Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing System

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information processing device and an information processing system that enable smooth gaming while using a mobile communication system. [Solution] An information processing device according to the present technology includes a control unit and a transmission unit. The control unit maps information included in content to a plurality of slices based on a region specified in a virtual space at a terminal, and assigns an identifier indicating a slice for communication to each piece of information. The communication unit transmits the information to the terminal via a communication network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing system related to slicing information. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, games played by connecting a mobile device to a network using a mobile communication system have become popular. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of updating a multiplayer game session executed by connecting a mobile device to a communication system using the mobile device.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent Document

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-539765 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem

[0007] However, the connection to the network disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been performed using best-effort communication. Depending on communication conditions, best-effort communication may cause data loss or data delay, which may result in an inability to play games smoothly.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present technology is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing system that enable smooth game play while using a mobile communication system.

[0009] Solution to the Problem

[0010] To achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a control unit and a communication unit.

[0011] The control unit maps information included in content to a plurality of slices based on a region specified by a terminal in a virtual space, and assigns an identifier indicating a slice for communication to the information.

[0012] The communication unit transmits the information to the terminal via a communication network.

[0013] The region may be a region specified based on the line of sight of a user wearing the terminal, and

[0014] The control unit may map visual information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

[0015] The region may be a region toward which the line of sight of the user is directed,

[0016] The control unit may map visual information depicted in the region to a slice given a high communication priority, and

[0017] The control unit may map visual information depicted outside the region to a slice given a low communication priority.

[0018] The region may be a region specified based on the distance from the terminal, and

[0019] The control unit may map the auditory information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

[0020] The region may be a region located within a specified distance from the terminal,

[0021] The control unit may map the auditory information with the sound source located within the region to a slice given a high communication priority, and

[0022] The control unit may map the auditory information with the sound source located outside the region to a slice given a low communication priority.

[0023] The region may be a region specified based on the distance from the body of the user wearing the terminal, and

[0024] The control unit may map the tactile information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

[0025] The region may be a region located within a specified distance from the body of the user,

[0026] The control unit may map the tactile information corresponding to a contact target located within the region to a slice given a high communication priority, and

[0027] The control unit may map the tactile information corresponding to a contact target located outside the region to a slice given a low communication priority.

[0028] The region may include a first region, a second region, and a third region,

[0029] The plurality of slices may include a first slice, a second slice, and a third slice. The first slice is given a high communication priority, the second slice is given a lower communication priority than the first slice, and the third slice is given a lower communication priority than the second slice, and

[0030] The control unit

[0031] may map the visual information depicted within the first region to the first slice, and may map the visual information depicted outside the first region to the third slice,

[0032] may map the auditory information with the sound source located within the second region to the second slice,

[0033] Auditory information with the sound source located outside the second region can be mapped to the third slice.

[0034] Tactile information corresponding to a contact target located within the third region can be mapped to the second slice, and

[0035] Tactile information corresponding to a contact target located outside the third region can be mapped to the third slice.

[0036] To achieve the above object, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a terminal and a server device.

[0037] The terminal includes a first control unit and a first communication unit. The first control unit designates a region in a virtual space, and the first communication unit transmits the designated region through a communication network.

[0038] The server device includes a second communication unit and a second control unit. The second communication unit receives the region through the communication network. The second control unit maps information included in content to a plurality of slices based on the region, the second control unit assigns an identifier indicating a slice for communication to the information, and the second communication unit transmits the information to the first communication unit through the communication network.

[0039] The terminal may further include a sensor that measures a biological signal of a user wearing the terminal, and

[0040] The first control unit may designate the region based on an output from the sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 Schematic diagrams illustrate an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present technology.

[0042] Figure 2 Schematic diagrams illustrate slices formed in the information processing system.

[0043] Figure 3 Schematic diagrams illustrate regions designated in the information processing system.

[0044] Figure 4 Schematic diagrams illustrate regions designated in the information processing system.

[0045] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a server device included in the information processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] [OVERALL CONFIGURATION OF INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM]

[0047] Figure 1 FIG. is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present technology. As shown in the figure, the information processing system 100 includes a terminal 10, a base station 20, a core network 30, a network 40, and a server device 50.

