vertical direction (y-axis), and the front-back direction (z-axis) in the real coordinate system are the pitch axis (u-axis) and the yaw axis (v-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120. , And the roll axis (w-axis).

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

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

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

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing one mode of expressing virtual space 11 according to an embodiment. The virtual space 11 has a spherical structure that covers the entire center 12 in the 360-degree direction. FIG. 4 illustrates the upper half celestial sphere of the virtual space 11 in order not to complicate the description. In the virtual space 11, each mesh is defined. The position of each mesh is defined in advance as a coordinate value in an XYZ coordinate system which is a global coordinate system defined in the virtual space 11. The computer 200 associates each partial image constituting the panoramic image 13 (still image, moving image, etc.) that can be developed in the virtual space 11 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 11.

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

  When the HMD 120 is activated, that is, in the initial state of the HMD 120, the virtual camera 14 is arranged at the center 12 of the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the processor 210 displays an image captured by the virtual camera 14 on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. The virtual camera 14 similarly moves in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 120 in the real space. Thereby, the change of the position and the inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 11.

  The uvw visual field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 14 as in the case of the HMD 120. The uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined so as to be linked to the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real space (real coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD 120 changes, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 changes accordingly. The virtual camera 14 can also move in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space.

  The processor 210 of the computer 200 defines the view area 15 in the virtual space 11 based on the position and the inclination (reference line of sight 16) of the virtual camera 14. The view area 15 corresponds to an area in the virtual space 11 that is visually recognized by the user 5 wearing the HMD 120. That is, the position of the virtual camera 14 can be said to be the viewpoint of the user 5 in the virtual space 11.

  The line of sight of the user 5 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is the direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes the object. The uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 views the monitor 130. The uvw view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is linked to the uvw view coordinate system of the HMD 120. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to a certain aspect can regard the line of sight of the user 5 detected by the gaze sensor 140 as the line of sight of the user 5 in the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14.

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

  In a certain situation, the gaze sensor 140 detects each line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user 5. In a certain situation, when the user 5 is looking near, the gaze sensor 140 detects the lines of sight R1 and L1. In another aspect, when the user 5 is looking far away, the gaze sensor 140 detects the lines of sight R2 and L2. In this case, the angle formed by the lines of sight R2 and L2 with respect to the roll axis w is smaller than the angle formed by the lines of sight R1 and L1 with respect to the roll axis w. The gaze sensor 140 transmits the detection result to the computer 200.

  When the computer 200 receives the detection values of the lines of sight R1 and L1 from the gaze sensor 140 as the detection result of the line of sight, the computer 200 specifies the gazing point N1 which is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 based on the detection values. On the other hand, when the computer 200 receives the detection values of the sight lines R2 and L2 from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the sight lines R2 and L2 as the gazing point. The computer 200 specifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the specified position of the gazing point N1. The computer 200 detects, as the line of sight N0, for example, the direction in which the straight line passing through the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 5 and the gazing point N1. The line of sight N0 is a direction in which the user 5 is actually turning his or her line of sight with both eyes. The line of sight N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 5 is actually pointing the line of sight to the field of view 15.

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

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

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

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

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

  In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the user 5 with a view in the virtual space 11 by displaying the view image 17 on the monitor 130 based on a signal from the computer 200. The view image 17 is an image corresponding to a portion corresponding to the view area 15 in the panoramic image 13. When the user 5 moves the HMD 120 mounted on the head, the virtual camera 14 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the view area 15 in the virtual space 11 changes. As a result, the view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 is updated to an image of the panoramic image 13 that is superimposed on the view area 15 in the direction in which the user 5 is facing in the virtual space 11. The user 5 can visually recognize a desired direction in the virtual space 11.

  As described above, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 corresponds to the line of sight of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 (the reference line of sight 16), and the position where the virtual camera 14 is arranged corresponds to the viewpoint of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. Therefore, by changing the position or the inclination of the virtual camera 14, the image displayed on the monitor 130 is updated, and the field of view of the user 5 is moved.

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

  In one aspect, the processor 210 may move the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space. In this case, the processor 210 specifies an image area (view area 15) projected on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 based on the position and the inclination of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, virtual camera 14 may include two virtual cameras, a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. Appropriate parallax is set for the two virtual cameras so that the user 5 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 11. In another aspect, the virtual camera 14 may be realized by one virtual camera. In this case, a right-eye image and a left-eye image may be generated from an image obtained by one virtual camera. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 14 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll axis (w) generated by combining the roll axes of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll axis (w) of the HMD 120. The technical idea according to the present disclosure will be exemplified as having such a configuration.

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

  As shown in FIG. 8, in one aspect, the controller 300 may include a right controller 300R and a left controller (not shown). The right controller 300R is operated by the right hand of the user 5. The left controller is operated with the left hand of the user 5. In one aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller are configured symmetrically as separate devices. Therefore, the user 5 can freely move the right hand holding the right controller 300R and the left hand holding the left controller. In another aspect, the controller 300 may be an integrated controller that receives an operation of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 300R will be described.

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

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

  The frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along the circumferential direction. The infrared LED 360 emits infrared light during the execution of the program using the controller 300 in accordance with the progress of the program. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 360 can be used to detect the positions and postures (inclination, direction) of the right controller 300R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. Single or three or more arrays may be used.

