Advertisement display system

Abstract

The present application provides an advertisement display system capable of displaying an advertisement at an appropriate position within a virtual reality space in accordance with a moving speed of an avatar in the virtual reality space and a viewpoint of the avatar. The advertisement display system (1) acquires a coordinate of the avatar in the virtual reality space and a size of the avatar, and divides a coordinate change amount per unit time of the avatar in the virtual reality space by a reference amount corresponding to the size of the avatar, thereby calculating a moving speed of the avatar. In addition, it is determined which one of a first-person viewpoint and a third-person viewpoint the viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space is set to. Then, while the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, a control is performed to make a position at which an advertisement is displayed within the virtual reality space different for a user who operates the avatar in accordance with the moving speed of the avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an advertising display system for displaying advertisements to users in virtual space. Background Technology

[0002] Methods for displaying advertisements to users in virtual space have been proposed in the past. For example, techniques have been proposed to change the advertisements displayed on objects other than those being viewed by the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5961736 Summary of the Invention

[0006] (The problem the invention aims to solve)

[0007] However, no proposals have yet been made regarding displaying advertisements focusing on the "movement" of avatars within virtual space. Avatar "movement" is an everyday action performed by everyone, and is mostly done alone. By focusing on avatar "movement," the number of ad impressions increases compared to ad prompts that originate from other actions, resulting in the expectation of improved advertising effectiveness through the simple contact effect (Zajuntz's Law).

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an advertising display system that can display advertisements at appropriate locations within a virtual reality space based on the movement speed and viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space.

[0009] (Technical solution used to solve the problem)

[0010] The advertising display system of the present invention is an advertising display system for displaying advertisements to users in a virtual reality space, comprising: a coordinate acquisition unit that acquires the coordinates of the avatar operated by the user in the virtual reality space; a size acquisition unit that acquires the size of the avatar in the virtual reality space; a movement speed calculation unit that calculates the movement speed of the avatar by dividing the amount of coordinate change of the avatar in the virtual reality space per unit time by a reference amount corresponding to the size of the avatar; a viewpoint determination unit that determines whether the viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space is set to the avatar's own viewpoint, i.e., a first-person viewpoint, or set to a viewpoint other than the avatar's own, i.e., a third-person viewpoint; and an advertising display control unit that, when the avatar moves in the virtual reality space, controls the position of the advertisement displayed in the virtual reality space to be different for the user operating the avatar, based on the movement speed of the avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar.

[0011] According to this structure, advertisements can be displayed at appropriate locations within the virtual reality space based on the avatar's movement speed and viewpoint. For example, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "first-person viewpoint" and its movement speed is "low," the advertisement is displayed by placing it parallel to the ground on the virtual reality space's surface. Conversely, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "first-person viewpoint" and its movement speed is "high," the advertisement is displayed by placing it directly in the air above the avatar within the virtual reality space. Furthermore, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "third-person viewpoint" and its movement speed is "low," the advertisement is displayed by placing it directly in the air above the avatar within the virtual reality space, relatively close to it. Finally, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "third-person viewpoint" and its movement speed is "high," the advertisement is displayed by placing it directly in the air above the avatar within the virtual reality space, relatively far from it.

[0012] In this case, the avatar's movement speed takes into account not only the amount of coordinate change per unit time, but also the avatar's size. For example, even if a small avatar moves at the same amount of coordinate change per unit time as if it were set to "high speed", a large avatar is sometimes set to "low speed".

[0013] In this way, by displaying advertisements in appropriate locations within the virtual reality space, the number of times the avatar comes into contact with the advertisement while moving can be increased, thereby enhancing the advertising effectiveness within the virtual reality space.

[0014] Alternatively, in the advertising display system of the present invention, the advertising display control unit may calculate the destination of the avatar based on the user's operation input when the avatar moves in the virtual reality space, and display an advertisement at the destination of the avatar's movement.

[0015] According to this structure, since advertisements are displayed at the avatar's moving destination in the virtual reality space, the number of times the avatar comes into contact with the advertisements while moving can be increased, thereby improving the advertising effect in the virtual reality space.

[0016] Alternatively, in the advertising display system of the present invention, when the avatar in the virtual reality space is set to perform warp drive, the advertising display control unit may fix the position of the advertisement.

[0017] According to this structure, when the avatar moves at warp speed in virtual reality space, the position of the displayed advertisement is fixed. Therefore, by observing the advertisement while moving at warp speed, the user's field of vision can be narrowed, suppressing VR dizziness caused by the inconsistency between motion information in the field of vision and motion information felt by the body.

