JPH11120375A - Client device, image display control method, device and method for common virtual space provision, and transmission medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable each user to easily and securely recognize the experience of a virtual living object as the avatar of a client present in a common virtual space in the common virtual space by modifying the virtual living object corresponding experience parameters changing according to the generation of a specific event. SOLUTION: When the points of fishing reach a specific value, the avatar is changed into a modified avatar modified wearing a bow. When the points further increase, the avatar is modified with a medal instead of the bow. If the points furthermore increase, the avatar is modified with a crown instead of the medal. For those avatars before and after the modifications, the identify is secured and each user can recognize that the unmodified avatar and the modified avatar are identical.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a client device, an image display control method, an apparatus and method for providing a shared virtual space, and a transmission medium, and in particular, each user can share an avatar as an alter ego in the shared virtual space. Client device, which can recognize the experience in
Image display control method, shared virtual space providing apparatus and method,
And a transmission medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, NIFTY-Serve (trademark) and Com
A plurality of users, such as puServe (trademark), connect their personal computers to a 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.

[0003] Habitat was established in 1985 by LucasFilm of the United States.
Quark, a U.S. commercial network,
After operating for about three years at antumLink, the service was launched on NIFTY-Serve in February 1990 as Fujitsu Habitat (trademark). In this Habitat, “Populopolis” drawn in two-dimensional graphics
polis) "in a virtual city called avatar;
By sending in alternations of users called incarnations of God that appear in Indian mythology, users can chat with each other (Chat; text-based real-time dialogue by inputting and displaying characters). For a more detailed description of Habitat, see Cyberspace, Michael Benedict, March 20, 1994, first edition, NTT Publishing ISBN
4-87188-265-9C0010 (Original; Cyberspace: First Ste)
ps, Michael Benedikt, ed. 1991, MIT PressCambrige, MA
ISBN 0-262-02327-X) pp. 282-307.

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 in two-dimensional graphics, and the avatar is moved in the depth or front direction. When moving, the avatar was simply moved up and down on the background of the two-dimensional graphics, and the simulated experience of walking and moving in the virtual space was poor in expressiveness on the display. 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, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-81781, a function of displaying a virtual space in three-dimensional graphics so that a user can freely walk around from the viewpoint of an avatar has been proposed.
VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) 3
This is realized by using a description language of dimensional graphics data. Regarding various cyberspaces where chats are performed using avatars on behalf of users, see Nikkei Electronics 1996.9.9 (no.670)
Pp. 151-159.

The applicant of the present invention has proposed, as Japanese Patent Application No. 9-171196, to change the outer shape of an avatar in accordance with the staying time of the avatar in cyberspace. Thereby, each user can infer the staying time of the avatar in the cyber space from the outer shape.

[0007]

However, changes in the avatar's outer shape are slight, and it is difficult for each user to look at the appearance of another user's avatar and to analogize the avatar's experience in cyberspace. is there. Therefore, each user cannot see the avatar of another user and determine what kind of hobby the user corresponding to the avatar has.

As a result, even if each user wants to chat with other users who have the same experience in cyberspace, it is difficult to determine which avatar user has the same experience. There is a problem that it is unknown and it is difficult to find a friend having the same hobby.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to easily and surely infer the experience of another user's avatar in cyberspace.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a client apparatus for managing an experience parameter of a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in a shared virtual space, which changes according to occurrence of a predetermined event. Storage means for storing an experience parameter table to be transferred, transfer means for transferring the experience parameter of the virtual life object as its own self to another client device via the server, and transfer from another client device via the server. Interpreting means for interpreting a script that modifies the virtual life object based on the experienced parameter, and control means for controlling display of the virtual life object according to the experience parameter based on the interpretation of the interpreting means. It is characterized by.

An image display control method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention provides an experience parameter table for managing experience parameters of a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in a shared virtual space, which change according to occurrence of a predetermined event. A transfer step of transferring the experience parameter of the virtual life object as a self-alteration to another client device via the server, and an experience parameter transferred from the other client device via the server. An interpretation step of interpreting a script that modifies the virtual life object based on the interpretation step, and a control step of controlling to display the virtual life object according to the experience parameter based on the interpretation in the interpretation step, I do.

[0012] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the transmission medium stores an experience parameter table for managing experience parameters of a virtual life object existing in a shared virtual space, which change as a predetermined event occurs, of a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user. Based on the experience parameter transferred from the other client device via the server to the other client device via the server, the transfer step of transferring the experience parameter of the virtual life object as a self-self to the other client device Transmitting a computer program comprising: an interpretation step of interpreting a script for modifying a virtual life object; and a control step of controlling to display a virtual life object according to the experience parameter based on the interpretation in the interpretation step. It is characterized by.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the shared virtual space providing apparatus, the first client device transmits when a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in the shared virtual space acquires a score in the shared virtual space. Receiving means for receiving an empirical parameter corresponding to the accumulated value of the score, and transfer means for transferring the empirical parameter received by the receiving means to the second client device.

In the shared virtual space providing method according to the present invention, the first client device transmits when the virtual life object as the alter ego of the user existing in the shared virtual space acquires a score in the shared virtual space. Receiving the experience parameter corresponding to the accumulated value of the score, and the experience parameter received in the receiving step,
Transferring to the second client device.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the transmission medium, the first client device transmits a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in the shared virtual space, when the virtual life object acquires a score in the shared virtual space. And transmitting a computer program comprising: a receiving step of receiving an empirical parameter corresponding to the accumulated value of the above; and a transferring step of transferring the empirical parameter received in the receiving step to a second client device.

In the client device according to the first aspect, the image display control method according to the eighth aspect, and the transmission medium according to the ninth aspect, the empirical parameters transferred from another client device via the server. On the basis of,
A script that modifies the virtual life object is interpreted. Then, based on the interpretation result, the virtual life object is displayed so as to be modified according to the experience parameter.

In the apparatus for providing a shared virtual space according to the tenth aspect, the method for providing a shared virtual space according to the eleventh aspect, and the transmission medium according to the twelfth aspect, the accumulated value of the scores acquired in the shared virtual space is When the corresponding experience parameter is sent from the first client device,
This is received and forwarded to the second client device.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means is described. When the features of the present invention are described by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after the parentheses, the result is as follows. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described.

[0019] The client device according to the first aspect of the present invention stores an experience parameter table for managing experience parameters of a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in a shared virtual space, which change in accordance with occurrence of a predetermined event. Storage means (for example, the HDD 31 in FIG. 4), transfer means (for example, the modem 39 in FIG. 4) for transferring the experience parameter of the virtual life object as its own self to another client device via the server, Interpreting means for interpreting a script for modifying a virtual life object based on experience parameters transferred from a client device via a server (for example, an experience script program using Java in FIG. 4), and interpreting means Control to display the virtual life object according to the experience parameter. (For example, the graphics processing circuit 43 in FIG. 4).

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the shared virtual space providing apparatus, the first client device transmits when the virtual life object as the alter ego of the user existing in the shared virtual space obtains a score in the shared virtual space. Receiving means (for example, step S11 in FIG. 10) for receiving the experience parameter corresponding to the accumulated value of the score, and transfer means (for example, FIG. 10) for transferring the experience parameter received by the receiving means to the second client device. Ten steps S12)
And characterized in that:

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Prior to the description, the Internet (The Int) which is a computer network constructed on a worldwide scale
ernet) to provide a variety of information
VRML (virtual reality m) is a description language that can handle three-dimensional information in a unified manner using the framework of (web).
odeling language).

