KR100957858B1 - Avatar presenting method and computer readable medium processing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an avatar expression apparatus and method for expressing the reaction and facial expression of an avatar implemented in three dimensions in a natural, explicit, and intense manner. Properly provided, it can increase immersion through realistic interactions.

Virtual reality, avatar, expression, emotion, situation, conversation, 3D

Description

AVATAR PRESENTING METHOD AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM PROCESSING THE METHOD}

The present invention relates to an avatar expression method, and more particularly, to an avatar expression method for expressing the reaction and facial expression of an avatar implemented in three dimensions in a natural, explicit and intense manner, and to a computer-readable recording medium capable of implementing the same. will be.

Various 3D online games have become common due to the rapid development of computer computing function and graphic processing capability and popularization of high speed internet line. Unlike games that need to achieve a specific game purpose, 3D realization of real life space and virtual reality through it A new concept of "living virtual reality" service for experience is also being commercialized and expanding.

Among them, "life-type virtual reality", the most visible growth, is recognized for its potential through the emergence of the popular "second life" online service, and foreshadows the emergence of similar "life-type virtual reality" services.

Such a service that provides an environment similar to real life without a specific mission or quest to replace real life in virtual space should be able to provide a three-dimensional stereoscopic space that is similar to reality or difficult to find in reality. In addition, various user interactions and natural user avatars should be implemented. In addition, due to the nature of a mixed service environment, the provision of various applications that can induce interest of users and the discovery of applications that can combine real-life enjoyment with virtual space also have a great impact on service utilization.

One of the factors that determine the initial impression or satisfaction of the life type virtual reality service is the user's immersion in the avatar. In general, the more the user feels the same as the avatar, the higher the immersion and loyalty of the corresponding service and the higher the satisfaction. In particular, when the user's avatar is always expressed in the center of the service, the shape of the avatar, the variety of composition, and the naturalness of the action become a major factor in determining the degree of immersion of the avatar in place of the user in the virtual space.

As is widely known, since avatars have meanings of their self-incarnations or incarnations, it is desirable to express themselves similarly or to express ideal types that they think are ideal. And the way to provide the appearance to slightly modify the basic form of the ideal appearance is the trend. On the other hand, there is a case in which a simple avatar is provided, but this is not suitable for a service requiring immersion because it is a character for various services rather than an avatar which is the incarnation of the user.

The appearance of the avatar is determined according to the user's selection, and the appearance and attire of the avatar are determined to reflect the user. The methods used in the virtual reality service are largely divided into a morphing method and a mapping method.

Figure 1 shows a representative morphing avatar, it provides a realistic form as shown, there is an advantage that can increase the sense of unity by setting the appearance close to the actual user by themselves. However, in the case of the morphing method, various elements such as the head, the face, and the hairstyle must be set through numerical input or bar adjustment, so that the manipulation is difficult to make a desired shape and the difference between the finally obtained avatars is small. There is a problem. In other words, individuality or discrimination is insufficient compared to the effort. In addition, when the entire figure of the avatar appears because it is close to the actual body size, it is difficult to easily recognize the change of expression or face, and thus the expression power is low when the avatars communicate with each other.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of generating a mapping method avatar for configuring an avatar in a simple form. As shown in FIG. 2, the tool 10 for selecting a face shape selects the overall face shape 11 and then the corresponding face shape 11. When specific examples 12 of) appear, one can determine the face shape and features, such as the illustrated avatars 14, 15 on the right, by selecting one of them. However, since only a simple form can be selected as shown, the reality is lowered, and the immersion is also lowered.

Figure 3 also shows an example of mapping method avatar generation, it is possible to select the three-dimensional shape and features, but only a slight shape change based on the basic shape is possible. This makes it easy to construct a beautiful avatar as a whole, but in this case the difference between the avatars is lowered.

FIG. 4 shows four examples in which the face shape is differently selected in the actual service using the avatar generation method as shown in FIG. 3. Even though the face shape is differently selected, the overall feeling is almost similar and the difference is extremely low. .

Therefore, it can be seen that the avatar generation should be suitable for the purpose of the service, but also to distinguish between users and to facilitate configuration.

Meanwhile, the current virtual reality service focuses on imitating real life through various basic functions such as productive activities of user avatars, use of various applications in which user avatars participate, transactions between avatars, and production of items. However, life-type virtual reality services that include some objectives have appeared by specializing them and assigning them to specific objectives. However, these services are provided based on the avatars' activities to solve the objectives. Difficult to manipulate as desired and limited in expression.

