JP7192151B2 - Program, information processing device, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

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

Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that a user can teleport to a desired area by pointing to the desired area using an operable object (for example, a gun) in virtual space.

“Bullet Train VR Demo by Epic Games on Oculus | Unreal Engine, [online], [searched January 10, 2018], Internet <https://youtu.be/DmaxmnPzMWE>

Regarding teleport movement using an operation object as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in improving the user's virtual experience.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method that can improve a user's virtual experience.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure,
setting up a virtual space for providing a virtual experience to a user;
setting a virtual viewpoint at a first position in the virtual space;
indicating a second position in the virtual space according to the movement of the user's body part;
moving the virtual viewpoint to the second position;
controlling a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head;
generating a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position when the first position is included in the field of view;
generating a first view image including the movement trajectory object;
outputting the first view image to an image display device associated with the head of the user;
provides a program for causing a computer to execute

According to the present disclosure, a user's virtual experience can be enhanced.

1 is a schematic representation of the configuration of an HMD system according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually representing a uvw viewing coordinate system set in an HMD according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually representing one aspect of representing a virtual space according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a top view of a user's head wearing an HMD according to an embodiment; It is a figure showing the YZ cross section which looked at the field-of-view area from the X direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the XZ cross section which looked at the field-of-view area from the Y direction in virtual space. FIG. 2 is a diagram representing a schematic configuration of a controller according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of yaw, roll, and pitch directions defined for a user's right hand according to an embodiment; It is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a server according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram representing a computer as a module configuration according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a sequence chart representing part of the processing performed in the HMD set according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a situation in which each HMD provides a virtual space to a user in a network; It is a figure which shows the user's 5A view image in FIG. 12(A). 4 is a sequence chart showing processing performed in the HMD system according to one embodiment; 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the modules of the computer according to one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing the flow of processing when a movement trajectory object indicating a trajectory traveled by a user in a virtual space is generated; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of virtual space provided to a user; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of virtual space provided to a user; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of virtual space provided to a user; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of virtual space provided to a user; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of virtual space provided to a user; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of virtual space provided to a user; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of virtual space provided to a user; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the visual field image displayed on the monitor of HMD. FIG. 10 is a sequence chart showing the flow of display/hide processing of moving trajectory objects on other users' HMDs in a multiplayer game by a plurality of users; FIG. FIG. 11 is a sequence chart showing the flow of processing for displaying history objects; FIG. Figure 3 represents the configuration of another HMD system. Represents the configuration of other controllers.

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

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

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

In one aspect, computer 200 is connectable to network 2 such as the Internet, and is capable of communicating with server 600 and other computers connected to network 2 . Other computers include, for example, computers of other HMD sets 110 and external devices 700 . In another aspect, HMD 120 may include sensor 190 instead of HMD sensor 410 .

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

The monitor 130 is implemented as, for example, a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the monitor 130 is arranged on the main body of the HMD 120 so as to be positioned in front of both eyes of the user 5 . Therefore, the user 5 can immerse himself in the virtual space by viewing the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 130 . In one aspect, the virtual space includes images of, for example, a background, objects that the user 5 can manipulate, and menus that the user 5 can select. In one aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor provided in a so-called smart phone or other information display terminal.

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

In one aspect, monitor 130 may include a sub-monitor for displaying images for the right eye and a sub-monitor for displaying images 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 one. In this case, monitor 130 includes a high speed shutter. The high speed shutter operates to alternately display the right eye image and the left eye image so that the image is perceived by only one eye.

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

In another aspect, 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 image analysis processing using the image information of the HMD 120 output from the camera.

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

Gaze sensor 140 detects the directions in which the user's 5 right and left eyes are directed. That is, the gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the user 5 . Detection of the line-of-sight direction is achieved by, for example, a known eye-tracking function. Gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, gaze sensor 140 preferably includes a right eye sensor and a left eye sensor. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates the right and left eyes of the user 5 with infrared light and receives reflected light from the cornea and iris of the irradiated light, thereby detecting the rotation angle of each eyeball. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on each detected rotation angle.

The first camera 150 photographs the lower part of the user's 5 face. More specifically, first camera 150 captures the nose, mouth, and the like of user 5 . The second camera 160 photographs the eyes, eyebrows, etc. of the user 5 . The housing of the HMD 120 on the side of the user 5 is defined as the inside of the HMD 120 , and the housing of the HMD 120 on the side opposite to the user 5 is defined as the outside of the HMD 120 . In one aspect, first camera 150 may be positioned outside HMD 120 and second camera 160 may be positioned inside HMD 120 . Images generated by first camera 150 and second camera 160 are input to 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 with this one camera.

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

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

In one aspect, controller 300 includes multiple light sources. Each light source is implemented, 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 multiple infrared rays emitted by the controller 300 and detects the position and tilt of the controller 300 in the physical space. In another aspect, 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 image analysis processing using the image information of the controller 300 output from the camera.

Motion sensor 420 , in one aspect, is attached to the hand of user 5 to detect movement of the hand of user 5 . For example, the motion sensor 420 detects hand rotation speed, number of rotations, and the like. The detected signal is sent to computer 200 . Motion sensor 420 is provided in controller 300, for example. In one aspect, motion sensor 420 is provided, for example, in controller 300 configured to be grippable by user 5 . In another aspect, for safety in the real space, the controller 300 is attached to an object such as a glove that is attached to the hand of the user 5 so as not to fly off easily. In yet another aspect, sensors not worn by user 5 may detect movement of user's 5 hand. For example, a signal from a camera that takes an image of user 5 may be input to computer 200 as a signal representing the motion of user 5 . Motion sensor 420 and computer 200 are, for example, wirelessly connected to each other. In the case of wireless communication, the form of communication is not particularly limited, and for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or other known communication methods are used.

Display 430 displays an image similar to the image displayed on monitor 130 . This allows users other than the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 to view the same image as that of the user 5 . The image displayed on 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.

