Content distribution device, content distribution program, content distribution method, content display device, content display program, and content display method

Abstract

A content distribution device is provided with: a virtual character arrangement acquisition unit that acquires the arrangement of each of a plurality of virtual characters corresponding to each of a plurality of participants in a virtual space in association with the action of the corresponding participant; a trigger detection unit that detects the first trigger and then detects the second trigger; and a display control data distribution unit that generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters are arranged.

Description

This application is a divisional application of the original application with national application number 202080032037.6 and invention name “Content distribution device, content distribution program, content distribution method, content display device, content display program and content display method”, which is a PCT international application with an international filing date of June 24, 2020 entering the Chinese national phase. Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a content distribution device, a content distribution program, and a content distribution method for distributing a virtual space in which virtual characters are arranged as content, and also to a content display device, a content display program, and a content display method. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a content distribution server that displays a virtual space in which virtual characters are arranged on a display. The virtual characters are operated by the user, and are usually displayed in a manner such that the actions of the virtual characters faithfully reflect the actions of the user. This is to achieve a sense of immersion in the virtual space. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP Patent No. 6469279 Summary of the invention (Problems to be solved by the invention)

[0004] However, since the size of a display is limited, if the movements of the virtual character are made to faithfully reflect the movements of the user, the virtual character may be difficult to see.

[0005] The present invention is proposed in view of such facts, and its purpose is to provide a content distribution server, a content distribution method and a content distribution program, as well as a content display device, a content display program and a content display method, which can make the virtual characters configured in the virtual space more visible and displayed. (Technical solutions to solve problems)

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content distribution device, comprising: a virtual character configuration acquisition unit, which acquires the configuration of each of multiple virtual characters corresponding to multiple participants in a virtual space in accordance with the actions of the corresponding participants; a trigger detection unit, which detects a first trigger and then detects a second trigger; and a display control data distribution unit, which generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which the multiple virtual characters are configured, the display control data distribution unit generating the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space to the configuration positions obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, and generating the display control data in response to the detection of the first trigger, in which the configuration position of a first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, and generating the display control data in response to the detection of the second trigger, in which the configuration position of the first virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position is changed is restored to the configuration position obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

[0007] Preferably, the first trigger corresponds to the start of a conversation between the second virtual character associated with the first trigger and the first virtual character, and the second trigger corresponds to the end of a conversation between the second virtual character and the first virtual character.

[0008] Preferably, in response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the arrangement position of the first virtual character in the virtual space is changed so that the first virtual character approaches a given position.

[0009] Preferably, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space viewed from the given position.

[0010] Preferably, the first trigger is sent from a terminal of a first participant corresponding to a second virtual character associated with the first trigger, and the given position is a position of the second virtual character.

[0011] Preferably, the given position is a position different from those of the plurality of virtual characters.

[0012] Preferably, the given position is a position of a third virtual character among the plurality of virtual characters that is not associated with the first trigger.

[0013] Preferably, in response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data after changing the configuration positions of the third virtual character and the fourth virtual character that are not associated with the first trigger in the virtual space by taking into account the relative position relationship between the third virtual character and the fourth virtual character acquired by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

[0014] Preferably, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the display form of the first virtual character is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content distribution program, which causes a computer to function as a virtual character configuration acquisition unit, a trigger detection unit, and a display control data distribution unit, wherein the virtual character configuration acquisition unit acquires the configurations of a plurality of virtual characters corresponding to a plurality of participants in a virtual space in accordance with the actions of the corresponding participants, the trigger detection unit detects a first trigger and then detects a second trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which the plurality of virtual characters are configured, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to the configuration positions obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, and generates the display control data in which the configuration position of a first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger, and generates the display control data in which the configuration position of the first virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position is changed is restored to the configuration position obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit in response to the detection of the second trigger.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content distribution method, comprising: a step in which a virtual character configuration acquisition unit acquires the configurations of a plurality of virtual characters respectively corresponding to a plurality of participants in a virtual space in correspondence with the actions of the corresponding participants; a step in which a trigger detection unit detects a first trigger and then detects a second trigger; and a step in which a display control data distribution unit generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which the plurality of virtual characters are configured, the display control data distribution unit generating the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to the configuration positions obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, and generating the display control data in which the configuration position of a first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger, and generating the display control data in which the configuration position of the first virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position is changed is restored in response to the detection of the second trigger.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content display device, comprising: a virtual character control unit, which transmits data indicating the configuration of a first virtual character corresponding to the participant in a virtual space to a content distribution server according to an action of the participant; a trigger generation unit, which generates a first trigger and a second trigger according to an instruction of the participant and transmits them to the content distribution server; and a display control unit, which displays at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters including the first virtual character are configured according to the display control data distributed from the content distribution server, wherein the display control unit receives the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to configuration positions corresponding to the actions of the plurality of participants respectively corresponding to the plurality of virtual characters before the first trigger is transmitted, and receives the display control data for changing the configuration position of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space in response to the transmission of the first trigger, and receives the display control data for restoring the configuration position of the second virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position is changed to the configuration position according to the configuration position corresponding to the action of the participant corresponding to the second virtual character in response to the transmission of the first trigger.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content display program, which enables a computer to function as a virtual character control unit, a trigger generation unit and a display control unit. The virtual character control unit sends data representing the configuration of a first virtual character corresponding to the participant in a virtual space to a content distribution server according to the action of the participant. The trigger generation unit generates a first trigger and a second trigger according to the instruction of the participant and sends them to the content distribution server. The display control unit displays at least a portion of the virtual space configured with multiple virtual characters including the first virtual character according to the display control data distributed from the content distribution server. Before sending the first trigger, the display control unit receives a signal to The display control data sets the configuration positions of the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space to configuration positions corresponding to the actions of the multiple participants respectively corresponding to the multiple virtual characters, and in response to the first trigger having been sent, receives the display control data after the configuration position of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, and in response to the second trigger having been sent after the first trigger is sent, receives the display control data for restoring the configuration position of the second virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position is changed to the configuration position corresponding to the actions of the participants corresponding to the second virtual character.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content display method, comprising: a step in which a virtual character control unit sends data indicating the configuration of a first virtual character corresponding to the participant in a virtual space to a content distribution server according to an action of a participant; a step in which a trigger generation unit generates a first trigger and a second trigger according to an instruction of the participant and sends the triggers to the content distribution server; and a step in which a display control unit displays at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters including the first virtual character are configured according to the display control data distributed from the content distribution server, wherein the display control unit receives the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to the configuration positions corresponding to the actions of the plurality of participants respectively corresponding to the plurality of virtual characters before the first trigger is sent, and receives the display control data for changing the configuration position of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space in response to the sending of the first trigger, and receives the display control data for restoring the configuration position of the second virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position is changed to the configuration position according to the configuration position corresponding to the action of the participant corresponding to the second virtual character in response to the sending of the second trigger after the sending of the first trigger. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content distribution system according to one embodiment. Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a participant terminal 1a. Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the viewer terminal 2 . Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of the content distribution server 3. Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing operation of the content distribution system before the start of a session. Figure 6 This is a diagram schematically showing a state in which avatars A to D are arranged in a virtual space. Fig. 7A It is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1a. Figure 7B It is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Figure 7C It is a diagram schematically showing the content displayed on the display 23 of the viewer terminal 2. Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing operation of the content distribution system after the session starts. Fig. 9A It is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1a. Fig. 9B It is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig. 9C It is a diagram schematically showing the content displayed on the display 23 of the viewer terminal 2. Fig.10 yes Fig. 9B , which is a diagram schematically showing a modification of the content displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig.11 yes Fig. 9B , which is a diagram schematically showing a modification of the content displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig.12 yes Fig. 9B Another modification example of FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1 d. Fig.13 yes Fig. 9B Another modification example of FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1 d. Fig.14 This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing operation of the content distribution system after the session ends. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, the components shown in the embodiments are not necessarily all essential components of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment. The content distribution system is composed of participant terminals 1a to 1d, a viewer terminal 2, and a content distribution server 3, which are communicably connected via a network such as a WAN (World Area Network). In addition, for convenience, four participant terminals 1a to 1d and one viewer terminal 2 are shown, but the number is not limited.

