JP2019128721A - Program for reflecting user motion on avatar, information processing device for executing the same and method for distributing image containing avatar - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology that facilitates sharing of motion images containing an avatar on which a motion of a person is reflected than conventional technologies.SOLUTION: A program for reflecting a user motion on an avatar causes a first computer to execute: a step for obtaining positional information from a position sensor attached to a user associated with the first computer; a step (S1960) for calculating dimensional data on the user from the positional information; a step (S2130) for calculating a rotational direction of the joint of the user on the basis of the positional information and on the dimensional data; a step (S2140) for moving the avatar placed in a virtual space on the basis of the rotational direction; a step (S2160) for creating image data containing the avatar; and a step (S2180) for distributing the image data to a second computer different from the first computer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 21

Description

  The present disclosure relates to avatars, and more particularly, to a technique for sharing moving images including avatars in which user's movements are reflected.

  Motion capture technology is known as a technology for digitally recording the movement of an actual person or object. The recorded information is used for reproducing a human motion of an avatar (Non-patent Document 1).

“Motion capture using VIVE is under development, Ikinema's“ project Orion ””, [online], [search on January 4, 2018], Internet <URL: http://www.dospara.co.jp/ express / vr / 341193>

  In recent years, video sharing services such as "Youtube" (registered trademark) have been actively used. In such a video sharing service, some people want to deliver a video including avatars reflecting their own movements. However, since a device for realizing motion capture is complicated and expensive, there is a case where moving image distribution including an avatar cannot be realized.

  The present disclosure has been made to solve the problems as described above, and an object of an aspect of the present disclosure is a technique for sharing a moving image including avatars reflecting human movement more easily than in the past. It is to provide.

  According to an embodiment, a program is provided for reflecting the user's movement on an avatar. The program includes a step of acquiring position information from a position sensor attached to a user associated with the first computer, calculating position data of the user from the position information, position information, and dimension data. Calculating the rotation direction of the user's joint, moving the avatar arranged in the virtual space based on the rotation direction, generating the video data including the avatar, and the first computer being different Distributing the video data to the second computer.

  The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed technical features will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure showing the outline of a structure of the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the computer according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the uvw view coordinate system set to HMD according to one Embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the one aspect | mode which represents the virtual space according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 1 is a top view of a user's head wearing an HMD according to an embodiment; It is a figure showing the YZ cross section which looked at the visual field area from the X direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the XZ cross section which looked at the visual field area from the Y direction in virtual space. It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the controller according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of yaw, roll, and pitch directions defined for the right hand of the user according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the server according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing a computer according to an embodiment as a modular configuration. 7 is a sequence chart showing a part of processing performed in the HMD set according to an embodiment. In a network, it is a mimetic diagram showing the situation where each HMD provides virtual space to a user. It is a figure which shows the visual field image of the user 5A in FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process performed in the HMD system according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the detailed structure of the module of the computer according to a certain embodiment. FIG. 5 depicts an overview of processing according to an embodiment. It is a figure showing the state where the user turned up front and opened both hands horizontally, and stood up. It is a figure showing a state where a user turns to the front and lowers both hands to the side and stands upright. It is a figure showing an example of a data structure of position information. It is a figure showing an example of the data structure of dimension data. It is a flowchart showing the process which acquires dimension data. It is a figure showing an example of a data structure of position information. It is a flowchart showing an example of a process which a computer delivers the image | video containing the avatar object which reflected the user's motion. It is a flowchart showing an example of the process which a server produces | generates the image | video containing an avatar. It is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a computer which functions as a terminal of a viewer. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an overview of processing using augmented reality. It is a figure (the 2) showing the outline | summary of the process using augmented reality. It is a figure (the 3) showing the outline | summary of the process using augmented reality. It is FIG. (4) showing the outline | summary of the process using an augmented reality. It is a flowchart showing an example of the process in which a computer outputs the image | video containing the avatar object in which a user's motion was reflected.

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

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

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

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

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

  The monitor 130 is realized as, for example, a non-transmissive display device. In one aspect, the monitor 130 is disposed on the main body of the HMD 120 so as to be located in front of the eyes of the user 5. Therefore, the user 5 can immerse in the virtual space when viewing the three-dimensional image displayed on the monitor 130. In one aspect, the virtual space includes, for example, a background, an object operable by the user 5, and an image of a menu selectable by the user 5. In one aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor included in a so-called smart phone or other information display terminal.

  In another aspect, the monitor 130 can be realized as a transmissive display device. In this case, the HMD 120 may not be a closed type covering the eyes of the user 5 as shown in FIG. 1, but may be an open type like a glasses type. The transmissive monitor 130 may be configured as a temporarily non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance thereof. The monitor 130 may include a configuration for simultaneously displaying a part of the image forming the virtual space and the real space. For example, the monitor 130 may display a real space image taken by a camera mounted on the HMD 120, or may make the real space visible by setting a part of the transmittance high.

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

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

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

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

  The gaze sensor 140 detects the direction in which the line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user 5 is directed. That is, the gaze sensor 140 detects the line of sight of the user 5. The detection of the direction of the line of sight is realized by, for example, a known eye tracking function. The gaze sensor 140 is realized by a sensor having the eye tracking function. In one aspect, the gaze sensor 140 preferably includes a sensor for the right eye and a sensor for the left eye. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that emits infrared light to the right and left eyes of the user 5 and detects the rotation angle of each eye by receiving reflected light from the cornea and iris to the irradiated light. . The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on the detected rotation angles.

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

  The microphone 170 converts the speech of the user 5 into an audio signal (electric signal) and outputs the audio signal to the computer 200. The speaker 180 converts an audio signal into audio and outputs the audio to the user 5. In another aspect, the HMD 120 may include an earphone in place of the speaker 180.

