JP6242452B1 - Method for providing virtual space, method for providing virtual experience, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A user can further experience the actual feeling selected in a virtual space. An option control unit (233) generates a UI object (OB) including an operation part at a position (X1) in a virtual space. The option control unit (233) selects the UI object (OB) while the operation part is positioned at a position (X2) different from the position (X1) while the operation part is selected by the virtual right hand (HR). Can be selected based on the instruction. [Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a method for providing a virtual space, a method for providing a virtual experience, a program, and a recording medium.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a method that allows a predetermined input by sending a line of sight to a widget arranged in a virtual space.

Japanese Patent No. 5876607 (registered on January 29, 2016)

  In Patent Document 1, there is room for further improving the virtual experience. In particular, the virtual experience can be further improved by letting the user experience the actual feeling of performing input to a UI (User Interface).

  This indication is made in order to solve the above-mentioned subject, and the object is to further improve a virtual experience.

  A method of providing a virtual space according to the present disclosure is a method of providing a virtual space to a user wearing a head-mounted display on a head, wherein the head-mounted display is included in the virtual space based on the movement of the head-mounted display. Generating a visual field image to be output; generating in a virtual space a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object that receives an instruction from a user, the UI object including an operation part at a first position; In the space, generating a virtual body that interlocks with the movement of a part of the body other than the user's head, detecting that the operation part is selected by the virtual body, and selecting the operation part by the virtual body A step of detecting that the virtual body has been moved in any direction by the virtual body; There comprising remains selected by the virtual body, while the first position is located in a different second position, the steps to be selected based on a predetermined selection to the instruction for the UI object, the.

  A method for providing a virtual experience according to the present disclosure is a method for providing a virtual experience to a user wearing a head-mounted display on a head, and is a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object that receives an instruction from the user. A step of generating a UI object including the operation part at the first position; a step of detecting that the operation part is selected by a part of the body other than the user's head; A step of detecting movement in any direction by a part of the body while being selected by the part, and a second position different from the first position while the operation part is selected by the part of the body A predetermined option can be selected on the basis of an instruction to the UI object.

  According to the present disclosure, the virtual experience can be further improved.

It is a figure which shows the structure of a HMD system. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a control circuit part. It is a figure which illustrates the visual field coordinate system set to HMD. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the virtual space provided to a user. It is a figure which shows the cross section of a visual field area | region. It is a figure which illustrates the method of determining a user's gaze direction. It is a figure showing the structure of a right controller. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a control circuit part. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of the process in which an HMD system provides a virtual space to a user. It is a sequence diagram explaining progress of selection operation in virtual space. It is a figure which shows an example of the transition of the visual field image displayed on a display.

[Details of the embodiment of the present invention]
A specific example of a method and program for providing a virtual space according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these exemplifications, but is defined by the scope of claims for patent, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent are included in the present invention. In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements in the description of the drawings, and repeated description is not repeated.

(Configuration of HMD system 100)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the HMD system 100. As shown in this figure, the HMD system 100 includes an HMD (head mounted display) 110, an HMD sensor 120, a controller sensor 140, a control circuit unit 200, and a controller 300.

  The HMD 110 is worn on the user's head. The HMD 110 includes a display 112 which is a non-transmissive display device, a sensor 114, and a gaze sensor 130. The HMD 110 displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image on the display 112, thereby allowing the user to visually recognize a three-dimensional image that is stereoscopically viewed by the user based on the parallax between both eyes of the user. This provides a virtual space to the user. Since the display 112 is disposed in front of the user's eyes, the user can immerse in the virtual space through an image displayed on the display 112. Thereby, the user can experience virtual reality (Virtual Reality: VR). The virtual space may include a background, various objects that can be operated by the user, menu images, and the like.

  The display 112 may include a right-eye sub-display that displays a right-eye image and a left-eye sub-display that displays a left-eye image. Alternatively, the display 112 may be a single display device that displays the right-eye image and the left-eye image on a common screen. As such a display device, for example, a display device that alternately displays a right-eye image and a left-eye image independently by switching a shutter so that the display image can be recognized only by one eye. .

  In the present embodiment, a transmissive display may be applied to the HMD 110. That is, the HMD 110 may be a transmissive HMD. In this case, by displaying the three-dimensional image on the transmissive display, a virtual object described later can be virtually arranged in the real space. Thereby, the user can experience mixed reality (Mixes Reality: MR) in which virtual objects are arranged in the real space. In the present embodiment, an experience such as virtual reality or mixed reality in which a user can interact with a virtual object may be referred to as a virtual experience. Hereinafter, a method for providing virtual reality will be described in detail as an example.

(Hard structure of the control circuit unit 200)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the control circuit unit 200. The control circuit unit 200 is a computer for causing the HMD 110 to provide a virtual space. As shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit unit 200 includes a processor, a memory, a storage, an input / output interface, and a communication interface. These are connected to each other in the control circuit unit 200 through a bus as a data transmission path.

  The processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a micro-processing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and the like, and controls operations of the control circuit unit 200 and the HMD system 100 as a whole.

  The memory functions as main memory. The memory stores a program processed by the processor and control data (such as calculation parameters). The memory may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The storage functions as auxiliary storage. The storage stores a program for controlling the operation of the entire HMD system 100, various simulation programs, a user authentication program, and various data (images, objects, etc.) for defining a virtual space. Furthermore, a database including a table for managing various data may be constructed in the storage. The storage can be configured to include a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive).

  The input / output interface includes various wired connection terminals such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, and various wireless connection terminals. These processing circuits are included. The input / output interface connects the HMD 110, various sensors including the HMD sensor 120 and the controller sensor 140, and the controller 300 to each other.

  The communication interface includes various wired connection terminals for communicating with an external device via the network NW, and various processing circuits for wireless connection. The communication interface is configured to conform to various communication standards and protocols for communicating via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  The control circuit unit 200 provides a virtual space to the user by loading a predetermined application program stored in the storage into a memory and executing it. When the program is executed, the memory and the storage store various programs for operating various objects arranged in the virtual space and displaying and controlling various menu images and the like.

  The control circuit unit 200 may or may not be mounted on the HMD 110. That is, the control circuit unit 200 may be another hardware independent of the HMD 110 (for example, a personal computer or a server device that can communicate with the HMD 110 through a network). The control circuit unit 200 may be a device in which one or a plurality of functions are implemented by cooperation of a plurality of hardware. Alternatively, only a part of all the functions of the control circuit unit 200 may be mounted on the HMD 110, and the remaining functions may be mounted on different hardware.