[0023] This content distribution system allows participant terminals 1a to 1d and viewer terminal 2 to watch in real time how avatars (virtual characters) corresponding to users of participant terminals 1a to 1d move in a given virtual space (hereinafter referred to as "content").

[0024] [Configuration of Participant Terminals 1a to 1d] The participant terminals 1a to 1d are used by users (hereinafter referred to as "participants") whose avatars are active in the virtual space. In addition, hereinafter, making an avatar corresponding to oneself active in the virtual space is also referred to as "participation". Furthermore, the participants using the participant terminals 1a to 1d are respectively referred to as participants A to D, and the avatars corresponding to the participants A to D are respectively referred to as avatars A to D. The configuration of the participant terminals 1a to 1d is common, so the description will be made using the participant terminal 1a as a representative.

[0025] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a participant terminal 1a. The participant terminal 1a includes a communication unit 11, an operation unit 12, an operation input unit 13, a storage unit 14, a display 15, a control unit 16, and the like.

[0026] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface having a NIC (Network Interface Card controller) for wired or wireless communication, and communicates with the content distribution server 3 via a network. The operation unit 12 is an input interface for the participant to make various instructions. The action input unit 13 is an input interface for receiving actions from the participant to make the avatar move in the virtual space. The storage unit 14 is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and temporarily or non-temporarily stores programs for executing various control processes, various data, etc. The content, etc. are displayed on the display 15.

[0027] The control unit 16 includes an avatar control unit 161 , a trigger generation unit 162 , a display control unit 163 , etc. At least part of these units may be realized by hardware or by a processing circuit (processor) of the participant terminal 1 a executing a given program stored in the storage unit 14 .

[0028] The avatar control unit 161 generates data for causing the avatar to move in the virtual space according to the action of the participant A on the action input unit 13. The action here refers to actions such as movement, conversation, etc. The data is sent from the communication unit 11 to the content distribution server 3. In addition, the data can be sent from the communication unit 11 to other participant terminals 1b to 1d or the viewer terminal 2.

[0029] The trigger generation unit 162 generates a trigger in response to a given operation of the user on the operation unit 12 or a given action on the action input unit 13. The trigger is sent from the communication unit 11 to the content distribution server 3. In addition, the trigger can be sent from the communication unit 11 to other participant terminals 1b to 1d or the viewer terminal 2. In this embodiment, as examples of triggers, a conversation start trigger and a conversation end trigger are described. The conversation start trigger corresponds to the start of a conversation with an avatar corresponding to another user, and the conversation end trigger corresponds to the end of a conversation that has already started. As described later, the arrangement of the avatars arranged in the virtual space is changed according to the trigger.

[0030] The display control unit 163 receives display control data (described later) transmitted from the content distribution server 3 , and displays the content on the display 15 according to the display control data.

[0031] As an example, the participant terminal 1a may be a smartphone (or a tablet terminal). The smartphone has a touch panel display and a microphone. The touch panel display is formed by overlapping a liquid crystal display and a light-transmitting touch pad, for example. The liquid crystal display functions as the display 15, and the touch pad functions as the operation unit 12 and the action input unit 13.

[0032] Furthermore, the avatar in the virtual space moves in response to the participant's operation on the touchpad. For example, the participant slides on the touchpad to the right, so that the avatar moves to the right in the virtual space. In addition, the microphone functions as the action input unit 13, and the avatar in the virtual space can move in response to the participant's speech into the microphone. For example, the user's speech into the microphone can be reflected in the avatar's speech in the virtual space. In addition, various sensors and buttons such as acceleration sensors provided in the smartphone can function as the operation unit 12 and / or the action input unit 13.

[0033] As another example, the operation unit 12 of the participant terminal 1a may be a stick controller for VR (Virtual Reality) composed of operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. The motion input unit 13 may be a motion sensor that detects the movement of the participant. The avatar in the virtual space moves according to the detected movement (motion data) of the participant. For example, if the participant faces right, the avatar faces right in the virtual space. Furthermore, the display 15 may be an HMD (Head Mount Display).

[0034] As described above, the participant terminal 1 a may be composed of one device like a smartphone, or may be composed of a plurality of devices like a VR controller, a motion sensor, and an HMD.

