Virtual reality system, virtual reality control method and program

Abstract

To provide a virtual reality system that enables observation of a rainbow in a virtual space and deepen understanding of rainbows.SOLUTION: A virtual reality system according to the present invention comprises a head-mounted display and a control unit provided to control VR pictures of a virtual space of the head-mounted display. The control unit is provided to project, on the head-mounted display, a VR picture that changes the position of a rainbow image that can be observed by an observer wearing the head-mounted display, based on an altitude of the sun in the virtual space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual reality system, a virtual reality control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the improvement of the performance of electronic devices such as computers, VR (Virtual Reality) technology has undergone a dramatic evolution, becoming smaller and more functional. Using VR technology, an observer wearing a head-mounted display can experience things in a virtual space that cannot be experienced in the real world. For this reason, VR technology is used in a variety of fields (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-56692 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is important in education and learning to conduct observations and experiments necessary for deepening understanding of natural objects and phenomena and for scientific exploration. However, a rainbow is an atmospheric optical phenomenon in which light is dispersed as it passes through water droplets in the atmosphere, creating a distinctive pattern (iridescent colors). There are restrictions on weather and time of day in order to observe a rainbow, making it difficult to observe it during a regular class. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a virtual reality system that enables a user to observe a rainbow in a virtual space and deepen his or her understanding of rainbows. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a virtual reality system comprising a head-mounted display and a control unit configured to control a VR image in a virtual space of the head-mounted display, wherein the control unit is configured to display a VR image on the head-mounted display that changes the position of a rainbow image that can be observed by an observer wearing the head-mounted display based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the position of the rainbow image is changed based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space, so that an observer wearing a head-mounted display can experientially learn the conditions and positions for seeing a rainbow. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a virtual reality system according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] A rainbow image projected onto a head-mounted display. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the conditions and positions where a rainbow can be seen. [Figure 4] This is a celestial map explaining the conditions and locations for seeing a rainbow. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the conditions and positions where a rainbow can be seen. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a control method for a virtual reality system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The virtual reality system of this embodiment comprises a head-mounted display and a control unit configured to control a VR image in the virtual space of the head-mounted display, and the control unit is configured to display a VR image on the head-mounted display that changes the position of a rainbow image that can be observed by an observer wearing the head-mounted display based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations shown in the drawings and the following description are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings and the following description.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a virtual reality system according to the present embodiment. The virtual reality system 20 of this embodiment comprises a head-mounted display 2 and a control unit 3 configured to control the VR image of the virtual space of the head-mounted display 2, and the control unit 3 is configured to display on the head-mounted display 2 a VR image that changes the position of the rainbow image that can be observed by an observer wearing the head-mounted display 2 based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space.

[0011] The virtual reality system 20 is a system that allows an observer wearing a head mounted display 2 to experience virtual reality (VR). The head mounted display 2 is provided so that it can be worn on the observer's head like goggles, and projects an image in front of the observer's eyes. The head mounted display 2 can include at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor. This makes it possible to detect the orientation and rotation direction of the observer's head, and to link the image projected on the head mounted display 2 to the movement of the observer's head.

[0012] The control unit 3 is a part provided to control the VR image of the virtual space of the head mounted display 2. The control unit 3 may be a computer (for example, a microcontroller having a calculation unit, a storage unit, a timer, etc.) built into the head mounted display device 15, or may be a computer connected to the head mounted display device 15 by wiring. The control unit 3 executes a program related to the VR image of the virtual space of the head mounted display 2, so that the VR image of the virtual space can be displayed on the head mounted display 2. The control unit 3 includes such a program, and the program may be stored in the storage unit of the control unit 3, may be stored in a server on the Internet or a computer network, or may be stored in a storage medium such as a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, or a CD.

[0013] This program is provided so as to change the position of the rainbow image that can be observed by an observer wearing the head mounted display 2, based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space. The program can be created using software such as Unity (game and app development software by Unity Technologies Japan, Inc.).

[0014] The control unit 3 is provided so as to project a VR image of a virtual space on the head mounted display 2 in conjunction with the movement of the observer's head based on the sensor outputs of the acceleration sensor, the gyro sensor, the geomagnetic sensor, etc. Such a VR image gives the observer the illusion that he or she is in a virtual space (VR space).