The object of the present invention, which is newly proposed to improve the lack of the avatar expression provided in the life-type virtual reality service as described above, is to variously specialize the expression for the interaction between the avatars and to provide it appropriately through a simple operation. The present invention provides an avatar expression method that provides immersive feelings by providing highly realistic interactions and a computer-readable recording medium capable of implementing the same.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to configure interactions with a plurality of avatars and spatial items automatically in consideration of changes in the environment, which are regarded as proximity and physical changes, as well as specific interactions specified by the user. The present invention provides an avatar expression method that enables simple, complex and various expressions through automatic and passive interactions, and a computer-readable recording medium capable of implementing the same.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to set an external appearance for a specific expression when setting the appearance of the avatar so that the user can directly specify an expression for a specific situation, and a computer-readable computer capable of implementing the same. It is to provide a recording medium that can be.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method of expressing an avatar by registering a specific interaction, behavior, or facial expression change as an item to utilize the corresponding expression, and a computer-readable recording medium embodying the same. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, the avatar expression method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of generating the digital content by the user to select the expression elements of the digital content on behalf of the service user; An event receiving step of outputting the digital content on a predetermined space and receiving event information generated according to an interaction with other digital content arranged in the space, an environment change of the space, and a user's instruction; And outputting and expressing the digital content by changing a preset expression element corresponding to the event type based on the received event information.

In this case, the expressing may further include providing event information according to the event information when the change of the expression element is related to interaction with other digital content.

The event receiving step may be performed by changing an expression element of another digital content.

The method may further include receiving event information, wherein the expressing of the event information may include directly selecting a changeable recommendation expression element based on event information if the received event information is of a type in which the expression element change is not preset. It may further comprise providing a state.

The generating step may include generating a user avatar by setting expression elements for an external appearance of the avatar used to represent the user as the digital content, wherein the expression elements are general, noble, no, favorite, and rock. The operation may be set differently according to at least one or more situations.

On the other hand, in the generating step, the expression elements replace individual expression elements that constitute the body of the avatar, detachable elements such as clothes or jewelry, movements for a specified situation, facial expressions for a specified situation, and existing expression elements for a specified situation. It may include at least one or more of the emphasis expression elements provided in addition or.

In the event receiving step, the predetermined space is a space for the digital content user to invite another digital content user or a space that digital content can visit, and the interaction with the other digital content is the action of other digital content. At least one of a response to, a response to proximity to other digital content, and an action that produces a physical effect according to a particular purpose with other digital content.

The environmental change of the space in the event receiving step maximizes the realism in response to various environmental / physical changes, including at least one of weather change, temperature change, and physical structure change that may occur in the space.

The preset expression element that is changed and output is a representation element managed as a separate item as a series of operation patterns of the digital content, and may use a familiar item management scheme.

In addition, the digital content is an avatar having at least one of the areas corresponding to the face and the limbs, and the expression step is when the area corresponding to at least one of the face and the limbs is reduced according to a change in the display method of the digital content. In addition, by expanding and displaying at least one of the face and the limbs at a preset ratio in a preset range, the observation range of the expression change may be extended, thereby enabling the dialogue between avatars utilizing the expression change.

In addition, the avatar expression method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the avatar expression method in the three-dimensional virtual reality service capable of interaction or action between avatars on behalf of the service user, the user of the expression elements of the avatar for one or more situations Generating a user avatar by selecting; Outputting the user avatar in a preset virtual space and operating according to a user's instruction, the event including change information of a predetermined level among changes in the space and other avatars or digital contents in the space and changes in the user avatar. An output step of receiving and transmitting information; It may include a setting step of setting the expression elements to replace some of the expression elements for each situation.

And a presentation step of applying the expression element set in the setting step to the user avatar based on the change information included in the event information received in the output step and the user designation information.

The presenting may further include providing recommended expression elements in a state where direct selection of recommended expression elements is possible based on the event information when there is no preset expression element in the setting step corresponding to the change information of the event information.

Here, the expressing step may further include automatically restoring a previous state of the avatar by removing at least some of the expression elements applied to the avatar when a preset time or exposure condition is satisfied.

In addition, the recording medium according to another embodiment of the present invention contains a program for performing the above-described avatar expression method.