[0035] [Configuration of Viewer Terminal 2] The viewer terminal 2 is used by a user (hereinafter referred to as a "viewer") who views content without participating in the content.

[0036] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the viewer terminal 2. The viewer terminal 2 omits the motion input unit 13, the avatar control unit 161, and the trigger generation unit 162 in the participant terminal 1a. If only viewing of content is considered, such a simple viewer terminal 2 is sufficient. Of course, it is also possible to view content using the participant terminal 1a without participating in the content.

[0037] [Configuration of Content Distribution Server 3] Figure 4 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the content distribution server 3. The content distribution server 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, and the like. The content distribution server 3 may be configured by a single device or a plurality of devices.

[0038] The communication unit 31 is a communication interface having an NIC for wired or wireless communication, and communicates with the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2 via the network. The storage unit 32 is composed of a RAM, a ROM, etc., and stores programs for executing various control processes, various data, etc., either temporarily or non-temporarily.

[0039] The control unit 33 includes an avatar configuration acquisition unit 331 , a trigger detection unit 332 , a display control data distribution unit 333 , etc. At least a part of these can be realized by hardware or by executing a given program stored in the storage unit 32 by a processing circuit (processor) of the content distribution server 3 .

[0040] The avatar configuration acquisition unit 331 acquires the configuration of each avatar corresponding to each participant in the virtual space from the avatar control unit 161 of the participant terminals 1a to 1d. For example, the configuration of avatar A in the virtual space is acquired in response to the action of participant A on the action input unit 13 of the participant terminal 1a. The acquired configuration may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 32. In addition, the configuration in this specification may be both the position of the avatar in the virtual space and the orientation of the avatar, or at least one of them.

[0041] The trigger detection unit 332 detects whether the trigger generation unit 162 of the participant terminal 1a~1d has generated a trigger. Here, the avatar participating in the conversation (hereinafter referred to as the "conversation avatar") is associated with the conversation start trigger. In other words, the conversation avatar is associated with the conversation start trigger, and the unassociated avatar does not participate in the conversation (hereinafter referred to as the "non-conversation avatar"). The trigger detection unit 322 also determines the conversation avatar associated with the conversation start trigger. In addition, the conversation avatar is usually a plurality of avatars including avatars corresponding to the participants using the participant terminal that has generated the conversation start trigger, but it can also be only one avatar.

[0042] The display control data distribution unit 333 generates display control data based on the configuration of each avatar acquired by the avatar configuration acquisition unit 331 and the trigger detected by the trigger detection unit 332, and distributes the display control data to the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2. Specifically, the display control data distribution unit 333 includes an avatar control unit 333a and a display control data generation unit 333b.

[0043] The avatar control unit 333a controls the arrangement of each avatar in the virtual space and generates avatar arrangement information indicating the arrangement of each avatar in the virtual space. The avatar control unit 333a controls the display form of each avatar, and the avatar arrangement information may include the display form of the avatar. The avatar arrangement information is used to display the content on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1a to 1d and the display 23 of the viewer terminal 2, that is, for generating display control data.

[0044] Specifically, until the conversation start trigger is detected, the avatar control unit 333a arranges the avatar in the virtual space according to the arrangement acquired by the avatar arrangement acquisition unit 331, and generates avatar arrangement information. The arrangement of the avatar until the conversation start trigger is detected can be said to faithfully reflect the user's action on the action input unit 13 of the participant terminals 1a to 1d.

[0045] In response to the detection of the conversation start trigger, the avatar control unit 333a changes the configuration of at least a portion of the avatars (e.g., at least a portion of the conversation avatars) in the virtual space and updates the avatar configuration information. The changed configuration may not be consistent with the configuration acquired by the avatar configuration acquisition unit 331. In other words, the configuration of the avatar after the conversation start trigger is detected does not faithfully reflect the actions of the participants in the action input unit 13 of the participant terminals 1a to 1d.

[0046] In addition, the change of configuration can be a change of position in the virtual space, a change of orientation of the avatar in the virtual space, or both. Examples of changes include changes such as enhancing the display of the dialogue avatar, making the dialogue avatar approach a given position, and making the dialogue avatar face a given position. In addition, when only a part of the virtual space is not displayed on the display 15, 23, the position of the dialogue avatar can be changed to display all the dialogue avatars. Alternatively, the display form of the dialogue avatar can be changed (usually 6 heads, but only 8 heads of the dialogue avatar can be set, etc.). Details will be described later.

[0047] Furthermore, in order to prevent the avatar arrangement before the change (the arrangement acquired by the avatar arrangement acquisition unit 331 ) from being lost, it is preferable that the avatar control unit 333 a stores the avatar arrangement before the change in the storage unit 32 .

[0048] Furthermore, in response to the detection of the conversation end trigger after the conversation start trigger, the avatar control unit 333a restores the configuration of the avatar after the configuration is changed to the configuration acquired by the avatar configuration acquisition unit 331, and updates the avatar configuration information. Thus, the configuration of the avatar after the conversation end trigger is detected is restored to faithfully reflect the action of the participant to the action input unit 13 of the participant terminal 1a to 1d. At this time, the avatar control unit 333a can use the configuration of the avatar stored in the storage unit 32.

[0049] The display control data generating unit 333b generates display control data for displaying content on the display 15 of the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the display 23 of the viewer terminal 2 using the avatar arrangement information generated and updated by the avatar control unit 333a. The display control data is distributed from the communication unit 31 to the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2.

[0050] The rendering of the image displayed on the displays 15 and 23 may be performed by the display control unit 163 of the participant terminals 1 a to 1 d and the display control unit 251 of the viewer terminal 2 , or by the display control data generation unit 333 b of the content distribution server 3 .

[0051] When the participant terminals 1a to 1d perform rendering, data indicating the arrangement and display form of each avatar in the virtual space based on the avatar arrangement information is distributed as display control data. Then, based on the display control data, the display control unit 163 of the participant terminals 1a to 1d generates an image of the content in which each avatar is arranged in the virtual space and displays it on the display 15. The same is true when the viewer terminal 2 performs rendering.