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

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

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

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

  Server 600 may send a program to computer 200. In another aspect, server 600 may communicate with another computer 200 to provide virtual reality to HMD 120 used by another user. For example, when a plurality of users play a participatory game in an amusement facility, each computer 200 communicates a signal based on each user's operation with another computer 200 via the server 600, and the plurality of users in the same virtual space. Allows users of to enjoy common games. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on the operation of each user with another computer 200 without passing through the server 600.

  The external device 700 may be any device that can communicate with the computer 200. The external device 700 may be, for example, a device capable of communicating with the computer 200 via the network 2, or may be a device capable of directly communicating with the computer 200 by near field communication or wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include, but are not limited to, a smart device, a personal computer (PC), and peripheral devices of the computer 200.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In an aspect, input / output interface 240 may further communicate with controller 300. For example, the input / output interface 240 receives signals output from the controller 300 and the motion sensor 420. In another aspect, the input / output interface 240 sends the command output from the processor 210 to the controller 300. The instruction instructs the controller 300 to vibrate, output sound, emit light, and the like. When the controller 300 receives the command, the controller 300 executes vibration, voice output or light emission according to the command.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 3, the HMD 120 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system with the head (origin) of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 as the center (origin). More specifically, the HMD 120 includes a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a front-rear direction (x-axis, y-axis, z-axis) that define the real coordinate system by an inclination around each axis of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system. Three directions newly obtained by tilting around the axis are set as the pitch axis (u-axis), yaw axis (v-axis), and roll axis (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 120.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  As with the HMD 120, the uvw visual field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 14. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 is defined so as to be interlocked with the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real space (real coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD 120 changes, the inclination of the virtual camera 14 also changes accordingly. The virtual camera 14 can also move in the virtual space 11 in conjunction with the movement of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 in the real space.

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

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

[User's gaze]
The determination of the line of sight of the user 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the head of user 5 wearing HMD 120 according to an embodiment from above.

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

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

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

  In still another aspect, the HMD system 100 may be provided with a communication circuit for connecting to the Internet, or a call function for connecting to a telephone line.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In one aspect, virtual camera 14 may include two virtual cameras: a virtual camera for providing an image for the right eye, and a virtual camera for providing an image for the left eye. An appropriate parallax is set to two virtual cameras so that the user 5 can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 11. In another aspect, the virtual camera 14 may be realized by one virtual camera. In this case, the image for the right eye and the image for the left eye may be generated from an image obtained by one virtual camera. In the present embodiment, the virtual camera 14 includes two virtual cameras, and the roll axis (w) generated by combining the roll axes of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll axis (w) of the HMD 120. The technical idea concerning this indication is illustrated as what is constituted.

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

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

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

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

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

  The top surface 330 includes buttons 370 and 380 and an analog stick 390. The buttons 370 and 380 are configured as push buttons. The buttons 370 and 380 receive an operation with the thumb of the right hand of the user 5. The analog stick 390 receives an operation in an arbitrary direction 360 degrees from the initial position (the position of neutral) in a certain phase. The operation includes, for example, an operation for moving an object arranged in the virtual space 11.

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

  As shown in the state (A) and the state (B) of FIG. 8, for example, the yaw, roll, and pitch directions are defined with respect to the right hand of the user 5. When the user 5 stretches the thumb and forefinger, the extension direction of the thumb is the yaw direction, the extension direction of the forefinger is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the yaw and roll axes is the pitch direction Defined as

[Hardware configuration of server]
With reference to FIG. 9, the server 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of server 600 according to an embodiment. The server 600 includes a processor 610, a memory 620, a storage 630, an input / output interface 640, and a communication interface 650 as main components. Each component is connected to the bus 660, respectively.

  The processor 610 executes a series of instructions included in a program stored in the memory 620 or the storage 630 based on a signal supplied to the server 600 or based on the establishment of a predetermined condition. In one aspect, the processor 610 is implemented as a CPU), a GPU, an MPU, an FPGA, and other devices.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Control unit of HMD]
The control device of the HMD 21 will be described with reference to FIG. In one embodiment, the controller is implemented by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a modular configuration.

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

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

  The control module 510 places an object in the virtual space 11 using object data representing the object. The object data is stored in the memory module 530, for example. The control module 510 may generate object data or may obtain object data from the server 600 or the like. The objects include, for example, an avatar object that is a substitute of the user 5, a character object, an operation object such as a virtual hand operated by the controller 300, a landscape arranged in accordance with the progress of a game story, a mountain, etc., a cityscape, an animal Etc. may be included.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  In an aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 may be implemented using, for example, Unity (registered trademark) provided by Unity Technologies. In another aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 can also be realized as a combination of circuit elements that implement each process.

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 11, in step S 1110, the processor 210 of the computer 200 specifies virtual space data as the control module 510 and defines the virtual space 11.

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

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

  In step S1132, the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 displays the view image based on the view image data received from the computer 200. The user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can recognize the virtual space 11 when viewing the view image.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Avatar object
With reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an avatar object according to the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, it is a figure explaining the avatar object of each user 5 of HMD set 110A, 110B. Hereinafter, the user of the HMD set 110A is represented as the user 5A, the user of the HMD set 110B as the user 5B, the user of the HMD set 110C as the user 5C, and the user of the HMD set 110D as the user 5D. A is added to the reference numeral of each component related to HMD set 110A, B is added to the reference code of each component related to HMD set 110B, C is added to the reference code of each component related to HMD set 110C, and HMD set D is attached to the reference number of each component relating to 110D. For example, the HMD 120A is included in the HMD set 110A.

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

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

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

  In the state of FIG. 12B, the user 5A can communicate with the user 5B through communication (communication) through the virtual space 11A. More specifically, the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A is transmitted to the HMD 17120B of the user 5B via the server 600 and output from the speaker 180B provided in the HMD 120B. The voice of the user 5B is transmitted to the HMD 120A of the user 5A via the server 600, and is output from the speaker 180A provided in the HMD 120A.