  The top surface 330 includes buttons 370 and 380 and an analog stick 390. Buttons 370 and 380 are configured as push buttons. Buttons 370 and 380 accept an operation by the right thumb of user 5. In a certain situation, analog stick 390 receives an operation in an arbitrary direction of 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position). The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object arranged in the virtual space 11.

  In an aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller include a battery for driving the infrared LED 360 and other members. Batteries include, but are not limited to, rechargeable, button type, dry cell type, and the like. In another aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller may be connected to a USB interface of the computer 200, for example. In this case, the right controller 300R and the left controller do not require batteries.

  As shown in the states (A) and (B) of FIG. 8, for example, the yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined for the right hand of the user 5. When the user 5 extends the thumb and the index finger, the direction in which the thumb extends is the yaw direction, the direction in which the index finger extends is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the yaw axis and the roll direction axis is the pitch direction. Is defined as

[Server hardware configuration]
Referring to FIG. 9, server 600 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of server 600 according to an embodiment. The server 600 includes a processor 610, a memory 620, a storage 630, an input / output interface 640, and a communication interface 650 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 660.

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

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

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

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

  The input / output interface 640 communicates signals with input / output devices. In one aspect, the input / output interface 640 is implemented using USB, DVI, HDMI (registered trademark) and other terminals. The input / output interface 640 is not limited to the above.

  The communication interface 650 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with the computer 200 connected to the network 2. In one aspect, the communication interface 650 is realized, for example, as a LAN or other wired communication interface, or as a wireless communication interface such as WiFi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, or the like. The communication interface 650 is not limited to the above.

  In an aspect, the processor 610 accesses the storage 630, loads one or more programs stored in the storage 630 into the memory 620, and executes a series of instructions included in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of the server 600, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software executable in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 610 may send a signal for providing a virtual space to the computer 200 via the input / output interface 640.

[Control device of HMD]
The control device of the HMD 120 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the control device is realized by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the computer 200 includes a control module 510, a rendering module 520, a memory module 530, and a communication control module 540. In one aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 are implemented by the processor 210. In another aspect, multiple processors 210 may operate as control module 510 and rendering module 520. The memory module 530 is realized by the memory 220 or the storage 230. The communication control module 540 is realized by the communication interface 250.

  The control module 510 controls the virtual space 11 provided to the user 5. The control module 510 defines the virtual space 11 in the HMD system 100 using virtual space data representing the virtual space 11. The virtual space data is stored in the memory module 530, for example. The control module 510 may generate virtual space data or acquire virtual space data from the server 600 or the like.

  The control module 510 arranges an object in the virtual space 11 using object data representing the object. The object data is stored in the memory module 530, for example. The control module 510 may generate object data or acquire object data from the server 600 or the like. The objects include, for example, an avatar object, a character object, an operation object such as a virtual hand operated by the controller 300, which is an alter ego of the user 5, a landscape including a forest, a mountain, and the like arranged according to the progress of the game story, a cityscape, and an animal. And the like.

  The control module 510 places an avatar object of the user 5 of another computer 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, control module 510 places an avatar object of user 5 in virtual space 11. In one aspect, control module 510 arranges an avatar object imitating user 5 in virtual space 11 based on an image including user 5. In another aspect, the control module 510 arranges, in the virtual space 11, an avatar object that has been selected by the user 5 from a plurality of types of avatar objects (for example, an object imitating an animal or an object of a deformed person). I do.

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

  Control module 510 detects a line of sight of user 5 in virtual space 11 based on a signal from gaze sensor 140. The control module 510 detects a viewpoint position (coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system) where the detected line of sight of the user 5 and the celestial sphere in the virtual space 11 intersect. More specifically, control module 510 detects a viewpoint position based on the line of sight of user 5 defined in the uvw coordinate system, and the position and inclination of virtual camera 14. The control module 510 transmits the detected viewpoint position to the server 600. In another aspect, the control module 510 may be configured to transmit gaze information representing the gaze of the user 5 to the server 600. In such a case, the viewpoint position can be calculated based on the line-of-sight information received by the server 600.

  The control module 510 reflects the movement of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 on the avatar object. For example, the control module 510 detects that the HMD 120 is tilted, and arranges the avatar object with the tilt. The control module 510 reflects the detected movement of the face organ on the face of the avatar object arranged in the virtual space 11. The control module 510 receives the line-of-sight information of the other user 5 from the server 600 and reflects the line-of-sight information of the other user 5 on the line of sight of the avatar object. In one aspect, the control module 510 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on an avatar object or an operation object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs) for detecting the movement of the controller 300.

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

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

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

  When detecting an utterance using the microphone 170 of the user 5 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 specifies the computer 200 to which the audio data corresponding to the utterance is transmitted. The audio data is transmitted to the computer 200 specified by the control module 510. When receiving voice data from another user's computer 200 via the network 2, the control module 510 outputs a voice (utterance) corresponding to the voice data from the speaker 180.

  The memory module 530 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 11 to the user 5. In one aspect, the memory module 530 holds space information, object information, and user information.

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

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

  The user information holds a user ID for identifying the user 5. The user ID may be, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a MAC (Media Access Control) address set in the computer 200 used by the user. In another aspect, the user ID can be set by the user. The user information includes a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100, and the like.

  The data and programs stored in the memory module 530 are input by the user 5 of the HMD 120. Alternatively, the processor 210 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, the server 600) operated by a provider that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 530.

