JP7037467B2 - Programs, information processing devices, and information processing methods - Google Patents

Description

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

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a game in which a virtual experience of playing against an enemy character is performed in a virtual space.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-38010

In the conventional technology, there is room for improving the virtual experience of the user by further enhancing the interest of the game that allows the user to perform the virtual experience in the virtual space.

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

According to one aspect of the present disclosure.
Steps to define virtual space and
A step of arranging a first object associated with a user associated with an image display device on the head in the virtual space, and
A step of controlling the field of view from the first object according to the movement of the head,
A step of arranging a second object that acts on the first object out of the field of view,
A step of moving the second object around the first object,
A step of presenting in the field of view that the second object is located around the first object, and
A step of displaying a field of view image corresponding to the field of view on the image display device,
A step of moving the second object toward the first object after a certain period of time has elapsed from the presentation.
A step of exerting the action on the first object according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object.
Provides a program to run the computer.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the virtual experience of the user.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure of the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware composition of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which conceptually represents the uvw field coordinate system set in the HMD according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which conceptually represents one aspect which expresses a virtual space according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which showed the head of the user who wears an HMD according to a certain embodiment from the top. It is a figure which shows the YZ cross section which looked at the view area from the X direction in a virtual space. It is a figure which shows the XZ cross section which looked at the view area from the Y direction in a virtual space. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the controller according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of each direction of yaw, roll, and pitch defined for the right hand of the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the server according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the computer according to a certain embodiment as a module structure. It is a sequence chart which shows a part of the processing performed in the HMD set according to a certain embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the situation that each HMD provides a virtual space to a user in a network. It is a figure which shows the field of view image of the user 5A in FIG. 12A. It is a sequence chart which shows the process to perform in the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a computer module according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the game program according to a certain embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the flow of the process which controls the behavior of a threat object according to a certain embodiment. It is a sequence chart which shows the flow of the process which controls the behavior of a threat object according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the field of view image displayed on the monitor of the HMD which the user wears according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the field of view image displayed on the monitor of the HMD which the user wears according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the field of view image displayed on the monitor of the HMD which the user wears according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the virtual space provided to the user according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the field of view image displayed on the monitor of the HMD which the user wears according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline of the structure of the HMD system which follows a modification.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In another aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a transmissive display device. In this case, the HMD 120 may be an open type such as a glasses type, not a closed type that covers the eyes of the user 5 as shown in FIG. The transmissive monitor 130 may be temporarily configured as a non-transparent display device by adjusting its transmittance. The monitor 130 may include a configuration that simultaneously displays a part of the image constituting the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 130 may display an image of the real space taken by the camera mounted on the HMD 120, or may make the real space visible by setting a part of the transmittance to be high.

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

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

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

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

The gaze sensor 140 detects the direction in which the line of sight of the user 5's right eye and left eye is directed. That is, the gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the user 5. Detection of the direction of the line of sight is realized, for example, by 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 5 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 of the user 5 based on each detected rotation angle.

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

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

The controller 300 is connected to the computer 200 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 300 receives an instruction input from the user 5 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be grippable by the user 5. In another aspect, the controller 300 is configured to be wearable on a part of the user 5's body or clothing. In yet another aspect, the controller 300 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on the signal transmitted from the computer 200. In yet another aspect, the controller 300 receives from the user 5 an operation for controlling the position and movement of the object arranged in the virtual space.

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

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

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

The server 600 may send the program to the computer 200. In another aspect, the server 600 may communicate with another computer 200 to provide virtual reality to the HMD 120 used by another user. For example, 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 via a server 600, and a plurality of users are used in the same virtual space. Allows users to enjoy a common game. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 without going through the server 600.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In some aspects, the input / output interface 240 may further communicate with the controller 300. For example, the input / output interface 240 receives inputs of signals output from the controller 300 and the motion sensor 420. In another aspect, the input / output interface 240 sends an instruction output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The command instructs the controller 300 to vibrate, output voice, emit light, and the like. Upon receiving the command, the controller 300 executes either vibration, voice output, or light emission in response to the command.

