JP2019179423A - Program, information processing device, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

To make a user accurately understand the cause that movement of a part of a user's body is not reflected in an operation object.SOLUTION: A program causes a processor to perform the steps of: detecting the event in which a virtual right hand cannot be moved according to movement of a right hand of a user (S1608); identifying the cause for occurrence of the event (S1609); and notifying the user of at least the cause for the occurrence of the event or a countermeasure tailored to the cause for the occurrence (S1610).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

  The present invention relates to a program, an information processing apparatus, and a method.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a technique for providing a virtual space to a user.

Japanese Patent No. 6157703

  In the conventional technology, there is room for the user to understand the reason why the movement of a part of the user's body is not reflected in the operation object.

  An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to allow a user to understand the cause of a movement of a part of a user's body not being reflected in an operation object.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that is executed by a computer with a processor to provide a virtual experience to a user. The program detects a virtual space for providing a virtual experience to the processor to the user, a step of placing an operation object in the virtual space, and a movement of a first part constituting a part of the user's body. A step, a step of moving the operation object according to the movement of the first part, a step of detecting the occurrence of an event in which the operation object cannot be moved according to the movement of the first part, and a step of specifying the cause of the event And a step of notifying the user of at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasure according to the cause of occurrence.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to allow the user to understand the reason why the movement of a part of the user's body is not reflected in the operation object.

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 visual field coordinate system set to HMD according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which represents notionally the one aspect | mode which represents the virtual space according to a certain embodiment. It is the figure showing the head of the user who wears HMD according to a certain embodiment from the top. 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. It is a figure which shows an example of each direction of the yaw, roll, and pitch prescribed | regulated with respect to the user's right hand according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware constitutions of the server according to a certain embodiment. It is a block diagram showing a computer according to an embodiment as a module configuration. It is a sequence chart showing a part of process 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. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a sequence chart showing a part of process performed in the HMD set according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment. It is a figure which shows the virtual space and visual field image according to a certain embodiment.

  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 thereof 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 is also part of the embodiments shown in 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 schematically shows 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 a 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 between both eyes. The HMD 120 can include both a so-called head mounted display including a monitor and 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 positioned in front of both 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 that can be operated by the user 5, and an image of a menu that can be selected 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 provided in a so-called smartphone 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 be an open type such as a glasses type instead of a sealed type that covers the eyes of the user 5 as shown in FIG. The transmissive monitor 130 may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance. The monitor 130 may include a configuration that simultaneously displays a part of an image constituting 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 display a right-eye image and a left-eye image together. In this case, the monitor 130 includes a high-speed shutter. The high-speed shutter operates so that an image for the right eye and an image for the left eye can be displayed alternately so that the image is recognized only by 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 from the HMD 120 and detects the position and inclination of the HMD 120 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 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 instead of the HMD sensor 410 or in addition to the HMD sensor 410 as a position detector. 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 an example, when the sensor 190 is an angular velocity sensor, the angular velocity sensor detects angular velocities around the 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 right eye sensor and a left eye sensor. The gaze sensor 140 may be, for example, a sensor that irradiates the right eye and the left eye of the user 5 with infrared rays and detects the rotation angle of each eyeball by receiving reflected light from the cornea and iris with respect to the irradiated light. The gaze sensor 140 can detect the line of sight of the user 5 based on each detected rotation angle.

  The first camera 150 captures the lower part of the face of the user 5. More specifically, the first camera 150 photographs the nose and mouth of the user 5. The second camera 160 photographs the eyes and eyebrows 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 one 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 a single camera, and the face of the user 5 may be photographed with the single camera.

  The microphone 170 converts the utterance of the user 5 into an audio signal (electrical signal) and outputs it to the computer 200. The speaker 180 converts the sound signal into sound and outputs the sound to the user 5. In another aspect, HMD 120 may include an earphone instead of speaker 180.

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

  In one aspect, the controller 300 includes a plurality of light sources. Each light source is realized by, for example, an LED that emits infrared rays. 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 tilt of the controller 300 by executing image analysis processing using the image information of the controller 300 output from the camera.

  In a certain aspect, the motion sensor 420 is attached to the hand of the user 5 and detects the movement of the user 5 hand. 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 in the controller 300 configured to be gripped by the user 5, for example. In another aspect, for safety in real space, the controller 300 is attached to something that does not fly easily by being attached to the hand of the user 5 such as a glove shape. 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 from 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. Thereby, a user other than the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 can view the same image as that of the user 5. The image displayed on the display 430 need not be a three-dimensional image, and may be a right-eye image or a left-eye image. 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, the server 600 may communicate with other computers 200 for providing virtual reality to the HMD 120 used by other users. 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. Users can enjoy a common game. Each computer 200 may communicate a signal based on each user's operation 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. For example, the external device 700 may be a device that can communicate with the computer 200 via the network 2, or may be a device that can directly communicate with the computer 200 by short-range wireless communication or wired connection. Examples of the external device 700 include a smart device, a PC (Personal Computer), and a peripheral device of the computer 200, but are not limited thereto.

[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.

  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 realized as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other volatile memory.

  The storage 230 permanently holds programs and data. 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 yet another aspect, instead of the storage 230 built in the computer 200, a configuration using a program 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 240 communicates signals with 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 implemented using a USB (Universal Serial Bus), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or other terminal. The input / output interface 240 is not limited to the above.

  In certain aspects, the input / output interface 240 may further communicate with the 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, sound 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 implemented as, for example, a local area network (LAN) or other wired communication interface, or a wireless communication interface such as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), or the like. Is 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 that can be executed in the virtual space, and the like. The processor 210 sends a signal for providing a 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 used in common for a plurality of HMDs 120. According to such a configuration, for example, the same virtual space can be provided to a plurality of users, so that 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 orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction orthogonal 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 inclination (orientation) of the HMD 120 in the real 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 real coordinate system). To 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 the 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 a viewpoint coordinate system when the user 5 wearing the HMD 120 views an object in the virtual space.

[Uvw visual field coordinate system]
The uvw visual field coordinate system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the uvw visual field coordinate system set in HMD 120 according to an embodiment. The HMD sensor 410 detects the position and inclination 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 visual field coordinate system. The yaw angle (θv) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the yaw axis in the uvw visual field coordinate system. The roll angle (θw) represents the inclination angle of the HMD 120 around the roll axis in the uvw visual field 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 visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 is always constant regardless of the position and inclination of the HMD 120. When the position and inclination of the HMD 120 change, the position and inclination of the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120 in the real coordinate system change in conjunction with the change of the position and 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). May be specified as a relative position with respect 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 specified 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 upper half of the celestial sphere in the virtual space 11 is illustrated in order not to complicate the description. In the virtual space 11, each mesh is defined. The position of each mesh is defined in advance as coordinate values in an XYZ coordinate system that 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 with the center 12 as the origin. 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 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 the 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 visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14 is linked to the uvw visual field coordinate system of the HMD 120. Therefore, the HMD system 100 according to a certain 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 visual field coordinate system of the virtual camera 14.