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

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

  The processing in the computer 200 is realized by hardware and software executed by the processor 210. Such software may be stored in a hard disk or other memory module 530 in advance. The software may be stored on 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 downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or another network. Such software is temporarily stored in a storage module after being read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reading device, or downloaded from a server 600 or other computer via the communication control module 540. . The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in the RAM in the form of an executable program. Processor 210 executes the program.

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

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

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

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

  In step S1132, monitor 130 of HMD 120 displays a view image based on the view image data received from computer 200. The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 when viewing the view image.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram illustrating a situation in which each HMD 120 provides the user 5 with the virtual space 11 in the network 2. Computers 200A to 200D provide virtual spaces 11A to 11D to users 5A to 5D via HMDs 120A to 120D, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B are configured by the same data. In other words, the computer 200A and the computer 200B share the same virtual space. In the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B, an avatar object 6A of the user 5A and an avatar object 6B of the user 5B exist. The avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A and the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B are each equipped with the HMD 120, but this is for the sake of simplicity of explanation, and these objects are actually equipped with the HMD 120. Not.

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

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

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

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

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

  In step S1310A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A. The avatar information includes, for example, information about the avatar such as motion information, face tracking data, and audio data. The motion information includes information indicating a temporal change in the position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating a hand motion of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A and the like. The face tracking data includes data for specifying the position and size of each part of the face of the user 5A. The face tracking data includes data indicating the movement of each organ constituting the face of the user 5A and line-of-sight data. The audio data includes data indicating the audio of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A of the HMD 120A. The avatar information may include information specifying the avatar object 6A or the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information specifying the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists, and the like. The information for specifying the avatar object 6A and the user 5A includes a user ID. Room ID is given as information for specifying the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists. The processor 210A transmits the avatar information acquired as described above to the server 600 via the network 2.

  In step S1310B, the processor 210B in the HMD set 110B acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B, and transmits the avatar information to the server 600, as in the process in step S1310A. Similarly, in step S1310C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11C, and transmits the avatar information to the server 600.

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

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

  In step S1330A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates information on the avatar objects 6B and 6C of the other users 5B and 5C in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A updates the position, the orientation, and the like of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11 based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110B. For example, the processor 210A updates information (position, orientation, etc.) of the avatar object 6B included in the object information stored in the memory module 530. Similarly, the processor 210A updates information (position, orientation, and the like) of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11 based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110C.

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

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

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

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

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

  The virtual space definition module 1426 defines the virtual space 11 in the HMD system 100 by generating virtual space data representing the virtual space 11.

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

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

  The avatar control module 1429 generates data for arranging an avatar object of a user of another computer 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the avatar control module 1429 generates data for arranging the avatar object of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. In an aspect, the avatar control module 1429 generates an avatar object imitating the user 5 based on an image including the user 5. In another aspect, the avatar control module 1429 stores, in the virtual space 11, an avatar object that has been selected by the user 5 from a plurality of types of avatar objects (for example, an object imitating an animal or an object of a deformed person). Generate data for placement.

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

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

  The memory module 530 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 11 to the user 5. In one aspect, the memory module 530 holds space information 1431, object information 1432, user information 1433, and face information 1434.

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

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

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

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

[Equipment state update method]
Next, an equipment state updating method according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a view image 1517 that is an example of a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual camera 14. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the virtual space 11 corresponding to the view image 1517 in FIG. FIGS. 15 and 16 show one scene of a game that provides the user 5 with a virtual experience of fighting an enemy character such as a monster in the virtual space 11. The enemy character is arranged as the enemy character object 1642 in the virtual space 11.

  The virtual camera 14 is a virtual viewpoint 1643 arranged in the virtual space 11. The virtual viewpoint 1643 is a first-person viewpoint associated with the user 5. The processor 210 of the computer 200 determines the view from the virtual viewpoint 1643 according to the movement of the head of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 (the movement of the head of the user 5 associated with the head mounted device). View image data corresponding to the view from 1643 is generated by rendering. The view image data generated by the processor 210 is output to the HMD 120 by the communication control module 540. The monitor 130 of the HMD 120 displays a view image 1517 based on the view image data received from the computer 200. The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 by visually recognizing the view image 1517.

  The view image 1517 in FIG. 15 is a view image in a situation where the avatar object 1644 corresponding to the user 5 is facing the enemy character object 1642 in the virtual space 11. View image 1517 includes enemy character image 1542 corresponding to enemy character object 1642 arranged in virtual space 11. The view image 1517 includes a hand image 1539 corresponding to a hand object 1639 which is an example of the operation object arranged in the virtual space 11. The view image 1517 includes a sword image 1541 corresponding to a sword object 1641 which is an example of an equipment object arranged in the virtual space 11. In the virtual space 11 shown in FIG. 16, the avatar object 1644 is equipped with a sword object 1641. The processor 210 generates a hand object 1639, which is an operation object, in the virtual space 11 according to the movement of the controller 300, that is, the movement of the first part (hand) that is a part of the body of the user 5 other than the head of the user 5. move. The first part may be any part of the body other than the hand. In this case, the object arranged in the virtual space corresponding to the first part is moved according to the movement of the first part. The equipment object is a weapon object or an armor object. The weapon object includes a sword object and a gun object. Armor objects include shield objects.

  The control module 510 of the processor 210 can detect the collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object. Perform processing. For example, when detecting a collision between the sword object 1641 and the enemy character object 1642, the control module 510 arranges the injured enemy character object 1642 in the virtual space 11 instead of the uninjured enemy character object 1642. It can be performed.