The communication interface 250 is connected to the network 2 and communicates with another computer (for example, the server 600) connected to the network 2. In a certain aspect, the communication interface 250 is realized as, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or other wired communication interface, or a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth®, NFC (Near Field Communication) or other wireless communication interface. Will be done. The communication interface 250 is not limited to the above.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Virtual space]
The virtual space will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually representing one aspect of expressing the virtual space 11 according to a certain embodiment. The virtual space 11 has an all-sky spherical structure that covers the entire center 12 in the 360-degree direction. In FIG. 4, the celestial sphere in the upper half of the virtual space 11 is illustrated so as not to complicate the explanation. Each mesh is defined in the virtual space 11. The position of each mesh is predetermined as a coordinate value in the XYZ coordinate system, which is a global coordinate system defined in the virtual space 11. The computer 200 associates each partial image constituting the panoramic image 13 (still image, moving image, etc.) expandable in the virtual space 11 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 11.

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

At the time of starting the HMD 120, that is, in the initial state of the HMD 120, the virtual camera 14 is arranged at the center 12 of the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the processor 210 displays an image captured by the virtual camera 14 on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. The virtual camera 14 moves in the virtual space 11 in the same manner as the movement of the HMD 120 in the real space. Thereby, changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120 in the real space can be similarly reproduced in the virtual space 11.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The input / output interface 640 communicates a signal with the input / output device. In some aspects, the input / output interface 640 is implemented using USB, DVI, HDMI and other terminals. The input / output interface 640 is not limited to the above.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The control module 510 arranges an operation object for receiving the operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 in the virtual space 11. By manipulating the operation object, the user 5 operates, for example, an object arranged in the virtual space 11. In a certain aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object which is a virtual hand corresponding to the hand of the user 5. In one aspect, the control module 510 moves the hand object in the virtual space 11 so as to be interlocked with the movement of the user 5's hand in the real space based on the output of the motion sensor 420. In one aspect, the manipulation object can correspond to the hand portion of the avatar object.

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

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

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

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

Spatial information holds one or more templates defined to provide virtual space 11.

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

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

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

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

In certain aspects, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 may be implemented using, for example, Unity® provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that realize each process.

The processing in the computer 200 is realized by the hardware and the software executed by the processor 210. Such software may be pre-stored in a hard disk or other memory module 530. The software may be stored on a CD-ROM or other computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium and distributed as a program product. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or other networks. Such software is read from the data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reader, or downloaded from the server 600 or other computer via the communication control module 540, and then temporarily stored in the storage module. .. The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in RAM in the form of an executable program. The processor 210 executes the program.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 14, the control module 510 includes a virtual camera control module 1421, a view area determination module 1422, a virtual space definition module 1423, a virtual object generation module 1424, and an operation object control module 1425. .. The rendering module 520 includes a field of view image generation module 1429. The memory module 530 holds spatial information 1426, object information 1427, and user information 1428.

The virtual camera control module 1421 arranges the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The virtual camera control module 1421 controls the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the orientation (tilt) of the virtual camera 14. The view area determination module 1422 defines the view area 15 according to the orientation of the head of the user wearing the HMD 120 and the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14. The view image generation module 1429 generates a view image 17 to be displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined view area 15.

The virtual space definition module 1423 defines the virtual space 11 in the HMD system 100 by generating virtual space data representing the virtual space 11.

The virtual object generation module 1424 generates an object to be arranged in the virtual space 11. Objects can include, for example, forests, landscapes, including mountains, animals, etc. that are arranged as the story of the game progresses. In particular, the object may include the avatar objects 1506A-1506D, which will be described later, and the threat object 2051.

The operation object control module 1425 controls the operation object arranged in the virtual space 11. In certain aspects, the operating object may include, for example, the threat object 2051, described below, which can be manipulated by the hand of a user wearing the HMD 120.

When each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object, the control module 510 detects the collision. The control module 510 can detect, for example, the timing at which one object and another object touch each other, and when the detection is made, a predetermined process is performed. The control module 510 can detect the timing when the object and the object are separated from the touching state, and when the detection is made, the control module 510 performs a predetermined process. The control module 510 can detect that the object is in contact with the object. Specifically, the operation object control module 1425 detects that the operation object touches the other object when the operation object touches the other object, and performs predetermined processing. ..

The memory module 530 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 11 to the user 5. In one aspect, the memory module 530 holds spatial information 1426, object information 1427, and user information 1428.

Spatial information 1426 holds one or more templates defined to provide virtual space 11.

The object information 1427 holds the content to be reproduced in the virtual space 11, the object used in the content, and the information (for example, position information) for arranging the object in the virtual space 11. The content may include, for example, a game, content representing a landscape similar to that of the real world, and the like.

The user information 1428 holds a program for operating the computer 200 as a control device of the HMD system 100, an application program using each content held in the object information 1427, and the like.