[0015] The virtual reality system 20 may include a controller 4 connected to the control unit 3 by wire or wirelessly. Using the controller 4, the observer can input the observer's coordinates in the virtual space, input the angle (altitude) of the sun, input parameters, control the rise and fall of the sun, and manipulate time. Furthermore, operations by the controller 4 may be linked to characters and images displayed on the head mounted display 2.

[0016] The control unit 3 can display a VR image of a virtual space having a sky with a rainbow on the head mounted display 2. The control unit 3 may display a sky with only a primary rainbow on the display 2, a sky with a primary rainbow and a secondary rainbow on the display 2, or a sky with only a secondary rainbow on the display 2. Furthermore, when the sun is high in the sky, the control unit 3 may display a sky without a rainbow on the display 2. FIG. 2 shows an image of a sky with a primary rainbow 11 and a secondary rainbow 12. This virtual space may be a plain. This allows a VR image of a virtual space having a sky with a rainbow to be projected on the head mounted display 2, taking into consideration the relationship between the observer's position, the altitude of the sun, the horizon, the positions of objects (e.g., trees), and the like.

[0017] The control unit 3 and the head mounted display 2 can be arranged to project a rainbow image in a position visible to the observer when the observer looks at the side opposite the sun whose altitude is 42 degrees or less in the virtual space, and can be arranged not to project a rainbow image when the altitude of the sun in the virtual space is greater than 42 degrees. This allows the observer to experientially learn the conditions and positions for seeing a rainbow. The control unit 3 and the head mounted display 2 can be provided to project a rainbow image at a position in the virtual space where the angle between the direction of sunlight and the direction in which the rainbow is seen by the observer is 40 degrees to 42 degrees. This allows the observer to experientially learn the conditions and positions for seeing a rainbow.

[0018] The control unit 3 can project a VR image of a virtual space having a sun-shining sky onto the head-mounted display 2. The control unit 3 can also project a VR image of a virtual space having objects that cast shadows, such as trees and grass, onto the head-mounted display 2. The length of this shadow allows the observer to know the change in the angle (altitude) of the sun. The control unit 3 can display, on the head mounted display 2, a VR image of a virtual space having objects such as rainclouds and waterfalls that create water droplets that reflect sunlight as a rainbow. This allows the observer to learn that water droplets that reflect sunlight are necessary to see a rainbow. The control unit 3 can also adjust the intensity of the rainbow depending on the concentration of the water droplets, the size of the water droplets, the intensity of the sunlight, etc. The control unit 3 may be provided so as to be able to change the position of the observer in the virtual space, thereby making it possible to change the relative positional relationship between the object and the observer in the virtual space.

[0019] A rainbow is sunlight (white light) reflected by water droplets (for example, raindrops, waterfall spray, etc.), with the light reflected once by the water droplets forming the primary rainbow and the light reflected twice by the water droplets forming the secondary rainbow. Since light has a different refractive index depending on its wavelength (color of light), sunlight (white light) is refracted at the air-water droplet interface, separating (dispersing) the different colors, forming the colors of the rainbow.

[0020] 3 to 5 are explanatory diagrams or celestial diagrams for explaining the conditions and positions where a rainbow can be seen. In order for the strong light (primary rainbow) produced by sunlight being reflected once by water droplets 9 to reach observer 5, the angle θ between the direction of sunlight (the direction from observer 5 toward the sun-directed point 7) and the direction of the light reflected by sunlight by water droplets 9 (the direction in which the rainbow is seen from observer 5) must be between 40 degrees and 42 degrees. Furthermore, in order for the strong light (secondary rainbow) that is produced when sunlight is reflected twice by the water droplets 9 to reach the observer 5, the angle θ between the direction of sunlight (the direction from the observer 5 toward the sun-directed point 7) and the direction of the light that is reflected from the sunlight by the water droplets 9 (the direction in which the rainbow is seen from the observer 5) must be between 51 degrees and 53 degrees.

