JP6820299B2 - Programs, information processing equipment, and methods - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to programs, information processing devices, and methods.

In Patent Document 1, when the second camera and the mirror object are arranged in the virtual space and the player character is arranged in the field of view of the second camera, the appearance of the player character is transferred to the mirror object as an image. The HMD system to be displayed is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 6220937

In the conventional technique, there is room for providing useful information to the user without deteriorating the visibility of the user in the virtual space.

One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a user with useful information to the user without deteriorating the visibility of the user in the virtual space.

According to one aspect of the invention, a program executed by a computer with a processor is provided. The program configures the processor with a step of defining a virtual space that includes a first avatar associated with the first user and a second avatar associated with the second user, and a first user associated with the first headmount device. A step of controlling the first visual field from the first avatar according to the movement of the head, and a transparent setting that is visualized in the first visual field but not in the second visual field from the second avatar. A step of arranging one object in the first field of view, a step of displaying the first information in the first object, and a step of displaying a first field of view image corresponding to the first field of view on the first head mount device. To execute.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, information useful to the user can be provided to the user without deteriorating the visibility of the user in the virtual space.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure of the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure that conceptually represents the uvw field coordinate system set in the HMD according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which conceptually represents one aspect which expresses a virtual space according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which showed the head of the user who wears an HMD according to a certain embodiment from the top. It is a figure which shows the YZ cross section which looked at the visual field area from the X direction in the virtual space. It is a figure which shows the XZ cross section which looked at the view area from the Y direction in a virtual space. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the controller according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of each direction of yaw, roll, and pitch defined for the right hand of the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the server according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the computer according to a certain embodiment as a module structure. FIG. 5 is a sequence chart representing a portion of the processing performed in an HMD set according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the situation that each HMD provides a virtual space to a user in a network. It is a figure which shows the field of view image of the user 5A in FIG. 12A. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process to perform in the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the module of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the process executed in the HMD system which follows a certain embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the acquisition method of the dimension data according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the position information according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the dimension data according to a certain embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process for acquiring the dimension data according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the rotation direction according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence chart representing a portion of the processing performed in an HMD set according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image in a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image which concerns on a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the posture of the user which concerns on a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and the field of view image according to a certain embodiment.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of this technical idea will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, the detailed description of them will not be repeated. In one or more embodiments shown in the present disclosure, the elements included in each embodiment may be combined with each other, and the combined result shall also form part of the embodiments shown in the present disclosure.

[HMD system configuration]
The configuration of the HMD (Head-Mounted Device) system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the 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 set 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D are collectively referred to as the HMD set 110. The number of HMD sets 110 constituting the HMD system 100 is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more. The HMD set 110 includes an HMD 120, a computer 200, an HMD sensor 410, a display 430, and a 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. The controller 300 may include a motion sensor 420.

In some aspects, the computer 200 can connect to the Internet or other network 2 and communicate with the server 600 or other computer connected to the network 2. Examples of other computers include computers of other HMD sets 110 and external devices 700. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include a sensor 190 instead of the HMD sensor 410.

The HMD 120 may be worn on the user 5's head and provide virtual space to the user 5 during operation. More specifically, the HMD 120 displays an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye on the monitor 130, respectively. When each eye of the user 5 visually recognizes the respective 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 either a so-called head-mounted display including a monitor and a head-mounted device capable of mounting a smartphone or other terminal having a monitor.

The monitor 130 is realized as, for example, a non-transparent display device. In one aspect, the monitor 130 is arranged in the body of the HMD 120 so as to be located in front of both eyes of the user 5. Therefore, the user 5 can immerse himself in the virtual space when he / she visually recognizes the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 130. In one aspect, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object that the user 5 can manipulate, and an image of a menu that the user 5 can select. 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, the monitor 130 can be realized as a transmissive display device. 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 shown in FIG. The transmissive monitor 130 may be temporarily configured as a non-transparent display device by adjusting its transmittance. The monitor 130 may include a configuration that simultaneously displays a part of the image constituting the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 130 may display an image of the real space taken by the camera mounted on the HMD 120, or may make the real space visible by setting a part of the transmittance to be high.

In some aspects, the monitor 130 may include a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub-monitor for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the monitor 130 may be configured to display the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye as a unit. In this case, the monitor 130 includes a high speed shutter. The high-speed shutter operates so that the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye can be alternately displayed so that the image is recognized by only 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 rays. The HMD sensor 410 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD 120. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 reads a plurality of infrared rays emitted by the HMD 120 and detects the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space.

In another aspect, the HMD sensor 410 may be implemented by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 410 can detect the position and tilt of the HMD 120 by executing the image analysis process 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 in place of the HMD sensor 410 or in addition to the HMD sensor 410. The HMD 120 can use the sensor 190 to detect the position and tilt of the HMD 120 itself. For example, if the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an accelerometer, the HMD 120 may use any of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 410 to detect its position and tilt. 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 real space over time. The HMD 120 calculates the temporal change of the angle around the three axes of the HMD 120 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD 120 based on the temporal change of the angle.

The gaze sensor 140 detects the directions in which the eyes of the user 5's right eye and left eye are 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 certain aspects, the gaze sensor 140 preferably 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 detects the angle of rotation of each eyeball by irradiating the right eye and the left eye of the user 5 with infrared rays and receiving the reflected light from the cornea and the iris with respect to the irradiation light. The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on each of the detected rotation angles.

The first camera 150 captures the lower part of the user 5's face. More specifically, the first camera 150 captures the nose and mouth of the user 5. The second camera 160 captures the eyes, eyebrows, and the like of the user 5. The housing on the user 5 side of the HMD 120 is defined as the inside of the HMD 120, and the housing on the side opposite to the user 5 of the HMD 120 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 a voice signal (electric signal) and outputs it to the computer 200. The speaker 180 converts the voice signal into voice and outputs it to the user 5. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include earphones instead of the speaker 180.

The controller 300 is connected to the computer 200 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 300 receives an instruction input from the user 5 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be wearable on a body or part of 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 yet another aspect, the controller 300 receives from the user 5 an operation for controlling the position and movement of the object arranged in the virtual space.

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

In a certain aspect, the motion sensor 420 is attached to the user 5's hand and detects the movement of the user 5's hand. For example, the motion sensor 420 detects the rotation speed, 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, for example, in a controller 300 configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, for safety in real space, the controller 300 is attached to something that does not easily fly by being attached to the user 5's hand, such as a glove type. In yet another aspect, a sensor not attached to the user 5 may detect the movement of the user 5's hand. For example, the signal of the camera that shoots the user 5 may be input to the computer 200 as a signal indicating the operation of the user 5. As an example, the motion sensor 420 and the computer 200 are wirelessly connected to each other. In the case of wireless communication, the communication mode is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other known communication method is used.

The display 430 displays an image similar to the image displayed on the monitor 130. As a result, users other than the user 5 who wears the HMD 120 can also view the same image as the user 5. The image displayed on the display 430 does not have to be a three-dimensional image, and may be an image for the right eye or an image for the left eye. Examples of the display 430 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL monitor.

The server 600 may send the program to the computer 200. In another aspect, the server 600 may communicate with another computer 200 to provide virtual reality to the HMD 120 used by another user. 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 a server 600, and a plurality of users are used in the same virtual space. Allows users to enjoy a common game. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 without going 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 by short-range wireless communication or a wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include, but are not limited to, smart devices, PCs (Personal Computers), and peripheral devices of the computer 200.

[Computer hardware configuration]
The computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the 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 bus 260, respectively.

The processor 210 executes a series of instructions included in the program stored in the memory 220 or the storage 230 based on the signal given to the computer 200 or the condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied. In a certain 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 other device.

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

The storage 230 permanently holds programs and data. The storage 230 is realized as, for example, a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk device, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The program stored in the storage 230 includes 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, objects, and the like for defining the virtual space.

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

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 some aspects, the input / output interface 240 is implemented using USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), HDMI® (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) and other terminals. The input / output interface 240 is not limited to the above.

In some aspects, the input / output interface 240 may further communicate with the controller 300. For example, the input / output interface 240 receives input of signals output from the controller 300 and the motion sensor 420. In another aspect, the input / output interface 240 sends an instruction output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The command instructs the controller 300 to vibrate, output voice, emit light, and the like. Upon receiving the command, the controller 300 executes either vibration, voice output, or light emission in response 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 a certain aspect, the communication interface 250 is realized as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. Will be 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 contained in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system of a computer 200, an application program for providing a virtual space, game software that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 210 sends a signal to the HMD 120 to provide virtual space via the input / output interface 240. The HMD 120 displays an image on the monitor 130 based on the signal.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the computer 200 is configured to be provided outside the HMD 120, but 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 a monitor 130 may function as a computer 200.

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

In a certain embodiment, in the HMD system 100, a real coordinate system, which is a coordinate system in the real space, is preset. The real coordinate system has three reference directions (axises) that are parallel to the vertical direction in the real space, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the front-back 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 in real space. The y-axis is parallel to the vertical direction in real space. The z-axis is parallel to the front-back direction of the real space.