[0052] On the other hand, when the display control data generation unit 333b of the content distribution server 3 performs rendering, the display control data generation unit 333b generates data (image data) corresponding to the image of the content in which each avatar is arranged in the virtual space based on the avatar arrangement information. And the generated image data is distributed as display control data. In addition, based on the display control data, the display control unit 163, 251 displays the image of the content on the display 15, 23.

[0053] As described above, the rendering may be performed by the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2 or by the content distribution server 3, but the former is preferred in order to avoid time lag.

[0054] Here, the content displayed in the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2 may be common to the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2, but preferably different from each other. Specifically, the virtual space with the avatar A as the viewpoint is displayed as the content in the participant terminal 1a. The same applies to the participant terminals 1b to 1d. In addition, the virtual space with a virtual camera set at an arbitrary position in the virtual space (for example, a position that can overlook the virtual space) as the viewpoint is displayed as the content in the viewer terminal 2.

[0055] In addition, the viewpoint can be switched. For example, although the virtual space observed from avatar A is displayed as an initial setting in the participant terminal 1a, the virtual space observed from other avatars and the virtual space observed from a virtual camera can be displayed in response to a given operation on the operating unit 12. In addition, although the virtual space observed from a virtual camera is displayed as an initial setting in the viewer terminal 2, the virtual space observed from a specific avatar can be displayed in response to a given operation on the operating unit 22. In addition, multiple virtual cameras with different setting positions or different zooms can be set in the virtual space, and it can be switched to display the virtual space observed from which virtual camera. Furthermore, the entire virtual space can be displayed, or a part of it can be displayed.

[0056] [Content distribution system processing actions before the conversation starts] Figure 5 This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing operation of the content distribution system before the start of a session. In addition, although only the participant terminal 1a is described below, the same applies to the other participant terminals 1b to 1d.

[0057] When participant A performs a given action on the action input unit 13 in the participant terminal 1a, the avatar control unit 161 generates data for causing avatar A to move in the virtual space, and sends the data to the content distribution server 3 (step S1). The action of avatar A here refers to the configuration of avatar A in the virtual space, specifically, causing avatar A to move in the virtual space or to face a specific direction.

[0058] Then, the content distribution server 3 receives the above data. Based on the data, the avatar configuration acquisition unit 331 acquires the configuration (position and / or orientation) of the avatar A in the virtual space (step S11). The configuration directly reflects the action of the participant A on the action input unit 13.

[0059] Next, based on the acquired configuration, the avatar control unit 333a sets the configuration of the avatar A in the virtual space and generates avatar configuration information (step S12). Again, this configuration directly reflects the actions of the participant A on the action input unit 13.

[0060] Next, the display control data generating unit 333b generates display control data based on the generated avatar arrangement information. The display control data is then distributed to the participant terminal 1a (step S13). The display control data is also distributed to the other participant terminals 1b to 1d and the viewer terminal 2.

[0061] In response to the distribution of the display control data from the content distribution server 3, the display control unit 165 of the participant terminal 1a receives the display control data. In the display control data, the avatars A to D are arranged in the virtual space in response to the actions of the participants A to D. Based on such display control data, the display control unit 163 displays the content (the virtual space in which the avatars are arranged) on the display 15 (step S2). Similarly, the content is also displayed on the other participant terminals 1b to 1d and the viewer terminal 2. The above process is repeated every time data for causing the avatar to move is sent from any of the participant terminals 1a to 1d.

[0062] Figure 6 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which avatars A to D are arranged in a virtual space. As shown in the figure, avatars A to D are arranged in order from the left.

[0063] Fig. 7A is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1a, and Figure 6 Corresponding. Fig. 7A As shown, from Figure 6 The virtual space observed by the avatar A is displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1a. In the case where the participant terminal 1a is a smartphone, the display 15 is usually vertically elongated and thus appears to be compressed horizontally, but the present invention faithfully reproduces the virtual space observed by the avatar A. Figure 6 The positions and directions of avatars A to D in the game.

[0064] Figure 7B is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d, and Figure 6 Corresponding. Figure 7B As shown, from Figure 6 The virtual space observed by the avatar D is displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1b.

[0065] Figure 7C is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 23 of the viewer terminal 2, and Figure 6 Corresponding. Figure 7C In the embodiment, a virtual camera is arranged at a position where the virtual space is viewed from above and in the near front side, and the entire virtual space is assumed to fall within the field of view of the virtual camera. The virtual space viewed from the virtual camera is displayed on the display 23 of the viewer terminal 2.

[0066] Furthermore, when rendering is performed in the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2, the display control data only needs to indicate the arrangement of the avatars A to D in the virtual space, so the display control data sent to the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2 can be made common. Then, the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2 process the display control data, respectively, and generate an image showing the virtual space observed from the avatars A to D and the virtual camera.

[0067] On the other hand, when rendering is performed in the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2, Figure 7A to Figure 7C Image data corresponding to the image shown is transmitted as display control data. Therefore, the display control data transmitted to the participant terminals 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2 are different from each other.

[0068] [Content distribution system processing actions after the conversation starts] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing actions of the content distribution system after the session starts. Figure 5 The processing action performed.

[0069] If participant A issues a conversation start instruction to participant terminal 1a, trigger generation unit 162 generates a conversation start trigger and sends it to content distribution server 3 (step S21). In addition, information for identifying an avatar associated with the conversation start trigger, i.e., a conversation avatar, is also sent to content distribution server 3. The conversation start instruction is issued to operation unit 12 and / or action input unit 13.

[0070] When the participant terminal 1a is a smartphone, the indication for starting a conversation may be, for example, speaking into a microphone, inputting specific text or words (such as "!", "Good morning", etc.) into a text input field displayed on a touch panel display, pressing a button, touching a given icon displayed on the touch panel display, or rotating the smartphone from portrait to landscape (detected by an acceleration sensor).

[0071] In addition, participant A can determine the conversation avatar. As an example, the conversation avatar can be specified by clicking on any avatar from the avatars displayed on the touch panel display. Alternatively, any avatar can be selected from the list of avatars configured in the virtual space. In addition, in the case of talking to oneself, the conversation avatar can be determined (in this case, the conversation avatar is only avatar A).