Here, as an information providing system that can be used on the Internet, Swiss CERN (European Center)
WWW developed by European Nuclear Physics Research Institute is known. This allows information such as text, images, and audio to be viewed in a hypertext format.In accordance with a protocol called HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), information stored in a WWW server can be This is to perform asynchronous transfer to the terminal.

The WWW server is an HTTP daemon (HTTP: Hyper)
It consists of server software called Text Transfer Protocol (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTML files that store hypertext information. Note that a daemon means a program that performs management and processing in the background when working on UNIX. Hypertext information is HTML (HyperText Ma
rkup Language (hypertext description language). In the description of hypertext in HTML, the logical structure of a sentence is expressed 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. When specifying the location where the information exists by the anchor, use URL (Uniform Re
source Locator) is used.

A file described in HTML is transferred to TCP / IP (Tra
The protocol for transferring data on a network (nsmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) is HTTP. It has a function to transmit the information request from the client to the WWW server and to transfer the hypertext information of the HTML file to the client.

A WWW browser that is often used as an environment for using the WWW is called a WWW browser (a browser means browsing).
Communications software) and other client software.

Using this WWW browser, it is possible to browse files on a WWW server on the Internet, which corresponds to a URL, on the Internet, so-called home pages,
As it is called so-called Internet surfing, a wide variety of WWWs are traversed by linked home pages one after another.
Can access information sources.

In recent years, this WWW has been further extended to enable description of a three-dimensional space and setting of hypertext links for objects drawn with three-dimensional graphics, and to follow a WWW server while following these links. VR that displays a three-dimensional space described in a three-dimensional graphics description language called VRML that can be accessed one after another
An ML browser has been developed.

The details of this VRML are described in, for example, “Knowing VRML: Construction and Browsing of a Three-Dimensional Cyberspace [by Mark Pessi, Koichi Matsuda, Teruhisa Kamachi, Shoichi Takeuchi, Yasuaki Honda, Junichi Korumoto, Masayuki Ishikawa, Translated by Ken Miyashita and Kazuhiro Hara, first edition published on March 25, 1996, Prentice Hall Publishing ISBN4-931356
-37-0] (Original; VRML: Browsing & Building Cyberspac
e, Mark Pesce, 1995 New Readers Publishing ISBN 1-5
6205-498-8)) ”and“ VRML latest trends and Cybe ”
rPassage [Koichi Matsuda and Yasuaki Honda, bit (Kyoritsu Shuppan) / 1996 Vol.28 No.7 pp29-pp36, No.8 pp5
7 to pp65, No.9 pp29 to pp36, No.10 pp49 to pp5
8] ”.

Also, The Virt in August 4, 1996
ual Reality Modeling Language Version 2.0, ISO / IE
The official and complete specification of CCD 14772 can be found at http: // webspac
It is published at e.sgi.com/moving-worlds/spec/index.html, and its Japanese version is http://www.webcity.co.jp/i
It is published at nfo / andoh / VRML / vrml2.0 / spec-jp / index.html.

Further, as a browser for VRML 2.0 and software for a shared server, for example, Sony Corporation, which is the applicant of the present invention, describes “Community Place Browser / Bure”.
au (trademark) "and commercialized, and its beta version (trial version) is
It can be downloaded from /vs.sony co.jp.

When a three-dimensional virtual space is to be constructed using VRML 2.0, first, creation of graphic data indicating the shape, movement, position, etc. of an object (model) in the virtual space by VRML. (Model creation), adding a switch (sensor) to the model that generates an event when the user clicks and points the model in the virtual space displayed on the screen (sensor addition),
Programming of scripts (script creation) to realize events that occur in response to pointing to sensors, operation of sensors and activation of scripts, graphic data and scripts (graphic data, scripts, lights defined in VRML, etc.) VR that expresses desired content by associating (routing) between common nodes etc.
Create an ML file.

For example, http://www.ses.co.jp/SES/STAFF
/kan/howto/howto1.html explains carefully how to write VRML 2.0 and sample data. Some of them are introduced below.

1. Viewing a World Written in VRML 2.0 Just as an HTML browser is needed to view data written in HTML format, to view data written in VRML 2.0 format, A VRML browser compatible with VRML 2.0 is required.
All VRML 2.0 data created on this page is SONY
This is being done at the Community Place Browser. To indicate that the file was written in VRML, the file extension was set to * .wrl (meaning world), and to indicate that it was written in VRML 2.0, the first line of the file was #VRML It is necessary to write V2.0 utf8.

2. Basic Structure of VRML2.0 Data VRML2.0 data is composed of nodes and fields, and is basically written in the following form. Node {Field (s)} In this, Fields can be omitted, but Node and curly braces '{', '}' cannot be omitted. Fields pass variables to nodes and specify parameters for nodes. If the field is omitted, the default value will be used. There are two types of fields: "single-value field (SF)" that has only a single value and "multi-value field (MF)" that has multiple values. The name of the single-value field is "SF". Multi-valued fields begin with "MF".

3. How to Write a Sphere VRML2.0 provides nodes for drawing basic figures such as a sphere, a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, and a cone. As mentioned earlier, each node has a field for specifying parameters. For example, Sphere for drawing a sphere
The node has a radius field to specify the radius, and a sphere with a radius of 1 is displayed by writing as follows. The data type of the radius field is SFFloa
So it takes one floating point value.

Sample11: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: children [4: Shape {5: geometry Sphere {radius 1} 6:} 7:] 8:}

In fact, lines 2 and 3 and lines 7 and 8 need not be written. Only the first line and the fourth to sixth lines can display a sphere with a radius of 1 properly. The Transform node is one of the types of nodes called Group nodes, and is a node for literally grouping nodes. Refer to "Appendix 1: VRML2.0 Node List" for detailed functions and fields of other nodes including the Transform node. The node for writing the sphere is Sphere, and this node is one of the nodes called the Geometry node. Geometry node is a Shape that defines appearance and shape
Must be written in the geometry field of the node.

4. Coloring the Sphere To color the sphere, write as follows. Sample2 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: children [4: Shape {5: appearance Appearance {6: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0} 7:} 8: geometry Sphere {radius 1} 9:} 10:] 11:}

This sphere is displayed in red. Lines 5 to 7 are added. Since the data type of the diffuseColor field is SFColor, it has only one set of three single-precision floating-point numbers representing RGB colors. The Material node that defines the appearance is the mate of the Appearance node
It is to be written in the rial field. Appe
The arance node is to be written in the appearance field of the Shape node. Therefore, such a seemingly complicated structure is obtained.

5. Pasting Textures In addition to coloring objects, image files can also be pasted. The file formats that can be used as textures in VRML2.0 are JPEG, GIF, and PNG. Here, a GIF image prepared in advance is used. Sample3 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: children [4: Shape {5: appearance Appearance {6: texture ImageTexture {url "image.gif"} 7:} 8: geometry Box {} 9:} 10:] 11:}

The sixth line applies the texture. ImageTexure node is the texture of Appearance node
This is how it is written because it is supposed to be written in the field. Note that the Box node on the eighth line is a node for drawing a rectangular parallelepiped.

