JPH0981495A - Method and system for sharing three-dimensional virtual reality space, medium and method for information recording, medium and method for information transmission, information processing method, and shared server terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the dynamic management of object discrimination codes accompanying customization such as addition and deletion of an object by a user. SOLUTION: Client terminals 13-n to 13-n set arbitrary local IDs obj101 to obj103 for a circular cylinder object, a quadrangular prism object, and a circular cone object independently of other client terminals. On a server terminal 11-1, tables T131 to T133 are previously registered corresponding to the client terminal 13-1 to 13-3. The tables T131 to T133 contain correspondence relations between the local IDs obj101 to obj103 of the objects that the corresponding client terminals manage and global IDs objA to objC that the server terminal 11-1 manages. The local IDs obj101 to obj103 are individually set, added, or deleted on the sides of the respective client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 by using those tables T131 to T133.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method, a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, an information recording medium, an information recording method, an information transmission medium, an information transmission method,
And a server terminal, for example, a 3D virtual reality space sharing method, a 3D virtual reality space sharing system, an information recording medium, and information suitable for use in a cyberspace system that generates a virtual reality (virtual reality space) and provides it to a user. The present invention relates to a recording method, an information transmission medium, an information transmission method, and a server terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, NIFTY-Serve (trademark) and US Compu
A plurality of users, such as Serve (trademark), connect their personal computers to the center host computer via a modem and a public telephone network, and access the host computer based on a predetermined communication protocol. In the field of so-called personal computer communication services, a cyberspace service called Habitat (trademark) is known. Habitat was developed by LucasFilm in the United States in 1985, and has been in operation for three years at QuantumLink, a commercial network in the United States.
The service was launched by NIFTY-Serve as Fujitsu Habitat (trademark) in February of the year. In this Habitat, an avatar (avatar, an incarnation of a god in Indian mythology) is sent to a virtual city called "Populopolis," which is drawn in two-dimensional graphics, and users exchange with each other. Chat (Chat; text-based real-time dialogue by inputting and displaying characters) can be performed. This Habi
For a more detailed description of tat, see Cyberspace,
Edited by Michael Benedict, first edition on March 20, 1994,
NTT Publishing ISBN4-87188-265-9C0010 (Original; Cybers
pace: First Steps, Michael Benedikt, ed. 1991, MITPr
essCambrige, MA ISBN 0-262-02327-X) pages 282 to 30
See page 7.

In a conventional cyberspace system operated by this kind of personal computer communication service, a virtual cityscape or the inside of a room is drawn by two-dimensional graphics, and the avatar is moved in the depth or front direction. When moving it, the avatar was simply moved up and down on the background of the two-dimensional graphic, and the expression power on the display was insufficient to simulate walking or moving in the virtual space. In addition, since the virtual space in which the avatar of one's alter ego and the avatar of another person are displayed is viewed from the viewpoint of a third party, the sense of the simulated experience is impaired also in this point. Therefore, realization of a function of displaying a virtual space in three-dimensional graphics and allowing a user to freely walk around from the viewpoint of an avatar, that is, a walk-through function, has been awaited.

On the other hand, as a conventional example for realizing the sharing of a three-dimensional virtual reality space on a network, a LAN (Local Area Network) in a company or a laboratory as shown in FIG.
Systems interconnected with each other are known. In this example, three client terminals 213-1 to 213-3 are connected to the server terminal 211-1 via a LAN (not shown). Server terminal 211-1
Is configured to output and display image data in the virtual reality space to each of the client terminals 213-1 to 213-3.

In this example, the cylinder object 20
1, the rectangular prism object 202 and the cone object 203 are respectively provided in the client terminals 213-1 to 213-213.
3 is displayed on the display device. Server terminal 211-1
Represents a cylinder 201, a quadrangular prism 202, and a cone 203 as object IDobj201.
Through obj203.

For example, now, the client terminal 213-
1, when the input device is operated to instruct to move the columnar object 201 to a predetermined position, the client terminal 213-1 receives the object ID obj2 assigned to the columnar object 201.
The request to move 01 is output to the server terminal 211-1. The server terminal 211-1 has the object IDo
When a request to move the bj1201 is made, a request to move the object ID obj201 is output to the other client terminals 213-2 and 213-3.
At this time, the position data (movement data) input in the client terminal 213-1 is changed to the server terminal 211-
1 to the client terminals 213-2 and 213-3.

As a result, the client terminal 213-1
Generates image data for moving the columnar object 201 (object IDobj 201) to a predetermined position in response to the operation of its own input device, and displays it on the display device. In addition, other client terminals 213-2, 213
-3, the same object ID obj201
Image data for moving the cylindrical object 201 is generated and displayed on the corresponding display device.

Here, each of the above-mentioned objects 201 to 203 and the avatar object representing one's own alternation can be moved in the virtual reality space, and can be made to appear or leave. The state changes (is updated) in the virtual reality space. Therefore, such an object is hereinafter appropriately referred to as an update object. Also, unlike a renewal object, an object of a building such as a building in a virtual reality space, for example, a town, is commonly used by a plurality of users, and its basic state does not change. If it changes, it is autonomous and independent of the operation of the client terminal. Therefore, such an object commonly used by a plurality of users is hereinafter appropriately referred to as a basic object.

[0009]

In the conventional system, the object IDs managed by the server terminal 211-1 are other client terminals 213-1 to 213 connected to the server terminal 211-1 as described above. -3 is also commonly used. That is, this object ID functions as a global ID (global identification code).

Therefore, for example, the client terminal 213-
1, when a request for generating a new object and increasing the object ID (global ID) is supplied to the server terminal 211-1, the server terminal 2
11-1 is another client terminal 213-2, 213
At -3, it is determined whether or not the same object ID has already been used. If not, the use of the object ID is permitted.

Further, for example, the client terminal 213-
No. 1 does not need the columnar object 201, so when deleting it and trying to use the object ID obj 201 for another object, obj is sent from the client terminal 213-1 to the server terminal 211-1.
A message indicating that 201 is desired to be deleted is supplied. At this time, the server terminal 211-1 outputs a deletion request for the obj 201 to the other client terminals 213-2 and 213-3. The client terminals 213-2 and 213-3 that have received this request have the object IDob
If j201 is not used, a deletion permission signal is output to the server terminal 211-1.

When the deletion permission signal is obtained from all the client terminals 213-2 and 213-3, the server terminal 211-1 instructs the client terminals 213-1 to 213-3 to delete the object ID. To do. Each client terminal actually deletes in response to this command.

As a result, each client terminal allocates (reuses) an object ID used for a predetermined object as an object ID of another object by deleting that object. Can not be done arbitrarily,
More objects I actually use
D had to be secured, which was inconvenient.

On the other hand, in spite of the above-mentioned inconvenience, FIG.
In a closed system constructed via a LAN as shown in FIG. 9, it is not used by an unspecified user from outside the company or outside the laboratory, and all client terminals 21
Since 3-1 to 213-3 are always connected to the server terminal 211-1, even if the assignment of the object ID is uniquely determined, that is, it is possible to manage the object ID only by the global ID.

However, assuming a system in which an unspecified user connects to a server terminal via a wide area communication network at any time and shares a three-dimensional virtual reality space, all client terminals are always connected to the server terminal. Therefore, it is completely impossible to send / receive a message for adding / deleting the corresponding object ID to / from all other client terminals according to the addition / deletion of an object by each user. It was possible.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to easily perform dynamic management of an object identification code accompanying customization such as addition / deletion of an object by a user, and each client terminal. In the above, only the minimum object identification code is managed, and the three-dimensional virtual reality space can be applied to a system in which a large number of unspecified users share each other.

[0017]

A three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method according to claim 1 includes a plurality of objects including a plurality of objects.
A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network, and each client terminal side Set a unique local ID code, and on the shared server terminal side, convert the local ID code exchanged with each client terminal to the global ID code using the pre-registered conversion table, and change the status of each object on each client terminal. It is characterized by managing.

A three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a shared server for managing a plurality of client terminals displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a state of each object in each client terminal. Connection processing means for connecting the terminal via a wide area communication network, identification code setting means for setting a unique local identification code for each object on each client terminal side, and pre-registered in the shared server terminal, And a conversion table for converting a local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code.

According to a seventh aspect of the information recording medium, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are widely available. A connection processing step of connecting via a communication network, an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on each client terminal side, and a client server terminal previously registered in the shared server terminal. A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code transmitted and received to a global identification code, which is readable and executable by at least one of a shared server terminal or a client terminal. Characterized by being recorded That.

In the information recording method according to claim 8, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are wide area. A connection processing step of connecting via a communication network, an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on each client terminal side, and a client server terminal previously registered in the shared server terminal. A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code transmitted and received to a global identification code, which is readable and executable by at least one of a shared server terminal or a client terminal. Recording on information recording media And it features.

According to a ninth aspect of the information transmission medium, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are widely available. A connection processing step of connecting via a communication network, an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on each client terminal side, and a client server terminal previously registered in the shared server terminal. A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code transmitted and received to a global identification code, which is receivable and executable by at least one of a shared server terminal or a client terminal. Shared server terminal or client Characterized by transmitting to at least one of the terminals.

According to a tenth aspect of the information transmission method, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are widely available. A connection processing step of connecting via a communication network, an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on each client terminal side, and a client server terminal previously registered in the shared server terminal. A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code transmitted and received to a global identification code, which is receivable by at least one of a shared server terminal or a client terminal,
And transmitting an executable computer program to at least one of the shared server terminal and the client terminal.