Next, by referring to FIGS. 15 to 27, in the game program according to the present embodiment, the avatar object 1506B associated with the user 5B throws the threat object 2051 against the avatar object 1506A associated with the user 5A. The flow of the process for controlling the behavior of the threat object 2051 in the case of the above will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a game program according to the present embodiment. 16 and 17 are sequence charts showing a flow of processing for controlling the behavior of the threat object 2051. 18, 2051, 22, 24, and 26 are diagrams showing an example of the virtual space provided to the user 5A. 19, 23, 25, and 27 are diagrams showing an example of a field image displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 worn by the user 5A for explaining the game program according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the game program according to the present embodiment is, for example, a competitive game such as a bike racing game, in which a plurality of avatar objects 1506A to 1506D each run on a predetermined course C with the bike objects. However, it is a game that competes for the time and ranking from the start to the goal. The avatar objects 1506A to 1506D use the threat object 2051 or the like described later to exert a predetermined action (for example, stopping the opponent object) on the opponent's avatar object so as to interfere with the running. Can be done.

As shown in FIG. 16, in step S1610A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A determines the operation of the avatar object 1506A in the virtual space 11A (virtual space 1811A in FIG. 18) as in step S1310A. To get. Then, the processor 210A transmits the acquired avatar information of the avatar object 1506A to the server 600 via the network 2.

Further, in step S1610B, the processor 210B in the HMD set 110B acquires the avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 1506B in the virtual space 11B and transmits it to the server 600, as in the process in step S1610A. Although not shown in the sequence charts of FIGS. 16 and 17, similarly to steps S1610A and 1610B, the avatar object 1506C and the avatar object 1506D also have the HMD sets 110C and 110D associated with the avatar objects 1506C and 1506D. Processors 210C and 210D acquire avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar objects 1506C and 1506D in the virtual spaces 11C and 11D, and transmit the avatar information to the server 600.

In step S1620, the server 600 (an example of the information processing device) temporarily stores the avatar information received from each of the HMD sets 110A to 110D. The server 600 integrates the avatar information of all the users (users 5A to 5D in this example) associated with the common virtual space 11 based on the user ID, the room ID, and the like included in each avatar information. Then, the server 600 transmits the integrated avatar information to all the users associated with the virtual space 11 at a predetermined timing. As a result, the synchronization process is executed. By such a synchronization process, the HMD sets 110A to 110D can share each other's avatar information at substantially the same timing. In the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 16 and 17, since the processing performed by the HMD set 110A is mainly described, only the processing when transmitting the avatar information and the threat object information is performed in the processing of the HMD set 110B. The process of receiving the avatar information and the threat object information from the other HMD sets 110A, 110C, 110D will be described and the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S1630, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information of the avatar objects 1506A to 1506D in the virtual space 1811A based on the avatar information transmitted from the server 600 to the HMD set 110A, as shown in FIG. In the virtual space 1811A, the avatar object 1506A of the user 5A is arranged in association with the virtual camera 1814A. In FIG. 18, the avatar object 1506A is shown as a circular object for the sake of simplification of the drawing, but it is actually configured as an object of a player riding a motorcycle like the avatar objects 1506B to 1506D. The object. Further, the processor 210A updates the position and orientation of the avatar object 1506B in the virtual space 1811A based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110B. For example, the processor 210A arranges the avatar object 1506B behind the avatar object 1506A in the virtual space 1811A based on the updated information of the avatar object 1506B. Similarly, the processor 210A updates the information (position and orientation, etc.) of the avatar objects 1506C and 1506D in the virtual space 11 based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110C and the HMD set 110D. For example, the processor 210A arranges the avatar objects 1506C and 1506D in front of the avatar object 1506A in the virtual space 1811A based on the updated information of the avatar objects 1506C and 1506D, respectively. In FIGS. 18, 20-22, 24, and 26, the illustration of the course C is omitted.

Based on the updated information of the avatar objects 1506A to 1506D and the field of view area 1815A of the virtual camera 1814A, the field of view image 1917 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 worn by the user 5A. For example, in the view image 1917, the avatar object 1506C and the avatar object 1506D running in front of the avatar object 1506A are displayed on the course C.