6. Move the position of the object Next, move this red sphere to the right. Sample4 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: translation 2 0 0 4: children [5: Shape {6: appearance Appearance {7: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0} 8:} 9: geometry Sphere { radius 1} 10:} 11:] 12:}

The object is translated in the translation field added to the third line. In the translation field, translation xyz is used to specify the amount of movement on the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, respectively. On the browser, the x-axis represents left and right (+ to the right), the y-axis represents up and down (+ to the top), and the z-axis represents depth (+ to the front). Thus, translation 2 0 0 translates 2 to the right.

7. Add an object Add a green cone to the left of the red sphere. Sample5 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: translation 2 0 0 4: children [5: Shape {6: appearance Appearance {7: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0} 8:} 9: geometry Sphere { radius 1} 10:} 11:] 12:} 13: Transform {14: translation -2 0 0 15: children [16: Shape {17: appearance Appearance {18: material Material {diffuseColor 0 1 0} 19:} 20 : geometry Cylinder {} 21:} 22:] 23:}

The source added after the 13th line has the same structure as the source added before the 12th line. The difference is that the object moves from a sphere to a cone, the color moves from red to green, and the position moves to the left.

8. Writing with Polygons Although the above-described “How to Write VRML 2.0” uses primitive figures, polygons are used when writing complicated figures. IndexedLineSet, Inde for displaying with polygons
Two nodes of xedFaceSet are prepared. IndexedLi
neSet represents a line, and IndexedFaceSet represents a face. Sample6 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: children [4: Shape {5: geometry IndexedFaceSet {6: coord Coordinate {7: point [8: 0 0 0, 9: 1 0 0, 10: 1 0 1, 11: 0 0 1, 12: 0 1 0, 13: 1 1 0, 14: 1 1 1, 15: 0 1 1 16:] 17:} 18: coordIndex [19: 0, 1, 2, 3, -1, 20: 0, 1, 5, 4, -1, 21: 1, 2, 6, 5, -1, 22: 2, 3, 7, 6, -1, 23: 3, 0, 4, 7, -1, 24: 4, 5, 6, 7, -1 25:] 26: solid FALSE 27:} 28:} 29:} 30:] 31:}

This sample represents a cube in six planes. To represent a polygon, first determine the coordinates of the vertices (lines 7 to 16). These coordinates are 0,1,2,
And numbered. That is, “1 0 1” on the 10th row is the “2” coordinate. Next, it is determined at what coordinates and at what coordinates the surface is configured (lines 18 to 25). 19
“0, 1, 2, 3, −1” on the line indicates that “a surface is to be created with coordinates 0, 1, 2, 3”.

9. Naming Nodes DEF and USE to reuse already defined nodes
There is a function called. For example, assume that two blue spheres with a radius of 2 are drawn. If you write in the conventional way, it will be as follows. Sample7 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: children [4: Shape {5: appearance Appearance {6: material Material {diffuseColor 0 0 1} 7:} 8: geometry Sphere {radius 2} 9:} 10:] 11:} 12: Transform {13: translation 0 5 0 14: children [15: Shape {16: appearance Appearance {17: material Material {diffuseColor 0 0 1} 18:} 19: geometry Sphere {radius 2} 20:} 21:] 22:}

The twelfth and subsequent lines are exactly the same as those before the eleventh line except for the coordinate movement on the thirteenth line. It is clearly wasteful to describe the once defined "blue sphere with radius 2" in the same way. So we do the following.

Sample7 Kai 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: children [4: DEF BlueSphere Shape {5: appearance Appearance {6: material Material {diffuseColor 0 0 1} 7:} 8: geometry Sphere { radius 2} 9:} 10:] 11:} 12: Transform {13: translation 0 5 0 14: children [15: USE BlueSphere 16:} 17:] 18:} Looking at the fourth line, it becomes DEF BlueSphere Shape ing. This is “Shape {……} replaced with“ BlueSphere ”
Name. From now on, simply writing USE BlueSphere will represent the same content as Shape {……}.

10. Reading WRL File When creating large VRML data, it is not a very good method to write all descriptions in one file. It is more convenient to divide each part so that it can be called up as needed. In such a case, use an Inline node. For example, read and display Sample1.wrl created in 1. Sample8 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Inline {3: url [4: sample1.wrl 5:] 6:}

11. Linking a link It is also possible to link an object and jump to another page when the object is clicked. Sample9 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Anchor {3: children [4: Shape {5: geometry Sphere {radius 2} 6:} 7:] 8: url "test.html" 9: description "LINK to test .html "10:}

An object to be linked is set as a child node and is bound by an anchor node. Anchor node is one of the Group nodes. Write the link destination file in the url field. The text you write in the description field is displayed while the mouse pointer is touching the object.

12. Light setting VRML2.0 uses Directional to set light in the world.
Light (parallel light), PointLigt (point light source), SpotLight
(Spotlight) Three nodes are prepared. Here, a PointLigt node will be described as an example. The object is rotated on the third line so that it is easy to see how the light hits. Sample10 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: rotation 1 0 0 0.75 4: children [5: PointLight {6: location 0 0 2 #In front of object 7:} 8: Shape {9: geometry Cylinder { } 10:} 11:] 12:}

The appearance of the object differs depending on the position of the light source on the sixth row. In this example, a light source is placed in front of the object.

13. World Environment (1) Up to now, the explanation has mainly been about the creation of an object, but this time, how to use a node other than the creation of an object will be described. Although it is arbitrarily named as world environment, etc., it is not known whether such a term is common.
First, HeadLig provided by default in the browser
Try deleting ht. ON / OFF of HeadLight is
Can be changed with Option, but can also be set by writing in the file. Sample11 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: NavigationInfo {3: headlight FALSE 4:} 5: Transform {6: children [7: Shape {8: appearance Appearance {9: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0} 10:} 11: geometry Sphere {} 12:} 13:] 14:}

Looking at the option of the browser in this sample, the check of Headlight is unchecked. It can be seen that this sample is extremely darker than the previous samples. HeadLight is a light that always shines in the direction you are looking, and without it it looks like this.
Newly added NavigationInf on lines 2-4
o It is a node. Turn headlight ON / OFF by setting headlight field of this node to TRUE or FALSE
I do. By turning off HeadLight and setting an optional light, the brightness can be set effectively.

14. World Environment (2) The NavigationInfo node has several other fields. You can change the navigation method in the type field in it. By default
The navigation method set to WALK is FLY, which can move ignoring gravity, EXAMINE, which moves an object without moving itself, and NONE, which does not control anything. By the way, WALK is a navigation method that moves under the influence of gravity.

Sample12 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: NavigationInfo {3: type EXAMINE 4:} 5: Transform {6: children [7: Shape {8: appearance Appearance {9: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0}} 10:} 11: geometry Box {} 12:} 13:] 14:} This sample uses EXAMINE. Dragging an object with the mouse rotates the object.

15. Adding a title to a scene In HTML, a title can be given by surrounding it with a <title> tag. If you do not specify this tag, the title will be displayed as [http: //ryo1.is.kochi-u…howto3.html]. The same goes for VRML. In the previous samples, the path is displayed because no title is specified. Use the WorldInfo node to specify a title in VRML.

Sample13 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: WorldInfo {3: title "Spin Box" 4: info ["Autor H.Kan", "http://ryo1.is.kochi-u.ac.jp / "] 5:} 2: NavigationInfo {3: type EXAMINE 4:} 5: Transform {6: children [7: Shape {8: appearance Appearance {9: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0} 10:} 11: geometry Box {} 12:} 13:] 14:}

A WorldInfo node was added to the second to fifth lines. In this sample, the previous sample is called "Spin
(It was not displayed in the Plugin version.) The info field contains information other than the title, but does not change anything on the browser.