[User's line of sight]
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 each 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, the angle formed by the lines of sight R2 and L2 with respect to the roll axis w is smaller than the angle formed by the lines of sight R1 and L1 with respect to 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 detected values of the lines of sight R2 and L2 are received from the gaze sensor 140, the computer 200 specifies the intersection of the lines of sight R2 and L2 as the point of sight. The computer 200 specifies the line of sight N0 of the user 5 based on the specified position of the gazing 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 a 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 is actually pointing the line of sight with respect to the view field area 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 include a communication circuit for connecting to the Internet or a call function for connecting to a telephone line.

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

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

  As shown in FIG. 7, the field-of-view region 15 in the XZ section includes a region 19. The region 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 inclination (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 a 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 attached to 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 that is superimposed on the view region 15 in the direction in which the user 5 faces in the virtual space 11 in the panoramic image 13. 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 visually recognize only the panoramic image 13 developed in the virtual space 11 without visually recognizing the real world. Therefore, the HMD system 100 can give the user 5 a high sense of immersion in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the processor 210 can 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 region (view region 15) projected on the monitor 130 of the HMD 120 based on the position and inclination of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11.

  In one aspect, the 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. Appropriate parallax is set in the 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, a right-eye image and a left-eye image 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 shows a schematic configuration of controller 300 according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in one aspect, the controller 300 may include a right controller 300R and a left controller (not shown). The right controller 300R is operated with 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 configured symmetrically 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, respectively. 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 held by the right hand of the user 5. For example, the grip 310 can be held by the palm of the right hand of the user 5 and three fingers (middle finger, ring finger, little finger).

  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 surface of the grip 310 and receives an operation with the index finger of the right hand. In one aspect, the buttons 340 and 350 are configured as trigger buttons. The motion sensor 420 is built in the housing of the grip 310. The grip 310 does not have to include the motion sensor 420 when the operation of the user 5 can be detected from around the user 5 by a camera or other devices.

  The frame 320 includes a plurality of infrared LEDs 360 arranged along the circumferential direction thereof. 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. Infrared rays emitted from the infrared LED 360 can be used to detect the positions and postures (tilt and orientation) of the right controller 300R and the left controller. In the example shown in FIG. 8, infrared LEDs 360 arranged in two rows are shown, but the number of arrays is not limited to that shown in FIG. 8. An array of one or more columns may be used.

  The top surface 330 includes buttons 370 and 380 and an analog stick 390. 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. In a certain situation, analog stick 390 accepts an operation in an arbitrary direction of 360 degrees from the initial position (neutral position). 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. The battery includes, but is not limited to, a rechargeable type, a button type, and a dry battery type. In another aspect, the right controller 300R and the left controller may be connected to a USB interface of the computer 200, for example. 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 for the right hand of the user 5. When the user 5 extends the thumb and index finger, the direction in which the thumb extends is the yaw direction, the direction in which the index finger extends is the roll direction, and the direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the axis of the yaw direction and the axis of the roll direction is the pitch direction. Is defined as

[Hardware configuration of server]
A server 600 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 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.

  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 given to the server 600 or when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In one aspect, the processor 610 is implemented as a CPU, GPU, MPU, FPGA, or other device.

  The 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 realized as, for example, a ROM, a hard disk device, a flash memory, or other nonvolatile 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 and objects for defining the virtual space.

  In another aspect, the storage 630 may be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. In yet another aspect, instead of the storage 630 built in the server 600, a configuration using a program 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 USB, DVI, HDMI, or other terminals. 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, the 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.

[HMD control device]
With reference to FIG. 10, the control apparatus of HMD120 is demonstrated. In one embodiment, the control device is realized by a computer 200 having a known configuration. FIG. 10 is a block diagram representing a computer 200 according to an embodiment as a module 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 acquire virtual space data from the server 600 or the like.

  The control module 510 arranges the 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 acquire 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.

  The control module 510 places the avatar object of the user 5 of another computer 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). To do.

  The control module 510 specifies the inclination of the HMD 120 based on the output of the HMD sensor 410. In another aspect, the control module 510 specifies the inclination of the HMD 120 based on the output of the sensor 190 that functions as a motion sensor. The control module 510 detects organs (for example, mouth, eyes, eyebrows) constituting the face of the user 5 from the face image 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 (a 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 movement 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 movement of the facial 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 it in the line-of-sight of the avatar object of the other user 5. In one aspect, the control module 510 reflects the movement of the controller 300 on the avatar object and the 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 placed 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 so as to be interlocked 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 the collision when each of the objects arranged in the virtual space 11 collides with another object. The control module 510 can detect, for example, a timing at which a collision area of a certain object and a collision area of another object touch each other, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is performed. The control module 510 can detect the timing when the object is away from the touched state, and performs a predetermined process when the detection is made. The control module 510 can detect that the object is touching the object. For example, when the operation object touches another object, the control module 510 detects that the operation object touches another object, and performs a predetermined process.

  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 visual field region 15 according to the inclination 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 visual field image 17 displayed on the monitor 130 based on the determined visual field region 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 using the microphone 170 of the user 5 from the HMD 120, the control module 510 specifies the computer 200 that is the transmission target of the audio data corresponding to the utterance. The audio data is transmitted to the computer 200 specified by the control module 510. When receiving audio data from another user's computer 200 via the network 2, the control module 510 outputs audio (utterance) corresponding to the audio 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 spatial information, object information, and user information.

  The spatial information holds one or more templates defined for providing the virtual space 11.

  The object information includes a plurality of panoramic images 13 constituting the virtual space 11 and object data for arranging the objects 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 in an unreal space and an image in a real space. As an image of unreal space, the image produced | generated by computer graphics is mentioned, for example.

  The user information holds a user ID that identifies 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 can 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.

  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 that provides the content, and stores the downloaded program or data in the memory module 530.

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

  In one aspect, the control module 510 and the rendering module 520 can 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 realize 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 non-volatile computer-readable data recording 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 read from a 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 and then temporarily stored in the storage module. . The software is read from the storage module by the processor 210 and stored in the 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 <b> 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 in 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, processor 210 generates, as rendering module 520, view image data for displaying an 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 a 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 visual field image.

  In step S <b> 1134, HMD sensor 410 detects the position and inclination of HMD 120 based on a plurality of infrared lights transmitted from HMD 120. The detection result is output to the computer 200 as motion detection data.

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

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

  In step S1160, controller 300 detects an operation of user 5 based on a 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 arranged 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 HMD set 110A is represented as user 5A, the user of HMD set 110B is represented as user 5B, the user of HMD set 110C is represented as user 5C, and the user of HMD set 110D is represented as user 5D. 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, C is added to the reference symbol of each component relating to the HMD set 110C, and the 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. The avatar object 6A of the user 5A and the avatar object 6B of the user 5B exist in the virtual space 11A and the virtual space 11B. 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. 12B is a diagram illustrating a field-of-view image 17A of the user 5A in FIG. 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 specifically illustrated, the avatar object 6A of the user 5A is also displayed in the view image of the user 5B.