  17 and 18 are diagrams showing the avatar object 1644 shown in FIG. 16 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 17 is a left side view in which the right hand of the avatar object 1644 can be seen from the front. FIG. 18 is a rear view in which the back of the avatar object 1644 can be seen. In the present embodiment, the collision area 1745 is arranged behind the avatar object 1644 in the virtual space 11. The collision area 1745 is arranged at a predetermined relative position from the virtual viewpoint 1643. In the collision area 1745, a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint 1643 is determined, and a collision effect is associated. The object data representing the collision area 1745 is stored in the memory module 530. The control module 510 arranges the collision area 1745 in the virtual space 11 using the object data of the collision area 1745 stored in the memory module 530.

  The collision area 1745 is an invisible area, that is, a colorless and transparent area in the view image, even when included in the view from the virtual viewpoint 1643. In another embodiment, the collision area 1745 may be a visible area when included in the field of view from the virtual viewpoint 1643. The collision area 1745 has a single plate shape having a thickness on the rear side of the avatar object 1644. The collision area 1745 includes an area located on the right shoulder of the avatar object 1644 (hereinafter referred to as “right shoulder area”), an area located on the left shoulder of the avatar object 1644 (hereinafter referred to as “left shoulder area”), and a right waist of the avatar object 1644. There is an area located here (hereinafter referred to as “right hip area”) and an area located at the left hip of the avatar object 1644 (hereinafter referred to as “left hip area”).

  When detecting a collision between the collision area 1745 and the hand object 1639, the control module 510 performs a predetermined process. The execution of the predetermined processing is the occurrence of a collision effect. For example, when a collision between the collision area 1745 and the hand object 1639 is detected as an example of the occurrence of a collision, as an example of the occurrence of the collision action, equipment is newly provided from a state in which no equipment is provided. Further, for example, when a collision between the collision area 1745 and the hand object 1639 is detected as an example of occurrence of a collision, equipment to be equipped is replaced as an example of occurrence of a collision action. The equipment of the equipment means that the processor 210 arranges the object of the equipment at a predetermined relative position from the hand object 1639 in the virtual space 11. Equipment includes weapons such as swords and guns, and armor such as shields. In addition, as an example of occurrence of the collision action, an item is arranged in association with an operation object. This item is, for example, an equipment object. This item is, for example, an armor object or a weapon object. This item may be used directly in the game. This item may not be used directly in the game. Further, as an example of the occurrence of the collision effect, a second item is arranged in association with the operation object instead of the first item arranged in association with the operation object.

  In one aspect, processor 210 arranges a menu object for operating a menu selectable by user 5 in virtual space 11. The user 5 can operate the menu object with the hand object 1639 to select the correspondence between the position in the collision area 1745 and the type of the collision action. The processor 210 sets the collision action based on the selection of the user 5. In the present embodiment, gun equipment as a collision action is associated with the right shoulder area of the collision area 1745, and sword equipment as a collision action is associated with the right waist area of the collision area 1745.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state in which collision between the hand object 1639 and the right shoulder region of the collision region 1745 has occurred in the virtual space 11. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the collision action occurs due to the occurrence of the collision in FIG. 19 and the equipment is replaced. The occurrence of the collision is not limited to the collision between the hand object 1639 and the collision area 1745. The occurrence of the collision may be that the positional relationship between the hand object 1639 (first portion) and the collision area 1745 becomes a predetermined positional relationship (first positional relationship). The processor 210 moves the collision area 1745 in the virtual space 11 according to the movement of the head of the user 5, so that the collision area 1745 follows the movement of the avatar object 1644.

  When the processor 210 moves both or one of the hand object 1639 and the collision area 1745 in the virtual space 11, the collision occurs when the positional relation between the hand object 1639 and the collision area 1745 becomes the first positional relation (for example, collision). Occurs. In FIG. 19, a collision occurs between the hand object 1639 and the right shoulder region of the collision region 1745, and the gun set in the menu is equipped (see FIG. 20). That is, the processor 210 places the gun object 2041 at a predetermined relative position from the hand object 1639 instead of the sword object 1641 in the virtual space 11 as a collision action.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which collision between the hand object 1639 and the right waist region of the collision region 1745 has occurred in the virtual space 11. After the state shown in FIG. 20, as shown in FIG. 21, when a collision occurs between the hand object 1639 and the right waist region of the collision region 1745, the sword set in the menu is equipped. That is, the processor 210 arranges the sword object 1641 at a predetermined relative position from the hand object 1639 instead of the gun object 2041 in the virtual space 11 as a collision action.

  By the way, the collision area 1745 may move following the movement of the avatar object 1644, and may move to a position where it is difficult to generate a collision. This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a plan view of the avatar object 1644 as viewed from above in the virtual space 11. When the user 5 turns his face to the right 60 degrees, the face of the avatar object 1644 also turns to the right 60 degrees as shown in FIG. Move away from the right shoulder of object 1644. In such a case, collision between the hand object 1639 and the right shoulder region of the collision region 1745 becomes difficult to occur.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, processing for delaying the movement of the collision area 1745 is performed. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the collision area 1745 does not move after the face of the avatar object 1644 moves in the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the avatar object 1644 as viewed from above in the virtual space 11. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing of the processor 210 in the present embodiment.