16. Changing the Viewpoint Position By default, the viewpoint is initially somewhere on the z-axis (depending on the placement of objects). Here, the initial viewpoint position can be changed to an arbitrary position.

Sample14 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Viewpoint {position xyz} 3: Transform {4: children [5: Shape {6: appearance Appearance {7: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0} 8:} 9 : geometry Sphere {} 10:} 11:] 12:} 13: Transform {14: translation -3 0 0 15: children [16: Shape {17: appearance Appearance {18: material Material {diffuseColor 0 1 0} 19: } 20: geometry Sphere {} 21:} 22:] 23:} 24: Transform {25: translation 3 0 0 26: children [27: Shape {28: appearance Appearance {29: material Material {diffuseColor 0 0 1} 30 :} 31: geometry Sphere {} 32:} 33:] 34:}

There is a red sphere at (0, 0, 0), a green sphere at (-3, 0, 0), and a blue sphere at (3, 0, 0). Viewpoin on line 2
If you specify specific coordinates in the position field of the t node, that will be the first viewpoint. However, the line of sight is always the direction of the z-axis.

17. Changing the direction of the line of sight In sample14, only the coordinates of the viewpoint are changed, but of course the line of sight can also be specified. Viewpoi when specifying direction
Use the nt node, but use the orientation field for the field. orientation field is SFRotation
This is a type field and has a point axis and a rotation angle as values.

18. Attaching Sensors Among VRML2.0 nodes, there is a node called a sensor node. Nodes for sensing and judging various things in the scene. There are seven types in total. This Web
Community Place Brows whose operation is checked on the page
er does not yet support some Sensor nodes. Here, we attach a TouchSensor to the object to detect whether the mouse hits the object.

Sample15 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: Transform {3: children [4: DEF TS TouchSensor {} 5: Shape {6: geometry Box {} 7:} 8:] 9:}

Only the fourth line differs from the previous samples. Here, TouchSens named TS
or is attached to the Box. When the mouse cursor touches the Box (the browser you use is Community Place
It should change to a hand (in a Browser) (the cursor may not change in some other browsers). By the way, nothing happens when you click.

19. Add Motion (1) VRML2.0 is significantly different from VRML1.0 in that it can add motion to a scene. Java for movement
There is a method using a script such as VRMLScript (JavaScript) or a method using an Interplator node. Let's start with the method using Interplator nodes. I
nterplate means “insert” or “interpolate”. Numeric, position, 3D with Interpolator node
You can add motion to the scene by changing the coordinates, direction, normals, and color values. Here we interpolate the direction
Try rotating the object using the OrientationInterpolator node.

Sample16 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: DEF OBJ Transform {3: children [4: Shape {5: geometry Box {size 2 3 1} 6:} 7:] 8:} 9: DEF TS TimeSensor {10: cycleInterval 1 11: loop TRUE 12: stopTime -1 13:} 14: DEF OI OrientationInterpolator {15: key [0, 0.125, 0.25,0.375, 0.5, 16: 0.625, 0.75, 0.875, 1,] 17: keyValue (0 1 0 0, 0 1 0 0.785, 0 1 0 1.57, 18: 0 1 0 2.355, 0 1 0 3.14, 0 1 0 -2.355, 19: 0 1 0 -1.57, 0 1 0 -0.785, 0 1 0 0] 20:} 21: ROUTE TS.fraction_changed TO OI.set_fraction 22: ROUTE OI.value_changed TO OBJ.set_rotation

First, names are given to some nodes. Lines 2, 9, and 14 define OBJ, TS, and OI, respectively. As will be described later, this is necessary when passing events. Look at lines 9-13. TouchSenso
r is a node that senses the passage of time, and can generate events at regular intervals as time passes. loop
The field is an SFBool field that takes TRUE or FALSE, and if TRUE, continues until stopTime. here
stopTime -1 and startTime (default is 0) and startT
Since it is smaller than ime, it will continue forever. Cyc for slower rotation
Increase the value of leInterval.

Lines 14 to 20 correspond to OrientationI
This is an nterpolator node. Every Interpolator node has two fields, key and keyValue. key sets the animation time interval between 0 and 1. keyValue sets a specific field value (here, MFRotation) at the interval set by key.
Here, the rotation time is set around the y-axis by dividing the animation time interval into nine equal parts.

However, it is not possible to add a motion to the scene by this alone. It is necessary to pass the event generated by TimeSensor node to OrientationInterpolator node. Look at lines 21,22. The event is passed on the line that starts with the keyword ROUTE. TimeSen
When sor TS starts, fraction_changed is evented out. When fraction_changed is evented out, it is evented in set_fraction of OrientationInterplator OI. This is the operation of ROUTE on line 21. Line 22 is the event_set_fraction
OrientationInterplator OI interpolates the value from the value and puts it into the translation field of the Transform OBJ.
Event out as e_changed. Here is another sample.

20. Add movement (2) This is a sample that moves when the object is clicked with the mouse. Positio interpolating position to move
Use the nInterpolator node. Sample17 1: #VRML V2.0 utf8 2: DEF OBJ Transform {3: children [4: DEF TS TouchSensor {} 5: Shape {6: appearance Appearance {7: material Material {diffuseColor 1 0 0} 8:} 9: geometry Box {} 10:} 11:] 12:} 13: DEF TIS TimeSensor {cycleInterval 5} 14: DEF PI PositionInterpolator {15: key [0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0] 16: keyValue [0 0 0, 0 0 -2, 0 2 -4, 0 4 -6, 2 4 -6, 4 2 -6] 17:} 18: ROUTE TS.touchTime TO TIS.set_startTime 19: ROUTE TIS.fraction_changed TO PI.set_fraction 20: ROUTE PI.value_changed TO OBJ.set_translation

Now, add a red cube named OBJ to T
ouchSenor TS is attached. When an object is clicked, the touchTime of TouchSenor TS changes to TimeSensor
Event is out at start time of TIS. The sample source does not have a startTime field in the TimeSensoe node, but it defaults to startTime 0
It has become. The rest is the same as the previous sample. Objects are moved by these ROUTEs.

Here, a mechanism for realizing an autonomous movement (Behavior) in a VRML virtual space, which is a function newly added in the second generation VRML 2.0 with respect to the first generation VRML 1.0. Outline.

In VRML 2.0, an object autonomously responds to an event that occurs in response to an operation on an object placed in the three-dimensional virtual reality space or a timer event that occurs when a preset time has elapsed. Movement can be realized. This Behavior mechanism is realized by the cooperative operation of the three elements of sensor, routing, and script.

That is, a sensor node described as a VRML file, which is previously associated with a node such as an object arranged in a three-dimensional virtual reality space, is set to an external event based on a change in the value of the field. And generate an event in the VRML scene. The generated event is transmitted to an external script, which is a program that defines the behavior of the object, based on the routing described as a VRML file. A method called when a specific event arrives is described in the external script in advance, and the external script that receives the event transmitted by the routing executes a process based on the description, and then executes the process result. Then, the value of the field of the corresponding node in the VRML scene is changed based on the description of the routing.

