Server apparatus, attention degree calculating method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for estimating an attention degree for a target space on a virtual space.SOLUTION: The present invention is directed, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, to a server apparatus having an acquisition unit for acquiring an activity log of a user on a virtual space, an attention degree calculation unit for calculating an attention degree of a target space in the virtual space based on the activity log, and an output unit for outputting the attention degree calculated for the target space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server device, an attention level calculation method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Advances in information and communication technology have made it possible for users to interact with each other in virtual spaces and metaverse spaces (hereafter, virtual spaces and metaverse spaces will be collectively referred to as "virtual spaces") via network-connected user terminals. For example, each user can use their own avatar to interact with other users in the virtual space and view information presented in the virtual space.

[0003] For example, a user may conduct a real-world transaction after viewing a sign or advertisement in the virtual space. Specifically, a hyperlink to an external site is set in the information display area of ​​a sign or advertisement in the virtual space, and the user can click or perform other operations in the information display area to transition to an electronic commerce (EC) site in the real world.

[0004] Conventionally, signboard-like structural objects have been installed in virtual spaces, and information is presented by imitating panels to display still images or displaying moving images to imitate displays, providing users in virtual spaces with the opportunity to view information. When advertisements or other information are presented, they can trigger commercial transactions in the real world. Hyperlinks to external sites can be set in the information display areas of signboards, etc., and users can be redirected to e-commerce sites in the real world. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-39733 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-68851 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the real world, events are usually held by temporarily setting up various installations in public spaces such as parks and city areas. Similarly, in virtual spaces, structure objects can be added to structures (called base spaces) such as parks and city areas, and events can be made public. In particular, structure objects can be freely placed in virtual spaces. Therefore, if it is possible to know in advance the degree to which a structure object will attract attention when placed in a certain position, it may be possible to improve the effectiveness of information presentation.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for estimating the degree of attention to a spatial object in a virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a server device having an acquisition unit that acquires a user's behavior log in a virtual space, an attention calculation unit that calculates the attention level of a spatial object in the virtual space based on the behavior log, and an output unit that outputs the attention level calculated for the spatial object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique for estimating the level of attention to a spatial area in a virtual space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an attention level calculation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a coordinate system of a virtual space according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an action log of each user according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the line of sight of each user in a virtual space according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a virtual sign object according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating intersections between the lines of sight of each user and a virtual signboard object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating intersection detection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating two-dimensional grid-like regions obtained by dividing a virtual space according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating intersection detection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an attention level calculation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In the following embodiment, an information processing system for operating and managing a virtual space used by users is disclosed.

[0013] [Information Processing Systems] First, an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] 1, the information processing system 10 includes user terminals 20_1 to 20_3 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as user terminals 20) and a server device 100 that is communicatively connected to the user terminals 20_1 to 20_3 via a network 30. In the illustrated embodiment, only three user terminals 20_1 to 20_3 are shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any number of user terminals 20_i (i=1, . . . , N) may be included in the information processing system 10.

[0015] The user terminal 20 may be any type of information processing device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, etc. For example, the user terminal 20 may exchange data with the server device 100 via a network 30 such as the Internet via a wired or wireless connection.

[0016] A user can log in to a virtual space operated and managed by the server device 100, move around within the virtual space, and interact with other virtual objects through chat. For example, a user can view notices (e.g., advertisements, videos, etc.) in the virtual space and enjoy shopping in virtual stores.

[0017] The server device 100 may be realized by one or more information processing devices in any form, such as a cloud server, a cloud machine, etc. The server device 100 is connected to and communicates with the user terminal 20 via a network 30, and provides various services in a virtual space, which will be described later.

[0018] The information processing system 10 is a client-server type system in which the server device 100 provides various services in a virtual space to the user terminals 20. However, the information processing system 10 according to the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to a client-server type system in which the server device 100 provides various services in a virtual space, and may be, for example, a distributed processing system in which one or more of the user terminals 20 themselves execute some or all of the functions and processes provided by the server device 100.

[0019] In the embodiment described below, the server device 100 collects the behavioral logs of each user in the virtual space (e.g., the position and orientation of each user in the virtual space at each time during a certain period in the past), and based on the collected behavioral logs, calculates the attention level of a spatial object specified in the virtual space (e.g., a virtual signboard object installed at a specific position in the virtual space, or a specific two-dimensional area when the virtual space is divided into grid-like two-dimensional areas), i.e., an index indicating whether or not the spatial object has entered the user's field of view.