Such recording media includes all types of recording media on which programs and data are stored so that they can be read by a computer system. Examples include Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Compact Disk (CD), Digital Video Disk (DVD) -ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage devices, and the like. It also includes implementations in the form of (eg, transmission over the Internet). In addition, these recording media can be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Avatar expression method and a computer-readable recording medium that can implement the same according to an embodiment of the present invention by providing a variety of special expressions for interaction between the avatar to provide appropriately through a simple operation to provide a realistic interaction Providing has the effect of increasing the immersion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method of representing an avatar and a computer-readable recording medium embodying the same may automatically consider interactions with a plurality of avatars and spatial items in consideration of changes in an environment considered as proximity and physical change. In addition to the specific interactions, the user can designate and perform a simple and diverse expression through automatic and passive interactions, thereby maximizing the efficiency of communication between avatars. .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an avatar expression method and a computer-readable recording medium embodying the same may additionally set an appearance for a specific expression when the appearance of the avatar is set so that a user may directly specify an expression for a specific situation. By doing so, it is possible to provide exaggerated or dramatic effects depending on the situation, thereby enabling communication that is similar or more effective to reality.

Avatar expression method according to an embodiment of the present invention and a computer-readable recording medium that can implement the same expression such as purchasing or presenting a variety of expression changes by registering a specific interaction, behavior, facial expression changes, etc. as an item While managing changes systematically, service providers have the effect of increasing commercial viability.

Avatar expression method and a computer-readable recording medium that can implement the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention can be arbitrarily added or generated a variety of expression changes, and can be obtained in the manner of purchase, gift, acquisition, etc. It is possible to emphasize their own personality through the avatar expression, and to generate and sell the expression of the avatar, thereby inducing the participation of the service user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for representing an avatar in a virtual reality system. As shown in FIG. 5, an avatar 101 having a shape similar to a human is basically used, and in some cases, another avatar corresponding to the human may be used.

In the simple avatar 101 shown in the figure, a tag 102 for indicating a user and a basic menu appearing when the avatar 101 or the tag 102 are selected are shown. Editing items and basic action items for moving an avatar in virtual reality are shown.

Of course, in the case of a simple operation can be directly controlled through an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, it is also possible to control complex and various detailed operations through a shortcut key. However, since expression is more important than such activity, it is desirable that these operations are not too complex.

6 illustrates a basic example of an expression method of avatars according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, a virtual space in which a predetermined avatar or a specific avatar user can invite another avatar to participate in a plurality of avatars is shown. This is the case when a plurality of avatars have a conversation in the space of.

In recent years, virtual reality services in most cases provide realistic virtual experiences such as building a house, working, moving like a real life in a real street or a city, but in this case, they are skilled enough to learn the contents of the service and pursue fun. Difficult Therefore, the necessity of a partial life type virtual reality service that can be used easily and quickly through simple purpose and simplified operation is increasing.

In the present embodiment, the main services are mutual exchanges and conversations, which are a part of life, and additionally, interactions, interactions, and interactions with avatars that are most important when providing services that provide various amusement facilities or common play spaces. Here is an example that can provide expression in a variety of simple ways.

In the illustrated case, when the user of the first avatar 101 communicates with the user of the other avatars 111 and 121, the chat contents may be mutually transmitted through the chat window, similar to a messenger, and thus a basic conversation may be performed. On the other hand, the user may supplement or supplement the contents transmitted through the characters through gestures or body contact, rather than simple characters through their avatars, and may transmit information (state, mood, specific information) not through the characters.

In particular, the various interactions that can be performed when there is a counterpart can enjoy interactions that are difficult to do in real situations, rather than simple conversations. In this case, since the interaction is necessary for the other party, when the first avatar 101 user wants to interact with the third avatar 121 user, the third avatar 121 selects the third avatar 121 or the tag 122 of the corresponding avatar. Select) to display the menu 125, then select Interaction to display the submenu 126, and select the desired interaction item from the menu to perform the corresponding operation. Looking at the items of the submenu 126 of the interaction, it can be seen that the operation must have a counterpart, such as 'handshake', 'greeting', 'hugging' ... 'formal greeting'.

On the other hand, such an operation may be performed simply by designation, but may not be performed by the physical environment. For example, when looking at another place or when there is an obstacle in the arranged space, selecting 'greeting' does not work. You can make it more realistic.

Therefore, the avatar of the user can be manipulated through an input means such as a keyboard or a mouse or by selecting a tag to call a menu and then specifying an item (FIG. 5). You can select and perform a specific action. In this case, the interaction can be made only when the other party receives the request for the interaction and permits it.

