JP6856572B2 - An information processing method, a device, and a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method. - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an information processing method, an apparatus, and a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method.

Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for operating an avatar object associated with a user based on a user's operation in a virtual space.

"Facebook Mark Zuckerberg Social VR Demo OC3 Oculus Connect 3 Keynote", [online], October 6, 2016, VRvibe, [Search December 5, 2016], Internet <https://www.youtube.com / watch? v = NCpNKLXovtE ＞

As one of the methods to improve the entertainment of the virtual experience in the virtual space, it is necessary to provide a mechanism that can take and save a two-dimensional image (for example, a commemorative photo) obtained by cutting out a part of the virtual space in the same way as the real space. Can be considered. However, providing such a mechanism only provides the same mechanism as the real space, and does not provide an experience unique to the virtual space.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing method, a device, and a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method, which can improve the entertainment property of a virtual experience in a virtual space.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method executed by a computer to provide a virtual experience to a user via a user terminal provided with a display unit. This information processing method generates a field image based on the step of generating virtual space data that defines the virtual space for providing a virtual experience, the movement of the user terminal, and the virtual space data, and displays the view image on the display unit. A step of displaying a view image, a step of generating 2D image data corresponding to a part of the virtual space seen from a predetermined position in the virtual space, a step of associating the 2D image data with the virtual space data, and a 2D dimension. It includes a step of redefining the virtual space data associated with the image data and a step of updating the two-dimensional image data based on the redefined virtual space data.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing method, a device, and a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method, which can improve the entertainment property of the virtual experience.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure of the HMD system 100 according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the computer 200 which follows one aspect. It is a figure which conceptually represents the uvw field-of-view coordinate system set in the HMD apparatus 110 according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which conceptually represents one aspect which expresses the virtual space 2 according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which showed the head of the user 190 who wears the HMD apparatus 110 according to a certain embodiment from the top. It is a figure which shows the YZ cross section which looked at the field of view area 23 from the X direction in virtual space 2. It is a figure which shows the XZ cross section which looked at the visual field area 23 from the Y direction in virtual space 2. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the controller 160 according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration. It is a flowchart which shows the process which HMD system 100A executes. It is a figure which shows typically the virtual space 2 shared by a plurality of users. It is a figure which shows an example of the field of view image M provided to the user 190A. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process executed by the HMD system 100A, the HMD system 100B, the HMD system 100C, and the server 150. It is a flowchart which shows the process about the generation and editing of 2D image data. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of motion information. It is a figure which shows an example of the display object D. It is a figure for demonstrating the editing process with respect to the display object D.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described 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.

[HMD system configuration]
The configuration of the HMD (Head Mount 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 an embodiment. In some aspects, the HMD system 100 is provided as a home system or a business system.

The HMD system 100 includes an HMD device 110 (user terminal), an HMD sensor 120, a controller 160, and a computer 200. The HMD device 110 includes a display 112 (display unit), a camera 116, a microphone 118, and a gaze sensor 140. The controller 160 may include a motion sensor 130.

In some aspects, the computer 200 can connect to the Internet or other network 19 and communicate with the server 150 or other computer connected to the network 19. In another aspect, the HMD device 110 may include a sensor 114 instead of the HMD sensor 120.

The HMD device 110 can be worn on the user's head and provide the user with a virtual space during operation. More specifically, the HMD device 110 displays an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye on the display 112, respectively. When each eye of the user visually recognizes the image, the user can recognize the image as a three-dimensional image based on the parallax of both eyes.

The display 112 is realized as, for example, a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the display 112 is arranged in the main body of the HMD device 110 so as to be located in front of both eyes of the user. Therefore, the user can immerse himself in the virtual space by visually recognizing the three-dimensional image displayed on the display 112. In certain embodiments, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, user-operable objects, user-selectable menu images, and the like. In certain embodiments, the display 112 can be realized as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display included in a so-called smartphone or other information display terminal. The display 112 may be configured integrally with the main body of the HMD device 110, or may be configured as a separate body.

In some aspects, the display 112 may include a sub-display for displaying an image for the right eye and a sub-display for displaying an image for the left eye. In another aspect, the display 112 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 display 112 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.

The camera 116 acquires a facial image of the user who wears the HMD device 110. The face image acquired by the camera 116 can be used to detect the facial expression of the user by the image analysis process. The camera 116 may be, for example, an infrared camera built in the main body of the HMD device 110 in order to detect the movement of the eyes, the opening and closing of the eyelids, the movement of the eyebrows, and the like. Alternatively, the camera 116 may be an external camera arranged outside the HMD device 110 as shown in FIG. 1 in order to detect movements of the user's mouth, cheeks, jaws, and the like. Further, the camera 116 may be composed of both the infrared camera and the external camera described above.

The microphone 118 acquires the voice emitted by the user. The voice acquired by the microphone 118 can be used to detect the user's emotions by voice analysis processing. The voice can also be used to give voice instructions to the virtual space 2. Further, the voice may be sent to the HMD system used by another user via the network 19 and the server 150 or the like, and may be output from a speaker or the like connected to the HMD system. As a result, a conversation (chat) between users who share the virtual space is realized.

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

In another aspect, the HMD sensor 120 may be realized by a camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 by executing the image analysis process using the image information of the HMD device 110 output from the camera.

In another aspect, the HMD device 110 may include the sensor 114 as the position detector instead of the HMD sensor 120. The HMD device 110 can detect the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 itself by using the sensor 114. For example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like, the HMD device 110 uses any of these sensors instead of the HMD sensor 120 to position and tilt itself. Can be detected. As an example, when the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects the angular velocity around the three axes of the HMD device 110 in the real space over time. The HMD device 110 calculates the temporal change of the angle around the three axes of the HMD device 110 based on each angular velocity, and further calculates the inclination of the HMD device 110 based on the temporal change of the angle. Further, the HMD device 110 may include a transmissive display device. In this case, the transmissive display device may be temporarily configured as a non-transparent display device by adjusting its transmittance. Further, the field of view image may include a configuration for presenting the real space as a part of the image constituting the virtual space. For example, an image taken by a camera mounted on the HMD device 110 may be superimposed on a part of the field of view image and displayed, or by setting a high transmittance of a part of the transmissive display device, the field of view may be displayed. The real space may be visible from a part of the image.

The gaze sensor 140 detects the direction in which the eyes of the user 190's right eye and left eye are directed (line-of-sight direction). The detection of the direction is realized by, for example, a known eye tracking function. The gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In 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 irradiates the right eye and the left eye of the user 190 with infrared light and detects the angle of rotation of each eyeball by 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 direction of the user 190 based on each detected rotation angle.

The server 150 may send the program to the computer 200. In another aspect, the server 150 may communicate with another computer 200 to provide virtual reality to the HMD device used by another user. For example, in an amusement facility, when a plurality of users play a participatory game, each computer 200 communicates a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200, and the plurality of users are common in the same virtual space. Allows you to enjoy the game. The server 150 may consist of one or more computer devices. The server 150 may have a hardware configuration (processor, memory, storage, etc.) similar to the hardware configuration of the computer 200 described later.

The controller 160 receives an instruction input from the user 190 to the computer 200. In certain aspects, the controller 160 is configured to be grippable by the user 190. In another aspect, the controller 160 is configured to be wearable on a body or part of clothing of the user 190. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on a signal sent from the computer 200. In another aspect, the controller 160 accepts an operation given by the user 190 to control the position, movement, etc. of an object placed in the virtual space.