According to an eleventh aspect of the information processing method, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are wide area. A shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system connected via a communication network, in which a local identification code individually set for each object on each client terminal side is exchanged via a wide area communication network. It is characterized by comprising a processing step and a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in a shared server terminal, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are widely available. A shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system connected via a communication network, in which a local identification code individually set for each object on each client terminal side is exchanged via a wide area communication network. Means and a conversion table for converting a local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording medium comprising a plurality of client terminals for displaying a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal for managing the state of each object in each client terminal in a wide area. An information recording medium used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system connected via a communication network, wherein a local identification code uniquely set for each object on each client terminal side is used for a wide area communication network. A computer program having a communication processing step of exchanging data via a client and a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code is readable and executable by a shared server terminal. It is characterized by being recorded in the state.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information recording method, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are wide area. A method for recording information on an information recording medium used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system connected via a communication network, wherein a local identification code set individually for each object on each client terminal side A communication processing step for transmitting and receiving the data via a wide area communication network,
A computer program having a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code is recorded in an information recording medium in a state readable and executable by a shared server terminal. Characterize.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in an information transmission medium, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are widely available. An information transmission medium used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system connected via a communication network, in which a local identification code uniquely set for each object on each client terminal side is assigned to a wide area communication network. A computer program having a communication processing step of exchanging data via a client and a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code to be exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code is receivable and executable by the shared server terminal. In the state, it is transmitted to the shared server terminal. .

According to a sixteenth aspect of the information transmission method, a plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are widely available. An information transmission method used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system connected via a communication network, wherein a local identification code uniquely set for each object on each client terminal side is used for a wide area communication network. A computer program having a communication processing step of exchanging data via a client and a conversion processing step of converting a local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code can be received and executed by the shared server terminal. In the state, it is transmitted to the shared server terminal. .

A three-dimensional virtual reality sharing method according to claim 1, a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system according to claim 6, an information recording medium according to claim 7, an information recording method according to claim 8, In the information transmission medium according to claim 9 and the information transmission method according to claim 10, a local identification code corresponding to an object is uniquely set in each client terminal, while on the other hand, on the shared server terminal side, The state of each object is managed by converting the local identification code into a global identification code using a conversion table registered in advance.

A three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method according to claim 11, a server terminal according to claim 12, an information recording medium according to claim 13, an information recording method according to claim 14, and In the information transmission medium according to the fifteenth aspect and the information transmission method according to the sixteenth aspect, a local identification code corresponding to each object uniquely set in the client terminal and a global identification code managed on the shared server terminal side. A conversion table indicating the correspondence relationship between the objects is stored, the local identification code of the object designated by a predetermined client terminal is converted into a global identification code in the conversion table, and the state of each object is managed.

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, regarding the basic philosophy and concept of the virtual society, Hiroaki Kitano of Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.
"Hiroaki Kitano," Virtual Society (V1.0) ", h
ttp: //www.csl.sony.co.jp/person/kitano/VS/concept.
j.html, 1995 ".

[At the beginning of the 21st century, a virtual society was created in a network spread over a global scale.
A virtual society --- will emerge. People all over the world will create tens of millions and hundreds of millions of "society" in the shared space created on the network. The society that will appear beyond the current Internet, CATV, and even the information superhighway is my view of the "virtual society." In this society, people can enjoy shopping, talk with others, play games, work, etc., perform social activities almost equivalent to ordinary social life, and are virtual and Something that is possible (that is, it is difficult in the real world, such as moving from Tokyo to Paris in an instant) is also possible. Such a "society"
A technology for building cyberspace that enables broadband networks, high-quality three-dimensional expression capabilities, two-way communication of voice, music, and moving images, and a place where many people can share that space. This is possible for the first time with state-of-the-art technologies such as large-scale distributed systems. "

For a more detailed explanation, the above URL =
http://www.csl.sony.co.jp/person/kitano/VS/concep
Please refer to tjhtml.

The three-dimensional virtual reality space system that realizes the virtual society as described above is a cyber space system. As a concrete example of the infrastructure necessary for constructing this cyber space system, at this stage, , TCP / IP (Transmission
The Internet, a worldwide computer network connected by a communication protocol called Control Protocol / Internet Protocol, and W
Intranets and the like in which Internet technologies such as the WW (World Wide Web) are applied to information sharing on a corporate LAN (Local Area Network) have been considered. Further, in the future, it is considered to use a broadband network based on FTTH (Fiber To The Home), in which everything from the trunk system to the subscriber system is composed of optical fibers.

On the other hand, the so-called Internet (The Inter
C) of Switzerland as an information providing system that can be used on
WWW (World Wide Were) developed by ERN (European Center for Nuclear Research)
b) is known. This is for making it possible to browse information such as text, images, and voice in a hypertext format. HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)
The information stored in the WWW server terminal is asynchronously transferred to a terminal such as a personal computer based on a protocol called.

The WWW server is an HTTP daemon (HTT
It is composed of server software called P: HyperText Transfer Protocol (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and an HTML file in which hypertext information is stored. Hypertext information is HTML (Hy
It is expressed by a description language called perText Makeup Language (Hypertext Description Language). HTML
Describes a logical structure of a sentence by a format specification called a tag surrounded by “<” and “>”. Description of a link to other information is made by link information called an anchor.
How to specify where information exists in the anchor is URL
(Uniform Resource Locator).

A file written in HTML is transferred to TCP
The protocol for transferring data on the / IP network is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). It has a function of transmitting a request for information from the client to the WWW server and transferring hypertext information of the HTML file to the client.

Client software such as Netscape Navigator (trademark) called WWW browser (browser means browsing) is often used as an environment for using WWW.

Note that the daemon means a program that executes management and processing in the background when working on UNIX.

In recent years, this WWW has been further expanded to enable description of a three-dimensional space and setting of hypertext links for objects drawn in three-dimensional graphics. The WWW server terminal can be followed by following these links. VRML (Virtual
A description language of three-dimensional graphics data called Reality Modeling Language) and a VRML viewer for drawing a virtual space described by VRML on a personal computer or a workstation have been developed. This VRML version 1.0 specification was published in May 1995.
It was published on March 26, but a revised version in which clerical errors and ambiguous expressions were corrected was published on November 9, 1995, and its specification was URL = http://www.oki.com ./vrml/vrml10c.h
It can be obtained from tml.

By storing the above-mentioned information of the three-dimensional space described by VRML in the WWW server terminal, it becomes possible to construct a virtual space by three-dimensional graphics on the Internet and further via the Internet. By using the VRML viewer with a connected personal computer or the like, it is possible to realize a virtual space display by three-dimensional graphics and a walkthrough function.

In the following embodiment, an example using the Internet as a network will be described.
Of course, it may be realized by using TTH.

Incidentally, "Cyberspace" is a coined word of American science fiction writer William Gibson.
Used in the late-century NEUROMANCER (1984). Strictly speaking, it is not the first, but Burnin
g Also used in Chrome (1982). In these novels, the protagonist attaches a special electrode to the forehead to directly connect the computer and the brain, and visually reconstructs the data of a computer network spread around the world in a virtual three-dimensional There is a depiction of projecting space directly onto the brain. This virtual three-dimensional space was called cyberspace. Recently, the term has been used as a term indicating a system in which a plurality of users share a virtual three-dimensional space via a network. This is also used in the embodiments of the present application in this sense.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a cyber space system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure,
In this embodiment, an arbitrary number (two in this embodiment) of shared server terminals 11-1 and 11-2 have corresponding storage devices 30-1 and 30-2, for example, the Internet. It is possible to provide a three-dimensional virtual reality space (hereinafter, simply referred to as a virtual reality space as appropriate) via the network 15 represented by. Also, an arbitrary number (3 units in this embodiment)
Client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 of
Shared server terminals 11-1, 1 via the network 15
From 1-2, the virtual reality space and a predetermined service (information) using the virtual reality space can be provided.

Further, in this embodiment, an arbitrary number (two in this embodiment) of service provider terminals 14-1 and 14-2 are provided, and this service provider terminal 14-1. , 14-2 receives the provision of the virtual reality space via the shared server terminals 11-1 and 11-2 by using the network 15, and also provides the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 with a predetermined It is designed to be able to provide services.

FIG. 2 shows the shared server terminal 11 (11-1,
11-2) shows a configuration example. As shown in the figure,
The shared server terminal 11 includes a CPU 21, and this CPU 2
1 executes various kinds of processing according to the programs stored in the ROM 22. RAM 23
The CPU 21 appropriately stores data, programs, etc. necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes. The communication device 24 (communication means) sends and receives predetermined data to and from the network 15.

The display device 25 is provided with a CRT, LCD, etc., and is provided with an interface 28 so that an image in the virtual reality space provided by the shared server terminal 11 can be monitored.
It is connected to the. This interface 28 also
The microphone 26 and the speaker 27 are connected to each other, and a predetermined audio signal is transmitted to the client terminal 13 or the service provider terminal 1.
4 and monitor audio signals from the client terminal 13 and the service provider terminal 14.

The shared server terminal 11 has an input device 29.
, And various inputs can be performed via the interface 28. This input device 29
Has at least a keyboard 29a and a mouse 29b. The storage device 30 including a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and the like stores various data and programs.

FIG. 3 shows the client terminal 13 (13-1).
13 to 13-3). The client terminal 13 includes a CPU 41, and the CPU 41 includes a ROM
Various processes are executed in accordance with the program stored in. The RAM 43 has a CPU
Data and programs necessary for the execution of various processes by the computer 41 are appropriately stored. The communication device 44 exchanges data with the shared server terminal 11 via the network 15.

The display device 45 is provided with a CRT, an LCD, etc., and can display a three-dimensional image of CG (computer graphic) and a three-dimensional image taken by a normal video camera. . The microphone 46 is used when outputting a voice signal to the server terminal 11. Further, the speaker 47 outputs a voice signal transmitted from the server terminal 11. The input device 49 is operated when performing various inputs.

The keyboard 49a of the input device 49
It is designed to be operated when inputting predetermined characters or symbols. The mouse 49b is operated when designating a predetermined position. Viewpoint input device 49
c is operated when the viewpoint of the corresponding avatar (object) of the client terminal 13 in the virtual reality space is input. As a result, the viewpoint of the avatar can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a predetermined image can be zoomed. In addition, the movement input device 49d is configured to be capable of performing an input for moving the avatar at a predetermined speed in the front, rear, left, and right directions. Note that these inputs can also be performed from the keyboard 49a and mouse 49b.