[0018] Alternatively, in the advertising display system of the present invention, the advertising display control unit may display an advertisement at a position that maintains a given distance from the avatar when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space.

[0019] According to this structure, an advertisement is displayed at a position maintaining a given distance from the avatar as the avatar moves within the virtual reality space. Since the advertisement is displayed for a certain period of time or continuously, its exposure time can be extended.

[0020] Alternatively, in the advertising display system of the present invention, the advertising display control unit may display advertisements through the avatar when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space.

[0021] According to this structure, advertisements are displayed through the avatar as it moves within the virtual reality space. By making the advertisements appear, user awareness of the advertisements can be increased (attracting attention to them).

[0022] Alternatively, in the advertising display system of the present invention, when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, the faster the avatar moves, the farther away the advertising display control unit displays the advertisement from the avatar.

[0023] According to this structure, as the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, advertisements are displayed at locations farther away from the avatar as the avatar moves faster. Since people tend to see further as they move faster, this increases the avatar's exposure to advertisements during movement.

[0024] The advertising display method of the present invention is an advertising display method for displaying advertisements to users in a virtual reality space, comprising: obtaining the coordinates of the avatar operated by the user in the virtual reality space; obtaining the size of the avatar in the virtual reality space; calculating the movement speed of the avatar by dividing the coordinate change of the avatar in the virtual reality space per unit time by a reference amount corresponding to the size of the avatar; determining whether the viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space is set to the avatar's own viewpoint, i.e., a first-person viewpoint, or set to a viewpoint other than the avatar's own, i.e., a third-person viewpoint; and controlling the position of the advertisement displayed in the virtual reality space differently for the user operating the avatar, based on the movement speed of the avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar, while the avatar moves in the virtual reality space.

[0025] This method, similar to the system described above, increases the number of times the avatar is exposed to the advertisement while moving by displaying advertisements at appropriate locations within the virtual reality space, thereby enhancing the advertising effectiveness within the virtual reality space.

[0026] (Invention Effects)

[0027] According to the present invention, advertisements can be displayed at appropriate locations within the virtual reality space based on the movement speed and viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the advertising display system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram of the advertising display position (low-speed movement / high-speed movement / warp speed movement) in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is an illustration of the ad display position (slow speed movement / high speed movement / warp speed movement) in a first-person viewpoint.

[0031] Figure 4 This is an illustration of the ad display position (slow speed movement / high speed movement / warp speed movement) from a third-person perspective.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram used to illustrate the operation of the advertising display system in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Hereinafter, an advertising display system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an advertising display system utilizing virtual reality space is illustrated. In this advertising display system, advertisements are displayed to the user within the virtual reality space.

[0034] The structure of the advertising display system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the advertising display system of this embodiment. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the advertising display system 1 consists of user devices 2 and server devices 3 connected to each other via network N.

[0035] User device 2 is a device operated by a user, such as having a head-mounted display 4 (HMD) and a controller 5. However, user device 2 is not limited to a device having a head-mounted display 4. User device 2 may also include, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc.

[0036] A head-mounted display 4 is a type of display device worn on a user's head and covering the user's field of vision. Users wearing a head-mounted display 4 can view images displayed on it. The head-mounted display 4 can display any object (electronic file), such as still images, moving images, documents, or web pages. There are no particular limitations on the display method of the head-mounted display 4; it can display objects at any position in a virtual space with depth (virtual reality space) or at any position on a virtual plane.

[0037] Controller 5 is an input interface that receives user input. (Illustrations omitted here.) For example, controller 5 has at least one operation button and built-in sensors to detect its orientation and movements (acceleration, rotation, etc.). Through input from controller 5, the user can move the avatar within the virtual reality space. Additionally, through input from controller 5, the user can switch the avatar's viewpoint (first-person viewpoint / third-person viewpoint).

[0038] The server device 3 includes a control unit 6 and a storage unit 7. For example, the control unit 6 may be composed of a processor or the like, and the storage unit 7 may be composed of a mass storage device or the like.

[0039] The control unit 6 includes a coordinate acquisition unit 8, a size acquisition unit 9, a movement speed calculation unit 10, a viewpoint determination unit 11, an advertising display control unit 12, and an advertising fee calculation unit 13. The coordinate acquisition unit 8 acquires the coordinates of the avatar operated by the user in the virtual reality space. The coordinates are represented, for example, by a combination of X, Y, and Z coordinates, but are not limited to this. The size acquisition unit 9 acquires the size of the avatar in the virtual reality space. The size of the avatar can be represented, for example, by coordinate values ​​in the height direction (equivalent to the coordinate values ​​of the avatar's height).