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

[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 one aspect. The computer 200 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, an input / output interface 13, and a communication interface 14 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 15.

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

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

The storage 12 permanently holds programs and data. The storage 12 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 12 includes a program for providing a virtual space in the HMD system 100, a simulation program, a game program, a user authentication program, a program for realizing communication with another computer 200, and the like. The data stored in the storage 12 includes data, objects, and the like for defining the virtual space.

In another aspect, the storage 12 may be realized as a detachable storage device such as a memory card. In yet another aspect, a configuration that uses programs and data stored in an external storage device may be used instead of the storage 12 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 collectively update programs, data, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the input / output interface 13 communicates signals with the HMD device 110, the HMD sensor 120, or the motion sensor 130. In a certain aspect, the input / output interface 13 is realized by using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface), an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), and other terminals. The input / output interface 13 is not limited to the above. For example, the input / output interface 13 may include a wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth®.

In certain embodiments, the input / output interface 13 may further communicate with the controller 160. For example, the input / output interface 13 receives an input of a signal output from the motion sensor 130. In another aspect, the input / output interface 13 sends an instruction output from the processor 10 to the controller 160. The command instructs the controller 160 to vibrate, output voice, emit light, and the like. Upon receiving the instruction, the controller 160 executes either vibration, audio output, or light emission in response to the instruction.

The communication interface 14 is connected to the network 19 and communicates with another computer (for example, the server 150) connected to the network 19. In a certain aspect, the communication interface 14 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 14 is not limited to the above.

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

The server 150 is connected to each control device of the plurality of HMD systems 100 via the network 19. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the server 150 mutually uses a plurality of HMD systems 100 including an HMD system 100A having an HMD device 110A, an HMD system 100B having an HMD device 110B, and an HMD system 100C having an HMD device 110C. Connect so that communication is possible. As a result, a virtual experience using a common virtual space is provided to the user who uses each HMD system. The HMD system 100A, the HMD system 100B, the HMD system 100C, and the other HMD system 100 all have the same configuration. However, each HMD system 100 may be a different model from each other, or may have different performances (processing performance, detection performance related to detection of user operation, etc.).

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the configuration in which the computer 200 is provided outside the HMD device 110 is shown, but in another aspect, the computer 200 may be built in the HMD device 110. As an example, a portable information communication terminal (for example, a smartphone) including the display 112 may function as the computer 200.

Further, the computer 200 may have a configuration commonly used in a plurality of HMD devices 110. According to such a configuration, for example, the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, so that each user can enjoy the same application as other users in the same virtual space. In such a case, the plurality of HMD systems 100 in the present embodiment may be directly connected to the computer 200 by the input / output interface 13. Further, each function of the server 150 in this embodiment (for example, synchronization processing described later) may be implemented in the computer 200.

In one embodiment, the HMD system 100 has a preset global coordinate system. The global coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) 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. In the present embodiment, the global coordinate system is one of the viewpoint coordinate systems. Therefore, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the front-back direction in the global coordinate system are defined as the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, respectively. More specifically, in the global coordinate system, the x-axis is parallel to the horizontal direction of 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 120 includes an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects infrared rays emitted from each light source of the HMD device 110, the presence of the HMD device 110 is detected. The HMD sensor 120 further determines the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 in the real space according to the movement of the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 based on the value of each point (each coordinate value in the global coordinate system). To detect. More specifically, the HMD sensor 120 can detect a temporal change in the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 by using each value detected over time.

The global coordinate system is parallel to the coordinate system in real space. Therefore, each inclination of the HMD device 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 corresponds to each inclination of the HMD device 110 around three axes in the global coordinate system. The HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw field of view coordinate system to the HMD device 110 based on the inclination of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system set in the HMD device 110 corresponds to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 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 device 110 according to a certain embodiment. The HMD sensor 120 detects the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system when the HMD device 110 is activated. The processor 10 sets the uvw field coordinate system in the HMD device 110 based on the detected value.

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

In a certain aspect, when the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110 is upright and visually recognizing the front surface, the processor 10 sets the uvw field coordinate system parallel to the global coordinate system to the HMD device 110. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), the vertical direction (y-axis), and the anteroposterior direction (z-axis) in the global coordinate system are the pitch direction (u-axis) and the yaw direction (v-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD apparatus 110. Axis) and roll direction (w-axis).

After the uvw field coordinate system is set in the HMD device 110, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the tilt (change amount of tilt) of the HMD device 110 in the set uvw field coordinate system based on the movement of the HMD device 110. .. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 detects the pitch angle (θu), yaw angle (θv), and roll angle (θw) of the HMD device 110 in the uvw visual field coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD device 110, respectively. The pitch angle (θu) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the pitch direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the yaw direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the tilt angle of the HMD device 110 around the roll direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system.

The HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw field coordinate system in the HMD device 110 after the HMD device 110 has moved based on the detected tilt angle of the HMD device 110 in the HMD device 110. The relationship between the HMD device 110 and the uvw field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 is always constant regardless of the position and inclination of the HMD device 110. When the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 in the global coordinate system changes in conjunction with the change of the position and inclination.

In one aspect, the HMD sensor 120 is based on the infrared light intensity acquired based on the output from the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship between the points (eg, the distance between the points). The position of the device 110 in the real space may be specified as a relative position with respect to the HMD sensor 120. Further, the processor 10 may determine the origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD device 110 in the real space (global coordinate system) based on the specified relative position.

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually representing one aspect of expressing the virtual space 2 according to a certain embodiment. The virtual space 2 has an all-sky spherical structure that covers the entire center 21 in the 360-degree direction. In FIG. 4, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 2 is illustrated so as not to complicate the explanation. Each mesh is defined in the virtual space 2. The position of each mesh is predetermined as a coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system defined in the virtual space 2. The computer 200 associates each partial image constituting the content (still image, moving image, etc.) that can be expanded in the virtual space 2 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 2, and the virtual space image 22 that can be visually recognized by the user. Provides the user with the virtual space 2 in which is expanded.

In a certain aspect, the virtual space 2 defines an XYZ coordinate system with the center 21 as the origin. The XYZ coordinate system is, for example, parallel to the global coordinate system. Since the XYZ coordinate system is a kind of viewpoint coordinate system, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction (vertical direction), and the 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 global coordinate system, and the Y-axis (vertical direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the y-axis of the global coordinate system. The Z-axis (front-back direction) is parallel to the z-axis of the global coordinate system. Each position in the virtual space 2 is uniquely specified by the coordinate values in the XYZ coordinate system.

At the time of starting the HMD device 110, that is, in the initial state of the HMD device 110, the virtual camera 1 is arranged at the center 21 of the virtual space 2, for example. The virtual camera 1 moves in the virtual space 2 in the same manner in conjunction with the movement of the HMD device 110 in the real space. As a result, changes in the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 in the real space are similarly reproduced in the virtual space 2.

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

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

The line-of-sight direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is a direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes an object. The uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the HMD device 110 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 190 visually recognizes the display 112. Further, the uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is linked to the uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the HMD device 110. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to a certain aspect can consider the line-of-sight direction of the user 190 detected by the gaze sensor 140 as the line-of-sight direction of the user in the uvw field-of-view coordinate system of the virtual camera 1.

