JP6817280B2 - Voice control program and voice control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a voice control program and a voice control device.

In recent years, various acoustic expressions such as BGM and environmental sounds have been used in virtual game spaces (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the example of Patent Document 1, an effect expression (for example, a sound echo expression) is executed based on environmental information in a virtual game space.

JP-A-2018-130281

In the above example of the patent document, the fun of the game has been improved, but there is room for further improvement. When using acoustic expression together with video, not limited to games, the more diverse the acoustic expression that can be used, the wider the choice of expression and the improvement in user satisfaction can be expected.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to diversify the acoustic expression in the voice control program and the voice control device.

According to the first invention, the computer is changed from a predetermined start value to a predetermined value at the destination according to the movement distance of the object in the process of the object moving to the destination along a predetermined route in the virtual space. a of the parameter calculation means for calculating a the end value parameter, means for reproducing audio data as sound in the virtual space, according to the parameters, functions as a reproducing means for controlling the sound of the audio data The parameter calculation means is a voice control program characterized in that when the object reaches a predetermined area which is a calculation start area in the virtual space, the calculation of the parameter is started .

Also, the computer
A parameter that obtains a parameter that changes from a predetermined start value and becomes a predetermined end value at the destination according to the movement distance of the object in the process of the object moving to the destination along a predetermined route in the virtual space. Calculation means and
A means for reproducing audio data as a sound in the virtual space, and a reproduction means for controlling the pronunciation of the audio data according to the parameters.
To make it work
When there are a plurality of routes to the destination, the parameter calculation means may obtain the parameters based on the route having the shortest route to the destination among these routes.

Also, the computer
A parameter that obtains a parameter that changes from a predetermined start value to a predetermined end value at the destination according to the movement distance of the object in the process of the object moving to the destination along a predetermined route in the virtual space. Calculation means and
A means for reproducing audio data as a sound in the virtual space, and a reproduction means for controlling the pronunciation of the audio data according to the parameters.
To make it work
The parameter calculation means is newly added so that when the destination is changed, the state of pronunciation does not change significantly when the parameter corresponding to the current destination is changed to the parameter corresponding to the new destination. The starting value may be set.

Further, in the present invention, the parameter calculation means may use the current parameter value as a new starting value.

Further, in the present invention, the parameter calculating means may maintain the value of the parameter at the starting value until the moving distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Further, in the present invention, the reproduction means may use the parameters to control the volume value of the audio data or the cutoff frequency when the audio data is filtered.

Further, in the present invention, when the object is in a predetermined area of the virtual space, the parameter calculating means sets the parameter to a predetermined value regardless of the moving distance. You may.

The second invention is a voice control device including a storage unit that stores a voice control program according to any one of the inventions, and a control unit that executes the voice control program.

According to the present invention, it is possible to diversify the acoustic expression in the voice control program and the voice control device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game apparatus of this embodiment. An example of a pronunciation function is illustrated graphically. The game parameter function is illustrated graphically. Illustrate a building object in a virtual space. It is a figure explaining the moving process of a player character. It is a figure explaining the moving process (state which advanced from FIG. 5) of a player character.

Hereinafter, the voice control program and the voice control device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The voice control program of the present invention is implemented as a game program. Further, the voice control device is realized as a game device.

[Embodiment]
The game program described in this embodiment is executed on a game device such as a personal computer, a PlayStation (registered trademark), an XBox (registered trademark), or a PlayStation Vita (registered trademark).

In a game based on this game program, a player character is activated (for example, moved) in a three-dimensional virtual game space (hereinafter, simply referred to as a virtual space) in response to an operation of each user, or a group is formed between player characters. Have them perform various actions.

When a predetermined trigger condition is satisfied in the movement process or action of the player character, BGM is played as an acoustic expression. The predetermined trigger condition is, for example, movement of the player character to a predetermined place, appearance of an enemy character, after defeating an enemy character, and the like. In addition, in this game, so-called environmental sounds (described later) are also reproduced as necessary as acoustic expressions. Furthermore, during the game, conversations between characters, voices emitted by characters such as monster roars, etc. are also reproduced as needed.