Server 600 may transmit programs to computer 200 . In another aspect, server 600 may communicate with other computers 200 to provide virtual reality to HMDs 120 used by other users. For example, when a plurality of users play a participatory game in an amusement facility, each computer 200 communicates a signal based on each user's action with the other computers 200 via the server 600 so that a plurality of users can participate in the same virtual space. users to enjoy common games. Each computer 200 may communicate signals based on each user's actions with other computers 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 may be a device capable of directly communicating with the computer 200 through short-range wireless communication or wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include smart devices, PCs (Personal Computers), and peripheral devices of the computer 200, but are not limited to these.

[Computer hardware configuration]
A 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 computer 200 according to this 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.

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

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

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

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

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

In some aspects, input/output interface 240 may also communicate with controller 300 . For example, input/output interface 240 receives signals output from controller 300 and motion sensor 420 . In another aspect, input/output interface 240 sends instructions output from processor 210 to controller 300 . The command instructs the controller 300 to vibrate, output sound, emit light, or the like. Upon receiving the command, the controller 300 performs any one of vibration, sound output, or light emission according to the command.

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

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

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

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

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

In one aspect, HMD sensor 410 includes an infrared sensor. The presence of HMD 120 is detected when the infrared sensor detects infrared rays emitted from each light source of HMD 120 . The HMD sensor 410 further detects the position and inclination (orientation) of the HMD 120 in the physical 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 temporal changes in the position and tilt of the HMD 120 using each value detected over time.

Each tilt of HMD 120 detected by HMD sensor 410 corresponds to each tilt of HMD 120 around three axes in the real coordinate system. The HMD sensor 410 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 120 based on the tilt of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. The uvw visual field 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 virtual space.

[uvw visual field coordinate system]
The uvw visual field coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually representing the uvw viewing coordinate system set in the HMD 120 according to one embodiment. HMD sensor 410 detects the position and tilt of HMD 120 in the real coordinate system when HMD 120 is activated. Processor 210 sets the uvw viewing coordinate system to 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 rotates the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction (x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis) defining the real coordinate system by tilts around each axis of the HMD 120 within the real coordinate system. The three directions newly obtained by tilting around the axes are set as the pitch axis (u-axis), yaw-axis (v-axis), and roll-axis (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120 .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A uvw field-of-view coordinate system is defined in the virtual camera 14 as in the case of the HMD 120 . The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined to interlock with the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real space (real coordinate system). Therefore, when the tilt of HMD 120 changes, the tilt of 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 area 15 in the virtual space 11 based on the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14 (reference line of sight 16). The field of view area 15 corresponds to an area of the virtual space 11 that is viewed by the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 . That is, the position of the virtual camera 14 can be said to be the viewpoint of the user 5 in the virtual space 11 .

The line of sight of the user 5 detected by the gaze sensor 140 is the direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes an object. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 visually recognizes the monitor 130 . The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is interlocked with the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 . Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to one 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 coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 .

[User's line of sight]
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 user 5 wearing HMD 120 according to an embodiment.

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

When computer 200 receives detection values of lines of sight R1 and L1 from gaze sensor 140 as a detection result of lines of sight, computer 200 identifies point of gaze N1, which is the intersection of lines of sight R1 and L1, based on the detected values. On the other hand, when computer 200 receives detection values of lines of sight R2 and L2 from gaze sensor 140, computer 200 identifies the intersection of lines of sight R2 and L2 as the point of gaze. The computer 200 identifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the identified position of the gaze point N1. The computer 200 detects, for example, the extending direction of a 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 gaze point N1 as the line of sight N0. The line of sight N0 is the direction in which the user 5 is actually looking with both eyes. The line of sight N<b>0 corresponds to the direction in which the user 5 actually looks toward the field of view area 15 .

In another aspect, HMD system 100 may include a television broadcast reception tuner. With such a configuration, the HMD system 100 can display television programs in the virtual space 11 .

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

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

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

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

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

Thus, the tilt 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, processor 210 can move virtual camera 14 in virtual space 11 in conjunction with movement of user 5 wearing HMD 120 in the physical space. In this case, processor 210 identifies an image area (viewing area 15 ) projected on monitor 130 of HMD 120 based on the position and tilt of virtual camera 14 in virtual space 11 .

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

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

As shown in FIG. 8, in one aspect, controller 300 may include a right controller 300R and a left controller (not shown). Right controller 300R is operated by user 5's right hand. The left controller is operated with the user's 5 left hand. In one aspect, right controller 300R and 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, controller 300 may be an integrated controller that accepts two-handed operation. The right controller 300R will be described below.

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

Grip 310 includes buttons 340 and 350 and motion sensor 420 . Button 340 is arranged on the side surface of grip 310 and is operated by the middle finger of the right hand. Button 350 is arranged on the front surface of grip 310 and is operated by the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, buttons 340, 350 are configured as trigger buttons. Motion sensor 420 is built into the housing of grip 310 . The grip 310 may not include the motion sensor 420 if the motion of the user 5 can be detected from around the user 5 by a camera or other device.

Frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along its circumference. Infrared LED 360 emits infrared light in accordance with the progress of a program using controller 300 during execution of the program. Infrared rays emitted from infrared LED 360 can be used to detect the positions and orientations (inclination and orientation) of right controller 300R and left controller. Although the example shown in FIG. 8 shows infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows, the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. A single row or three or more row arrays may be used.

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

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

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

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

Processor 610 executes a series of instructions contained in a program stored in memory 620 or storage 630 based on a signal provided to server 600 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, 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. Data includes data input to server 600 and data generated by processor 610 . In one aspect, memory 620 is implemented as RAM or other volatile memory.

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

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

Input/output interface 640 communicates signals with input/output devices. In one aspect, input/output interface 640 is implemented using USB, DVI, HDMI, or other terminals. Input/output interface 640 is not limited to the one described above.