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

  FIG. 13 is a sequence chart showing a part of the process executed in HMD system 100 according to the present embodiment. Although the HMD set 110D is not illustrated in FIG. 13, the HMD set 110D operates similarly to the HMD sets 110A, 110B, and 110C. In the following description, A is added to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110A, B is added to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110B, and C is assigned to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110C. It is assumed that D is added to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110D.

  In step S1310A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A acquires avatar information for determining the operation of the avatar object 6A in the virtual space 11A. This avatar information includes, for example, information on avatars such as motion information, face tracking data, and audio data. The motion information includes information indicating temporal changes in position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating motion of the hand of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A or the like, and the like. The face tracking data includes data specifying the position and size of each part of the face of the user 5A. The face tracking data may be data indicating movement of each organ constituting the face of the user 5A, or gaze data. The voice data includes data indicating the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A of the HMD 120A. The avatar information may include the avatar object 6A or information specifying the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information specifying the virtual space 11A in which the avatar object 6A exists, and the like. User ID is mentioned as information which specifies avatar object 6A and user 5A. Room ID is mentioned as information which specifies 11 A of virtual spaces in which the avatar object 6A exists. The processor 210A transmits the avatar information acquired as described above to the server 600 via the network 2.

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

  In step S1320, the server 600 temporarily stores the player information received from each of the HMD set 110A, the HMD set 110B, and the HMD set 110C. The server 600 integrates avatar information of all users (users 5A to 5C in this example) associated with the common virtual space 11 based on the user ID and the room ID included in each avatar information. Then, the server 600 transmits the integrated avatar information to all the users associated with the virtual space 11 at a predetermined timing. Thereby, a synchronous process is performed. By such synchronization processing, the HMD set 110A, the HMD set 110B, and the HMD 11020C can share avatar information of each other at substantially the same timing.

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

  In step S1330A, the processor 210A in the HMD set 110A updates the information on the avatar object 6B and avatar object 6C of the other users 5B and 5C in the virtual space 11A. Specifically, the processor 210A updates the position and orientation of the avatar object 6B in the virtual space 11 based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110B. For example, the processor 210A updates the information (such as position and orientation) of the avatar object 6B included in the object information stored in the memory module 540. Similarly, the processor 210A updates the information (position, orientation, etc.) of the avatar object 6C in the virtual space 11 based on the motion information included in the avatar information transmitted from the HMD set 110C.

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 14, the control module 510 includes a virtual camera control module 1421, a view area determination module 1422, a reference gaze identification module 1423, a facial organ detection module 1424, a motion detection module 1425, and a virtual space definition. A module 1426, a virtual object generation module 1427, an operation object control module 1428, and an avatar control module 1429 are provided. The rendering module 520 includes a view image generation module 1438. The memory module 530 holds spatial information 1431, object information 1432, user information 1433, and face information 1434.

  The virtual camera control module 1421 arranges the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The virtual camera control module 1421 controls the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the direction (tilt) of the virtual camera 14. The view area determination module 1422 defines the view area 15 according to the orientation of the head of the user wearing the HMD 120 and the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14. The view image generation module 1438 generates the view image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined view area 15.

  The reference gaze identification module 1423 identifies the reference gaze 16 based on the output of the sensor 190 or the HMD sensor 410. The reference line-of-sight specifying module 1423 further specifies the line of sight of the user 5 based on the signal from the gaze sensor 140. The facial organ detection module 1424 detects organs (for example, the mouth, eyes, eyelids) constituting the face of the user 5 from the image of the face of the user 5 generated by the first camera 150 and the second camera 160. The motion detection module 1425 detects the motion (shape) of each organ detected by the face organ detection module 1424.

  The virtual space definition module 1426 defines virtual space 11 in the HMD system 100 by generating virtual space data representing the virtual space 11.

  The virtual object generation module 1427 generates an object to be arranged in the virtual space 11. The objects may include, for example, landscapes, including forests, mountains etc., animals, etc., arranged according to the progression of the game's story.

  The operation object control module 1428 arranges an operation object for accepting a user operation in the virtual space 11 in the virtual space 11. For example, the user operates an object placed in the virtual space 11 by operating the operation object. In an aspect, the operation object may include, for example, a hand object corresponding to the hand of the user wearing the HMD 120 or the like. In one aspect, the operation object may correspond to the hand portion of the avatar object 6.

  The avatar control module 1429 generates data for arranging avatar objects of users of other computers 200 connected via the network 2 in the virtual space 11. In one aspect, the avatar control module 1429 generates data for arranging the avatar object of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. In an aspect, the avatar control module 1429 generates an avatar object imitating the user 5 based on the image including the user 5. In another aspect, the avatar control module 1429 displays, in the virtual space 11, an avatar object that has been selected by the user 5 from a plurality of types of avatar objects (for example, an object imitating an animal or an object of a deformed person). Generate data for placement.

  The avatar control module 1429 reflects the motion of the HMD 120 detected by the HMD sensor 410 on the avatar object. For example, the avatar control module 1429 detects that the HMD 120 is tilted and generates data for tilting and arranging the avatar object. In one aspect, avatar control module 1429 reflects the motion of controller 300 on the avatar object. In this case, the controller 300 includes a motion sensor for detecting the movement of the controller 300, an acceleration sensor, or a plurality of light emitting elements (for example, infrared LEDs). The avatar control module 1429 reflects the movement of the facial organ detected by the motion detection module 1425 on the face of the avatar object arranged in the virtual space 11. That is, the avatar control module 1429 reflects the movement of the face of the user 5 on the avatar object.

  The control module 510 detects a collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object. The control module 510 can detect, for example, the timing at which an object touches another object, and performs predetermined processing when the detection is performed. The control module 510 can detect the timing at which the object and the object are away from the touch, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is performed. The control module 510 can detect that the object is touching the object. Specifically, when the operation object and another object touch, the operation object control module 1428 detects that the operation object touches another object, and performs predetermined processing. .