<Configuration of game device>
The game device 5 executes a predetermined game based on the operation of the user. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game device 5 of the present embodiment. A display 61, a speaker 62, and a controller 63 are externally connected or built in the game device 5. In the game device 5, for example, the game progresses based on the installed game program and game data. The game devices 5 can also perform data communication with each other using a communication network (not shown) or a short-range wireless communication device (not shown).

The game device 5 includes a network interface 51, a graphic processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface 51, the graphic processing unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the storage unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via the bus 59.

The network interface 51 is communicably connected to the communication network, for example, in order to transmit and receive various data to and from a game device 5 and an external server device (not shown).

The graphic processing unit 52 draws a game image including various objects related to the game space such as a player character in a moving image format according to the game image information output from the control unit 56. The graphic processing unit 52 is connected to the display 61, and the game image drawn in the moving image format is displayed on the display 61 as a game screen.

The audio processing unit 53 reproduces and synthesizes digital audio data according to the instructions of the control unit 56. The audio processing unit 53 is connected to the speaker 62, and the reproduced and synthesized audio data is converted into an analog signal and then output from the speaker 62. The details of the function of the audio processing unit 53 will be described in detail later.

The operation unit 54 is connected to the controller 63 and transmits / receives data related to the operation input to / from the controller 63. For example, the user inputs an operation signal to the game device 5 by operating an operator (not shown) such as a button provided on the controller 63.

The storage unit 55 is composed of an HDD, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The storage unit 55 can store the game program and the game data. In addition, other account information received from the other game device 5 is also stored in the storage unit 55.

The control unit 56 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 5 itself. For example, the control unit 56 operates the graphic processing unit 52 and the audio processing unit 53 by executing the game program. The details of the function of the control unit 56 will also be described in detail later.

<Functional configuration of audio processing unit>
The audio processing unit 53 executes so-called middleware that exerts functions of reproducing and synthesizing audio data. Here, the voice data is the voice that flows from the speaker 62 during the game, and is, for example, various kinds of sounds such as BGM (Background Music), sound effects that flow according to the user's operation, voices emitted by each character, and environmental sounds. Including audio. For example, environmental sounds include the sound of wind from the entrance to the exit in a cave, the sound of crowds in a town, the sound of wind blowing in forests and grasslands, and the sounds of small animals such as birds and insects.

Then, the audio processing unit 53 functions as a reproduction means for reproducing audio data as sound in the virtual space by executing middleware. This middleware has a function of processing given audio data. In this example, the middleware can perform processing such as adding a reverb effect and filtering processing (for example, processing by a low-pass filter) as an audio data processing function. In addition, the middleware can also adjust the volume.

Further, the middleware has a function of linking various parameters related to the pronunciation of voice data by the audio processing unit 53 (hereinafter referred to as pronunciation parameters) and in-game parameters (hereinafter referred to as game parameters). .. As a result, the sounding of the audio data by the audio processing unit 53 is controlled according to the given game parameters.

Here, as the sounding parameter, as an example, a volume value that defines the volume, a cutoff frequency of the filtering process, and the like can be mentioned. Further, the game parameters are given by the control unit 56. The game parameters will be described in detail later, but in this embodiment, the parameters have values corresponding to the moving distance of the player character.

When a game parameter is given, the audio processing unit 53 calculates a sounding parameter (for example, a volume value) associated with the game parameter. In order to perform the calculation, the middleware has array data or a function defined in the program that defines the relationship between the game parameter and the pronunciation parameter (hereinafter, the array data and the function are collectively referred to). It is called a pronunciation function).

The pronunciation function is defined for each control target (for example, volume, cutoff frequency). When the pronunciation parameters are determined by these pronunciation functions, the audio processing unit 53 (middleware) controls the pronunciation (output of voice data) according to the pronunciation parameters. For example, if the sounding parameter corresponds to a volume value, the audio processing unit 53 controls the volume using that value.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating an example of the correspondence (that is, pronunciation function) between the game parameter and the volume value (pronunciation parameter). In the example of FIG. 2, the horizontal axis is the game parameter and the vertical axis is the volume value. In this example, a monotonically increasing straight line is defined. That is, in this example, there is a linear relationship between the volume value and the game parameters. The pronunciation function can be freely determined by the developer in charge of acoustic expression (hereinafter referred to as sound designer) when developing a game program.