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

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

[HMD control device]
A control device for the HMD 120 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the controller is implemented by computer 200 having a well-known configuration. FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing a modular configuration of computer 200 according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, computer 200 comprises control module 510 , rendering module 520 , memory module 530 and communication control module 540 . In one aspect, control module 510 and rendering module 520 are implemented by processor 210 . In another aspect, multiple processors 210 may act as control module 510 and rendering module 520 . Memory module 530 is implemented by memory 220 or storage 230 . Communication control module 540 is implemented by communication interface 250 .

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

The control module 510 places objects in the virtual space 11 using object data representing the objects. Object data is stored, for example, in memory module 530 . The control module 510 may generate object data or acquire object data from the server 600 or the like. The objects include, for example, an avatar object 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, landscapes including forests, mountains, etc. arranged according to the progress of the story of the game, townscapes, and animals. etc.

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

Control module 510 identifies the tilt of HMD 120 based on the output of HMD sensor 410 . In another aspect, control module 510 identifies the tilt of HMD 120 based on the output of sensor 190, which functions as a motion sensor. The control module 510 detects the facial organs of the user 5 (eg, mouth, eyes, eyebrows) from the facial images of the user 5 generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160 . The control module 510 detects the motion (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 values 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 tilt of the virtual camera 14 . Control module 510 transmits the detected viewpoint position to 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 this 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 motion of the detected facial features on the face of the avatar object placed in the virtual space 11 . The control module 510 receives line-of-sight information of the other user 5 from the server 600 and reflects the line-of-sight information of the avatar object of the other user 5 . In one aspect, control module 510 reflects movements of controller 300 on avatar objects and operation objects. In this case, controller 300 includes a motion sensor, an acceleration sensor, a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs), or the like for detecting movement of controller 300 .

The control module 510 arranges in the virtual space 11 an operation object for receiving an operation by the user 5 in the virtual space 11 . The user 5 operates an object placed in the virtual space 11, for example, by operating the operation object. In one aspect, the manipulation object may include, for example, a hand object, which is a virtual hand corresponding to the user's 5 hand. In one aspect, the control module 510 moves the hand object in the virtual space 11 based on the output of the motion sensor 420 in conjunction with the hand movement of the user 5 in the real space. In one aspect, the manipulation object may correspond to a hand portion of the avatar object.

The control module 510 detects a collision when each of the objects placed in the virtual space 11 collides with another object. The control module 510 can detect, for example, the timing at which the collision area of a certain object touches the collision area of another object, and performs predetermined processing when the detection is made. The control module 510 can detect the timing when the objects are separated from the touching state, and performs predetermined processing when the detection is made. The control module 510 can detect that objects are touching. For example, when the operating object touches another object, the control module 510 detects that the operating object touches the other object, and performs predetermined processing.

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

When the control module 510 detects an utterance by the user 5 using the microphone 170 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 specifies the computer 200 to which the audio data corresponding to the utterance is to be transmitted. The audio data is sent to the computer 200 specified by 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 .

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

The spatial information holds one or more templates defined to provide the virtual space 11. FIG.

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

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

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

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

In one aspect, control module 510 and 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 implemented as a combination of circuit elements that implement each process.

Processing in computer 200 is realized by hardware and software executed by processor 210 . Such software may be pre-stored on a hard disk or other memory module 530 . The software may be distributed as a program product stored in a CD-ROM or other computer-readable non-volatile data recording medium. Alternatively, the software may be provided as a downloadable program product by an information provider connected to the Internet or other network. Such software is read from a data recording medium by an optical disk drive or other data reading device, 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 processor 210 and stored in RAM in the form of executable programs. 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 representing part of the processing performed in HMD set 110 according to one embodiment.

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

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

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

In step S<b>1132 , monitor 130 of HMD 120 displays a field-of-view image based on the field-of-view image data received from computer 200 . The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 by viewing the visual field image.

In step S<b>1134 , HMD sensor 410 detects the position and tilt of HMD 120 based on a plurality of infrared rays emitted from HMD 120 . The detection result is output to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

In step S<b>1140 , processor 210 identifies the viewing direction of user 5 wearing HMD 120 based on the position and tilt included in the motion detection data of HMD 120 .

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

In step S 1160 , controller 300 detects an operation by user 5 based on the signal output from motion sensor 420 and outputs detection data representing the detected operation to computer 200 . In another aspect, manipulation of controller 300 by user 5 may be detected based on images from cameras placed around user 5 .

In step S<b>1170 , processor 210 detects an operation of controller 300 by user 5 based on the detection data acquired from controller 300 .

At step S 1180 , processor 210 generates view image data based on the operation of controller 300 by user 5 . The generated visual field image data is output to HMD 120 by communication control module 540 .

In step S<b>1190 , 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 monitor 130 .

[Avatar object]
An avatar object according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereafter, it is a figure explaining the avatar object of each user 5 of HMD set 110A, 110B. Hereinafter, the user of the HMD set 110A will be referred to as the user 5A, the user of the HMD set 110B as the user 5B, the user of the HMD set 110C as the user 5C, and the user of the HMD set 110D as the user 5D. A is attached to the reference sign of each component regarding the HMD set 110A, B is attached to the reference sign of each component regarding the HMD set 110B, C is attached to the reference sign of each component regarding the HMD set 110C, and the HMD set A D is attached to the reference number of each component related to 110D. For example, HMD 120A is included in 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. FIG. Computers 200A-200D provide users 5A-5D with virtual spaces 11A-11D via HMDs 120A-120D, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 12A, virtual space 11A and virtual space 11B are configured with the same data. In other words, the computers 200A and 200B share the same virtual space. An avatar object 6A of the user 5A and an avatar object 6B of the user 5B exist in the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B. Although the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A and the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11B are each wearing the HMD 120, this is for the sake of clarity of explanation, and in reality these objects are not wearing the HMDs 120. not

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

FIG. 12(B) is a diagram showing a field-of-view image 17A of the user 5A in FIG. 12(A). The field-of-view image 17A is an image displayed on the monitor 130A of the HMD 120A. This field-of-view image 17A is an image generated by the virtual camera 14A. An avatar object 6B of the user 5B is displayed in the field-of-view image 17A. Although not particularly illustrated, the avatar object 6A of the user 5A is similarly displayed in the visual field image of the user 5B.