  In step S2446 in FIG. 24, the avatar object 1644 is moved based on the detection result of the HMD sensor 410. After that, in step S2447, the process waits until a predetermined time (first time) has elapsed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 23, the face of the avatar object 1644 is directed to the right by 60 degrees, but the collision area 1745 is not moving, and the collision area 1745 is not separated from the right shoulder of the avatar object 1644. Thus, it is possible to maintain a state in which collision between the hand object 1639 and the right shoulder region of the avatar object 1644 is likely to occur. Thereafter, after a predetermined time has elapsed in step S2447, the collision area 1745 is moved based on the detection result of the HMD sensor 410. Accordingly, the collision area 1745 can follow the movement of the avatar object 1644. In this embodiment, when at least one of the position and the posture of the virtual viewpoint 1643 changes, the collision area 1745 is set so as to be at a relative position determined with respect to the virtual viewpoint 1643 after the first time has elapsed. Move

  Although the case where the user 5 turns right has been described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, in an embodiment, the process of FIG. 24 is applied regardless of what kind of operation the user 5 performs. Can be.

  Next, control of a collision area according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 25 and 26 are enlarged views of the avatar object 1644 shown in FIG. FIG. 25 is a rear view in which the back of the avatar object 1644 can be seen. FIG. 26 is a left side view in which the right hand of the avatar object 1644 can be seen from the front. In the present embodiment, in the virtual space 11, behind the avatar object 1644, instead of the collision area 1745 shown in FIG. 17, divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D are arranged. The divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D are arranged at predetermined relative positions from the virtual viewpoint 1643. The memory module 530 stores object data representing the divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D. The control module 510 arranges the divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D in the virtual space 11 using the object data of the divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D stored in the memory module 530.

  The divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D are invisible areas in the view image, that is, colorless and transparent areas, even when included in the view from the virtual viewpoint 1643. In another embodiment, the divided collision regions 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D may be regions that are visible when included in the field of view from the virtual viewpoint 1643. Each of the divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D has a single plate shape having a thickness on the rear side of the avatar object 1644. The divided collision area 2545A corresponds to the left shoulder area of the collision area 1745. The divided collision area 2545B corresponds to the right shoulder area of the collision area 1745. The divided collision area 2545C corresponds to the left waist area of the collision area 1745. The divided collision area 2545D corresponds to a right waist area of the collision area 1745. The processor 210 can individually move each of the divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D in the virtual space 11.

  When looking at the back of the avatar object 1644 as shown in FIG. 25, the divided collision area 2545B is arranged on the right side of the divided collision area 2545A. When looking at the back of the avatar object 1644 as shown in FIG. 25, the divided collision area 2545D is arranged below the divided collision area 2545B. When looking at the back of the avatar object 1644 as shown in FIG. 25, the split collision area 2545C is arranged below the split collision area 2545A. When looking at the back of the avatar object 1644 as shown in FIG. 25, the divided collision area 2545D is arranged on the right side of the divided collision area 2545C. The divided collision areas 2545A and 2545B are upper collision areas, and the divided collision areas 2545C and 2545D are lower collision areas. Split collision areas 2545A and 2545C are left collision areas, and split collision areas 2545B and 2545D are right collision areas.

  When detecting a collision between each of the divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D and the hand object 1639, the control module 510 performs a predetermined process. The execution of the predetermined processing is the occurrence of a collision effect. The occurrence of the collision action is the same as in the example described above for the collision area 1745, and therefore, detailed description is omitted. In an embodiment, similarly to the collision area 1745, the processing shown in FIG. 24 may be applied to the divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D. The processing shown may not be applied.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating the avatar object 1644 when the user 5 tilts the head in one embodiment. When the HMD sensor 410 detects the rotation of the pitch angle described with reference to FIG. 3, the processor 210 moves the avatar object 1644 in the virtual space 11 according to the detection result. At this time, if the collision area has a single plate shape as in the above-described collision area 1745, the collision area also follows the avatar object 1644 and tilts, moves away from the avatar object 1644 on the lower body side, and moves with the hand object 1639 and the collision area. In the right waist region and the left waist region.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a state where collision with the hand object 1639 is unlikely to occur is solved by individually moving each of the plurality of divided collision areas. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the rotation amount of the lower collision area of the plurality of divided collision areas is reduced when the HMD sensor 410 detects the rotation of the pitch angle in the present embodiment. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing processing of the processor 210 in the present embodiment.