On the other hand, although not shown, since the interaction refers to the operation of the avatar, a specific operation may be edited and registered as a sub-item of the interaction, and may be treated as a new item.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a screen of a virtual reality service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of avatars 101 and 111 and a space item 131 may be referred to as a virtual space 200. Specific objects can be placed. The space item 131 may be arranged by a user or a service provider who creates a corresponding space and may interact with the avatars 101 and 111.

In the illustrated case, the user of the first avatar 101 can display and use a user interface 107 having an independent movement item for his avatar 101 as shown in the figure. Various interactions may be performed on the second avatar 111 through the menu 117 including the interaction and the submenu 118. Meanwhile, the spatial item 131 may be interacted with through the menu 132 that may be interacted with.

Meanwhile, in order to increase the virtual reality in the space, the space 200, the avatars 101, 111, and the space item 131 in the space may be configured to be affected by a physical environment, for example, the first avatar 101. When the user has his avatar sit on the space item 131, if the path is blocked or the location of the space item is difficult to sit on (top of a specific object, upside down, etc.), it may not be performed. have. This may similarly be applied to interactions with other avatars.

The user of the first avatar 101 may check a variety of user information such as online / away / offline connection status or his / her cyber money, login information, rating, etc. through the personal information area 210 as shown. The chat window 220 may exchange information with other avatars and text. In addition, as a status bar, a navigation bar 230 may be used to know spatial information or to instruct space movement, and an auxiliary icon bar 240 may easily instruct a specific function or expression change. have. In addition, a general management menu may be called through the general management bar 250 to change a setting or check a usage. Note that these various additional configurations may be varied in various ways, and thus the present invention is not limited to these changes.

That is, through the above-described configuration, it is possible to perform simple actions, interactions, and conversations, and to chat with each other by managing a variety of states while accessing and interacting with an avatar of a partner with a simple mouse operation through an intuitive interface. do. Dynamic dialogues are possible with this basic system configuration using avatars, but since the reality is quite low, there is a need to provide a new expression method for expressing avatars individually.

As the chat window 220, the user concentrates and manipulates the basic means of the actual conversation. An input window 221 for inputting a character and a transmission button for transmitting the input character exist and have their own emotions. Emotional expression means 222 may be added to cause the avatar to express the expression instead. As shown through the emotion expressing means 222, an additional sub-menu window 223 may be displayed to select an emotion item to be expressed by the user, and the first avatar 101 may gesture through this instruction. Show emotion by changing facial expressions.

Some of these emotional expressions can be automatically performed, for example, to make a happy emotional state when greeting by avatars, or to be shy or loving when interacting with a hug or kiss. When a specific emotion is expressed, or a corresponding emotion state is set accordingly, corresponding actions such as interaction, independence, and emotional expression of the opponent avatar may be automatically performed. Of course, the auto-response level can be set by the user and can be made completely manual.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, in order to make the expression method of the avatar more rich and easy to use and manage, the comprehensive expression change method including the emotional expression may be added / modified / selected / released / discarded in the form of items. Configure it to be possible.

The expression change of the avatar according to the emotional expression may use a method provided by the service system as the expression change according to the emotion, but in this case, since all avatars respond to the same emotional expression, the personality is lost and the reality is lowered. . For example, similarly to the expression "fun" in text chat, when everyone says "^^", the presentation changes can be configured to make all avatars laugh in the same way (for example, to change eyes and mouth to smile). The degree of enjoyment and personality can be ignored.

Therefore, as described above, the user can add items for the expression of emotion by himself, so that the specific kind of emotion can be diversified. On the other hand, it is also possible to change the avatar expression method according to the emotion expression in other ways, and basically, the user can change the avatar expression change according to the emotion expression that is presented to another kind of expression method to change the avatar expression method required for the conversation. To maximize the degree of freedom. This will be described again with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the avatar expression scheme, in which the avatar's face 310, hand 320, and foot 330 are larger than the body ratio. It can be provided automatically on the system in an expression manner that suits the purpose of the virtual reality system. Of course, depending on the user's settings it can be determined whether or not to use the level.

This is an example of how various avatars in a specific space can express their expressions, gestures, and gestures as a means of expressing emotions or communicating in a virtual reality service aimed at 'meeting'. When the communication expression of the avatar is difficult to see through the change of, the avatar expression change as described above may appear. That is, when the area corresponding to at least one of the face and the limbs is reduced, at least one of the face and the limbs is enlarged and displayed at a preset ratio in a preset range to extend the observation range of the expression change. It is easier to check the expression change.

