Virtual space management device, communication establishment method, and communication establishment program

Abstract

To contribute to communication between people and objects in a virtual space from a terminal in a real environment.SOLUTION: A virtual space management device establishes communication between a terminal in a real environment and a communication target in a virtual space when receiving a transmission from the terminal to the communication target and confirming that the communication target exists in the virtual space managed by itself and rejects the communication when the communication target does not exist.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual space management device, a communication establishment method, and a communication establishment program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the practice of teleworking, remote work, working from home, and other ways in which employees perform their work individually has rapidly spread. Accordingly, instead of employees gathering in a conference room, there are more and more opportunities to hold online conferences (also called web conferences or remote conferences) in a virtual space via a network such as the Internet. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a conference support system that can facilitate online conferences in a virtual space so that they can proceed smoothly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-139436 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The disclosures of the above-mentioned prior art documents are incorporated herein by reference. The following analysis was conducted by the present inventors.

[0005] Incidentally, not only in online conferences, but in general, there are situations where you want to communicate with people or things in a virtual space. Moreover, when communicating with people or things in the same virtual space, it is possible to communicate using the communication means provided by that virtual space, but there may also be cases where you want to communicate with people or things in a virtual space from a terminal in the real environment. There may also be cases where you want to communicate from a person or thing in a virtual space to a terminal in the real environment.

[0006] However, it was not possible for devices in the real world to communicate directly with people or objects in the virtual space.

[0007] In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a virtual space management device, a communication establishment method, and a communication establishment program that contribute to communication between terminals in the real environment and people and objects in a virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In a first aspect of the present invention, a virtual space management device is provided which receives a call from a terminal in a real environment to a communication target in a virtual space, and if it confirms that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space that it manages, establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target, and if the communication target does not exist, rejects the communication.

[0009] In a second aspect of the present invention, a communication establishment method is provided in which a virtual space management device that manages a virtual space receives a call from a terminal in a real environment to a communication target in the virtual space, and if it confirms that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space that it manages, establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target, and if the communication target does not exist, rejects the communication.

[0010] In a third aspect of the present invention, a communication establishment method is provided, in which a virtual space management device that manages a virtual space receives a call from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in a real environment, and establishes communication between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target.

[0011] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a call is received from a terminal in a real environment to a communication target in a virtual space; A communication establishment program is provided that causes an information processing device to execute a process of establishing communication between the terminal and the communication target when it is confirmed that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space managed by the information processing device, and rejecting communication if the communication target does not exist.

[0012] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a communication establishment program is provided that causes an information processing device to execute a process of receiving a call from a communication target in a virtual space to a terminal in a real environment and establishing communication between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transient medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, etc. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to each aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a virtual space management device, a communication establishment method, and a communication establishment program that contribute to communication between terminals in a real environment and people and objects in a virtual space. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system using a virtual space management device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method for establishing communication from a terminal in the real environment to a communication target in the virtual space. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for establishing communication between a terminal in the real environment and a communication target in the virtual space. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process to be performed when communication cannot be established from a terminal in the real environment to a communication target in the virtual space. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps of a method for establishing communication from a communication target in a virtual space to a terminal in a real environment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system using a virtual space management device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the virtual space management device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below. In addition, in each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are appropriately assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationship of each element, the ratio of each element, etc. may differ from the actual ones. There may also be parts in which the dimensional relationship and ratio differ between the drawings.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication system using a virtual space management device. The communication system shown in Fig. 1 includes a terminal 1 in a real environment, a network 2, a virtual space management device 3, and a virtual space 4. The terminal 1 in the real environment and the virtual space management device 3 are communicatively connected via a network 2, which may be wired or wireless. The virtual space 4 is a space produced / managed by the virtual space management device 3, and a person or object existing in the virtual space 4 is a communication target 4-2.