  In step S2851 of FIG. 28, it is determined whether rotation of the pitch angle has been detected based on the detection result of the HMD sensor 410. If the rotation of the pitch angle is not detected, the process ends. If rotation of the pitch angle has been detected, the flow advances to step S2852. In step S2852, the division collision areas 2545A and 2545B, which are the upper collision areas, are rotated by the pitch angle according to the detection result of the HMD sensor 410. In the example of FIG. 27, the divided collision areas 2545A and 2545B are rotated by the angle θ1. In step S2852, the divided collision areas 2545C and 2545D (second collision areas), which are lower collision areas (second collision areas), are divided collision areas 2545A, which are upper collision areas (first collision areas). And 2545B. In the example of FIG. 27, the divided collision areas 2545C and 2545D are rotated by the angle θ2. The angle θ2 is smaller than the angle θ1. Accordingly, the lower collision area is not too far from the avatar object 1644, and it is possible to easily cause collision between the hand object 1639 and the right waist area and the left waist area of the collision area.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the avatar object 1644 when the user 5 lowers the head in one embodiment. On the left side of FIG. 29, an avatar object 1644 in a state where the user 5 has not lowered his or her head in the virtual space 11 is shown. On the right side of FIG. 29, an avatar object 1644 in a state where the user 5 lowers the head in the virtual space 11 is shown. When the HMD sensor 410 detects the downward movement (movement in the −v direction) of the yaw axis (v axis) described with reference to FIG. 3, the processor 210 responds to the detection result to make the virtual space 11. , The avatar object 1644 is moved. At this time, if the collision area has a single plate shape like the above-described collision area 1745, the collision area also moves downward following the avatar object 1644, and the lower side of the collision area is lower than the ground. And the collision between the hand object 1639 and the right waist region and the left waist region of the collision region becomes difficult to occur.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a state where collision with the hand object 1639 is unlikely to occur is solved by individually moving each of the plurality of divided collision areas. In the present embodiment, the avatar object 1644 on the right side in FIG. 29 shows a state in which, when the HMD sensor 410 detects movement in the −v direction, the amount of movement of the lower collision area among the plurality of divided collision areas is reduced. Is shown. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing processing of the processor 210 in the present embodiment.

  In step S3053 of FIG. 30, it is determined whether the movement in the −v direction has been detected based on the detection result of the HMD sensor 410. If the movement in the −v direction is not detected, the process ends. If the movement in the −v direction is detected, the process advances to step S3054. In step S3054, the divided collision areas 2545A and 2545B, which are the upper collision areas, move in the −v direction according to the detection result of the HMD sensor 410. In the example of FIG. 29, the divided collision areas 2545A and 2545B are moved downward by the distance L1. Also, in step S3054, the amount of movement of the divided collision areas 2545C and 2545D, which are lower collision areas (first collision areas), is greater than the amount of movement of the divided collision areas 2545A and 2545B, which are upper collision areas (second collision areas). Has been reduced. In the example of FIG. 29, the divided collision areas 2545C and 2545D are moved downward by the distance L2. The distance L2 is smaller than the distance L1. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the lower collision area from being disposed below the ground, and to easily cause the collision between the hand object 1639 and the right hip area and the left hip area of the collision area.

  When the HMD sensor 410 detects the rotation of the yaw angle described with reference to FIG. 3, the processor 210 moves the avatar object 1644 in the virtual space 11 according to the detection result. At this time, if the collision area has a single plate shape like the above-described collision area 1745, the collision area also follows the avatar object 1644 and is inclined. For example, when the user 5 turns right, the right half On the side, it is difficult to generate collision between the hand object 1639 and the right shoulder region and the right hip region of the collision region, apart from the avatar object 1644. Therefore, in one embodiment, when the user 5 turns right when the HMD sensor 410 detects the rotation of the yaw angle, the right collision area (the divided collision area 2545B) of the plurality of divided collision areas is used. And 2545D). Accordingly, the collision area on the right side is not too far from the avatar object 1644, and the collision between the hand object 1639 and the right shoulder area and the right hip area of the collision area can be easily generated. When the user 5 faces left, the rotation amount of the left collision area (divided collision areas 2545A and 2545C) among the plurality of divided collision areas is reduced. Accordingly, the left collision area is not too far from the avatar object 1644, and the collision between the hand object 1639 and the left shoulder area and the left hip area of the collision area can be easily generated.

  When the HMD sensor 410 detects the rotation of the roll angle described with reference to FIG. 3, the processor 210 moves the avatar object 1644 in the virtual space 11 according to the detection result. At this time, if the collision area has a single plate shape as in the above-described collision area 1745, the collision area also follows the avatar object 1644 and tilts, moves away from the avatar object 1644 on the lower body side, and moves with the hand object 1639 and the collision area. In the right waist region and the left waist region. Therefore, in one embodiment, when the HMD sensor 410 detects the rotation of the roll angle, the rotation amount of the lower collision area (divided collision areas 2545C and 2545D) of the plurality of divided collision areas is reduced. Accordingly, the lower collision area is not too far from the avatar object 1644, and it is possible to easily cause collision between the hand object 1639 and the right waist area and the left waist area of the collision area.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where the user 5 can select whether or not to generate a collision effect in an embodiment. For example, if the collision area is arranged on the back of the avatar object 1644, it is difficult to reach to the back of the body to exchange equipment. On the other hand, if the collision area is moved to the front side of the avatar object 1644, a collision occurs due to a slight movement, and the equipment is replaced by an action such as an attack action which is not for replacing the equipment (unexpectedly, the equipment is mounted). Will be replaced). Thus, in the present embodiment, the user 5 can select whether or not to generate a collision effect.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a state where a collision area 3145 is arranged behind an avatar object 1644 arranged in the virtual space 11 and separated from the avatar object 1644 in an embodiment. In the state shown in FIG. 31, even if the hand object 1639 is moved backward, collision between the hand object 1639 and the collision area 3145 does not occur, and therefore, no collision action occurs.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing processing of the processor 210 in the present embodiment. In step 3255, it is determined whether the button is pressed. The button to be determined in step 3255 is one of buttons 340, 350, 370, and 380 provided on controller 300 shown in FIG. If the button has been pressed in step 3255, the process ends and the state shown in FIG. 31 is maintained. On the other hand, if the button has not been pressed in step 3255, the collision area 3145 is moved forward in step S3256. That is, for example, by moving the collision area 3145 to the position of the collision area 1745 shown in FIG. 19, by moving the hand object 1639 backward, collision between the hand object 1639 and the collision area 3145 occurs, and the collision action occurs. I do. In this example, the fact that the button is not pressed is the movement of the hand object 1639 for establishing that the positional relationship between the hand object 1639 and the collision area 3145 is the first positional relationship. In the present embodiment, processing for detecting this movement is performed, and processing for moving the collision area 3145 closer to the avatar object 1644 is performed in response to detection of this movement.