In some aspects, 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 inclination (orientation) 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). To do. More specifically, the HMD sensor 410 can detect a temporal change in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 by using each value detected over time.

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

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

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

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

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

The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw field coordinate system in 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 field coordinate system of the HMD 120 is always constant regardless of the position and tilt of the HMD 120. When the position and inclination of the HMD 120 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system change in conjunction with the change of the position and inclination.

In one aspect, the HMD sensor 410 is based on the infrared light intensity obtained based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between the points (eg, the distance between the points). The position of the above in the real space may be specified as a relative position with respect to the HMD sensor 410. The processor 210 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in real space (real coordinate system) based on the identified relative position.

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually representing one aspect of expressing the virtual space 11 according to a certain embodiment. The virtual space 11 has an all-sky spherical structure that covers the entire center 12 in the 360-degree direction. In FIG. 4, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 11 is illustrated so as not to complicate the explanation. Each mesh is defined in the virtual space 11. The position of each mesh is predetermined as a coordinate value in the 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.) expandable in the virtual space 11 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 11.

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

At the time of starting the HMD 120, 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 moves in the virtual space 11 in the same manner in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 120 in the real space. As a result, changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 11.

As in the case of the HMD 120, the virtual camera 14 is defined with an uvw field-of-view coordinate system. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined to be linked to the uvw field-of-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 also 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 field of view 15 in the virtual space 11 based on the position and tilt (reference line of sight 16) of the virtual camera 14. The visual field 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 a direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes an object. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the HMD 120 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes the monitor 130. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is linked to the uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the HMD 120. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to a certain aspect can consider 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 field of view coordinate system of the virtual camera 14.

[User's line of sight]
The determination of the line of sight of the user 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the head of the user 5 who wears the HMD 120 according to a certain embodiment.

In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 detects each line of sight of the user 5's right and left eyes. In a certain aspect, 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 identifies the gaze point N1 which is the intersection of the lines of sight R1 and L1 based on the detected values. On the other hand, when the computer 200 receives the detected values of the lines of sight R2 and L2 from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 identifies the intersection of the lines of sight R2 and L2 as the gaze point. The computer 200 identifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the position of the specified gazing point N1. The computer 200 detects, for example, the extending direction of 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 as the line of sight N0. The line of sight N0 is the direction in which the user 5 actually directs the line of sight with both eyes. The line of sight N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 5 actually directs the line of sight with respect to the field of view area 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 yet another aspect, the HMD system 100 may include a communication circuit for connecting to the Internet or a telephone function for connecting to a telephone line.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 7, the field of view region 15 in the XZ cross section includes the region 19. The region 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 angle β centered on the reference line of sight 16 in the virtual space 11 as a region 19. The polar angles α and β are determined according to the position of the virtual camera 14 and the inclination (orientation) of the virtual camera 14.

In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the user 5 with a field of view in the virtual space 11 by displaying the field of view image 17 on the monitor 130 based on the signal from the computer 200. The visual field image 17 is an image corresponding to a portion of the panoramic image 13 corresponding to the visual field region 15. When the user 5 moves the HMD 120 attached to the head, the virtual camera 14 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the visual field region 15 in the virtual space 11 changes. As a result, the field-of-view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 is updated to an image of the panoramic image 13 superimposed on the field-of-view area 15 in the direction in which the user 5 faces 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 (reference line of sight 16) of the user 5 in the virtual space 11, 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 tilt 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 give the user 5 a high sense of immersion in the virtual space 11.

In a certain 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 identifies an image region (field of view region 15) projected onto the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 based on the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11.

In some aspects, the 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, an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye may be generated from the 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 synthesizing the roll axes of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll axis (w) of the HMD 120. The technical idea of the present disclosure is illustrated as being configured as such.

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

As shown in FIG. 8, in some aspects, 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 by the left hand of the user 5. In a certain aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller are symmetrically configured 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 accepts operations 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 palm of the user 5's right hand and three fingers (middle finger, ring finger, little finger).

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

The frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along its circumferential direction. The infrared LED 360 emits infrared rays as the program progresses while the program using the controller 300 is being executed. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 360 can be used to detect each position and orientation (tilt, orientation) of the right controller 300R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. An array with one or more columns may be used.

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

In one aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller include a battery for driving the infrared LED 360 and other components. 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, for example, the USB interface of the computer 200. 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 with respect to 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 direction axis and the roll direction axis is the pitch direction. Is defined as.

[Server hardware configuration]
The server 600 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 600 according to a certain 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 bus 660, respectively.

The processor 610 executes a series of instructions included in the program stored in the memory 620 or the storage 630 based on the signal given to the server 600 or the condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied. In some aspects, the processor 610 is implemented as a CPU, GPU, MPU, FPGA or other device.

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

Storage 630 permanently holds programs and data. The storage 630 is realized as, for example, a ROM, a hard disk device, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The program 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, objects, and the like for defining the virtual space.

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

The input / output interface 640 communicates a signal with the input / output device. In some aspects, the input / output interface 640 is implemented using USB, DVI, HDMI 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 some aspects, the communication interface 650 is implemented as, for example, a LAN or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC or other wireless communication interface. The communication interface 650 is not limited to the above.

In one 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 contained in the program. The one or more programs may include an operating system for the server 600, an application program for providing the virtual space, game software that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 610 may send a signal to the computer 200 to provide virtual space via the input / output interface 640.

[HMD control device]
The control device of the HMD 120 will be described with reference to FIG. In certain embodiments, the control device is implemented by a computer 200 having a well-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 some aspects, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 are implemented by the processor 210. In another aspect, the plurality of processors 210 may operate as the control module 510 and the 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 by using the virtual space data representing the virtual space 11. The virtual space data is stored in, for example, the memory module 530. The control module 510 may generate virtual space data or acquire virtual space data from a server 600 or the like.

The control module 510 arranges an object in the virtual space 11 by using the object data representing the object. The object data is stored in, for example, the memory module 530. The control module 510 may generate object data or acquire object data from a server 600 or the like. The objects are, for example, an avatar object that is the alter ego of the user 5, a character object, an operation object such as a virtual hand operated by the controller 300, a landscape including forests, mountains, etc. arranged as the story of the game progresses, a cityscape, and animals. Etc. may be included.

The control module 510 arranges the avatar object of the user 5 of another computer 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the control module 510 places the user 5's avatar object in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the control module 510 arranges an avatar object imitating the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on the image including the 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 among a plurality of types of avatar objects (for example, an object imitating an animal or a deformed human object). To do.

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

The control module 510 detects the line of sight of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140. The control module 510 detects the viewpoint position (coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system) at which the detected line of sight of the user 5 and the celestial sphere in the virtual space 11 intersect. More specifically, the control module 510 detects the viewpoint position based on the line of sight of the user 5 defined by the uvw coordinate system and the position and inclination of the 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 tilts and arranges the avatar object. The control module 510 reflects the detected movement of the facial 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 it in the line-of-sight of the avatar object of the other user 5. In a certain aspect, the control module 510 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on the avatar object and the operation object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs), and the like for detecting the movement of the controller 300.

The control module 510 arranges an operation object for receiving the operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 in the virtual space 11. By operating the operation object, the user 5 operates, for example, an object arranged in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object which is a virtual hand corresponding to the hand of the user 5. In a certain aspect, the control module 510 moves the hand object in the virtual space 11 so as to be linked to the movement of the user 5's hand in the real space based on the output of the motion sensor 420. In some aspects, the manipulation object can correspond to the hand portion 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 the collision area of one object and the collision area of another object touch each other, and when the detection is made, a predetermined process is performed. The control module 510 can detect the timing when the object and the object are separated from the touching state, and when the detection is made, a predetermined process is performed. The control module 510 can detect that the object is in contact with the object. For example, when the operation object touches another object, the control module 510 detects that the operation object touches the other object, and performs a predetermined process.

In one aspect, the control module 510 controls the image display on the monitor 130 of the 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 inclination (orientation) of the virtual camera 14. The control module 510 defines the field of view 15 according to the inclination of the head of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 and the position of the virtual camera 14. The rendering module 520 generates a field of view image 17 to be displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined field of view area 15. The field of view image 17 generated by the rendering module 520 is output to the HMD 120 by the communication control module 540.

When the control module 510 detects an utterance using the microphone 170 of the user 5 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 identifies the computer 200 to which the voice data to be transmitted corresponding to the utterance is transmitted. The voice data is transmitted to the computer 200 identified by the control module 510. When the control module 510 receives voice data from another user's computer 200 via the network 2, the control module 510 outputs the 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 a certain aspect, the memory module 530 holds spatial information, object information, and user information.

Spatial information holds one or more templates defined to provide 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 in the unreal space and an image in the real space. Examples of images in unreal space include images generated by computer graphics.

The user information holds a user ID that identifies 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 may be set by the user. The user information includes a program for operating the computer 200 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, a server 600) operated by a business operator that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 530.

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

In certain aspects, 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 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that realize each process.