[0017] The virtual space management device 3 receives a call from a terminal 1 in the real environment to a communication target 4-2 in a virtual space 4, and if it confirms that the communication target 4-2 exists in the area of ​​the virtual space 4 that it manages, it establishes communication between the terminal 1 and the communication target 4-2, and if it does not exist, it rejects the communication.

[0018] For example, the virtual space management device 3 includes a data transmission / reception unit 3-1, a general management unit 3-2, and area management units 3-3-1 to n. The data transmission / reception unit 3-1 is located within the virtual space management device 3, and transmits and receives data from the network 2 and the general management unit 3-2. The general management unit 3-2 manages the area management units 3-3-1 to n within the virtual space management device 3. The virtual space 4 has specific areas therein, that is, areas 4-1-1 to n, and the area management units 3-3-1 to n manage the areas 4-1-1 to n within the virtual space 4, respectively.

[0019] To communicate with communication target 4-2, terminal 1 transmits to network 2, network 2 notifies data transmission / reception unit 3-1 of virtual space management device 3 of the transmission from terminal 1, data transmission / reception unit 3-1 notifies general management unit 3-2 of the transmission from terminal 1, general management unit 3-2 confirms that communication target 4-2 of terminal 1 exists in area 4-1-1 managed by area management unit 3-3-1, and general management unit 3-2 establishes communication between terminal 1 and communication target 4-2 in area 4-1-1. On the other hand, if communication target 4-2 of terminal 1 does not exist in areas 4-1-1 to n managed by area management units 3-3-1 to n, general management unit 3-2 disconnects the transmission from terminal 1.

[0020] Conversely, in order to communicate with terminal 1, the communication target 4-2 makes a call to the area management unit 3-3-1, the area management unit 3-3-1 notifies the overall management unit 3-2 of the call from the communication target 4-2, the overall management unit 3-2 notifies the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 of the call from the communication target 4-2, and the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 establishes communication with terminal 1 via network 2 regarding the call from the communication target 4-2.

[0021] Here, when establishing communication between the terminal 1 and the communication target 4-2 in the area 4-1-1, it is preferable that the general management unit 3-2 encrypts the communication.

[0022] (How to establish communication) Next, a method for establishing communication will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

[0023] 2 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a method for establishing communication from a terminal in the real environment to a communication target in the virtual space. To communicate with the communication target 4-2, the terminal 1 transmits to the network 2 <step A1>, the network 2 notifies the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 of the virtual space management device 3 of the transmission from the terminal 1 <step A2>, the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 notifies the general management unit 3-2 of the transmission from the terminal 1 <step A3>, the general management unit 3-2 confirms that the communication target 4-2 of the terminal 1 exists in the area 4-1-1 managed by the area management unit 3-3-1 <step A4>, and the general management unit 3-2 establishes communication between the terminal 1 and the communication target 4-2 in the area 4-1-1 <step A5>.

[0024] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for establishing communication between a terminal in the real environment and a communication target in the virtual space. When establishing communication between the terminal 1 and the communication target 4-2 in the area 4-1-1, the general management unit 3-2 encrypts the communication <Step B1>.

[0025] 4 is a flow chart showing the process when communication cannot be established from a terminal in the real environment to a communication target in the virtual space. When the general manager 3-2 confirms that the communication target 4-2 of the terminal 1 does not exist in the areas 4-1-1 to n managed by the area managers 3-3-1 to n (step C1), the general manager 3-2 disconnects the call from the terminal 1 (step C2).

[0026] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a method for establishing communication from a communication target in a virtual space to a terminal in a real environment. To communicate with the terminal 1, the communication target 4-2 transmits a signal to the area management unit 3-3-1 <step D1>, the area management unit 3-3-1 notifies the general management unit 3-2 of the signal from the communication target 4-2 <step D2>, the general management unit 3-2 notifies the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 of the signal from the communication target 4-2 <step D3>, and the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 establishes communication with the terminal 1 via the network 2 regarding the signal from the communication target 4-2 <step D4>.