  In one embodiment, the position at which the collision area 3145 is moved in step S3256 may be any position as long as collision with the hand object 1639 can occur.

  In an embodiment, when the button is pressed in step 3255 in FIG. 32, the collision area 3145 need not be arranged in the virtual space 11. In this case, if the button is not pressed in step 3255 in FIG. 32, the collision area 3145 may be arranged closer to the avatar object 1644.

  In one embodiment, when the button is not pressed in step 3255 of FIG. 32, the collision action may not be generated, and when the button is pressed, the collision action may be generated. . Further, in one embodiment, the selection of whether or not to cause the collision action by the user 5 may be an action other than pressing the button. The selection of whether or not to generate the collision action by the user 5 may be a movement of the operation object.

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

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

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

(Configuration 1)
According to an embodiment, a program executed by the processor 210 is provided. The program provides the processor 210 with a step (S1110) of defining the virtual space 11, a virtual viewpoint 1643, a collision area 1745 in which a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint 1643 is defined, and a collision effect is associated with the virtual space 11, Steps (S1120, S1150) for arranging 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, 2545D and the operation object (hand object 1639), and the movement of the head of the user 5 associated with the head-mounted device (HMD120) Changing at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint 1643 (S1170) and, if at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint 1643 changes, the relative position and Collision area 1 45, 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, 2545D, and an operation object (hand) in the virtual space 11 according to the movement of the first part (hand) that is a part of the body of the user 5 other than the head of the user 5. The object (the object 1639) is moved (S1170), and when the operation object (the hand object 1639) and the collision areas 17545, 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D are in the first positional relationship (for example, collision), the collision is performed. A step of causing the action (S1170) and a step of displaying a view image 1517 corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint 1643 on the head mounted device (HMD 120) (S1180) are executed.

(Configuration 2)
In (Configuration 1), the collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D are a plurality of divided collision areas, and the program causes the processor 210 to execute the plurality of divided collision areas 2545A so as to be at the relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint 1643. , 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D individually (S1170), and the operation object (hand object 1639) and one of the plurality of divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D have the first positional relationship. The step (S1170) of causing the collision action is executed accordingly.

(Configuration 3)
In (Configuration 2), the plurality of divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D include the first collision area (2545A and 2545B), and the plurality of divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D are formed in the first collision area. When the virtual viewpoint 1643 is tilted, the rotation amount of the second collision region according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint 1643 includes the second collision region (2545C and 2545D) arranged below the virtual viewpoint 1643. It is smaller than the corresponding rotation amount of the first collision area (S2852, S1170).

(Configuration 4)
In (Configuration 2), the plurality of divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D include the first collision area (2545A and 2545B), and the plurality of divided collision areas 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, and 2545D are formed in the first collision area. When the position of the virtual viewpoint 1643 is lowered, the amount of movement of the second collision region according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint 1643 includes the second collision regions (2545C and 2545D) arranged below the virtual viewpoint 1643. It is smaller than the amount of movement of the first collision area according to the movement (S3054, S1170).

(Configuration 5)
In any one of (Structure 1) to (Structure 4), the program causes the processor 210 to arrange an avatar (avatar object 1644) linked to the movement of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 (S1150); Arranging the 3145 behind the avatar (avatar object 1644) (S1150) and detecting the movement of the operation object (hand object 1639) for establishing the first positional relationship with the collision area 3145 (S1170) Moving the collision area 3145 closer to the avatar (avatar object 1644) in response to detecting the movement of the operation object (hand object 1639) for establishing the first positional relationship (S1170); The To be executed in.

(Configuration 6)
In any one of (Configuration 1) to (Configuration 5), the collision regions 1745, 2545A, 2545B, 2545C, 2545D, and 3145 are arranged outside the range of the field of view from the virtual viewpoint 1643.

(Configuration 7)
In any one of (Structure 1) to (Structure 6), in the collision action, an item is arranged in association with an operation object (hand object 1639).

(Configuration 8)
In any one of (Configuration 1) to (Configuration 6), the collision action is performed on the operation object (hand object 1639) instead of the first item arranged in association with the operation object (hand object 1639). The second item is arranged in association with the second item.

(Configuration 9)
In (Structure 7) or (Structure 8), the item is an armor object or a weapon object (sword object 1641, gun object 2041).

(Configuration 10)
In any one of (Configuration 1) to (Configuration 9), the virtual viewpoint 1643 is a first-person viewpoint associated with the user 5.

(Configuration 11)
According to an embodiment, there is provided a method performed by a processor. The method executed by the processor includes a step of defining a virtual space, a virtual viewpoint in the virtual space, a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint, and a collision area in which a collision effect is associated with the operation object. , And changing at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint in accordance with the movement of the user's head associated with the head mounted device; and at least the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint. And moving the collision area to the relative position after a lapse of a first time when any one of them has changed, and a first part that is a part of the body of the user other than the head of the user. Moving the operation object in the virtual space according to the movement of the part; Generating a collision action in response to the first positional relationship between the virtual area and the virtual area, and displaying a field-of-view image corresponding to a field of view from the virtual viewpoint on the head-mounted device. .