The processing in the computer 200 is realized by the hardware and the software executed by the processor 210. Such software may be pre-stored in a hard disk or other memory module 530. The software may be stored on a CD-ROM or other computer-readable non-volatile 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 other networks. Such software is read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from a server 600 or other computer via a communication control module 540, and then temporarily stored in a storage module. .. The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. The 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 the processing performed in the HMD set 110 according to an embodiment.

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

In step S1120, the processor 210 initializes the 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 directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 14 in the direction in which the user 5 is facing.

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

In step S1132, the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 displays the field of view image based on the field of view image data received from the computer 200. The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 when he / she visually recognizes the field of view image.

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

In step S1140, the processor 210 identifies the viewing direction of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 based on the position and inclination included in the motion detection data of the HMD 120.

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

In step S1160, the controller 300 detects the operation of the user 5 based on the signal output from the motion sensor 420, and outputs the detection data representing the detected operation to the 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.

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

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

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

[Avatar Object]
An avatar object according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B. Hereinafter, it is a figure explaining the avatar object of each user 5 of the HMD set 110A, 110B. 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. A is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110A, B is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110B, and C is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110C. A D is added to the reference code of each component with respect to 110D. For example, the HMD 120A is included in the HMD set 110A.

FIG. 12A is a schematic diagram showing a situation in which each HMD 120 provides the virtual space 11 to the user 5 in the network 2. The computers 200A to 200D provide the virtual spaces 11A to 11D to the users 5A to 5D via the HMDs 120A to 120D, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B are composed of 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, the avatar object 6A of the user 5A and the 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 clarity, and in reality, these objects are equipped with the HMD 120. Not.

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

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

In the state of FIG. 12B, the user 5A can communicate with the user 5B through the virtual space 11A by dialogue. 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 is 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 is 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 in the avatar object 6B arranged in the virtual space 11A by the processor 210A. As a result, the user 5A can recognize the operation of the user 5B through the avatar object 6B.

FIG. 13 is a sequence chart showing a part of the processing executed in the HMD system 100 according to the present embodiment. Although the HMD set 110D is not shown in FIG. 13, the HMD set 110D operates in the same manner as the HMD sets 110A, 110B, and 110C. Also in the following description, A is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110A, B is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110B, and C is added to the reference code of each component related to the HMD set 110C. It shall be attached and D shall be attached to the reference code of each component with respect to the HMD set 110D.

In step S1310A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A acquires the avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A. This avatar information includes information about the avatar such as motion information, face tracking data, and voice data. The motion information includes information indicating a temporal change in the position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating the hand motion of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A or the like, 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. Examples of the face tracking data include data indicating the movement of each organ constituting the face of the user 5A and line-of-sight data. Examples of the voice data include data indicating the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A of the HMD 120A. The avatar information may include information that identifies the avatar object 6A or the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information that identifies the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists, and the like. Information that identifies the avatar object 6A and the user 5A includes a user ID. Information that identifies the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists includes a room ID. 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 the avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B and transmits it to the server 600, as in the process in step S1310A. Similarly, in step S1310C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C acquires the avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11C and transmits it to the server 600.

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

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

In step S1330A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information of the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6C of the other users 5B and 5C in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A updates the position and orientation 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 the 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 the information (position, orientation, etc.) 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 of the avatar objects 6A, 6C of the users 5A, 5C in the virtual space 11B, as in the process in step S1330A. Similarly, in step S1330C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C updates the information of 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 the computer 200 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the control module 510 includes a virtual object generation module 1421, a virtual camera control module 1422, an operation object control module 1423, an avatar object control module 1424, a motion detection module 1425, a collision detection module 1426, and a virtual object. It includes a control module 1427.

The virtual object generation module 1421 generates various virtual objects in the virtual space 11. In some aspects, the virtual object may include, for example, landscapes, animals, etc., including forests, mountains, etc. that are arranged as the story of the game progresses. In some aspects, virtual objects can include avatar objects, operation objects, and stage objects, UI (User Interface) objects.

The virtual camera control module 1422 controls the behavior of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The virtual camera control module 1422 controls, for example, the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the orientation (tilt) of the virtual camera 14.

The operation object control module 1423 controls an operation object for receiving the operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. By manipulating the operation object, the user 5 operates, for example, a virtual object arranged in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object (virtual hand) corresponding to the hand of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120. In some aspects, the manipulation object may correspond to the hand portion of the avatar object described below.

The avatar object control module 1424 reflects the movement of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 on the avatar object. For example, the avatar object control module 1424 detects that the HMD 120 is tilted and generates data for tilting and arranging the avatar object. In a certain aspect, the avatar object control module 1424 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on the avatar object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs), and the like for detecting the movement of the controller 300. The avatar object control module 1424 reflects the movement of the facial 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 object control module 1424 reflects the movement of the face of the user 5 on the avatar object.

The motion detection module 1425 detects the motion of the user 5. The motion detection module 1425 detects the motion of the user 5's hand, for example, in response to the output of the controller 300. The motion detection module 1425 detects the movement of the user 5's body according to the output of the motion sensor attached to the user's body, for example. The motion detection module 1425 can also detect the motion of the facial organs of the user 5.

The collision detection module 1426 detects a collision when each of the virtual objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another virtual object. The collision detection module 1426 can detect, for example, the timing at which one virtual object and another virtual object touch each other. The collision detection module 1426 can detect the timing when a certain virtual object and another virtual object are separated from the touching state. The collision detection module 1426 can also detect that a virtual object is in contact with another virtual object. The collision detection module 1426 detects, for example, that when an operation object touches another virtual object, the operation object and the other object touch each other. The collision detection module 1426 executes predetermined processing based on these detection results.

The virtual object control module 1427 controls the behavior of virtual objects other than the avatar object in the virtual space 11. As an example, the virtual object control module 1427 transforms a virtual object. As another example, the virtual object control module 1427 changes the placement position of the virtual object. As another example, the virtual object control module 1427 moves a virtual object.

[Viewer's virtual space]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a virtual space 11A and a field of view image 1517A according to an embodiment. In FIG. 15A, at least the avatar objects 6A to 6D, the virtual cameras 14A, and the stage object 1532 are arranged in the virtual space 11A for providing the virtual experience to the user 5A (first user). User 5A wears the HMD120A on his head. The user 5A holds the right controller 300RA with the right hand (first part) that forms a part of the right side of the body of the user 5A, and the left hand (second part) that forms a part of the left side of the body of the user 5A. It holds the controller 300LA. The avatar object 6A (first avatar) includes a virtual right hand 1531RA and a virtual left hand 1531LA. The virtual right hand 1531RA is a kind of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11A according to the movement of the right hand of the user 5A. The virtual left hand 1531LA is a kind of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11A according to the movement of the left hand of the user 5A.

The virtual space 11A shown in FIG. 15A is constructed by playing live content on the computer 200A. In the virtual space 11A, the avatar object 6B performs the performance as a live performer, and the other avatar objects including the avatar object 6A view the performance as a live viewer. In the virtual space 11A, the avatar objects 6A-6D are individually associated with the users 5A-5D, respectively.

In the virtual space 11A, the avatar object 6B (second avatar) is placed on the stage object 1532. The stage object 1532 has an appearance that imitates a stage in a real live venue. The avatar objects 6A, 6C, and 6D are all arranged in front of the stage object 1532. In the virtual space 11A, the avatar object 6B performs a live performance by moving in response to the movement of the user 5B (second user). In the virtual space 11A, the avatar object 6A watches the performance by the avatar object 6B. At this time, in the virtual space 11C provided to the user 5C, the avatar object 6C views the performance executed by the avatar object 6B. Similarly, in the virtual space 11D provided to the user 5D, the avatar object 6D views the performance performed by the avatar object 6B. Therefore, it can be said that user 5B is a performer and users 5A, 5C, and 5D are viewers.

In FIG. 15A, the virtual camera 14A is placed on the head of the avatar object 6A. The virtual camera 14A defines a field of view area 15A according to the position and orientation of the virtual camera 14A. The virtual camera 14A generates a field of view image 1517A corresponding to the field of view area 15A and displays it on the HMD 120A as shown in FIG. 15 (B). The user 5A visually recognizes a part of the virtual space from the viewpoint of the avatar object 6A by visually recognizing the field of view image 1517A. As a result, the user 5A can obtain a virtual experience as if the user 5A itself is the avatar object 6A. The field of view image 1517A includes an avatar object 6B that performs the performance. Therefore, the user 5A can view the performance by the avatar object 6B from the viewpoint of the avatar object 6A.

A plurality of different avatar objects 6B may be arranged in the virtual space 11A. In one aspect, different users 5 are associated with the plurality of avatar objects 6B. In another aspect, the same user 5B is associated with the plurality of avatar objects 6B.

[Performer's virtual space]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a virtual space 11B and a field of view image 1617B according to an embodiment. In FIG. 16A, at least the avatar objects 6A to 6D, the virtual cameras 14B, and the stage object 1532 are arranged in the virtual space 11B for providing the virtual experience to the user 5B. User 5B wears the HMD120B (first head mount device) on his head. The user 5B holds the right controller 300RB with the right hand (first part) that forms a part of the right side of the body of the user 5B, and left with the left hand (second part) that forms a part of the left side of the body of the user 5B. It holds the controller 300LB.