[0020] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a structure object such as a virtual signboard object is installed at a certain location in a virtual space, the server device 100 may estimate the degree of attention from users in the virtual space to the structure object installed at this location based on user behavior logs collected within a certain period of time in the past. Specifically, the behavior logs record the position and orientation of each user at each time point, and the server device 100 can determine whether the installed virtual signboard object is within the user's field of view based on the time-series position and orientation of each user in the behavior log and the size, installation position, and installation direction of the installed virtual signboard object. If a larger number of users' gazes reach the virtual signboard object, it can be estimated that the virtual signboard object installed at that location will attract more attention. Therefore, a potential installer considering installing a virtual signboard object in a virtual space can predict the degree of attention the virtual signboard object will attract based on the size, position, and / or orientation of the virtual signboard object installed in the virtual space.

[0021] Alternatively, the server device 100 may calculate the degree of attention for each grid-like two-dimensional area constituting the virtual space. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a two-dimensional area in the virtual space is designated, the server device 100 can determine whether the designated two-dimensional area is within the user's field of view based on the time-series position and orientation of each user in the action log and the designated two-dimensional area. If a greater number of users' gazes reach a two-dimensional area, it can be estimated that the attention level of the two-dimensional area will be high. Therefore, a prospective user considering using that two-dimensional location in the virtual space can predict which two-dimensional area in the virtual space will attract attention.

[0022] According to this embodiment, it is possible to predict the level of attention to spatial objects in a virtual space from the behavioral logs of users in the virtual space collected in the past, and it is possible to predict the level of attention to the installation of a structural object or the use of a two-dimensional area for installers who plan to install a structural object in the spatial object, or users who plan to use the two-dimensional area of ​​the spatial object, before installation or use.

[0023] Here, the server device 100 may have, for example, a hardware configuration as shown in Fig. 3. That is, the server device 100 has a storage device 101, a memory device 102, a processor 103, and a communication device 104, which are interconnected via a bus B.

[0024] The programs and / or data that realize the various functions and processes in the server device 100 are downloaded to the storage device 101 or memory device 102 from an external device and / or a network via the communication device 104.

[0025] The storage device 101 is realized by a nonvolatile memory or the like, and stores installed or downloaded programs or data (for example, files, etc.).

[0026] The memory device 102 is realized by a random access memory, a static memory, or the like, and when a program or instruction is activated, reads and stores the program, instruction, data, or the like from the storage device 101. The storage device 101, the memory device 102, and the removable storage medium may be collectively referred to as a non-transitory storage medium.

[0027] The processor 103 may be realized by one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), processing circuitry, etc., which may be composed of one or more processor cores, and performs various functions and processes of the server device 100 in accordance with programs, instructions, data such as parameters required to execute the programs or instructions, etc. stored in the memory device 102.

[0028] The communication device 104 is realized by various communication circuits that execute wired and / or wireless communication processing with external devices, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a cellular network, or other communication networks.

[0029] However, the above-described hardware configuration is merely an example, and the server device 100 according to the present disclosure may be realized by any other appropriate hardware configuration.

[0030] [Server device] Next, a server device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the server device 100 includes an acquisition unit 110, an attention calculation unit 120, and an output unit 130. The functional units of the acquisition unit 110, the attention calculation unit 120, and the output unit 130 can be realized by the processor 103 of the server device 100 executing a program stored in the memory device 102. Note that the server device 100 may provide a virtual space by having basic functions for providing a virtual space, or may acquire an action log (described later) from a virtual space provided by another server device to calculate an attention level.

[0031] The acquisition unit 110 acquires an action log of a user in a virtual space. When the server device 100 provides a virtual space such as that shown in Fig. 5 as a base space, the acquisition unit 110 collects the action history of a user or a user avatar who has logged in to the virtual space shown in the figure. For example, the acquisition unit 110 collects the action history of the user in some past period and acquires an action log created from the collected action history.

[0032] The behavior log here may indicate, for example, the position and orientation of each user in the virtual space at each time. Each point in the virtual space shown in FIG. 5 may be specified as two-dimensional coordinates on a plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis that are orthogonal to each other. The acquisition unit 110 acquires the position of each user or user avatar logged in to the virtual space as two-dimensional coordinates on the virtual space, and acquires the orientation of the user or user avatar as a directional vector on the plane. The acquisition unit 110 may collect the position and orientation of each user or user avatar in the virtual space at a predetermined time interval, such as every second or every 10 seconds, and store the collected information as a behavior log.