  In the state of FIG. 12 (B), the user 5A can communicate with the user 5B through the virtual space 11A through communication (communication). More specifically, the voice of the user 5A acquired by the microphone 170A is transmitted to the HMD 120B 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 on the avatar object 6B arranged in the virtual space 11A by the processor 210A. 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 processing executed in HMD system 100 according to the present embodiment. Although the HMD set 110D is not shown in FIG. 13, the HMD set 110D operates in the same manner as 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. The avatar information includes, for example, information related to the avatar such as motion information, face tracking data, and voice data. The motion information includes information indicating temporal changes in the position and inclination of the HMD 120A, information indicating the motion of the hand of the user 5A detected by the motion sensor 420A and the like. The face tracking data includes data that specifies the position and size of each part of the face of the user 5A. The face tracking data includes data indicating the movement of each organ constituting the face of the user 5A and line-of-sight 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 information for specifying the avatar object 6A or the user 5A associated with the avatar object 6A, information for 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 210C in the HMD set 110C 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, server 600 temporarily stores player information received from each of HMD set 110A, HMD set 110B, and 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 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 set 110C can share each other's avatar information 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 information on the avatar objects 6B and avatar objects 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 210 </ b> A updates information (position and orientation, etc.) of the avatar object 6 </ b> B included in the object information stored in the memory module 530. 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 of the avatar objects 6A and 6C of the users 5A and 5C in the virtual space 11B, similarly to the process in step S1330A. Similarly, in step S1330C, the processor 210C in the HMD set 110C updates information on the avatar objects 6A and 6B of the users 5A and 5B in the virtual space 11C.

[Detailed module configuration]
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 object generation module 1421, a virtual camera control module 1422, an operation object control module 1423, an event detection module 1424, an occurrence cause identification module 1425, and a notification module 1426. .

  The virtual object generation module 1421 generates various virtual objects in the virtual space 11. In certain aspects, virtual objects may include, for example, landscapes, animals, etc., including forests, mountains, etc., arranged according to the progress of the game story. In one aspect, the virtual object may include an avatar object, an operation object, a UI (User Interface) object, an enemy object, and a weapon object.

  The virtual camera control module 1422 controls the behavior of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11. For example, the virtual camera control module 1422 controls the arrangement position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 11 and the direction (tilt) of the virtual camera 14.

  The operation object control module 1423 controls an operation object for receiving the operation of the user 5 in the virtual space 11. For example, the user 5 operates a virtual object placed in the virtual space 11 by operating the operation object. In one aspect, the operation object may include a hand object (virtual hand) corresponding to the hand of the user 5 wearing the HMD 120, for example. In one aspect, the operation object may correspond to a hand portion of an avatar object described later.

  The event detection module 1424 detects the occurrence of an event in which the operation object cannot be moved in the virtual space 11 according to the movement of the first part constituting the body of the user 5.

  The occurrence cause identification module 1425 identifies an occurrence cause of an event in which the operation object cannot be moved.

  The notification module 1426 notifies the user 5 of at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasures according to the cause of occurrence.

  FIG. 15 shows virtual space 11 and view image 1517 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 15A, the avatar object 6 and the virtual camera 14 are arranged in the virtual space 11 for providing the user 5 with a virtual experience. The user 5 wears the HMD 120 on the head. The user 5 holds the right controller 300R with the right hand (first part) constituting a part of the right side of the user 5's body, and left with the left hand (second part) constituting a part of the left side of the user 5's body. The controller 300L is held. The avatar object 6 includes a virtual right hand 1521R and a virtual left hand 1521L. The virtual right hand 1521R is a kind of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11 according to the movement of the right hand of the user 5. The virtual left hand 1521L is a kind of operation object, and can move in the virtual space 11 according to the movement of the left hand of the user 5.

  The virtual space 11 shown in FIG. 15A is constructed by playing game content on the computer 200. A game corresponding to this game content progresses, for example, by a battle between an avatar object 6 and an enemy object (not shown). It can be said that the virtual space 1511 is a space for allowing the user to play a game.

  In FIG. 15A, the virtual camera 14 is disposed on the head of the avatar object 6. The virtual camera 14 defines a field-of-view area 15 according to the position and orientation of the virtual camera 14. The virtual camera 14 generates a visual field image 1517 corresponding to the visual field region 15 and displays it on the HMD 120 as shown in FIG. The user 5 visually recognizes a part of the virtual space from the viewpoint of the avatar object 6 by visually recognizing the view field image 1517. Thereby, the user 5 can obtain a virtual experience as if the user 5 is the avatar object 6.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence chart representing a part of processing executed in HMD set 110 according to an embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view field image 1717 according to an embodiment. In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that a series of processes for notifying at least one of the cause of an event in which the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved and the countermeasures according to the cause are executed by the HMD set 110A. . However, the process may be executed by the other HMD sets 110B and 100C, or a part or all of the process may be executed by the server 600.

  Before defining the virtual space 1511, the processor 210 of the computer 200 (hereinafter simply “processor 210”) sets a rectangular play area 1740 as shown in FIG. 17A in the HMD system 100. The play area 1740 has a two-dimensional extent (size) parallel to the xz plane (horizontal plane) in the real coordinate system. The user 5 moves the position of the controller 300 in order to set the play area 1740, and the HMD sensor 410 tracks the movement of the position of the controller 300. The processor 210 sets the play area 1740 according to the tracking result of the movement of the position of the controller 300. The play area 1740 is an area where the user 5 can move in a planar manner in the real space. The user 5 can also move outside the play area 1740. The play area 1740 is an area where the HMD sensor 410 can accurately perform position tracking of the HMD 120, the right controller 300R, and the left controller 300L. The processor 210 can also reflect the play area 1740 in the virtual space 1511.

  In the following, the play area 1740 is an area in the same range as the trackable area (the area where the HMD sensor 410 can detect the HMD 120 and the controller 300), that is, outside the play area 1740, the HMD sensor 410 and the HMD 120 and the controller 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the play area 1740 may be an area included in the trackable area. In this case, the processing described below may be performed not on the play area 1740 but on the trackable area.

  In step S1601, the processor 210 defines a virtual space 1511 as shown in FIG. This process corresponds to the process in step S1110 of FIG. Specifically, the processor 210 defines the virtual space 1511 represented by the virtual space data by specifying the virtual space data.

  The HMD sensor 410 generates motion detection data including the detected position and tilt of the right controller 300 </ b> R and outputs the motion detection data to the computer 200. The processor 210 can acquire the motion detection data output from the HMD sensor 410 and specify the position of the right controller 300R in the real space based on the position included in the motion detection data. Similarly, the HMD sensor 410 generates motion detection data including the detected position and inclination of the left controller 300 </ b> L and outputs the motion detection data to the computer 200. The processor 210 can acquire the motion detection data output from the HMD sensor 410 and specify the position of the left controller 300L in the real space based on the position included in the motion detection data.

  In step S <b> 1602, the processor 210 generates the virtual camera 14 as the virtual object generation module 1421 and places it in the virtual space 1511. In step S1603, the processor 210 generates the avatar object 6 including the virtual right hand 1521R and the virtual left hand 1521L as the virtual object generation module 1421 and arranges it in the virtual space 1511. The virtual right hand 1521R is an operation object that operates according to at least one of the movement of the right controller 300R held by the user with the right hand and the user's operation on the right controller 300R. The virtual left hand 1521L is an operation object that operates according to at least one of the movement of the left controller 300L held by the user with the left hand and the user's operation on the left controller 300L.