[User's line of sight]
The determination of the line-of-sight direction of the user will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the head of the user 190 who wears the HMD device 110 according to an embodiment.

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

When the computer 200 receives the detection values of the lines of sight R1 and L1 from the gaze sensor 140 as the 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 specifies the line-of-sight direction N0 of the user 190 based on the position of the specified gazing point N1. For example, the computer 200 detects the midpoint of the straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user 190 and the extending direction of the straight line passing through the gazing point N1 as the line-of-sight direction N0. The line-of-sight direction N0 is the direction in which the user 190 actually directs the line of sight with both eyes. Further, the line-of-sight direction N0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 190 actually directs the line of sight with respect to the field of view area 23.

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

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 23 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 23 as viewed from the X direction in the virtual space 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an XZ cross section of the field of view 23 as viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space 2.

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

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

In one aspect, the HMD system 100 provides the user 190 with a virtual space by displaying a field of view image on the display 112 based on a signal from the computer 200. The field-of-view image corresponds to a portion of the virtual space image 22 that is superimposed on the field-of-view area 23. When a virtual object described later is arranged between the virtual camera 1 and the virtual space image 22 in the field of view area 23, the field of view image includes the virtual object. That is, in the field of view image, the virtual object on the front side of the virtual space image 22 is superimposed and displayed on the virtual space image 22. When the user 190 moves the HMD device 110 attached to the head, the virtual camera 1 also moves in conjunction with the movement. As a result, the position of the field of view 23 in the virtual space 2 changes. As a result, the field-of-view image displayed on the display 112 is updated to an image of the virtual space image 22 that is superimposed on the field-of-view area 23 in the direction facing the user in the virtual space 2. The user can visually recognize the desired direction in the virtual space 2.

While wearing the HMD device 110, the user 190 can visually recognize only the virtual space image 22 developed in the virtual space 2 without visually recognizing the real world. Therefore, the HMD system 100 can give the user a high sense of immersion in the virtual space 2.

In a certain aspect, the processor 10 may move the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user 190 equipped with the HMD device 110 in the real space. In this case, the processor 10 specifies an image area (that is, a field of view area 23 in the virtual space 2) projected on the display 112 of the HMD device 110 based on the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. That is, the virtual camera 1 defines the field of view (field of view) of the user 190 in the virtual space 2.

According to certain embodiments, the virtual camera 1 preferably includes 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. Further, it is preferable that an appropriate parallax is set in the two virtual cameras so that the user 190 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 2. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 1 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll direction (w) generated by combining the roll directions of the two virtual cameras is the roll direction (w) of the HMD device 110. The technical idea of the present disclosure is illustrated as being configured to be compatible.

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

As shown in the state (A) of FIG. 8, in some aspects, the controller 160 may include a right controller 160R and a left controller (not shown). The right controller 160R is operated by the right hand of the user 190. The left controller is operated by the left hand of the user 190. In a certain aspect, the right controller 160R and the left controller are symmetrically configured as separate devices. Therefore, the user 190 can freely move the right hand holding the right controller 160R and the left hand holding the left controller. In another aspect, the controller 160 may be an integrated controller that accepts operations of both hands. Hereinafter, the right controller 160R will be described.

The right controller 160R includes a grip 30, a frame 31, and a top surface 32. The grip 30 is configured to be gripped by the right hand of the user 190. For example, the grip 30 may be held by the palm of the user 190's right hand and three fingers (middle finger, ring finger, little finger).

The grip 30 includes buttons 33 and 34 and a motion sensor 130. The button 33 is arranged on the side surface of the grip 30 and accepts an operation by the middle finger of the right hand. The button 34 is arranged on the front surface of the grip 30 and accepts an operation by the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, the buttons 33, 34 are configured as trigger-type buttons. The motion sensor 130 is built in the housing of the grip 30. If the operation of the user 190 can be detected from around the user 190 by a camera or other device, the grip 30 does not have to include the motion sensor 130.

The frame 31 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 35 arranged along its circumferential direction. The infrared LED 35 emits infrared rays as the program progresses while the program using the controller 160 is being executed. The infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 35 can be used to detect the positions and orientations (tilts, orientations) of the right controller 160R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, infrared LEDs 35 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. An array of one column or three or more columns may be used.

The top surface 32 includes buttons 36 and 37 and an analog stick 38. The buttons 36 and 37 are configured as push-type buttons. Buttons 36 and 37 accept operations by the thumb of the user 190's right hand. The analog stick 38 accepts an operation 360 degrees in any direction 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 2.

In one aspect, the right controller 160R and the left controller include a battery for driving the infrared LED 35 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 160R and the left controller may be connected, for example, to the USB interface of computer 200. In this case, the right controller 160R and the left controller do not require batteries.

As shown in the states (A) and (B) of FIG. 8, for example, the yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined for the right hand 810 of the user 190. When the user 190 extends the thumb and 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.

[Control device for HMD device]
The control device of the HMD device 110 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. 9 is a block diagram showing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module configuration.

As shown in FIG. 9, the computer 200 includes a display control module 220, a virtual space control module 230, a memory module 240, and a communication control module 250. The display control module 220 includes a virtual camera control module 221, a field of view area determination module 222, a field of view image generation module 223, and a reference line of sight identification module 224 as submodules. The virtual space control module 230 includes a virtual space definition module 231, a virtual object control module 232, a chat control module 233, and a virtual space recording module 234 as submodules.

In certain embodiments, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 are implemented by the processor 10. In another embodiment, a plurality of processors 10 may operate as the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230. The memory module 240 is realized by the memory 11 or the storage 12. The communication control module 250 is realized by the communication interface 14.

In a certain aspect, the display control module 220 controls the image display on the display 112 of the HMD device 110. The virtual camera control module 221 arranges the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 and controls the behavior, orientation, and the like of the virtual camera 1. The field of view determination module 222 defines the field of view 23 according to the orientation of the head of the user who wears the HMD device 110. The field of view image generation module 223 generates a field of view image to be displayed on the display 112 based on the determined field of view area 23. The reference line-of-sight identification module 224 identifies the line-of-sight of the user 190 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140.

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

The virtual object control module 232 generates a virtual object to be arranged in the virtual space 2 based on the content information 241 and the object information 242 described later. The virtual object control module 232 also controls the operation (movement, state change, etc.) of the virtual object in the virtual space 2.

The virtual object is a general object arranged in the virtual space 2. Virtual objects can include, for example, landscapes, animals, etc., including forests, mountains, etc., which are arranged as the story of the game progresses. Further, the virtual object may include a character object such as an avatar which is a user's alter ego in the virtual space and a game character (player character) operated by the user. Further, the virtual object may include an operation object which is an object that moves in response to the movement of a part of the body (for example, a hand) of the user 190. The operation object may include, for example, a hand object corresponding to the hand of the user 190 wearing the HMD device 110, a finger object corresponding to the finger of the user 190, and the like. Further, the object to be operated by being associated with the hand object can also function as an operation object that moves according to the movement of the hand of the user 190. For example, a stick-shaped object such as a touch pen held by a hand object can function as an operation object. In the following description, if there is no misunderstanding, the virtual object is simply referred to as an "object".

The chat control module 233 controls to chat with the avatars of other users who stay in the same virtual space 2. For example, the chat control module 233 transmits data (for example, voice data input to the microphone 118) necessary for performing a chat via the virtual space 2 to the server 150. Further, the chat control module 233 outputs the voice data of another user received from the server 150 to a speaker (not shown). As a result, voice chat is realized. Further, the chat control module 233 also transmits / receives data to be shared between other users to / from the HMD system 100 of the other user via the server 150. The data to be shared includes motion detection data for controlling the movement of a part of the avatar's body.