  A global coordinate system (reference coordinate system, xyz coordinate system) is set in advance for each element such as the HMD 110 constituting the HMD system 100. This global coordinate system has three reference directions (axes) parallel to the vertical direction, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the real space. In the present embodiment, since the global coordinate system is a kind of viewpoint coordinate system, the horizontal direction, vertical direction (vertical direction), and front-rear direction in the global coordinate system are set as an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis, respectively. Specifically, the x-axis of the global coordinate system is parallel to the horizontal direction of the real space, the y-axis is parallel to the vertical direction of the real space, and the z-axis is parallel to the front-rear direction of the real space.

  The HMD sensor 120 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the HMD 110. With this function, the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 in the real space. In order to realize this detection, the HMD 110 includes a plurality of light sources (not shown). Each light source is, for example, an LED that emits infrared light. The HMD sensor 120 includes, for example, an infrared sensor. The HMD sensor 120 detects the detection point of the HMD 110 by detecting the infrared ray irradiated from the light source of the HMD 110 with the infrared sensor. Further, based on the detection value of the detection point of the HMD 110, the position and inclination of the HMD 110 in the real space according to the user's movement are detected. The HMD sensor 120 can determine the time change of the position and inclination of the HMD 110 based on the change with time of the detected value.

  The HMD sensor 120 may include an optical camera. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 based on the image information of the HMD 110 obtained by the optical camera.

  Instead of the HMD sensor 120, the HMD 110 may detect its position and inclination using the sensor 114. In this case, the sensor 114 may be an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a gyro sensor, for example. The HMD 110 uses at least one of these. When the sensor 114 is an angular velocity sensor, the sensor 114 detects the angular velocity around the three axes in the real space of the HMD 110 over time according to the movement of the HMD 110. The HMD 110 can determine the temporal change of the angle around the three axes of the HMD 110 based on the detected value of the angular velocity, and can detect the inclination of the HMD 110 based on the temporal change of the angle.

  When the HMD 110 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 based on the detection value of the sensor 114, the HMD sensor 120 is not necessary for the HMD system 100. Conversely, when the HMD sensor 120 arranged at a position away from the HMD 110 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110, the sensor 114 is not necessary for the HMD 110.

  As described above, the global coordinate system is parallel to the real space coordinate system. Therefore, each inclination of the HMD 110 detected by the HMD sensor 120 corresponds to each inclination around the three axes of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system. The HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system to the HMD 110 based on the detected value of the inclination of the HMD sensor 120 in the global coordinate system. The uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD 110 corresponds to a viewpoint coordinate system when a user wearing the HMD 110 views an object.

(Uvw visual field coordinate system)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an uvw visual field coordinate system set in the HMD 110. The HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system when the HMD 110 is activated. Then, a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system based on the detected tilt value is set in the HMD 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the HMD sensor 120 sets a three-dimensional uvw visual field coordinate system around the head of the user wearing the HMD 110 as the center (origin) in the HMD 110. Specifically, the horizontal direction, the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction (x axis, y axis, z axis) that define the global coordinate system are respectively set around each axis by an inclination around each axis of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system. Three new directions obtained by tilting are set as the pitch direction (u-axis), yaw direction (v-axis), and roll direction (w-axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the user wearing the HMD 110 stands upright and visually recognizes the front, the HMD sensor 120 sets the uvw visual field coordinate system parallel to the global coordinate system to the HMD 110. In this case, the horizontal direction (x-axis), the vertical direction (y-axis), and the front-back direction (z-axis) of the global coordinate system are the same as the pitch direction (u-axis) and yaw direction (v of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110. Axis) and the roll direction (w-axis).

  After setting the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110, the HMD sensor 120 can detect the inclination (the amount of change in inclination) of the HMD 110 in the currently set uvw visual field coordinate system in accordance with the movement of the HMD 110. In this case, the HMD sensor 120 detects the pitch angle (θu), yaw angle (θv), and roll angle (θw) of the HMD 110 in the currently set uvw visual field coordinate system as the inclination of the HMD 110. The pitch angle (θu) is an inclination angle of the HMD 110 around the pitch direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) is an inclination angle of the HMD 110 around the yaw direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) is an inclination angle of the HMD 110 around the roll direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system.

  Based on the detected value of the inclination of the HMD 110, the HMD sensor 120 newly sets the uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110 after moving to the HMD 110. The relationship between the HMD 110 and the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 is always constant regardless of the position and inclination of the HMD 110. When the position and inclination of the HMD 110 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the global coordinate system similarly change in conjunction with the change.

  The HMD sensor 120 determines the position of the HMD 110 in the real space relative to the HMD sensor 120 based on the infrared light intensity acquired by the infrared sensor and the relative positional relationship (distance between the detection points) between the plurality of detection points. You may specify as a position. The origin of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the real space (global coordinate system) may be determined based on the specified relative position. The HMD sensor 120 detects the inclination of the HMD 110 in the real space based on the relative positional relationship between the plurality of detection points, and further, based on the detected value, the uvw visual field coordinates of the HMD 110 in the real space (global coordinate system). The orientation of the system may be determined.

(Outline of virtual space 2)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the virtual space 2 provided to the user. As shown in this figure, the virtual space 2 has a spherical structure that covers the entire 360 ° direction of the center 21. FIG. 4 illustrates only the upper half celestial sphere in the entire virtual space 2. A plurality of substantially square or substantially rectangular meshes are associated with the virtual space 2. The position of each mesh in the virtual space 2 is defined in advance as coordinates in a space coordinate system (XYZ coordinate system) defined in the virtual space 2. The control circuit unit 200 associates each partial image constituting content (still image, moving image, etc.) that can be developed in the virtual space 2 with each corresponding mesh in the virtual space 2, thereby enabling the virtual space image that can be visually recognized by the user. The virtual space 2 in which 22 is expanded is provided to the user.

  The virtual space 2 defines an XYZ space coordinate system with the center 21 as the origin. The XYZ coordinate system is, for example, parallel to the global coordinate system. Since the XYZ coordinate system is a kind of viewpoint coordinate system, the horizontal direction, vertical direction (vertical direction), and front-rear direction in the XYZ coordinate system are defined as an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, respectively. That is, the X axis (horizontal direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the x axis of the global coordinate system, the Y axis (vertical direction) of the XYZ coordinate system is parallel to the y axis of the global coordinate system, and The Z axis (front-rear direction) is parallel to the z axis of the global coordinate system.

  When the HMD 110 is activated (initial state), the virtual camera 1 is arranged at the center 21 of the virtual space 2. The virtual camera 1 moves similarly in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 110 in the real space. Thereby, changes in the position and orientation of the HMD 110 in the real space are similarly reproduced in the virtual space 2.

  As with the HMD 110, the uvw visual field coordinate system is defined for the virtual camera 1. The uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 is defined to change to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the real space (global coordinate system). Therefore, when the inclination of the HMD 110 changes, the inclination of the virtual camera 1 also changes accordingly. The virtual camera 1 can also move in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user wearing the HMD 110 in the real space.