  While the series of processes shown in FIG. 16 is executed, the processor 210 periodically acquires the value of the remaining battery level of the right controller 300R from the right controller 300R.

  In step S <b> 1604, the processor 210 determines the position and inclination of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 1511 according to the movement of the HMD 120 as the virtual camera control module 1422. More specifically, the processor 210 controls the visual field region 15 that is the visual field from the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 1511 according to the posture of the head of the user 5 and the position of the virtual camera 14 in the virtual space 1511. . This process corresponds to part of the process in step S1140 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 1605, the processor 210 outputs the view field image 17 to the monitor 130. Specifically, the processor 210 defines the visual field image 17 corresponding to the visual field region 15 based on the movement of the HMD 120 (that is, the position and inclination of the virtual camera 14) and the virtual space data defining the virtual space 1511. To do. Defining the view image 17 is synonymous with generating the view image 17. The processor 210 further displays the view image 17 on the HMD 120 by outputting the view image 17 to the monitor 130 of the HMD 120. This processing corresponds to the processing in steps S1180 and S1190 in FIG.

  For example, the processor 210 displays a view field image 1717 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 17A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. The user 5 can recognize the virtual space 1511 by visually recognizing the view field image 1717. Since the visual field 1515 includes the virtual right hand 1521R, the visual field image 1517 also includes the virtual right hand 1521R. The user 5 can visually recognize the virtual right hand 1521R through the view field image 1517.

  The above-described processing of steps S1604 and S1605 (that is, updating of the field-of-view image 17 according to the movement of the HMD 120) is continuously and repeatedly executed while steps S1607 to S1613 described later are executed.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view field image 1817 according to an embodiment. After the virtual space 1511 shown in FIG. 17A is defined, the user 5 moves the right hand holding the right controller 300R to another position inside the play area 1740 as shown in FIG. 18A. . In step S1606, the processor 210 detects the movement of the right hand of the user 5 based on the output of the right controller 300R as the operation object control module 1423. Specifically, the processor 210 detects the movement of the right hand of the user 5 based on the temporal change of the position included in the movement detection data of the right controller 300R output from the HMD sensor 410. As described above, the motion detection data of the right controller 300R is generated according to the output (infrared rays) of the right controller 300R. Therefore, detecting the right hand movement of the user 5 based on the movement detection data is synonymous with detecting the right hand movement of the user 5 based on the output of the right controller 300R.

  In the example of FIG. 18A, since the right controller 300R is located inside the play area 1740 after the right hand of the user 5 moves, the processor 210 can move the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511. In step S1607, the processor 210 moves the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511 as the operation object control module 1423 according to the detected right hand movement of the user 5 as illustrated in FIG. For example, the processor 210 moves the virtual right hand 1521R so as to follow the movement of the right hand of the user 5.

  For example, the processor 210 displays a view image 1817 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 18A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. The user 5 recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R has moved following the movement of the right hand of the user 5 by visually recognizing the view field image 1817. As a result, the user 5 can obtain a virtual experience as if he / she moved the virtual right hand 1521R of the avatar object 6 in the virtual space 1511.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view field image 1917 according to an embodiment. After moving the right hand as shown in FIG. 18A, the user 5 returns the position of the right hand to the position shown in FIG. 17A again. Thereafter, the user 5 moves to near the right end of the play area 1740 as shown in FIG. Following the movement of the user 5, the HMD 120 also moves within the play area 1740. The processor 210 detects the movement of the user 5 based on the output of the HMD 120. The processor 210 moves the avatar object 6 in the virtual space 1511 according to the detected movement of the user 5. After the user 5 moves, the right controller 300 </ b> R is arranged at a position closest to the right end of the play area 1740. The processor 210 places the virtual right hand 1521R in the visual field area 1511 in the virtual space 1511 in accordance with the position of the right controller 300R shown in FIG. The processor 210 specifies a position 1951 (first position) where the virtual right hand 1521R is arranged in the virtual space 1511.

  For example, the processor 210 displays the view image 1917 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 shown in FIG. 19A on the monitor 130 as shown in FIG. 19B. The user 5 recognizes that the avatar object 6 has moved to another position in the virtual space 1511 by viewing the visual field image 1917. As a result, the user 5 can obtain a virtual experience as if he / she moved in the virtual space 1511. The view image 1917 includes a virtual right hand 1521R at a position 1961 (second position) in the view image 1917 corresponding to the position 1951 where the virtual right hand 1521R is arranged in the virtual space 1511. The user 5 is viewing the position 1961 where the virtual right hand 1521R is arranged in the view field image 1517.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view field image 2017 according to an embodiment. After the user 5 moves to the vicinity of the right end of the play area 1740 as shown in FIG. 19A, the right hand holding the right controller 300R is positioned outside the play area 1740 as shown in FIG. Move up. Since the right controller 300R is not inside the play area 1740, the HMD sensor 410 cannot track the position of the right controller 300R. Therefore, the processor 210 cannot acquire the motion detection data of the right controller 300R from the HMD sensor 410. Accordingly, the processor 210 cannot specify the position of the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511. In step S1608, the processor 210 detects the occurrence of an event in which the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved in accordance with the movement of the right hand of the user 5 based on the position of the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511 becoming indefinite. In response to this detection, the processor 210 causes the virtual right hand 1521R to disappear from the virtual space 1511 as shown in FIG.

  In step S1609, the processor 210 identifies the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved in accordance with the movement of the right hand of the user 5. Details of step S1609 are as follows, for example. The processor 210 first executes a first step of determining whether or not the cause of occurrence is out of tracking of the right controller 300R. When the motion detection data of the right controller 300R cannot be acquired from the HMD sensor 410 and the position tracking of the right controller 300R cannot be normally executed, the processor 210 determines that the cause of the occurrence is the tracking out of the right controller 300R. As a case where the position tracking of the right controller 300R cannot be normally executed, for example, there is a case where the position of the right controller 300R is outside the play area 1740. As another example, there is a case where the position of the right controller 300R is inside the play area 1740, but there is a shield between the right controller 300R and the HMD sensor 410. As another example, there is a case where the right controller 300R has no remaining battery power and the HMD sensor 410 cannot detect the right controller 300R.

  The processor 210 further executes a second step of determining whether or not the cause of the occurrence is a battery exhaustion of the right controller 300R. For example, when the value of the remaining battery level acquired from the right controller 300R is zero, the processor 210 determines that the cause of the occurrence is that the right controller 300R is out of batteries. For example, when the value of the remaining battery level cannot be acquired from the right controller 300R, the processor 210 determines that the cause of the occurrence is that the right controller 300R is out of batteries. The battery running out of the right controller 300R includes that the right controller 300R is powered off. For example, when the value of the remaining battery level acquired from the right controller 300R exceeds zero, the processor 210 determines that the cause of the occurrence is not the right controller 300R running out of batteries.