In step S1641, the processor 210B of the HMD set 110B acquires the threat object information for determining the operation of the threat object 2051 controlled based on the operation of the avatar object 1506B in the virtual space 11B, and transmits the threat object information to the server 600. .. As shown in FIG. 20, the threat object 2051 is, for example, a ball-shaped object thrown at an opponent's avatar object (for example, user 5A's avatar object 1506A) based on an operation by user 5B. The threat object 2051 can be controlled by, for example, the user 5B operating a button on the controller 300. The threat object 2051 can exert an action of interfering with the running of the avatar object 1506A by contacting the avatar object 1506A, for example. In step S1641, the processor 210B transmits the threat object information to the server 600 together with the avatar information (information of the avatar object 1506B), but in the following description, the description of the information of the avatar object 1506B will be omitted.

In step S1642, the server 600 temporarily stores the threat object information received from the HMD set 110B. The server 600 executes the synchronization process by transmitting the threat object information to each of the HMD sets 110A to 110D of the users 5A to 5D associated with the common virtual space 11.

In step S1643, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information of the threat object 2051 in the virtual space 1811A based on the threat object information transmitted from the server 600 to the HMD set 110A, as shown in FIG. For example, when the user 5B throws the threat object 2051 toward the avatar object 1506A, the information of the threat object 2051 is updated at any time so that the threat object 2051 moves toward the avatar object 1506A.

In step S1644, the server 600 determines whether or not the threat object 2051 has approached the avatar object 1506A within a predetermined distance based on the threat object information received from the HMD set 110B. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the server 600 is a virtual device in which at least a part of the threat object 2051 approaches the avatar object 1506A within a predetermined distance L, that is, is formed at a position of a predetermined distance L from the avatar object 1506A. It is determined whether or not the object is within the circle 2052.

If it is determined that the threat object 2051 has approached the avatar object 1506A within a predetermined distance L (Yes in step S1644), in step S1645, the server 600 attaches the threat object 2051 to the virtual camera associated with the avatar object 1506A. Within the view area 1815A of 1814A, for example, the object is moved to a position separated from the avatar object 1506A by a predetermined distance or more (see FIG. 22). For the sake of simplification of the drawing, in FIG. 22, the moving position of the threat object 2051 is shown so as to be within the view area 1815A and at a position farther from the virtual circle 2052. Not limited. If the threat object 2051 is placed in the field of view area 1815A and at a position separated from the avatar object 1506A by a certain distance, the threat object 2051 may be placed at a position farther than the predetermined distance L or closer to the predetermined distance L. good. In any case, in order to make the threat object 2051 visible to the user 5A, the threat object 2051 may be located within the field of view area 1815A of the user 5A and at a certain distance from the avatar object 1506A. preferable. Then, the server 600 transmits the updated information of the threat object 2051 to the processor 210A of the HMD set 110A.

In step S1646, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information of the threat object 2051 in the virtual space 1811A based on the updated threat object information transmitted from the server 600 to the HMD set 110A, as shown in FIG. The field of view image 2317 is displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the threat object 2051 is displayed at a position separated from the user 5B by a certain distance. In addition, based on the threat object information transmitted from the server 600, the threat object 2051 may be displayed so as to stay at a fixed position in the field of view area 1815A, or may be displayed to move in the field of view area 1815A. .. Alternatively, even if the threat object 2051 moved into the field of view area 1815A of the user 5A is displayed to come out of the field of view area 1815A again, that is, the threat object 2051 is displayed to move back and forth inside and outside the field of view area 1815A. good.

Next, in step S1647 of FIG. 17, the server 600 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 to 10 seconds) has elapsed since the threat object 2051 moved into the field of view area 1815A. The predetermined time may be appropriately changed depending on the attributes of the avatar object 1506B using the threat object 2051 and the attributes of the threat object 2051 itself. In this case, the user 5B (attacker) who launches the attack by the threat object 2051 can set the time during which the user 5A can see the threat object 2051.

If it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the threat object 2051 moved into the view area 1815A (Yes in step S1647), in step S1648, the server 600 uses the avatar object 1506A as shown in FIG. 24. The threat object 2051 that has stayed at a position separated by a predetermined distance L or more is moved toward the avatar object 1506A. Then, the server 600 transmits the updated information of the threat object 2051 to the processor 210A of the HMD set 110A.

In step S1649, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information of the threat object 2051 in the virtual space 1811A based on the updated threat object information transmitted from the server 600 to the HMD set 110A, and the view shown in FIG. 25. The image 2517 is displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. That is, as shown in the field of view image 2517 of FIG. 25, the monitor 130 displays a state in which the threat object 2051 is approaching the avatar object 1506A.