  The memory module 530 holds data used by the computer 200 to provide the virtual space 11 to the user 5. In one aspect, the memory module 530 holds space information 1431, object information 1432, user information 1433, and face information 1434.

  The space information 1431 holds one or more templates defined to provide the virtual space 11.

  The object information 1432 holds content reproduced in the virtual space 11, an object used in the content, and information (for example, position) for arranging the object in the virtual space 11. The content can include, for example, content representing a scene similar to a game or a real society.

  The user information 1433 includes dimension data 1439. The dimension data 1439 represents the dimension of the body of the user 5. Details of the dimension data 1439 will be described later. The user information 1433 further holds information for identifying the user 5, a program for causing the computer 200 to function as a control device of the HMD system 100, an application program for using each content held in the object information 1432, and the like. Yes.

  The face information 1434 holds a template stored in advance for the face organ detection module 1424 to detect the face organ of the user 5. In one aspect, the face template 1434 holds a mouth template 1435, an eye template 1436, and an eyebrow template 1437. Each template may be an image corresponding to an organ constituting the face. For example, the mouth template 1435 may be an image of the mouth. Each template may include multiple images.

[Technology]
FIG. 15 depicts an overview of processing in accordance with an embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the user 5A intends to distribute a video including an avatar reflecting his / her movement to the user 5B.

  The user 5A mounts the HMD 120A and holds the right controller 300RA and the left controller 300LA. The HMD 120A includes a sensor 190 that functions as a motion sensor. Each controller includes a motion sensor 420.

  The user 5A further wears motion sensors 1521 to 1523. The motion sensor 1521 is attached to the waist of the user 5A by a belt 1531. The motion sensor 1522 is attached to the back of the right foot of the user 5A. The motion sensor 1523 is mounted on the left instep of the user 5A. These motion sensors 1521 to 1523 are connected to the computer 200A by wire or wirelessly.

  In one aspect, a motion sensor attached to the user 5A detects the arrival time and angle of a signal (eg, an infrared laser) emitted from a base station (not shown). The processor 210A of the computer 200A detects the position of the motion sensor relative to the base station based on the detection result of the motion sensor. Processor 210A may further normalize the position of the motion sensor relative to the base station relative to a predetermined point (eg, the position of the sensor 190 mounted on the head).

  In step S1510, processor 210A of computer 200A detects the position of the head, waist, both hands, and both legs of user 5A using the motion sensor attached to user 5A. Hereinafter, the position of the part of the user 5 </ b> A detected by each motion sensor is also referred to as “position information”.

  In step S1520, processor 210A calculates the rotation direction of the joint of user 5A from dimension data 1439A and position information of user 5A acquired in advance.

  In step S1530, processor 210A reflects the rotation direction of the joint calculated in step S1520 on the joint of avatar object 6A arranged in virtual space 11A. Thereby, the motion of the user 5A is reflected on the avatar object 6A.

  In step S1540, processor 210A images avatar object 6A with virtual camera 14A arranged in virtual space 11A. More specifically, the processor 210A generates a view image 17A corresponding to a view area 15A which is a shooting range of the virtual camera 14A.

  At step S1550, processor 210A distributes to computer 200B video data including avatar object 6A generated by repeating steps S1510 to S1540.

  In step S1560, processor 210B of computer 200B outputs the received video data to display 430B (or monitor 130B). As a result, the user 5B can visually recognize the video including the avatar object 6A in which the motion of the user 5A is reflected.

  Conventionally, in order to realize motion capture, it has been necessary for the user to wear a number (for example, 26) of motion sensors corresponding to the movable part (bone) of the avatar object. For this reason, there is a problem that the cost for realizing motion capture is high. On the other hand, the computer 200A according to the embodiment can reflect the motion of the user 5A on the avatar object 6A by a small number of motion sensors by estimating the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5A. As a result, the user 5A can easily share the moving image including the avatar reflecting his / her motion with the user 5B as compared with the conventional case. Hereinafter, a more specific configuration and processing for realizing such a system will be described.

[Get dimension data]
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a method of acquiring dimension data. FIG. 16A shows a state in which the user 5A faces the front, spreads both hands horizontally, and stands up. Hereinafter, the state shown in FIG. 16A is also referred to as a first posture. FIG. 16B shows a state in which the user 5A stands up with the front facing and both hands down on the thigh side. Hereinafter, the state illustrated in FIG. 16B is also referred to as a second posture.

  In one aspect, the processor 210A prompts the user 5A to take the first posture and the second posture. As one example, the processor 210A displays the characters in the first attitude and the second attitude on the monitor 130A, and displays a message indicating that the characters take the same attitude. As another example, the processor 210 </ b> A may output, from the speaker 180 </ b> A, an audio indicating that the first attitude and the second attitude are to be taken.

  The processor 210A acquires positional information of the head, waist, both hands, and both feet of the user 5A in each of the two postures (first posture and second posture) based on the output of the motion sensor worn by the user 5A. . These pieces of position information can be acquired as positions in the real coordinate system (x, y, z) as shown in FIG.

  The processor 210A calculates the dimension data 1439A of the user 5A from the position information corresponding to the two postures. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the processor 210A calculates the height, shoulder width, arm length, foot length, and head-to-shoulder height of the user 5A as dimension data 1439A. The processor 210A may calculate the distance between both hands in the second posture as the shoulder width. The processor 210A may calculate half of a value obtained by subtracting the shoulder width from the distance between both hands in the first posture as the arm length. The processor 210A may calculate the distance from the foot height to the head height as the height. The processor 210A may calculate the distance from the height of the foot to the height of the waist as the length of the foot. The processor 210A may calculate the height from the hand height to the head in the first posture as the height from the head to the shoulder.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a process of acquiring the dimension data 1439. In step S1910, the processor 210 arranges the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. The processor 210 further outputs a view field image 17 corresponding to the shooting range of the virtual camera 14 to the monitor 130.