9 shows an example for changing the avatar expression and may be applied as a method for giving a personality by allowing a user to determine the basic emotional expression described above. That is, the user can set expression elements such as the body representing the avatar's appearance differently according to various situations during the creation or use of the avatar, so that when the basic avatar is set, it is not a uniform expression change that is automatically provided for a specific situation. It is possible to induce a change in expression.

As shown in the figure, when the facial expression 110 of the basic avatar is selected, the facial expression for each situation can also be specified by the user. For example, the user can arbitrarily select settings for the facial expression elements when they are happy. Can be. Of course, since the appearance of the avatar may be completely different, it may not be able to maintain consistency, and there may be a partial restriction such as maintaining the face shape and changing only the internal neck and face color.

Since the expression element settings for each situation can be changed during use unlike the basic avatar, the expression set can be managed as a single item as if the clothing set is designated. For example, it is possible to set expressions according to a little pleasure, a lot of pleasure, and then register them as items and select an item to be used now. This can be changed in conjunction with individual item selection or mode settings (joy, depression, anger, etc.). Such a mode setting may be classified into an overall emotional state of the user, and item selection for each emotion may vary according to the mode.

If you apply this, you can express your personality by changing the expression of the avatar with the item set for the situation instead of applying the fixed expression of pleasure provided by the system when the expression is changed to a pleasant state. It can be expressed differently according to the mode (overall emotion). On the other hand, by exchanging a message according to an event to be described later, the other party can confirm the type of expression change, thereby reducing the misunderstanding of interpreting the individual expression differently from the intention.

Fig. 10 shows an example of automatic expression change, which is an example of force majeure change by the laws of physics. In the service mainly for dialogue between the avatars, the use of items between the avatars or the expression change according to the change of the environment is a part that can give a little fun, for example, when another avatar pours water or rain due to a change in the spatial environment. When a specific situation change, that is, an event occurs, the avatar's expression may be automatically changed according to the corresponding physical situation. As shown in the drawing, when the basic avatar 420 on the left side hits the rain, the general hairstyle 421 may be changed to the right hairstyle 422 as shown on the right side. In addition, when a wind blows or a fan item is operated, a change based on a physical law such as blowing clothes or a hair of an avatar located in a corresponding range may be automatically provided.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration for providing a change in the avatar expression scheme as described above, and illustrates a configuration of an avatar expression providing device for an individual avatar as illustrated.

First, the database 510 may include a personal item DB 511 which internally includes an item provided by the avatar together with wearing information, information related to expression transformation (eg, expression element sets provided for each situation, according to a current configuration). The transformation information DB 512 in which elements for physical change) are stored, and the operation action DB 513 in which action action information such as basic and user-set interactions and individual actions are stored are configured. In addition, various personal information (cyber money, login information, rating, etc.) or additional information for using the service may be stored in the DB.

As a management unit for managing each detailed DB included in the database 510, a personal item management unit 521, a transformation and attribute management unit 522, an action action management unit that performs basic registration, selection, editing, deletion, setting, etc. 523 is provided.

In order to change the expression of the avatar based on the information on the managers, to obtain the corresponding information from the action gesture manager 523 to grasp the environmental change by the avatar, and to obtain the information on the user's instruction Operation action determining unit 535 for acquiring environmental change information by space, other avatars or items, and determining whether there is a change in the expression of the avatar based on these, and the operation action determining unit 535 and other managers. In the case of a physically conflicting combination in consideration of the current avatar state information, deformation information, and the currently equipped item situation, the operation decision unit 535 ignores the determination and otherwise requires physical adjustment. In this case, the operation of the operation operation determination unit 535 is adjusted, and if there is no problem, based on the determination of the operation operation determination unit 535. The group management unit and the interaction managing unit 530 that provides information about the changes represented by the information in the database 510 is constructed. The interaction manager 530 may adjust the determination content according to a user's instruction.

The interaction manager 530 actually outputs the information of the actual database 510 through the expression unit 540, and provides the information according to the expression change of the avatar to another avatar or the space management part.

That is, in the above configuration, the information for changing the avatar expression is a user's instruction and environment change, and the information about the environment change is provided as an expression information to an interaction determination unit that manages another avatar or means for managing space. Induce changes in space management means. Accordingly, various kinds of information for inducing such a change in expression may be referred to as event information, and the event information includes an object that requires interaction such as another avatar or a space (including a spatial item) such as a change subject, a change object, a change content, and a kind. Contains the information you need.