In step S1650, the server 600 determines whether or not the threat object 2051 that has moved toward the avatar object 1506A hits the avatar object 1506A. Whether or not the threat object 2051 hits the avatar object 1506A is determined by, for example, providing a predetermined collision area (not shown) in each of the outer edge area of the threat object 2051 and the outer edge area of the avatar object 1506A, and the collision areas interfere with each other. You can judge whether you did it or not.

As shown in FIG. 26, when it is determined that the threat object 2051 hits the avatar object 1506A (Yes in step S1650), in step S1651, the server 600 hits the avatar object 1506A with the threat object 2051. Performs a process that exerts a predetermined action based on. For example, the server 600 updates the information of the avatar object 1506A so that the threat object 2051 exerts an action that interferes with the traveling of the running avatar object 1506A. Specifically, the server 600 can reduce the traveling speed of the avatar object 1506A hit by the threat object 2051 or stop the avatar object 1506A. Then, the server 600 transmits the updated information of the avatar object 1506A and the threat object 2051 to the processor 210A of the HMD set 110A.

In step S1652, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information of the avatar object 1506A and the threat object 2051 in the virtual space 1811A based on the updated avatar information and the threat object information transmitted from the server 600 to the HMD set 110A. Then, the view image 2717 shown in FIG. 27 is displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. As shown in the view image 2717 of FIG. 27, the monitor 130 displays a state in which the threat object 2051 hits the avatar object 1506A, the traveling speed of the avatar object 1506A decreases, or the avatar object 1506A stops.

In the steps after step S1644, each process performed by the server 600 may be processed by the processor 210A of the HMD set 110A.

By the way, in a battle-type VR (Virtual Reality) game, when an attack is suddenly received from outside the user's field of view, the user may not be able to grasp the situation and may not be convinced.

On the other hand, according to the program according to the present embodiment, the step of defining the virtual space 1811A and the avatar object 1506A (an example of the first object) associated with the user 5A wearing the HMD 120 are arranged in the virtual space 1811A. Steps to control the view (view area 1815A) from the avatar object 1506A according to the movement of the head of the user 5A, and the threat object 2051 (an example of the second object) acting on the avatar object 1506A. A step of arranging the threat object 2051 outside the view area 1815A, a step of moving the threat object 2051 around the avatar object 1506A, a step of presenting that the threat object 2051 is located around the avatar object 1506A in the view area 1815A, and a view. The threat object 2051 is displayed on the avatar object 1506A after a certain period of time has passed since the step of displaying the view image 1917 corresponding to the area 1815A on the HMD 120 and the position of the threat object 2051 around the avatar object 1506A in the view area 1815A. The computer is made to execute a step of moving toward the avatar object 1506A and a step of acting on the avatar object 1506A according to the positional relationship between the avatar object 1506A and the threat object 2051. In this way, for example, when the threat object 2051 thrown toward the avatar object 1506A approaches the avatar object 1506A, the threat object 2051 is placed in the view area 1815A of the user 5A and then directed toward the avatar object 1506A. By moving the threat object 2051 from outside the view area 1815A of the user 5A, the user 5A can easily grasp the situation in which the threat object 2051 is thrown. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the user 5A is not convinced by being suddenly attacked from outside the field of view, and it is possible to improve the virtual experience of the user 5A.

Further, in the program according to the present embodiment, when the threat object 2051 is moved around the avatar object 1506A, the server 600 (or the processor 210A) moves the threat object 2051 around the avatar object 1506A and outside the view area 1815A. By moving the threat object 2051 to the position of and then moving the threat object 2051 within the view area 1815A, it is suggested that the threat object 2051 is located around the avatar object 1506A. That is, the server 600 (or the processor 210A) presents that the threat object 2051 is located around the avatar object 1506A by wrapping the threat object 2051 from outside the view area 1815A toward the front inside the view area 1815A. According to this configuration, the user 5A can predict the action exerted by the threat object 2051 by entering the threat object 2051 so as to wrap around in the field of view area 1815A of the user 5A before hitting the avatar object 1506A.

In the program according to the present embodiment, the movement of the avatar object 1506A can be controlled according to the movement of the user 5A. Therefore, even if the threat object 2051 is attacked by the opponent's avatar object (for example, the avatar object 1506B), the user 5A moves the avatar object 1506A so as to avoid or prevent the attack by the threat object 2051. Can be controlled.