  The processor 210 further executes a third step of identifying the cause of occurrence based on the determination result of the first step and the determination result of the second step. For example, when the processor 210 determines that the cause of occurrence is out of tracking in the first step and determines that the cause of occurrence is not out of battery in the second step, the cause of occurrence is out of tracking in the third step. Is identified.

  For example, when the processor 210 determines that the cause of occurrence is out of tracking in the first step and determines that the cause of occurrence is out of battery in the second step, the processor 210 specifies the cause of occurrence in the third step as follows: To do.

  For example, immediately after the processor 210 determines that the right controller 300R is located near the inside of the boundary of the play area 1740, the processor 210 determines that the cause of occurrence is out of tracking in the first step, and the cause of occurrence in the second step. Is determined to be out of battery. In this case, the processor 210 specifies that the cause of occurrence is both off-tracking and running out of battery in the third step. This is because if the right controller 300R is located in the vicinity of the inside of the boundary of the play area 1740 immediately before the battery runs out, there is a possibility that the tracking is lost at the same time as the battery runs out.

  The processor 210 may make the determination in consideration of the speed vector of the right controller 300R immediately before the battery runs out. For example, in the above state, if the speed vector of the right controller 300R specified immediately before the battery runs out is a movement that exceeds the boundary of the play area 1740, the processor 210 causes the occurrence of tracking failure and battery running out in the third step. You may make it specify that it is both. On the other hand, if the speed vector of the right controller 300R specified immediately before the battery runs out is a movement that does not exceed the boundary of the play area 1740, the processor 210 specifies that the cause of occurrence is battery running out in the third step. It may be.

  For example, immediately after determining that the right controller 300R is located inside the play area 1740, the processor 210 determines that the cause of occurrence is out of tracking in the first step, and in the second step, the cause of occurrence is a dead battery. Suppose that it is determined. In this case, the processor 210 specifies that the cause of occurrence is battery exhaustion in the third step. When the right controller 300R is located inside the play area 1740 immediately before the battery runs out, there is a possibility that a tracking object may be generated between the HMD sensor 410 and the right controller 300R, but the battery is dead. At the same time, it is considered that there is a low possibility that this tracking error will occur.

  As described above, the processor 210 executes both the first step and the second step, and specifies the cause of occurrence based on these determination results, thereby increasing the cause of the event that the right controller 300R cannot be moved. Can be specified with accuracy.

  In the example of FIG. 20, it is assumed that the battery level of the right controller 300R is sufficiently high. Based on the fact that the position of the right controller 300R is outside the play area 1740, the processor 210 specifies that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is out of tracking of the right controller 300R.

  In step S1610, the processor 210 notifies the user 5 of at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasures according to the cause of occurrence. In the example of FIG. 20, the processor 210 notifies the user 5 of the cause of occurrence. For example, the processor 210 displays a view image 2017 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 20A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. The processor 210 notifies the cause 2071 of occurrence on the position 1961 in the view field image 2017 as the notification module 1426. Occurrence cause 2071 includes text explaining that the reason why the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is the tracking error of the virtual right hand 1521R.

  The user 5 recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R has disappeared from the virtual space 1511 by visually recognizing the view field image 2017. The user 5 further recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move so as to follow the movement of the right hand of the user 5. The position 1961 in the view field image 2017 corresponds to the position 1951 of the virtual right hand 1521R immediately before the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is detected. The user 5 is viewing the position 1961 where the virtual right hand 1521R is included in the view image 1917 until just before the virtual right hand 1521R disappears. When the visual field image 2017 corresponding to the disappearance of the virtual right hand 1521R is displayed, the user 5 still keeps gazing at the position 1961 in the visual field image 2017. Therefore, when the view image 2017 is displayed, the cause of occurrence 2071 notified on the position 1961 in the view image 2017 surely falls within the five views of the user. As described above, the processor 210 can reliably notify the user 5 of the cause 2071 of occurrence.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view field image 2117 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 21A, the user 5 moves the right hand holding the right controller 300R to a position outside the play area 1740, as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21A, the processor 210 causes the virtual right hand 1521R to disappear from the virtual space 1511. The processor 210 specifies that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is out of tracking of the right controller 300R. The processor 210 notifies the user 5 of a countermeasure corresponding to the cause of occurrence. For example, the processor 210 displays a view field image 2117 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 21A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. The processor 210 notifies the countermeasure 2172 on the position 1961 in the view field image 2117 as the notification module 1426. Countermeasure 2172 includes text explaining that if the user 5 moves within the play area 1740, the tracking error of the right controller 300R can be resolved.

  When the view field image 2117 is displayed, the countermeasure 2172 notified on the position 1961 in the view field image 2117 surely enters the field of view of the user 5. In this manner, the processor 210 can reliably notify the user 5 of the countermeasure 2172. The user 5 moves in the play area 1740 according to the notified countermeasure 2172, so that the right controller 300R moves to a position where the right controller 300R does not go outside the play area 1740 even if the right hand is moved. In this way, the user 5 can surely take an action for eliminating the tracking error of the right controller 300R.

  The processor 210 can also notify both the cause 2071 and the countermeasure 2172 on the position 1961 in the view image 2017. In this case, since the user 5 is notified of both the cause of occurrence 2071 and the countermeasure 2172, the user 5 quickly understands the cause of the occurrence of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved, and surely takes action to eliminate the event. be able to.

  The processor 210 can also notify the user 5 to set up the HMD system 100 again as a countermeasure in response to the tracking error. If the user 5 sets up the HMD system 100 again, the play area 1740 is set again, so that it can be expected that an out-of-track occurrence can be avoided thereafter. If the processor 210 repeatedly notifies the user 5 of the movement in the play area 1740 as a countermeasure, and then identifies tracking off of the virtual right hand 1521R again, the processor 5 informs the user 5 to set up the HMD system 100 again as a countermeasure. You can also be notified. When the tracking out is repeatedly identified, there is a high possibility that the setting of the play area 1740 is not appropriate. Therefore, if the user 5 re-setups the HMD system 100, it can be expected that an appropriate play area 1740 is set.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view field image 2217 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 22A, the user 5 moves to near the right end of the play area 1740, as in FIG. The right controller 300R is disposed at a position closest to the right end of the play area 1740. The processor 210 places the virtual right hand 1521R in the visual field area 1511 in the virtual space 1511 in accordance with the position of the right controller 300R shown in FIG. Based on the output of the gaze sensor 140, the processor 210 identifies the gaze point N1 and the line of sight N0 of the user 5. The processor 210 identifies a position 2252 (first position) in the virtual space 1511 corresponding to the gazing point N1 of the user 5. The position 2252 is a position where the user 5 is gazing in the virtual space 1511.

  For example, the processor 210 displays a view field image 2217 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 22A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. When the user 5 visually recognizes the visual field image 2217, the user 5 is gazing at a position 2262 (second position) in the visual field image 2217 corresponding to the position 2252 in the virtual space 1511.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view field image 2317 according to an embodiment. After moving to the position shown in FIG. 22, the user 5 moves the right hand holding the right controller 300 </ b> R to a position outside the play area 1740 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23A, the processor 210 causes the virtual right hand 1521R to disappear from the virtual space 1511. The processor 210 specifies that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is out of tracking of the right controller 300R. For example, the processor 210 displays a view image 2317 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 shown in FIG. 23A on the monitor 130 as shown in FIG. The processor 210 notifies the cause 2071 of occurrence on the position 2262 in the view field image 2317.