FIG. 12 illustrates a conceptual configuration of exchanging such an event in a message format between components of a virtual reality. As shown in FIG. 12, a space manager 610 managing a space serving as a basic background of a virtual reality and a space are located in the space. The user expression units 701 to 710 managing the expressions of the respective avatars are configured to be related to the interaction among the changes, or are classified into predetermined levels and exceed the corresponding level when the corresponding change information is exceeded. The information is provided to the user expression units and the space management unit associated with the information. Through the exchange of event information in the form of messages, spatial elements, including spaces, can grasp changes in the environment related to interactions, and thus provide appropriate interaction and expression changes.

Meanwhile, in the illustrated embodiment, since the basic service is a space, the space manager 610 substitutes for the management of the space item 610 in the corresponding space, and the environment on the space through the environment setting unit 630 for the space. The contents may be grasped and the change may be transferred to the user expression units managing the avatar, and whether or not the space changes according to the expression change of the user expression units may be managed with reference to the contents of the environment setting unit 630.

The above-mentioned message exchange method may be a bus method as shown in the drawing, and the space manager may process the corresponding messages in batches and provide them to related user presentation units, or operate a separate message processing unit. Can be implemented in various ways using message driven, event management, and hardware design techniques.

Through the message exchange method according to the occurrence of the event, each avatar can sense the change in the environment and the change in the expression of the opponent avatar, and can know the information about the interaction. This is an important key that can provide a "simple manipulation" of expression change that is close to the actual "meet", one of the important concepts of the system.

In other words, the function to be dealt with in the present embodiment is to change the expression of the avatar of the user with a simple operation so that the other party can check the expression, and not only to clarify his feelings or the meaning to be conveyed, but also to change the expression of the avatar of the partner. It also includes checking to reduce the time to change his expression accordingly to increase the "real-time", and for this purpose, it is possible to utilize the messages provided in real time according to the event occurs.

For example, in the case of interaction, since the opponent is designated by a specific action, the corresponding action may be automated, and the response may be automatically controlled by adjusting the level of correspondence according to the relationship to the other person. If the other person's emotion is changed on the way, and the other person's expression method is changed automatically, if the processing is automatic, the personality of the conversation is lost, and the processing is performed manually. It takes considerable time to change the expression. Specifically, while talking to each other in a "fun" state, if the other party changes to "anger", it checks this and his avatar continues to be "fun" until he changes his state to "angry" or "serious". State "can be awkward.

However, when the expression change of the other party can be confirmed in real time through the message as described above, the user can select the expression changes that the user can select on the screen directly based on the state information included in the message. By selecting one of them, it is possible to easily and quickly change their state according to the expression change of the other party.

Using this approach, you can semi-automatically handle expression changes caused by interactions, physical environment changes, etc., to expand your choice of expressions, or you can quickly and accurately select expressions after providing automatic expression changes. For example, when the wind blows the clothes, the frowning expression can be easily selected subsequently, and when the clothes are wet by water, a difficult expression for the wet state can be subsequently selected, thereby enabling a natural expression setting.

13 and 14 are flowcharts illustrating a sequential operation process for a basic part of the operation methods of the embodiment of the present invention, and exemplarily illustrates a basic operation of only a part of the plurality of avatar expression methods described above.

First, FIG. 13 is a basic process that can be performed when an avatar is created when a service is subscribed or an avatar is changed during a service. In this case, the user can edit various expressions according to various avatar situations so that the user can automatically and automatically express the basic expression. This is an example that can cause individual differences.

As shown in the figure, when the basic appearance of the avatar is selected through the means for editing the avatar, the expression elements of the avatar according to the situation can be selected based on the basic appearance. In this case, the selectable expression elements may be somewhat limited compared to the case in which the basic appearance is selected in order to maintain consistency with the basic appearance, and the basic expression elements are used or random when the user does not set the contextual setting. It can be set to use presentation elements.

When the user selects the appearance of the situation, the user may select the appearance corresponding to the situation. For example, the user may select the eyebrows and the mouth when the user is angry, or the user may be angry and happy when selecting the eyebrows.

When each of these situations or selectable appearances, that is, the selection of the expression elements, is completed as necessary, the editing of the avatar is completed. At this time, the expression elements for the default avatar are managed as default settings, and the expression elements set according to the specific situation are separated. Can be managed by set configuration. For example, a set of presentation elements for fun cases can be managed as a set, so that the set can be named, stored, or managed and used as a single item.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an operation process related to a change in expression of an avatar generated in a space. As shown in FIG. 14, when a predetermined avatar enters a predetermined virtual space according to an invitation, selection, or creation, other avatars, space items, or spaces are illustrated. It is a schematic process of changing the expression of the avatar based on interactions and instructions according to its environment.