[0033] Such an action log may be managed, for example, by a data structure as shown in Fig. 6. As shown in the figure, the action log is composed of data items such as date and time, user ID, position, and orientation, and the position and orientation of each user are recorded in association with the user ID of the user at predetermined time intervals (every 10 seconds in the action log shown in the figure). Note that the action log is not limited to the data structure shown in the figure, and may be composed of any other appropriate data structure.

[0034] The position and orientation of each log data in the acquired behavior log can be considered as the viewpoint position and gaze direction of the user avatar, respectively. Hereinafter, the viewpoint position and gaze direction of the user avatar can be collectively referred to as the line of sight. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the gaze of each user avatar is represented by the viewpoint position indicated by the center of an arc and the gaze direction indicated by the straight line enclosed by the arc. For each user, multiple gazes are recorded as the user moves, and assuming that all log data is sampled at equal time intervals, it can be considered that the entire data represents the user's behavior without statistical bias.

[0035] The attention level calculation unit 120 calculates the attention level of a spatial object in a virtual space based on the action log. The spatial object here is not limited to, and may be, for example, a virtual signboard object, a store or other structural object installed in the virtual space, or a lattice-like two-dimensional or three-dimensional area or section that constitutes the virtual space.

[0036] For example, when considering installing a virtual signboard object for advertising or promotional purposes in a virtual space, a potential installer sets the virtual signboard object on a map of the virtual space, as shown in FIG. 8. Here, the virtual signboard object is set in the virtual space according to setting instructions and can be specified by its size, installation position, and installation direction. For example, the potential installer may set the virtual signboard object in the virtual space by dragging the mouse of the user terminal 20, using two points defined by raising and lowering the mouse button as the two ends. The positions of these ends may define the size of the virtual signboard object, and the midpoint between the two ends may define the installation position of the virtual signboard object. Furthermore, the left side of the direction from the start position to the end position of the drag may be defined as the front side of the signboard, and the right side may be defined as the back side of the signboard. In this way, the virtual signboard object specified on the screen coordinate system of the user terminal 20 is converted to and stored in the spatial coordinate system of the virtual space operated and managed by the server device 100.

[0037] Although the virtual signboard object according to this embodiment is a two-dimensional structure object, the structure object according to the present disclosure may be a three-dimensional structure object. That is, when the virtual signboard object is a three-dimensional structure object, not only the width but also the height of the signboard object can be defined.

[0038] The attention level of a spatial object may also represent the frequency or rate at which the spatial object entered the field of view of each user. Specifically, whether a structure object entered the field of view of a user may be determined by an intersection detection using the size, installation position, and installation direction of the structure object and the user's position and orientation at each time. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the attention level calculation unit 120 may perform the intersection detection based on the positional relationship between the line of sight of each user based on the action log and the virtual signboard object specified by the installer.

[0039] For example, the attention level calculation unit 120 may perform an intersection determination as to whether or not a structure object has entered the user's field of view, as shown in FIG. 10, in accordance with the following determination conditions 1) to 3). Criterion 1) The viewpoint position P is a directed vector

number

[0040] Specifically, the criteria 1) is the cross product

number

[0041] Also, the judgment condition 2) is the cross product

number

number

[0042] Furthermore, the judgment condition 3) is the distance

number

[0043] In this way, the attention level calculation unit 120 performs an intersection determination on whether or not the virtual signboard object has entered the line of sight of each user based on the action log. For example, for action logs collected during a certain period, N V Suppose that the gazes of N users are recorded. V Among the lines of sight, the number of lines of sight that are determined to intersect with the virtual signboard object is C V Let the number of users recorded in the action log be N U Let C be the number of users whose line of sight intersected with the virtual signboard object at least once. U Also, the length of the virtual signboard object is set to L.

[0044] At this time, the following numerical values ​​can be calculated as specific examples of the attention level: · Ratio of attentions to total gazes = C V / N V Percentage of users who paid attention = C U / N U Number of attentions per unit length = C V / L ·Ratio of attention counts per unit length = (C V / N V ) / L · Percentage of users who paid attention per unit length = (C U / N U ) / L

[0045] Here, the ratio of the number of gazes to all gazes indicates the ratio of users who are paying attention to the virtual signboard object at a given moment, and the ratio of users who paid attention indicates the ratio of users who paid attention to the virtual signboard object while logged in to the virtual space. In other words, the ratio of the number of gazes to all gazes and the ratio of users who paid attention are indicators of the degree of attention paid to the set virtual signboard object and indicate the degree of attention to the virtual signboard object.