[0021] A rainbow is seen in a direction where the angle θ is between 40 degrees and 42 degrees or between 51 degrees and 53 degrees, so it may appear circular to an observer 5, as shown in the celestial sphere in Figure 4. However, since there are water droplets reflecting sunlight only above the ground, a semicircular rainbow or part of it is usually observed. When the solar altitude φ is greater than 42 degrees, all directions with an angle θ between 40 degrees and 42 degrees are directions from the observer 5 to the ground, so the primary rainbow is no longer visible to the observer. Also, when the solar altitude φ is greater than 53 degrees, all directions with an angle θ between 51 degrees and 53 degrees are directions from the observer 5 to the ground, so the secondary rainbow is no longer visible to the observer 5. For example, as shown in Figure 5, when the solar altitude φ is 30 degrees, the observer 5 can observe the primary rainbow, but when the solar altitude is 50 degrees, the observer 5 cannot observe the primary rainbow.

[0022] To enable this learning, the control unit 3 is provided to project, on the head mounted display 2, a VR image that can change the position of the rainbow image that can be observed by the observer wearing the head mounted display 2, based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space. This allows the observer to experientially learn the conditions and positions under which a rainbow can be seen.

[0023] Furthermore, the control unit 3 may display an image explaining the principle of how a rainbow occurs, including images such as those shown in Figures 3 to 5, on the head mounted display 2 before displaying a VR image containing a rainbow on the head mounted display 2. This allows the viewer wearing the head mounted display 2 to deepen their understanding of the conditions and positions under which a rainbow can be seen.

[0024] The control unit 3 may change the altitude of the sun like the diurnal motion of the sun, and project VR images on the head mounted display 2 that change the position where the rainbow is visible. For example, the observer may use the controller 4 to manipulate time in the virtual space and cause the sun to move in a diurnal motion. For example, the control unit 3 may project the following VR images on the display 2. When the sun rises in the morning (sun altitude φ: 1 to 5 degrees), a rainbow is projected on the opposite side of the morning sun, and the position where the rainbow is projected is changed as time passes and the sun altitude φ rises, and when the sun altitude φ becomes greater than 42 degrees, the primary rainbow becomes invisible, and when the sun altitude φ becomes greater than 53 degrees, the secondary rainbow becomes invisible. For example, the sun altitude φ in the celestial sphere shown in FIG. 4 may be gradually increased to gradually change the position of the rainbow 8. In addition, the control unit 3 may change the position where the rainbow 8 is visible in accordance with the change in the direction of the sun due to the diurnal motion of the sun. In addition, the control unit 3 may project an image of the virtual space in which the diurnal motion is fast-forwarded on the head mounted display 2.

[0025] The control unit 3 may display, on the head mounted display 2, a VR image in which the observer can change the altitude of the sun in the virtual space using the controller 4. In this case, the control unit 3 can change the position at which the rainbow image is displayed in the virtual space according to the altitude of the sun changed by the controller 4. The control unit 3 can also change the position at which the sun image is displayed in the virtual space according to the changed altitude of the sun. For example, the sun's altitude φ in the celestial sphere shown in FIG. 4 can be changed to a changed angle, and the position of the rainbow image can be changed according to the changed sun's altitude φ.

[0026] 6 is a flowchart of a virtual reality control method for an observer wearing the head mounted display 2 to learn about a rainbow in a virtual space. This virtual space is a space such as a plain with a good view of the sky. This virtual reality control method includes a step in which a user changes the altitude of the sun in the virtual space, and a step in which a position where a rainbow is likely to appear in the virtual space is calculated based on the changed altitude of the sun, and based on this position, a step in which a rainbow image is or is not displayed on the head mounted display 2. Furthermore, the control unit 3 can include a program that causes the control unit 3 to execute this virtual reality control method.

[0027] In step S1, an observer wearing the head mounted display 2 inputs the observer's coordinates in the virtual space using the controller 4. The control unit 3 can display an image for inputting the coordinates on the display 2. Alternatively, the observer may determine the coordinates by moving in the virtual space. In step S2, the observer inputs the solar angle (altitude) φ using the controller 4. The control unit 3 can display an image for inputting the solar angle on the display 2. In addition, the solar orientation can be set to a predetermined orientation. In step S3, the observer inputs parameters such as the saturation and brightness of the primary iris and the saturation and brightness of the secondary iris using the controller 4. The control unit 3 can display on the display 2 an image for parameter input.