  The user 5 recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R has disappeared from the virtual space 1511 by visually recognizing the view field image 2317. The user 5 further recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move so as to follow the movement of the right hand of the user 5. The position 2262 in the view field image 2117 corresponds to the position 2252 at which the user 5 is gazing in the virtual space 1511 immediately before the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is detected. The user 5 continues to watch the position 2252 in the virtual space 1511 even immediately after the virtual right hand 1521R disappears. Therefore, when the view image 2317 is displayed, the cause of occurrence 2071 displayed at the position 2262 in the view image 2317 surely enters the user's view. Thus, the processor 210 can reliably notify the user 5 of the cause of occurrence.

  The processor 210 can also notify the countermeasure 2172 on the position 2262 in the view image 2317. The processor 210 can also notify both the cause 2071 and the countermeasure 2172 on the position 2262 in the view image 2317.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a field-of-view image 2417 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 24A, the user 5 moves the right hand holding the right controller 300R to a position outside the play area 1740, as in FIG. The processor 210 causes the virtual right hand 1521R to disappear from the virtual space 1511 as shown in FIG. The processor 210 specifies that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is out of tracking of the right controller 300R. The processor 210 interrupts the game in the virtual space 1511 in response to the fact that the position of the right controller 300R cannot be detected.

  The processor 210 notifies the user 5 of the cause of the event. For example, the processor 210 displays a view field image 2417 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 24A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. At this time, the game in the virtual space 1511 is interrupted. When the game in the virtual space 1511 is interrupted, the processor 210 notifies the occurrence cause 2071 on the center 2463 of the view image 2417. Further, the processor 210 notifies the user 5 of a message 2473 near the upper left corner of the field-of-view image 2417. Message 2473 includes text explaining that the game has been interrupted.

  Since the center 2463 of the field-of-view image 2417 is easily visible to the user 5, the user 5 is likely to notice that the cause 2071 has been notified on the center 2463 of the field-of-view image 2417. Even if the user 5 is gazing at another position of the field-of-view image 2417 immediately before the game is interrupted and the user 5 does not immediately notice the notification of the cause 2071, the user 5 has no room for the game because the game is interrupted. Each position in the view field image 2417 can be visually recognized.

  The processor 210 can also notify the countermeasure 2172 on the center 2463 in the view image 2417. The processor 210 can also notify both the cause 2071 and the countermeasure 2172 on the center 2463 in the view image 2417.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a view image 2517 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 25A, the user 5 moves the right hand holding the right controller 300R to a position outside the play area 1740, as in FIG. The processor 210 specifies that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is out of tracking of the right controller 300R. Based on this specification, the processor 210 does not move the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511 in accordance with the movement of the right hand of the user 5, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 25A, the virtual right hand 1521R remains arranged at the position in the virtual space 1511 immediately before the user 5 moves the right hand. The processor 210 changes the appearance of the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511 to be translucent as shown in FIG. When the virtual right hand 1521R holds the virtual object, the processor 210 can change the virtual object to be translucent in the same manner as the virtual right hand 1521R.

  When the cause of the event in which the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is out of tracking of the right controller 300R, the processor 210 causes the user 5 to recall out of tracking through the appearance change of the virtual right hand 1521R (first mode). Is notified to the user 5. For example, the processor 210 displays the view image 2517 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 shown in FIG. 25A on the monitor 130 as shown in FIG. The view image 2517 includes a translucent virtual right hand 1521R. The user 5 recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move by visually recognizing the view field image 2517 even though the user 5 moves the right hand. Furthermore, the user 5 visually recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R has changed to translucent, so that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move is out of tracking of the right controller 300R. Can do.

  The processor 210 can make the virtual right hand 1521R disappear from the virtual space 1511 by rapidly increasing the transparency of the virtual right hand 1521R in a short time and finally changing the virtual right hand 1521R to be completely transparent. In this case, the user 5 visually recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R disappears without moving from the spot as a result of moving the right hand of the user 5. By seeing such an effect, the user 5 can more clearly recognize that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is out of tracking of the right controller 300R.

  FIG. 26 shows virtual space 1511 and view image 2617 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 26A, the user 5 is located near the center of the play area 1740, as in FIG. The user 5 moves the right hand holding the right controller 300R to another position inside the play area 1740. The processor 210 determines that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is the shortage of the battery of the right controller 300R based on the value of the battery remaining amount of the right controller 300R being lower than the first threshold value. To do. Based on this specification, the processor 210 does not move the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511 in accordance with the movement of the right hand of the user 5, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 26A, the virtual right hand 1521R remains disposed at the position in the virtual space 1511 immediately before the user 5 moves the right hand. The processor 210 changes the appearance of the virtual right hand 1521R by pasting the texture 2674 on the virtual right hand 1521R. The texture 2674 is a texture corresponding to the remaining battery level of the virtual right hand 1521R being lower than the first threshold value.

  When the cause of the event in which the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is a shortage of the remaining battery of the right controller 300R, the processor 210 causes the user 5 to recall the shortage of the battery through the appearance change of the virtual right hand 1521R. The user 5 is notified. For example, the processor 210 displays a view image 2617 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 26A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. The field-of-view image 2617 includes a virtual right hand 1521R to which a texture 2674 is pasted. The user 5 recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move by visually recognizing the view field image 2617 even though the user 5 moves the right hand. The virtual right hand 1521R to which the texture 2674 is attached has an appearance as if some device energy has been reduced. The user 5 visually recognizes the virtual right hand 1521R to which the texture 2674 is pasted, and the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move is the battery remaining amount of the right controller 300R that is a device for operating the virtual right hand 1521R. It is possible to intuitively grasp the shortage.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a virtual space 1511 and a field-of-view image 2717 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 27A, the user 5 is located near the center of the play area 1740, as in FIG. The user 5 moves the right hand holding the right controller 300R to another position inside the play area 1740. The processor 210 cannot acquire the value of the remaining battery level of the right controller 300R from the right controller 300R. Based on the fact that the value of the remaining battery level cannot be acquired, the processor 210 specifies that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is the right controller 300R being out of battery. Based on this specification, the processor 210 does not move the virtual right hand 1521R in the virtual space 1511 in accordance with the movement of the right hand of the user 5, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 27A, the virtual right hand 1521R remains arranged at a position in the virtual space 1511 immediately before the user 5 moves the right hand. The processor 210 does not change the appearance of the virtual right hand 1521R.