The motion detection data is, for example, orientation data, eye tracking data, face tracking data, hand tracking data, and the like. The orientation data is information indicating the position and inclination of the HMD device 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 or the like. The eye tracking data is information indicating the line-of-sight direction detected by the gaze sensor 140 or the like. The face tracking data is, for example, data generated by an image analysis process on the image information acquired by the camera 116 of the HMD device 110A. The face tracking data is information indicating a change over time in the position and size of each part of the face of the user 190A. The hand tracking data is information indicating the movement of the hand of the user 190A detected by, for example, the motion sensor 130 or the like.

In the present embodiment, the chat control module 233 uses the information including the voice data and the motion detection data (hereinafter referred to as "player information") as information to be shared between the users of another user via the server 150. Send and receive to and from the HMD system 100. Transmission and reception of player information is realized by using the function of the communication control module 250.

The virtual space recording module 234 controls the generation and editing of two-dimensional image data. Detailed processing by the virtual space recording module 234 will be described later.

When each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 2 collides with another object, the virtual space control module 230 detects the collision. The virtual space control module 230 can detect, for example, the timing at which a certain object and another object touch each other, and when the detection is made, a predetermined process is performed. The virtual space control module 230 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 virtual space control module 230 can detect that the objects are in contact with each other by, for example, executing a known collision determination based on the collision area set for each object.

The memory module 240 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 2 to the user 190. In a certain aspect, the memory module 240 holds the content information 241 and the object information 242 and the user information 243.

The content information 241 includes, for example, content to be reproduced in the virtual space 2, information for arranging objects used in the content, and the like. The content may include, for example, a game, content representing a landscape similar to that of the real world, and the like. Specifically, the content information 241 may include virtual space image data (virtual space image 22) that defines the background of the virtual space 2 and definition information of an object arranged in the virtual space 2. The object definition information may include drawing information for drawing the object (for example, information representing the design such as the shape and color of the object), information indicating the initial arrangement of the object, and the like. Further, the definition information of the object that operates autonomously based on the preset operation pattern may include information (program or the like) indicating the operation pattern. An example of a motion based on a predetermined motion pattern is a simple repetitive motion such as a motion in which a grass-like object sways in a certain pattern.

The object information 242 includes information indicating the state of each object arranged in the virtual space 2 (a state that can be changed according to the progress of the game, the operation of the user 190, and the like). Specifically, the object information 242 may include position information indicating the position of each object (for example, the position of the center of gravity set in the object). Further, the object information 242 may further include motion information (that is, information for specifying the shape of the object) indicating the operation of the deformable object. Examples of deformable objects include objects that have parts such as the head, torso, and hands, and can move each part independently according to the movement of the user 190, such as the avatar described above. Can be mentioned.

The user information 243 includes, for example, a program for operating the computer 200 as a control device of the HMD system 100, an application program for using each content held in the content information 241 and the like.

The data and programs stored in the memory module 240 are input by the user of the HMD device 110. Alternatively, the processor 10 downloads a program or data from a computer (for example, a server 150) operated by a business operator that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 240.

The communication control module 250 can communicate with the server 150 and other information communication devices via the network 19.

In certain aspects, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 can be implemented using, for example, Unity® provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the display control module 220 and the virtual space control module 230 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that realize each process.

The processing in the computer 200 is realized by the hardware and the software executed by the processor 10. Such software may be pre-stored in a hard disk or other memory module 240. The software may also be stored in a computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium such as a CD-ROM 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 temporarily stored in the memory module 240 after being read from the data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from the server 150 or other computer via the communication control module 250. To. The software is read from the memory module 240 by the processor 10 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. Processor 10 executes the program.

The hardware that constitutes the computer 200 shown in FIG. 9 is general. Therefore, it can be said that the most essential part according to the present embodiment is the program stored in the computer 200. Since the operation of the hardware of the computer 200 is well known, the detailed description will not be repeated.

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

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

[Control structure]
The control structure of the computer 200 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the HMD system 100A used by the user 190A to provide the virtual space 2 to the user 190A. Similar processing is executed in other HMD systems 100B and 100C.

In step S1, the processor 10 of the computer 200 identifies the virtual space image data (virtual space image 22) constituting the background of the virtual space 2 as the virtual space definition module 231 and defines the virtual space 2.

In step S2, the processor 10 initializes the virtual camera 1 as the virtual camera control module 221. For example, the processor 10 arranges the virtual camera 1 at a predetermined center point in the virtual space 2 in the work area of the memory, and directs the line of sight of the virtual camera 1 in the direction in which the user 190 is facing.

In step S3, the processor 10 generates the field of view image data for displaying the initial field of view image as the field of view image generation module 223. The generated field of view image data is sent to the HMD device 110 by the communication control module 250 via the field of view image generation module 223.

In step S4, the display 112 of the HMD device 110 displays a field of view image based on the signal received from the computer 200. The user 190A wearing the HMD device 110A can recognize the virtual space 2 when he / she visually recognizes the field of view image.

In step S5, the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and tilt of the HMD device 110 based on the plurality of infrared rays emitted from the HMD device 110. The detection result is sent to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

In step S6, the processor 10 determines the field of view direction (that is, the position and tilt of the virtual camera 1) of the user 190A wearing the HMD device 110A based on the position and tilt of the HMD device 110A as the field of view region determination module 222. Identify. The processor 10 executes an application program and arranges an object in the virtual space 2 based on an instruction included in the application program.

In step S7, the controller 160 detects the operation of the user 190A in the real space. For example, in one aspect, the controller 160 detects that the button has been pressed by the user 190A. In another aspect, the controller 160 detects the movement of both hands of the user 190A (eg, waving both hands). A signal indicating the detection content is sent to the computer 200.

In step S8, the processor 10 transmits / receives player information to / from another HMD system 100 (here, HMD systems 100B and 100C) as a chat control module 233 via the server 150.

In step S9, the processor 10 controls the operation of the avatar associated with each user as the virtual object control module 232 based on the player information of each user 190.

In step S10, the processor 10 generates the field of view image data for displaying the field of view image based on the processing result of step S9 as the field of view image generation module 223, and outputs the generated field of view image data to the HMD device 110.

In step S11, the display 112 of the HMD device 110 updates the field of view image based on the received field of view image data, and displays the updated field of view image.

The processes of steps S5 to S11 are periodically and repeatedly executed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a virtual space 2 shared by a plurality of users. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the avatar A1 associated with the user 190A wearing the HMD device 110A, the avatar A2 associated with the user 190B wearing the HMD device 110B, and the user 190C wearing the HMD device 110C are associated with each other. The created avatar A3 is arranged in the same virtual space 2. According to the virtual space 2 common to a plurality of users, it is possible to provide each user with a communication experience such as chatting with other users via avatars A1 to A3.