Further, when the threat object 2051 is moved toward the avatar object 1506A, the threat object 2051 moves the threat object 2051 into the view area 1815A of the user 5A and moves to the threat object 2051 outside the view area 1815A. It may occur more than once. By moving the threat object 2051 in and out of the field of view 1815A (flickering in the field of view 1815A) in this way, the user 5A can easily be attacked by the threat object 2051. Can be predicted.

Further, when the threat object 2051 is moved toward the avatar object 1506A, the movement speed of the threat object 2051 may be changed according to the positional relationship between the avatar object 1506A and the threat object 2051. For example, by accelerating / decelerating as the threat object 2051 approaches the avatar object 1506A, the user 5A can predict an attack by the threat object 2051. In this case, for example, the sound related to the movement of the threat object 2051 (for example, acceleration / deceleration, etc.) may be output from the speaker 180. This makes it even easier for the user 5A to predict an attack by the threat object 2051.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the threat object 2051 is moved toward the avatar object 1506A, the threat object 2051 is moved within the field of view area 1815A of the avatar object 1506A, but the present invention is not limited to this example. .. For example, when the threat object 2051 is configured as an object whose surroundings emit light, and the threat object 2051 approaches the avatar object 1506A, the light emitting area around the threat object 2051 is included in the view area 1815A. It may be configured as follows. In this case, the threat object 2051 does not necessarily have to enter the field of view area 1815A when moving toward the avatar object 1506A. The user 5A can predict that the threat object 2051 is approaching because at least a part of the field of view 1815A is emitting light. In this way, when the threat object 2051 moves toward the avatar object 1506A, the influence of the light emission of the threat object 2051 is generated in the view area 1815A, and the influence of the light emission is generated in the view area 1815A and then constant. After a lapse of time, the threat object 2051 may be further moved toward the avatar object 1506A to exert a predetermined effect on the avatar object 1506A when the threat object 2051 hits the avatar object 1506A. Even with this configuration, the user 5A can easily grasp the situation of being attacked by the threat object 2051.

(Modification example)
A configuration of an HMD system according to a modified example will be described with reference to FIG. 28. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an HMD system for providing a virtual experience to a user according to a modified example.

In one aspect, the HMD system (device) shown in FIG. 28 is a device for providing the user 5 with a virtual experience of moving on a board in the virtual space 11. The device comprises a board 2831 (passenger section). As shown in FIG. 28, the user 5 attaches the HMD 120 to the head and rides on the board 2831 for the virtual experience.

The board 2831 is connected to the flat plate 2832 by two springs 2833 (elastic bodies). As a result, when the user 5 on the board 2831 shifts the weight, the spring 2833 expands and contracts, and the board 2831 tilts from the horizontal state. Casters 2834 are attached to the four corners of the flat plate 2832 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the spring 2833 is provided. As a result, when the user 5 on the board 2831 moves his / her weight, the flat plate 2832 moves, and the board 2831 also moves along with the movement. With the above configuration, it is possible to give the user 5 the feeling of moving while being on the board and balancing.

A tilt sensor 2837 is attached to the board 2831. The tilt sensor 2837 detects the tilt of the board 2831 on which the user 5 is mounted, that is, the rotation angles of the pitch axis (u axis), the yaw axis (v axis), and the roll axis (w axis). The tilt sensor 2837 transmits the detection result, that is, the detected angle of rotation to the computer 200. As an example, the tilt sensor 2837 may detect the tilt of the board 2831 by detecting light such as infrared rays. Specifically, the board 2831 is provided with a plurality of media (not shown) that emit infrared rays, and the tilt sensor 2837 reads the infrared rays emitted by these media and detects the position of these media to detect the tilt of the board 2831. You may. As another example, the tilt sensor 2837 may be implemented by a gyro sensor.

As shown in FIG. 28, the user 5 rides on the board 2831 in the space surrounded by the housing 2835. In other words, the housing 2835 is configured so that the board 2831 moves only in the space. The housing 2835 also includes a bar 2836. The user 5 can grab the bar 2836 while riding on the board 2831. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user 5 from occurring in a dangerous situation such as falling out of control of the movement of the board 2831.

A controller 2838 is provided in the bar 2836 provided in front of the user 5. The controller 2838 is connected to the computer 200 by wire or wirelessly. The controller 2838 receives an instruction input from the user 5 to the computer 200. In one aspect, the controller 2838 is configured to be grippable by the user 5. In certain aspects, the controller 2838 may be configured to output at least one of vibration, sound, and light based on the signal transmitted from the computer 200.