First, when an avatar enters a space, the space in which the avatar enters and all elements located in the space are represented.

According to the position of the avatar, the avatar is given a function of starting a conversation with another avatar, and this function may be implemented by a change of the user interface according to the position of the space.

Through such a conversation, it is possible to designate a counterpart or to communicate with all avatars, to move an avatar, to interact with a space item, and to interact with other avatars. In this process, when an environment change of the avatar, a space item, or a space occurs, or when the user instructs to change the expression according to a situation selection, a change of the expression of the avatar occurs. When an event occurs by the user avatar, the user avatar searches for a preset expression change in response to the event occurrence, and if the corresponding expression change exists, provides the corresponding expression change preferentially, and if there is no corresponding expression change. Provides a basic presentation change.

Since the expression change (change of the basic face shape, change of dress or jewelry, change of motion, etc.) may cause an environmental change for other space members (avatars or space items) even during its occurrence, an event is generated accordingly. According to the change, the expressions of other avatars or spatial items may change.

As described above, when a realistic meeting and a somewhat exaggerated communication are required in the 3D virtual reality service, a unique situational expression is possible for each user when applying the illustrated change of the various avatars. Not only the manipulation of the change is easy but also the expression contents of each situation can be easily changed, so that a more realistic and colorful virtual "meeting" can be enjoyed.

In the above, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. .

1 illustrates an exemplary morphing avatar.

2 is an exemplary diagram of a mapping method avatar generation for constructing a simple avatar.

3 is also an example of mapping method avatar generation.

4 is a face in an actual service applying the avatar generation method as shown in FIG.

Four examples of different forms.

5 is an example of an avatar representation method in a virtual reality system.

6 is an example of a representation of avatars according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a screen example of a virtual reality service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is another example of an avatar expression scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is another embodiment for changing the avatar expression according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an example of automatic avatar expression change in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a configuration example of an avatar representation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a configuration example of exchanging such an event in a message format between components of the virtual reality.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a basic process that may be performed when an avatar is to be created or changed. FIG.

14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process related to a change in an expression of an avatar generated in a space.

** Description of symbols for the main parts of the drawing **

101, 111, 121: avatar 102, 112, 122: tags

103, 107, 117, 125: Menu 131: Space item

210: personal information area 220: chat window

222: means for expressing emotion 510: database

511: Personal item DB 512: Variant information DB

513: action action DB 530: interaction management unit

535: Interaction determination unit 610: Space management unit

701 to 710: user expression unit

Claims (35)