In this example, each avatar A1 to A3 is defined as a character object that imitates an animal (cat, bear, rabbit). The avatars A1 to A3 include a head (face orientation), eyes (line of sight, blinking, etc.), face (facial expression), and hands as parts that can move in conjunction with the movement of the user. The head is a portion that moves in conjunction with the movement of the HMD device 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 or the like. The eye is a portion that moves in conjunction with the movement of the user's eyes and changes in the line of sight detected by the camera 116, the gaze sensor 140, and the like. The face is a part that reflects a facial expression determined based on face tracking data described later. The hand is a part that moves in conjunction with the movement of the user's hand detected by the motion sensor 130 or the like. The avatars A1 to A3 also include a torso and arms that are displayed alongside the head and hands. The avatars A1 to A3 do not include the legs because the motion control of the legs below the waist is complicated.

The field of view of the avatar A1 coincides with the field of view of the virtual camera 1 in the HMD system 100A. As a result, the user 190A is provided with the field of view image M from the first-person viewpoint of the avatar A1. That is, the user 190A is provided with a virtual experience as if he / she exists in the virtual space 2 as the avatar A1. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the field of view image M provided to the user 190A via the HMD device 110A. Similarly, the view images of the avatars A2 and A3 from the first-person viewpoint are provided to the users 190B and 190C.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process executed by the HMD system 100A, the HMD system 100B, the HMD system 100C, and the server 150 in order to realize the chat in the virtual space 2.

In step S21A, the processor 10 in the HMD system 100A acquires the player information for determining the operation of the avatar A1 as the chat control module 233. The player information includes information (user ID, etc.) that identifies avatar A1 (or user 190A associated with avatar A1), information that identifies virtual space 2 in which avatar A1 exists (room ID, etc.), and the like. May be good. As the chat control module 233, the processor 10 transmits the player information acquired as described above to the server 150 via the network 19.

In step S21B, the processor 10 in the HMD system 100B acquires player information for determining the operation of the avatar A2 and transmits it to the server 150, as in the process in step S21A. Similarly, in step S21C, the processor 10 in the HMD system 100C acquires the player information for determining the operation of the avatar A3 and transmits it to the server 150.

In step S22, the server 150 temporarily stores the player information received from each of the HMD system 100A, the HMD system 100B, and the HMD system 100C. The server 150 integrates player information of all users (users 190A to 190C in this example) associated with the common virtual space 2 based on the user ID, room ID, and the like included in each player information. Then, the server 150 transmits the integrated player information to all the users associated with the virtual space 2 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the synchronization process is executed. By such a synchronization process, the HMD system 100A, the HMD system 100B, and the HMD system 100C can share the player information of each other at substantially the same timing.

Subsequently, each HMD system 100A to 100C executes the process of steps S23A to S23C based on the player information transmitted from the server 150 to each HMD system 100A to 100C. The process of step S23A corresponds to the process of step S9 in FIG.

In step S23A, the processor 10 in the HMD system 100A controls the operations of the avatars A1 to A3 of the users 190A to 190C in the virtual space 2 as the virtual object control module 232. Specifically, the processor 10 controls the operations of the avatars A1 to A3 based on the motion detection data of the users 190A to 190C included in the player information transmitted from the HMD system 100B. The processing of steps S23B and S23C is the same as the processing of step S23A.

[Generation and editing of 2D image data]
A processing procedure relating to the generation and editing of two-dimensional image data will be described with reference to FIG. The two-dimensional image data corresponds to a part of the virtual space 2 viewed from a predetermined position in the virtual space 2. The two-dimensional image data is defined by a predetermined field of view area set in the virtual space 2 as in the field of view image defined by the virtual camera 1.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the processing related to the generation and editing of the two-dimensional image data is executed by the HMD system 100A. However, the process may be executed by other HMD systems 100B and 100C, and a part or all of the process may be executed by the server 150.

In step S31, the processor 10 of the HMD system 100A (hereinafter, simply “processor 10”) defines the virtual space 2 as the virtual space definition module 231. This process corresponds to the process of step S1 in FIG. Specifically, the processor 10 defines the virtual space 2 by generating virtual space data that defines the virtual space 2. The virtual space data includes the above-mentioned content information 241 and object information 242.

In step S32, the processor 10 determines the position and tilt of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 according to the movement of the HMD device 110A. The process corresponds to a part of the process of step S6 in FIG.

In step S33, the processor 10 provides the user 190 with a field of view image M (see FIG. 12). Specifically, the processor 10 generates a field of view image M based on the movement of the HMD device 110A (that is, the position and tilt of the virtual camera 1) and the virtual space data defining the virtual space 2, and the HMD device 110A The field of view image M is displayed on the display 112 of the above. This process corresponds to the process of step S10 in FIG.

The processes of steps S32 and S33 described above (that is, updating the field of view image M according to the movement of the HMD device 110A) are continuously and repeatedly executed while steps S34 to S40 described later are executed.

In step S34, the processor 10, as the virtual space recording module 234, generates two-dimensional image data corresponding to a part of the virtual space 2 viewed from a predetermined position in the virtual space 2 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. To do. For example, the processor 10 generates two-dimensional image data when it receives a predetermined input operation to the controller 160, a user operation to the menu screen displayed on the view image, and the like.

For example, the processor 10 receives information from the user 190A indicating an image generation field of view for generating two-dimensional image data. The image generation field of view is a field of view defined in the same manner as the field of view 23 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and is specified by information such as a position, a direction, a polar angle, and an azimuth in the virtual space 2. Can be done. When the polar angle α and the azimuth angle β of the visual field region 23 are used as the polar angle and the azimuth angle of the visual field region for image generation, the processor 10 indicates the position and direction in the virtual space 2 from the user 190A. You only have to accept. Subsequently, the processor 10 generates two-dimensional image data in which the portion where the image generation visual field area and the virtual space 2 overlap is captured. The two-dimensional image data is generated by the same process as the process of determining the field of view image data based on the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1.

The field of view for image generation can be determined by any method. For example, the field of view area 23 based on the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1 may also be used as the field of view area for image generation. In this case, the same two-dimensional image as the field-of-view image provided to the user 190A is generated as the two-dimensional image data.

In step S35, the processor 10 associates the generated two-dimensional image data with the virtual space data as the virtual space recording module 234. The virtual space data associated with the two-dimensional image data includes content information 241 and object information 242 (position information of each object and motion information of each deformed object) at the time of generation of the two-dimensional image data.

The processor 10 may acquire information indicating the positions of a plurality of predetermined parts of the deformed object as motion information of the deformed object. The plurality of predetermined parts of the deformed object are preset parts as points necessary for specifying the shape and posture of the deformed object. For example, when the deformed object is an avatar, the plurality of parts may include a part corresponding to a joint of the avatar.

An example of the plurality of parts will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of parts P set in the avatar A2. In this case, the processor 10 obtains the position information (for example, the coordinate values in the XYZ coordinates of the virtual space 2) of a plurality of (11 in this case) portions P required to specify the shape and orientation of the object (avatar A2). , May be acquired as motion information. The position and posture of the bones connecting the adjacent parts P are specified based on the position of each part P, and the skeleton of the deformed object is specified based on the position and posture of the specified individual bones. By fleshing out the specified skeleton (applying the appearance design included in the definition information of the deformed object), the shape and posture of the deformed object can be reproduced. In this way, by using the position information of a part (part P) of the deformed object, which has a relatively small amount of data, as motion information, instead of the data (image data, etc.) including the concrete appearance design of the deformed object. The amount of motion information data can be suppressed.