[0028] In step S4, the control unit 3 calculates the position of the rainbow in the virtual space based on the inputted coordinates of the observer, the sun's angle φ, the saturation and lightness of the primary rainbow, the saturation and lightness of the secondary rainbow, etc. The position of the primary rainbow can be a position on the celestial sphere in Fig. 4 where the angle θ is between 40 degrees and 42 degrees. The position of the secondary rainbow can be a position on the celestial sphere in Fig. 4 where the angle θ is between 51 degrees and 53 degrees. In step S5, a rainbow image is displayed on the head mounted display 2 based on the calculated position of the rainbow. This allows the observer to see a rainbow in the virtual space. However, if the solar angle φ (altitude) is greater than 42 degrees, the primary rainbow is not displayed on the display 2. Also, if the solar angle φ (altitude) is greater than 53 degrees, the secondary rainbow is not displayed on the display 2. Also, based on the sun angle φ, the sun may be displayed on the head mounted display 2, or the shadows of objects such as trees and grass may be displayed. Also, based on the sun angle φ, the brightness of the virtual space may be changed.

[0029] In step S6, the control unit 3 judges whether or not the sun rise button of the controller 4 is pressed. If the observer presses the sun rise button, the control unit 3 causes the head mounted display 2 to display the value of the sun angle (altitude) φ and the like, and the observer sets the sun angle φ using the sun rise button. Then, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control unit 3 judges whether the sun angle φ set by the observer is within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is, for example, 0 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. If the sun angle φ is not within the predetermined range, the process returns to step S6. If the sun angle φ is within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to steps S9 and S4, where the sun angle φ is changed and the rainbow position is calculated again. Then, the process proceeds to step S5, where a rainbow image is displayed on the head mounted display 2 based on the calculated rainbow position. This allows the observer to experience how the rainbow position changes depending on the sun angle φ. However, if the solar angle φ (altitude) is greater than 42 degrees, the primary rainbow is not displayed on display 2. Also, if the solar angle (altitude) is greater than 53 degrees, the secondary rainbow is not displayed on display 2.

[0030] If the control unit 3 determines in step S6 that the sun rise button of the controller 4 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control unit 3 judges whether or not the sun descent button of the controller 4 is pressed. If the observer presses the sun descent button, the control unit 3 causes the head mounted display 2 to display the value of the sun angle (altitude) φ and the like, and the observer sets the sun angle φ using the sun descent button. Then, the process proceeds to steps S8, S9, S4, and S5. Steps S8, S9, S4, and S5 are the same as those described above. If the control unit 3 determines in step S7 that the sun descending button of the controller 4 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 2: Head-mounted display 3: Control unit 4: Controller 5: Observer 6: Sun 7: Sun-like point 8: Rainbow 9: Water drop 10: Ground 11: Primary rainbow 12: Secondary rainbow 15: Head-mounted display device 20: Virtual reality system

Claims

1. A head mounted display and a control unit configured to control a VR image of a virtual space of the head mounted display, A virtual reality system characterized in that the control unit is configured to display on the head-mounted display a VR image that changes the position of a rainbow image that can be observed by an observer wearing the head-mounted display based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space.

2. The system described in claim 1, wherein the control unit and the head-mounted display are configured to project a rainbow image at a position in the virtual space that can be seen by the observer when the observer looks on the side opposite the sun whose altitude is 42 degrees or less, and are configured not to project a rainbow image when the altitude of the sun in the virtual space is greater than 42 degrees.

3. The system described in claim 1, wherein the control unit and the head-mounted display are configured to project a rainbow image at a position in the virtual space where the angle between the direction of sunlight and the direction in which the rainbow is seen by the observer is between 40 degrees and 42 degrees.

4. The system described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit is configured to display an image explaining the principle behind the generation of a rainbow on the head-mounted display, and then display a VR image of the virtual space with a rainbow on the head-mounted display.

5. A program configured to display a VR image of a virtual space on a head mounted display using a control unit, A program configured to change the position of a rainbow image that can be observed by an observer wearing the head mounted display based on the altitude of the sun in the virtual space.

6. A virtual reality control method for displaying a VR image of a virtual space on a head mounted display using a control unit, comprising: a user changing the altitude of the sun in the virtual space; A virtual reality control method comprising the steps of: calculating a position in the virtual space where a rainbow is likely to appear based on the changed altitude of the sun; and displaying or not displaying a rainbow image on the head-mounted display based on this position.

7. A program configured to cause the control unit, which is configured to control a VR image of the virtual space of the head mounted display, to execute the virtual reality control method according to claim 6.

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