The HMD 120B includes a sensor 190 that functions as a motion sensor. The right controller 300RB and the left controller 300LB include a motion sensor 420. User 5B is further equipped with motion sensors 1641 to 1643. The motion sensor 1641 is attached to the waist of the user 5B by a belt 1644. The motion sensor 1642 is attached to the instep of the right foot of the user 5B. The motion sensor 1643 is attached to the instep of the left foot of the user 5B of the user 5B. The motion sensors 1641 to 1643 are connected to the computer 200B by wire or wirelessly.

In one aspect, the motion sensor mounted on the user 5B detects the arrival time and angle of a signal (eg, an infrared laser) emitted from a base station (not shown). The processor 210B of the computer 200B (hereinafter, simply the processor 210B) detects the position of the motion sensor with respect to the base station based on the detection result of the motion sensor. The processor 210B may further standardize the position of the motion sensor with respect to the base station with respect to a predetermined point (for example, the position of the sensor 190 mounted on the head).

The avatar object 6B includes a virtual right hand 1531RB and a virtual left hand 1531LB. The virtual right hand 1531RB is a kind of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11B according to the movement of the user 5B's right hand. The virtual left hand 1531LA is a kind of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11B according to the movement of the left hand of the user 5B.

The virtual space 11B shown in FIG. 16A is constructed by playing live content on the computer 200B. The virtual spaces 11A and 11B are synchronized with each other under the control of the server 600. User 5B moves his body to cause the avatar object 6B to perform a performance. The computer 200B detects the movement of the user 5B based on the outputs of various motion sensors mounted on the user 5B. In the virtual space 11B, the avatar object 6B executes a performance that reflects the movement of the user 5B in the real space according to the movement of the specified user 5B. In the virtual space 11B, the avatar objects 6A, 6C, and 6D watch the performance by the avatar object 6B. When the avatar object 6B performs the movement-based performance of the user 5B in the virtual space 11B, the avatar object 6B also performs the same performance in the virtual spaces 11A, 11C, and 11D in synchronization with the performance. In this way, the user 5B has a role as a distributor who distributes the live performance by the avatar object 6B to the users 5A, 5C, and 5D, respectively.

In FIG. 16A, the virtual camera 14B is placed on the head of the avatar object 6B. The virtual camera 14B defines a field of view area 15B according to the position and orientation of the virtual camera 14B. The virtual camera 14B generates a field of view image 1617B corresponding to the field of view area 15B and displays it on the HMD 120B as shown in FIG. 16 (B). The user 5B visually recognizes a part of the virtual space from the viewpoint of the avatar object 6B by visually recognizing the field of view image 1617B. As a result, the user 5B can obtain a virtual experience as if the user 5B itself is the avatar object 6B. The field of view image 1617B includes avatar objects 6A, 6C, and 6D for viewing the performance. Therefore, the user 5B can grasp the state of the avatar objects 6A, 6C, and 6D for viewing the performance by the avatar object 6B from the viewpoint of the avatar object 6B.

[Live distribution flow]
FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing executed in the HMD system 100. Hereinafter, a series of processes for delivering the live of the avatar object 6B performed in the virtual space 11B from the computer 200B to the computer 200A will be described. The live of the avatar object 6B is also delivered to the computers 200C and 200D based on the same series of processing.

In step S1701, the processor 210B detects the positions of the user 5B's head, lumbar region, both hands, and both feet from the motion sensor mounted on the user 5B. Hereinafter, the position of the portion of the user 5B detected by each motion sensor is also referred to as "position information". In step S1702, the processor 210B calculates the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5B based on the current position information of the user 5B and the dimension data of the user 5B acquired in advance. The dimensional data is data representing the body dimensions of the user 5B. The dimensional data and the rotation direction will be described later. It is synonymous with detecting the current position information, calculating the rotation direction, and detecting the movement of the user 5B.

In step S1703, the processor 210B moves the avatar object 6B arranged in the virtual space 11B based on the current position information and the rotation direction. The processor 210B moves the upper right arm of the avatar object 6B, for example, based on the direction of rotation of the right shoulder. The processor 210B further moves the position of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B based on the current position information (for example, the current position information of the lumbar region). As a result, the processor 210B reflects the movement of the user 5B in the real space on the avatar object 6B in the virtual space. In other words, the processor 210B causes the avatar object 6B to perform performance according to the movement of the user 5B.

The process for reflecting the movement of the user 5B on the avatar object 6B is not limited to the above-mentioned process according to the position information and the rotation direction. For example, the processor 210B can move the avatar object 6B according to the movement of the user 5B without calculating the rotation direction. The processor 210B may control the position of each part object of the avatar object 6B corresponding to each part of the user 5B so as to correspond to the position of each part constituting the body of the user 5B, for example.

In step S1704, the processor 210B generates motion information representing the motion of the avatar object 6B when the performance is executed, and transmits the avatar information of the avatar object 6B including the motion information to the server 600.

In step S1710, the processor 210A of the computer 200A (hereinafter, simply the processor 210A) transmits the avatar information of the avatar object 6A to the server. In step S1720, the server 600 executes a synchronization process for synchronizing the virtual spaces 11A and 11B. Specifically, the server 600 transmits the avatar information of the avatar object 6B received from the computer 200B to the computer 200A. The server 600 further transmits the avatar information of the avatar object 6A received from the computer 200A to the computer 200B.

In step S1705, the processor 210B receives the avatar information of the avatar object 6A transmitted from the server 600. In step S1706, the processor 210B controls the avatar object in the virtual space 11B based on the received avatar information. As a result, the behavior of the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A is reflected in the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11B. In other words, the behavior of the avatar object 6A is synchronized in the virtual spaces 11A and 11B. For example, when the avatar object 6A moves in the virtual space 11A, the avatar object 6A also moves in the virtual space 11B.

In step S1711, the processor 210A receives the avatar information of the avatar object 6B transmitted from the server 600. In step S1712, the processor 210A moves the avatar object 6B based on the motion information included in the received avatar information. As a result, the processor 210B reflects the movement of the user 5B in the real space on the avatar object 6B arranged in the virtual space 11A. In other words, the processor 210A causes the avatar object 6B to perform the performance according to the movement of the user 5B in the virtual space 11A. As a result, the behavior of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B is reflected in the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11A. In other words, the behavior of the avatar object 6B is synchronized in the virtual spaces 11A and 11B. For example, when the avatar object 6B executes the first performance in the virtual space 11B, the avatar object 6B also executes the first performance in the virtual space 11A. In this way, the live of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B is delivered to the virtual space 11A.

Although not shown, the processor 210B records the voice emitted by the user 5B using the microphone 170B. The processor 210B generates voice data representing the voice of the user 5B and transmits it to the server 600. The server 600 transmits the received voice data of the user 5B to the computer 200A by synchronous processing. The processor 210A outputs the voice represented by the received voice data of the user 5B to the speaker 180A. As a result of these series of processes, the user 5A can listen to the voice emitted by the user 5B during the live in real time.

[Acquisition of dimension data]
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a method of acquiring dimensional data. FIG. 18A shows a state in which the user 5B faces the front, spreads both hands horizontally, and stands up. Hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 18A is also referred to as a first posture. FIG. 18B shows a state in which the user 5B is standing with his hands facing the front and his hands down on the side of his thighs. Hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 18B is also referred to as a second posture.

In one aspect, the processor 210B urges the user 5B to take the first and second postures. As an example, the processor 210B displays the characters in the first posture and the second posture on the monitor 130B, and displays a message to the effect that they take the same posture. As another example, the processor 210B may output the sound to take the first posture and the second posture from the speaker 180B.

The processor 210B acquires the position information of the user 5B's head, waist, both hands, and both feet based on the output of the motion sensor mounted on the user 5B in each of the two postures (first posture and second posture). .. These position information can be acquired as positions in the real coordinate system (x, y, z) as shown in FIG.

The processor 210B calculates the dimensional data of the user 5B from the position information corresponding to the two postures. In one embodiment, the processor 210B calculates the height, shoulder width, arm length, foot length, and head-to-shoulder height of the user 5B as dimensional data, as shown in FIG. The processor 210B can calculate the distance between both hands in the second posture as the shoulder width. The processor 210B can calculate the arm length as half of the value obtained by subtracting the shoulder width from the distance between both hands in the first posture. The processor 210B can calculate the distance from the height of the foot to the height of the head as the height. The processor 210B can calculate the distance from the height of the foot to the height of the lumbar region as the length of the foot. The processor 210B can calculate the height from the height of the hand to the head in the first posture as the height from the head to the shoulder.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process for acquiring dimensional data. In step S2110, the processor 210B arranges the virtual camera 14B in the virtual space 11B. The processor 210B further outputs a field of view image 17B corresponding to the shooting range of the virtual camera 14B to the monitor 130B.