  In step S1920, processor 210 instructs user 5 to assume the first posture. For example, the processor 210 implements the process of step S1920 by arranging the object in which the instruction is described in the virtual space 11. In step S1930, processor 210 obtains position information corresponding to the first attitude.

  In step S1940, processor 210 instructs user 5 to assume the second posture. In step S1950, processor 210 obtains position information corresponding to the second posture.

  In step S1960, processor 210 calculates size data of user 5 from position information corresponding to the first attitude and position information corresponding to the second attitude. The processor 210 stores the dimension data in the storage 230.

  According to the above, the user 5 can easily input his / her dimensions to the computer 200 by taking only two postures. In another aspect, the user may input his or her dimensions into the computer 200 using an input device such as a keyboard.

[Rotation direction of joint]
In one embodiment, the computer 200 estimates the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5 based on the outputs (position information) of the six motion sensors attached to the user 5 and the dimension data 1439. As an example, the computer 200 estimates the position of the shoulder based on the position information of the head, the shoulder width, and the height from the head to the shoulder. The computer 200 estimates the elbow position from the shoulder position and the hand position information. This estimation can be performed by known applications using Inverse Kinetics.

  In an embodiment, the computer 200 obtains the inclination (rotation direction) of the joints of the user 5's neck (head), waist, both wrists, and both ankles from the six motion sensors. In addition, the computer 200 estimates the rotational directions of the joints of both shoulders, both elbows, both hips (foot bases), and both knees based on inverse kinematics. As shown in FIG. 20, the computer 200 acquires or estimates the rotational direction of each joint in the uvw view coordinate system.

  When the rotation direction is calculated based on the position information and the dimension data, the computer 200 does not face the front (i.e., when the head and the waist face in different directions). The position of the shoulder can not be estimated accurately. Therefore, in another embodiment, the computer 200 may estimate the rotation direction of the joint in consideration of the inclination of the part of the user 5 detected by the motion sensor. For example, the computer 200 estimates the position of the shoulder based on head position information, head inclination, waist inclination, shoulder width, and head-to-shoulder height. According to this configuration, the computer 200A can improve the accuracy of the rotation direction of the joint.

[Distribution of video including avatar]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which the computer 200 distributes a video including the avatar object 6 reflecting the movement of the user 5.

  In step S2110, the processor 210 of the computer 200 changes the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14 based on the input of the user 5. Thereby, the user 5 can photograph the avatar object 6 from an arbitrary position and angle.

  In the above description, the virtual camera 14 is configured to be interlocked with the movement of the HMD 120. However, the HMD 120 and the virtual camera 14 may be configured not to be interlocked during execution of the processing illustrated in FIG. .

  The processor 210 further outputs a field of view image 17 corresponding to the imaging range of the virtual camera 14 to the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. In other aspects, processor 210 may output view image 17 to display 430. In such a case, the user 5 may wear a motion sensor on the head instead of the HMD 120.

  In step S2120, processor 210 obtains current position information from six motion sensors attached to user 5 associated with computer 200.

  In step S2130, the processor 210 calculates (estimates) the rotation direction of the current joint of the user 5 based on the current position information and the dimension data 1439.

  In step S2140, the processor 210 moves the avatar object 6 disposed in the virtual space 11 based on the rotation direction obtained by estimation and the rotation direction obtained from the motion sensor. For example, the processor 210 moves the upper right arm of the avatar object 6 based on the rotation direction of the right shoulder. The processor 210 further moves the position of the avatar object 6 in the virtual space 11 based on the current position information (for example, the position information of the current waist). Thereby, the movement of the user 5 in the real space is reflected in the avatar object 6 in the virtual space.

  In step S2150, the processor 210 receives an instruction to start recording from the user. In response to this instruction, the processor 210 continuously stores the view image 17 corresponding to the imaging range of the virtual camera 14 in the memory 220 or the storage 230. Thereby, the processor 210 generates video data including the avatar object 6 in which the movement of the user 5 is reflected (step S2160). At this time, the processor 210 may store the voice of the user 5 acquired from the microphone 170 as well.

  In step S2170, processor 210 receives an instruction to end recording from the user. In response to this, the processor 210 stops storing the video data.

  In step S2180, the processor 210 uploads the video data to the server 600 functioning as a moving image sharing server. The viewer can view the uploaded video data by accessing the server 600.

  In this manner, the user 5 can more easily share a moving image including an avatar reflecting his / her movement than before. In another aspect, the processor 210 may directly distribute the video data to the other computer 200 without passing through the server 600.

[When the server generates video]
In the example of FIG. 21, the computer 200 performs a process of generating a video including an avatar, but the process may be executed by the server 600 instead of the computer 200. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which the server 600 generates an image including an avatar.

  In step S2210, the processor 610 of the server 600 acquires the dimension data 1439 of the user 5 from the computer 200.

  In step S 2220, processor 210 of computer 200 transmits to server 600 the current position information acquired from the motion sensor attached to user 5.

  After that, the processor 610 generates the video including the avatar by executing the processing of the above-described steps S2130, S2140, and S2160. At this time, the processor 610 may execute processing to change the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14 based on an instruction from the computer 200.

  In step S2230, processor 610 transmits a video including an avatar to computer 200. In step S2240, processor 210 displays the received video on display 430. Thereby, the user 5 can visually recognize the avatar object 6 in which his / her movement is reflected.

  In step S2250, the processor 210 transmits a recording start instruction to the server 600. In step S2260, processor 610 starts saving the video in memory 620 or storage 630 in response to the reception of the recording start instruction.

  In step S2270, processor 210 transmits a recording end instruction to server 600. In step S2280, processor 610 ends the storage of the video in response to receiving the recording end instruction.

  According to the above, complex processing such as processing of moving an avatar based on position information is performed by the server 600. Therefore, even when the processing capability of the computer 200 is low, the user 5 can easily share the video including the avatar object 6 in which the movement of the user 200 is reflected.