The interface 48 constitutes a data interface to the display device 45, the microphone 46, the speaker 47, and the input device 49. In addition, data, programs and the like are stored in the storage device 50 including a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk and the like.

FIG. 4 shows the service provider terminal 14 (14-
1, 14-2). The CPU 51
The storage device 60 is the C of the client terminal 13 of FIG.
Since the configuration is basically the same as that of the PU 41 to the storage device 50, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the management of objects in this cyberspace system will be described with reference to FIG. 5 (in FIG. 5, the network 15 is shown for convenience sake).
Omitted).

In this embodiment, the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 manage each object in the virtual reality space independently of the other client terminals. Now, for example, it is assumed that a cylinder object A, a cone object B, and a quadrangular prism object C are present as objects forming the virtual reality space provided by the server terminal 11-1. Each client terminal 1
On the display devices 45 of 3-1 to 13-3, the respective objects 101 to 103 of the virtual reality space viewed from the viewpoints of the corresponding avatars are displayed as shown in FIG.

Then, in this embodiment, the CPU 41 of the client terminal 13-1 causes the cylinder object A
Is a local ID obj 101, a square pole object C is a local ID obj 102, and a cone object B is a local ID obj 103, which are managed in association with their own set local IDs. The client terminal 13-2 is a cylinder object A
Is a local ID obj 103, the square pole object C is a local ID obj 102, and the cone object B is a local ID obj 101, which are managed in association with their own set local IDs. Further, the CPU 41 of the client terminal 13-3
Is a column ID A as a local ID obj102, and a square column object C as a local ID obj10.
1, and the cone object B as a local ID
The obj 103 is managed by associating it with a locally set local ID.

On the other hand, the shared server terminal 11-1
R the tables T131 to T133 (conversion table) corresponding to the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3, respectively.
It is held in the AM 23 or the storage device 30. In each of the tables T131 to T133, the correspondence relationship between the local ID of the object managed by the corresponding client terminal and the global ID of each object managed by the shared server terminal 11-1 is registered in advance. Each of these tables T131 to T133 is the shared server terminal 11-1.
It may be kept in the storage device 30 continuously, or may be kept in each of the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 and uploaded from each of the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 at the start of communication. You can Further, in each of these tables T131 to T133, the local ID is set to the same value as the global ID in the initial state or the default state, and the input device (identification code setting means) of each of the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3. When the user operates 49, a local ID different from the global ID is sequentially set.

In the case of this embodiment, the shared server terminal 11-1 sets the global ID of the cylinder object A to objA.
And the global ID of the cone object B is objB
And the global ID of the square pole object C is obj
It is managed as C. As a result, the client terminal 1
The table T131 for managing 3-1 has a local ID.
Global IDs objA, C, and B are associated with the objs 101, 102, and 103, respectively. In the table T132 that manages the client terminal 13-2, for the local IDs obj101 to 103,
Global IDs objB, C, and A are associated. A table T1 for managing the client terminal 13-3
33, the local IDs obj 101 to 103
To the global IDs objC, A, and B, respectively.

For example, in the client terminal 13-1, the mouse 49b is operated to operate the cylindrical object 101.
Is moved to a predetermined position, the client terminal 13
The CPU 41 of -1 controls the communication device 44 to cause the server terminal 11-1 to output the local ID obj 101 and the position data (update information) after the movement via the network 15. CPU of server terminal 11-1
21 refers to the table T131 and refers to the local IDo
Convert bj101 to global ID objA.

Then, in addition, C of the server terminal 11-1
The PU 21 refers to the table T132 and converts the global ID objA into a local ID obj103 managed by the client terminal 13-2. And CPU
21 controls the communication device 24, and the local IDob
j103 is output to the client terminal 13-2 together with the position data (update information). Client terminal 1
When the CPU 41 of 3-2 receives this data via the communication device 44, since the local ID obj 103 is assigned to the column object 103, the column object 103 is moved corresponding to the supplied position data.

Further, the shared server terminal 11-1 similarly refers to the table T133 and sets the global IDob.
jA is the local ID obj of the client terminal 13-3
Convert to 102. And this local ID obj1
02 and position data are supplied to the client terminal 13-3. In the client terminal 13-3, the C
The PU 41 assigns the local ID obj 102 to the cylinder object 102. Therefore, also in the client terminal 13-3, the columnar object 102 is moved corresponding to the input position data.

FIG. 6 shows another display example. In this embodiment, the quadrangular pyramid object 104 is displayed with the local ID obj 104 assigned to it on the client terminal 13-1. Further, on the client terminal 13-2, the sphere object 104 is displayed based on the allocation of the local ID obj104.
Further, on the client terminal 13-3, the hexagonal prism object 104 is displayed under the allocation of the local ID obj104.

At this time, the shared server terminal 11-1
Is a quadrangular pyramid object 104 and a sphere object 10.
4 and the hexagonal prism object 104 are managed as global IDs objE, objF, and objG, respectively. Therefore, in the table T131, local and global IDobj 104 and E are stored, in the table T132, local and global IDobj 104 and F are stored, and in the table T133, local and global IDobj 104 and G are stored, respectively. ing.

That is, the shared server terminal 11-1 requires a number of global IDs corresponding to the number of objects existing in this system, but each client terminal 1
Each of 3-1 to 13-3 has to have as many local IDs as the number of objects required at that time.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to give the same local ID to completely different objects such as a quadrangular prism object, a sphere object, and a hexagonal prism object. This means that each of the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 can independently determine the local ID and delete the local ID. Therefore, the local ID can be freely reused for each client terminal.

In the above embodiment, the update object whose state such as position in the three-dimensional virtual reality space changes is represented by a cylinder, a square pole, a cone, etc., but the object represents the user's appearance. Of course, the imitated avatar can be used. Also,
The example in which the position data after the movement is transferred is given as the update information of the object, but the update information regarding the movement, rotation, color change, etc. of the object may be used.

Next, a more specific example of the cyber space system will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a cyber space (three-dimensional virtual reality space provided via a network) according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a host computer (host) A is connected via a worldwide network (wide area communication network) 15 (information transmission medium) such as the so-called Internet.
To C, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) client terminals 13-1 to 13-3, and an arbitrary number (one in this embodiment)
) Service provider terminals 14 are connected to each other.

The host A uses, for example, the so-called WWW (Wo
rld Wide Web) system. That is,
The host A has information (file) as described below. Each information (file) has a URL (Uniform) as specification information for specifying the information in a unified manner.
m Resource Locator), and by specifying a URL, information corresponding to the URL can be accessed.

Specifically, the host A is, for example, a townscape of Tokyo in a three-dimensional virtual reality space, a townscape of New York in a three-dimensional virtual reality space, or a three-dimensional virtual reality space in another predetermined area (hereinafter, appropriately , Which is simply referred to as virtual reality space). The basic state of the 3D image data does not change (even if it changes, for example,
It changes autonomously like a ferris wheel or neon sign)
It is static data that consists of only basic objects and is not updated. For example, buildings and roads are basic objects. Then, the host A is the information server terminal 11A as one of the server terminals 11 described above.
When the information server terminal 11A receives a URL via the network 15, the information server terminal 11A has information corresponding to the URL, that is, the virtual reality space (however, as described above). It is designed to provide the basic objects only) via the network 15.

In FIG. 7, a host having an information server terminal which is a server terminal that provides a virtual reality space (consisting of only basic objects) in a predetermined area is
Although only one host A is provided, a plurality of such hosts can be provided.

The host B has the shared server terminal 11B as the above-mentioned server terminal 11, and the shared server terminal 11B is arranged in the virtual reality space to constitute the virtual reality space. For example, an avatar representing each user is managed as an object so that a plurality of users can share the same virtual reality space. However, the host B is configured to manage only the update objects arranged in the virtual reality space of a predetermined area (for example, Tokyo) of the virtual reality space stored by the host A. That is,
The host B is, so to speak, dedicated to the virtual reality space of a predetermined area. Although not shown, the network 15 stores, in addition to the host B, update objects stored in the host A and arranged in a virtual reality space in each of other regions (for example, New York and London). A host having a shared server terminal that is a server terminal to be managed is connected.

The host C, like the host A, has, for example, WW
The system of W is configured, and stores, for example, an IP address (address of the shared server terminal) of the host, such as the host B, for addressing a host (shared server terminal) that manages the update object. . Therefore, the address of the shared server terminal stored in the host C is unitarily associated with the URL as in the case of the host A described above. The host C has a mapping server terminal 12, and when the mapping server terminal 12 receives a URL via the network 15, the mapping server terminal 12 also sets the IP address of the shared server terminal as information corresponding to the URL. It is provided via the network 15. In FIG. 7, only one host, C, is provided with the mapping server terminal 12, which is a server terminal that provides the IP address of the shared server terminal, but a plurality of such hosts should be provided. Is possible.

Client terminal 13 (13-1, 13-
2, 13-3) receives the provision of the virtual reality space from the information server terminal 11A via the network 15, and manages the virtual reality space under the control of the shared server terminal 11B to other client terminals (service providers). (Including the terminal 14). In addition, the client terminal 13 receives from the service provider terminal 14
It is also possible to receive provision of a predetermined service (information) using the virtual reality space.

Like the client terminal 13, the service provider terminal 14 receives the provision of the virtual reality space, and the virtual reality space is provided in the client terminal 13 (the service provider terminal exists other than the service provider terminal 14). If it does, it can be shared with the service provider terminal). Therefore, the service provider terminal 14 is the same as the client terminal 13 in the function of this part.

Furthermore, the service provider terminal 14 can provide a predetermined service to the client terminal 13. Note that, in FIG. 7, only one such service provider terminal 14 is provided, but a plurality of service provider terminals can be provided.

Next, the W configured by the hosts A and C
The WW system will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 8, the WWW is a system for providing information from the hosts X, Y, Z to an unspecified number of users (client terminals) via the network (in the case of WWW, the Internet) 15. The information that can be provided includes not only text, but also figures, images (still images, moving images), sounds, three-dimensional images, and hypertext in which these are linked.