In step S2120, the processor 210B instructs the user 5B to take the first posture. For example, the processor 210B realizes the process of step S2120 by arranging the object in which the instruction is written in the virtual space 11B. In step S2130, the processor 210B acquires the position information corresponding to the first posture.

In step S2140, the processor 210B instructs the user 5B to take the second posture. In step S2150, the processor 210B acquires the position information corresponding to the second posture.

In step S2160, the processor 210B calculates the dimensional data of the user 5B from the position information corresponding to the first posture and the position information corresponding to the second posture. The processor 210B stores the dimensional data in the storage 230B.

As described above, the user 5B can easily input his / her own dimensions into the computer 200B only by taking two postures. In another aspect, the user 5B may input his / her own dimensions into the computer 200B using an input device such as a keyboard.

[Direction of joint rotation]
In one embodiment, the processor 210B estimates the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5B based on the output (position information) of the six motion sensors mounted on the user 5B and the dimensional data. As an example, the processor 210B estimates the shoulder position based on the head position information, the shoulder width, and the height from the head to the shoulder. The processor 210B estimates the position of the elbow from the position of the shoulder and the position information of the hand. This estimation can be performed by a known application utilizing Inverse Kinematics.

In one embodiment, the processor 210B acquires the inclination (direction of rotation) of the joints of the user 5B's neck (head), waist, both wrists, and both ankles from six motion sensors. In addition, the processor 210B estimates the direction of rotation of the joints of both shoulders, elbows, crotch (base of foot), and knees based on inverse kinematics. As shown in FIG. 22, the processor 210B acquires or estimates the rotation direction of each joint in the uvw field coordinate system.

When the rotation direction is calculated based on the position information and the dimensional data, the processor 210B uses the processor 210B when the user 5B is not facing the front (that is, when the head and the waist are facing different directions). The position of the shoulder cannot be estimated accurately. Therefore, in another embodiment, the computer 200B may estimate the rotation direction of the joint by further considering the inclination of the portion of the user 5B detected by the motion sensor. For example, the computer 200B estimates the position of the shoulder based on the position information of the head, the inclination of the head, the inclination of the lumbar region, the shoulder width, and the height from the head to the shoulder. According to this configuration, the computer 200B can improve the accuracy of the joint rotation direction.

[Live progress processing flow]
FIG. 23 is a sequence chart showing a part of the processing performed in the HMD set 110B according to an embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411B and a field of view image 2417B in a certain embodiment. In the present embodiment, at least the HMD set 110B executes a series of processes for advancing the live performance of the avatar object 6B.

In step S2301, processor 210B defines virtual space 2411B as shown in FIG. 24 (A). This process corresponds to the process of step S1110 in FIG. Specifically, the processor 210B defines the virtual space 2411B represented by the virtual space data by specifying the virtual space data. In FIG. 24A, the virtual space 2411B includes the avatar objects 6A-6D. The virtual space 2411B is a virtual space in which the avatar object 6A and the like view the live performance of the avatar object 6B. In other words, the virtual space 2411B is the virtual space 2411B where the performance by the avatar object 6B is performed.

In step S2302, the processor 210B generates the stage object 1532 as the virtual object generation module 1421 and arranges it in the virtual space 2411B. The stage object 1532 is a kind of virtual object on which the avatar object 6B performs a performance. In step 2303, the processor 210B generates the avatar object 6B (first avatar) associated with the user 5B (first user) as the virtual object generation module 1421, and arranges it in the virtual space 2411B. In FIG. 24A, the avatar object 6B is placed on the stage object 1532. Although not shown, the processor 210B generates the avatar information of the avatar object 6B and transmits it to the server 600 at an arbitrary timing. In step S2304, the processor 210B creates a virtual camera 14B and arranges it in the virtual space 2411B.

In step S2305, the processor 210B receives the avatar information of the avatar objects 6A, 6C, and 6D from the server 600. In step S2306, the processor 210B, as the virtual object generation module 1421, avatar objects 6A (second avatar), 6C associated with users 5A (second user), 5C, and 5D, respectively, based on the received avatar information. , And 6D are placed in the virtual space 2411B. The processor 210B also receives the avatar information of the other avatar object 6, and also arranges the other avatar object 6 in the virtual space 2411B. A large number of other avatar objects 6 are arranged in the virtual space 2411B, but the illustration is omitted in FIG. 24 and the like for convenience of explanation. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, other avatar objects 6 will not be mentioned.

In step 2307, the processor 210B generates a transparently set mirror surface object 2441 (first object) as the virtual object generation module 1421, and arranges it in the field of view area 15B (first field of view) from the avatar object 6B. The mirror object 2441 is visualized within the field of view 15B in the virtual space 2411B. In FIG. 24A, the position where the mirror object 2441 is arranged is the position facing the avatar object 6B. Seen from the avatar object 6B, the mirror object 2441 is superimposed on the avatar object 6A. In other words, the mirror object 2441 is arranged between the avatar object 6A and the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 2411B.

The mirror surface object 2441 has a display surface capable of displaying various information such as text and images (still images, moving images). The processor 210B arranges the mirror object 2441 in the virtual space 2411B with the display surface of the mirror object 2441 facing the avatar object 6B. The transparency of the mirror object 2441 can be any value indicating the state of the mirror object 2441 in which the user 5B can see behind the mirror object 2441. The transmittance of the mirror object 2441 when the mirror object 2441 is completely transparent is 100 (maximum value), and the transmittance of the mirror object 2441 when the mirror object 2441 is completely opaque is 0 (minimum value). Then, the transparency of the mirror surface object 2441 takes any value of more than 0 and 100 or less. Processor 210B can, for example, keep the transparency values of the mirror object 2441 at the same value during the live.

In step S2308, the processor 210B generates a virtual camera 2442 (virtual viewpoint) as a virtual object generation module 1421 and arranges it in association with the mirror surface object 2441. The virtual camera 2442 is a virtual camera that generates an avatar image 2444 showing at least a part of the avatar object 6B by photographing at least a part of the avatar object 6B. In FIG. 24A, the virtual camera 2442 is arranged on the mirror object 2441 with the shooting direction of the virtual camera 2442 facing the avatar object 6B. The virtual camera 2442 may be arranged at a different position from the mirror object 2441 in a state associated with the mirror object 2441.

The processor 210B defines a field of view area 2443 (third field of view) from the virtual camera 2442 based on the shooting direction of the virtual camera 2442. The field of view area 2443 corresponds to the shooting range of the virtual camera 2442. The processor 210B controls the field of view area 2443 so that at least a part of the avatar object 6B is included in the field of view area 2443. In FIG. 24 (A), the entire avatar object 6B is included in the field of view area 2443. The virtual camera 2442 is a virtual camera that is not visually recognized by the user B. The processor 210B sets the virtual camera 14B that the virtual camera 14B is not photographed by the virtual camera 2442. Processor 210B further sets the virtual camera 2442 that the virtual camera 2442 is not photographed by the virtual camera 14B.

In step S2309, the processor 210B, as the virtual camera control module 1422, captures the avatar object 6B using the virtual camera 2442 to generate an avatar image 2444 representing the current front surface of the avatar object 6B in real time. The avatar image 2444 is a field of view image (second field of view image) corresponding to the field of view area 2443 from the virtual camera 2442. In the virtual space 2411B, the virtual camera 14B is arranged in the field of view area 2443 of the virtual camera 2442, but since the virtual camera 14B is set not to be photographed by the virtual camera 2442, the avatar image 2444 is an image of the virtual camera 14B. Is not included. In other words, the processor 210B excludes the virtual camera 14B from the rendering target when rendering the field of view area 2443 of the virtual camera 2442 in the virtual space 2411B.

The processor 210B sets a predetermined transparency to the generated avatar image 2444. The transparency of the avatar image 2444 is, for example, the same as the transparency of the mirror object 2441. The transparency of the avatar image 2444 may be different from the transparency of the mirror object 2441. In step S2310, the processor 210B displays the transparently set avatar image 2444 on the mirror object 2441 in real time as the virtual object control module 1427. The processor 210B displays, for example, the avatar image 2444 on the mirror surface object 2441 in a horizontally inverted state. As a result, the mirror image of the avatar object 6B is projected on the mirror surface object 2441 in real time. As a result, the mirror object 2441 functions as a virtual mirror that reflects the current front of the avatar object 6B.

In step S2311, as a virtual camera control module 1422, the processor 210B controls the field of view 15B from the avatar object 6B in response to the movement of the head of the user 5B associated with the HMD 120B. Specifically, the processor 210B determines the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14B in the virtual space 2411B according to the movement of the HMD 120B, and controls the field of view region 15B according to the determined position and tilt of the virtual camera 14B. This process corresponds to a part of the process of step S1140 in FIG. Since the virtual camera 14B is arranged at the same position as the avatar object 6B, the position of the virtual camera 14B is synonymous with the position of the avatar object 6B. Further, the field of view from the virtual camera 14B is synonymous with the field of view from the avatar object 6B.