[0048] The terminal 10 is a terminal capable of communicating with the base station 20 using the 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), and may be, for example, augmented reality (AR) glasses. In addition, the terminal 10 is not limited to AR glasses as long as the terminal 10 is a 5G-compliant terminal. The terminal 10 includes a control unit 11 and a communication unit 12, and the communication unit 12 communicates with the communication unit 22 under the control of the control unit 11.

[0049] The base station 20 forms a radio access network (RAN) and provides wireless communication services to at least one terminal 10. The base station 20 can wirelessly communicate with the terminal 10 according to a wireless communication scheme based on New Radio (NR), which is a standard subsequent to Long Term Evolution (LTE). The base station 20 includes a control unit 21 and a communication unit 22, and the communication unit 22 communicates with the communication unit 12 under the control of the control unit 21. In addition, the communication unit 22 is connected to the network 40 through the core network 30.

[0050] The core network 30 is a network that connects switches connected to the control device of the base station 20 and other switches, and includes, for example, a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Serving Gateway (S-GW), and a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW).

[0051] The network 40 is a computer network that connects multiple information processing devices, and is, for example, the Internet. In addition, the network 40 may be formed in the core network 30.

[0052] The server device 50 is connected to the terminal 10 through the network 40, the core network 30, and the base station 20, and provides services to the terminal 10. The server device 50 includes a control unit 51 and a communication unit 52, and the communication unit 52 communicates with the communication unit 22 through the network 40 and the core network 30 under the control of the control unit 51.

[0053] [Regarding New Radio (NR)]

[0054] NR has two features. The first feature is to provide enhanced large-scale communication using a frequency band from 6 GHz to 100 GHz, and the second feature is to efficiently accommodate various types of communication for various use cases.

[0055] Here, examples of multiple types of communication include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communication (mMTC). Discussed is the use of NR to accommodate the multiple types of communication in a single network.

[0056] In the case of LTE, as the communication technology of the core network 30, the evolved packet core (EPC) is adopted. The New Core is discussed as a successor to the EPC. It is necessary to efficiently accommodate the multiple types of communication mentioned above and suppress CAPEX / OPEX (capital expenditure, operating expenditure) by adopting the New Core.

[0057] However, it is difficult to provide physically separated networks for corresponding types of communication while suppressing CAPEX / OPEX in order to provide multiple types of communication. Therefore, it is discussed to operate multiple logical networks corresponding to multiple types of communication in a physically single network and flexibly change the capacity of the logical network according to the demand of the communication traffic of each type of communication.

[0058] For this purpose, it can be considered that each node of the core network (i.e., communication device) can be implemented as a virtual machine, and node operations depending on the target type of communication can be performed virtually for each logical network. The reason is that for functions implemented using virtual machines, the number of functions can be increased or decreased according to the increase or decrease in the demand for communication, and the number of calculator resources allocated to each function can be increased or decreased.

[0059] Functions implemented using virtual machines are connected to other functions through the use of virtual network technology to create a network. There is a technology called OpenFlow, which is an example of such virtual network technology, where the rules of each switch are assigned by a central controller and the switch operates according to the rules assigned by the controller. By freely switching the switches connecting the functions implemented using virtual machines, OpenFlow enables flexible network operation.

[0060] The technology of providing logical networks with different properties by combining virtual machines and virtual network technologies such as OpenFlow as described above is called slicing.

[0061] [Regarding Slicing]

[0062] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrates slicing in the information processing system 100. As shown, by using slicing, multiple slices are formed between the terminal 10 and the server device 50 in a single physical network. Hereinafter, the multiple slices formed in the information processing system 100 are referred to as "slice S1", "slice S2", and "slice S3".

[0063] Slice S1 is the slice given the highest communication priority, and slice S2 is the slice given the medium communication priority. Slice S3 is the slice given the lowest communication priority. The communication priority indicates the degree of priority of communication. It can be said that the slice with a higher communication priority has a higher communication rate.

[0064] Table 1 is a table that gives information about the mapping to slices in the information processing system 100. As shown in Table 1, slice S1 is a logical network for high-capacity and low-latency communication and is, for example, a logical network for eMBB. Slice S2 is a logical network for low-latency communication and is, for example, a logical network for URLLC. Slice S3 is a logical network for best-effort communication.

[0065] [Table 1]

[0066] Slice S1 High capacity and low latency Slice S2 Low latency Slice S3 Best effort

[0067] Note that the mapping to slices is not limited to that given in Table 1, as long as slice S1 is given the communication priority with the highest rate, slice S2 is given the medium communication priority, and slice S3 is given the communication priority with the lowest rate.