In the avatar expression method using the avatar expression providing apparatus, Generating, by the avatar expression providing apparatus, digital elements for selecting expression elements representing visual characteristics of digital content on behalf of a service user and generating digital content; The avatar expression providing apparatus outputs the digital content in a predetermined space, and interacts with a predetermined state change to be generated between other digital contents arranged in the space, and the physical environment of the preset physical environment to be applied to the space. An event receiving step of receiving event information generated according to at least one of a change or an instruction of a user; And displaying, by the apparatus for providing an avatar expression, the digital content on the space by changing a preset expression element corresponding to the event type based on the received event information. The method of claim 1, The outputting may further include providing event information according to the interaction with the other digital content to the other digital content when the change of the presentation element is a change related to the interaction with the other digital content. Avatar expression method characterized by. The method of claim 1, The event receiving step further includes the step of receiving event information according to the change of the presentation element of the other digital content, The outputting may include providing a user selectable expression element based on the received event information in a state in which a change of the expression element according to the type of the received event information may be a type that is not preset. Avatar representation method further comprising. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating comprises generating a user avatar by setting expression elements for an appearance of an avatar used to represent the user as the digital content. The method of claim 1, wherein the expression elements are set differently according to circumstances. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the generating step, the expression elements are individual components constituting the avatar's body, detachable elements such as clothes or jewelry, movements for a specified situation, facial expressions for a specified situation, and a present situation for a specified situation. And at least one or more of additional expression elements provided in place of or in addition to the selected expression elements. The method of claim 1, wherein the preset space in the event receiving step is a space for the digital content user to invite another digital content user or a space that the digital content user can visit. The method of claim 1, wherein the interaction with the other digital content in the event receiving step is a corresponding action set to be provided for the action of another digital content, and a representation of the corresponding digital content set to be provided according to a change in the expression of another adjacent digital content. And at least one of the changes. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental change of the space in the event receiving step includes at least one of a weather change, a temperature change, and a physical structure change that may occur on the space. The method of claim 1, wherein in the event receiving step, the event information includes information on a type of an event and change information of the event occurrence subject. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the outputting step further comprises the step of selecting and confirming the current mode for determining the user's situation, the other set of the set of preset expression elements to be changed according to the event type according to the current mode; The method further comprises the step of changing to the avatar. The method of claim 11, wherein the current mode for determining the user's situation is classified into a user's emotion type including at least one or more of rare emotions. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting step automatically returns to the original state when at least some of the changed output expression elements satisfy a preset time or exposure condition. The method of claim 1, wherein the preset expression element that is changed and output in the outputting step is an expression element managed as a separate item as a series of operation patterns for the digital content. The method of claim 1, wherein the preset expression element that is changed and output in the outputting step is selected and provided differently according to the physical environment of the space. delete The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting step further comprises the step of enlarging the size of the preset partial area of the digital content when the display size of the digital content is smaller than a preset level. . The method of claim 1, wherein the digital content is an avatar having at least one of a region corresponding to a face and a limb, and the expression step is a region corresponding to at least one of the face and the limb according to a change in a display method of the digital content. If this is reduced, further comprising the step of expanding at least one of the face and the limbs at a predetermined ratio in a preset range to expand the viewing range of the expression change. In the avatar expression method using the avatar expression providing apparatus in the three-dimensional virtual reality service that can interact or act between the avatar on behalf of the service user, Generating, by the avatar expression providing apparatus, a user avatar for selecting one or more expression elements used for representing a visual characteristic of the avatar from a user for at least one situation; The avatar expression providing apparatus outputs the user avatar to a preset virtual space and operates according to a user's instruction, wherein the avatar expression providing apparatus is preset among change information of the space and other avatars or digital contents in the space and change information of the user avatar. An output step of receiving and transmitting event information including level change information; A setting step of setting, by the avatar expression providing apparatus, expression elements for replacing some of the expression elements for each situation according to the event information; And an expression step of applying, by the avatar expression providing apparatus, the expression element set in the setting step to the user avatar based on the change information included in the event information received in the output step and the user's instruction. Express way. delete 20. The method of claim 19, wherein in the generating step, the presentation elements are set differently according to circumstances. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein in the generating step, the expression elements are individual components constituting the body, detachable elements such as clothes or jewelry, movements for a specified situation, facial expressions for a specified situation, and a currently selected expression element for a specified situation. And at least one or more of additional expression elements provided in place of or in addition to. The method of claim 19, wherein the preset virtual space is a space for the user avatar to invite another user avatar or a space that a user avatar can visit. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the outputting step further outputs a space item including an object, a decoration, a background, and a terrain for decorating the space, in addition to the avatar, and provides information on an environment change between the avatars and the space item. And generating the event information and providing the same to the corresponding avatar. delete 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the changing of the space in the outputting step comprises at least one of a weather change, a temperature change, and a physical structure change that can occur on the space. The situation of claim 19, wherein the setting step acquires the expression elements through means including possession, purchase, gift, and item acquisition to provide the basic expression element set in the generation step and the acquired expression element. And designating and selectively registering the avatar. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the presenting step provides a state in which a user-selectable presenting element can be directly selected based on the event information when no presenting element is set in the setting step corresponding to the change information of the event information. Avatar representation method further comprising the step of. 20. The avatar representation of claim 19, wherein the presenting further comprises removing at least some of the expression elements applied to the avatar when a preset time or exposure condition is satisfied to automatically restore the previous state of the avatar. Way. The method of claim 19, wherein the expression element applied to the avatar is edited as a specific action of the user avatar and is managed as a separate item. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the expression element applied to the avatar is selected and provided differently according to the physical environment of the space. delete 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the presenting further comprises the step of enlarging the size of the preset partial area of the digital content when the display size of the digital content is smaller than a preset level. . 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the digital content is an avatar having at least one of a region corresponding to a face and a limb, and wherein the expressing step is an area corresponding to at least one of the face and the limb according to a change in a display method of the digital content. If this is reduced, further comprising the step of expanding at least one of the face and the limbs at a predetermined ratio in a preset range to expand the viewing range of the expression change. A program capable of performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 15, 17 to 19, 21 to 24, 26 to 31 or 33 to 34. This computer-readable recording medium.

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