In step S2312, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 2417B on the monitor 130B. Specifically, the processor 210B defines the field of view image 2417B corresponding to the field of view area 15B based on the movement of the HMD 120B (that is, the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14B) and the virtual space data that defines the virtual space 2411B. To do. Defining the field of view image 2417 is synonymous with generating the field of view image 2417B. The processor 210B further outputs the field of view image 2417B to the monitor 130B of the HMD 120B to display the field of view image 2417B on the HMD 120B. The process corresponds to the process of steps S1180 and S1190 of FIG.

For example, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 2417B corresponding to the virtual space 2411B shown in FIG. 24 (A) on the monitor 130B as shown in FIG. 24 (B). By visually recognizing the field of view image 2417B, the user 5B recognizes that the avatar objects 6C and 6D are viewing the performance of the avatar object 6B. The user 5B can further confirm the current appearance of the avatar object 6B in real time by visually recognizing the avatar image 2444 displayed on the mirror object 2441. As a result, the user 5B can easily grasp whether or not the movement of the user 5B is correctly reflected in the avatar object 6B during the live performance. The user 5B can also visually recognize the appearance of the avatar object 6A arranged behind the mirror surface object 2441 through the transparent mirror surface object 2441 and the avatar image 2444. Therefore, the user 5B can recognize that the avatar object 6A is also viewing the performance of the avatar object 6B. In this way, the user 5B can accurately grasp the current appearance of the avatar object 6B while recognizing the entire view area 15B in the virtual space 2411B.

(Viewer's virtual space 2411A)
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411A and a field of view image 2517A according to an embodiment. Processor 210A defines a virtual space 2411A for providing a virtual experience to user 5A, as shown in FIG. 25 (A). The virtual space 2411A is a virtual space that is basically synchronized with the virtual space 2411B. Like the virtual space 2411B, the virtual space 2411A is also a virtual space where the performance by the avatar object 6B is performed. The processor 210A arranges the virtual camera 14A, the avatar object 6A, and the stage object 1532 in the virtual space 2411A, respectively. The processor 210A receives each avatar information of the avatar objects 6B to 6D from the server 600, and arranges the avatar objects 6B to 6D in the virtual space 2411B based on the avatar information. The positions where the avatar objects 6A to 6D are arranged in the virtual space 2411A are the same as the positions in the virtual space 2411B.

A part of the virtual space 2411B is not synchronized with the virtual space 2411A. Specifically, processor 210A does not place the mirror object 2441 and virtual camera 2442 in virtual space 2411A. Therefore, unlike the virtual space 2411B, the virtual space 2411A does not include the mirror surface object 2441, the virtual camera 2442, and the avatar image 2444 inside. As described above, the mirror surface object 2441 is an object that is not visualized in the field of view area 15A (second field of view) from the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 2411A.

For example, the processor 210A displays the field of view image 2517A corresponding to the virtual space 2411A shown in FIG. 25A on the monitor 130A as shown in FIG. 25B. The user 5A visually recognizes the performance of the avatar object 6B by visually recognizing the field of view image 2517A. Since the mirror object 2441 is not arranged in the virtual space 2411A, the field of view image 2517A does not include the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2444. Therefore, even if the user 5B visually recognizes the field of view image 2517A, he or she does not visually recognize the mirror surface object 2441 and the avatar image 2444. As described above, the mirror surface object 2441 is a virtual object that can be visually recognized by the user 5B but not by the user 5A. Further, the avatar image 2444 is information that can be visually recognized by the user 5B but not by the user 5A.

Since the user 5A does not visually recognize the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2444 during the performance of the avatar object 6B, the user 5A does not feel any discomfort with the performance of the avatar object 6B. This allows the user 5A to focus more on the performance of the avatar object 6A and enjoy the performance more. In particular, since the user 5A does not know the fact that the user 5B confirms the avatar image 2444 during the live, the user 5A does not get excited during the live.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the posture of the user 5B according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411B and a field of view image 2717B according to an embodiment. After the start of the live, the user 5B moves his / her body to take the posture shown in FIG. 26, for example. The posture shown in FIG. 26 is a posture corresponding to the first performance. The processor 210B causes the avatar object 6B to perform the first performance as shown in FIG. 27 (A) based on the body movement of the user 5B to take the posture shown in FIG. The processor 210B captures the avatar object 6B using the virtual camera 2442 to generate an avatar image 2744 representing the current front surface of the avatar object 6B performing the first performance in real time. The processor 210B sets a predetermined transparency to the generated avatar image 2744, and displays the transparent avatar image 2744 on the mirror object 2441 in real time in a left-right inverted state.

For example, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 2717B corresponding to the virtual space 2411B shown in FIG. 27 (A) on the monitor 130B as shown in FIG. 27 (B). The field of view image 2717B includes a mirror object 2441 and an avatar image 2744. By visually recognizing the mirror surface object 2441 and the avatar image 2744 included in the field of view image 2717B, the user 5B confirms that the avatar object 6B correctly executes the first performance linked to the movement of the user 5B. Can be done. The user 5B can also visually recognize the appearance of the avatar object 6A arranged behind the mirror object 2441 through the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2744. In this way, no matter what kind of movement the user 5B makes, the avatar image showing the appearance of the avatar object 6B is always set to be transparent. Therefore, the user 5B can always visually recognize the state behind the mirror surface object 2441 in the virtual space during the live performance.

[Main advantages of this embodiment]
As described above, the processor 210B displays the transparently set avatar image 2744 on the transparently set mirror surface object 2441. As a result, the user 5B can easily grasp the current behavior of the avatar object 6B by visually recognizing the avatar image 2744. Further, the user 5B can easily grasp the state behind the mirror surface object 2441 in the virtual space 2411B through the mirror surface object 2441 and the avatar image 2744 which are set to be transparent. In this way, the processor 210B can provide the user 5B with useful information to the user 5B without deteriorating the visibility of the user 5B in the virtual space 2411B.

(Example of transparency control)
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411B and a field of view image 2817B according to an embodiment. In FIG. 28A, a mirror object 2441 is arranged between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A. The processor 210B captures the avatar object 6B using the virtual camera 2442 to generate an avatar image 2844 representing the current front surface of the avatar object 6B in real time. The processor 210B further controls the transparency of the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2844 based on the positional relationship between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A. In FIG. 28A, the distance between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A is equal to or less than the first threshold value. Processor 210B increases the transparency of the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2844 based on the distance between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A being less than or equal to the first threshold. Specifically, the processor 210B makes the transparency of the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2844 higher than the transparency when the distance between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A exceeds the first threshold value.

For example, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 2817B corresponding to the virtual space 2411B shown in FIG. 28 (A) on the monitor 130B as shown in FIG. 28 (B). When the user 5B visually recognizes the field of view image 2817B, the figure of the avatar object 6A arranged near the avatar object 6B can be more clearly visually recognized through the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2844. Therefore, the user 5B can more accurately grasp the state of the avatar object 6A.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411B and a field of view image 2917B according to an embodiment. In FIG. 29 (A), the mirror object 2441 is arranged between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A. The processor 210B captures the avatar object 6B using the virtual camera 2442 to generate an avatar image 2944 showing the current front surface of the avatar object 6B in real time. Based on the positional relationship between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A shown in FIG. 29 (A) being different from that in FIG. 28 (A), the processor 210B shows the transparency of the mirror object object 2441 and the avatar image 2944. Make it different from 28 (A). Specifically, the position of the avatar object 6A in FIG. 29 (A) is farther from the position of the avatar object 6B than the position of the avatar object 6A in FIG. 28 (A). As a result, the distance between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A exceeds the first threshold value. Processor 210B reduces the transparency of the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2844 based on the distance between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A exceeding the first threshold. Specifically, the processor 210B makes the transparency of the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 2944 lower than the transparency when the distance between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A is equal to or less than the first threshold value.

For example, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 2917B corresponding to the virtual space 2411B shown in FIG. 29 (B) on the monitor 130B as shown in FIG. 29 (B). When the user 5B visually recognizes the field of view image 2917B, the user 5B can visually recognize the avatar image 2944 displayed on the mirror surface object 2441 more clearly than in the case of FIG. 28 (B). Therefore, the user 5B can more reliably grasp whether or not the avatar object 6B is operating as intended by itself. In FIG. 29 (B), the user 5B has difficulty in visually recognizing the appearance of the avatar object 6A as compared with FIG. 28 (B). However, since the avatar object 6B is not near the avatar object 6A, even if the behavior of the avatar object 6B is difficult for the user 5B to grasp, the progress of the live is not significantly affected.

(Position control of mirror object 2441)
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411B and a field of view image 3017B according to an embodiment. In FIG. 30 (A), the avatar object 6B is arranged on the stage object 1532 at the right end when viewed from the avatar object 6B. The avatar object 6A is arranged at a position near the stage object 1532 in the virtual space 2411B so as to face the avatar object 6B. The avatar object 6D is located behind the avatar object 6A. The avatar object 6C is arranged at a position away from the avatar objects 6A and 6D. In FIG. 30A, a mirror object 2441 is arranged between the avatar object 6B and the avatar object 6A. By photographing the avatar object 6B using the virtual camera 2442, the processor 210B generates an avatar image 2944 showing the current front surface of the avatar object 6B in real time and displays it on the mirror object object 2441.