  The orientation of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 is determined according to the position and inclination of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. As a result, a line of sight (reference line of sight 5) as a reference when the user visually recognizes the virtual space image 22 developed in the virtual space 2 is determined. The control circuit unit 200 determines the visual field region 23 in the virtual space 2 based on the reference visual line 5. The visual field area 23 is an area corresponding to the visual field of the user wearing the HMD 110 in the virtual space 2.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a cross section of the visual field region 23. FIG. 5A shows a YZ cross section of the visual field region 23 viewed from the X direction in the virtual space 2. FIG. 5B shows an XZ cross-section of the visual field region 23 viewed from the Y direction in the virtual space 2. The visual field region 23 is defined by the first region 24 (see FIG. 5A) that is a range defined by the reference line of sight 5 and the YZ section of the virtual space 2, and the reference line of sight 5 and the XZ section of the virtual space 2. And a second region 25 (see FIG. 5B) which is a defined range. The control circuit unit 200 sets a range including the polar angle α around the reference line of sight 5 in the virtual space 2 as the first region 24. In addition, a range including the azimuth angle β around the reference line of sight 5 in the virtual space 2 is set as the second region 25.

  The HMD system 100 provides the user with the virtual space 2 by causing the display image 112 of the HMD 110 to display a view image 26 that is a portion of the virtual space image 22 that is superimposed on the view region 23. If the user moves the HMD 110, the virtual camera 1 also moves in conjunction with it, and as a result, the position of the visual field area 23 in the virtual space 2 changes. As a result, the view image 26 displayed on the display 112 is updated to an image that is superimposed on a portion of the virtual space image 22 where the user faces (= view region 23). Therefore, the user can visually recognize a desired location in the virtual space 2.

  While wearing the HMD 110, the user visually recognizes only the virtual space image 22 developed in the virtual space 2 without seeing the real world. Therefore, the HMD system 100 can give a high immersive feeling to the virtual space 2 to the user.

  The control circuit unit 200 may move the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 in conjunction with the movement of the user wearing the HMD 110 in the real space. In this case, the control circuit unit 200 identifies the visual field region 23 that is visually recognized by the user by being projected on the display 112 of the HMD 110 in the virtual space 2 based on the position and orientation of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2.

  The virtual camera 1 preferably includes a right-eye virtual camera that provides a right-eye image and a left-eye virtual camera that provides a left-eye image. Furthermore, it is preferable that appropriate parallax is set for the two virtual cameras so that the user can recognize the three-dimensional virtual space 2. In the present embodiment, only the virtual camera 1 in which the roll direction (w) generated by combining the roll directions of the two virtual cameras is adapted to the roll direction (w) of the HMD 110 is represented. Will be shown and described.

(Gaze direction detection)
The gaze sensor 130 has an eye tracking function that detects the direction (gaze direction) in which the line of sight of the user's right eye and left eye is directed. As the gaze sensor 130, a known sensor having an eye tracking function can be employed. The gaze sensor 130 preferably includes a right eye sensor and a left eye sensor. The gaze sensor 130 may be, for example, a sensor that detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by irradiating the user's right eye and left eye with infrared light and receiving reflected light from the cornea and iris with respect to the irradiated light. The gaze sensor 130 can detect the direction of the user's line of sight based on each detected rotation angle.

  The user's gaze direction detected by the gaze sensor 130 is a direction in the viewpoint coordinate system when the user visually recognizes the object. As described above, the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 is equal to the viewpoint coordinate system when the user visually recognizes the display 112. Further, the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110. Therefore, in the HMD system 100, the user's line-of-sight direction detected by the gaze sensor 130 can be regarded as the user's line-of-sight direction in the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining the user's line-of-sight direction. As shown in this figure, the gaze sensor 130 detects the line of sight of the right eye and the left eye of the user U. When the user U is looking nearby, the gaze sensor 130 detects the line of sight R1 and L1 of the user U. When the user looks far away, the gaze sensor 130 identifies the line of sight R2 and L2 that are smaller in angle with the roll direction (w) of the HMD 110 than the line of sight R1 and L1 of the user. The gaze sensor 130 transmits the detection value to the control circuit unit 200.

  When receiving the line of sight R1 and L1 as the line-of-sight detection value, the control circuit unit 200 specifies the gazing point N1 that is the intersection of the two. On the other hand, also when the lines of sight R2 and L2 are received, the gazing point N1 (not shown) that is the intersection of the two is specified. The control circuit unit 200 detects the gaze direction N0 of the user U based on the identified gazing point N1. For example, the control circuit unit 200 detects, as the line-of-sight direction N0, a direction in which a straight line passing through the midpoint of a straight line connecting the right eye R and the left eye L of the user U and the gazing point N1 extends. The line-of-sight direction N0 is a direction in which the user U actually points the line of sight with both eyes. The line-of-sight direction N0 is also a direction in which the user U actually directs his / her line of sight with respect to the visual field region 23.

  The HMD system 100 may include a microphone and a speaker in any element constituting the HMD system 100. Thereby, the user can give a voice instruction to the virtual space 2. Further, in order to receive a broadcast of a television program on a virtual television in a virtual space, the HMD system 100 may include a television receiver as any element. Further, it may include a communication function or the like for displaying an electronic mail or the like acquired by the user.

(Controller 300)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the controller 300. The controller 300 is an example of an apparatus used to control the movement of a virtual object by detecting the movement of a part of the user's body. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 300 includes a right controller 320 that the user uses with the right hand and a left controller 330 that the user uses with the left hand. The right controller 320 and the left controller 330 are configured as separate devices. The user moves a right hand holding the right controller 320 and a left hand holding the left controller 330 to move a virtual object (hereinafter referred to as a virtual hand, a virtual right hand, a virtual hand depending on the situation). May be referred to as the left hand, etc.). The method for detecting the movement of a part of the body other than the user's head is not limited to an example using a controller including a sensor attached to the part of the body. An optical method or the like can be applied. For example, by identifying the initial position of a part of the user's body using an external camera and continuously identifying the position of the part of the user's body, the movement of the part of the body other than the user's head Can be detected. In the following description, detection of movement of a part of the body other than the user's head using the controller 300 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the right controller 320 and the left controller 330 each include an operation button 302, an infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) 304, a sensor 306, and a transceiver 308. The right controller 320 and the left controller 330 may include only one of the infrared LED 304 and the sensor 306. In the following description, since the right controller 320 and the left controller 330 have a common configuration, only the configuration of the right controller 320 will be described.

  The controller sensor 140 has a position tracking function for detecting the movement of the right controller 320. The controller sensor 140 detects the position and inclination of the right controller 320 in the real space. The controller sensor 140 detects the infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 304 of the right controller 320, respectively. The controller sensor 140 includes an infrared camera that captures an image in the infrared wavelength region, and detects the position and inclination of the right controller 320 based on image data captured by the infrared camera.