[0068] As described above, logically independent networks that can provide different communication services from each other are provided in a single physical network. Slices enable the flexible provision of logical networks with different uses. In addition, slices enable the flexible modification of the capacity of each slice by increasing or decreasing the number of calculator resources allocated to virtual machines and by changing the switching.

[0069] Note that each slice can be formed between the terminal 10 and the server device 50 through the RAN formed by the base station 20, the core network 30, and the network 40. In addition, each slice can be formed only in the RAN and the core network 30, or can be formed only in the core network 30. In addition, the number of slices is not limited to 3 and can be 2, or more than 4.

[0070] In addition, an identifier called single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) is assigned to the data transmitted between the terminal 10 and the server device 50, and the terminal 10, the RAN, and the core network 30 can use this identifier to determine which slice will be used for transmitting the data.

[0071] [Operation of the Information Processing System]

[0072] Describe the operation of the information processing system 100. Figure 3 Illustrate the operation of the information processing system 100 schematically. As shown, the user U wears the terminal 10, and the terminal 10 is AR glasses.

[0073] The content is provided from the server device 50 to the terminal 10 via the RAN formed by the base station 20, the core network 30, and the network 40. The content forms a virtual space. The content is content that presents video, sound, and touch, and is, for example, an augmented reality (AR) game. Note that the virtual space also includes content superimposed on the real space in the AR game.

[0074] As Figure 3 shown, the control unit 11 designates a gaze area R1, an audible area R2, and a contact area R3 in the virtual space.

[0075] The gaze area R1 is an area designated based on the line of sight of the user U, and is, for example, an area toward which the line of sight of the user U is directed. The control unit 11 detects the orientation of the terminal 10 using, for example, an acceleration sensor, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), and a gyroscope, and further detects the line of sight of the user U by tracking the line of sight using, for example, a camera. Thus, the gaze area R1 can be designated.

[0076] For example, when a specified period of time has elapsed since the line of sight of the user U was directed toward a specific position, the control unit 11 can designate the area centered on that position as the gaze area R1. The size of the gaze area R1 is not particularly limited, but it is advantageous for the gaze area R1 to have a size corresponding to the field of view of the user U. The size of the gaze area R1 can be changed according to the distance between the gaze area R1 and the user U.

[0077] The audible area R2 is an area designated based on the distance from the terminal 10, and can be, for example, an area located within a specified distance from the terminal 10. The control unit 11 designates the position of the terminal 10 using, for example, the result of position measurement by GNSS, and can designate the area centered on that position as the audible area R2. The size of the audible area R2 is not particularly limited, but it is advantageous for the audible area R2 to have a size corresponding to the range within which the user U can hear sound. The audible area R2 can be, for example, an area located within two meters from the terminal 10.

[0078] The contact area R3 is an area designated based on the distance from the body of the user U, and can be, for example, an area located within a specified distance from the finger of the user U. For example, the body of the user U is the finger of the user U. The control unit 11 designates the position of the body of the user U using, for example, the result of position measurement by GNSS and the result of image recognition processing by, for example, a camera, and can designate the area centered on that position as the contact area R3. The size of the contact area R3 is not particularly limited, but it is advantageous for the contact area R3 to have a size corresponding to the range within which the user U can contact an object. The contact area R3 can be, for example, an area located within a few centimeters from the body of the user U.

[0079] The communication unit 12 sends the gaze area R1, the audible area R2, and the contact area R3 designated by the control unit 11 to the server device 50 through the RAN formed by the base station 20, the core network 30, and the network 40.

[0080] In the server device 50, when the communication unit 52 receives the gaze area R1, the audible area R2, and the contact area R3 from the communication unit 12 through the network, the control unit 51 maps the information (hereinafter referred to as five-sense information) included in the content to each slice based on the designated area. Table 2 shown below is a table giving the priorities of the five-sense information.

[0081] [Table 2]

[0082] Five-sense information / Priority High Low Visual information Within the fixation area R1 Outside the fixation area R1 Auditory information Within the audible area R2 Outside the audible area R, Tactile information ​ ​

[0083] As shown in Table 2, for the visual information included in the content, the visual information displayed within the gaze area R1 is given a high priority, while the visual information displayed outside the gaze area R1 is given a low priority. The reason is that the gaze area R1 is the area where the user U is gazing, and therefore high-precision video needs to be displayed at the highest possible rate, while the user's line of sight is not directed towards the area outside the gaze area R1, and therefore there is no need to do so.