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

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

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

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

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

In step S1320, server 600 temporarily stores the player information received from each of HMD set 110A, HMD set 110B, and HMD set 110C. Server 600 integrates avatar information of all users (users 5A to 5C in this example) associated with common virtual space 11 based on user IDs, room IDs, and the like included in each avatar information. Then, the server 600 transmits the integrated avatar information to all users associated with the virtual space 11 at a predetermined timing. Accordingly, synchronization processing is executed. Such synchronization processing enables the HMD set 110A, the HMD set 110B, and the HMD set 110C to share each other's avatar information at approximately the same timing.

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

In step S1330A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates information on the avatar objects 6B and 6C of the other users 5B and 5C in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A updates the position, orientation, etc. 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, processor 210A updates the information (such as position and orientation) of avatar object 6B contained in the object information stored in memory module 530. FIG. 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, processor 210B in HMD set 110B updates information on avatar objects 6A and 6C of users 5A and 5C in virtual space 11B, similar to the process in step S1330A. Similarly, in step S1330C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C updates information on the avatar objects 6A, 6B of the users 5A, 5B in the virtual space 11C.

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

As shown in FIG. 14, the control module 510 includes a virtual camera control module 1421, a field of view 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 comprises a view image generation module 1429 . 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 placement position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the orientation (inclination) of the virtual camera 14 . The visual field determination module 1422 defines the visual field area 15 according to the direction of the head of the user wearing the HMD 120 and the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14 . The field of view image generation module 1429 generates the field of view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined field of 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 objects placed in the virtual space 11 . Objects may include, for example, landscapes including forests, mountains, etc., animals, etc. that are arranged as the story progresses in the game. In particular, the objects may include movement points 1662, 1663, pointer objects 1665, movement trajectory objects 1671, 1672, which are described below.

The manipulated object control module 1425 controls the manipulated objects placed in the virtual space 11 . In one aspect, the manipulation object can include, for example, a pointer object 1665 described below that can be manipulated by the hand of the user wearing the HMD 120 .

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

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

Space information 1426 holds one or more templates defined for providing virtual space 11 .

The object information 1427 holds content to be reproduced in the virtual space 11 , objects used in the content, and information (for example, position information) for arranging the objects in the virtual space 11 . The content may include, for example, games, content showing scenery similar to that in the real world, and the like.

The user information 1428 holds programs for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device for the HMD system 100, application programs that use each content held in the object information 1427, and the like.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 23, the flow of processing when the movement trajectory object indicating the trajectory of the user 5A's movement in the virtual space is generated in the game program according to the present embodiment will be described. . FIG. 15 is a sequence chart showing the flow of processing when a movement trajectory object is generated. 16 to 22 are diagrams showing an example of a virtual space provided to the user 5A for explaining the game program according to this embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a field-of-view image displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 for explaining the game program according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, in step S1541, processor 210 of computer 200, as control module 510, identifies virtual space data of the game program according to the present embodiment, and defines virtual space 1611 shown in FIG. .

In step S1542, processor 210 sets virtual camera 14 (an example of a virtual viewpoint) at a predetermined position in virtual space 1611, as shown in FIG. For example, the virtual camera 14 is arranged at the center position 1661 of the celestial virtual space 1611 .

In step S1543, processor 210 sets movement points 1662 and 1663 at predetermined positions in virtual space 1611, as shown in FIG. Movement points 1662 and 1663 function as points at which virtual camera 14 can be teleported (warped) based on an operation by user 5A.

In step S 1544 , processor 210 arranges pointer object 1665 as an operation object in virtual space 1611 . The pointer object 1665 is placed at a predetermined position within the field of view 1615 of the virtual camera 14 in the initial state. A predetermined position in the initial state of the pointer object 1665 is determined in advance as a position relative to the position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 1611 . For example, pointer object 1665 is placed at a predetermined distance from virtual camera 14 within field of view 1615 of virtual camera 14 . The pointer object 1665 can be moved from the initial position to any position based on the operation of the controller 300 by the user 5A. That is, user 5A can move pointer object 1665 to point to any position in virtual space 1611 by operating controller 300 . Note that the pointer object 1665 may function like a laser pointer in real space. That is, light may be emitted from the virtual camera 14 in a predetermined direction, and movement points 1662 and 1663 hit by the light may be pointed. Also, the pointer object 1665 may be configured as an extendable object based on the operation of the controller 300 . That is, while leaving one end of the pointer object 1665 at a predetermined position, the other end of the pointer object 1665 may be moved to point to an arbitrary position.

In step S1545, processor 210, as rendering module 520, generates view image data for displaying a view image of virtual space 1611 including moving points 1662 and 1663 and pointer object 1665. FIG. The generated visual field image data is output to HMD 120 by communication control module 540 .

In step S<b>1546 , monitor 130 of HMD 120 displays a field-of-view image based on the field-of-view image data received from computer 200 .

In step S1547, controller 300 detects an input operation by user 5A and outputs detection data representing the detected input operation to computer 200. FIG. In another aspect, operation of controller 300 by user 5A may be detected based on images from cameras placed around user 5A.

In step S<b>1548 , processor 210 detects an input operation by user 5</b>A based on the detection data acquired from controller 300 .

In step S 1549 , processor 210 controls pointer object 1665 based on the detected operation of controller 300 . For example, processor 210 moves pointer object 1665 to a position that interferes with movement point 1662 as shown in FIG. 17 based on detected data representing manipulation of controller 300 .

In step S<b>1550 , processor 210 generates visual field image data in a state where pointer object 1665 has moved to the position of movement point 1662 , and outputs the visual field image data to HMD 120 .

In step S<b>1551 , HMD 120 updates the field-of-view image based on the received field-of-view image data, and causes monitor 130 to display the updated field-of-view image.