[Select avatar object]
In the above example, the distributor himself / herself determines the type of the avatar object 6 that reflects the movement of the user 5 who is the distributor of the moving image. However, some viewers want to determine the type of avatar object reflecting the movement of others. Thus, the server 600 according to an embodiment reflects the distributor's motion on the avatar object selected by the viewer.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the computer 200 that functions as a terminal of a viewer. In the example shown in FIG. 23, the server 600 receives content data from another computer 200 that functions as a distributor's terminal, and stores the content data in the storage 630 in advance.

  The content data includes a panoramic image 13 developed in the virtual space 11, data for generating an object arranged in the virtual space 11, and a position information group representing a distributor's movement (that is, a motion sensor attached to the distributor). Continuous output), distributor dimension data 1439, and audio data.

  In step S2310, the processor 610 of the server 600 transmits, to the computer 200, a plurality of pieces of content identification data (for example, a thumbnail image of the panoramic image 13 included in the content data, a title of content, etc.) for identifying the content.

  In step S2320, processor 210 of computer 200 displays the received plurality of content specifying data on display 430. The user 5 (viewer) sees this and selects any one content. The processor 210 transmits the identification information of the selected content to the server 600.

  In step S2330, processor 610 transmits size data, position information group, and audio data associated with the selected content to computer 200. Note that the computer 200 may have acquired in advance dimension data associated with content (that is, dimension data of a content distributor). Therefore, in an embodiment, the processor 610 may transmit the identification information of the distributor to the computer 200, and the computer 200 may acquire (specify) the dimension data of the distributor based on the identification information.

  In step S2340, processor 210 accepts the selection of the type of avatar object 6 from user 5. As one example, the user can select any avatar object from among male avatar objects, female avatar objects, animal avatar objects, avatar objects imitating popular characters, and the like.

  Subsequently, the processor 210 executes the processes of steps S2130, S2150, and S2160 described above, and is the avatar object 6 selected by the user 5 (viewer) and reflects the movement of the distributor. An image including the avatar object 6 can be generated.

  In step S2360, processor 210 outputs the generated video to display 430 (or monitor 130), and outputs the received audio data from speaker 180.

  According to this configuration, the viewer can reflect the motion of the distributor on any avatar object. For example, if the distributor is an instructor, the instructor records a lesson while wearing a motion sensor. The viewer can enjoy a lesson while enjoying by watching a video including any avatar object reflecting the movement of the lecturer.

  In an embodiment, the computer 200 or the server 600 may make a specific avatar object selectable when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when billing processing is executed).

  In one embodiment, the content data may include information on the rotation direction of the distributor's joint, instead of the position information group. In such a case, the viewer's computer 200 does not know how the center of gravity of the distributor has moved. Therefore, the computer 200 can reflect the movement of the distributor's joint on the avatar object 6 arranged at a predetermined position (for example, the center 12) in the virtual space 11 or the avatar object 6 moving along a predetermined route.

  As another method of reflecting the past distributor's motion on a specific avatar object 6, it is considered to store the distributor's position information group corresponding to the movable part (bone) of the specific avatar object 6 as content data. It is done. However, in the case of this method, the size of content data becomes large. Also, the viewer's computer 200 has to standardize the position information group based on the size of the specific avatar object 6 and the size data 1439 of the distributor.

  On the other hand, the content data including the information on the rotation direction of the distributor is smaller in size than the content data including the position information group of the distributor. Further, the viewer's computer 200 may not be normalized with respect to the rotation direction. As a result, the viewer's computer 200 can easily share the moving image including the avatar object 6 in which the motion of the distributor is reflected.

[Augmented reality]
In the above embodiment, the viewer visually recognizes that the avatar object 6 arranged in the virtual space 11 performs the same movement as the distributor. In the embodiment to be described next, the viewer visually recognizes that the avatar object 6 arranged in the real space (corresponding to the moving image) performs the same movement as the distributor.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an outline of processing according to an embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the computer 200B with which the user 5B is associated functions as a portable information processing terminal (for example, a smartphone). The computer 200B further includes a camera 2431, a motion sensor 2433, and a display 2435.

  In the state (A) of FIG. 24, the user 5B captures a rabbit 2421 with a camera 2431 mounted on the computer 200B. The computer 200B outputs the generated moving image to the display 2435. The computer 200B further transmits the moving image generated by the camera 2431 to the computer 200A.

  In the state (B) of FIG. 24, the computer 200A displays the received moving image on the monitor 130A of the HMD 120A. Thereby, the user 5A visually recognizes the rabbit 2421 photographed by the user 5B.

  The user 5A wears the HMD 120A and holds the right controller 300RA and the left controller 300LA. The user 5A further wears motion sensors 1521-1523.

  The user 5A speaks while moving while visually recognizing the received moving image. As an example, the user 5A utters "Please gently brush the back of the rabbit" while making a gesture to touch the rabbit 2421.

  The computer 200A transmits a position information group corresponding to the gesture of the user 5A, audio data, and dimension data 1439 of the user 5A to the computer 200B.

  In the state (C) of FIG. 24, the computer 200B arranges the virtual camera 14B and the avatar object 6A corresponding to the user 6A in the virtual space 11B. The computer 200B acquires the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5A based on the received position information group and the dimension data 1439 (the process in step S2130 described above). The computer 200B further moves the avatar object 6A based on the rotation direction of the joint and the position information (the process in step S2140 described above).

  The computer 200B changes the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14B based on the output of the motion sensor 2433 (the position and tilt of the computer 200B). The computer 200B generates a view image 17B corresponding to a view area 15B which is a shooting range of the virtual camera 14B. In one aspect, the virtual camera 14B is set to capture only the avatar object 6A. In another aspect, objects other than the avatar object 6A arranged in the virtual space 11B (for example, a ground object on which the avatar object 6A stands) and the panoramic image 13B developed in the virtual space 11B may be set to be transparent. . As a result, the computer 200B can generate an image obtained by photographing the avatar object 6A reflecting the movement of the user 5A from an arbitrary position and angle.