[0072] In addition, when the participant terminal 1a includes a controller for VR, the instruction to start the conversation may be pressing a given button provided on the controller. Furthermore, the conversation avatar may be determined by a pointer displayed in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the controller.

[0073] If the conversation start trigger is sent, the trigger detection unit 332 of the content distribution server 3 detects the conversation start trigger (step S31). In addition, the trigger detection unit 332 determines the conversation avatar associated with the conversation start trigger (step S32). In addition, the conversation avatar does not necessarily need to be determined by participant A, and can be automatically determined by the trigger detection unit 332 according to the context of the conversation.

[0074] In response to the detection of the conversation start trigger, the avatar control unit 333a changes the configuration of at least part of the avatars in the virtual space and updates the avatar configuration information (step S33). As a result of such configuration changes, the configuration of the avatars in the virtual space is separated from the actions of the participants on the action input unit 13.

[0075] The avatar arrangement information updated here can be different for each participant terminal 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2. That is, the avatar arrangement information is generated for each participant terminal 1a to 1d or the viewer terminal 2 (in other words, for each avatar and for the virtual camera).

[0076] Next, the display control data generating unit 333b generates display control data based on the generated avatar configuration information. And the display control data is distributed to the participant terminal 1a (step S34). In addition, the display control data is also distributed to other participant terminals 1b to 1d and the viewer terminal 2. In the case where the avatar configuration information is different for each participant terminal 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2, even if the avatar configuration information is rendered in the participant terminal 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2, the display control information is different for each participant terminal 1a to 1d and the viewer terminal 2.

[0077] In response to the distribution of the display control data from the content distribution server 3, the display control unit 165 of the participant terminal 1a receives the display control data. Figure 5 When the display control data received in step S2 is compared, the configuration of the interactive avatar in the virtual space is changed. Based on such display control data, the display control unit 163 displays the content (the virtual space where the avatar is configured) on the display 15 (step S22). Similarly, the content is also displayed on the other participant terminals 1b to 1d and the viewer terminal.

[0078] In addition, even after the conversation start trigger is detected, the avatar configuration acquisition unit 331 of the content distribution server 3 obtains the configuration of the avatar in the virtual space from the avatar control unit 161 of each participant terminal 1a~1d and reflects it to the avatar configuration or stores it in the storage unit 32 as needed.

[0079] Fig. 9ASchematically shows the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1a. Fig. 9B It is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig. 9C It is a diagram schematically showing the content displayed on the display 23 of the viewer terminal 2. Figures 9A to 9C Respectively Figure 7A to Figure 7C Corresponding. Imagine Figure 6 In the state of detecting that the conversation between avatars A and C begins, Fig. 9A Showing the viewpoint of the conversation avatar, Fig. 9B Showing the viewpoint of a non-dialog avatar, Fig. 9C Shows the viewpoint of the virtual camera.

[0080] like Fig. 9A As shown in FIG. 1 , the dialogue avatar C, which is the dialogue partner of the dialogue avatar A, is displayed near the center of the display 15. More specifically, even if the dialogue avatar C does not Figure 6 In the case where the participant C does not perform an action to move the avatar C, the conversation avatar C will also be displayed near the center of the display 15 in response to the conversation start trigger. This means that Figure 8 In step S33, in order to be used by the participant terminal 1a, the conversation avatar C is changed to be closer to the conversation avatar A. In addition, the conversation avatar C can be displayed more closely than in the Figure 6 CUHK.

[0081] In this way, even if the dialogue avatar C of the dialogue partner is far away from the dialogue avatar A, and even if the display 15 is small, the dialogue avatar C can be enhanced and displayed to be easy to see.

[0082] In addition, it is preferable to make the dialogue avatar C face the dialogue avatar A (facing the front on the display 15). More specifically, even in Figure 6 In the case where the dialogue avatar C does not face the dialogue avatar A in the state, in response to the dialogue start trigger, the dialogue avatar C will also face the dialogue avatar A. This is because it is natural for the dialogue avatars A and C to face each other.

[0083] Furthermore, it is preferred to make the non-interactive avatars B and D face the interactive avatar A or the interactive avatar C. More specifically, even in Figure 6 In the state of non-dialogue avatar B, D not facing dialogue avatar A or dialogue avatar C, in response to the dialogue start trigger, non-dialogue avatar B, D will also face dialogue avatar A or dialogue avatar C. This is because it is natural for non-dialogue avatar B, D to also pay attention to dialogue avatar A or dialogue avatar C. In addition, non-dialogue avatar B, D can face dialogue avatar A (facing the front in display 15) when dialogue avatar A speaks, and face dialogue avatar C when dialogue avatar C speaks.

[0084] In addition, the configuration positions of non-dialogue avatars B and D are similar to Figure 6 They can be the same or different. Even in different cases, it is preferred to consider Figure 6 More specifically, the relative position relationship between the non-dialogue avatars B and D. For example, Figure 6 In the figure, the non-dialogue avatar D is located to the right of the non-dialogue avatar B, so in Fig. 9A In order to maintain such a positional relationship, it is better to arrange the non-dialogue avatar D to the right of the non-dialogue avatar B. In any case, since the importance is lower than that of the dialogue avatar C, the non-dialogue avatars B and D can be appropriately displayed in a manner that does not look unnatural.

[0085] Furthermore, the speech of the avatar can be displayed in the speech balloon. Although not shown in other figures, the same is true.

[0086] In addition, the content displayed on the display 15 can be changed according to the operation of the participant A. Fig. 7A and Fig. 9A to switch between them.

[0087] like Fig. 9B As shown, the content displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d corresponding to the non-dialogue avatar D can be Fig. 7A Regarding such contents, after the conversation start trigger is detected, even if the participant terminal 1d is used, Figure 8 The change in step S33 is omitted, and the avatar control unit 333a continues to generate the avatar configuration information according to the configuration acquired by the avatar configuration acquisition unit 331.

[0088] like Fig. 9C As shown, from the viewpoint of the virtual camera, the dialogue avatars A and C are displayed near the center of the display 23. This means that Figure 8 In step S33, changes are made for the viewer terminal 2 (for the virtual camera) so that the dialogue avatars A and C are brought closer to the position of the virtual camera.