<Functional configuration of control unit>
The control unit 56 functions as a moving means 561 and a parameter calculating means 562 by executing the game program.

The moving means 561 receives a signal from the operation unit 54 and moves the player character in the virtual space. In this game, the destination to which the player character should move is set according to the progress. The destination can be, for example, the position of the monster set as the target in the monster subjugation mission, the position of the item set as the item search mission, the exit of the dungeon, or the like.

The parameter calculation means 562 is configured to obtain game parameters by using a predetermined function (hereinafter, referred to as a game parameter function) when the player character reaches a predetermined area (hereinafter, referred to as a calculation start area). There is. Specifically, the game parameter function is configured so that the game parameter can be calculated according to the moving distance of the player character.

That is, the game parameter here is a value that reflects the moving distance of the player character. Specifically, the game parameter function is implemented in the form of array data or a function specified in the program.

Here, the "movement distance" is a route along a route (route) on which the player character can move, and the parameter calculation means 562 calculates the movement distance according to the structure of the virtual space. For example, when the player character moves from room to room, the distance is calculated for the route to another room while avoiding obstacles (walls, placed items, etc.) on the way. That is, the moving distance is not a straight line distance connecting points.

FIG. 3 graphically illustrates the relationship between the game parameter and the journey (that is, the game parameter function). In the graph of FIG. 3, the horizontal axis is the route and the vertical axis is the game parameter. On the horizontal axis, the intersection with the vertical axis corresponds to the position of the player character at the time when the player character enters the calculation start area (hereinafter referred to as the initial position S0).

The start value in FIG. 3 is a value of a game parameter on the route from the initial position S0 to the addition start position S1. The starting value is a value that can be determined by the sound designer. The end value is the value of the game parameter at the destination. The end value is also a value that can be determined by the sound designer. That is, the game parameter changes from a predetermined start value to a predetermined end value at the destination.

In the example of FIG. 3, when the remaining route to the destination is larger than the predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as the addition start distance DS), the game parameter takes a predetermined constant value (specifically, the start value). When the remaining route to the destination is less than the addition start distance DS, the game parameters change linearly (in this example, increase). In this specification, the point where the remaining route to the destination is the addition start distance DS is named "addition start position S1".

<Operation of parameter calculation means>
When the player character reaches the calculation start area, the parameter calculation means 562 starts the calculation of the game parameters. In the following, the game parameter calculation process will be described using a player character moving in a building in the virtual space as an example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a building object in a virtual space. In this example, the building has rooms A, B, C, D, E. Room A is the calculation start area, and the position of the player character P shown in FIG. 4 is the initial position S0. Further, the addition start distance DS = 10 m, and the addition start position S1 is in the room B. Here, "m (meter)" is added as a unit of distance, but this unit is a unit for explaining the distance in the virtual space, and is different from the unit in the real world (the same applies hereinafter).

When the player character P enters the calculation start area (room A), the parameter calculation means 562 acquires the destination of the player character P. Specifically, the parameter calculation means 562 acquires the set destination by accessing the storage unit 55 and confirming a predetermined flag or data.

In the example of FIG. 4, the destination G is set in the room C. The player character P can depart from room A, pass through room B, and reach the destination G. In FIG. 4, the shortest path when the player character P moves from the initial position S0 to the destination G is shown by a solid line. Here, it is assumed that the total route of the shortest route is 15 m.

Next, the parameter calculation means 562 acquires the start value and the end value of the game parameter. In this example, when the game program is installed, the start value and the end value are stored in the storage unit 55. Therefore, the parameter calculation means 562 can acquire the start value and the end value by accessing the storage unit 55. In the example of FIG. 4, the start value is 0 and the end value is 1.

Next, the parameter calculation means 562 calculates the movement distance (distance) of the player character P starting from the initial position S0. After the route can be calculated, the parameter calculation means 562 determines whether or not the player character P is closer to the destination G than the addition start position S1 based on the calculated route.