  When the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is the battery running out of the right controller 300R, the processor 210 causes the user 5 to remind the user 5 to run out of the battery through the appearance change of the virtual right hand 1521R (second mode). Is notified to the user 5. For example, the processor 210 displays a view image 2717 corresponding to the virtual space 1511 illustrated in FIG. 27A on the monitor 130 as illustrated in FIG. The view image 2717 includes a virtual right hand 1521R. The processor 210 notifies the mark 2775 on the virtual right hand 1521R in the view field image 2717. The mark 2775 is a kind of information indicating that the virtual right hand 1521R is out of battery, and has a shape symbolically indicating that the battery is out. The user 5 recognizes that the virtual right hand 1521R has not moved even though the user 5 has moved the right hand by visually recognizing the view image 2717. Furthermore, the user 5 visually recognizes the mark 2775 notified on the virtual right hand 1521R to intuitively understand that the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move is the right controller 300R being out of battery. Can do.

  Since the user 5 wears the HMD 120 on the head, the user 5 cannot visually recognize the right controller 300 </ b> R worn on the right hand while enjoying the virtual experience through the virtual space 1511. Even if the indicator indicating the remaining battery level is provided in the right controller 300R, the user 5 cannot visually recognize the indicator unless the HMD 120 is removed. In the example of FIG. 27, the user 5 can recognize that the right controller 300R is out of battery by visually recognizing the mark 2775 included in the field-of-view image 2717, and thus does not have to remove the HMD 120 from the head. In other words, the user 5 can recognize that the right controller 300R is out of battery without stopping the virtual experience through the virtual space 1511.

  When the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is due to the right controller 300R being out of battery, the processor 210 can also paste a texture corresponding to a display indicating that the smartphone is out of battery onto the virtual right hand 1521R. Also in this case, the processor 210 can notify the user 5 of the cause of occurrence in a manner that reminds the user 5 that the remaining battery level is insufficient, through the appearance change of the virtual right hand 1521R.

  When the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved is identified as the right controller 300R being out of battery, the processor 210 notifies the user 5 that the right controller 300R is charged as a countermeasure corresponding to the cause. can do. Alternatively, the processor 210 can notify the user 5 that the right controller 300R is turned on as a countermeasure corresponding to the cause of occurrence.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the processor 210 specifies that the right controller 300R is out of tracking or runs out of battery as the cause of the event that the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved. The processor 210 further notifies the user 5 of the cause of occurrence and / or countermeasures. Based on the notification from the processor 210, the user 5 can accurately understand the reason why the movement of the right hand of the user 5 is not reflected in the virtual right hand 1521R.

  When the user 5 is a beginner of a virtual experience in the virtual space 1511, when the event that the virtual right hand 1521R does not move in the virtual space 1511 occurs even though the right hand is moved, the user 5 understands the cause of the occurrence. It ’s difficult to come up with countermeasures. Therefore, notifying at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasure is a great help for the user 5 who is a beginner.

  When the user 5 is an expert in virtual experience in the virtual space 1511, when an event occurs in which the virtual right hand 1521R does not move in the virtual space 1511 despite moving the right hand, the user 5 There is a high possibility that the tracking of the right controller 300R is doubted. Here, even if the cause of the actual occurrence is the battery running out of the right controller 300R and the battery running out is notified through the indicator of the right controller 300R, the user 5 can visually recognize the indicator because the HMD 120 is worn on the head. I ca n’t, and I ’m not aware of the dead battery notification. Therefore, notifying at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasures is sufficient for the user 5 who is an expert.

  The processor 210 can also notify the user 5 of the cause of the event and / or countermeasures through a normal UI included in the view image 1517. The processor 210 can also notify the user 5 by voice of the cause of the event and / or the countermeasure. For example, the processor 210 outputs from the speaker 180 at least one of a first sound explaining the cause of occurrence and a second sound explaining the countermeasure.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this indication was described, the technical scope of this invention should not be limitedly interpreted by description of this embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  The controller that the user 5 wears on the right hand or the left hand may be a controller that does not support the position tracking function by the HMD sensor 410. Such a controller is, for example, a motion device including a motion sensor 420. For example, the processor 210 detects the movement of the right hand of the user 5 based on the output (detection signal) of the motion sensor 420 provided in the motion device worn on the right hand of the user 5. If the detection signal cannot be received from the motion sensor 420, the processor 210 detects the occurrence of an event in which the virtual right hand 1521R cannot be moved in the virtual space 1511 in accordance with the movement of the right hand of the user 5. When the processor 210 cannot receive the detection signal from the motion sensor 420, the processor 210 determines that the cause of the event is a failure of the motion device. When the value of the remaining battery level obtained from the motion device is zero, the processor 210 specifies that the cause of the event is the motion device battery exhaustion.

  The HMD system 100 may be configured such that the HMD sensor 410 emits infrared rays for position tracking and the controller 300 reads the infrared rays. In this case, the controller 300 detects the position and inclination of the controller 300 in the real space based on the read infrared rays. The controller 300 outputs detection data including the position and inclination to the computer 200. When the infrared rays emitted from the HMD sensor 410 are blocked by the shield and do not reach the controller 300, the controller 300 is out of tracking. Therefore, the processor 210 determines whether or not the cause is out of tracking of the controller 300 based on whether or not there is a shielding object that shields infrared rays between the HMD sensor 410 and the controller 300. Can do.

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

  (Item 1) The program was explained. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the program is executed by a computer (200) with a processor (210) to provide a virtual experience to the user 5. The program defines, in the processor, a virtual space (1511) for providing a virtual experience to the user (S1601), an operation object (virtual right hand 1521R) placed in the virtual space (S1603), Detecting the movement of the first part (right hand) constituting a part of the body (S1606), moving the operation object according to the movement of the first part (S1607), and according to the movement of the first part At least the step of detecting the occurrence of the event that the operation object cannot be moved (S1608), the step of identifying the cause of occurrence of the event (2071) (S1609), the cause of occurrence, and the countermeasure (2172) corresponding to the cause of occurrence One of them is notified to the user (S1610).

  (Item 2) In (Item 1), the program causes the processor to determine the field of view (view) from the virtual viewpoint (virtual camera 14) in the virtual space according to the posture of the user's head and the position of the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space. A step (S1604) for controlling the region 15), a step (S1605) for defining a view image 17 corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint, and the view image on the image display device (HMD 120) associated with the user's head. In the step of further executing the output step (S1605) and detecting the movement of the first part, the controller moves the operation object based on the output of the controller (right controller 300R) associated with the first part. The operation object is moved to follow the movement of the first part, and the movement of the first part is detected. The step of identifying the cause of occurrence includes a first step of determining whether or not the cause of occurrence is out of tracking of the controller, a second step of determining whether or not the cause of occurrence is a battery exhaustion of the controller, And a third step of identifying the cause of occurrence based on the determination result of the first step and the determination result of the second step.

  (Item 6) In (Item 2), at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasure are the second position in the visual field image corresponding to the first position (position 1961) of the operation object in the virtual space immediately before the event is detected ( 1961).

  (Item 4) In (Item 2), the program causes the processor to further execute a step of detecting a first position (position 2252) watched by the user in the virtual space, and at least one of the cause and the countermeasure is as follows: Notification is made on the second position (position 2262) in the view field image corresponding to the first position immediately before the event in the virtual space is detected.