In step S36, the processor 10 generates a display object D in which a part of the virtual space 2 represented by the two-dimensional image data is displayed as the virtual space recording module 234. For example, the processor 10 can reproduce a part of the virtual space 2 displayed on the display object D based on the virtual space data associated with the two-dimensional image data and the image generation view area.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display object D arranged in the virtual space 2. The display object D is an object on which an image (texture) generated based on two-dimensional image data is attached to the surface. By arranging the display object D in the virtual space 2, a plurality of users 190 sharing the virtual space 2 (in this example, users 190A and 190B corresponding to the avatars A1 and A2) are two-dimensional in the virtual space 2. You can check the contents of the image data together. The display object D may be an object fixed at a predetermined position in the virtual space 2 or a movable object. An example of the latter is an object that imitates a photograph that can be carried through an avatar.

In step S37, the processor 10 moves the hand object (the object corresponding to the hand portion of the avatar) according to the movement of the hand of the user 190 as the virtual object control module 232. This process corresponds to the process of step S9 in FIG.

In step S38, the processor 10 receives the input to the display object D via the hand object as the virtual object control module 232. Specifically, the processor 10 accepts an input from the user 190 for changing the contents of the two-dimensional image data. For example, there is room for improvement in the composition of 2D image data, such as objects that are subjects (for example, avatars) are too far apart, objects overlap each other, and objects such as trees make the composition worse. There may be. In such a case, the user 190 may change the position of the object in the two-dimensional image data or the like by an input operation to the display object D via the operation object (hand object or an object associated with the hand object). It is possible. Specifically, it is possible to perform an operation on the display object D as if a drag operation is performed on the touch panel.

The state (A) of FIG. 17 shows an example of an input operation for the display object. First, an operation example for non-deformable objects (hereinafter referred to as “non-deformable objects”) F1, F2, and F3 will be described. Here, as an example, an operation example for the non-deformable object F1 will be described. For example, when the hand object H approaches the non-deformable object F1 displayed on the display object D to a certain distance or less, the processor 10 detects the contact between the hand object H and the non-deformable object F1. Then, the processor 10 detects a movement operation for moving the non-deformable object F1 when the hand object H moves while the hand object H and the non-deformable object F1 are in contact with each other, and the movement amount (for example, a vector) thereof. Get the information that indicates.

Next, an operation example for the avatars A2 and A3, which are transformation objects, will be described. Here, as an example, an operation example for the avatar A3 will be described. For the avatar A3 which is a deformable object, an operation of deforming the avatar A3 is possible in addition to the same movement operation as the operation of moving the non-deformable object F1. For example, the processor 10 receives from the user 190 an operation of selecting any of a plurality of parts P of the avatar A3 displayed on the display object D as an operation target. Then, when the hand object H moves while the hand object H and the selected portion P are in contact with each other, the processor 10 detects a deformation operation for moving the portion P, and the movement amount (for example, a vector). Get the information that indicates.

The operation on the object displayed on the display object D may be performed directly by the hand object H, or may be performed by an object associated with the hand object H (for example, an object imitating a touch pen or the like). ..

In step S39, the processor 10 redefines the virtual space data associated with the two-dimensional image data as the virtual space recording module 234 based on the input received in step S38. Redefinition is to rewrite the contents of already defined data with different contents.

When the operation of moving the non-deformable object displayed on the display object D is performed, the processor 10 acquires the information indicating the movement amount as described above. In this case, the processor 10 redefines the position information of the non-deformable object as the operation target in the virtual space data associated with the two-dimensional image data based on the movement amount. That is, the processor 10 redefines the position (for example, the XYZ coordinate value) after moving from the original position of the non-deformable object by the above movement amount as new position information of the non-deformable object.

When the operation of moving the deformed object displayed on the display object D is performed, the processor 10 acquires the information indicating the movement amount as described above. In this case, the processor 10 redefines the position information of the deformed object as the operation target in the virtual space data associated with the two-dimensional image data by the same processing as described above based on the movement amount. When moving the deformed object itself, it is necessary to move the positions of the plurality of parts P of the deformed object in the same manner. Therefore, the processor 10 also redefines the motion information of the deformed object based on the movement amount. Specifically, the processor 10 redefines the position information of each of the plurality of portions P included in the motion information of the deformed object based on the movement amount.

When an operation of moving a part (part P) of the deformed object displayed on the display object D (that is, an operation of deforming the deformed object) is performed, the processor 10 outputs information indicating the movement amount as described above. get. Here, the part P is a part corresponding to the joint of the avatar, and each part P is connected to each other by a bone. Therefore, when the position of one portion P is changed, the position of the other portion P may also be changed under the influence of the change. The effect of a change in the position of one part P on the position of another part P is determined by performing predetermined calculations on a skeleton model that includes a plurality of parts P and bones connecting them. By executing such a calculation, the processor 10 calculates the movement amount of the other part P that is affected when the part P of the deformed object to be operated is moved by the above movement amount. Then, the processor 10 redefines the position information of the portion P to be operated out of the movement information of the deformed object to be operated based on the movement amount. The processor 10 also redefines the position information of the other affected portion P based on the calculated movement amount.

In step S40, the processor 10 updates the two-dimensional image data based on the virtual space data redefined in step S39. For example, the processor 10 internally reproduces the state of the virtual space after the redefinition (that is, the state after the position or shape of the object is changed) based on the virtual space data after the redefinition. To do. Then, the processor 10 updates the two-dimensional image data based on the internally reproduced virtual space and the image generation field of view used when the two-dimensional image data is generated.

That is, when the position information of the object is redefined, the processor 10 updates the two-dimensional image data so that the object is arranged at the position indicated in the position information after the redefinition. Further, when the motion information of the deformed object is redefined, the processor 10 updates the two-dimensional image data so that the deformed object has the shape after being redefined.

The state (B) of FIG. 17 represents an example of the updated two-dimensional image data displayed on the display object D. In this example, the non-deformable objects F1, F2, and F3 are generally moved to the right of the initial position. Further, the avatar A3, which is a deformed object, moves closer to the avatar A2 than the initial position, and the shape of the right hand portion is changed from a state in which the hand is raised to a state in which the hand is lowered.

For example, in normal image data, if the subject captured in the image data is simply shifted, the region is blank because there is no data corresponding to the region in which the subject was originally captured. On the other hand, by internally reproducing the virtual space (that is, the three-dimensional space) based on the virtual space data after being redefined as described above, it corresponds to the area where the object was originally shown when the object is shifted. Data (for example, background, etc.) can be acquired. As a result, it is possible to generate two-dimensional image data in which an appropriate image is displayed in the area where the object originally appears.

According to the generation and editing of the two-dimensional image data described above, the user 190 has a high degree of freedom in editing as well as providing the user 190 with a mechanism capable of simply capturing and saving a two-dimensional image obtained by cutting out a part of the virtual space 2. It becomes possible to provide a two-dimensional image to the user 190. As a result, the entertainment property of the virtual experience of the user 190 can be improved. For example, it is possible to provide the user 190 with an experience unique to the virtual space 2, such as freely generating and editing two-dimensional image data together with another user 190 in the virtual space 2.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the description of the present embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various embodiments can be changed within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

In the above embodiment, the content information 241 (background data, object definition information, etc.) that is accessed for data to define the virtual space 2 is also used when reproducing a part of the virtual space displayed on the display object D. Can be accessed. Specifically, for example, when the user 190 moves the head, it is necessary to update the field of view image according to the movement of the head. However, when a new object enters the field of view image, the object is used. Data access to the definition information (drawing information) may occur. Further, when the hand object H is input to the display object D, a certain object in the two-dimensional image data may move, and the object hidden behind the object may be newly reflected in the two-dimensional data. In this case, data access to the definition information (drawing information) of the newly reflected object may occur. Data access for defining such a virtual space 2 (that is, data access for generating / updating the field of view image provided to the user 190) and data for generating / updating the display contents of the display object D. When there is a conflict with access, the following problems can occur. That is, due to the processing omission caused by the data access conflict, the update frequency (that is, the frame rate) of the visual field image provided to the user 190 may decrease, causing VR sickness of the user 190.