[0084] In addition, for the auditory information included in the content, the auditory information whose sound source is within the audible area R2 is given a high priority, while the auditory information whose sound source is outside the audible area R2 is given a low priority. The reason is that the sound whose sound source is within the audible area R2 is clearly audible to the user U, and therefore high-quality sound needs to be generated, while the sound whose sound source is outside the audible area R2 is not clearly audible to the user U, and therefore there is no need to do so.

[0085] In addition, for the tactile information included in the content, the contact target within the contact area R3 is given a high priority, while the contact target outside the contact area R3 is given a low priority. The contact target is, for example, a virtual object included in the content. When the contact target is within the contact area R3, the user U can contact the contact target, and therefore tactile sensation needs to be generated. On the other hand, when the contact target is outside the contact area R3, it is impossible for the user U to contact the contact target, and therefore there is no need to do so.

[0086] Therefore, as shown in Table 3 below, the control unit 51 maps the five-sense information included in the content to slices S1 to S3.

[0087] [Table 3]

[0088]

[0089] As shown in Table 3, from among the visual information included in the content, the control unit 51 maps the visual information depicted within the fixation region R1 to slice S1, and maps the visual information depicted outside the fixation region R1 to slice S3.

[0090] In addition, from among the auditory information included in the content, the control unit 51 maps the auditory information whose sound source is within the audible region R2 to slice S2, and maps the auditory information whose sound source is outside the audible region R2 to slice S3.

[0091] In addition, from among the tactile information included in the content, the control unit 51 maps the tactile information corresponding to the contact target located within the contact region R3 to slice S2, and maps the tactile information corresponding to the contact target located outside the contact region R3 to slice S3.

[0092] The control unit 51 assigns an identifier (such as the S-NSSAI described above) of the slice for communication to each of the five-sense information. In other words, the control unit 51 assigns an identifier indicating slice S1 to the visual information depicted within the fixation region R1. In addition, the control unit 51 assigns an identifier indicating slice S2 to the auditory information whose sound source is within the audible region R2 and the tactile information corresponding to the contact target located within the contact region R3. In addition, the control unit 51 assigns an identifier indicating slice S3 to the visual information depicted outside the fixation region R1, the auditory information whose sound source is outside the audible region R2, and the tactile information corresponding to the contact target located outside the contact region R3. Note that the mapping of each five-sense information to a slice does not necessarily have to be performed by the server device 50, but can be performed by the terminal 10, the base station 20, or the core network 30 using the identifier.

[0093] The control unit 51 provides each of the five-sense information assigned with the identifier as described above to the communication unit 52. The communication unit 52 transmits each of the five-sense information to the communication unit 12 via the network 40, the core network 30, and the RAN formed by the base station 20. In all or part of these communication networks, each five-sense information is transmitted using the slice indicated by the identifier. In other words, the visual information located within the fixation region R1 is transmitted using slice S1, and the auditory information located within the audible region R2 and the tactile information located within the contact region R3 are transmitted using slice S2. In addition, the visual information located outside the fixation region R1, the auditory information located outside the audible region R2, and the tactile information located outside the contact region R3 are transmitted using slice S3.

[0094] When the communication unit 12 receives each of the five-sense information from the communication network, the control unit 11 presents the five-sense information to the user U. In other words, the control unit 11 outputs the visual information to the display and outputs the auditory information from the speaker. In addition, the control unit 11 outputs the tactile information from, for example, a tactile device worn on a finger.

[0095] [Effect provided by information processing system]

[0096] As described above, in the information processing system 100, the visual information, auditory information, and tactile information included in the content are transmitted using slices S1 to S3. Since the visual information located within the fixation area R1 is transmitted using slice S1 which is given the highest communication priority, the visual information located within the fixation area R1 is displayed at a high rate. This enables the user U to quickly visually confirm the visual information located within the fixation area R1.

[0097] In addition, the auditory information located within the audible area R2 and the tactile information located within the contact area R3 are transmitted using slice S2 which is given the second highest communication priority. These pieces of information are given a lower priority than the visual information, and their data volumes are relatively small. Therefore, it is preferable to use slice S2 to transmit these pieces of information.