In the case of WWW, a URL, which is a format for expressing the information in a unified manner, is determined for each information, and the user can obtain the information corresponding to the URL by designating the URL. . Here, the URL is
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a protocol type indicating the type of service (in the embodiment of FIG. 9, http (this corresponds to a command instructing to search for and transmit a file corresponding to a file name described later). )), A host name indicating the destination of the URL (in the embodiment of FIG. 9, www.csl.sony.co.
jp) and the file name of the data to be sent (Fig. 9
In the embodiment of (1), it is composed of index.html).

The user operates the client terminal to
Enter the URL corresponding to the desired information. When the URL is input to the client terminal, for example, the host name of the URL is referred to, and the host specified by the host name (in the embodiment of FIG. 8, hosts X, Y, Z connected to the Internet). Among them, for example, the link with the host X) is established. Then, in the client terminal, the URL is transmitted via the Internet to the host with which the link has been established, that is, host X, whereby the host X is requested to provide information corresponding to the URL. In the host X, the information server terminal (W
When the HTTP daemon (httpd) is running on the WW server terminal and the information server terminal receives the URL,
Information corresponding to the URL is transmitted to the client terminal via the Internet.

At the client terminal, the transmitted information is received and then displayed, for example. Thus, the user can obtain desired information.

Therefore, as information for the host, as a description of elements (objects) forming the virtual reality space,
For example, an unspecified number of users can be stored simply by storing data representing the shape of the basic object (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped or a cone), its arrangement position, and attributes (for example, the color or texture of the basic object). In addition, it is possible to provide a virtual reality space (however, only a basic object). That is, when the Internet is adopted as the network 15 and the WWW is used, the Internet is already widely used on a worldwide scale, and information to be stored in the host is stored in the form of a description of elements constituting a virtual reality space. This does not require the change of the information server terminal (WWW server terminal) constituting the WWW (the description of the elements constituting the virtual reality space is
The services provided as described above have upward compatibility with the existing services provided by the WWW), so that an unspecified number of users can easily and globally access the virtual reality space. It can be provided at low cost.

By storing the IP addresses of other hosts as information in a predetermined host (mapping server terminal), the IP addresses of the hosts can be distributed to an unspecified number of users on a global scale. Address easily
And it becomes possible to provide it at low cost.

It should be noted that if the host forming the WWW stores the description of the elements forming the virtual reality space (the data of the three-dimensional image for providing the virtual reality space of a predetermined area), the same virtual It is difficult for multiple users to share the physical space. That is, in the WWW, the URL
Is provided only to the user, and management for exchanging information between users is not performed. For this reason, it is difficult to exchange the update object change information as described above between users using the WWW without changing its design. Therefore, FIG.
In the cyber space system, the shared server terminal 11
A host B having B and a host C having the mapping server terminal 12 are provided so that a plurality of users can share the same virtual reality space (the details will be described later).

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the mapping server terminal 12 operating on the host C of FIG. CPU
91 to the communication device 94 and the storage device 95 are the CPU 21 to the communication device 24 and the storage device 3 shown in FIG.
Since the configuration is basically the same as 0, the description thereof is omitted. The storage device 95 is a shared server terminal that manages update objects (in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the shared server terminal 11B.
Although not shown, an address for specifying a shared server terminal (not shown) is connected to the network 15 is also stored in association with the URL.

Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 14, the operation of each of the client terminal 13 (service provider terminal 14), the information server terminal 11A, the mapping server terminal 12 or the shared server terminal 11B will be described in detail. To do.

FIG. 11 shows a processing example of the client terminal 13 (service provider terminal 14). In the client terminal 13, first, in step S1,
The CPU 4 determines whether or not a virtual reality space URL has been input.
It is determined by 1. If it is determined in step S1 that there is no input of the virtual reality space URL, the process returns to step S1. If it is determined in step S1 that the virtual reality space URL has been input, that is,
The user operates the keyboard 49a to input a virtual reality space URL corresponding to a desired virtual reality space,
When this is received by the CPU 41 through the interface 48, the process proceeds to step S2, and as described in FIG. 8, configures the WWW system and has an information server terminal of a predetermined host (here, the information server terminal). For example, the virtual reality space URL is transmitted from the communication device 44 to the information server terminal 11A of the host A) via the network 15 to establish a link.

Further, in step S2, the address acquisition URL associated with the virtual reality space URL is read from the storage device 50 and constitutes the WWW system. The mapping server terminal of a predetermined host (here,
For example, the address acquisition URL is transmitted from the communication device 44 to the mapping server terminal 12 of the host C via the network 15 to establish a link.

After that, the process proceeds to step S3, and data (three-dimensional image data) in the virtual reality space corresponding to the virtual reality space URL or the address acquisition URL transmitted in step S2, which is transmitted via the network 15.
Alternatively, the communication device 44 receives the IP address of the shared server terminal 12.

That is, in step S2, the virtual reality space URL is transmitted to the information server terminal 11A, but in the information server terminal 11A, this virtual reality space URL is transmitted.
Is received, the corresponding virtual reality space data is transmitted to the client terminal 13 via the network 15 in step S22 of FIG. 12 described later. In step S3, the virtual reality space data thus transmitted from the information server terminal 11A is received. The received data in the virtual reality space is R
The data is transferred to and stored in the AM 43 (or the storage device 50).
Stored in the RAM 43 and transferred from there to the RAM 43).

In step S2, the address acquisition URL is sent to the mapping server terminal 12. When the address acquisition URL is received by the mapping server terminal 12, the corresponding IP address of the shared server terminal is received. However, step S3 of FIG.
2, is transmitted to the client terminal 13 via the network 15. In step S3, the IP address of shared server terminal 12 transmitted from mapping server terminal 12 in this way is received.

Here, as described above, the address acquisition URL associated with the input virtual reality space URL is shared for managing the update objects arranged in the virtual reality space corresponding to the virtual reality space URL. It corresponds to the IP address of the server terminal. Therefore, for example, the input virtual reality space URL corresponds to the virtual reality space of Tokyo, and the shared server terminal 11B of the host B manages the update object arranged in the virtual reality space of Tokyo. If it is, step S
In 3, the IP address of the shared server terminal 11B is received. Therefore, even if the user does not know which shared server terminal manages the updated object arranged in the virtual reality space of which area, the user manages the virtual reality space of the area to which the user wants to receive the shared object. The location (IP address) of the server terminal can be automatically acquired.

In steps S2 and S3,
In the process of transmitting the virtual reality space URL and the address acquisition URL and receiving the data and IP address of the virtual reality space, in practice, for example, transmitting the virtual reality space URL and receiving the corresponding data of the virtual reality space After that, an address acquisition URL is transmitted, and the corresponding IP
This is done by receiving an address.

When the virtual reality space data and the IP address of the shared server terminal are received in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4, and the shared server corresponding to the IP address (IP address of the shared server terminal) received in step S3. A connection request is sent by the communication device 44 to the terminal (here, for example, the shared server terminal 11B) via the network 15, whereby a communication link is established between the client terminal 13 and the shared server terminal 11B. It Further, in step S3, after the communication link is established, an avatar (update object) representing itself stored in the storage device 50 is stored in the shared server terminal 11B.
Is transmitted by the communication device 44.

Here, when the shared server terminal 11B receives the avatar of the user, the shared server terminal 11B exists in the same virtual reality space (here, as described above, the virtual reality space of Tokyo). It is designed to be sent to the user's client terminal. Then, in the other client terminals, the transmitted avatars are arranged in the virtual reality space, so that the same virtual reality space can be shared by a plurality of users.

The user avatar may not be provided from the client terminal 13 to the shared server terminal 11B, but the shared server terminal 11B may be made to assign a predetermined avatar to the user who has accessed. It is possible. Further, in the client terminal 13, the avatar of the user who uses it can be arranged and displayed in the virtual reality space, but in the real world, the user cannot see himself. Therefore, from the viewpoint of making the virtual reality space close to the real world, it is preferable not to display the avatar of the user on the client terminal used by the user.

After the processing of step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, and the data of the virtual reality space that can be seen when the virtual reality space is viewed from the predetermined viewpoint and position is read from the RAM 43 by the CPU 41, and the display device 45. As a result, the display device 45 displays a predetermined virtual reality space.

Then, in step S6, the communication device 44 determines whether or not the shared server terminal 11B has transmitted the avatar update information of another user.

Here, as described above, the user can update the position or viewpoint of his or her avatar by operating the viewpoint input device 49c or the movement input device 49d or the mouse 49b. Cage,
As a result, when an instruction to update the position or viewpoint of the avatar is issued, the CPU 41 receives this instruction via the interface 48. Then, in response to the instruction, the CPU 41 executes a process of outputting position data or viewpoint data corresponding to the updated position or viewpoint of the avatar to the shared server terminal 11B as update information. That is, the CPU 41 controls the communication device 44 to transmit the update information to the shared server terminal 11B.

Upon receiving the update information from the client terminal, the shared server terminal 11B outputs the update information to another client terminal in step S44 of FIG. 14 described later. As described above, when the shared server terminal 11B receives an avatar from the client terminal that has made an access request, the shared server terminal 11B transmits the avatar to the client terminals of other users. , Is sent as update information.

When the update information is transmitted as described above, in step S6, the shared server terminal 11
From B, it is determined that the update information of the avatar of another user has been transmitted. In this case, the update information is received by the communication device 44 and output to the CPU 41. CP
In step S7, the U 41 updates the display of the display device 45 to the display that reflects the update information. That is,
When position data or viewpoint data from another client terminal is received as update information, the avatar of the user is moved or changed in accordance with the received position data or viewpoint data (for example, the direction of the avatar is changed). Let it do). When an avatar from another client terminal is received as the update information, the avatar is arranged on the display device 45 at a predetermined position in the virtual reality space currently displayed. The shared server terminal 11B
When the avatar is transmitted as the update information, the position data and the viewpoint data of the avatar are also included in the update information and transmitted, and the display device 45 corresponds to the position data and the viewpoint data. The avatar is displayed.