[0089] In this way, even when the interactive avatars A and C are far away from each other, or even when the display 23 is small, the interactive avatars A and C can be displayed in an enhanced and easily visible manner.

[0090] In addition, it is preferable to make the interactive avatars A and C face the position of the virtual camera (facing the front on the display 23). Furthermore, it is preferable to make the avatars B and D that are not interactive avatars face the interactive avatars A and C. In addition, the non-interactive avatars B and D may face the interactive avatar A when the interactive avatar A speaks, and face the interactive avatar C when the interactive avatar C speaks.

[0091] Furthermore, with Fig. 9A Similarly, the configuration positions of non-dialogue avatars B and D are similar to Figure 6 It can be the same or different.

[0092] In addition, the content displayed on the display 23 can be changed according to the operation of the viewer user. Figure 7C and Fig. 9C to switch between them.

[0093] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9B The figure schematically shows the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig. 9B Differently, the interactive avatars A and C face the position of the non-interactive avatar D (facing the front on the display 15). Based on such a display, the participant D corresponding to the non-interactive avatar D can easily know that the avatars A and C facing him are interactive avatars.

[0094] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9B The figure schematically shows the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig.10 Different from the above, the dialogue avatars A and C face each other. This is because face-to-face dialogue is very natural. Fig. 9C Likewise, dialogue avatars A and C can face each other.

[0095] Fig.12 yes Fig. 9B Another variation of is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig.10 as well as Fig.11 Differently, the conversation avatar A can be oriented toward the position between the non-conversational avatar D and the conversational avatar C, and the conversational avatar C can be oriented toward the position between the non-conversational avatar D and the conversational avatar A. For the participant D corresponding to the non-conversational avatar D, it is easy to know that avatars A and C are conversational avatars, and the conversational avatars A and C look like they are facing each other, which is natural. Fig. 9C Similarly, dialogue avatar A can face the position between the virtual camera and dialogue avatar C, and dialogue avatar C can face the position between the virtual camera and dialogue avatar A.

[0096] Fig.13 yes Fig. 9B Another variation of is a diagram schematically showing the contents displayed on the display 15 of the participant terminal 1d. Fig. 9A Similarly, the dialogue avatars A and C can be displayed near the center of the display 15. At this time, the orientation of the dialogue avatars A and C can be Figure 10 to Figure 12 Any one of them is the same.

[0097] In addition, regarding the configuration of the dialogue avatar and the non-dialogue avatar, a plurality of templates may be predetermined and stored in the storage unit 32. Furthermore, when the dialogue start trigger is detected, the avatar control unit 333a may select an appropriate template according to a rule established according to the number of dialogue avatars and non-dialogue avatars, etc. In addition, the avatar control unit 333a may configure each avatar in the virtual space by applying each avatar to the selected template.

[0098] [Content distribution system processing actions after the conversation ends] Fig.14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing actions of the content distribution system after the conversation ends. Figure 8 The processing action performed.

[0099] If participant A issues a conversation end instruction to participant terminal 1a, trigger generation unit 162 generates a conversation end trigger and sends it to content distribution server 3 (step S41). The conversation end instruction is issued to operation unit 12 and / or action input unit 13. In addition, the conversation end instruction can be the same as the conversation start instruction.

[0100] For example, in the case where the participant terminal 1a is a smartphone, the indication of the end of the conversation may be, for example, speaking into a microphone, inputting specific text or words into a text input field displayed on a touch panel display, pressing a button, touching a given icon displayed on the touch panel display, or rotating the smartphone from landscape to portrait (detected by an accelerometer).

[0101] In addition, when the participant terminal 1a includes a controller for VR, the instruction to end the conversation may be pressing a given button provided in the controller.

[0102] When the session end trigger is transmitted, the trigger detection unit 332 of the content distribution server 3 detects the session end trigger (step S51).

[0103] In response to the detection of the conversation end trigger, the avatar control unit 333a Figure 8 The configuration of the avatar changed in step S33 is restored (step S52). Specifically, the avatar control unit 333a sets the configuration of the avatar A in the virtual space according to the configuration of the avatar acquired by the avatar configuration acquisition unit 331, and updates the avatar configuration information. As a result, the configuration of each avatar in the virtual space is restored to directly reflect the action of the participant on the action input unit 13.

[0104] Next, the display control data generating unit 333b generates display control data based on the avatar arrangement information and distributes it to the participant terminal 1a (step S53). The display control data is also distributed to the other participant terminals 1b to 1d and the viewer terminal 2.

[0105] The participant terminal 1a receives the display control data in response to the display control data distributed from the content distribution server 3. Based on the display control data, the display control unit 163 displays the content (virtual space where avatars are placed) on the display 15 (step S42). The content is also displayed on other participant terminals 1b to 1d and the viewer terminal.

[0106] Through the above, after the detection triggered by the conversation starts, it becomes Figures 9A to 9C The display is like that, but it returns to the Figure 7A to Figure 7C That kind of display.

[0107] Thus, in this embodiment, the arrangement of the avatar in the virtual space is changed in response to the start of the dialogue trigger. Thus, the avatar arranged in the virtual space can be displayed so as to be easily visible.

[0108] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described above, the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope. In addition, the configurations of the devices described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as there is no technical contradiction.

[0109] According to one form of the present invention, there is provided a content distribution device comprising: a virtual character configuration acquisition unit, which acquires the configurations of a plurality of virtual characters respectively corresponding to a plurality of participants in a virtual space in correspondence with the actions of the corresponding participants; a trigger detection unit, which detects a first trigger; and a display control data distribution unit, which generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which the plurality of virtual characters are configured, the display control data distribution unit generating the display control data for setting the configurations of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to the configurations acquired by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, and generating the display control data after the configuration of a first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger.

[0110] Preferably, the first trigger is sent from a terminal of a first participant corresponding to a second virtual character associated with the first trigger, and the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data after the configuration of the first virtual character in the virtual space is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger, so that the first virtual character is displayed in an enhanced manner compared to before the first trigger is detected, and the display control data is used to display at least a portion of the virtual space observed from the second virtual character.