  Instead of the controller sensor 140, the right controller 320 may detect its position and tilt using the sensor 306. In this case, the three-axis angular velocity sensor (sensor 306) of the right controller 320 detects the rotation of the right controller 320 around each of three orthogonal axes. The right controller 320 detects how much the right controller 320 has rotated in which direction based on each detection value, and calculates the inclination of the right controller 320 by accumulating the sequentially detected rotation direction and rotation amount. To do. The right controller 320 may use the detection value from the triaxial magnetic sensor and / or the triaxial acceleration sensor in addition to the detection value of the triaxial angular velocity sensor.

  The operation buttons 302 are a group of buttons configured to receive operation inputs from the user for the controller 300. In the present embodiment, the operation button 302 includes a push button, a trigger button, and an analog stick.

  The push-type button is a button configured to be operated by an operation of pressing downward with a thumb. The right controller 320 includes thumb buttons 302a and 302b on the top surface 322 as push buttons. Both thumb buttons 302a and 302b are operated (pressed) with the thumb of the right hand. The thumb buttons 302a and 302b are pressed by the thumb of the right hand, or the thumb is placed on the top surface 322, whereby the thumb of the virtual right hand is changed from the extended state to the bent state.

  The trigger type button is a button configured to be operated by an operation of pulling a trigger with an index finger or a middle finger. The right controller 320 includes an index finger button 302e on the front surface of the grip 324 as a trigger type button. By operating the index finger button 302e and operating with the index finger of the right hand, the index finger of the virtual right hand is changed from the extended state to the bent state. Further, a middle finger button 302f is provided on a side surface portion of the grip 324. By operating the middle finger button 302f with the middle finger of the right hand, the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the virtual right hand are changed to the bent state.

  The right controller 320 detects the pressed state of the thumb buttons 302 a and 302 b, the index finger button 302 e, and the middle finger button 302 f, and outputs these detected values to the control circuit unit 200.

  In the present embodiment, the detection value of the pressed state of each button of the right controller 320 can take any value from 0 to 1. For example, when the user has not pressed the thumb button 302a at all, “0” is detected as the pressing state of the thumb button 302a. On the other hand, when the user presses the thumb button 302a completely (deepest), “1” is detected as the pressing state of the thumb button 302a. Thereby, you may adjust the bending condition of each finger | toe in a virtual hand. For example, by defining the state of “0” as a state where the finger is extended and defining the state of “1” as a state where the finger is bent, the user controls the finger of the virtual hand by an intuitive operation. can do.

  The analog stick is a stick-type button that can be operated by being tilted 360 degrees from a predetermined neutral position. An analog stick 302 i is provided on the top surface 322 of the right controller 320. The analog stick 302i is operated with the thumb of the right hand.

  The right controller 320 includes a frame 326 that extends from both side surfaces of the grip 324 in a direction opposite to the top surface 322 to form a semicircular ring. A plurality of infrared LEDs 304 are embedded on the outer surface of the frame 326.

  The infrared LED 304 emits infrared light during play. Infrared light emitted from the infrared LED 304 is used to detect the position and tilt of the right controller 320.

  The right controller 320 further incorporates a sensor 306 instead of or in addition to the infrared LED 304. The sensor 306 may be, for example, a magnetic sensor, an angular velocity sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a combination thereof. The position and inclination of the right controller 320 can be detected by the sensor 306.

  The transceiver 308 is configured to transmit and receive data between the right controller 320 and the control circuit unit 200. The transceiver 308 transmits data based on the operation input given to the right controller 320 by the user via the operation button 302 to the control circuit unit 200. The transceiver 308 also receives a command for instructing the right controller 320 to emit light from the infrared LED 304 from the control circuit unit 200. Further, the transceiver 308 transmits data corresponding to various values detected by the sensor 306 to the control circuit unit 200.

  The right controller 320 may include a vibrator for transmitting tactile feedback by vibration to the user's hand. In this configuration, the transceiver 308 can receive a command for causing the vibrator to perform tactile feedback from the control circuit unit 200 in addition to the transmission / reception of each data described above.

(Functional configuration of control circuit unit 200)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control circuit unit 200. The control circuit unit 200 controls the virtual space 2 provided to the user by using various data received from the HMD sensor 120, the controller sensor 140, the gaze sensor 130, and the controller 300. Further, the control circuit unit 200 controls image display on the display 112 of the HMD 110. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the control circuit unit 200 includes a detection unit 210, a display control unit 220, a virtual space control unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a communication unit 250. The control circuit unit 200 functions as a detection unit 210, a display control unit 220, a virtual space control unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a communication unit 250 by the cooperation of the hardware illustrated in FIG. The functions of the detection unit 210, the display control unit 220, and the virtual space control unit 230 can be realized mainly by the cooperation of the processor and the memory. The function of the storage unit 240 can be realized mainly by the cooperation of the memory and the storage. The function of the communication unit 250 can be realized mainly by the cooperation of the processor and the communication interface.

  The detection unit 210 receives detection values from various sensors (such as the HMD sensor 120) connected to the control circuit unit 200. Moreover, the detection part 210 performs the predetermined process using the received detected value as needed. The detection unit 210 includes an HMD detection unit 211, a line-of-sight detection unit 212, and a controller detection unit 213. The HMD detection unit 211 receives detection values from the HMD 110 and the HMD sensor 120, respectively. The line-of-sight detection unit 212 receives the detection value from the gaze sensor 130. The controller detection unit 213 receives detection values from the controller sensor 140, the right controller 320, and the left controller 330.

  The display control unit 220 controls image display on the display 112 of the HMD 110. The display control unit 220 includes a virtual camera control unit 221, a visual field region determination unit 222, and a visual field image generation unit 223. The virtual camera control unit 221 arranges the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. The virtual camera control unit 221 controls the behavior of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2. The view area determination unit 222 determines the view area 23. The view image generation unit 223 generates a view image 26 displayed on the display 112 based on the determined view area 23.

  The virtual space control unit 230 controls the virtual space 2 provided to the user. The virtual space control unit 230 includes a virtual space defining unit 231, a virtual hand control unit 232, an option control unit 233, and a setting unit 234.

  The virtual space defining unit 231 defines the virtual space 2 in the HMD system 100 by generating virtual space data representing the virtual space 2 provided to the user. The virtual hand control unit 232 arranges each virtual hand (virtual right hand and virtual left hand) of the user in the virtual space 2 according to the operation of the right controller 320 and the left controller 330 by the user. The virtual hand control unit 232 controls the behavior of each virtual hand in the virtual space 2.