  In the state (D) of FIG. 24, the computer 200B detects a plane in a moving image generated by the camera 2431 (that is, a moving image corresponding to the real space). This process can be realized by a known application (for example, ARkit).

  The computer 200B superimposes the video of the avatar object 6A on the detected plane and outputs the superimposed moving image to the display 2435. As a result, the user 6B can feel that the avatar object 6A is moving on a plane. The computer 200B further outputs the received audio data.

  According to this configuration, the computer 200B can add the avatar object 6A reflecting the movement of the user 5A to the real world information in real time. Thereby, for example, the user 5A can give an easy-to-understand instruction to the user 5B with gestures for matters that the user 5B is in trouble in the real world. As another example, the user 5 </ b> B can photograph a sightseeing spot, and the user 5 </ b> A can virtually conduct a report on the sightseeing spot.

Control structure
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which the computer 200B outputs an image including the avatar object 6A in which the movement of the user 5A is reflected.

  In step S 2510, processor 210 B of computer 200 B transmits the image generated by shooting by camera 2431 to computer 200 A. In step S2520, processor 210B receives a selection of the type of avatar object 6A from user 5B.

  In step S2530, processor 210A of computer 200A displays the image on monitor 130A or display 430A. In step S2540, processor 210A transmits dimension data 1439A of user 5A acquired in advance to computer 200B. In step S2550, processor 210A acquires current position information from the motion sensor attached to user 5A. The processor 210A further acquires audio data from the microphone 170A. The processor 210A transmits the current position information and audio data to the computer 200B.

  Thereafter, the processor 210B generates the avatar object 6A in which the movement of the user 5A is reflected by executing the processes of the above-described steps S2130 and S2140.

  In step S2560, processor 210B changes the position and inclination of virtual camera 14B arranged in virtual space 11B based on the output of motion sensor 2433. For example, the processor 210B places the virtual camera 14B at a predetermined position (for example, the center 12B) of the virtual space 11B. The processor 210B reflects changes in the position and tilt of the computer 200B calculated from the output of the motion sensor 2433 in the position and tilt of the virtual camera 14B.

  In step S2570, processor 210B takes an image of avatar object 6A with virtual camera 14B.

  In step S2580, processor 210B superimposes the avatar object 6A photographed by virtual camera 14B on the image photographed by camera 2431. The processor 210B outputs the image on which the avatar object 6A is superimposed to the display 2435. The processor 210B further outputs the received audio data.

  The computer 200A and the computer 200B repeatedly execute the process excluding steps S2520 and S2540 among the processes shown in FIG. As a result, the avatar object 6A reflecting the movement of the user 5A appears in the real world displayed on the display 2435.

  In the example shown in FIG. 25, the computer 200A and the computer 200B directly transmit / receive information, but the information may be transmitted / received via the server 600.

  Although the computer 200B is configured to execute the process of step S2130 (process of estimating the rotation direction) in the example illustrated in FIG. 25, the execution subject of the process is not limited to the computer 200B. For example, the server 600 may estimate the rotation direction as in the process shown in FIG. 22, or the computer 200A may estimate the rotation direction. The computer 200A may transmit the current position information and the estimation result of the rotational direction to the computer 200B, or only the estimation result of the rotational direction if the avatar object 6A does not reflect the movement of the center of gravity of the user 5A as described above. May be transmitted to the computer 200A.

  In the example shown in FIG. 25, the computer 200A transmits the dimension data 1439A to the computer 200B in step S2540, but the computer 200B may obtain the dimension data 1439A in advance. In that case, the computer 200A may transmit identification information of the user 5A or the computer 200A to the computer 200B in step S2540. The computer 200B may specify dimension data 1439A corresponding to the user 5A according to the received identification information.

  In the above example, the user 5 wears motion sensors at a total of six locations including the head, waist, both hands, and both feet, but the number of motion sensors is not limited to six. The user 5 only needs to attach the motion sensor in at least one place.

[Constitution]
The technical features disclosed above can be summarized as follows.

  (Configuration 1) According to an embodiment, a program for reflecting the motion of the user 5A in the avatar object 6 is provided. This program acquires the position information from the position sensor (for example, six motion sensors) attached to the user 5A associated with the computer 200A to the computer 200A (S1930, S1950), and the dimension data of the user 5 from the position information Calculating the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5A based on the position information and the dimension data (S2130), and the avatar object 6 disposed in the virtual space based on the rotation direction. The step of moving (S2140), the step of generating video data including the avatar object 6 (S2160), and the video data are delivered directly to the computer 200B different from the computer 200A or indirectly through the server 600. Step (S21 0) and to the execution.

  (Configuration 2) In the step of generating video data, a step of arranging the virtual camera 14A in the virtual space 11A, a step (S2110) of adjusting the imaging range of the virtual camera 14A based on the input of the user 5A, and A step of generating a corresponding image as video data (S2160).

  (Configuration 3) The method further includes the step of displaying the video data on a display 430 connected to the computer 200A.

  (Configuration 4) According to an embodiment, a program for reflecting the movement of the user 5A to the avatar object 6A is provided. This program obtains position information from a position sensor (for example, six motion sensors) attached to the user 5A associated with the computer 200A (S1930, S1950), and the size data of the user 5A from the position information. A step of calculating (S1960), a step of calculating the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5 based on the position information and the dimension data (S2130), and the computer 200B different from the computer 200A sends the avatar object 6A to the user 5A. In order to reflect the movement, the step of delivering the information on the rotation direction directly to the computer 200B or indirectly via the server 600 is executed.

  Configuration 5 According to an embodiment, a program for controlling the movement of avatar object 6A is provided. This program causes the computer 200B to acquire dimension data of the user 5A associated with the computer 200A different from the computer 200B (S2330), acquire position information of a part of the user 5A (S2330), and dimension data And the position information, the step of calculating the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5 (S2130) and the step of moving the avatar object 6A based on the rotation direction (S2350) are executed.