[0111] Preferably, in response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the configuration of the first virtual character in the virtual space is changed so that the first virtual character approaches a given position, and the display control data is used to display at least a portion of the virtual space observed from the given position.

[0112] Preferably, in response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data after the configuration of the first virtual character in the virtual space is changed so that the first virtual character is oriented toward a given position, and the display control data is used to display at least a portion of the virtual space observed from the given position.

[0113] Preferably, the first trigger is sent from a terminal of a first participant corresponding to a second virtual character associated with the first trigger, and the given position is a position of the second virtual character.

[0114] Preferably, the given position is a position different from those of the plurality of virtual characters.

[0115] Preferably, the given position is a position of a third virtual character among the plurality of virtual characters that is not associated with the first trigger.

[0116] Preferably, the first trigger is sent from a terminal of a first participant corresponding to a second virtual character associated with the first trigger, and the display control data includes first display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space observed from the second virtual character, and second display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space observed from a third virtual character not associated with the first trigger. In response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the first display control data after the configuration of the first virtual character is changed so that the first virtual character is displayed in an enhanced manner compared to before the first trigger is detected, and until the first trigger is detected, and after the first trigger is detected, generates the second display control data for setting the configuration of the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space to a configuration according to the configuration acquired by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

[0117] Preferably, in response to detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the configurations of the first virtual character and the second virtual character in the virtual space are changed so that the first virtual character and the second virtual character associated with the first trigger face each other.

[0118] Preferably, in response to detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the configuration of the third virtual character in the virtual space is changed so that the third virtual character not associated with the first trigger faces the first virtual character.

[0119] Preferably, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data after the configuration of the third virtual character in the virtual space is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger, so that: when the first virtual character speaks, the third virtual character faces the first virtual character, and when the second virtual character associated with the first trigger speaks, the third virtual character faces the second virtual character.

[0120] Preferably, in response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data after changing the positions of the third virtual character and the fourth virtual character that are not associated with the first trigger in the virtual space by taking into account the relative position relationship between the third virtual character and the fourth virtual character acquired by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

[0121] Preferably, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the display form of the first virtual character is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger.

[0122] Preferably, the first trigger corresponds to the start of a conversation between the second virtual character associated with the first trigger and the first virtual character.

[0123] Preferably, the trigger detection unit detects the second trigger after the first trigger is detected, and the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data that restores the configuration of the first virtual character after the configuration is changed in the virtual space to the configuration acquired by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit in response to the detection of the second trigger.

[0124] Preferably, the second trigger corresponds to the start of a conversation between the second virtual character associated with the first trigger and the first virtual character.

[0125] According to another aspect of the present invention, a content distribution program is provided, which enables a computer to function as a virtual character configuration acquisition unit, a trigger detection unit and a display control data distribution unit, wherein the virtual character configuration acquisition unit acquires the configurations of multiple virtual characters corresponding to multiple participants in the virtual space in accordance with the actions of the corresponding participants, the trigger detection unit detects a first trigger, and the display control data distribution unit generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which the multiple virtual characters are configured, and the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for setting the configurations of the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space to the configurations obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, and generates the display control data after the configuration of the first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger.

[0126] According to another form of the present invention, there is provided a content distribution method, comprising: a step in which a virtual character configuration acquisition unit acquires the configurations of a plurality of virtual characters respectively corresponding to a plurality of participants in a virtual space in correspondence with the actions of the corresponding participants; a step in which a trigger detection unit detects a first trigger; and a step in which a display control data distribution unit generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters are configured, the display control data distribution unit generating the display control data for setting the configurations of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to be in accordance with the configurations acquired by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, and generating the display control data in response to the detection of the first trigger, in which the configuration of a first virtual character among the plurality of virtual characters associated with the first trigger is changed in the virtual space.

[0127] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content display device comprising: a virtual character control unit, which sends data representing the configuration of a first virtual character corresponding to a participant in a virtual space to a content distribution server based on an action of the participant; a trigger generation unit, which generates a first trigger in accordance with an instruction of the participant and sends it to the content distribution server; and a display control unit, which displays at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters including the first virtual character are configured, based on display control data distributed from the content distribution server, wherein the display control unit receives, before sending the first trigger, the display control data for setting the configuration of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to a configuration corresponding to the actions of a plurality of participants respectively corresponding to the plurality of virtual characters, and after sending the first trigger, receives the display control data for changing the configuration of a second virtual character among the plurality of virtual characters associated with the first trigger in the virtual space.

[0128] According to another aspect of the present invention, a content display program is provided, which enables a computer to function as a virtual character control unit, a trigger generation unit and a display control unit, wherein the virtual character control unit sends data representing the configuration of a first virtual character corresponding to the participant in the virtual space to a content distribution server based on the action of the participant, the trigger generation unit generates a first trigger in accordance with the instruction of the participant and sends it to the content distribution server, the display control unit displays at least a portion of the virtual space configured with multiple virtual characters including the first virtual character based on the display control data distributed from the content distribution server, and the display control unit receives the display control data for setting the configuration of the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space to a configuration corresponding to the actions of the multiple participants respectively corresponding to the multiple virtual characters before sending the first trigger, and receives the display control data for changing the configuration of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space after sending the first trigger.

[0129] A content display method is provided, comprising: a step in which a virtual character control unit sends data representing the configuration of a first virtual character corresponding to a participant in a virtual space to a content distribution server based on an action of a participant; a step in which a trigger generation unit generates a first trigger in accordance with an instruction of the participant and sends the trigger to the content distribution server; and a step in which a display control unit displays at least a portion of the virtual space configured with multiple virtual characters including the first virtual character based on display control data distributed from the content distribution server, wherein the display control unit receives the display control data for setting the configuration of the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space to a configuration corresponding to the actions of multiple participants respectively corresponding to the multiple virtual characters before sending the first trigger, and receives the display control data for changing the configuration of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the multiple virtual characters in the virtual space after sending the first trigger. (Number Description)

[0130] 1a~1d Participant Terminal 11 Ministry of Communications 12 Operation section 13 Operation input unit 14 Storage 15 Display 16 Control Unit 17 Avatar Control Department 18 Trigger generation unit 19 Display control unit 2 Viewer Terminal 21 Ministry of Communications 22 Operation Department 23 Display 24 Storage 25 Control Department 26 Display control unit 3 Content Distribution Server 31 Ministry of Communications 32 Storage 33 Control Department 331 Avatar Configuration Acquisition Unit 332 Trigger Detection Unit 333 Display Control Data Distribution Unit 333a Avatar Control Department 333b Display control data generating unit.