[0040] The movement speed calculation unit 10 calculates the movement speed of the avatar by dividing the amount of coordinate change of the avatar per unit time in the virtual reality space by a reference quantity corresponding to the size of the avatar. Furthermore, if the calculated movement speed is less than a predetermined threshold (e.g., less than "10"), the avatar is considered to be moving at a "low speed", and if it is above the predetermined threshold (e.g., above "10"), the avatar is considered to be moving at a "high speed".

[0041] Here, the reference quantity can be either the value obtained by multiplying the size of the incarnation by a specified coefficient, or it can be the size of the incarnation itself (coefficient = 1). For ease of explanation, the case where the reference quantity is the size of the incarnation (coefficient = 1) will be explained below.

[0042] For example, if the avatar's size (coordinate value in the height direction) is "10", and the avatar moves its coordinate value by "100" per unit time (e.g., every 1 second), then the avatar's movement speed is the value obtained by dividing the coordinate change "100" per unit time by the base value "10", which is "10". In this case, the avatar moves at "high speed".

[0043] On the other hand, if the avatar's size (coordinate value in the height direction) is "100", and the avatar moves its coordinate value by "100" per unit time (e.g., every 1 second), then the avatar's movement speed becomes the value obtained by dividing the coordinate change "100" per unit time by the base value "100", which is "1". In this case, the avatar moves at a "low speed".

[0044] Thus, even if the coordinate change per unit time is the same ("100"), the incarnation's movement speed will vary depending on its size. In the example above, even if the coordinate change per unit time is the same ("100"), the smaller incarnation (the one with size "10") moves at a "high speed," while the larger incarnation (the one with size "100") moves at a "low speed."

[0045] Alternatively, the movement speed calculation unit 10 can also be provided in the user device 2. In the operation method of the avatar, there are methods based on operation input in the controller 5 and methods reflecting the user's own movement. In the case of reflecting the user's own movement to the avatar, the user device 2 detects the user's own movement and reflects it to the avatar. In this case, the user's movement speed (the movement speed of the user device 2) becomes the coordinate change of the avatar.

[0046] The viewpoint determination unit 11 determines whether the viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space is set to the avatar's own viewpoint, i.e., a "first-person viewpoint", or set to a viewpoint other than the avatar's own, i.e., a "third-person viewpoint". A "third-person viewpoint" is, for example, a viewpoint placed at the upper rear of the avatar, but is not limited to this.

[0047] Alternatively, the viewpoint determination unit 11 may also be provided in the user device 2. In this case, for example, a switch or the like that that accepts operation input for switching the viewpoint of the avatar may be provided in the user device 2, and the viewpoint of the avatar may be determined based on the switching of the switch.

[0048] As the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, the advertising display control unit 12 controls the placement of advertisements within the virtual reality space based on the avatar's movement speed and viewpoint, tailored to the user operating the avatar. When the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, the advertising display control unit 12 calculates the avatar's destination based on the user's input and displays advertisements at that destination. Further details regarding the advertisement display location will be described later.

[0049] The advertising fee calculation unit 13 confirms the usage status of advertisements displayed in the virtual reality space (such as advertisement prompt status, number of ad views, ad viewing time, etc.) and calculates the advertising fee based on the usage status of the advertisements.

[0050] The storage unit 7 stores user information (e.g., user account information), advertising information (e.g., advertising usage period, maximum advertising fee, total number of advertisements, avatar attributes, taboos, etc.), user movement information (e.g., avatar location, movement speed, movement direction, viewpoint, size, etc.), and advertising usage information (e.g., advertising notification status, number of ad views, ad viewing time, etc.).

[0051] Figures 2-4 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the advertisement display location in this embodiment. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, three advertising display positions are prepared. Additionally, as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the advertisement display position varies depending on the avatar's movement speed and viewpoint.

[0052] Figure 2 (a) is a diagram showing the location of the first advertisement. For example... Figure 2 As shown in (a), at the first advertising display location, advertisement C is displayed in a manner that places it parallel to the ground on the ground at the avatar's mobile destination. Figure 3 As shown in (a), the advertisement display position is used when the avatar A in the "first-person viewpoint" moves at a "low speed". In this case, the advertisement display control unit 12 displays advertisement C as if avatar A were moving through advertisement C. Furthermore, the faster avatar A moves within the virtual reality space, the farther away advertisement C is displayed by the advertisement display control unit 12. Alternatively, the advertisement display control unit 12 can also display advertisement C at a position maintaining a given distance from avatar A while avatar A is moving within the virtual reality space.