At step S1552, processor 210 determines whether pointer object 1665 points to movement point 1662 or not. Processor 210 may determine that movement point 1662 is pointed based on pointer object 1665 being moved to a position that interferes with movement point 1662 , and pointer object 1665 is moved to a position that interferes with movement point 1662 . It may be determined that the movement point 1662 has been pointed based on detection of an operation of the controller 300 by the user 5A (for example, an operation of pressing the button 350).

If it is determined that the moving point 1662 is pointed by the pointer object 1665 (Yes in step S1552), in step S1553 the processor 210 moves the virtual camera to the pointed moving point 1662 as shown in FIG. Move 14. That is, the virtual viewpoint of the virtual camera 14 is moved from position 1661 to position 1662 .

In step S<b>1554 , processor 210 generates field-of-view image data in a state where virtual camera 14 has moved to the position of movement point 1662 , and outputs the field-of-view image data to HMD 120 .

In step S<b>1555 , HMD 120 updates the field-of-view image based on the received field-of-view image data, and causes monitor 130 to display the updated field-of-view image.

Processor 210 repeats steps S1547 to S1555, and based on pointer object 1665 pointing movement point 1663 as shown in FIG. 19, moves virtual camera 14 to the position of movement point 1663 as shown in FIG. , and a visual field image in which the virtual camera 14 has moved to the position of the movement point 1663 is displayed on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 .

In step S<b>1556 , processor 210 determines whether or not the position of virtual camera 14 before movement is included within field of view area 1615 of virtual camera 14 . For example, when the user 5A teleports from the initial position 1661 to the movement point 1662 and then to the movement point 1663, and then turns around, the virtual camera 14 is positioned within the field of view 1615 of the virtual camera 14 as shown in FIG. Movement point 1662, which is the position before 14 teleports to movement point 1663, is included. Thus, if the viewing area 1615 includes the position to which the virtual camera 14 was located before moving to the current position, the processor 210 determines that the viewing area 1615 includes the position of the virtual camera 14 before the movement. can be determined. Note that in FIG. 21 , the field of view area 1615 of the virtual camera 14 also includes an initial position 1661 , which is the position before the virtual camera 14 teleports to the movement point 1662 . Note that initial position 1661 and/or movement point 1662 need not necessarily be included within field of view 1615 . For example, at least part of the virtual line 1667 connecting the initial position 1661 and the moving point 1662, or at least part of the virtual line 1668 connecting the moving point 1662 and the moving point 1663 are included in the field of view 1615. If so, it may be determined that the view area 1615 includes the position of the virtual camera 14 before movement.

If it is determined that the position of the virtual camera 14 before movement is included in the field-of-view area 1615 of the virtual camera 14 (Yes in step S1556), in step S1557, the processor 210 controls the position of the virtual camera 14 before movement. A movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the position and the position after movement is generated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, the processor 210 arranges the movement trajectory object 1671 on the movement trajectory connecting the initial position 1661 and the movement point 1662 (virtual line 1667 in FIG. 21), A movement trajectory object 1672 is arranged on the movement trajectory (virtual line 1668 in FIG. 21) connecting the .

The movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 may be generated as linear objects, as shown in FIG. 22, or may be generated as footprint-like objects. The processor 210 may change the visibility of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 according to the attributes of the movement trajectory of the virtual camera 14 . For example, of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672, the processor 210 selects the movement trajectory object 1672, which has a short distance on the movement path from the current position of the virtual camera 14 (for example, the position of the movement point 1663). The movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 can be displayed differently so that they are thicker than the movement trajectory object 1671 with a longer distance on the movement route from the current position. Note that the distance on the movement path corresponds to the distance from the current position of the virtual camera 14 to the movement trajectory object along the movement path. For example, the distance on the movement route can be the distance from the current position of the virtual camera 14 to the center position of the movement trajectory object along the movement route.

In step S<b>1558 , processor 210 generates field-of-view image data (an example of a first field-of-view image) in which movement locus objects 1671 and 1672 are arranged within field-of-view area 1615 , and outputs the field-of-view image data to HMD 120 . .

In step S<b>1559 , HMD 120 updates the field-of-view image based on the received field-of-view image data, and displays updated field-of-view image 2317 on monitor 130 . As shown in FIG. 23, the field image 2317 includes a movement trajectory object 1671 when the user 5A moves from the initial position 1661 to the movement point 1662, and a movement object 1671 when the user 5A moves from the movement point 1662 to the movement point 1663. A trajectory object 1672 is included.

As described above, according to the program according to the present embodiment, the virtual space 1611 is set, and the virtual camera 14 (an example of the virtual viewpoint) is set to the initial position 1661 (an example of the first position) of the virtual space 1611. a step of arranging, a step of indicating a movement point 1662 (an example of a second position) in the virtual space 1611 according to an input operation by the user 5A, a step of moving the virtual camera 14 to the movement point 1662, and a movement of the HMD 120. a step of controlling the field of view from the virtual camera 14 accordingly, and a step of generating a moving trajectory object 1671 representing a moving trajectory connecting the initial position 1661 and the moving point 1662 when the initial position 1661 is included in the viewing area 15; , a step of generating a field-of-view image (an example of a first field-of-view image) including the movement locus object 1671 and a step of outputting the field-of-view image including the movement locus object 1671 to the HMD 120 . In this way, by displaying movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 representing movement trajectories connecting the pre-movement position and the post-movement position of the virtual camera 14 in the field-of-view image 2317, the user 5A can see himself/herself in the virtual space 1611. You can intuitively understand the movement route of

Further, in the program according to the present embodiment, the visibility of the movement locus objects 1671 and 1672 is reduced as the distance on the movement path from the current position of the virtual camera 14 increases. According to this configuration, the user 5A can more intuitively understand the moving route. Note that the method of changing the visibility of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 according to the attributes of the movement trajectory is not limited to the method of changing according to the distance from the virtual camera 14 to the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 . For example, the processor 210 reduces the visibility of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 as the elapsed time from the occurrence of the movement trajectory associated with each of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 (that is, the occurrence of the movement of the virtual camera 14) increases. You may let That is, in the above example, the movement trajectory object 1671 has a longer elapsed time than the movement trajectory object 1672 since the movement trajectory object 1672 was generated. . The processor 210 may also record the number of teleport movements associated with the movement trajectories, and reduce the visibility of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 as the number of teleport movements becomes older.