When the player character P is farther than the addition start position S1 when viewed from the destination, the parameter calculation means 562 outputs the start value to the audio processing unit 53 as a game parameter (see FIG. 3). In the example of FIG. 4, the player character P is at the initial position S0 (that is, is farther than the addition start position S1 when viewed from the destination G). Therefore, the value of the game parameter output by the parameter calculation means 562 is a start value.

Further, for example, it is assumed that the player character P moves from the initial position S0 and reaches the addition start position S1 (see FIG. 5). That is, the player character P exists at a point where the remaining route to the destination G is the addition start distance DS. In this case as well, the game parameters remain at the starting values (see FIG. 3). That is, the parameter calculation means 562 maintains the value of the game parameter at the start value until the movement distance of the player character P exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

On the other hand, when the player character P is closer than the addition start position S1 when viewed from the destination G, the parameter calculation means 562 responds to the route to the current position measured from the addition start position S1. Calculate game parameters. More specifically, the parameter calculation means 562 sets the start value as an initial value and increases the game parameter in proportion to the distance from the addition start position S1. The rate of increase at this time is set so that the value of the game parameter becomes the end value when the player character P reaches the destination G (see FIG. 3).

For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the player character P exists at a position (room C) remaining 5 m from the destination G. In the state of FIG. 6, the calculated value of the parameter calculation means 562 has a distance of 10 m (the remaining 5 m to the destination G), and the value of the game parameter is the arithmetic mean value of the start value and the end value. Further, when the player character P moves and reaches the destination G, the value of the game parameter becomes the end value.

As described above, when the game parameter is determined in the process of moving the player character P, the audio processing unit 53 applies the game parameter to the pronunciation function in this movement process to obtain the pronunciation parameter, and according to the pronunciation parameter, Control pronunciation.

For example, the audio processing unit 53 controls the volume based on the sounding parameter, so that the volume becomes louder as the player character P approaches the destination G. Further, for example, when the audio processing unit 53 controls the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter based on this sounding parameter, it can be controlled so that the sound becomes clearer as the player character P approaches the destination G. By such an acoustic expression, the user can detect that the player character is approaching the destination G.

If the destination is changed during the game (for example, when the target monster moves to another area), the parameter calculation means 562 has a new start value and a new end. Recalculate game parameters based on the values. In that case, it is desirable to set a new starting value so that the state of pronunciation (for example, volume) does not change too much.

The "significant change" here is a change in the pronunciation state that makes the user feel uncomfortable, and corresponds to, for example, a case where the user feels that the volume has suddenly changed. In order to prevent the sounding state from changing significantly, for example, it is conceivable to use the value of the current game parameter as a new starting value. By doing so, seamless acoustic expression can be realized and the user does not feel uncomfortable.

Summarizing the above, the present invention changes the computer from a predetermined start value according to the movement distance of the object in the process of moving the object to the destination along a predetermined route in the virtual space. A parameter calculation means for obtaining a parameter (game parameter) having a predetermined end value on the ground, and a means for reproducing voice data as a sound in the virtual space, and controlling the sound of the voice data according to the parameter. It is a voice control program characterized in that it functions as a reproduction means.

<Effect of this embodiment>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the acoustic expression is performed according to the route to the destination. For example, in the present embodiment, as the player character approaches the target (destination) monster, the slogan becomes larger. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to diversify the acoustic expression in the game program and the game device. And, by diversifying the acoustic expression, it becomes possible to improve the fun of the game.

[Other Embodiments]
When there are multiple routes to the destination, the distance between the player character and the destination and the game parameters are obtained based on the route that has the shortest route to the destination among these routes. It may be (not calculated if the player character deviates from the shortest path). By doing so, the processing in the game program becomes easy.

Further, when there are a plurality of routes to the destination, the game parameters may be obtained based on the route that takes the shortest time to reach the destination. When there is an uphill in the virtual space, even if it is the shortest route, it may take longer to reach the destination than other routes. In such a case, it is conceivable not to be the target of parameter calculation.

Further, when there are a plurality of routes to the destination, the priority may be set in advance for each route, and the game parameters may be obtained based on the route having the highest priority.