Claims

1. A content distribution device, comprising: A virtual character configuration acquisition unit, which acquires the configurations of the multiple virtual characters corresponding to the multiple participants in the virtual space in correspondence with the actions of the corresponding participants; a trigger detection section that detects a first trigger and then detects a second trigger; and a display control data distribution unit for generating and distributing display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which the plurality of virtual characters are arranged, The display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for setting the arrangement positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to the arrangement positions according to the arrangement positions acquired by the virtual character arrangement acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, In response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the configuration position of a first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, In response to detection of the second trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for restoring the changed configuration position of the first virtual character in the virtual space to the configuration position obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

2. The content distribution device according to claim 1, wherein: The first trigger corresponds to the start of a conversation between the second virtual character associated with the first trigger and the first virtual character, The second trigger corresponds to the end of the conversation between the second virtual character and the first virtual character.

3. The content distribution device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the arrangement position of the first virtual character in the virtual space is changed so that the first virtual character approaches a given position.

4. The content distribution device according to claim 3, wherein: The display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space viewed from the given position.

5. The content distribution device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The first trigger is sent from a terminal of a first participant corresponding to a second virtual character associated with the first trigger, The given position is the position of the second virtual character.

6. The content distribution device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The given position is a position different from any of the plurality of virtual characters.

7. The content distribution device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The given position is a position of a third virtual character among the plurality of virtual characters that is not associated with the first trigger.

8. The content distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: In response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data after changing the configuration positions of the third virtual character and the fourth virtual character that are not associated with the first trigger in the virtual space by taking into account the relative position relationship between the third virtual character and the fourth virtual character acquired by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

9. The content distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the display form of the first virtual character is changed in response to the detection of the first trigger.

10. A content distribution program that causes a computer to function as a virtual character configuration acquisition unit, a trigger detection unit, and a display control data distribution unit, The virtual character configuration acquisition unit acquires the configurations of the multiple virtual characters corresponding to the multiple participants in the virtual space in correspondence with the actions of the corresponding participants. The trigger detection unit detects a first trigger and then detects a second trigger. The display control data distribution unit generates and distributes display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters are arranged. The display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for setting the arrangement positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to the arrangement positions according to the arrangement positions acquired by the virtual character arrangement acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, In response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the configuration position of a first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, In response to detection of the second trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for restoring the changed configuration position of the first virtual character in the virtual space to the configuration position obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

11. A content distribution method, comprising: The virtual character configuration acquisition unit acquires the configurations of the multiple virtual characters corresponding to the multiple participants in the virtual space in accordance with the actions of the corresponding participants; The trigger detection unit detects a first trigger and then detects a second trigger; as well as a step of generating and distributing display control data for displaying at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters are arranged by a display control data distribution unit, The display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for setting the arrangement positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to the arrangement positions according to the arrangement positions acquired by the virtual character arrangement acquisition unit until the first trigger is detected, In response to the detection of the first trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data in which the configuration position of a first virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, In response to detection of the second trigger, the display control data distribution unit generates the display control data for restoring the changed configuration position of the first virtual character in the virtual space to the configuration position obtained by the virtual character configuration acquisition unit.

12. A content display device comprising: a virtual character control unit that sends data representing a configuration of a first virtual character corresponding to the participant in the virtual space to a content distribution server based on an action of the participant; a trigger generation unit, which generates a first trigger and a second trigger according to an instruction of the participant and sends the trigger to the content distribution server; and a display control unit configured to display at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters including the first virtual character are arranged, based on display control data distributed from the content distribution server; The display control unit receives the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to configuration positions corresponding to the actions of the plurality of participants respectively corresponding to the plurality of virtual characters before sending the first trigger, In response to the first trigger being sent, the display control unit receives the display control data in which the arrangement position of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, In response to the second trigger being sent after the first trigger being sent, the display control unit receives the display control data for restoring the configuration position of the second virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position has been changed to a configuration position corresponding to the action of the participant corresponding to the second virtual character.

13. A content display program that causes a computer to function as a virtual character control unit, a trigger generation unit, and a display control unit. The virtual character control unit sends data indicating the configuration of the first virtual character corresponding to the participant in the virtual space to the content distribution server according to the action of the participant, The trigger generation unit generates a first trigger and a second trigger according to the instruction of the participant and sends them to the content distribution server. The display control unit displays at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters including the first virtual character are arranged, based on display control data distributed from the content distribution server. The display control unit receives the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to configuration positions corresponding to the actions of the plurality of participants respectively corresponding to the plurality of virtual characters before sending the first trigger, In response to the first trigger being sent, the display control unit receives the display control data in which the arrangement position of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, In response to the second trigger being sent after the first trigger being sent, the display control unit receives the display control data for restoring the configuration position of the second virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position has been changed to a configuration position corresponding to the action of the participant corresponding to the second virtual character.

14. A content display method, comprising: The virtual character control unit sends data indicating the configuration of the first virtual character corresponding to the participant in the virtual space to the content distribution server according to the action of the participant; The trigger generation unit generates a first trigger and a second trigger according to the instruction of the participant and sends them to the content distribution server; as well as a step of causing a display control unit to display at least a portion of the virtual space in which a plurality of virtual characters including the first virtual character are arranged, based on display control data distributed from the content distribution server; The display control unit receives the display control data for setting the configuration positions of the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space to configuration positions corresponding to the actions of the plurality of participants respectively corresponding to the plurality of virtual characters before sending the first trigger, In response to the first trigger being sent, the display control unit receives the display control data in which the arrangement position of a second virtual character associated with the first trigger among the plurality of virtual characters in the virtual space is changed, In response to the second trigger being sent after the first trigger being sent, the display control unit receives the display control data for restoring the configuration position of the second virtual character in the virtual space after the configuration position has been changed to a configuration position corresponding to the action of the participant corresponding to the second virtual character.

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