  (Configuration 6) The program causes the computer 200B to further execute the step (S2340) of accepting designation of the avatar object 6A. Moving the avatar object 6A includes moving the designated avatar object 6A (S2350).

  (Configuration 7) According to an embodiment, a program for reflecting the movement of the user 5A on the avatar object 6A is provided. This program transmits to the computer 200B the step of transmitting the photographed moving image to the computer 200A different from the computer 200B (S2510), and the step of acquiring the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5A viewing the moving image (S2130) And moving the avatar object 6A based on the rotation direction (S2140) and displaying the moving image on which the avatar object 6A is superimposed (S2580).

  (Configuration 8) The program causes the computer 200B to further execute the step (S2540) of acquiring dimension data of the user 5A. The step of acquiring the rotation direction is a step of acquiring positional information of a predetermined part of the user 5A viewing the moving image (S2550), and based on the positional information and dimension data, Obtaining a rotation direction (S2130).

  (Configuration 9) The program causes the computer 200B to further execute a step of acquiring audio data corresponding to the utterance of the user 5A who is viewing the moving image. The step of displaying includes the step of outputting audio data (S2580).

  (Configuration 10) The program causes the computer 200B to further execute the step of receiving the specification of the avatar object 6A. Moving the avatar object 6A includes moving the designated avatar object 6A.

  (Arrangement 11) According to an embodiment, a method for distributing a video including avatar object 6 is provided. This method comprises the steps of acquiring position information from the position sensor mounted on the user 5 (S1930, S1950), calculating the dimension data of the user 5 from the position information (S1960), and providing the position information and the dimension data. Based on the step of calculating the rotation direction of the joint of the user 5 (S2130), the step of moving the avatar object 6 based on the rotation direction (S2140), and the step of generating video data including the avatar object 6 (2160), And a step of distributing video data (S2180).

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

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include all the modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

  5 user, 6 avatar object, 10 server, 11 virtual space, 13 panoramic image, 14 virtual camera, 15 field of view, 16 reference line of sight, 17 field of view image, 100 HMD system, 110 HMD set, 130 monitor, 140 gaze sensor, 150 1st camera, 160 2nd camera, 170 microphone, 180 speaker, 190,410 sensor, 200 computer, 210,610 processor, 220,620 memory, 230,630 storage, 240,640 input / output interface, 250,650 communication interface , 260,660 Bus, 300 controller, 300L Left controller, 300R Right controller, 420, 1521, 1522, 1523, 2433 Motion sensor, 430, 2 435 display, 510 control module, 520 rendering module, 530 memory module, 540 communication control module, 600 server, 700 external device, 1421 virtual camera control module, 1422 visual field determination module, 1423 reference gaze identification module, 1424 face organ detection module , 1425 Motion detection module, 1426 Virtual space definition module, 1427 Virtual object generation module, 1428 Operation object control module, 1429 Avatar control module, 1431 Spatial information, 1432 Object information, 1433 User information, 1434 Face information, 1435 Mouth template, 1436 Eye template, 1437 Eyebrow template, 1438 Yuru, 1439 size data, 1531 belt, 2421 rabbits, 2431 camera.

Claims (12)

It is a program to reflect user's movement to avatar, and
The program is stored in the first computer.
Obtaining position information from a position sensor attached to a user associated with the first computer;
Calculating dimension data of the user from the position information;
Calculating a rotation direction of the user's joint based on the position information and the dimension data;
Moving an avatar arranged in the virtual space based on the rotation direction;
Generating video data including the avatar;
Delivering the video data to a second computer different from the first computer. The step of generating the video data includes
Placing a virtual camera in the virtual space;
Adjusting the shooting range of the virtual camera based on the input of the user;
The program according to claim 1, further comprising: generating an image corresponding to the shooting range as the video data.   The program according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying the video data on a display connected to the first computer. It is a program to reflect user's movement to avatar, and
The program is stored in the first computer.
Obtaining position information from a position sensor attached to a user associated with the first computer;
Calculating dimension data of the user from the position information;
Calculating a rotation direction of the user's joint based on the position information and the dimension data;
A second computer different from the first computer, delivering information on the rotational direction to the second computer in order to reflect the motion of the user on the avatar. A program for controlling the movement of an avatar,
The program is stored in the first computer.
Obtaining user dimension data associated with a second computer different from the first computer;
Obtaining position information of the user's part;
Calculating the rotation direction of the user's joint based on the dimension data and the position information;
Moving the avatar based on the rotation direction. The program causes the first computer to further execute a step of accepting designation of an avatar,
The program according to claim 5, wherein the step of moving the avatar includes the step of moving the designated avatar. It is a program to reflect user's movement to avatar, and
The program is stored in the first terminal.
Transmitting the captured moving image to a second terminal different from the first terminal;
Obtaining a rotation direction of a user's joint associated with the second terminal viewing the moving image;
Moving the avatar based on the direction of rotation;
And displaying the moving image on which the avatar is superimposed. The program further causes the first terminal to execute the step of acquiring the user dimension data,
The step of acquiring the rotation direction includes
Obtaining position information of a predetermined part of the user who is viewing the moving image;
The program according to claim 7, further comprising: acquiring a rotation direction of the user's joint based on the position information and the dimension data. The program is stored in the first terminal.
Further executing a step of obtaining audio data corresponding to the utterance of the user who is viewing the moving image;
The program according to claim 7, wherein the displaying step includes the step of outputting the audio data. The program further causes the first terminal to execute an avatar designation step,
The program according to claim 7, wherein the step of moving the avatar includes a step of moving the designated avatar. A memory storing the program according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a processor for executing the program. A method for distributing video including an avatar,
Acquiring position information from a position sensor attached to the user;
Calculating dimension data of the user from the position information;
Calculating a rotation direction of the joint of the user based on the position information and the dimension data;
Moving the avatar based on the direction of rotation;
Generating video data including the avatar;
Delivering the video data.

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