Further, when the player character is in a predetermined area of the virtual space, the game parameter may be set (overwritten) to a predetermined value regardless of the moving distance. By doing this, the intention of the sound designer can be easily reflected.

Further, the start value and the end value may be shared by each destination or may be changed for each destination.

Further, the game parameter function and the pronunciation function may be switched according to the area on the virtual space. For example, if game parameter functions and pronunciation functions are prepared in the form of functions for caves and functions for plains, a wider variety of acoustic expressions will be possible.

Pronunciation functions are not limited to linear functions. That is, a non-linear function may be adopted as the pronunciation function.

Further, the acoustic expression is not limited to the example, and includes various methods for processing and controlling the sound. That is, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to any sound processing method or control method.

Further, the voice control program and the voice control device may be applied to media other than games such as movies and animations.

Further, the parameters linked to the pronunciation parameters are not limited to the game parameters. Any parameter may be used as long as it is a parameter that changes from a predetermined start value and becomes a predetermined end value at the destination according to the moving distance of the object.

Further, the division of functions between the control unit 56 and the audio processing unit 53 is an example. For example, the game program may be implemented so that the processing performed by the control unit 56 is performed by the audio processing unit 53, or the game program is implemented so that the processing performed by the audio processing unit 53 is performed by the control unit 56. You may.

Further, the game program may be implemented as a game program for a so-called online game. When the game program is for an online game, the processing performed by the control unit 56 and the audio processing unit 53 may be performed on the server side instead of them, or the server side and the client (game device 5) side. May be shared by.

Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of the present invention are exhibited. It is also possible to appropriately combine this embodiment with other embodiments and other embodiments.

5 Game device 53 Audio processing unit (playback means)
55 Storage unit 56 Control unit 562 Parameter calculation means

Claims (8)

Computer,
A parameter that obtains a parameter that changes from a predetermined start value and becomes a predetermined end value at the destination according to the movement distance of the object in the process of the object moving to the destination along a predetermined route in the virtual space. Calculation means and
A means for reproducing audio data as a sound in the virtual space, and a reproduction means for controlling the pronunciation of the audio data according to the parameters.
To make it work
The parameter calculation means is a voice control program characterized in that when the object reaches a predetermined area which is a calculation start area in the virtual space, the calculation of the parameter is started . Computer,
A parameter that obtains a parameter that changes from a predetermined start value and becomes a predetermined end value at the destination according to the movement distance of the object in the process of the object moving to the destination along a predetermined route in the virtual space. Calculation means and
A means for reproducing audio data as a sound in the virtual space, and a reproduction means for controlling the pronunciation of the audio data according to the parameters.
To make it work
When there are a plurality of routes to the destination, the parameter calculating means obtains the parameters based on the route having the shortest route to the destination among these routes. Control program. Computer,
A parameter that obtains a parameter that changes from a predetermined start value and becomes a predetermined end value at the destination according to the movement distance of the object in the process of the object moving to the destination along a predetermined route in the virtual space. Calculation means and
A means for reproducing audio data as a sound in the virtual space, and a reproduction means for controlling the pronunciation of the audio data according to the parameters.
To make it work
The parameter calculation means is newly added so that when the destination is changed, the state of the pronunciation does not change significantly when the parameter corresponding to the current destination is changed to the parameter corresponding to the new destination. A voice control program characterized by setting a new starting value. In claim 3,
The parameter calculation means is a voice control program characterized in that the current parameter value is used as a new start value. In any of claims 1 to 4,
The parameter calculation means is a voice control program characterized in that the value of the parameter is maintained at the start value until the movement distance exceeds a predetermined threshold value. In claim 1,
The reproduction means is a voice control program characterized in that the volume value of the voice data or the cutoff frequency when the voice data is filtered is controlled by using the parameters. In any of claims 1 to 6,
The parameter calculation means is a voice control program characterized in that when the object is in a predetermined area of the virtual space, the parameter is set to a predetermined value regardless of the moving distance. A storage unit that stores the voice control program according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A control unit that executes the voice control program and
A voice control device characterized by being equipped with.

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