In VRML 2.0, as a sensor node, for example, a TouchSensor that generates an event when a pointing device passes over a specified object or is clicked by a user, or a ViewPoint in a specified area A ProximitySensor that generates an event when a (user's viewpoint) invades, a TimeSensor that is generated at a given time, or every time a predetermined time interval elapses, are defined.

The mechanism of Behavior will be described in more detail. As mentioned earlier, the Behavior mechanism consists of sensors, events, routing, and scripts.

The sensor is divided into two functions. -A type that senses user operations-A type that senses changes in the system

The type of sensor that senses the operation of the user is a switch by software associated with an object or the like arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space. For a type of sensor that senses a change in the system, a timer in which the operation time is set in advance is activated.
The function of the sensor is to detect these external events and
Converting it to an event inside VRML.

An event refers to data for transmitting information between related nodes inside VRML. Actually, a change in a field value described in the VRML file is transmitted as an event.

The routing is a mechanism for specifying to which node the event detected by the sensor function is to be transmitted, and specifies the information transmission route by the event.

The script is an event input / output port, which can perform some calculation from the input event and output the result as an event. Scripts are not limited to a specific language. At this stage, Java (a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.) and JavaScript, which are attracting attention in the Internet world, C language, which is often used in ordinary systems, Tcl / Tk and PERL, which are often used in UNIX, and Visual Basic language provided by Microsoft Corporation in the United States are supported. As described above, VRML 2.0 has specifications that do not depend on a specific script language. (While studying the VRML 2.0 specifications, VRMLScript was temporarily adopted as a specific language specification, but this concept has been canceled. T).

Next, with regard to the processing means of the Behavior, FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. If you diagram the behavior process,
As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the flow of the processing signal will be described for each part.

Sensor Node As described above, sensor nodes are roughly classified into two systems. A type that senses user operations,
It is a type of sensor that senses changes in the system.

The former sensor includes a sensor node such as TouchSensor or PlaneSensor which senses when a mouse is clicked on or passes through a three-dimensional object or its plane, and a set time comes as the latter sensor. And a TimeSensor that has a mechanism to generate an event is prepared.

In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that TouchSensor is attached to the sphere. At this time, when the user clicks the mouse on the ball, TouchSensor detects this event. This event is detected when the field value of the eventOut field of TouchSensor changes. Normally two events occur with a single mouse click. That is, the timing when the mouse button is pressed and the timing when the mouse button is released.

Next, this event is routed by the routing description part.

Routing "Route" as shown in FIG. 2 designates the routing of this event.

The event that occurred in the sensor description part is Ro
The event is passed to an external file by being transmitted to the eventOut field of the ute and further transmitted to the script node described below, and the Behavior function is executed.

Script node This node is a node that mediates the link between the VRML file and an external script. According to the description format of the script node, in what language it is described, to specify a file name, and to exchange events with external script files, use eventIn
Field and eventOut field are defined. At this time, the script files that can be used are Java, JavaScri
It covers a wide variety of languages, including pt, C, Tcl / Tk, PERL, and Visual Basic.

As the actual processing means, the routed event is transmitted to a script file described in a script node, and an external script file is executed. An external script file is received at eventIn (event entrance) defined therein, and executes the processing described in the file.
After the processing is completed, the result is returned from the eventOut (exit of the event) to the routing of the VRML file. The VRML file executes the returned result and returns a series of Behavior
The process ends.

By using such a mechanism of Behavior realized by the cooperative operation of the sensor, the routing, and the script, for example, an object simulating a switch arranged in a three-dimensional virtual reality space is clicked with a mouse. By doing so, the appearance (shape, posture, size,
Color, etc.), and behavior sequence, etc., can be dynamically changed.

For a detailed description of this Behavior mechanism, see http://webspace.sgi.com/moving-worlds/sp
ec / part1 / concepts.html and its Japanese version, ht
tp: //www.webcity.co.jp/info/andoh/VRML/vrml2.0/spe
August published at c-jp / part1 / concepts.html
4, The Virtual Reality Modeling Langu in 1996
age Version 2.0, ISO / IEC CD 14772 Specification, 4. It is disclosed in the Concepts section. This section describes the key concepts in using the VRML specification. How to combine nodes into the scene graph, how nodes generate and receive events, how to create node types with prototypes, how to add node types to VRML and export them for external use,
General items about various nodes are described, such as how to incorporate scripts that operate as programs into VRML files.

Next, by applying such a mechanism for realizing the autonomous movement (Behavior) of VRML 2.0, a virtual life object is created in a shared virtual space, and the virtual life object is generated according to the user's operation and time lapse. A growth parameter (appearance growth or internal growth (individuality)) that changes in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event is managed by a server, and based on the growth parameter transferred from the server, the appearance (shape, shape, (Posture, size, color, etc.) or one or both of the behavior sequence is interpreted and executed by a script program to dynamically change the display of virtual life objects according to the growth parameters. Details will be described below.

FIG. 3 is an overall system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 1, 2, and 3 denote client PCs (personal computers) on which a VRML browser and a WWW browser are installed and these are operating, and IPs (Internet connection service providers) 4, 5, and 6 Is connected to the Internet 7 via the Internet.

A WWW server 1 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 9 connected to the Internet 7 via a router 8.
0, a WLS (World Location Server) 11, and a shared server 12 are connected. Each of these servers 10 to 1
2 has hard disks (HDD) 10a, 10b, 11a, 1
2a are each provided.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the client PC 1.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 30 denotes a CP for controlling each unit.
U and 31 are VRML 2.0 files and Java (Sun Micros
VRML contents composed of a shared virtual life experience script program and the like by a trademark of ystems, and an experience parameter management table of an avatar (virtual life object) which is an alter ego of a user (client) of each client PC (described later using FIG. 8). HDD is stored, 32 is C
A CD-ROM drive for reading VRML content stored in the D-ROM disk 33, and a BIOS (Basic Input Output
Systems), etc., and the microphone 35 is a microphone 3
6 is a sound processing circuit in which left and right speakers 37 and 38 are connected. 39 is a MODE for connecting to the Internet 7.
M and 40 are I / Os to which a mouse 41 and a keyboard 42 are connected.
(Input / output) interface; 43, a graphics processing circuit with a built-in VRAM 44; 45, a CRT monitor;
Is RAM.

This RAM 46 stores Windows 95 data at the time of execution.
(Trademark of MicroSoft, USA) Netscape Navigator, a WWW browser running on Java, a Java interpreter, and Community Place Browser, a VRML 2.0 browser developed by Sony Corporation, are loaded and the CPU
30 is executed.

[0106] The VRML 2.0 browser includes a VR developed by the United States Silicon Graphics Corporation and released for free.
QvLib, a library (parser) for parsing ML,
RenderWare, which is a software renderer of Criterion Software Ltd. in the UK, etc., or a parser or renderer having equivalent functions are implemented.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the Community Place Browser is a Netscape Naviga as a WWW browser.
NCAPI (Netscape Client Applicati
Various data are transmitted and received based on onPrograming Interface (trademark).

Netscape Navigator is the Internet 7
When the HTML file and the VRML content (including the VRML file and the script program in Java) are supplied from the WWW server 10 via the
31 is stored. Netscape Navigator processes the HTML files and converts text and images to CRT.
While displaying on monitor 45, Community Place Browser
Processes VRML files and displays 3D virtual space on CRT monitor 4
5, the behavior of the object in the three-dimensional virtual space is changed according to the processing result of the script program by the Java interpreter.