Further, the display mode for reducing the visibility of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 is not limited to the method of thinning the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 . For example, when the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 are generated in step S1557, each movement is performed so that the movement trajectory object 1672 farther from the current position of the virtual camera 14 becomes lighter than the movement trajectory object 1671 closer to the current position of the virtual camera 14. Trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 may be generated. As a method of thinning the movement trajectory object, for example, a method of increasing the transparency of the movement trajectory object can be adopted.

In the above embodiment, when the user 5A points to movement points 1662 and 1663 arranged in the virtual space 1611, the virtual camera 14 can teleport (warp) to each movement point 1662 and 1663. However, the method of moving the virtual camera 14 is not limited to this example. For example, the virtual space 1611 can be set as an open world in which the virtual viewpoint can be freely moved, and the user 5A can operate the controller 300 to freely move the virtual viewpoint to any position in the virtual space 1611. You may make it possible. In the virtual space 1611 as such an open world, it is difficult for the user 5A to grasp his/her own location. can be improved.

Next, with reference to FIG. 24, the flow of display/non-display processing of movement trajectory objects in a multiplayer game by a plurality of users will be described. As an example, as shown in FIG. 24, a case where multiplay is performed between user 5A of HMD set 110A and user 5B of HMD set 110B will be described.

In step S2461, computer 200 of HMD set 110A generates visual field image data (first visual field image data). Then, in step S2462, computer 200 of HMD set 110A outputs the generated first field-of-view image data to server 600. FIG.

In step S2463, server 600 outputs the first field-of-view image data received from HMD set 110A to computer 200 of HMD set 110B.

In step S2464, computer 200 of HMD set 110B sets a visual field image including movement locus objects 1671 and 1672 to HMD set 110B based on visual field area 15 of HMD set 110B and the first visual field image data received from server 600. It is displayed on the HMD 120 of 110B. That is, when the user 5B's view area 15 includes the movement trajectory of the user 5A, the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 are displayed in the view image 17 visually recognized by the user 5B.

On the other hand, in step S2465, computer 200 of HMD set 110A checks whether a predetermined item (hidden item) is used to hide movement locus objects 1671 and 1672 from other users. judge.

If it is determined that a hidden item is being used (Yes in step S2465), in step S2466 computer 200 of HMD set 110A generates visual field image data (second field of view image data). Then, in step S2467, computer 200 of HMD set 110A outputs the generated second field-of-view image data to server 600. FIG.

In step S2468, server 600 outputs the second field-of-view image data received from HMD set 110A to computer 200 of HMD set 110B.

In step S2469, computer 200 of HMD set 110B generates a visual field image that does not include movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 based on visual field area 15 of HMD set 110B and the second visual field image data received from server 600. It is displayed on the HMD 120 of the set 110B. That is, when a hidden item is used, even if the user 5B's view area 15 includes the user 5A's movement trajectory, the movement trajectory object 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671, 1671 Prevent 1672 from being displayed.

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 24, the step of generating the second field-of-view image that does not include the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 representing the movement trajectory of the user 5A; outputs the second field-of-view image to the HMD 120 worn by the user 5B different from the user 5A. and a step of outputting to the HMD 120 of the computer. According to this configuration, for example, in the case of a multi-play game by a plurality of users, display/non-display of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 of the own user to other users can be set according to conditions such as the use of hidden items. can be done.

Note that the non-display setting of the movement locus objects 1671 and 1672 is not limited to being based on the use of non-display items. For example, when billing is executed by user 5A, a second field-of-view image that does not include movement locus objects 1671 and 1672 may be output to computer 200 of HMD set 110B. In this way, by setting the display/non-display of the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 for other users according to whether or not the hidden item is used and whether or not there is a charge, the gameplay can be enhanced.

Next, the flow of processing for displaying history objects will be described with reference to FIG. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 15 and the like, when the position of the virtual camera 14 before movement is included in the field of view area 1615, the movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 are displayed by default, but in the example shown in FIG. , a history object indicating the history of the movement trajectory is displayed as necessary by the operation of the user 5A.

In step S2571, processor 210 stores information (history information) on the history of the movement trajectory of virtual camera 14 based on the movement of virtual camera 14 to movement points 1662 and 1663 in step S1553 of FIG. Save to 530. For example, history information may include information indicating that virtual camera 14 moved from initial position 1661 to movement point 1662 and from movement point 1662 to movement point 1663 .

In step S2572, controller 300 detects an input operation by user 5A regarding history information, and outputs detection data representing the detected input operation to computer 200. FIG. The input operation of the user 5A regarding the history information includes, for example, an input operation for the user 5A to select to reproduce the history information of the movement trajectory on the menu screen shown in the field-of-view image.

In step S<b>2573 , processor 210 detects user 5</b>A's input operation regarding history information based on the detection data acquired from controller 300 .

At step S2574, processor 210 generates a history object based on the detected operation of controller 300. FIG. For example, processor 210 generates moving trajectory objects 1671 and 1672 shown in FIG. 22 as history objects.

In step S<b>2575 , processor 210 generates view image data (third view image data) including movement locus objects 1671 and 1672 as history objects, and outputs the third view image data to HMD 120 .

In step S2576, HMD 120 updates the field-of-view image based on the received third field-of-view image data, and causes monitor 130 to display the updated field-of-view image (an example of the third field-of-view image).