[0098] In addition, the visual information outside the fixation area R1, the auditory information outside the audible area R2, and the tactile information outside the contact area R3 are transmitted using slice S3 which is given the lowest communication priority. These pieces of information are not immediately perceived by the user U. Therefore, it is preferable to use slice S3 to transmit these pieces of information.

[0099] As described above, the information processing system 100 enables the five-sense information included in the content to be transmitted to the terminal 10 using appropriate slices according to the type of information and the likelihood of the user perceiving the information, and thus enables efficient use of the communication line and improvement of the user experience.

[0100] [Regarding specifying areas using biological signals]

[0101] As described above, the terminal 10 specifies the fixation area R1, the audible area R2, and the contact area R3 based on, for example, the user U's line of sight and the distance from the user U. However, the terminal 10 can use biological signals to specify the area that the user U is interested in. ​ A schematic diagram illustrates the area (hereinafter referred to as the area of interest) R4 that the user U is interested in.

[0102] Specifically, the terminal 10 includes a sensor capable of detecting brain waves, and is capable of specifying the area of interest R4 that the user is interested in based on the output from this sensor. In addition, in addition to brain waves, the terminal 10 can also specify the area of interest R4 based on biological signals obtained from biological phenomena of the user U such as pulse, breathing, or sweating.

[0103] When the terminal 10 sends the region of interest R4 to the server device 50, the control unit 51 maps the five-sense information included in the content and corresponding to the region of interest R4 to slices such as slice S1 that are given a high communication priority. The information corresponding to the region of interest R4 is, for example, visual information displayed within the region of interest R4 and auditory information with the sound source located within the region of interest R4. In addition, the control unit 51 maps the five-sense information included in the content but not corresponding to the region of interest R4 to slices such as slice S3 that are given a low communication priority.

[0104] In accordance with the mapping result, the communication unit 52 assigns an identifier to each piece of five-sense information and sends the five-sense information to the communication unit 12. This enables the use of slices given a high communication priority to present the five-sense information corresponding to the region of interest R4 to the user.

[0105] [Regarding other users]

[0106] In addition, the information processing system 100 enables virtual objects such as clothing or effects to be superimposed on a person located within the field of view of the user U. Here, when the server device 50 sends visual information about such virtual objects to the terminal 10, the server device 50 can select the best slice from among slices S1 to S3.

[0107] Specifically, the control unit 51 specifies the players who are playing the same game as the user U by using, for example, the position information obtained by GNSS, and maps the visual information about the virtual objects superimposed on that player to slices such as S1 that are given a high communication priority. In addition, the control unit 51 maps the visual information about the virtual objects superimposed on players who are not playing the same game as the user U to slices such as slice S3 that are given a low communication priority. The control unit 51 assigns an identifier indicating the slice for sending to the visual information about the virtual objects.

[0108] The communication unit 52 sends the visual information about the virtual objects to which the identifier has been assigned to the communication unit 12 via the network 40, the core network 30, and the RAN formed by the base station 20. This enables virtual objects to be preferentially superimposed on users who are playing the same game as the user U. For example, virtual objects with a large amount of data can be superimposed on users playing the same game, while virtual objects with a small amount of data can be superimposed on users playing different games.

[0109] In addition, depending on the points given to each user, the control unit 51 can select the slices for sending advertisements. The control unit 51 can give points to each user according to, for example, the quality of behavior, level, game time, or charge amount. For users given a large number of points, the control unit 51 can map the information required for the game to the slices given a high communication priority, and can map the advertisements to the slices given a low communication priority.

[0110] In addition, for users given a small number of points, the control unit 51 can map the information required for the game to the slices given a low communication priority, and can map the advertisements to the slices given a high communication priority. The control unit 51 assigns an identifier indicating the slice for sending to the visual information about the virtual object.

[0111] The communication unit 52 sends the visual information about the virtual object assigned with the identifier to the communication unit 12 through the network 40, the core network 30, and the RAN formed by the base stations 20. This makes it less likely for users given a large number of points to see advertisements.

[0112] [Modification Example]

[0113] The embodiments of using the information processing system 100 in AR have been described above. However, the information processing system 100 can be used in VR. In addition, the information processing system 100 can have a configuration in which at least one of visual information, auditory information, or tactile information is mapped to slices and sent according to regions as described above.

[0114] [Hardware Configuration]

[0115] Describe the hardware configuration of the server device 50. ​ Schematically illustrate the hardware configuration of the server device 50.