[0027] By following the steps above, it is possible to communicate between devices in the real world and people and objects in the virtual space.

[0028] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a communication system using a virtual space management device. The communication system shown in Fig. 6 includes a terminal 1 in a real environment, a network 2, a virtual space management device 3, and a virtual space 4. The terminal 1 in the real environment and the virtual space management device 3 are communicatively connected via the network 2, which can be wired or wireless. The virtual space 4 is a space produced / managed by the virtual space management device 3, and people or objects existing in the virtual space 4 are communication targets 4-2-1 to n.

[0029] The virtual space management device 3 receives a call from a terminal 1 in the real environment to a communication target 4-2-1 to n in a virtual space 4, and if it confirms that the communication target 4-2-1 to n exists in the area of ​​the virtual space 4 that it manages, it establishes communication between the terminal 1 and the communication target 4-2-1 to n, and if it does not exist, it rejects the communication.

[0030] For example, the virtual space management device 3 includes a data transmission / reception unit 3-1 and a general management unit 3-2. The data transmission / reception unit 3-1 is located within the virtual space management device 3, and transmits and receives data between the network 2 and the general management unit 3-2. The general management unit 3-2 manages communication targets 4-2-1 to 4-2-n within the virtual space 4.

[0031] When communication targets 4-2-1 to n existing in the virtual space 4 create a group within the central management unit 3-2 in which they can communicate with each other, terminal 1 makes a call to the network 2 to communicate with the group within the central management unit 3-2 in which they can communicate with each other, and the network 2 notifies the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 of the virtual space management device 3 of the call from terminal 1, and the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 notifies the central management unit 3-2 of the call from terminal 1, and the central management unit 3-2 connects the call from terminal 1 to the communicable group of communication targets 4-2-1 to n, establishing communication.

[0032] Conversely, when communication targets 4-2-1 to n existing in the virtual space 4 create a group within the overall management unit 3-2 in which they can communicate with each other, one of the communication targets 4-2-1 to n notifies the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 to communicate with terminal 1, the data transmission / reception unit 3-1 notifies the network 2 to make a call to terminal 1, the network 2 notifies terminal 1, and terminal 1 establishes communication upon notification from the network 2.

[0033] (Hardware configuration example) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a virtual space management device. That is, the virtual space management device 3 makes it possible to realize each function of the virtual space management device 3 by executing the above-described communication establishment method as a program in an information processing device (computer) 10 employing the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 7. However, the hardware configuration example shown in Fig. 7 is an example of a hardware configuration that realizes each function of the virtual space management device 3, and is not intended to limit the hardware configuration of the virtual space management device 3. The virtual space management device 3 may include hardware not shown in Fig. 7.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, the hardware configuration that the virtual space management device 3 can employ includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a main memory device 12, an auxiliary memory device 13, and an IF (Interface) unit 14, which are interconnected by, for example, an internal bus.

[0035] The CPU 11 executes each command included in the communication establishment program executed by the information processing device (computer) 10. The main storage device 12 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and temporarily stores various programs, such as the distributed re-encryption program executed by the information processing device (computer) 10, for processing by the CPU 11.

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and is capable of storing various programs, such as a packet security program, executed by the information processing device (computer) 10, for a medium to long term. The various programs, such as the packet security program, can be provided as a program product recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0037] The IF unit 14 provides an interface relating to input and output of the virtual space management device 3, for example.

[0038] The information processing device (computer) 10 employing the above-mentioned hardware configuration realizes each function of the virtual space management device 3 by executing the above-mentioned communication establishment method as a program.