  (Item 5) In (Item 2), the virtual space is a virtual space for allowing the user to play the game, and at least one of the cause and the countermeasure is the center of the view image (2463) when the game is interrupted. ) Be notified above.

  (Item 6) In any one of (Item 1) to (Item 5), in the step of notifying, when the cause of occurrence is a tracking error of the controller associated with the first part, the user is reminded of the tracking error. In one mode, the cause of the occurrence is notified to the user, and when the cause of the occurrence is that the battery of the controller has run out, the user is notified of the cause of occurrence in the second mode that reminds the user that the battery has run out.

  (Item 7) The information processing apparatus has been described. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing apparatus (computer 200) includes a storage unit (storage 230) that stores a program executed by the information processing apparatus to provide a virtual experience to the user 5, and the information processing apparatus. And a control unit (processor 210) for controlling the operation of. The control unit defines a virtual space (1511) for providing a virtual experience to the user, arranges an operation object (virtual right hand 1521R) in the virtual space, and forms a first part (right hand) constituting a part of the user's body. ), The operation object is moved according to the movement of the first part, the occurrence of the event that the operation object cannot be moved according to the movement of the first part is detected, and the cause of the event (2071) is specified Then, at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasure (2172) according to the cause of occurrence is notified to the user.

  (Item 8) A method for executing a program has been described. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, the program is executed by a computer (200) with a processor (210) to provide a virtual experience to a user. The program includes a step (S1601) in which a processor defines a virtual space (1511) for providing a virtual experience to a user, a step (S1603) in which an operation object (virtual right hand 1521R) is placed in the virtual space, Detecting the movement of the first part (right hand) constituting a part of the body (S1606), moving the operation object according to the movement of the first part (S1607), and according to the movement of the first part At least the step of detecting the occurrence of the event that the operation object cannot be moved (S1608), the step of identifying the cause of occurrence of the event (2071) (S1609), the cause of occurrence, and the countermeasure (2172) corresponding to the cause of occurrence One of them is notified to the user (S1610).

  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) space or a mixed reality (AR) is output by outputting a view field image obtained by synthesizing a part of an image constituting a virtual space to a real space visually recognized by a user via a 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 can execute processing corresponding to the above-described collision control or the like between the user's hand and the target object. . As a result, it is possible to act on the target object based on the movement of the user's hand.

2 network, 11, 11A, 11B, 11C virtual space, 5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D user, 6A, 6B, 6C avatar object, 11 virtual space, 12 center, 13 panoramic image, 14, 14A virtual camera, 15 Field of View, 16 Reference Line of Sight, 17, 17A Field of View Image, 18, 19 Region, 100 HMD System, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D HMD Set, 120, 120A, 120B, HMD, 130, 130A Monitor, 140, 140 Gaze sensor, 150 First camera, 160 Second camera, 170, 170A Microphone, 180, 180A, 180B Speaker, 190 sensor, 200, 200A, 200B Computer, 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 610 Processor, 220, 620 Memo 230, 630 Storage, 240, 640 I / O interface, 250, 650 Communication interface, 260, 660 Bus, 300, 300B Controller, 300R Right controller, 310 Grip, 320 Frame, 330 Top surface, 340, 340, 350, 370 , 380 button, 360 infrared LED, 390 analog stick, 410 HMD sensor, 420, 420A motion sensor, 430 display, 510 control module, 520 rendering module, 530 memory module, 540 communication control module, 600 server, 700 external device, 1421 Virtual object generation module, 1422 Virtual camera control module, 1423 Operation object control module, 1424 Elephant detection module, 1425 causes a particular module, 1426 the notification module, 1511 a virtual space, 1517,1717,1817,1917,2017,2117,2217,2317,2417,2517,
2617, 2717 Visibility image, 1521L virtual left hand, 1521R virtual right hand, 1740 play area, 1951, 1961, 2252, 2262 position, 2071 cause, 2172 countermeasure, 2463 center, 2473 message, 2673 texture, 2775 mark

Claims (8)

A program executed by a computer with a processor to provide a virtual experience to a user,
The program is stored in the processor.
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience to the user;
Placing an operation object in the virtual space;
Detecting a movement of a first part constituting a part of the user's body;
Moving the operation object in accordance with the movement of the first part;
Detecting the occurrence of an event in which the operation object cannot be moved according to the movement of the first part;
Identifying the cause of the event;
A program for executing the step of notifying the user of at least one of the cause of occurrence and a countermeasure corresponding to the cause of occurrence. The program is stored in the processor.
Controlling the field of view from the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space according to the posture of the user's head and the position of the virtual viewpoint in the virtual space;
Defining a view image corresponding to the view from the virtual viewpoint;
Outputting the view image to an image display device associated with the user's head, and
Detecting the movement of the first part in the step of detecting the movement of the first part based on the output of the controller associated with the first part;
In the step of moving the operation object, the operation object is moved so as to follow the movement of the controller,
The step of identifying the cause of occurrence includes
A first step of determining whether or not the cause of occurrence is out of tracking of the controller;
A second step of determining whether or not the cause of occurrence is a battery exhaustion of the controller;
The program according to claim 1, further comprising: a third step of specifying the cause of occurrence based on the determination result of the first step and the determination result of the second step.   The at least one of the occurrence cause and the countermeasure is notified on a second position in the view image corresponding to the first position of the operation object in the virtual space immediately before the event is detected. 2. The program according to 2. The program is stored in the processor.
Further detecting a first position gazed by the user in the virtual space;
The at least one of the occurrence cause and the countermeasure is notified on a second position in the visual field image corresponding to the first position immediately before the event in the virtual space is detected. Program. The virtual space is a virtual space for allowing the user to play a game,
The program according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the cause of occurrence and the countermeasure is notified on a center of the view image when the game is interrupted.   In the notifying step, when the cause of occurrence is a tracking error of a controller associated with the first part, the user is notified of the cause of occurrence in a first mode that reminds the user of the tracking error, The said cause of generation | occurrence | production is notified to the said user in the 2nd aspect which reminds the said battery exhaustion to the said user, when the battery of the said controller is dead | outgoing of any one of Claims 1-5. program. An information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A storage unit for storing a program executed by a computer including a processor to provide a virtual experience to a user;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus,
The controller is
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience to the user;
An operation object is arranged in the virtual space,
Detecting a movement of a first part constituting a part of the user's body;
In response to the movement of the first part, the operation object is moved,
Detecting the occurrence of an event in which the operation object cannot be moved according to the movement of the first part;
Identify the cause of the event,
An information processing apparatus that notifies the user of at least one of the cause of occurrence and a countermeasure corresponding to the cause of occurrence. A method in which a computer with a processor executes a program to provide a virtual experience to a user,
The program is executed by the processor,
Defining a virtual space for providing the virtual experience to the user;
Placing an operation object in the virtual space;
Detecting a movement of a first part constituting a part of the user's body;
Moving the operation object in accordance with the movement of the first part;
Detecting the occurrence of an event in which the operation object cannot be moved according to the movement of the first part;
Identifying the cause of the event;
And a step of notifying the user of at least one of the cause of occurrence and a countermeasure corresponding to the cause of occurrence.

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