[0116] As shown in the figure, the server device 50 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1001. The input / output interface 1005 is connected to the CPU 1001 via the bus 1004. The read-only memory (ROM) 1002 and the random access memory (RAM) 1003 are connected to the bus 1004.

[0117] The input unit 1006, output unit 1007, storage device 1008, and communication unit 1009 are connected to the input / output interface 1005. The input unit 1006 includes input devices used by a user to input operation commands, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The output unit 1007 outputs images of a processing operation screen and a processing result to a display device. The storage device 1008 includes, for example, a hard disk drive in which programs and various data are stored. The communication unit 1009 includes, for example, a local area network (LAN) adapter and performs communication processing via a network represented by the Internet. In addition, a drive 1010 is connected to the input / output interface 1005. The drive 1010 reads and writes data to and from a removable storage medium 1011 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory.

[0118] The CPU 1001 performs various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 1002 or according to a program read from a removable storage medium 1011 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory so as to be installed on the storage device 1008 and loaded into the RAM 1003 from the storage device 1008. As needed, data required for various processes performed by the CPU 1001 is also stored in the RAM 1003.

[0119] In the server device 50 having the above configuration, the above-described series of processes are performed by, for example, loading a program stored in the storage device 1008 into the RAM 1003 via the input / output interface 1005 and the bus 1004 by the CPU 1001 and executing the program.

[0120] For example, a program executed by the server device 50 can be provided by being recorded in a removable storage medium 1011 that serves as a package medium, for example. In addition, the program can be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

[0121] In the server device 50, by mounting the removable storage medium 1011 on the drive 1010, a program can be installed on the storage device 1008 via the input / output interface 1005. In addition, a program can be received by the communication unit 1009 via a wired or wireless transmission medium so as to be installed on the storage device 1008. In addition, a program can be pre-installed in the ROM 1002 or the storage device 1008.

[0122] Note that a program executed by the server device 50 can be a program in which processes are sequentially performed in the order described in the present disclosure, or can be a program in which processes are performed in parallel or at a necessary timing, such as a timing of a call.

[0123] All of the hardware configuration of the server device 50 does not have to be included in a single device, and the server device 50 may include multiple devices. In addition, part or all of the hardware configuration of the server device 50 may be included in multiple devices interconnected via a network.

[0124] Note that the present technology may also adopt the following configuration.

[0125] (1) An information processing device, comprising:

[0126] A control unit that maps information included in content to a plurality of slices based on a region specified by a terminal in a virtual space and assigns an identifier indicating a slice for communication to the information; and

[0127] A communication unit that transmits the information to the terminal via a communication network.

[0128] (2) The information processing device according to (1), wherein

[0129] The region is a region specified based on the line of sight of a user wearing the terminal, and

[0130] The control unit maps visual information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

[0131] (3) The information processing device according to (2), wherein

[0132] The region is a region toward which the line of sight of the user is directed,

[0133] The control unit maps visual information depicted within the region to slices given a high communication priority, and

[0134] The control unit maps visual information depicted outside the region to slices given a low communication priority.

[0135] (4) The information processing device according to (1), wherein

[0136] The region is a region specified based on the distance from the terminal, and

[0137] The control unit maps auditory information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

[0138] (5) The information processing device according to (4), wherein

[0139] The region is a region located within a specified distance from the terminal,

[0140] The control unit maps auditory information with a sound source within the region to slices given a high communication priority, and

[0141] The control unit maps the auditory information with the sound source outside the area to the slices given low communication priority.

[0142] (6) The information processing device according to (1), wherein

[0143] The area is an area specified based on the distance from the body of the user wearing the terminal, and

[0144] The control unit maps the tactile information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

[0145] (7) The information processing device according to (6), wherein

[0146] The area is an area within a specified distance from the body of the user,

[0147] The control unit maps the tactile information corresponding to the contact target within the area to the slices given high communication priority, and

[0148] The control unit maps the tactile information corresponding to the contact target outside the area to the slices given low communication priority.

[0149] (8) The information processing device according to (1), wherein

[0150] The area includes a first area, a second area, and a third area,

[0151] The plurality of slices includes a first slice, a second slice, and a third slice. The first slice is given high communication priority, the second slice is given lower communication priority than the first slice, and the third slice is given lower communication priority than the second slice, and

[0152] The control unit

[0153] maps the visual information depicted within the first area to the first slice, maps the visual information depicted outside the first area to the third slice, maps the auditory information with the sound source within the second area to the second slice, maps the auditory information with the sound source outside the second area to the third slice,

[0154] maps the tactile information corresponding to the contact target within the third area to the second slice, and

[0155] maps the tactile information corresponding to the contact target outside the third area to the third slice.