For example, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 3017B corresponding to the virtual space 2411B shown in FIG. 30A on the monitor 130B as shown in FIG. 30B. The user 5B can easily confirm the current appearance of the avatar object 6B by visually recognizing the avatar image 3044 included in the field of view image 2817B. User 5B can also easily grasp the state of the avatar object 6A arranged behind the mirror object 2441 through the mirror object 2441 and the avatar image 3044.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411B and a field of view image 3117B according to an embodiment. When the avatar object 6B is arranged as shown in FIG. 30A, the user 5B performs an operation for moving the avatar object 6B to the left end on the stage object 1532. In this operation, for example, the user 5B presses any button of the right controller 300RB. The processor 210B detects the operation of the user 5B for moving the avatar object 6B. When the processor 210B detects the operation of the user 5B, the processor 210B moves the avatar object 6B to the leftmost position on the stage object 1532 as shown in FIG. 30 (B). The processor 210B also moves the virtual camera 14B in conjunction with the avatar object 6B. As a result, the position of the virtual camera 14B also changes from the right end to the left end on the stage object 1532.

The processor 210B moves the field of view area 15B from the position shown in FIG. 30 (A) to the position shown in FIG. 31 (A) in conjunction with the movement of the avatar object 6B and the virtual camera 14B. Specifically, the processor 210B determines the posture of the head of the user 5B and the position of the virtual camera 14B after the movement in the virtual space 2411B when the avatar object 6B and the virtual camera 14B move as shown in FIG. 31 (A). In response to the above, the field of view area 15B, which is the field of view from the virtual camera 14B in the virtual space 2411B, is controlled as shown in FIG. 31 (A).

The processor 210B interlocks with the movement of the field of view area 15B so that the mirror surface object 2441 and the virtual camera 2442 are positioned at predetermined positions in the field of view area 15B as shown in FIG. 31 (A). And move the virtual camera 2442. In FIG. 31 (A), the predetermined position is a position facing the avatar object 6B. As shown in FIGS. 30A and 31A, the relative positions of the mirror object 2441 and the virtual camera 2442 in the field of view 15B do not change before and after the field of view 15B moves.

The processor 210B generates an avatar image 3144 showing the front surface of the avatar object 6B by photographing the avatar object 6B using the virtual camera 2442 after the movement. The processor 210B further displays the transparently set avatar image 3144 on the mirror surface object 2441 after the movement in a left-right inverted state.

For example, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 3117B corresponding to the virtual space 2411B shown in FIG. 31 (B) on the monitor 130B as shown in FIG. 31 (B). The user 5B visually recognizes another part in the virtual space 2411B by visually recognizing the field of view image 3117B. The user 5B further recognizes that the mirror object 2441 has moved in the virtual space 2411B following the movement of the avatar object 6B. The user 5B further confirms the current appearance of the avatar object 6B by visually recognizing the avatar image 3144 displayed on the mirror surface object 2441.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a virtual space 2411B and a field of view image 3217B according to an embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 32, the user 5B faces to the left side of himself / herself after the avatar object 6B is arranged as shown in FIG. 30 (A). As a result, the whole body including the head of the user 5B is rotated by 90 ° to the left side. As shown in FIG. 32 (A), the processor 210B rotates the avatar object 6B and the virtual camera 14B 90 ° to the left side of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 2411B in conjunction with the movement of the user 5B. .. The processor 210B moves the visual field area 15B from the position shown in FIG. 30 (A) to the position shown in FIG. 32 in conjunction with the movement of the head of the user 5B. Specifically, the processor 210B determines the posture of the head of the user 5B and the position of the virtual camera 14B after the movement in the virtual space 2411B when the avatar object 6B and the virtual camera 14B move as shown in FIG. 32 (A). In response to the above, the field of view area 15B, which is the field of view from the virtual camera 14B in the virtual space 2411B, is controlled as shown in FIG. 32 (A).

The processor 210B interlocks with the movement of the field of view area 15B so that the mirror surface object 2441 and the virtual camera 2442 are positioned at predetermined positions in the field of view area 15B as shown in FIG. 32 (A). And move the virtual camera 2442. In FIG. 32 (A), the predetermined position is a position facing the avatar object 6B. As shown in FIGS. 30A and 32A, the relative positions of the mirror object 2441 and the virtual camera 2442 in the field of view 15B do not change before and after the field of view 15B moves.

The processor 210B generates an avatar image 3244 showing the front surface of the avatar object 6B by photographing the avatar object 6B using the virtual camera 2442 after the movement. The processor 210B further displays the transparently set avatar image 3244 on the mirror surface object 2441 after movement in a state of being horizontally inverted.

For example, the processor 210B displays the field of view image 3217B corresponding to the virtual space 2411B shown in FIG. 32 (B) on the monitor 130B as shown in FIG. 32 (B). The user 5B visually recognizes another part in the virtual space 2411B by visually recognizing the field of view image 3217B. The user 5B further recognizes that the mirror object 2441 has moved in the virtual space 2411B following a change in the orientation of the avatar object 6B. The user 5B further confirms the current appearance of the avatar object 6B by visually recognizing the avatar image 3144 displayed on the mirror surface object 2441.

As shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, the mirror surface object 2441 always keeps being positioned at a predetermined position in the visual field area 15B regardless of where the user 5B visually recognizes the virtual space 2411B. Therefore, the user 5B can easily visually recognize the appearance of the avatar object 6B displayed on the mirror object object 2441 at any time.

(Modification example)
The processor 210B can display an image showing at least a part of the avatar object 6B and being set to be transparent on the mirror object object 2441. Displaying the avatar image 2844 on the mirror object 2441 is an example of displaying an image showing at least a part of the avatar object 6B and being transparently set on the mirror object 2441. The processor 210B may also extract an image showing, for example, the upper body, which is a part of the avatar object 6B, from the image taken by the virtual camera 2442, and display the image on the mirror object object 2441.

The processor 210B does not necessarily have to display the avatar image 2844 on the mirror object 2441 in real time. For example, the processor 210B can display the avatar image 2844 on the mirror object 2441 after a certain period of time has elapsed after the generation of the avatar image 2844. In this case as well, the user 5B can accurately grasp the behavior of the avatar object 6B through the avatar image 2844 displayed on the mirror surface object 2441.

The processor 210B can also display an image showing at least a part of the avatar object 6B on the mirror object 2441 as it is without flipping left and right. Also in this case, the user 5B can easily confirm the appearance of the avatar object 6B by visually recognizing the image displayed on the mirror surface object 2441.

The processor 210B can display arbitrary first information on the mirror surface object 2441. The first information may be information that is at least partially transparently set. The above-mentioned avatar image 2844 is an example of the first information set to be transparent displayed on the mirror surface object 2441. The first information may be information that is not set to be transparent, such as a character string in which the background portion is transparent and the character portion is opaque.

The first information may be any information (text, image) regarding the live progress of the avatar object 6B other than the avatar image 2844. The first information may be, for example, information instructing the action content for the avatar object 6B. As such first information, for example, information instructing the user 5B of a specific action to be taken by the avatar object 6B at a certain time during the live can be mentioned. By referring to the first information displayed on the mirror surface object 2441 as a cheat sheet during the live, the user 5B can easily grasp what kind of action should be performed on the avatar object 6B during the live. Can be done. Therefore, the user 5B can smoothly proceed with the live performance of the avatar object 6B. Further, when the user 5B visually recognizes the first information, the state behind the mirror surface object 2441 in the virtual space 2411B can be visually recognized through the mirror surface object 2441, so that the visibility of the user 5B in the virtual space 2411B can be improved. Can be enhanced.

Processor 210B can also determine whether to visualize the mirror object 2441 within the field of view 15B based on instructions from user 5B. For example, when the processor 210B detects the first instruction by the user 5B, the visualization permission is set to the mirror object 2441, and when the second instruction by the user 5B is detected, the non-visualization is set to the mirror object 2441. To do. The processor 210B displays the field of view image including the mirror object 2441 on the HMD 120 when the visualization permission is set for the mirror object 2441, and the mirror object 2441 when the non-visualization is set for the mirror object 2441. A field of view image that does not include the above is displayed on the HMD 120. Therefore, the user 5B can decide, if necessary, whether or not to visually recognize the first information during the live performance.

[Additional notes]
The contents relating to one aspect of the present invention are listed below.

(Item 1) The program was explained. According to certain aspects of the disclosure, the program is executed by a computer (200B) equipped with a processor (210B). The program comprises a virtual space (avatar object 6A) in which the processor includes a first avatar (avatar object 6B) associated with the first user (user 5B) and a second avatar (avatar object 6A) associated with the second user (user 5). The first view (field of view area 15B) from the first avatar is controlled according to the movement of the head of the first user associated with the step (S2301) for defining 2411B) and the first head mount device (HMD120B). Step (S2311) and the first object (mirror surface object 2441) that is transparently set and is visualized in the first field of view but not in the second field of view (field of view area 15A) from the second avatar. A step (S2307) for arranging in the first field of view, a step (S2310) for displaying the first information (avatar image 2444) on the first object, and a first field of view image (field of view image 2417B) corresponding to the first field of view. Is displayed on the first head mount device (S2312), and is executed.