Therefore, the virtual space data includes content information 241 (first content information) for defining the virtual space 2 for providing a virtual experience, second content information corresponding to at least a part of the first content information, and the second content information. May include. Here, at least a part of the first content information is, for example, data having a high probability of occurrence of the above-mentioned data access conflict, data having a large influence when data access conflict occurs, and the like. For example, when the influence of the data access conflict on the object definition information (drawing information) is large, the object definition information (drawing information) can be included in the second content information. On the other hand, if the background data has little influence even if the data access conflict occurs, the background data can be excluded from the second content information. Under such a situation, the processor 10 generates a part of the virtual space displayed on the display object D that corresponds to at least a part of the first content information based on the second content information. May be good. According to such a configuration, data access for generating / updating the field of view image (that is, access to the first content information) and data access for generating / updating the display content of the display object D (that is, the first). 2 Access to content information) can be separated. That is, it is possible to avoid the contention of data access as described above, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the problem as described above. Further, data access conflict occurs by using only a part of the data of the content information 241 as the second content information according to the occurrence probability of the data access conflict, the degree of influence when the data access conflict occurs, and the like. It is possible to suppress the data size of the second content information as much as possible while suppressing the occurrence of the problem in the case. The second content information can be obtained, for example, by duplicating at least a part of the first content information in advance.

Further, the two-dimensional image data may be associated with information that defines a part of the virtual space 2 in the virtual space data (hereinafter, “partial definition information”), or information that defines the entire virtual space 2 (hereinafter, “partial definition information”). Hereinafter, "overall definition information") may be associated. Here, the information that defines a part of the virtual space 2 is content information and object information related to data (background data, objects, etc.) included in the image generation viewing area.

When the overall definition information is associated with the two-dimensional image data, it is possible to change (redefine) the image generation field of view (that is, the virtual shooting direction of the two-dimensional image data). For example, the processor 10 internally reproduces the entire virtual space 2 based on the overall definition information associated with the two-dimensional image data. Then, the processor 10 can generate the two-dimensional image data whose angle is changed based on the entire internally reproduced virtual space 2 and the redefined image generation field of view area. In this way, when the overall definition information is associated with the two-dimensional image data, the degree of freedom in editing the two-dimensional image data can be further improved.

On the other hand, when the partial definition information is associated with the 2D image data, the image generation field of view of the 2D image data cannot be changed to change the angle, but the data of the data associated with the 2D image data. The size can be reduced.

Further, the two-dimensional image data is associated with object information 242 for a predetermined period including the time point t when the two-dimensional image data is generated (for example, a period of Δt seconds before and after the time point t (t−Δt to t + Δt)). You may. For example, the two-dimensional image data may be associated with object information 242 corresponding to each of a plurality of time points in which the predetermined period is divided at predetermined intervals. For example, when the predetermined interval is set to Δt, the two-dimensional image data generated at the time point t is associated with the object information 242 corresponding to the three time points of the time point t−Δt, the time point t, and the time point t + Δt. ..

For example, the processor 10 may display a menu screen in which thumbnails of two-dimensional image data reflecting the object information 242 corresponding to each of the plurality of time points are displayed on the field-of-view image provided to the user 190. Then, the processor 10 may display the two-dimensional image data selected by the user operation on the display object D. According to such a configuration, the user 190 obtains a plurality of images obtained by virtual continuous shooting, for example, to select a favorite photo from a plurality of photographs obtained by continuous shooting in the real world. It is possible to select a favorite 2D image data from the 2D image data. This makes it possible to provide the user 190 with a richer virtual experience.

Further, the editing process that can be performed on the two-dimensional image data is not limited to the above example. For example, a new object may be added to the virtual space data. According to such a configuration, two-dimensional image data including an object that does not actually exist at the time when the two-dimensional image data is generated and is not shown in the two-dimensional image data as a subject is obtained. It becomes possible.

Further, the two-dimensional image data may be uploaded to another system (for example, an SNS (Social Networking Service) site or the like) via the Internet or the like. In this case, it is possible to post the two-dimensional image data taken in the virtual space 2 to an SNS site or the like, and it is possible to enjoy the past experience in the virtual space 2 by sharing it with other users in the real space. It becomes.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mode of generating the two-dimensional image data as a still image has been described, but the two-dimensional image data may be generated as a moving image having a certain time width (for example, several seconds). The two-dimensional image data as a moving image may be associated with object information 242 corresponding to each of a plurality of time points in which a time width associated with the moving image is divided at predetermined intervals, and content information 241.

Further, in the present embodiment, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user 190 is immersed by the HMD device 110 has been described as an example, but a transmissive HMD device may be adopted as the HMD device 110. In this case, augmented reality (AR) is achieved by outputting a view image so that a part of the image constituting the virtual space is superimposed as a view image in the real space visually recognized by the user 190 via the transmissive HMD device. A virtual experience in an Augmented Reality (: Augmented Reality) space or a Mixed Reality (MR) space may be provided to the user 190. In this case, instead of the hand object H, an action on the target object (for example, the display object D) in the virtual space 2 may be generated based on the movement of the hand of the user 190. Specifically, the processor 10 may specify the coordinate information of the position of the user 190's hand in the real space, and may define the position of the target object in the virtual space 2 in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. .. As a result, the processor 10 grasps the positional relationship between the user 190's hand in the real space and the target object in the virtual space 2, and performs processing corresponding to the collision control and the like described above between the user 190's hand and the target object. It becomes feasible. As a result, it becomes possible to give an action to the target object based on the movement of the hand of the user 190.