Although not shown, the other client PCs 2 and 3 are also connected to the client PC 1.
It is configured similarly to.

Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described.

First, the procedure from actually downloading VRML contents via the Internet to setting up a multi-user environment in which one virtual space is shared by a plurality of users will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

In FIG. 5, as shown by reference numeral 1, first, a home page of a Web site providing VRML content is browsed using a WWW browser. In this example, http://pc.sony.co.jp/sapari/ is browsed. Next, as indicated by the number 2, the users of the client PC1 and the client PC2 are required to store the VRML 2.0 file and the VRM
Each VRML content including a script program (a growth script program using Java) for realizing an autonomous movement (Behavior) in the L space is downloaded.

Of course, provided on the CD-ROM disk 33
VRML contents may be read by the CD-ROM drive 32.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The CML and the client PC 2 are respectively downloaded and temporarily stored in the local HDD 31.
2.0file is a VRML 2.0 browser, Community Place
Browser interprets and executes, and as shown by number 3,
The WLS 11 is inquired of the URL of the shared server 12 based on VSCP (Virtual Society Server Client Protocol). At this time, as shown by the number 4, the WLS 11
Referring to the shared server URL management table stored in a,
The client PC 1 and the client PC 2 are notified of the URL of the shared server 12.

Using this URL, the client PC 1 and the client PC 2 connect to the shared server 12 as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown by the number 5, a shared message related to the position and movement of the shared 3D object is transmitted through the shared server 12, and the number 6 is transmitted.
As shown by, the transfer is performed, and a multi-user environment is realized.

For a detailed description of the above connection procedure, refer to JP-A-9-81781.

FIG. 8 shows the HDD 31 of each client PC.
The experience parameter management table for managing the experience parameters of the avatar which is the alter ego of the user of each client PC as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the data relating to the avatar's empirical parameters include a 3D object ID for uniquely specifying a 3D object in one virtual space, and a three-dimensional coordinate value of the avatar in the virtual space. The type of appearance of the avatar, such as a monkey or cat, selected by the user, its gender, the nickname given by the user, the date and time initialized by the user, that is, the date of the avatar's birthday, the virtual space created World name, and avatar experience parameters.

The empirical parameters are composed of growth parameters and acquisition parameters. The growth parameters are physical parameters that define the appearance growth of the avatar,
It is broadly divided into mental parameters for defining internal growth reflecting personality and the like.

The physical parameters are height (unit c)
m), body weight (unit: kg), body mass index, appetite index, health index, and stay time (unit time).

The mental parameters include an intelligence index, a language ability index, a sociality index, an independence index, an activity index, and a mood index.

These parameters include a timer event that occurs with the elapsed time from the date of birth initially set by the avatar, an operation event that occurs with the user's own operation, and a client P
Based on an operation event that occurs in response to an operation on his / her avatar in C, the value is sequentially updated to a value calculated by a predetermined growth parameter calculation formula.

The acquisition parameters are constituted by the points (points) acquired by the user's avatar in the virtual space, for example, in events such as fishing and marathon.

FIG. 9 shows the function of the action panel displayed adjacent to the main window of the VRML browser on the CRT monitor screen of the client PC 1.

In this figure, A is a “call button” described as (Active), which calls the avatar of the other party or his / her sleeping avatar (in this case, the avatar is, for example, a dog or the like). Clicked to wake up.)

B is a “good night button” written as (Sleep), which is clicked when putting one's avatar to sleep.

C is a "rice button" which is clicked when feeding a meal to the avatar of the other party.

D is a "praise button", which is clicked when laughing and praising the other party's avatar.

E is a "play button", which is used to play a so-called tag game after chasing the avatar of the opponent whose avatar becomes a demon and fleeing, and chase until the avatar of the opponent who cannot escape by hitting the wall. The button to be clicked.

[0130] F is a "warning button" which is clicked when scolding the avatar of the other party who does not hear what to say and performing discipline.

G is a “clean button”, which is clicked when brushing the other party's avatar to clean it.

Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, in own client PC1, in step S1,
When the "call button" A is clicked (when the action panel is operated), in step S2, an experience parameter (in this case, a growth parameter) update process is executed based on the operation event. As a result, the appetite index, health index, and mood index increased from 1/10 to 10/10
Up to 0.1 point increment. When the operation message is transmitted together with the updated avatar growth parameter, the shared server 12 receives the operation message in step S11, and transmits it to the partner client PC 2 in step S12.

Further, for example, every time the “rice button” C is clicked and the operation event occurs, the weight of the growth parameter increases, and accordingly, the physique index becomes 1
It is incremented by 0.1 points from / 10 to 10/10.

Thereafter, when a timer event occurs with the lapse of time, in step S2, the weight of the growth parameter decreases, and accordingly, the physique index is decremented by 0.1 point.

For example, every time the growth parameters including the physique index are updated, they are transferred to other client PCs sharing the virtual space by multicast processing of the shared server 12 in step S12.

In step S3, the client PC1 determines the avatar based on the growth parameters transmitted from the other client PC2 (transmitted by the reception processing in step S21 of the shared server 12 and the transfer processing in step S22). An experience (growth) script program in which a processing procedure for controlling autonomous behavior accompanying the growth of the game is described is executed. In step S4, each node constituting a 3D object for expressing an avatar of a VRML file is executed. The value of the field is changed, and in step S5, the avatar reflecting the changed value of the field is rendered and displayed on the main window of the VRML browser on the CRT monitor screen of the client PC1.

The same processing as that of the client PC 1 is executed in the other client PCs sharing the virtual space, whereby the avatar in which the values of the fields changed with the growth of the avatar are reflected is rendered. V on the CRT monitor screen of another client PC
It will also be displayed on the main window of the RML browser.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the relationship between part0 to part5 corresponding to each node constituting the 3D object for expressing the avatar of the VRML file (FIG. 11), and a display example (FIG. 12). part0 corresponds to the avatar's head, part1 corresponds to the avatar's torso, part2 and part3 correspond to the avatar's right and left arms, and part4 and part5 correspond to the avatar's right and left feet.

By changing the value of the field of each node corresponding to each of these parts 0 to 5, the appearance (shape, posture (direction), size, color, etc.) of each part of the avatar and the behavior sequence of each part are changed. Can be changed. These are all realized by processing of a growth script program based on growth parameters. That is, it is realized by using the Behavior mechanism realized by the cooperative operation of the sensor, the routing, and the script defined in VRML2.0.

Therefore, unlike the conventional method of displaying an image of a virtual creature of a portable electronic pet, it is not necessary to previously store the bitmap image of each stage in the growth process of the character of the virtual creature in the ROM. It is possible to continuously and dynamically change its physique and behavior according to the progress of growth.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for dynamically changing and displaying the avatar's physique in accordance with the growth of the avatar and the transition of the physique index. With aging, the face becomes an adult face and the physique increases, but if the physique index is small, the body becomes lean, and if it is large, the body becomes large.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing the avatar's expression dynamically changed and displayed according to the transition of the avatar's mood index. A high mood index results in a laughing face, while a low mood index results in an angry face.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of dynamically changing and displaying the behavior sequence of each part of the avatar according to the transition of the avatar's activity index. When the activity index is small, only movement of the legs can be performed, but when it is large, the hand can shake or shake the head.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the display of the avatar with the addition of hair or glasses with the transition of the avatar's intelligence index.