  The option control unit 233 arranges a user interface (UI) object, which is a virtual object for receiving selection of options, in the virtual space 2. Then, the option control unit 233 receives an option selection based on the behavior of the virtual body with respect to the UI object. Note that the virtual body is a virtual object that is linked to the movement of a part of the body other than the user's head. In the present embodiment, an example in which the virtual body is a virtual hand will be described.

  The option control unit 233 generates a UI object including a display area. The option control unit 233 displays options that can be selected by the user in this display area. The UI object generated by the option control unit 233 includes an operation part. The option control unit 233 switches the options to be displayed in the display area in response to a user operation via the virtual body on the operation part.

  The setting unit 234 sets the operation mode of the HMD system 100.

  The storage unit 240 stores various data used by the control circuit unit 200 to provide the virtual space 2 to the user. The storage unit 240 includes a template storage unit 241, a content storage unit 242, and an option storage unit 243. The template storage unit 241 stores various template data representing the template of the virtual space 2. The content storage unit 242 stores various types of content that can be reproduced in the virtual space 2. The option storage unit 243 stores options arranged in the virtual space 2.

  The template data has spatial structure data that defines the spatial structure of the virtual space 2. The spatial structure data is data that defines the spatial structure of a 360 ° celestial sphere centered on the center 21, for example. The template data further includes data defining the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual space 2. The template data further includes coordinate data for specifying the position of each mesh constituting the celestial sphere in the XYZ coordinate system. The template data further includes a flag indicating whether or not a virtual object can be arranged in the virtual space 2.

  The content is content that can be reproduced in the virtual space 2. For example, when the content is game content, the content includes at least data defining a background image of the game and a virtual object (character, item, etc.) appearing in the game. In each content, an initial direction facing an image to be shown to the user in the initial state (at the time of activation) of the HMD 110 is defined in advance.

  The communication unit 250 transmits / receives data to / from an external device 400 (for example, a game server) via the network NW.

(Process of providing virtual space 2)
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processing in which the HMD system 100 provides the virtual space 2 to the user. The virtual space 2 is basically provided to the user through the cooperation of the HMD 110 and the control circuit unit 200. When the process shown in FIG. 8 is started, first, in step S1, the virtual space defining unit 231 generates virtual space data representing the virtual space 2 provided to the user, thereby defining the virtual space 2. The generation procedure is as follows. First, the virtual space defining unit 231 defines the prototype of the virtual space 2 by acquiring the template data of the virtual space 2 from the template storage unit 241. The virtual space defining unit 231 further acquires content to be played back in the virtual space 2 from the content storage unit 242. In the present embodiment, this content is game content.

  The virtual space defining unit 231 generates virtual space data defining the virtual space 2 by adapting the acquired content to the acquired template data. The virtual space defining unit 231 appropriately associates each partial image constituting the background image included in the content with the management data of each mesh constituting the celestial sphere of the virtual space 2 in the virtual space data. The virtual space defining unit 231 preferably associates each partial image with each mesh so that the initial direction defined in the content matches the Z direction in the XYZ coordinate system of the virtual space 2.

  The virtual space defining unit 231 further adds management data of each virtual object included in the content to the virtual space data as necessary. At that time, coordinates representing the position where the corresponding virtual object is arranged in the virtual space 2 are set in each management data. Thus, each virtual object is arranged at the position of the coordinate in the virtual space 2.

  After that, when the HMD 110 is activated by the user, the HMD sensor 120 detects the position and inclination of the HMD 110 in the initial state in step S2, and outputs the detected value to the control circuit unit 200 in step S3. The HMD detection unit 211 receives this detection value. Thereafter, in step S <b> 4, the virtual camera control unit 221 initializes the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2.

  The initialization procedure is as follows. First, the virtual camera control unit 221 places the virtual camera 1 at an initial position in the virtual space 2 (eg, the center 21 in FIG. 4). Next, the orientation of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 is set. At that time, the virtual camera control unit 221 specifies the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 in the initial state based on the detection value from the HMD sensor 120 and sets the uvw visual field coordinate system that matches the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 110 to the virtual camera 1. The orientation of the virtual camera 1 may be set by setting to. When setting the uvw visual field coordinate system for the virtual camera 1, the virtual camera control unit 221 adapts the roll direction (w axis) of the virtual camera 1 to the Z direction (Z axis) of the XYZ coordinate system. Specifically, the virtual camera control unit 221 matches the direction obtained by projecting the roll direction of the virtual camera 1 on the XZ plane with the Z direction of the XYZ coordinate system, and the roll direction of the virtual camera 1 with respect to the XZ plane. Is matched with the inclination of the roll direction of the HMD 110 with respect to the horizontal plane. By such adaptation processing, the roll direction of the virtual camera 1 in the initial state is adapted to the initial direction of the content, so that the horizontal direction that the user first faces after the start of content reproduction matches the initial direction of the content. Can be made.

  When the initialization process of the virtual camera 1 is completed, the visual field region determination unit 222 determines the visual field region 23 in the virtual space 2 based on the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1. Specifically, the roll direction (w axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 1 is specified as the reference visual line 5 of the user, and the visual field region 23 is determined based on the reference visual line 5. In step S <b> 5, the visual field image generation unit 223 processes the virtual space data, and corresponds to a portion projected to the visual field region 23 in the virtual space 2 out of the entire virtual space image 22 developed in the virtual space 2. A visual field image 26 to be generated is generated (rendered). In step S6, the visual field image generation unit 223 outputs the generated visual field image 26 to the HMD 110 as an initial visual field image. In step S <b> 7, the HMD 110 displays the received initial view image on the display 112. Thereby, the user visually recognizes the initial view image.

  Thereafter, in step S8, the HMD sensor 120 detects the current position and inclination of the HMD 110, and outputs these detected values to the control circuit unit 200 in step S9. The HMD detection unit 211 receives each detection value. The virtual camera control unit 221 specifies the current uvw visual field coordinate system in the HMD 110 based on the position and tilt detection values of the HMD 110. Furthermore, in step S <b> 10, the virtual camera control unit 221 specifies the roll direction (w axis) of the uvw visual field coordinate system in the XYZ coordinate system as the visual field direction of the HMD 110.

  In the present embodiment, in step S <b> 11, the virtual camera control unit 221 specifies the identified visual field direction of the HMD 110 as the user's reference visual line 5 in the virtual space 2. In step S <b> 12, the virtual camera control unit 221 controls the virtual camera 1 based on the identified reference line of sight 5. If the position (starting point) and direction of the reference line of sight 5 are the same as the initial state of the virtual camera 1, the virtual camera control unit 221 maintains the position and direction of the virtual camera 1 as they are. On the other hand, if the position (starting point) and / or direction of the reference line of sight 5 has changed from the initial state of the virtual camera 1, the position and / or inclination of the virtual camera 1 in the virtual space 2 is changed to the reference line of sight after the change. Change the position and / or inclination according to 5. Further, the uvw visual field coordinate system is reset for the virtual camera 1 after the control.