The subject matter disclosed herein is shown, for example, as the following items.
(Item 1)
An information processing method executed by a computer (a computer included in a computer 200 or a server 150) to provide a virtual experience to a user 190 via a user terminal (HMD device 110) including a display unit (display 112).
A step of generating virtual space data (S1 in FIG. 10) that defines the virtual space 2 for providing the virtual experience, and
A step of generating a field of view image M based on the movement of the user terminal and the virtual space data, and displaying the field of view image M on the display unit (S10 in FIG. 10).
A step of generating two-dimensional image data corresponding to a part of the virtual space 2 viewed from a predetermined position in the virtual space 2 (S34 in FIG. 14).
A step of associating the two-dimensional image data with the virtual space data (S35 in FIG. 14) and
A step of redefining the virtual space data associated with the two-dimensional image data (S39 in FIG. 14) and
A step of updating the two-dimensional image data based on the redefined virtual space data (S40 in FIG. 14), and
Information processing methods, including.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to provide the user 190 with a two-dimensional image having a high degree of editing freedom in the virtual space 2. As a result, the entertainment property of the virtual experience of the user 190 can be improved.
(Item 2)
A step of generating a display object D on which the part of the virtual space 2 is displayed based on the two-dimensional image data and arranging the display object D in the virtual space (S36 in FIG. 14).
Further including a step of accepting an input to the display object D (S38 in FIG. 14).
Redefining the virtual space data based on the input,
Information processing method of item 1.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to edit the two-dimensional image data based on an intuitive operation on the two-dimensional image data as an object, and the operability of the user 190 can be improved.
(Item 3)
A step of moving the operation object according to the movement of a part of the body of the user 190 (S37 in FIG. 14).
Further including a step of accepting an input to the display object D via the operation object (S38 in FIG. 14).
Redefining the virtual space data based on the input,
Information processing method of item 2.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to realize an intuitive editing operation of two-dimensional image data by an operation object such as a so-called virtual hand (hand object H).
(Item 4)
The virtual space data includes first content information for defining a virtual space 2 for providing the virtual experience, and second content information corresponding to at least a part of the first content information.
Of the part of the virtual space 2 displayed on the display object D, the part corresponding to at least a part of the first content information is generated based on the second content information.
Information processing method of item 2 or 3 According to the information processing method of this item, data access for generating / updating a field image (that is, access to the first content information) and display contents of display object D are generated. It is possible to avoid conflict with data access (that is, access to the second content information) when updating. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the processing speed and prevent the user 190 from becoming VR sick due to a decrease in the update frequency (frame rate) of the field of view image.
(Item 5)
The two-dimensional image data is associated with information that defines the part of the virtual space 2 in the virtual space data.
The information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 4.
According to the information processing method of this item, the data size of the data associated with the two-dimensional image data can be reduced.
(Item 6)
The virtual space data includes object information indicating the state of an object arranged in the virtual space 2.
The object information includes position information indicating the position of each object and motion information indicating the operation of a deformable object that can be deformed according to the action of the user 190.
The information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 5.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to easily generate two-dimensional image data having a high degree of freedom of editing based on the virtual space data as described above.
(Item 7)
The motion information is information indicating the positions of a plurality of predetermined portions P of the deformed object.
Information processing method of item 6.
According to the information processing method of this item, the amount of motion information data can be suppressed.
(Item 8)
The transformation object is a character object associated with the user 190.
The plurality of portions P include a portion corresponding to a joint of the character object.
Information processing method of item 7.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to appropriately reproduce the movement (deformed state) of a character object such as an avatar that is linked to the movement of the user 190 with a small amount of data amount of movement information.
(Item 9)
When the position information of the object included in the two-dimensional image data is redefined, the two-dimensional image data is updated so that the object is arranged at the position indicated in the position information after the redefinition. To do,
The information processing method according to any one of items 6 to 8.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to obtain the two-dimensional image data in which the position of the object which is the subject of the two-dimensional image data is changed.
(Item 10)
When the motion information of the deformed object included in the two-dimensional image data is redefined, the two-dimensional image data is updated so that the deformed object has the shape after being redefined.
The information processing method according to any one of items 6 to 9.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to obtain two-dimensional image data in which the operation (shape) of the deformed object which is the subject of the two-dimensional image data is changed.
(Item 11)
The two-dimensional image data is associated with the object information for a predetermined period including the time when the two-dimensional image data is generated.
The information processing method according to any one of items 6 to 10.
According to the information processing method of this item, it is possible to provide a rich virtual experience to the user 190.
(Item 12)
A program that causes a computer to execute any of the information processing methods of items 1 to 11.
(Item 13)
An apparatus comprising at least a memory (memory module 240) and a processor (processor 10) coupled to the memory, and executing the information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 11 under the control of the processor.

1 ... virtual camera, 2 ... virtual space, 5 ... reference line of sight, 10 ... processor, 11 ... memory, 12 ... storage, 13 ... input / output interface, 14 ... communication interface, 15 ... bus, 19 ... network, 21 ... center, 22 ... Virtual space image, 23 ... Visibility area, 24, 25 ... Area, 31 ... Frame, 32 ... Top surface, 33, 34, 36, 37 ... Button, 35 ... Infrared LED, 38 ... Analog stick, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C ... HMD system, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C ... HMD device, 112 ... display, 114 ... sensor, 116 ... camera, 118 ... microphone, 120 ... HMD sensor, 130 ... motion sensor, 140 ... gaze sensor, 150 ... server, 160 ... controller, 160R ... right controller, 190, 190A, 190B, 190C ... user, 200 ... computer, 220 ... display control module, 221 ... virtual camera control module, 222 ... view area determination module, 223 ... view image Generation module, 224 ... Reference line-of-sight identification module, 230 ... Virtual space control module, 231 ... Virtual space definition module, 232 ... Virtual object control module, 233 ... Chat control module, 234 ... Virtual space recording module, 240 ... Memory module, 241 ... Content information, 242 ... Object information, 243 ... User information, 250 ... Communication control module, 810 ... Right hand, A1, A2, A3 ... Avatar, D ... Display object, F1, F2, F3 ... Non-deformable object, H ... Hand Object, M ... view image, P ... part.

Claims (13)

An information processing method executed by a computer to present a virtual space to a user via a user terminal provided with a display unit.
By generating a virtual space data including the point of sight of the user, it defines the pre-Symbol virtual space, comprising the steps of defining a virtual space,
A step of generating a field of view image corresponding to the virtual space based on the viewpoint and displaying the field of view image on the display unit.
A step of generating two-dimensional image data corresponding to a part of the virtual space based on the viewpoint in the virtual space, and
A step of associating the two-dimensional image data with the virtual space data,
A step of changing the virtual space data associated with the two-dimensional image data, and
A step of updating the two-dimensional image data based on the changed virtual space data, and
The step of displaying the field of view image including the updated two-dimensional image, and
Information processing methods, including. Based on the two-dimensional image data, a display object in which the part of the virtual space based on the viewpoint is displayed is generated, and the display object is arranged in the virtual space.
Further including a step of accepting input to the display object.
Modifying the virtual space data based on the input,
The information processing method according to claim 1. The step of moving the operation object according to the movement of a part of the user's body,
Further including a step of accepting input to the display object via the operation object.
Redefining the virtual space data based on the input,
The information processing method according to claim 2. The virtual space data includes pre-Symbol and first content information for defining the virtual space, and a second content information corresponding to at least a portion of the first content information,
Wherein the portion corresponding to at least a portion of the first content information among between the virtual space based on the viewpoint is displayed on the display object is generated based on the second content information,
The information processing method according to claim 2 or 3. Wherein the 2-dimensional image data, information defining between said virtual space based on the viewpoint of the virtual space data is associated,
The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The virtual space data includes object information indicating the state of an object arranged in the virtual space.
The object information includes position information indicating the position of each object and motion information indicating the operation of a deformable object that can be deformed in response to an action by the user.
The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The motion information is information indicating the positions of a plurality of predetermined parts of the deformed object.
The information processing method according to claim 6. The transformation object is a character object associated with the user.
The plurality of parts include a part corresponding to a joint of the character object.
The information processing method according to claim 7. When the position information of the object included in the two-dimensional image data is changed , the two-dimensional image data is updated so that the object is arranged at the position shown in the position information after being redefined. ,
The information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 8. When the motion information of the deformed object included in the two-dimensional image data is changed , the two-dimensional image data is updated so that the deformed object has a shape after being redefined.
The information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9. The two-dimensional image data is associated with the object information for a predetermined period including the time when the two-dimensional image data is generated.
The information processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 10. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. An apparatus comprising at least a memory and a processor coupled to the memory, and executing the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 under the control of the processor.

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