As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 25, the step of storing the history information of the movement trajectory, the step of receiving the input operation (an example of the second input operation) of the user 5A regarding the history information, and the input operation a step of generating a history object (for example, movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672) for reproducing the history of the movement trajectory based on the base; a step of generating a third view image including the history object; and a step of outputting to HMD 120 worn by 5A. According to this configuration, by displaying the history object according to the input operation of the user 5A, it is possible to further enhance the game. For example, there are cases where the destination cannot be reached unless the movement points are moved in a predetermined order from among a plurality of movement points. Specifically, if there are 10 movement points 1 to 10 in the virtual space 1611 and it is impossible to reach the destination without moving in the order of movement point 3 → movement point 5 → movement point 2, etc., The user 5A can easily comprehend the correct travel route by displaying the history object as necessary by the operation of the user 5A.

As in the example shown in FIG. 24, in the example shown in FIG. 25 as well, the display/non-display setting of the history objects (movement trajectory objects 1671 and 1672) can be switched under the condition of item use or billing execution. You may make it possible. In addition, on the condition that items are used or billing is executed, not only the history object indicating the movement trajectory of the user 5A but also the history object indicating the movement trajectory of the other user (for example, the user 5B) in multiplay may be displayed. good. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the party providing the movement history to the other user can set whether or not to display the movement trajectory object in the image of the other user's field of view based on items or billing conditions. In the example shown in 25, the party to whom the movement history is provided from the other user can set whether or not to display the history object of the other user in the self-view image as a condition of item or billing.

[Configuration of other HMD]
In the above example, the HMD system 100 includes the HMD 120 and the computer 200, and is configured such that the processor 210 of the computer 200 executes various arithmetic processes. Another configuration example of the HMD system will be described below.

FIG. 26 shows the configuration of the HMD system 2631. As shown in FIG. The HMD system 2631 has an HMD 2632 and a portable information processing terminal 2641 . The HMD 2632 is a so-called mobile HMD in which a smart phone can be attached to the housing. The HMD 2632 described below includes the HMD sensor 410 described above, and the orientation of the HMD 2632 can be detected using the HMD sensor 410 .

HMD 2632 has housing 2633 , belt 2634 , adjustment member 2635 , front cover 2636 and projection 2638 . User 5 fixes HMD 2632 to his head by hooking belt 2634 on his head and then adjusting the length of belt 2634 with adjusting member 2635 .

The front cover 2636 is attached to the lower front portion of the housing 2633 and is configured to be rotatable around the attachment point. A hook 2637 is provided on the front cover 2636 . User 5 closes front cover 2636 with information processing terminal 2641 placed on front cover 2636 . User 5 further fixes information processing terminal 2641 to HMD 2632 by hooking hook 2637 on protrusion 2638 while front cover 2636 is closed.

Housing 2633 further has lens 2639 . Lens 2639 includes a left eye lens and a right eye lens. The front portion of the housing 2633 is open from the lens 2639 . User 5 views monitor 2642 of information processing terminal 2641 through lens 2639 while wearing HMD 2632 on the head. Note that the HMD 2632 may further have an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the lens 2639.

Information processing terminal 2641 further includes components corresponding to each of processor 210, memory 220, storage 230, communication interface 250, speaker 180, and microphone 170 described above (not shown). In the HMD system 2631, the various processes described above (such as the process of generating the visual field image) are realized by the processor 210 provided in the information processing terminal 2641 cooperating with various components.

[Configuration of other controllers]
FIG. 27 represents the configuration of another controller 2751 . The user 5 uses the controller 2751 while holding it in his or her hand. User 5 holds controller 2751 with one hand or both hands.

Controller 2751 has touch pad 2752 , app button 2761 , home button 2762 , volume button 2763 , motion sensor 2764 and communication interface 2765 .

The touch pad 2752 is composed of multiple touch sensors. The touch pad 2752 is configured to be able to determine which of the regions 2753 to 2755 divided in the longitudinal direction of the controller 2751 is being touched by the user 5 . For example, user 5 may slide a finger from area 2754 to area 2753 to move an object (eg, pointer object 1665) placed in virtual space 1611 forward. However, the touch pad 2752 may be composed of a single touch sensor.

The application button 2761 is a button used in applications such as games. For example, when processor 210 detects that application button 2761 has been pressed, processor 210 displays a menu screen on monitor 130 of HMD 120 . Home button 2762 is a button for displaying a predetermined screen (for example, a screen of an application different from the application using application button 2761 ) on monitor 130 . Volume button 2763 is a button for adjusting the volume of speaker 180 .

A motion sensor 2764 provided in the controller 2751 has a triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial angular velocity sensor. Also, as described above, the controller 2751 is held by the hand of the user 5 . Therefore, computer 200 (information processing terminal 2641 ) can detect the inclination of user 5's hand based on the output of motion sensor 2764 .

Communication interface 2765 transmits to computer 200 (information processing terminal 2641) a signal representing the operation content of controller 2751 by user 5 . For example, communication interface 2765 communicates with a counterpart device according to Bluetooth® or other short-range wireless communication standards.

In the above embodiment, the HMD 120 exemplifies the virtual space (VR space) in which the user is immersed. However, a transmissive HMD may be employed as the HMD. In this case, an augmented reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space or mixed reality (AR) space is generated by outputting a view image obtained by synthesizing a part of an image constituting a virtual space with a real space viewed by a user through a transmissive HMD. A virtual experience in MR (Mixed Reality) space may be provided to the user. In this case, an action may be generated on the target object in the virtual space based on the movement of the user's hand instead of the operation object. Specifically, the processor may identify the coordinate information of the position of the user's hand in the real space and define the position of the target object in the virtual space in relation to the coordinate information in the real space. 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 execute processing corresponding to the above-described collision control or the like between the user's hand and the target object. . As a result, it is possible to give an effect to the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed to be limited by the description of the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is merely an example, and that various modifications of the embodiment are possible 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 their equivalents.

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

(Item 1)
setting up a virtual space for providing a virtual experience to a user;
setting a virtual viewpoint at a first position in the virtual space;
indicating a second position in the virtual space according to the movement of the user's body part;
moving the virtual viewpoint to the second position;
controlling a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head;
generating a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position when the first position is included in the field of view;
generating a first view image including the movement trajectory object;
outputting the first view image to an image display device associated with the head of the user;
A program that causes a computer to run
According to this configuration, the user's virtual experience can be improved. In particular, by displaying a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position in the view image, the user can intuitively understand the movement route.