(Item 2) In (Item 1), the step of controlling the first field of view includes moving the first field of view in conjunction with the movement of the head of the first user, and the program informs the processor of the first field of view. In conjunction with the movement of, the step of moving the first object so that the first object is positioned at a predetermined position in the first field of view is further executed.

(Item 3) In (Item 1) or (Item 2), the placement step involves placing a virtual field of view (virtual camera 2442) in association with the first object, the program telling the processor of the first avatar. The step of controlling the third field of view (field of view area 2443) from the virtual viewpoint is executed so that at least a part thereof is included, and the first information is the second field of view image corresponding to the third field of view, which is set to be transparent. ..

(Item 4) In (Item 3), the virtual viewpoint is arranged on the first object, and the predetermined position is a position facing the first avatar.

(Item 5) In (Item 1) or (Item 2), the first information is information instructing the action content for the first avatar.

(Item 6) In any of (Item 1) to (Item 5), the program determines whether or not the processor visualizes the first object in the first field of view based on the instruction by the first user. To perform the steps to be performed.

(Item 7) In the step of displaying the first information in (Item 3) or (Item 4), the second field of view image is displayed on the first object in real time.

(Item 8) In any of (Item 1) to (Item 7), the first object is placed between the first avatar and the second avatar in the step of placing.

(Item 9) In (Item 8), the program causes the processor to execute a step of controlling the transparency of the first object based on the positional relationship between the first avatar and the second avatar.

(Item 10) In the step of controlling the transmittance in (Item 9), when the distance between the first avatar and the second avatar is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the transparency is increased and the first avatar and the second avatar are second. If the distance to the avatar exceeds the first threshold, the transparency is lowered.

(Item 11) The information processing device has been described. According to a certain aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing unit (computer 200B) controls the operation of the information processing device by executing the program and the storage unit (storage 230B) that stores the program executed by the information processing unit. A control unit (processor 210B) for processing is provided. The control unit is a virtual space (2411B) including a first avatar (avatar object 6B) associated with the first user (user 5B) and a second avatar (avatar object 6A) associated with the second user (user 5). The first head mount device (HMD120B) controls the first field of view (field of view area 15B) from the first avatar according to the movement of the head of the first user associated with the device, and within the first field of view. A transparently set first object (mirror object 2441), which is visualized and not visualized in the second field of view (field of view area 15A) from the second avatar, is placed in the first field of view and becomes the first object. , The step (S2310) for displaying the first information (avatar image 2444) and the first field of view image (field of view image 2417B) corresponding to the first field of view are displayed on the first head mount device.

(Item 12) The method of executing the program has been described. According to certain aspects of the disclosure, the method is performed by a computer equipped with a processor. The method comprises a virtual space in which the processor includes a first avatar (avatar object 6B) associated with the first user (user 5B) and a second avatar (avatar object 6A) associated with the second user (user 5). The first view (field of view area 15B) from the first avatar is controlled according to the movement of the head of the first user associated with the step (S2301) for defining 2411B) and the first head mount device (HMD120B). Step (S2311) and the first object (mirror surface object 2441) that is transparently set and is visualized in the first field of view but not in the second field of view (field of view area 15A) from the second avatar. A step (S2307) for arranging in the first field of view, a step (S2310) for displaying the first information (avatar image 2444) on the first object, and a first field of view image (field of view image 2417B) corresponding to the first field of view. Is included in the first head mount device (S2312).

In the above embodiment, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user is immersed by the HMD has been illustrated and described, but a transparent HMD may be adopted as the HMD. In this case, augmented reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) MR: Mixed Reality) A virtual experience in space may be provided to the user. In this case, instead of the operation object, the action on the target object in the virtual space may be generated based on the movement of the user's hand. Specifically, the processor may specify the coordinate information of the position of the user's hand in the real space, and may define the position of the target object in the virtual space in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. As a result, 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 can execute the process corresponding to the collision control and the like described above between the user's hand and the target object. .. As a result, it becomes possible to give an action to the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

2 networks, 5,5A, 5B, 5C, 5D users, 6,6A, 6B, 6C, 6D avatar objects, 11,11A, 11B, 11C, 11D virtual space, 12 centers, 13 panoramic images, 14, 14A, 14B Virtual camera, 15,15A, 15B, 15C view area, 16 reference line of sight, 17,17A, 17B view image, 18,19 area, 100 HMD system, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D HMD set, 120, 120A, 120B, 120C, HMD, 130, 130A, 130B, 130C monitor, 140 gaze sensor, 150 first camera, 160 second camera, 170, 170A, 170B microphone, 180, 180A, 180B speaker, 190 sensor, 200, 200A, 200B computer, 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 610 processor, 220, 620 memory, 230, 230A, 230B, 630 storage, 240, 640 input / output interface, 250, 650 communication interface, 260, 660 bus, 300, 300B controller, 300R right controller, 300L left controller, 310 grip, 320 frame, 330 top surface, 340, 340, 350, 370, 380 buttons, 360 infrared LED, 390 analog stick, 410 HMD sensor, 420, 420A motion sensor, 430, 430A display, 510 control module, 520 rendering module, 530 memory module, 540 communication control module, 600 server, 700 external device, 1421 virtual object generation module, 1422 virtual camera control module, 1423 operation object control module, 1424 avatar object Control module, 1425 motion detection module, 1426 collision detection module, 1427 virtual object control module, 1517A, 1617B, 2417, 2417B, 2517A, 2717B, 2817B, 2917B, 3017B, 3117B view image, 1531LA, 1531LB virtual left hand, 1531RA, 1531RB Virtual right hand, 1532 Stage object, 1644,1642,1643 motion sensor, 1644 belt, 2411A, 2411B virtual space, 2441 mirror object, 2442 virtual camera, 2443 field of view, 2444, 2744, 2844, 2944, 3044, 3144, 3244 avatar image

Claims (11)

A program that is run by a computer with a processor
The program is delivered to the processor.
A step of defining a virtual space, including a first avatar associated with the first user and a second avatar associated with the second user.
A step of controlling the first field of view from the first avatar in response to the movement of the head of the first user associated with the first head mount device.
A step of arranging a transparently set first object in the first field of view, which is visualized in the first field of view but not in the second field of view from the second avatar.
A step of displaying an image of the first avatar with transparency set on the first object, and
A program for executing a step of displaying a first field of view image corresponding to the first field of view on the first head mount device. The step of controlling the first visual field includes moving the first visual field in conjunction with the movement of the head of the first user.
The program is delivered to the processor.
The program according to claim 1, further executing a step of moving the first object so that the first object is positioned at a predetermined position in the first field of view in conjunction with the movement of the first field of view. The placing step comprises placing a virtual viewpoint in association with the first object.
The program is delivered to the processor.
A step of controlling the third field of view from the virtual viewpoint is executed so that at least a part of the first avatar is included.
The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image of the first avatar is a second field-of-view image corresponding to the third field of view, which is set to be transparent. The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image of the first avatar is information instructing an action content for the first avatar. Any of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the program causes the processor to perform a step of determining whether or not to visualize the first object in the first field of view based on instructions from the first user. The program described in item 1. The program according to claim 3 , wherein in the step of displaying the image of the first avatar, the second field of view image is displayed on the first object in real time. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the first object is placed between the first avatar and the second avatar in the placement step. The program is delivered to the processor.
The program according to claim 7 , wherein the step of controlling the transparency of the first object is executed based on the positional relationship between the first avatar and the second avatar. In the step of controlling the transparency of the first object, when the distance between the first avatar and the second avatar is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the transparency of the first object is made higher, and the first object is used. The program according to claim 8 , wherein when the distance between the 1 avatar and the 2nd avatar exceeds the 1st threshold value, the transparency of the 1st object is made lower. It is an information processing device
The information processing device
A storage unit that stores a program executed by the information processing device,
A control unit that controls the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the program is provided.
The control unit
Define a virtual space that includes a first avatar associated with the first user and a second avatar associated with the second user.
The first field of view from the first avatar is controlled according to the movement of the head of the first user associated with the first head mount device.
A transparently set first object that is visualized in the first field of view but not in the second field of view from the second avatar is placed in the first field of view.
The first information including the image of the first avatar whose transparency is set is displayed on the first object.
An information processing device that displays a first field of view image corresponding to the first field of view on the first head-mounted device. A way for a computer with a processor to execute a program
In the method, the processor
A step of defining a virtual space, including a first avatar associated with the first user and a second avatar associated with the second user.
A step of controlling the first field of view from the first avatar in response to the movement of the head of the first user associated with the first head mount device.
A step of arranging a transparently set first object in the first field of view, which is visualized in the first field of view but not in the second field of view from the second avatar.
A step of displaying the first information including the image of the first avatar whose transparency is set on the first object, and
A method comprising displaying a first field of view image corresponding to the first field of view on the first head mount device.

Images