[0053] Figure 2 (b) is a diagram showing the location of the second advertisement. For example... Figure 2As shown in (b), in the second advertising display position, advertisement C is displayed in a manner that places it directly opposite the avatar's location in the air above the avatar's mobile destination. Figure 3 (b) Figure 4 As shown in (a) and (b), the advertisement display position is used when the avatar A in the "first-person viewpoint" moves at "high speed" and when the avatar A in the "third-person viewpoint" moves at "low speed" or "high speed". In this case, the advertisement display control unit 12 displays advertisement C as if avatar A were moving through advertisement C. In addition, the faster avatar A moves in the virtual reality space, the farther away advertisement C is displayed by the advertisement display control unit 12. Furthermore, the advertisement display control unit 12 can also display advertisement C at a position that maintains a given distance from avatar A while avatar A is moving in the virtual reality space.

[0054] Figure 2 (c) is a diagram showing the location of the third advertisement. For example... Figure 2 As shown in (c), advertisement C is displayed in the center of the screen at the third advertisement display position. Figure 3 (c) and Figure 4 As shown in (c), the advertisement display position is used when avatar A is moving at warp speed. In this case, the advertisement display control unit 12 fixes the position of the advertisement C during the warp speed movement of avatar A.

[0055] Reference Figure 5 The timing diagram is used to illustrate the operation of the advertising display system 1 as described above.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, when using the advertising display system 1 of this embodiment, firstly, if login information is entered into the user device 2 (S1), the entered login information is sent from the user device 2 to the server device 3 (S2), and user authentication is performed in the server device 3 (S3). If user authentication is successful, login permission is sent from the server device 3 to the user device 2 (S4).

[0057] Next, if the logged-in user operates user device 2 to generate an avatar in the virtual reality space (S5), then the coordinates and size of the avatar operated by the user are sent from user device 2 to server device 3 (S6). Thus, server device 3 obtains the coordinates of the avatar operated by the user in the virtual reality space (S7) and obtains the size of the avatar in the virtual reality space (S8).

[0058] When the user moves the avatar within the virtual reality space (S9), the user device 2 sends the user's input information to the server device 3 (S10). The server device 3 calculates the avatar's movement speed by dividing the coordinate change of the avatar per unit time by a reference value corresponding to the avatar's size (S11). Additionally, the server device 3 determines whether the avatar's viewpoint in the virtual reality space is set to the avatar's own viewpoint (i.e., a first-person viewpoint) or a viewpoint other than the avatar's own (i.e., a third-person viewpoint) (S12).

[0059] Then, as Figures 2-4 As shown, when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, the server device 3 determines the location of the advertisement to be displayed to the user operating the avatar within the virtual reality space based on the avatar's movement speed and viewpoint (S13). Then, the server device 3 sends information about the advertisement and its display location to the user device 2 (S14), and the advertisement is displayed to the user within the virtual space (S15). The server device 3 records the usage status of the advertisement displayed in the virtual reality space (e.g., advertisement notification status, number of ad views, ad view duration, etc.) (S16), and calculates the advertising fee based on the advertising usage status (S17).

[0060] According to the advertising display system 1 of this embodiment, an advertisement can be displayed at an appropriate location within the virtual reality space based on the movement speed and viewpoint of the avatar. For example, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "first-person viewpoint" and the avatar's movement speed is "low speed," the advertisement is displayed by placing it parallel to the ground on the virtual reality space. Furthermore, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "first-person viewpoint" and the avatar's movement speed is "high speed," the advertisement is displayed by placing it directly in the air within the virtual reality space, facing the avatar. Moreover, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "third-person viewpoint" and the avatar's movement speed is "low speed," the advertisement is displayed by placing it directly in the air within the virtual reality space, closer to the avatar, facing the avatar. Finally, when the avatar's viewpoint is a "third-person viewpoint" and the avatar's movement speed is "high speed," the advertisement is displayed by placing it directly in the air within the virtual reality space, farther from the avatar, facing the avatar.

[0061] In this case, the avatar's movement speed takes into account not only the amount of coordinate change per unit time, but also the avatar's size. For example, even if a small avatar moves at the same amount of coordinate change per unit time as if it were set to "high speed", a large avatar is sometimes set to "low speed".