(Item 2)
2. The program according to item 1, wherein in the step of generating the movement trajectory object, visibility of the movement trajectory object is changed according to attributes of the movement trajectory.
According to this configuration, the user can more intuitively understand the movement route.

(Item 3)
the attribute includes a distance from the virtual viewpoint;
3. The program according to item 2, wherein the change in visibility includes reducing the visibility of the movement trajectory object as the distance increases.

(Item 4)
the attribute includes an elapsed time from the occurrence of the movement trajectory;
3. The program according to item 2, wherein the change in visibility includes decreasing the visibility of the movement trajectory object as the elapsed time increases.

(Item 5)
the attribute includes a number of teleport moves associated with the trajectory;
3. The program according to item 2, wherein the change in visibility includes lowering the visibility of the movement trajectory object as the number of times increases.

As attributes of the movement trajectory, it is preferable to change the visibility of the movement trajectory object based on the distance from the virtual camera, the elapsed time, and the number of teleport movements.

(Item 6)
6. The program according to any one of items 3 to 5, wherein reducing the visibility includes at least one of thinning the movement trajectory object and thinning the movement trajectory object.
According to this configuration, it is possible to display the movement route by the movement trajectory object so that the user can easily understand it.

(Item 7)
generating a second view image that does not include the movement trajectory object;
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second field-of-view image is output to another image display device associated with the head of another user different from the user, while the predetermined condition is not satisfied. 7. The program according to any one of items 1 to 6, further causing the computer to execute a step of outputting the first field-of-view image to the other image display device if necessary.
According to this configuration, for example, in the case of a multiplayer game played by a plurality of users, display/non-display of the movement trajectory object for other users can be set according to a predetermined condition.

(Item 8)
8. The program according to item 7, wherein the predetermined condition includes at least one of using a predetermined item and charging.
According to this configuration, by setting display/non-display of the movement trajectory object for other users according to whether or not items are used and whether or not billing is performed, it is possible to enhance the gameplay.

(Item 9)
storing a history of the movement trajectory;
receiving a second input operation by the user;
generating a history object for reproducing the history of the movement trajectory based on the second input operation;
generating a third view image including the history object;
outputting the third view image to an image display device associated with the head of the user;
9. The program according to any one of items 1 to 8, further causing the computer to execute:
According to this configuration, by displaying the history object according to the user's input operation, it is possible to enhance the game.

(Item 10)
An information processing device comprising a processor,
setting up a virtual space for providing a virtual experience to a user;
setting a virtual viewpoint at a first position in the virtual space;
indicating a second position in the virtual space according to the movement of the user's body part;
moving the virtual viewpoint to the second position;
controlling a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head;
generating a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position when the first position is included in the field of view;
generating a first view image including the movement trajectory object;
outputting the first view image to an image display device associated with the head of the user;
is executed under the control of the processor.

(Item 11)
A computer-implemented information processing method comprising:
setting up a virtual space for providing a virtual experience to a user;
setting a virtual viewpoint at a first position in the virtual space;
indicating a second position in the virtual space according to the movement of the user's body part;
moving the virtual viewpoint to the second position;
controlling a field of view from the virtual viewpoint according to the movement of the user's head;
generating a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position when the first position is included in the field of view;
generating a first view image including the movement trajectory object;
outputting the first view image to an image display device associated with the head of the user;
A method of processing information, comprising:

2: Network 11: Virtual space 13: Panorama image 14: Virtual camera 15: View area 17: 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: Space information 1427: Object information 1428: User information 1429: View image generation module 1611: Virtual space 1661: Initial position 1662, 1663: Movement Point 1665: pointer object 1671, 1672: moving trajectory object

Claims (9)

displaying a game image on a display associated with the user;
generating a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position when warp-moving the first object in the game image from the first position to the second position;
generating a first image including the movement trajectory object;
outputting the first image to the display;
generating a second image that does not include the movement trajectory object;
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second image is output to another display associated with another user different from the user, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the other outputting the first image to a display;
A program that causes a computer to run 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the step of generating said movement trajectory object, visibility of said movement trajectory object is changed according to an attribute of said movement trajectory. the attribute includes an elapsed time from the occurrence of the movement trajectory;
3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the change in visibility includes decreasing the visibility of the movement trajectory object as the elapsed time increases. the attribute includes the number of warp movements associated with the movement trajectory;
3. The program according to claim 2, wherein said change in visibility includes lowering said visibility when said warp movement is performed a plurality of times, the more said movement trajectory objects become in the past. 5. The program according to claim 3, wherein reducing the visibility includes at least one of thinning the movement trajectory object and thinning the movement trajectory object. 6. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said predetermined condition includes at least one of usage of a predetermined item and execution of charging. storing a history of the movement trajectory;
receiving an input operation by the user;
generating a history object for reproducing the history of the movement trajectory based on the input operation;
generating a third view image including the history object;
outputting the third view image to the display;
7. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further causing said computer to execute: An information processing device comprising a processor,
displaying a game image on a display associated with the user;
generating a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position when warp-moving the first object in the game image from the first position to the second position;
generating a first image including the movement trajectory object;
outputting the first image to the display;
generating a second image that does not include the movement trajectory object;
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second image is output to another display associated with another user different from the user, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the other outputting the first image to a display;
is executed under the control of the processor. A computer-implemented information processing method comprising:
displaying a game image on a display associated with the user;
generating a movement trajectory object representing a movement trajectory connecting the first position and the second position when warp-moving the first object in the game image from the first position to the second position;
generating a first image including the movement trajectory object;
outputting the first image to the display;
generating a second image that does not include the movement trajectory object;
When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the second image is output to another display associated with another user different from the user, and when the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the other outputting the first image to a display;
A method of processing information, comprising:

Images