Here, the intelligence index of the growth parameter is incremented by 0.1 point based on an access event accompanying the operation of the “call button” A shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, this affects the appearance of the avatar.

The language index is represented by a “call button” A shown in FIG.
It is incremented by 0.1 point according to the age of the avatar based on the access event and timer event associated with the operation of the avatar, and according to the age increase of the avatar, when executing the text-based chat text editing process, the text style Affect.

The sociability index is incremented or decremented by 0.1 point in accordance with the frequency of chatting with the avatar of the other party. Affects avatar behavior. An avatar with a sociable, cheerful and aggressive personality will have a better posture and complexion, while a avatar with an introverted, darker and passive personality will have a worse posture and complexion.

The independence index is incremented in increments of 0.1 points according to the age increase of the avatar based on the timer event, and affects the behavior of the avatar such that the user gradually stops listening to the user.

The activity index is determined based on the age, appetite index, health index, and the like, and affects the behavior of the avatar as shown in FIG. In addition, based on the occurrence of an operation event associated with the operation of the "play button" E shown in FIG. The body weight is reduced and the body mass index is decremented to give a dynamic change to its appearance as shown in FIG.

The mood index is calculated using the “call button” A shown in FIG.
Is determined based on an access event based on an access event associated with the operation or a timer event, and affects the expression of the avatar as shown in FIG.

As a result, for example, in the case of a spontaneous action such as talking in a chat, the degree of internal growth is incremented by one, and in the case of a passive action such as talking, the decrement is decremented by one. When the "praise button" D is clicked, the value is incremented by 5, and when the "appropriate button" F is clicked, the value is decremented by 5, etc., so that a good adult can be removed from the toddler baby. You can change the appearance of avatars according to their age until they become old.

FIG. 17 shows another example of the change corresponding to the avatar growth parameter. In this example, the avatar is a human being, changed into a baby, child, adolescent, adult, or old man, and reincarnated to return from the old man to the baby again.

The changes that occur according to the age (cumulative value of the stay time in the virtual space) as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 are relatively gradually performed. In other words, the external shape before the change can be imagined to some extent from the external shape after the change, and each user can recognize the relevance to some extent. However, if the avatar changes as shown in FIG. 17, it becomes difficult for each user to imagine the identity of the avatar before and after the change.

For example, when the avatar shown as a child in FIG. 17 walks in the virtual space and once hides in the shadow of a building, and after a few seconds, it reappears from the shadow of the building, If the child changed from a child to an adolescent, the adolescent would have difficulty recognizing the same avatar as a child a few seconds ago, and would recognize that another avatar had appeared become.

Therefore, in such a case, the update of the growth parameter can be performed after the avatar has once left the virtual space. FIG.
Represents a processing example in this case.

That is, first, in step S41, when the avatar starts to stay in the virtual space again, the accumulated value of the stay time up to the previous time (remaining life time) is read from the growth parameter of the experience parameter management table.
Then, the avatar corresponding to the age (remaining life time) is read, and in step S42, the type of the avatar and the stay time read in step S41 are transmitted to another client PC via the shared server 12. Notified.
Therefore, an avatar image corresponding to the staying time (age) is displayed on the CRT monitor of another client PC.

Next, the process proceeds to a step S43, where it is determined whether or not the avatar has logged out of the virtual space (whether or not it has left). If the avatar has not departed from the virtual space, the process proceeds to step S44, and processing for adding the current stay time to the current stay time is performed.
In step S45, a process of storing the calculation result performed in step S44 as the stay time of the growth parameter in the experience parameter management table is executed. That is, the stay time of the avatar is updated in step S45. Thereafter, the process returns to step S43, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed. The process of accumulating the stay time in steps S43 to S45 is performed at regular intervals (for example, one minute). If it is determined in step S43 that the avatar has left the virtual space, the process ends.

That is, in this case, once the avatar stays in the virtual space, the outer shape of the avatar changes during the continuous stay due to the staying time (age) of the avatar. The same outer shape (age) is used until the user leaves the virtual space once. Therefore, it is prevented that the external shape of the avatar changes during the same stay cycle period, and the identity is lost.

Then, when the avatar leaves the virtual space and starts staying in the virtual space again, it appears as an avatar having an outer shape corresponding to the accumulated value of the stay time up to the previous stay cycle.

The stay time of the avatar in the virtual space may be stored in a predetermined area in a registry that manages information on the system settings of Windows 95, for example. The contents of this registry can be read and written in text file format.

The above principle is not limited to the case where the external shape of the avatar changes greatly, but also changes the height, weight, facial features, fashion, etc. according to the staying time (age), and changes the beard, hair, etc. The present invention can also be applied to a case where it is changed according to the stay time.

In the case where the avatar has a voice conversation with another avatar user using the voice chat function, the effect added to the voice is reduced from the young voice corresponding to the staying time. You may make it change into a voice.

Further, when a conversation is performed using characters by the text chat function, the characters (fonts)
May be circled when the staying time is short, and may be changed to Mincho font as the staying time increases, and a line or cursive letter may be used for the staying time corresponding to the old age.

Next, examples of acquisition parameters will be described. Now, it is assumed that the avatar comes to the sea in the virtual space and goes fishing. When the avatar moves to a place near the sea in the virtual space, an image of the sea as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the CRT monitor of the user of the avatar. As shown in the figure, fish are swimming in this sea. For example, FIG.
For example, an image of the sea as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the CRT monitor of the child avatar user shown in FIG.

The processing when the avatar of a predetermined user fishes in this sea is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In addition, the fishing that the avatar performs, the user of the avatar,
This is performed by clicking a predetermined fish to be moved with the mouse.

First, in step S61, it is determined whether or not a fish has been caught. If the fish has not been caught, the process proceeds to step S66, and it is determined whether the fishing has been completed. If the fish has not been caught, the process returns to step S61, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S61 that the user has caught the fish by successfully clicking the fish swimming in the sea, the process proceeds to step S62, where the size of the fish caught is determined.
Points corresponding to the type are calculated. The larger the fish, the larger the points, and the more expensive the fish, the larger the points. The point calculated in step S62 is added to the score currently held by the avatar in step S63, and is stored as the fishing score of the acquisition parameter.

Next, in step S64, a modified product corresponding to the current score calculated in step S63 is searched, and a process of modifying the modified product is executed. That is, in the VRML2.0 file of the HDD 31 of the client PC, an image obtained by modifying this modified product is prepared in advance,
The user's avatar is changed from the previous avatar to an avatar in which a modified product is modified (added) to the avatar.

For example, the external shape of the avatar is shown in FIG.
Assuming that the outer shape is as shown in FIG. 2, when the fishing score reaches a predetermined value, the avatar is changed to an avatar obtained by modifying the previous avatar with a bow tie, as shown in FIG. If the score is further increased, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the avatar is modified to an avatar modified with a medal instead of a bow tie. When the score is further increased, instead of the medal, as shown in FIG. 25, the avatar is modified to the crown. An avatar shown in FIG. 22;
As is clear from the comparison of the avatars shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the avatar before the modification of the modified product and the avatar after the modification of the modified product have the same identity. By comparing the avatar in a state where the modified product is not modified with the avatar in a state where the modified product is modified, it is possible to recognize that both are the same avatar. This is different from the example in which the avatar itself is modified (changed) due to the growth parameters in FIG.