(Configuration 12)
According to an embodiment, an information processing device is provided. The information processing device includes a processor 210 and a memory (storage 230) storing a program. The program causes the processor 210 to define a virtual space, and, in the virtual space, a virtual viewpoint, a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint, and a collision area associated with a collision effect, and an operation object. Arranging, and changing at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head associated with the head mounted device; and at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint When the first time has elapsed, moving the collision area so as to be at the relative position, and the first part of the user's body other than the user's head, Moving the operation object in the virtual space according to the movement; Causing the collision action to occur and displaying a view image corresponding to a view from the virtual viewpoint on the head-mounted device in accordance with the first positional relationship with the John region. .

  The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative 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.

2: Network, 5: User, 6: Avatar object, 11: Virtual space, 12: Center, 14: Virtual camera, 15: Viewing area, 100: HMD system, 110: HMD set, 130: Monitor, 170: Microphone, 180 speaker, 190 sensor, 200 computer, 210 processor, 220 memory, 230 storage, 240 input / output interface, 250 communication interface, 300 controller, 310 grip, 320 frame, 340, 350 370, 380: button, 390: analog stick, 410: HMD sensor, 420: motion sensor, 430: display, 510: control module, 520: rendering module, 530: memory module, 540: communication Control module, 600 server, 610 processor, 620 memory, 630 storage, 640 input / output interface, 650 communication interface, 1421 virtual camera control module, 1422 view area determination module, 1423 reference gaze identification module , 1424: motion detection module, 1424: face organ detection module, 1425 ... motion detection module, 1426 ... virtual space definition module, 1427 ... virtual object generation module, 1428 ... operation object control module, 1429 ... avatar control module, 1431 ... space Information, 1432: Object information, 1433: User information, 1434: Face information, 1435: Mouth template, 1438: View image generation module.

Claims (12)

To the processor,
Defining a virtual space;
In the virtual space, a virtual viewpoint, a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint is determined, and a collision area associated with a collision effect, and arranging an operation object,
A step of changing at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint, according to the movement of the head of the user associated with the head mounted device,
When at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint has changed, after a first time has elapsed, moving the collision area so as to be the relative position;
Moving the operation object in the virtual space according to the movement of a first part that is a part of the body of the user other than the head of the user;
Causing the collision action according to the first positional relationship between the operation object and the collision area;
Displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on the head mounted device;
Run,
program. The collision area is a plurality of divided collision areas,
To the processor,
Individually moving each of the plurality of divided collision regions so as to be the relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint,
Causing the collision action in response to the operation object and one of the plurality of divided collision areas being in the first positional relationship;
Run,
The program according to claim 1. The plurality of divided collision areas include a first collision area,
The plurality of divided collision areas include a second collision area disposed below the first collision area,
When the virtual viewpoint is tilted, a rotation amount of the second collision area according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint is smaller than a rotation amount of the first collision area according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint.
The program according to claim 2. The plurality of divided collision areas include a first collision area,
The plurality of divided collision areas include a second collision area disposed below the first collision area,
When the position of the virtual viewpoint is lowered, the amount of movement of the second collision area according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint is smaller than the amount of movement of the first collision area according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint.
The program according to claim 2. To the processor,
Arranging an avatar linked to the movement of the user in the virtual space;
Arranging the collision area on the back of the avatar;
Detecting a movement of the operation object for establishing the first positional relationship with the collision area;
Moving the collision area closer to the avatar in response to detecting a movement of the operation object for establishing the first positional relationship;
To perform further,
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The collision area is arranged outside the range of the field of view from the virtual viewpoint,
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The collision action arranges an item in association with the operation object;
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The collision action includes disposing a second item in association with the operation object instead of the first item arranged in association with the operation object.
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The item is an armor object or a weapon object;
A program according to claim 7. The virtual viewpoint is a first-person viewpoint associated with the user.
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A method performed by a processor, the method comprising:
Defining a virtual space;
In the virtual space, a virtual viewpoint, a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint is determined, and a collision area associated with a collision effect, and arranging an operation object,
A step of changing at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint, according to the movement of the head of the user associated with the head mounted device,
When at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint has changed, after a first time has elapsed, moving the collision area so as to be the relative position;
Moving the operation object in the virtual space according to the movement of a first part that is a part of the body of the user other than the head of the user;
Causing the collision action according to the first positional relationship between the operation object and the collision area;
Displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on the head mounted device;
A method comprising: A processor,
A memory storing the program,
With
The program, the processor,
Defining a virtual space;
In the virtual space, a virtual viewpoint, a relative position with respect to the virtual viewpoint is determined, and a collision area associated with a collision effect, and arranging an operation object,
A step of changing at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint, according to the movement of the head of the user associated with the head mounted device,
When at least one of the position and orientation of the virtual viewpoint has changed, after a first time has elapsed, moving the collision area so as to be the relative position;
Moving the operation object in the virtual space according to the movement of a first part that is a part of the body of the user other than the head of the user;
Causing the collision action according to the first positional relationship between the operation object and the collision area;
Displaying a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint on the head mounted device;
Run,
Information processing device.

Images