  In step S <b> 13, the visual field area determination unit 222 determines the visual field area 23 in the virtual space 2 based on the identified reference visual line 5. Thereafter, in step S <b> 14, the visual field image generation unit 223 processes (superimposes) the virtual space data on the visual field region 23 in the virtual space 2 among the entire virtual space image 22 developed in the virtual space 2 by processing the virtual space data. A view field image 26 that is a portion to be generated is generated (rendered). In step S15, the visual field image generation unit 223 outputs the generated visual field image 26 to the HMD 110 as a visual field image for update. In step S <b> 16, the HMD 110 updates the view image 26 by displaying the received view image 26 on the display 112. Thereby, if a user moves HMD110, the view image 26 will be updated in response to it.

(Processing and display example for allowing the user to select an option)
As described above, the option control unit 233 generates a UI object. The user can select a desired option from a plurality of options by operating the UI object. More specifically, when selecting a choice, the user first selects an operation part of the UI object with the virtual body. Then, the user moves the position of the operation part in the UI object by moving the virtual body while the operation part is selected by the virtual body. With these operations, the user can switch between a plurality of options. As described above, in selecting an option using the UI object, the user switches the option by performing an operation of selecting and moving the operation portion with the virtual body. For this reason, according to the HMD system 100, the user can be made sure that the operation has been performed reliably, and the virtual experience of the user can be further improved.

  Hereinafter, an example of the process in which the HMD system 100 causes the user to select an option and the view image 26 displayed on the display 112 by the process will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In the following, an example in which the UI object is a UI object OB including the operation lever SL as an operation part and the virtual body for selecting the operation part is a virtual hand will be described. Further, a user operation for selecting an operation portion by the virtual body moves the virtual hand to a position in contact with the operation lever SL or close to the operation lever SL, and causes the virtual hand to perform a gripping operation at the position. Suppose that it is an operation. That is, the option control unit 233 detects that the operation lever SL is selected by the virtual hand when the operation lever SL is gripped by the virtual hand. An example in which options that can be selected by the user via the UI object OB include “Single Mode” that is one of the operation modes of the HMD system 100 and “Multi Mode” that is the other one will be described. When the selection of the option “Multi Mode” is confirmed, the setting unit 234 operates the HMD system 100 in “Multi Mode”. On the other hand, when selection of the option “Single Mode” is confirmed, the setting unit 234 causes the HMD system 100 to operate in “Single Mode”.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of processing in which the HMD system 100 causes the user to select an option using the UI object in the virtual space 2. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the field-of-view image 26 displayed on the display 112 by the process of FIG. The visual field image 26 displayed on the display 112 is sequentially switched from the visual field image 26a to the visual field image 26e by a series of operations by the user.

  In step S21, the option control unit 233 generates a UI object OB. As shown in FIG. 11, the UI object OB includes an operation lever SL and a display area DE. The option control unit 233 moves the operation lever SL along the direction DR when detecting a user operation to move the virtual hand in the direction DR while the operation lever SL is selected with the virtual hand. As shown in the view image 26a, in the UI object OB in the initial state, the operation lever SL is displayed at the position X1 (first position) which is the initial position. In the display area DE, “PLEASE SELECT” (first information), which is a character string that prompts the user to perform a selection operation, is displayed as an initial image.

  In step S <b> 22, the view image generation unit 223 outputs a view image including the UI object OB to the HMD 110. In step S <b> 23, the HMD 110 updates the view image by displaying the received view image on the display 112.

  In step S24, the controller sensor 140 detects the position and inclination of the right controller 320 and the position and inclination of the left controller 330, respectively. In step S <b> 25, the controller sensor 140 transmits each detection value to the control circuit unit 200. The controller detection unit 213 receives these detection values. In step S26, the controller 300 detects the pressed state of each button. In step S <b> 27, the right controller 320 and the left controller 330 transmit each detection value to the control circuit unit 200. The controller detection unit 213 receives these detection values. In step S <b> 28, the virtual hand control unit 232 generates the virtual right hand HR and the virtual left hand HL of the user in the virtual space 2 using each detection value received by the controller detection unit 213. The virtual hand control unit 232 defines the virtual right hand HR of the user using the detected value of the position and tilt of the right controller 320 and the detected value of the pressed state of each button of the right controller 320. Similarly, the virtual hand control unit 232 defines the position and inclination of the virtual left hand HL in the virtual space 2 and the state of each finger based on each detection value of the left controller 330. In step S <b> 29, the virtual hand control unit 232 outputs a view field image including the virtual right hand HR and the virtual left hand HL to the HMD 110. In step S <b> 30, the HMD 110 updates the view image by displaying the received view image on the display 112. Thereby, for example, the view field image 26 a of FIG. 11 is displayed on the display 112.

  In step S31, the option control unit 233 detects that the operation lever SL is grasped by a virtual hand. For example, the option control unit 233 performs an operation in which the virtual right hand HR is moved by the virtual hand control unit 232 to a position in contact with or close to the operation lever SL and is gripped by the virtual right hand HR at the position. If the operation lever SL is held, the control lever SL may be detected as being held by the virtual right hand HR. Note that the user operation for causing the virtual right hand HR to perform a gripping operation is an operation of pressing each button of the right controller 320, for example.

  The view image 26b shows a state where the virtual right hand HR is gripping the operation lever SL at the initial position X1, that is, a state where the user has selected the operation lever SL with the virtual right hand HR.

  In step S32, the option control unit 233 detects that the virtual hand has moved while holding the operation lever SL. That is, the option control unit 233 detects that the operation lever SL is moved in any direction by the virtual hand while being selected by the virtual hand. For example, the option control unit 233 detects that the virtual hand is holding the operation lever SL and that the virtual hand has moved in the direction DR based on the detected values of the position and inclination of each controller.

  In step S33, the option control unit 233 temporarily sets a predetermined option corresponding to the position to which the virtual hand is moved among a plurality of preset options. The temporary selection state is a state where one of a plurality of options is selected but the selection is not confirmed. The option control unit 233 determines the selection of the option in the temporarily selected state by the process in step S37 described later. That is, the option control unit 233 can select an option corresponding to the position to which the virtual hand is moved. The option control unit 233 may display information (second information) related to the option in the temporary selection state in the display area DE. Thereby, a user can be made to recognize clearly the choice currently in a temporary selection state.