When the above processing is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S6 that the shared server terminal 11B has not transmitted the update information of the avatars of other users, step S7 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8,
As described above, the CPU 41 determines whether the position of the avatar of the user who uses the client terminal 13 or the viewpoint has been updated by operating the viewpoint input device 49c or the movement input device 49d.

If it is determined in step S8 that the position of the avatar or the viewpoint is updated, that is, if the viewpoint input device 49c or the movement input device 49d is operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S9, and the CPU
At 41, data of the virtual reality space corresponding to the position and the viewpoint of the user's avatar is read from the RAM 43 based on the position data and the viewpoint data corresponding to the operation, and an operation for correction is performed as necessary. Generate image data corresponding to the position and the viewpoint. Then, the CPU 41 outputs the image data to the display device 45 and causes the display device 45 to display the image data.
Thus, the display device 45 displays an image (virtual reality space) corresponding to the viewpoint and position input by operating the viewpoint input device 49c and the movement input device 49d.

Further, in step S10, the CPU 41 controls the communication device 44 so that the viewpoint data or position data corresponding to the operation of the viewpoint input device 49c or the movement input device 49d or the mouse 49b is shared server. It is transmitted to the terminal 11B and the process proceeds to step S11.

Here, as described above, the update information from the client terminal 13 is received by the shared server terminal 11B and further output to another client terminal. As a result, the avatar of the user using the client terminal 13 is displayed on the other client terminals in a form reflecting the update information.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the position or viewpoint of the avatar has not been updated,
Steps S9 and S10 are skipped, and step S
Proceed to 11. In step S11, it is determined whether or not an end is instructed by operating a predetermined key of the keyboard 49a. Unless the end is instructed, the process returns to step S6, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 12 shows a processing example of the information server terminal 11A. In the information server terminal 11A, first, in step S21, from the client terminal 13 via the network 15,
The communication device 24 determines whether the virtual reality space URL has been transmitted. If it is determined in step S21 that the virtual reality space URL has not been transmitted, the process returns to step S21. Step S
When it is determined in 21 that the virtual reality space URL has been transmitted, the virtual reality space URL is received by the communication device 24, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the data of the virtual reality space associated with the virtual reality space URL received by the communication device 24 is read from the storage device 30 by the CPU 21, and the data is read by the communication device 24 over the network 15. The virtual reality space URL is transmitted to the client terminal 13 that has transmitted the URL. Then, after that, step S21
Then, the above process is repeated.

FIG. 13 shows a processing example of the mapping server terminal 12. In the mapping server terminal 12, in step S31, the communication device 94 determines whether or not the address acquisition URL has been transmitted from the client terminal 13 via the network 15. If it is determined in step S31 that the address acquisition URL has not been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S31.
Return to If it is determined in step S31 that the address acquisition URL has been transmitted, the address acquisition URL is received by the communication device 94, and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the storage device 95
From, the IP address (address of the shared server terminal) associated with the address acquisition URL received by the communication device 94 is read by the CPU 91,
The communication device 94 sends the address acquisition URL via the network 15 to the client terminal 13 that has sent the URL. Then, after that, the process returns to step S31,
The above process is repeated.

FIG. 14 shows a processing example of the shared server terminal 11B. In the shared server terminal 11B, first, in step S41, the communication device 24 determines whether or not a connection request has been transmitted from the client terminal 13 via the network 15. When it is determined in step S41 that the connection request has not been transmitted, step S42 is skipped, and
Proceed to step S43. Further, when it is determined in step S41 that the connection request is transmitted, that is, the client terminal 13 determines that the connection request is transmitted in step S4 of FIG.
When the connection request is transmitted to the shared server terminal 11B in, the communication link with the client terminal 13 is established by the communication device 24, and the process proceeds to step S42.

In step S42, the CPU 21 updates the connection management table stored in the RAM 23. That is, the shared server terminal 11B is the client terminal 1
In order to transmit the update information transmitted from S.3 to another client terminal, it is necessary to recognize the client terminal 13 that has established a communication link with itself. Therefore, when the communication link with the client terminal is established, the shared server terminal 11B registers information for identifying the client terminal in the connection management table. That is, this connection management table is, so to speak, a list of the shared server terminal 11B and the client terminals with which the link is now established. Here, as the information for identifying the client terminal, the IP address of the transmission source sent from each client terminal as the header of the TCP / IP packet and the avatar nickname set by the user of each client terminal are registered. .

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S43, and it is determined whether or not the update information has been transmitted from the client terminal 13.
The determination is made by the communication device 24. If it is determined in step S43 that the update information has not been transmitted, step S44 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S45. Further, when it is determined in step S43 that the update information has been transmitted, that is, the client terminal 13 transmits the position data and the viewpoint data as the update information to the shared server terminal 11B in step S10 of FIG. If (or step S in FIG. 11)
4, when the avatar as the update information is transmitted to the shared server terminal 11B after the connection request is transmitted), the update information is received by the communication device 24, and step S
Go to 44. In step S44, the CPU 21 refers to the connection management table stored in the RAM 23, and the update information received by the communication device 24 is transmitted to the client terminals other than the client terminal that has transmitted the update information.

This update information is, as described above,
In step S6 of FIG. 11, the client terminal 13
Received by. At this time, the source IP address of each client terminal managed in the connection management table is used.

After that, the process proceeds to step S45, where it is determined whether or not the end command is input from the client terminal 13
If it is determined by the PU 21 that the termination has not been instructed, the step S46 is skipped and the process returns to the step S41. When the termination is instructed, the process proceeds to step S46, where the line with the client terminal 13 that has transmitted the instruction is disconnected by the communication device 24.
The information on No. 3 is deleted by the CPU 21 and the process returns to the step S41.

As described above, the management of the update object is performed by the shared server terminal 11B, and
Since the management (providing) of the basic object is performed by the information server terminal 11A that constitutes the WWW of the Internet, which is already widely used on a global scale,
It becomes possible to easily provide a sharable virtual reality space to an unspecified number of users. Further, at this time, there is no need to change the specifications of the WWW system already constructed.

When WWW is used to provide data in the virtual reality space, an existing web browser (eg, Netscape Navigator of Netscape Corp.) is used to exchange data.
(Trademark) etc. can be used, and it is not necessary to create a new web browser.

Furthermore, since the mapping server terminal 12 provides the IP address of the shared server terminal 11B, the user can share the virtual reality space with other users without knowing the address of the shared server terminal 11B. Can be shared.

As described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the local IDs of the objects used in the client terminals 13-1 to 13-3 are different from each other, the mapping server terminal 12 or The shared server terminal 11B uses the mutual local ID and global I
It has a conversion table of the correspondence relationship of D, and the conversion processing is performed according to this conversion table.

In the above embodiment, the basic object is sent to each client terminal 1 via the network 15.
3 is stored in advance on an information recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and a basic object that is a basic object forming a virtual reality space is stored in advance and distributed to each user in advance. Can be kept. In this case, each client terminal 13 is configured as shown in FIG. 15, for example. That is, in this embodiment, the CD-ROM drive 100 is connected to the interface 48, and the CD-RO in which a virtual reality space constituted by basic objects is stored in advance.
Data is read from M110. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

By providing the data of the basic object from the CD-ROM 110 as described above, the time for transferring the data of the basic object via the network 15 is not required, so that the faster processing is possible. Become.

Alternatively, without using the CD-ROM 110, the data of the basic object supplied from the information server terminal 11A is stored in the storage device 50 only for the first time, and thereafter, it is read out as appropriate. It may be used.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the storage source of the basic object data is the storage device 30 (cases 1 to 3) of the information server terminal 11A and the storage device 50 (cases 4 to case) of the client terminal 13. 6), or the CD-ROM 1 of the client terminal 13
10 (cases 7 to 9).

On the other hand, the storage source of the updated object data is the storage device 30 of the information server terminal 11A (case 1) or the storage device 30 of the shared server terminal 11B (cases 2 to 9). can do. When storing the updated object data in the shared server terminal 11B, the shared server terminal is the shared server terminal 11B-1 in Japan (in the case of Case 2, Case 5, or Case 8) as shown in FIG. 23, for example. ), Or American shared server terminal 11B-2
(Case 3, Case 6, or Case 9). In this case, the UR of the updated object data
The storage source of L is the mapping server terminal 12.

When the storage source of the update object data is the information server terminal 11A, the storage source of the URL of the update object data is the default URL managed by the information server terminal 11A (in case 1). If). Alternatively, when the shared server terminal 11B is manually designated by the user, the designated UR
L is the storage source (case 4 or case 7).

The data flow in each case in FIG. 16 will be described below with reference to FIG. That is, in case 1, the information server terminal 11A
Which is a storage device of the WWW server terminal 121 as an
Basic object data is read from a VRLM file (details of which will be described later) stored in a predetermined directory of D (Hard Disk Drive), and the network 1
It is supplied to, for example, the client terminal 13-1 via the Internet 15A as No. 5.
The storage device of the WWW server terminal 121 also stores updated object data. That is, WWW
When basic object data is read from the server terminal 121, the URL of the update object data corresponding to the basic object data is stored in the storage device of the WWW server terminal 121 in advance as a default URL, and the update object is updated from the default URL. The data is read and supplied to the client terminal 13-1.

In case 2, for the Japanese client terminal 13-1, the WWW server terminal 121
Basic object data is supplied via the Internet 15A. On the other hand, the updated object data is supplied from the Japanese shared server terminal 11B-1 designated by the mapping server terminal 12 to the client terminal 13-1 via the Internet 15A.

In case 3, the data of the basic object is sent to the US client terminal 13-2.
The updated object data supplied from the WWW server terminal 121 via the Internet 15A is stored in the US shared server terminal 11 specified by the mapping server terminal 12.
It is supplied from B-2 via the Internet 15A.

In Case 4, basic object data is stored in advance in the storage device 50 of the Japanese client terminal 13-1, and the updated object data is specified by the client terminal 13-1, for example, in the United States. Shared server terminal 11B-2.