In this example, the movement of the avatar object (for example, the avatar objects 1506A to 1506D) can be controlled by the inclination of the board 2831 due to the weight movement of the user 5 on the board 2831. Further, by operating the controller 2838, the user 5 can launch the threat object 2021 shown in FIGS. 18, 19 and the like to the avatar object of the opponent.

As an example of the input device for moving the avatar objects 1506A to 1506D in the virtual space 11, a race housing provided with a handle type controller may be used. That is, the user riding on the race housing may be able to control the movement of the avatar objects 1506A to 1506D by operating the handle type controller.

In the above embodiment, the virtual space (VR space) in which the user is immersed by the HMD 120 has been described as an example, but a transmissive HMD may be adopted as the HMD. In this case, by outputting a view image obtained by synthesizing a part of the image constituting the virtual space in the real space visually recognized by the user via the transmissive HMD, the augmented reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) MR: Mixed Reality) A virtual experience in space may be provided to the user. In this case, instead of the operation object, an action on the target object in the virtual space may be generated based on the movement of the user's hand. Specifically, the processor may specify the coordinate information of the position of the user's hand in the real space, and may define the position of the target object in the virtual space in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. As a result, the processor can grasp the positional relationship between the user's hand in the real space and the target object in the virtual space, and can execute the processing corresponding to the above-mentioned collision control or the like between the user's hand and the target object. .. As a result, it becomes possible to give an action to the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

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 modified 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 scope thereof.

[Additional notes]
The contents of this disclosure are listed below.

(Item 1)
Steps to define virtual space and
A step of arranging a first object associated with a user associated with an image display device on the head in the virtual space, and
A step of controlling the field of view from the first object according to the movement of the head,
A step of arranging a second object that acts on the first object out of the field of view,
A step of moving the second object around the first object,
A step of presenting in the field of view that the second object is located around the first object, and
A step of displaying a field of view image corresponding to the field of view on the image display device,
A step of moving the second object toward the first object after a certain period of time has elapsed from the presentation.
A step of exerting the action on the first object according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object.
A program that lets your computer run.
According to this configuration, the virtual experience of the user can be improved. In particular, after a certain period of time has passed after presenting that the second object is located around the first object in the field of view of the first object, the second object is moved toward the first object and acts on the first object. By exerting the above, it is possible to easily grasp the situation in which the user is attacked by the second object.

(Item 2)
In the step of moving the second object around the first object, the second object is moved to a position around the first object and out of the field of view.
The program according to item 1, wherein the presentation is to move the second object within the field of view.
According to this configuration, the user can predict the action exerted by the second object by entering the user's field of view before the second object hits the first object.

(Item 3)
The program according to item 2, wherein the presentation is to cause the movement of the second object into the field of view and the movement of the second object out of the field of view one or more times.
According to this configuration, the user can predict the action exerted by the second object by moving the second object in and out of the user's field of view (flickering).

(Item 4)
The program according to item 2, wherein the presentation is to wrap the second object from outside the field of view toward the front in the field of view.
According to this configuration, the user can easily predict the action exerted by the second object by moving the second object around the user's field of view and then moving toward the first object. ..

(Item 5)
In the step of moving the second object around the first object, the second object is moved to a position around the first object and out of the field of view.
The program according to item 1, wherein the presentation is to make the second object emit light and to cause the influence of the light emission within the field of view.
According to this configuration, the user can easily predict the effect exerted by the second object.

(Item 6)
Items 1 to 3 in which the moving speed of the second object is changed according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object in the step of moving the second object toward the first object. The program described in either.
According to this configuration, for example, by accelerating / decelerating as the second object approaches the first object, the user can predict the action exerted by the second object.

(Item 7)
The program according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the movement of the first object can be controlled according to the movement of the body excluding the head of the user.
According to this configuration, the user can control the movement of the first object so as to avoid or prevent the action exerted by the second object.

(Item 8)
The program according to Item Tree 7, wherein the movement of the first object can be controlled according to the weight movement of the user.

(Item 9)
An information processing device equipped with a processor
Steps to define virtual space and
A step of arranging a first object associated with a user associated with an image display device on the head in the virtual space, and
A step of controlling the field of view from the first object according to the movement of the head,
A step of arranging a second object that acts on the first object out of the field of view,
A step of moving the second object around the first object,
A step of presenting in the field of view that the second object is located around the first object, and
A step of displaying a field of view image corresponding to the field of view on the image display device,
A step of moving the second object toward the first object after a certain period of time has elapsed from the presentation.
A step of exerting the action on the first object according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object.
Is an information processing device that is executed under the control of the processor.