  In step S <b> 34, the view image generation unit 223 outputs a view image including the UI object OB to the HMD 110. In step S <b> 35, the HMD 110 updates the view image by displaying the received view image on the display 112. The updated view image may be an image such as the view image 26c, for example. In this example, the virtual hand control unit 232 moves the virtual right hand HR in a state where the operation lever SL is gripped in the direction DR. Then, the option control unit 233 moves the operation lever SL from the initial position X1 to the position X2 (second position). In addition, the option control unit 233 causes the display area DE to display a character string “Multi Mode” indicating an option that is temporarily selected. In this example, the user can put the option “Multi Mode” in a temporarily selected state as if he / she grips and pulls the operation lever SL in the real space.

  It should be noted that a margin may be provided at the position X2 for making the option “Multi Mode” temporarily set. For example, when the operation lever SL is in a predetermined distance range L1 (first distance range) including the position X2, the option “Multi Mode” may be temporarily set. In addition, the option control unit 233 performs a step of applying vibration to a part of the user's body via the controller 300 by vibrating the controller 300 via the control circuit unit 200 when the option is in a temporarily selected state. Further, it may be executed. As a result, the user can be surely recognized that the option has been temporarily selected.

  In step S36, the option control unit 233 determines whether or not the virtual hand has released the operation lever SL. The option control unit 233 can determine whether or not the virtual hand has released the operation lever SL based on each detection value received from the controller 300 by the control circuit unit 200. If it is determined that the virtual hand has not released the operation lever SL (NO in step S36), the option control unit 233 returns to the process of step S32 and detects that the virtual hand has moved while holding the operation lever SL. To do. In step S33, the option control unit 233 switches the option to be temporarily selected to the option corresponding to the position where the virtual hand is moved. Thereafter, the control circuit unit 200 transmits the view image to the HMD 110 by the process of step S34, and the HMD 110 updates the view image by the process of step S35.

  The updated view image may be an image such as the view image 26d, for example. In this example, the virtual hand control unit 232 further moves the virtual right hand HR in a state where the operation lever SL is gripped in the direction DR. Then, the option control unit 233 moves the operation lever SL from the position X2 to the position X3 (third position). In addition, when the operation lever SL is located at the position X3, the option control unit 233 displays a character string “Single Mode” indicating the option in the temporarily selected state in the display area DE. That is, the option that is temporarily selected in the view image 26c is “Multi Mode”, but the option that is temporarily selected in the view image 26d is switched to “Single Mode”.

  A margin may also be provided at the position X3 for temporarily setting the option “Single Mode”. For example, when the operation lever SL is in a predetermined distance range L2 (second distance range) including the position X3, the option “Single Mode” may be temporarily selected. The option control unit 233 may further execute a step of giving vibration to the user by vibrating the controller 300 via the control circuit unit 200 when switching the option in the provisional selection state. As a result, the user can be surely recognized that the option in the temporarily selected state has been switched.

  In step S36, when the option control unit 233 determines that the virtual hand has released the operation lever SL (YES in step S36), the option control unit 233 maintains the option temporarily selected state. That is, the option control unit 233 does not switch the temporarily selected option after the virtual hand releases the operation lever SL. Then, the option control unit 233 confirms selection of the option that has been temporarily selected (step S37). For example, when the option control unit 233 confirms the selection of the option “Multi Mode”, the setting unit 234 causes the HMD system 100 to operate in “Multi Mode”. On the other hand, when the option control unit 233 confirms the selection of the option “Single Mode”, the setting unit 234 causes the HMD system 100 to operate in “Single Mode”.

  In addition, when the option control unit 233 determines that the virtual hand has released the operation lever SL, the option control unit 233 returns the operation lever SL to the initial position. Therefore, when the operation lever SL returns to the initial position, the option control unit 233 maintains a state in which the option that has been temporarily selected when the virtual hand releases the operation lever SL can be selected. In this case, the option control unit 233 determines the selection of the option. The view image generation unit 223 transmits the view image of the UI object OB whose operation lever SL has returned to the initial position to the HMD 110, and the HMD 110 updates the view image.

  The updated view image may be an image such as the view image 26e, for example. In this example, the virtual hand control unit 232 displays the virtual right hand HR with the finger extended. The option control unit 233 displays the operation lever SL at the initial position. The option control unit 233 displays a character string “Single Mode” indicating the confirmed option in the display area DE. That is, this example shows an example of a view image that is displayed when the virtual hand releases the operation lever SL in the state of the view image 26d in which the option “Single Mode” is the temporarily selected state. When the virtual hand releases the operation lever SL in the state of the view image 26c in which the option “Multi Mode” is in the temporarily selected state, the option control unit 233 displays “Multi Mode” indicating the determined option. Is displayed in the display area DE.

  When a virtual experience is provided by applying an operation by contact with a virtual object to MR or the like, a part of the body other than the actual head of the user is physically and optically replaced with the operation target object. The contact between the body part and the virtual object may be determined based on the positional relationship between the body part and the virtual object. When providing a virtual experience using a transmissive HMD, the user's reference line of sight may be specified by detecting the movement of the HMD or the user's line of sight, similar to the non-transmissive HMD. .

[Example of software implementation]
A control block (detection unit 210, display control unit 220, virtual space control unit 230, storage unit 240, and communication unit 250) of the control circuit unit 200 is a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. ) Or by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the control block includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a memory in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU). A device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Additional Notes]
The contents according to one aspect of the present invention are listed as follows.

  (Item 1) A method of providing a virtual space to a user wearing a head-mounted display on the head, and a field-of-view image output to the head-mounted display in the virtual space based on the movement of the head-mounted display Generating a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object that receives an instruction from the user in the virtual space, the UI object including an operation part at a first position; and Generating a virtual body that is linked to the movement of a part of the body other than the head of the user; detecting that the operation part is selected by the virtual body; and Detects movement in either direction by the virtual body while selected by the virtual body And a predetermined option can be selected based on the instruction to the UI object while the operation part is selected by the virtual body and is positioned at a second position different from the first position. And a method comprising:

  According to the above method, the selection can be made by selecting and moving the operation part with the virtual body, so that the user can recognize that the operation has been performed reliably. Thereby, a user's virtual experience can be improved further.

  (Item 2) A first distance range including the second position and a second distance range including a second position and a third position different from the first position are set in the direction with the UI object as a reference. In the step of enabling selection, when the operation part is located in the first distance range, the predetermined option can be selected and the operation part is located in the second distance range. The method of item 1, which enables selection of an option different from the predetermined option.

  According to the above method, a plurality of options can be switched and selected according to the user's operational feeling.

  (Item 3) The UI object is provided with a display area, and the display area displays first information when the operation part is located at the first position, and the operation part 3. The method according to item 1 or 2, wherein second information corresponding to the predetermined option is displayed in the display area when is located at the second position.

  According to the above method, when the operation part is at a position different from the first position, the second information corresponding to the option is displayed in the display area, and the option is presented in accordance with the user's operational feeling. be able to.