In case 5, the client terminal 1
The basic object data is stored in the storage device 50 of 3-1 in advance, and the updated object data is stored in the shared server terminal 1 of Japan specified by the mapping server terminal 12.
1B-1 is supplied via the Internet 15A.

In case 6, basic object data is stored in advance in the storage device 50 of the US client terminal 13-2. Then, the updated object data is supplied from the US shared server terminal 11B-2 designated by the mapping server terminal 12 to the client terminal 13-2 via the Internet 15A.

In case 7, for example, for the Japanese client terminal 13-1, the data of the basic object of the CD-ROM 110 is stored in the CD-ROM drive 1.
00 is provided. The data of the update object is the shared server terminal specified by the client terminal 13-1 (for example, the shared server terminal 11B-1 or 11B-.
Supplied from 2).

In case 8, the client terminal 1
For 3-1 the basic object is CD-ROM 11
0, and the updated object data is supplied from the Japanese shared server terminal 11B-1 designated by the Japanese mapping server terminal 12.

In case 9, the basic object data is the CD for the US client terminal 13-2.
The updated object data supplied from the ROM 110 is supplied from the US shared server terminal 11B-2 designated by the mapping server terminal 12 via the Internet 15A.

Next, the software for transmitting and receiving the data of the above virtual reality space and displaying it on the display device will be explained. In WWW, document data is
A file described in ML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is transferred. Therefore, the text data is H
It is registered as a file in TML format.

On the other hand, in the WWW, three-dimensional graphics data is VRML or E-VRML (Enhanced Virtual Reality Modeling Lay) which is an extension of VRML.
nguage) to transfer and use. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the WW of the remote host 111 configuring the information server terminal 11A, the shared server terminal 11B, or the mapping server terminal 12
The W server terminal 112 uses the HTML file and the E-VRM.
The L file is stored in the storage device.

In the HTML file, a different file is linked depending on the URL. VRM
In an L file or an E-VRML file, attributes such as WWW Anchor and WWW Inline can be specified for an object. WWW Anc
hor is an attribute for attaching a hypertext link to an object, and the linked file is a URL
Specified by. WWW Inline is an attribute for describing the appearance of a building, for example, by dividing it into components such as outer walls, roofs, windows, and doors. A URL of each component can be associated with a file. In this way, even in a VRML file or an E-VRML file, WWW A
With nchor or WWW Inline, you can link to other files.

In the WWW, as the application software (WWW Browser) for notifying the WWW server terminal of the URL input from the client terminal and interpreting and displaying the HTML file transferred from the WWW terminal, Netscape's Netscap
e Navigator (trademark) is known. Therefore, for example, in order to use the function of exchanging data with the WWW server terminal also on the client terminal 13, Nets
I am using a cape.

However, this WWW browser can interpret and display HTML files, but VRML
Although the file or E-VRML file can be received, it cannot be interpreted and displayed. Therefore, a VRML browser capable of interpreting the VRML file and the E-VRML file, drawing as a three-dimensional space, and performing display processing is required.

For details of VRML, see the book "VRML".
: Building and Browsing 3D Cyberspace, by Mark Peshi, Koichi Matsuda, Terutaka Kamachi, Shoichi Takeuchi, Yasuaki Honda,
Translated by Junichi Koimoto, Masayuki Ishikawa, Ken Miyashita and Kazuhiro Hara, March 25, 1996
First edition published in Japan, Prentice Hall Publishing ISBN4-931356-37-
0 (Original; VRML: Browsing & Building Cyberspace,
Mark Pesce, 1995 New Readers Publishing ISBN 1-56
205-498-8)].

The applicant has developed CyberPassage (trademark) as application software including this VRML Browser.

CyberPassage is composed of the following three software. (1) CyberPassage Browser This is a VRML browser that conforms to VRML1.0, and also supports E-VRML that preempts VRML2.0 functions (movement and sound) and has a video function. Also, CyberPassageBure
Has a multi-user function that can connect to au. TCL / TK is used as the script language. (2) CyberPassage Conductor This is a VRML authoring system that conforms to E-VRML based on VRML1.0 and not only builds a three-dimensional world, but also moves the three-dimensional world. ,
It is a tool that can easily add sound and video. (3) CyberPassage Bureau This is for a server terminal system that connects from the CyberPassage Browser and allows people to really meet in a virtual space built on the network.

The client terminal 13- shown in FIG.
In 1 and 13-2, a browser is installed and executed in advance. Also, the shared server terminal 11B
In -1, 11B-2, a view (Bureau) is installed and executed in advance. In FIG. 19, the CyberPassage Browser is CD-R on the client terminal 13-1.
In order to install the shared server terminal function and the client function from the OM 110 and realize the shared server terminal function and the client function with a single terminal, the CyberPassa function is previously performed on the shared server terminal 11B-1.
ge Bureau and Cyber Passage Browser on CD-ROM 11
An example in which the program is installed from 0 and executed is shown.

The CyberPassage Browser, as shown in FIG. 18, between Netscape as a WWW browser,
NCAPI (Netscape Client Application Programming)
Interface) (trademark).

Netscape uses WW via the Internet.
When the HTML file and the VRML file or the E-VRML file are supplied from the W server terminal 112,
This is stored in the storage device 50, respectively. Netscape
Processes the HTML file among them. On the other hand, a VRML file or an E-VRML file is processed by CyberPassage Browser.

E-VRML (Enhanced VRML) is VRML 1.0 with Beha
vior (movement) and multimedia expansion (sound and video).
Proposed to the VRML community in May. The basic model of motion description (event model) used in E-VRML is
Moving Worl, one of the current VRML 2.0 proposals
It has been carried over to the ds proposal.

Next, an outline of the CyberPassage Browser will be described. This browser is, for example, the book "V
The sample is recorded on the CD-ROM attached to "Knowing RML". After installing this browser, you can display the manual by selecting Manual from "Cyber Passage Folder" of "Programs" (Program Manager in the case of Windows NT (trademark)) in the start menu of Windows95 (trademark).

[Browser Operating Environment] The operating environment of the browser is as shown in FIG. The minimum operating environment must be satisfied at least. However, Netscape Navigator
Is not required when used as a standalone VRML browser. In particular, when used by multiple users, it is desirable to set the recommended operating environment.

[Browser Installation Method] The browser installation method is usually the same as that for installing Netscape. Install using vscplb3a.exe located in the directory of @Sony (trademark) on the CD-ROM.

(1) Double-click vscplb3a.exe. The installation package is unpacked in the directory in the "Unzip To Directory" column, so make any necessary changes. (2) Click the [Unzip] button. After a while, the installation package is extracted. (3) "12 files unzipped successfully" is displayed. Click the [OK] button. (4) When the “Welcome” window appears, click the [NEXT] button. (5) Read the terms of the “Software License Agreement” carefully, and if you agree, click the [Yes] button. If you do not agree, click the [No] button. (6) Check the installation directory. The default is \ Program Files \ Sony \ CyberPassage. (7) If there is any inconvenience in the directory name, press the [Browse] button and select a directory. Press the [Next] button to proceed to the next. (8) Click the [Yes] button to read the “readme” file on the spot. (9) When the installation is completed, click the [OK] button.

[Starting method of browser] Before starting the browser, first, Netscape Navigator is set. In addition,
If you use it standalone, you do not need to do this work.
From the Start menu, select Programs, then CyberPassage
Just select "Folder ... Cyber Passage" and launch it. The following settings may be automatically set by installation.

(1) Execute "General Preference" from the "Options" menu of Netscape Navigator and select "Prefer
ence "window. From the tab at the top, select "Helper App
lications ". (2) Check if "x-world / x-vrml" is in the File type list. If it already exists, go to (4). (3) Click the [Create New Type] button. Mime Ty
"x-world" in the column of pe and "x-vrml" in the column of Mime SubType
And click the [OK] button. Enter "wrl" in the Extensions field. (4) Click the [Launch the Application:] button. Enter the pathname of the CyberPassage browser in the text field below (\ Program Files \ Sony by default)
\ CyberPassage \ bin \ vscp.exe). (5) Click the [OK] button.

This is the end of the setting. After that, start with the following procedure.

(1) Read the readme.htm of the sample CD-ROM from the "File..Open File" menu of Netscape. (2) If you click the link to the sample world, Cy
berPassage is automatically started and the sample world attached to the CD-ROM can be loaded.

[How to uninstall (remove) the browser] Select "CyberPassage Folde" from "Programs" (Program Manager in the case of Windows NT) in the start menu.
Running Uninstall from'r 'will automatically uninstall.

[Browser Operation Method] The browser is operated using the mouse 49b, the keyboard 49a, and the buttons on the screen. The operation is very intuitive.

<Movement in three dimensions> In the three-dimensional space provided by VRML, movements that are performed in the real world, such as forward movement, backward movement, rightward rotation, and leftward rotation, are possible. In the browser,
Such an operation is realized by the following user interface.

<Method of Using Board> On the keyboard 49a, the arrow keys (not shown) can be used to move as follows. → Turn right ← Turn left ↑ Forward ↓ Reverse

<< Method Using Mouse >> All mouse operations are performed with the left button. (1) Press the left button of the mouse 49b in the CyberPassage window and move it to the right from the point where it was pressed while keeping it pressed. Rotate to the right. Rotate to the left. Rotate to the left. Move up. Move forward. Move down. To do. The speed of movement changes depending on the distance the mouse is moved. (2) Click an object on the screen with the Ctrl (Control) key (not shown) on the keyboard 49a pressed,
Move to the front of the object.

Here, the following precautions are necessary. -When you hit an object, you hear a collision sound and the frame of the screen flashes red. In this case, the direction is changed because it cannot proceed further.・ If you can't see where you are or cannot see anything, click the [Home] button on the right side of the screen to return to the initial position.

[Jumping Eye] While navigating in the three-dimensional space, the user may get lost. In such a case, you can jump up into the sky and look around. (1) Click the [Jump] button on the right side of the screen to enter the jumping eye mode, and jump from the sky to a position overlooking the world. (2) Click the [Jump] button again to return to the original position. (3) Alternatively, click on any point in the world to get down to that point.