(Item 10)
An information processing method executed by a computer
Steps to define virtual space and
A step of arranging a first object associated with a user associated with an image display device on the head in the virtual space, and
A step of controlling the field of view from the first object according to the movement of the head,
A step of arranging a second object that acts on the first object out of the field of view,
A step of moving the second object around the first object,
A step of presenting in the field of view that the second object is located around the first object, and
A step of displaying a field of view image corresponding to the field of view on the image display device,
A step of moving the second object toward the first object after a certain period of time has elapsed from the presentation.
A step of exerting the action on the first object according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object.
Information processing methods, including.

2: Network 11: Virtual space 13: Panorama image 14: Virtual camera 15: Field of view area 17: Field of view image 100: HMD system 110: HMD set 120: HMD
130: Monitor 140: Gaze sensor 150: First camera 160: Second camera 170: Microphone 180: Speaker 200: Computer 210: Processor 220: Memory 230: Storage 240: Input / output interface 250: Communication interface 300: Controller 310: Grip 320: Frame 330: Top surface 340, 350, 370, 380: Button 360: Infrared LED
390: Analog stick 410: HMD sensor 420: Motion sensor 430: Display 510: Control module 520: Rendering module 530: Memory module 540: Communication control module 600: Server 700: External device 1421: Virtual camera control module 1422: View area determination Module 1423: Virtual space definition module 1424: Virtual object generation module 1425: Operation object control module 1426: Spatial information 1427: Object information 1428: User information 1429: Visibility image generation module 1811A: Virtual space 1815A: Visibility area 1506A to 1506D: Avatar Object 2051: Threat object

Claims (10)

Steps to define virtual space and
A step of placing the first object associated with the user in the virtual space,
A step of controlling the field of view from the first object according to the movement of the user ,
A step of arranging a second object that acts on the first object out of the field of view,
A step of moving the second object around the first object,
A step of presenting in the field of view that the second object is located around the first object, and
A step of displaying a field of view image corresponding to the field of view on an image display device associated with the user, and
A step of moving the second object toward the first object after a certain period of time has elapsed from the presentation.
A step of exerting the action on the first object according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object.
A program that lets your computer run. In the step of moving the second object around the first object, the second object is moved to a position around the first object and out of the field of view.
The program of claim 1, wherein the presentation is to move the second object within the field of view. The program according to claim 1, wherein the presentation is to cause the movement of the second object into the field of view and the movement of the second object out of the field of view one or more times. The program according to claim 2, wherein the presentation is to wrap the second object from outside the field of view toward the front in the field of view. In the step of moving the second object around the first object, the second object is moved to a position around the first object and out of the field of view.
The program according to claim 1, wherein the presentation causes the second object to emit light and also causes the influence of the light emission to occur in the field of view. Claims 1 to 5, wherein in the step of moving the second object toward the first object, the moving speed of the second object is changed according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object. The program described in any one of the sections. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the movement of the first object can be controlled according to the movement of the user. The program according to claim 7, wherein the movement of the first object can be controlled according to the weight movement of the user. An information processing device equipped with a processor
Steps to define virtual space and
A step of placing the first object associated with the user in the virtual space,
A step of controlling the field of view from the first object according to the movement of the user ,
A step of arranging a second object that acts on the first object out of the field of view,
A step of moving the second object around the first object,
A step of presenting in the field of view that the second object is located around the first object, and
A step of displaying a field of view image corresponding to the field of view on an image display device associated with the user, and
A step of moving the second object toward the first object after a certain period of time has elapsed from the presentation.
A step of exerting the action on the first object according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object.
Is an information processing device that is executed under the control of the processor. An information processing method executed by a computer
Steps to define virtual space and
A step of placing the first object associated with the user in the virtual space,
A step of controlling the field of view from the first object according to the movement of the user ,
A step of arranging a second object that acts on the first object out of the field of view,
A step of moving the second object around the first object,
A step of presenting in the field of view that the second object is located around the first object, and
A step of displaying a field of view image corresponding to the field of view on an image display device associated with the user, and
A step of moving the second object toward the first object after a certain period of time has passed since the presentation was made, and a step of moving the second object toward the first object.
A step of exerting the action on the first object according to the positional relationship between the first object and the second object,
Information processing methods, including.

Images