  (Item 4) When the controller that is in contact with the body part is linked with the movement of the body part and the virtual body, the predetermined option can be selected. 4. The method according to any one of items 1 to 3, further comprising the step of applying vibration to the part via the controller.

  According to the above method, the user can be surely recognized that the option can be selected.

  (Item 5) When the selection of the operation part by the virtual body is canceled at the second position, the step of returning the operation part to the first position, and the operation part returning to the first position, Maintaining the state in which the predetermined option can be selected. 5. The method according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising:

  According to the above method, the selectable state can be canceled and the options can be maintained according to the user's operational feeling.

  (Item 6) The method according to item 5, further comprising a step of selecting the predetermined option when the operation portion returns to the first position. According to the above method, the option can be selected by a user's easy operation.

  (Item 7) A method for providing a virtual experience to a user wearing a head-mounted display on a head, which is a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object for receiving an instruction from the user, wherein an operation part is positioned at a first position. Generating a UI object including: detecting that the operation part is selected by a body part other than the user's head; and selecting the operation part by the body part The step of detecting that the body part is moved in any direction, and the operation part is selected by the part of the body and is in a second position different from the first position. Allowing a predetermined option to be selected based on the instructions for the UI object while located.

  According to the above method, the selection can be made by selecting and moving the operation part with the virtual body, so that the user can recognize that the operation has been performed reliably. Thereby, a user's virtual experience can be improved further.

  (Item 8) A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the method according to any one of Items 1 to 7.

  (Item 9) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to Item 8 is recorded.

1 virtual camera, 2 virtual space, 5 reference line of sight, 21 center, 22 virtual space image, 23 view area, 24 first area, 25 second area, 26 view image, 100 HMD system, 110 HMD, 112 display, 114, 306 sensor, 120 HMD sensor, 130 gaze sensor, 140 controller sensor, 200 control circuit unit, 210 detection unit, 211 HMD detection unit, 212 gaze detection unit, 213 controller detection unit, 220 display control unit, 221 virtual camera control unit, 222 Visibility area determination unit, 223 Visibility image generation unit, 230 Virtual space control unit, 231 Virtual space definition unit, 232 Virtual hand control unit, 233 Option control unit, 234 Setting unit, 240 Storage unit, 241 Model storage unit, 242 Content Storage unit, 243 option storage unit, 50 communication unit, 300 controller, 302 an operation button, 302a, 302b thumb button, 302 e forefinger button, 302f middle button, 302i analog stick, 320 right controller, 322 top, 324 grip, 326 frame, 330 Left controller

Claims (10)

A method for providing a virtual space to a user wearing a head-mounted display on a head,
Generating a visual field image output to the head-mounted display in the virtual space based on the movement of the head-mounted display;
Generating a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object that receives an instruction from the user in the virtual space, the UI object including an operation part at a first position;
Generating in the virtual space a virtual body that is linked to the movement of a part of the body other than the head of the user;
Detecting that the operating portion is selected by the virtual body;
Detecting that the operation portion is selected by the virtual body and moved in any direction away from the UI object by the virtual body;
Enabling the user to select a predetermined option based on the instruction to the UI object while the operation part is selected by the virtual body and is positioned at a second position different from the first position. Including
A first distance range including the second position and a second distance range including a second position and a third position different from the first position are set in the direction with respect to the UI object.
In the selecting step, when the operation part is located in the first distance range, the predetermined option can be selected, and when the operation part is located in the second distance range, It is possible to select an option different from the predetermined option,
The UI object has a display area,
In the display area, when the operation portion is located at the first position, first information is displayed,
When the operation portion is located at the second position, the second information corresponding to the predetermined option is switched from the first information and displayed on the display area. The movement of the body part and the virtual body are linked by the controller in contact with the body part,
The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a vibration to the body part via the controller when the predetermined option is selectable. Returning the operation part to the first position when the selection of the operation part by the virtual body is canceled at the second position;
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining a state in which the predetermined option can be selected when the operation portion returns to the first position.   The method according to claim 3, further comprising: causing the predetermined option to be selected when the operation portion returns to the first position. A method for providing a virtual experience to a user wearing a head-mounted display on the head,
Generating a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object that receives an instruction from the user and including an operation part at a first position;
Detecting that the operation part is selected by a part of the body other than the user's head;
Detecting that the operating part is selected by the body part and moved in any direction away from the UI object by the body part;
Enabling the user to select a predetermined option based on the instruction to the UI object while the operation part is selected by the body part and is located at a second position different from the first position; Including,
A first distance range including the second position and a second distance range including a second position and a third position different from the first position are set in the direction with respect to the UI object.
In the selecting step, when the operation part is located in the first distance range, the predetermined option can be selected, and when the operation part is located in the second distance range, It is possible to select an option different from the predetermined option,
The UI object has a display area,
In the display area, when the operation portion is located at the first position, first information is displayed,
When the operation portion is located at the second position, the second information corresponding to the predetermined option is switched from the first information and displayed on the display area. A method for providing a virtual space to a user wearing a head-mounted display on a head,
Generating a visual field image output to the head-mounted display in the virtual space based on the movement of the head-mounted display;
Generating a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object that receives an instruction from the user in the virtual space, the UI object including an operation part at a first position;
Generating in the virtual space a virtual body that is linked to the movement of a part of the body other than the head of the user;
Detecting that the operating portion is selected by the virtual body;
Detecting that said operation portion is still selected by the virtual body, made me moved in one direction by the virtual body away from the UI object,
Enabling the user to select a predetermined option based on the instruction to the UI object while the operation part is selected by the virtual body and is positioned at a second position different from the first position. Including
A first distance range including the second position and a second distance range including a second position and a third position different from the first position are set in the direction with respect to the UI object.
In the selecting step, when the operation part is located in the first distance range, the predetermined option can be selected, and when the operation part is located in the second distance range, A method characterized in that an option different from a predetermined option can be selected. A method for providing a virtual experience to a user wearing a head-mounted display on the head,
Generating a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) object that receives an instruction from the user and including an operation part at a first position;
Detecting that the operation part is selected by a part of the body other than the user's head;
Detecting that the operating part is selected by the body part and moved in any direction away from the UI object by the body part;
Enabling the user to select a predetermined option based on the instruction to the UI object while the operation part is selected by the body part and is located at a second position different from the first position; Including,
A first distance range including the second position and a second distance range including a second position and a third position different from the first position are set in the direction with respect to the UI object.
In the selecting step, when the operation part is located in the first distance range, the predetermined option can be selected, and when the operation part is located in the second distance range, A method for enabling selection different from a predetermined option.   The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the step of detecting that the operation portion is moved, it is detected that the operation portion is moved without corresponding to an actual object.   The program which makes a computer perform each step of the method of any one of Claims 1-8.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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