Further, in step S65, the updated acquisition parameters calculated in step S63 are:
Other clients are notified via the shared server 12.
As a result, the image on the CRT monitor of another client PC is changed to an avatar obtained by modifying a modified product corresponding to the score.

Next, in step S66, it is determined whether or not the phishing has been completed. If not, the process returns to step S61, and the same processing is repeatedly performed. If it is determined in step S66 that the phishing has ended, the process ends.

The modification of the modified product differs for each event (experience). Therefore, each user has a bow tie, medal,
Alternatively, the avatar modifying the crown decoration can be recognized as an avatar experiencing fishing. An avatar who likes fishing can quickly and easily find other avatars having the same hobby in the virtual space, based on the modified product.
If necessary, you can talk to the avatar and enjoy chatting.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show examples of this chat. In other words, in this display example, the chats "Can you fish?", "I can't help you", and "Go for it" are performed.

As described above, the obtained parameters are immediately notified to other avatars when the avatar obtains a predetermined score. That is, the process in this case is performed as shown in FIG. Even if the acquisition parameters change, the avatar's outer shape is only changed to the state in which the qualifier has been modified (since the avatar's identity before and after the change can be confirmed). The user does not feel uncomfortable.

[0175] In addition, as a modified product, a hat, a jacket, a fishing rod, a lure, and the like can be used.

In addition to fishing, for example, avatars that have won a contest such as a marathon or golf can be modified with various modified products.

[0177] In this manner, a change closer to reality can be enjoyed in the shared virtual space.

The computer programs for executing the above various processes can be provided by recording them on a floppy disk, CD-ROM disk, or other recording medium, or by transmitting them via the Internet. .

[0179]

As described above, according to the client apparatus of the first aspect, the image display control method of the eighth aspect, and the transmission medium of the ninth aspect, the client apparatus exists in the shared virtual space. Since the virtual life object as the alter ego of the client is modified in accordance with the experience parameter that changes according to the occurrence of a predetermined event, the experience of the virtual life object in the shared virtual space can be easily and reliably measured. It is possible to make the user recognize.

According to the shared virtual space providing apparatus of the tenth aspect, the shared virtual space providing method of the eleventh aspect, and the transmission medium of the twelfth aspect, the updated information is provided from the first client apparatus. Since the experience parameter is transmitted to the second client device when the experience parameter is transmitted, a shared virtual space that allows each user to easily recognize the experience of the virtual life object in the shared virtual space is provided. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship among sensors, events, routing, and scripts.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating routing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a shared virtual space providing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a client PC 1 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of a display illustrating the operation of the system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a photograph of a display illustrating the operation of the system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a photograph of a display illustrating the operation of the system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an experience parameter management table.

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a display illustrating an action panel.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining exchange of growth parameters.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an avatar node forming a 3D object.

FIG. 12 is a photograph of a display showing a display example corresponding to the node shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an avatar physique index.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an avatar's mood index.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an avatar activity index.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an avatar's intelligence index.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a change in the shape of an avatar.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing the shape of an avatar as shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a photograph showing a display example of a display in a shared virtual space.

FIG. 20 is a photograph showing a display example of a display in a shared virtual space.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a fishing game process.

FIG. 22 is a photograph showing a display example of a display in a shared virtual space.

FIG. 23 is a photograph showing a display example of a display in a shared virtual space.

FIG. 24 is a photograph showing a display example of a display in a shared virtual space.

FIG. 25 is a photograph showing a display example of a display in a shared virtual space.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-3 client PC, 7 Internet,
10 WWW server, 12 shared server, 30 CPU,
31 hard disk, 39 modem, 45 CR
T monitor, 46 RAM

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A client device which receives information of a shared virtual space from a server together with another client device, wherein a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in the shared virtual space responds to occurrence of a predetermined event. A storage unit that stores an experience parameter table that manages an experience parameter that changes according to the following conditions: a transfer unit that transfers the experience parameter of the virtual life object as a self-alteration to another client device via the server; Interpreting means for interpreting a script for modifying the virtual life object based on the experience parameter transferred from the client device via the server; and a virtual life corresponding to the experience parameter based on the interpretation of the interpreting means. Control to control the display of the object Client device; and a stage. 2. The client device according to claim 1, wherein the experience parameter includes an acquisition parameter calculated based on a score obtained by the virtual life object in the shared virtual space. 3. The client device according to claim 2, wherein the virtual life object is displayed with a new decoration added in accordance with the acquisition parameter. 4. The client device according to claim 2, wherein when the acquisition parameter of the experience parameter table is updated, the transfer unit transfers the updated acquisition parameter at that time. 5. The experience parameter further includes a growth parameter calculated based on a cumulative value of a stay time of the virtual life object in the shared virtual space,
The client device according to claim 2, wherein the virtual life object is modified according to the growth parameter. 6. The transfer means transfers, when the virtual life object starts staying in the shared virtual space, a growth parameter calculated based on an accumulated value of stay time immediately before the start of the stay. The client device according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The client device according to claim 1, wherein a voice of a voice chat or a font of a text chat of the virtual life object is changed according to the experience parameter. 8. A method for controlling image display of a client device receiving information of a shared virtual space from a server together with another client device, wherein a predetermined virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in the shared virtual space is provided. A storage step of storing an experience parameter table for managing an experience parameter that changes in accordance with the occurrence of an event; and a transfer for transferring the experience parameter of the virtual life object as its own self to another client device via the server. Interpreting a script that qualifies the virtual life object based on the experience parameter transferred from another client device via a server; and interpreting the experience based on the interpretation in the interpreting step. Virtual life object according to parameters Image display control method characterized by comprising a control step of controlling so as to display the transfected. 9. A computer program for use in a client device that receives information of a shared virtual space from a server together with another client device, the computer program comprising: a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in the shared virtual space; Storing an experience parameter table for managing an experience parameter that changes in response to the occurrence of the event, and transferring the experience parameter of the virtual life object as a self-alteration to another client device via the server. A transfer step, an interpretation step of interpreting a script that qualifies the virtual life object based on the experience parameter transferred from another client device via a server, and, based on the interpretation in the interpretation step, Temporary according to experience parameters Transmission medium characterized by transmitting the computer program and a control step of controlling so as to display a life object. 10. A shared virtual space providing device for providing information of a shared virtual space to a plurality of client devices, wherein the first client device is configured to include a virtual life object as an alter ego of a user existing in the shared virtual space. Receiving means for receiving an experience parameter corresponding to the accumulated value of the score transmitted when the score is obtained in the shared virtual space; and transferring means for transferring the experience parameter received by the receiving means to a second client device. And a shared virtual space providing apparatus. 11. A shared virtual space providing method for a shared virtual space providing apparatus for providing information of a shared virtual space to a plurality of client apparatuses, wherein the first client apparatus is a user who is present in the shared virtual space. A receiving step of receiving an experience parameter corresponding to an accumulated value of the score transmitted when the virtual life object obtains a score in the shared virtual space; and transmitting the experience parameter received in the receiving step to a second client. Transferring to a device. 12. A computer program for use in a shared virtual space providing device for providing information of a shared virtual space to a plurality of client devices, wherein the first client device is a user who exists in the shared virtual space. A receiving step of receiving an experience parameter corresponding to an accumulated value of the score, which is transmitted when the virtual life object obtains a score in the shared virtual space, and transmitting the experience parameter received in the receiving step to a second client. Transmitting a computer program comprising a transfer step of transferring to a device.