[Selection of Object] When the mouse cursor is moved on the screen, the shape of the cursor may be changed to a hand when it is approaching the object. Then, by clicking the left button of the mouse 49b, the action of the object can be called.

[Read VRML file] VR by the following method
Can read ML files. -Click the link to the VRML file in Netscape.・ Select the file with extension wrl on the disk from the "File..Open File" menu of CyberPassage.・ Enter the URL in the "File..Open URL" menu of CyberPassage.・ Click on an object in the world whose mouse cursor displays "URL".

[Toolbar button operation] In the browser,
The following operations can be performed by using the buttons of the toolbar, which are lined up with frequently used functions in the toolbar (shown in the display example of FIG. 24). [Back] Return to the previously loaded world. After returning with [Forward] Back, advance to the previous world again. [Home] Move to the initial position. [Undo] Return the object to its original location after moving (described later). [Bookmark] Register the current world and position in a bookmark. [Scouter] Set to Scouter mode (see below). [Jump] Set to jumping eye mode.

[Scouter Mode] An object placed in the world can have a character string as information by using the function of E-VRML. (1) Click the [Scouter] button on the right side of the screen to enter scouter mode. (2) When you move the mouse cursor on the screen, the information label is displayed when it is over the object with the information label. (3) Click the [Scouter] button again to exit Scouter mode.

[Move Object] Alt on keyboard 49a
Hold down the (Alternate) key (not shown) and press the left button of the mouse 49b on the object.
By moving 9b, the object can be moved. This is like moving a coffee cup on a desk by hand in the real world. However, since only objects having the movable attribute can be moved, not all objects can be moved. In the sample world, objects can be moved using Digital HandyCam or the like. After the object is moved, it can be restored only once by using the [Undo] button.

[How to connect to multi-user server terminal]
This browser has a multi-user function. The multi-user function is a function of sharing the same VRML virtual space with other users. The applicant is currently experimenting with the CyberPassage Bureau on the Internet. chatro
By loading om, you can connect to the server terminal, share the same VRML virtual space with other users, walk around together, turn off the lights in the room, and chat.

This is performed according to the following procedure. (1) Check that your personal computer is connected to the Internet. (2) Load Chatroom of sample world into the browser. This is the sample CD-ROM \ Sony \ readm
Load e.htm into Netscape and click on Chat Room. (3) In the message window, `` Connected to VS Serve
If "r" is displayed, the connection to the multi-user server terminal is successful.

With the above, connection to the server terminal is established. There are two types of interactions with other users:・ Convey the action to other people. This is Hello, Smile, Wao!, Wooo !!, Um in the action window (see Figure 26).
It is realized by clicking buttons such as m ..., Sad, Bye. Also, as an action, myself (avatar)
Can also be rotated 36 degrees, 180 degrees, or 360 degrees to the left or right.・ Talk with other people. This is realized by opening the Chat window (see FIG. 26) with the "View..Chat" menu and inputting a message from the keyboard 49a in the lowest input field.

[Multi-User World] Sample CD
-The multi-user world provided in ROM is
There are the following three. Note that chat can be performed in all worlds. (1) Chat Room This room is mainly for chatting, but some objects are shared with other users. There are objects that become increasingly transparent when you click with the left button, switches that turn off the lights in the room, and objects that fly around when you click. There are also secret holes. (2) Play with a ball! When you click on a ball that floats in virtual space, it will fly towards you. This ball is shared by all users in the space and can be catched with other users. (3) Share your drawing A whiteboard is placed in the virtual space, and clicking it with the left button displays the shared whiteboard. You can draw on the board by dragging with the left button and share it with other users in the space.

The sample CD-ROM contains this
Other than CyberPassage Browser, CyberPassage Conductor
And some sample VRML files are stored. However, CyberPassage Bureau is not stored in the CD-ROM of this sample. This CyberPassage
Bureau is the homepage URL provided by the applicant company via the Internet 15A = http://vs.so
It can be downloaded from ny.co.jp/. Applicant's company can also access multi-user world URL = http: //japan.park.org/Japan/Sony/3-D via internet.
Offers World / Circus /.

With CyberPassage Bureau, CyberPassage
Users using age browser can enter the world described in VRML 1.0 together. Therefore, in order to provide the three-dimensional virtual reality space, it is necessary to first prepare a file described in VRML1.0. After that, a bureau (hereinafter, Cyber Passage Bureau is simply referred to as a bureau (Bureau)) is operated by an appropriate personal computer. Furthermore, in the VRML 1.0 file,
Add a line to inform the personal computer that the bureau is running. The VRML file is CyberPassa
If you load it into ge Browser, the browser (hereinafter, as appropriate,
Cyber Passage Browser is simply a browser
Called) is connected to the bureau.

If the connection is successful, the users can see each other in the virtual world and can talk with each other. Furthermore, by writing an appropriate script to a file, the action panel can be used to express emotions and emotions.

The CyberPassage Browser prepares an interface for behavioral description using TCL. By using this, you can animate objects in the virtual world and synchronize them between browsers. This allows a plurality of users to enjoy a 3D game or the like depending on the device.

To enjoy the multi-user virtual world, V
There are three steps: preparing an RML file, starting a bureau, and connecting a browser.

[Preparation of VRML File] First, prepare a VRML 1.0 file which is your favorite. You can create this file yourself or bring it free. The file sets the stage for a multi-user virtual world.

[Starting up the bureau] CyberPassage Bureau
The operating environment of is as follows. CPU 486SX or more OS Windows 95 memory 12MB or more

This bureau can be started by simply executing the downloaded file. When executed, only the menu bar with some menus is displayed, as shown as CyberPassage Bureau in FIG. Immediately after starting, the bureau is in a stopped state, and Vi
If you pull down the ew menu and select status,
A window will appear and you can see the current bureau status. At this time, the port number that the connected user bureau is waiting for the connection is displayed in addition to the state of being stopped or operating.

The bureau immediately starts TCP port 5 of TCP.
It is set to wait for connection at 126. To change this port number, pull down the options menu and select port. When prompted to enter a new port number, enter a port number of 5000 or more. If it is not known which port to use, the default value (5126) can be used without any setting.

To operate a bureau that is stopped, run
Pull down the menu and select start. The server terminal waits for a connection at the specified port. At this time, the state displayed in the status window becomes running, as shown in the display example of FIG.

As described above, when the browser connects to the bureau after preparation of the bureau is completed, the bureau informs other browsers of the position of the bureau and exchanges information on conversations and actions.

Since the status window of the bureau is updated every time a connection from the user arrives, the user who is in the world can be confirmed by using this window.

[Browser Connection] The following two things are required to connect the browser to the bureau. One is
Instructing the browser which bureau to connect to. This is done by writing an info node to the VRML file. And the other is to copy your avatar's files to the appropriate directories so that you can see them by other users.

[Add to VRML File] When writing a line designating a bureau to be connected to the VRML file, the name of the personal computer on which the bureau is running and the port number are designated. The format in this case is as follows. DEF VsServer Info {string "server name: port number"}

The server terminal name is the machine name on the Internet where the bureau is operating (eg fred.research.so
ny.com) or its IP address (eg 123.231.1
2.1). The port number is a port number set in the bureau.

Therefore, the above-mentioned format is as follows, for example. DEF VsServer Info {string "fred.research.sony.com:5
126 "}

In the example of FIG. 19, the IP address of the shared server terminal 11B-1 is 43.0.35.117, and in this case, the above format is as follows. DEF VsServer Info {string "43.0.35.117:5126"}

Add such a format to the line under #VRML V1.0 ascii in the prepared VRML file.

[Copy of avatar file] CyberPassage
When Browser connects to the CyberPassage Bureau,
In response, notify your avatar. When a given avatar encounters another avatar, the bureau notifies the other browser of this information, and causes the given avatar to be displayed on the other browser. Therefore, the VR of a given avatar
It is necessary to copy the ML file to an appropriate location in advance.

FIG. 21 shows a display example when selecting an avatar. In this display example, person.wrl, bo
You can select the desired one from y.wrl or girl.wrl as your avatar.

When this avatar file is copied to the same directory as its VRML file, when the browser reads the VRML file, the {person, boy, girl} .wrl file in the same directory as that file is replaced with the avatar file. Will be searched for.

As described above, in order to share a predetermined VRML file, the bureau is operated, the VsServer Info node is added to the VRML file, and {person, boy, g
irl} .wrl may be copied to the same directory as the VRML file. After that, if you want someone else to load the VRML file,
People read by CyberPassage will be connected to the bureau.

As shown in FIG. 19, now, the shared server terminal 11B-1 uses the avatar with the Koutarou nickname, and the client terminal 13-1 uses the avatar with the Minami nickname, respectively. Walk around one of the world's CIRCUS PARKs. At this time, for example, the shared server terminal 11
In B-1, as shown in FIG. 25 described later, boy.wrl, which is the figure of a male avatar, is selected. Next, FIG.
As shown in 2, pull down the View menu and select Preferences from that menu.
A screen as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. In this screen, the user specifies Koutarou as the name (nickname) of the avatar selected in FIG.

Similarly, the user of the client terminal 13-1 selects, for example, girl.wrl as the figure of his avatar, designates Minami as its nickname, and sets CIRC.
Suppose you entered US PARK. Then, the avatar Koutarou of the shared server terminal 11B-1 and the client terminal 13
-1 avatar Minami moves to a sufficiently close position in CIRCUS PARK, and shared server terminal 11B-1
As shown in FIG. 22, the display device 25 of the avatar Mina
mi is displayed. Similarly, the avatar Koutarou is displayed on the display device 45 of the client terminal 13-1 as shown in FIG. 25 described later.

Here, in FIG. 19 and FIGS. 21 to 28, the display screen K of the display device 25 seen by the avatar Koutarou.
The display screen of the display device 45 viewed by Avatar Minami is denoted by M, and the reference numerals are attached to the display screen.