[0039] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes. [Appendix 1] Receives calls from a device in the real world to a communication target in the virtual space, A virtual space management device that, when it is confirmed that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space that it manages, establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target, and rejects communication if the communication target does not exist. [Appendix 2] receiving a call from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment; A virtual space management device as described in Appendix 1, which establishes communication between a terminal in the real environment and the communication target. [Appendix 3] 3. The virtual space management device according to claim 1, wherein when establishing communication between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target, the communication is encrypted. [Appendix 4] an area management unit that manages the area existing in the virtual space; A virtual space management device as described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, comprising: a general management unit that confirms that the communication target exists in the area of ​​the virtual space managed by the area management unit and establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target. [Appendix 5] A virtual space management device as described in Appendix 4, which makes a communication request to the area management unit when communication is made from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment. [Appendix 6] A virtual space management device that manages a virtual space receives a call from a terminal in the real environment to a communication target in the virtual space, A communication establishment method which establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target when it is confirmed that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space managed by the terminal, and rejects communication when the communication target does not exist. [Appendix 7] A virtual space management device that manages a virtual space receives a call from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment, A communication establishment method for establishing communication between a terminal in the real environment and the communication target. [Appendix 8] 8. The communication establishment method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein when establishing communication between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target, the communication is encrypted. [Appendix 9] Receives calls from a device in the real world to a communication target in the virtual space, A communication establishment program that causes an information processing device to establish communication between the terminal and the communication target when it is confirmed that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space that it manages, and to reject communication if the communication target does not exist. [Appendix 10] Receives communication from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment, A communication establishment program that causes an information processing device to execute a process of establishing communication between a terminal in the real environment and the communication target.

[0040] The disclosures of the above cited patent documents are incorporated herein by reference. Within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the scope of claims), modifications and adjustments of the embodiments and examples are possible based on the basic technical ideas. Furthermore, within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections (including partial deletions) of various disclosed elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes various modifications and corrections that a person skilled in the art would be able to make in accordance with the entire disclosure including the scope of claims and the technical ideas. In particular, with regard to the numerical ranges described in this specification, any numerical value or small range included in the range should be construed as being specifically described even if not otherwise specified. Furthermore, the disclosures of the above cited documents, if necessary, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, may be used in part or in whole in combination with the disclosures of this specification as part of the disclosure of the present invention, and are deemed to be included in the disclosures of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 Device 2 Network 3. Virtual space management device 3-1 Data transmission and reception section 3-2 General Management Department 3-3-1~n Area Management Department 4. Virtual Space 4-1-1~n area 4-2, 4-2-1~n Communication target 10. Information processing device 11 CPU 12 Main storage 13 Auxiliary storage device 14 IF Section

Claims

1. Receives calls from a device in the real world to a communication target in the virtual space, A virtual space management device that, when it is confirmed that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space that it manages, establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target, and rejects communication if the communication target does not exist.

2. receiving a call from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment; The virtual space management device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a communication device that establishes communication between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target.

3. The virtual space management device according to claim 1 , wherein when communication is established between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target, the communication is encrypted.

4. an area management unit that manages the area existing in the virtual space; The virtual space management device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a general management unit that confirms that the communication target exists in the area of ​​the virtual space managed by the area management unit and establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target.

5. The virtual space management device according to claim 4 , wherein when communication is made from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment, a communication request is made to the area management unit.

6. A virtual space management device that manages a virtual space receives a call from a terminal in the real environment to a communication target in the virtual space, A communication establishment method which establishes communication between the terminal and the communication target when it is confirmed that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space managed by the terminal, and rejects communication when the communication target does not exist.

7. A virtual space management device that manages a virtual space receives a call from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment, A communication establishment method for establishing communication between a terminal in the real environment and the communication target.

8. The communication establishment method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising the step of encrypting communication between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target when the communication is established between the terminal in the real environment and the communication target.

9. Receives calls from a device in the real world to a communication target in the virtual space, A communication establishment program that causes an information processing device to establish communication between the terminal and the communication target when it is confirmed that the communication target exists in an area of ​​the virtual space that it manages, and to reject communication if the communication target does not exist.

10. Receives communication from a communication target in the virtual space to a terminal in the real environment, A communication establishment program that causes an information processing device to execute a process of establishing communication between a terminal in the real environment and the communication target.

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