[0062] In this way, by displaying advertisements in appropriate locations within the virtual reality space, the number of times the avatar comes into contact with the advertisement while moving can be increased, thereby enhancing the advertising effectiveness within the virtual reality space.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since advertisements are displayed at the avatar's moving destination in the virtual reality space, the number of times the avatar comes into contact with the advertisements while moving can be increased, thereby enhancing the advertising effect in the virtual reality space.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the position of the displayed advertisement is fixed when the avatar moves at warp speed in the virtual reality space. Therefore, by observing the advertisement while moving at warp speed, the user's field of vision can be narrowed, suppressing VR dizziness caused by the inconsistency between motion information in the field of vision and motion information felt by the body.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an advertisement is displayed at a position maintaining a given distance from the avatar while the avatar moves within the virtual reality space. Since the advertisement is displayed for a certain period of time or continuously, the exposure time of the advertisement can be extended.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, advertisements are displayed through the avatar while the avatar moves within the virtual reality space. By displaying advertisements, user awareness of the advertisements can be increased (attracting attention to the advertisements).

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, the faster the avatar moves, the farther away the advertisement is displayed. Since people tend to see further as they move faster, this increases the avatar's opportunities to be exposed to advertisements while moving.

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications and variations can be made according to the purpose within the scope described in the claims.

[0069] (Industrial applicability)

[0070] As described above, the advertising display system of the present invention has the effect of displaying advertisements at appropriate locations within virtual reality space, is applicable to various systems utilizing virtual reality space, and is useful.

[0071] (Label Explanation)

[0072] 1. Advertising display system

[0073] 2 User Equipment

[0074] 3 Server Devices

[0075] 4. Head-mounted displays

[0076] 5 Controllers

[0077] 6. Control Department

[0078] 7. Storage Section

[0079] 8. Coordinate Acquisition Section

[0080] 9. Size Acquisition Section

[0081] 10. Movement speed calculation unit

[0082] 11 Viewpoint Determination Department

[0083] 12. Advertising Display Control Department

[0084] 13. Advertising Expense Calculation Department

[0085] N Network

[0086] C Advertisement

[0087] Avatar

Claims

1. An advertisement display system that displays an advertisement to a user within a virtual reality space, comprising: a coordinate acquisition section that acquires a coordinate at which an avatar operated by the user is located in the virtual reality space; a size acquisition section that acquires a size of the avatar in the virtual reality space; a movement speed calculation section that calculates a movement speed of the avatar by dividing a coordinate change amount per unit time of the avatar in the virtual reality space by a reference amount corresponding to the size of the avatar; a viewpoint determination section that determines whether a viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space is set to a viewpoint of the avatar itself, i.e., a first-person viewpoint, or a viewpoint other than the viewpoint of the avatar itself, i.e., a third-person viewpoint; and an advertisement display control section that performs control to make a position at which the advertisement is displayed within the virtual reality space different for the user who operates the avatar, in accordance with the movement speed of the avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar, when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space.

2. The advertisement display system according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement display control section calculates a movement destination of the avatar based on an operation input of the user and displays the advertisement at the movement destination of the avatar when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space.

3. The advertisement display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the advertisement display control section fixes a position at which the advertisement is displayed in a case where the avatar is set to be operated to move at a curved speed in the virtual reality space.

4. The advertisement display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the advertisement display control section displays the advertisement at a position that maintains a given distance from the avatar when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space.

5. The advertisement display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the advertisement display control section displays the advertisement in a manner that the avatar passes by the advertisement when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space.

6. The advertisement display system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the advertisement display control section displays the advertisement at a position farther from the avatar as the movement speed of the avatar is faster when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space.

7. An advertisement display method that displays an advertisement to a user within a virtual reality space, the advertisement display method comprising: a step of acquiring a coordinate at which an avatar operated by the user is located in the virtual reality space; a step of acquiring a size of the avatar in the virtual reality space; a step of calculating a movement speed of the avatar by dividing a coordinate change amount per unit time of the avatar in the virtual reality space by a reference amount corresponding to the size of the avatar; a step of determining whether a viewpoint of the avatar in the virtual reality space is set to a viewpoint of the avatar itself, i.e., a first-person viewpoint, or a viewpoint other than the viewpoint of the avatar itself, i.e., a third-person viewpoint; and a step of performing control to make a position at which the advertisement is displayed within the virtual reality space different for the user who operates the avatar, in accordance with the movement speed of the avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar, when the avatar moves within the virtual reality space. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ When the avatar moves within the virtual reality space, the position at which an advertisement is displayed within the virtual reality space is controlled differently for a user operating the avatar depending on the speed of movement of the avatar and the viewpoint of the avatar.

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