As shown in these figures, each display device displays a three-dimensional virtual reality space (including images of other avatars) viewed from the viewpoint of its own avatar, and does not display its own avatar. .

As described above, when a plurality of avatars are sufficiently close to each other in the predetermined space (when the avatar of the user is displayed on the display device of the other party), as described above,
For example, pull down the View menu shown in Figure 24 and select Chat.
Chat can be performed by selecting. FIG.
Shows a display example on the display device 25 on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side when the avatar Koutarou and the avatar Minami are chatting.

As shown in the figure, in the Chat window,
The messages entered so far from the keyboard of each terminal are displayed. The characters entered by the user are once displayed in the display area at the bottom of the Chat window, and when the enter key (not shown) of the keyboard 49a is operated, the entered message (character string) is transmitted to the other party. It For example, avatar Minami (client terminal 13-
When the message “Today is the first time” is transmitted from 1) to the shared server terminal 11B-1, this message is displayed on the display device 25 of the shared server terminal 11B-1 as shown in FIG. A balloon is displayed above the avatar Minami in the window, and it is also displayed in the Chat window following the past messages.

FIG. 25 shows the display device 4 of the client terminal 13-1 when the message “Let's go see the Ferris wheel” is input from the shared server terminal 11B-1 side.
5 shows a display example of No. 5. Even in this case, the message is the avatar Koutaro in the CIRCUS PARK window.
A balloon is displayed above u, and it is displayed in the Chat window following the past messages.

Further, the display example of FIG. 26 shows a case where the [Hello] button is operated on the client terminal 13-1 side. At this time, as shown in FIG. 26, in the shared server terminal 11B-1, the avatar Mina
An image in which mi raises his right hand is displayed, and a voice message [Hello] is output to the speaker 27.

The user can put the avatar in a sleep state when leaving the terminal. For example, when putting the avatar Minami into the sleep state, among the action window buttons displayed as shown in FIG. 25 on the client terminal 13-1 side, [Acti
Click the [ve] button to change this button to the [Sleep] button as shown in FIG. Then, Avata Minami goes to sleep. At this time, the avatar Minami displayed on the display device 25 on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side is in a sleep state in which the avatar Minami is sitting on the ground, as shown in FIG. From this display, the user on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side can know that the avatar Minami has entered the sleep state (that the user of the avatar Minami has left the client terminal 13-1). Slee
When the [Sleep] button is clicked in the p state, the button returns to the [Active] button again.

In this way, one can actually enjoy walking through the CIRCUS PARK as a three-dimensional virtual reality space.

The present invention can be applied to dynamically manage IDs of various update objects existing in the above-mentioned CIRCUS PARK.

While the present invention has been described above using the Internet as the network 15 and utilizing the WWW, the present invention uses the wide area communication network other than the Internet as the network 15, and It can be realized even when a system other than WWW is adopted.

[0202]

As described above, the three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method according to claim 1, the three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system according to claim 6, and the information recording medium according to claim 7.
According to the information recording method according to claim 8, the information transmission medium according to claim 9, and the information transmission method according to claim 10, each client terminal has a unique local identification code corresponding to an object. On the other hand, on the shared server terminal side, the local identification code is converted into a global identification code by a pre-registered conversion table so that the state of each object is managed. It is possible to easily manage the object identification code according to the customization of the above. It is only necessary to manage the minimum object identification code in each client terminal.
It can be applied to a system in which an unspecified number of users share a dimensional virtual reality space.

A three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method according to claim 11, a server terminal according to claim 12, an information recording medium according to claim 13, an information recording method according to claim 14, and According to the information transmission medium of 15 and the information transmission method of claim 16, a local identification code corresponding to each object uniquely set in the client terminal and a global identification managed on the shared server terminal side. Since the conversion table indicating the correspondence with the code is stored and the local identification code of the object designated by the predetermined client terminal is converted into the global identification code in the conversion table so that the state of each object is managed, It is possible to provide a three-dimensional virtual reality space in which objects can be easily managed to each client terminal.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a cyber space system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server terminal 11 of FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a client terminal 13 of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a service provider terminal 14 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating management of objects.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating management of another object.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a cyber space system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining WWW.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a URL.

10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a mapping server terminal 12 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the client terminal 13 (service provider terminal 14).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information server terminal 11A.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the mapping server terminal 12.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of shared server terminal 11B.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the client terminal 13.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating storage locations of a basic object and an update object.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of basic objects and update objects.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining software for implementing a cyberspace system.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating software included in a client terminal 13-1 and a shared server terminal 11B-1.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an environment in which software operates.

21 is a diagram showing a display example on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side in FIG.

22 is a diagram showing a display example on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side in FIG.

23 is a diagram showing a display example on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side in FIG.

24 is a diagram showing a display example on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side in FIG.

25 is a diagram showing a display example on the client terminal 13-1 side in FIG.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a display example on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side in FIG. 19;

27 is a diagram showing another display example on the client terminal 13-1 side in FIG.

28 is a diagram showing another display example on the shared server terminal 11B-1 side in FIG.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating conventional object management.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 server terminal, 2 storage devices, 3, 3-1 and 3-
2, 3-3 client terminal, 11, 11-1, 1
1-2 server terminal, 12 mapping server terminal,
13, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 Client terminal, 14, 14-1, 14-2 Service provider terminal, 15 Network, 30, 30-1, 30-
2 storage devices

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects, and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. , Each client terminal side sets a unique local identification code for each object, and the shared server terminal side exchanges the local identification code with each client terminal, in a pre-registered conversion table. A method for sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space, characterized in that the state of each of the objects in each of the client terminals is managed by converting into a global identification code. 2. Each of the client terminals, when the state of the object is updated in response to an operation of each user, notifies the shared server terminal of the update information together with the corresponding local identification code. The three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing method according to claim 1. 3. The update information of the state of the update object is information regarding at least one of movement, rotation, and color change of the update object in the three-dimensional virtual reality space. 3 according to claim 1
3D virtual reality space sharing method. 4. The wide area communication network is TCP / IP (Transmissi
The local identification code is exchanged between the unspecified client terminal and the shared server terminal based on a communication protocol (on Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Three
3D virtual reality space sharing method. 5. Three-dimensional graphics data representing the object is VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling).
Language).
The method for sharing a three-dimensional virtual reality space as described in 1. 6. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. Connection processing means; identification code setting means for setting a unique local identification code for each object on each client terminal side; pre-registered in the shared server terminal; A three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, comprising: a conversion table for converting a local identification code into a global identification code. 7. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. A connection processing step; an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on the client terminal side; pre-registered in the shared server terminal to exchange with each client terminal; A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting the local identification code into a global identification code, which is readable and executable by at least one of the shared server terminal or the client terminal. What is recorded Information recording medium used in three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system according to symptoms. 8. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. A connection processing step; an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on the client terminal side; pre-registered in the shared server terminal to exchange with each client terminal; A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting the local identification code into a global identification code, which is readable and executable by at least one of the shared server terminal or the client terminal. Record on the information recording medium Information recording method used in the three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, characterized in that. 9. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. A connection processing step; an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on the client terminal side; pre-registered in the shared server terminal to exchange with each client terminal; A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting the local identification code into a global identification code, the computer program being receivable and executable by at least one of the shared server terminal or the client terminal. The shared server terminal or Serial information transmission medium used in the 3-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, wherein the transmitting at least to one of the client terminals. 10. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. A connection processing step; an identification code setting processing step of setting a unique local identification code for each object on the client terminal side; pre-registered in the shared server terminal to exchange with each client terminal; A computer program comprising a conversion processing step of converting the local identification code into a global identification code, the computer program being receivable and executable by at least one of the shared server terminal or the client terminal. The shared server terminal or Information transmission method used in the three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, wherein the transmitting at least to one of said client terminals. 11. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. A shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, comprising: a communication processing step of transmitting and receiving, through the wide area communication network, a local identification code individually set for each object on the client terminal side; A conversion processing step of converting the local identification code exchanged with each of the client terminals into a global identification code, the information processing method of a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system. 12. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. A shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, comprising: communication means for exchanging a local identification code individually set for each object on the client terminal side via the wide area communication network; A shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, comprising: a conversion table for converting the local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code. 13. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. An information recording medium used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, wherein a local identification code individually set for each object on each client terminal side is exchanged via the wide area communication network. A computer program having a communication processing step for converting the local identification code exchanged with each of the client terminals into a global identification code, and a computer program readable and executable by the shared server terminal. 3rd order characterized by being recorded in Information recording medium used in the shared server terminal in a virtual reality space sharing system. 14. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. An information recording method of an information recording medium used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, wherein a local identification code uniquely set for each object at each client terminal side is provided for the wide area communication network. A computer program having a communication processing step of transmitting and receiving via the above, and a conversion processing step of converting the local identification code exchanged with each of the client terminals into a global identification code, which is readable by the shared server terminal, and Record on an information recording medium in an executable state. Information recording method used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, characterized in that. 15. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects, and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. An information transmission medium used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, wherein a local identification code uniquely set for each object on each client terminal side is exchanged via the wide area communication network. A computer program having a communication processing step for converting the local identification code exchanged with each of the client terminals into a global identification code, and the computer program being receivable and executable by the shared server terminal. In this case, it is special that it is transmitted to the shared server terminal. 3,
An information transmission medium used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system. 16. A plurality of client terminals that display a three-dimensional virtual reality space including a plurality of objects, and a shared server terminal that manages the state of each object in each client terminal are connected via a wide area communication network. An information transmission method used in a shared server terminal in a three-dimensional virtual reality space sharing system, wherein a local identification code uniquely set for each object on each client terminal side is exchanged via the wide area communication network. A state in which the shared server terminal can receive and execute a computer program having a communication processing step for converting the local identification code exchanged with each client terminal into a global identification code. In this case, it is special that it is transmitted to the shared server terminal. 3,
Information transmission method used in shared server terminal in 3D virtual reality space sharing system.