[0156] (9) An information processing system, comprising:

[0157] A terminal, the terminal including a first control unit and a first communication unit, the first control unit designating a region in a virtual space, and the first communication unit transmitting the designated region via a communication network; and

[0158] A server device, the server device including a second communication unit and a second control unit, the second communication unit receiving the region via the communication network, the second control unit mapping information included in content to a plurality of slices based on the region, the second control unit assigning an identifier indicating a slice for communication to the information, and the second communication unit transmitting the information to the first communication unit via the communication network.

[0159] (10) The information processing system according to (9), wherein

[0160] The terminal further includes a sensor that measures a biological signal of a user wearing the terminal, and

[0161] The first control unit designates the region based on an output from the sensor.

[0162] List of reference numerals

[0163] 10 Terminal

[0164] 11 Control unit

[0165] 12 Communication unit

[0166] 20 Base station

[0167] 21 Control unit

[0168] 22 Communication unit

[0169] 30 Core network

[0170] 40 Network

[0171] 50 Server device

[0172] 51 Control unit

[0173] 52 Communication unit

[0174] 100 Information processing system

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: a control unit that maps information included in content to a plurality of slices based on an area specified by a terminal in a virtual space, and assigns an identifier indicating a slice for communication to the information; and a communication unit that transmits the information to the terminal via a communication network, where the area includes a first area, a second area, and a third area, the plurality of slices includes a first slice, a second slice, and a third slice, the first slice being given a high communication priority with a high rate, the second slice being given a lower communication priority than the first slice, and the third slice being given a lower communication priority than the second slice, and the control unit maps visual information depicted within the first area to the first slice, maps visual information depicted outside the first area to the third slice, maps auditory information with a sound source within the second area to the second slice, and maps auditory information with a sound source outside the second area to the third slice, maps tactile information corresponding to a contact target within the third area to the second slice, and maps tactile information corresponding to a contact target outside the third area to the third slice.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the area is an area specified based on the line of sight of a user wearing the terminal, and the control unit maps visual information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the area is the area towards which the user's line of sight is directed, the control unit maps visual information depicted within the area to a slice given a high communication priority, and the control unit maps visual information depicted outside the area to a slice given a low communication priority.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the area is an area specified based on the distance from the terminal, and the control unit maps auditory information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the area is an area located within a specified distance from the terminal, the control unit maps auditory information with a sound source within the area to a slice given a high communication priority, and the control unit maps auditory information with a sound source outside the area to a slice given a low communication priority.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the area is an area specified based on the distance from the body of a user wearing the terminal, and the control unit maps tactile information included in the content to the plurality of slices.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the area is an area located within a specified distance from the user's body, the control unit maps tactile information corresponding to a contact target within the area to a slice given a high communication priority, and the control unit maps tactile information corresponding to a contact target outside the area to a slice given a low communication priority.

8. An information processing system, comprising: a terminal including a first control unit and a first communication unit, the first control unit designating a region in a virtual space, and the first communication unit transmitting the designated region via a communication network; and a server device including a second communication unit and a second control unit, the second communication unit receiving the region via the communication network, the second control unit mapping information included in content to a plurality of slices based on the region, the second control unit assigning an identifier indicating a slice for communication to the information, and the second communication unit transmitting the information to the first communication unit via the communication network, wherein the region includes a first region, a second region, and a third region, the plurality of slices includes a first slice, a second slice, and a third slice, the first slice being given a high communication priority with a high rate, the second slice being given a lower communication priority than the first slice, and the third slice being given a lower communication priority than the second slice, and the control unit maps visual information depicted within the first region to the first slice, maps visual information depicted outside the first region to the third slice, maps auditory information with a sound source within the second region to the second slice, maps auditory information with a sound source outside the second region to the third slice, maps tactile information corresponding to a contact target within the third region to the second slice, and maps tactile information corresponding to a contact target outside the third region to the third slice.

9. The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein the terminal further includes a sensor that measures a biological signal of a user wearing the terminal, and the first control unit designates the region based on an output from the sensor.

Images