[0046] On the other hand, the number of attentions per unit length indicates the number of gazes paying attention to the virtual signboard object of unit length at that location, the proportion of attentions per unit length indicates the proportion of users paying attention to the virtual signboard object of unit length at that location at a given moment, and the proportion of paid users per unit length indicates the proportion of users who paid attention to the virtual signboard object of unit length at that location while logged in to the virtual space. In other words, the number of attentions per unit length, the proportion of attentions per unit length, and the proportion of paid users per unit length are indices focusing on a location in the virtual space and indicate the degree of attention to that location.

[0047] The attention calculation unit 120 may calculate one or more of these attention indicators and / or any other appropriate indicator representing the frequency or proportion at which a spatial object comes into view of each user as the attention of the virtual signboard object.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment, the target of attention calculation is a structural object such as a virtual signboard object, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the spatial object of the target of attention calculation may be defined as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional region in a virtual space. Specifically, if the spatial object is a two-dimensional region, the two-dimensional region may be a two-dimensional region obtained by dividing a plane in the virtual space into a grid pattern. Alternatively, if the spatial object is a three-dimensional region, the three-dimensional region may be a three-dimensional region obtained by dividing a three-dimensional space in the virtual space into a grid pattern.

[0049] For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the virtual space may be divided into a grid on the XY plane at a predetermined interval. If the predetermined interval is represented by L, each region is an L×L square, but the two-dimensional region of the present disclosure is not limited to this and may be a rectangular region with different vertical and horizontal intervals. By dividing a predetermined range of the virtual space into regions in this way, for example, (N X ×N Y As shown in Figure 11, when the virtual space is divided into the first quadrant from the origin, k x th, and k in the Y-axis direction y The center coordinates of the th region are

number

[0050] The attention level calculation unit 120 performs an intersection determination to determine whether a two-dimensional area has entered the line of sight of each user based on the behavior log. For example, whether a two-dimensional area has entered the user's field of view may be determined by an intersection determination using the two-dimensional area and the user's position and orientation at each time. Specifically, the attention level calculation unit 120 can calculate the attention level of a two-dimensional area using the following procedure. First, the attention level calculation unit 120 determines the center position of the two-dimensional area to be calculated. Next, the attention level calculation unit 120 performs an intersection determination between all the lines of sight acquired from the behavior log and the two-dimensional area to be calculated, as described below. Then, the attention level calculation unit 120 may determine the number of lines of sight that have been focused on divided by the total number of lines of sight as the attention level of the two-dimensional area.

[0051] Here, the attention level calculation unit 120 may perform an intersection determination as to whether or not the two-dimensional area is within the user's field of view as shown in FIG. 12, in accordance with the following determination conditions 1) to 2). Judgment condition 1) The center coordinate R of the two-dimensional area to be calculated is within a predetermined angle τ (for example, 30 degrees) from the gaze direction V with respect to the user's gaze position P. Judgment condition 2) The viewpoint position P must be within a predetermined distance (e.g., 5 m) from the center coordinate R. The attention level calculation unit 120 may determine that the two-dimensional area is within the user's field of view when the positional relationship between the user's viewpoint position P and the two-dimensional area satisfies the determination conditions 1) and 2).

[0052] Specifically, the judgment condition 1) is the angle θ between the line of sight V and the direction W from the line of sight P to the center coordinate R.

number

number

number

[0053] In addition, the judgment condition 2) is the distance

number

[0054] The number of gazes of interest divided by the total number of gazes may be calculated as the attention level for the two-dimensional area. However, the attention level for a two-dimensional area according to the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to this and may be calculated as, for example, the percentage of users who paid attention to the area. While the above-described embodiments focus on two-dimensional areas, extension to three-dimensional areas is considered easy for those skilled in the art, and detailed explanations will be omitted. When a structure object is placed in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional area, the orientation of the structure object may be specified, and the attention level evaluated based on that orientation may be calculated. Alternatively, regardless of the orientation of the structure object, the average of evaluations of all directions at regular intervals may be determined as the attention level. Furthermore, the direction in each area with the highest attention level may be determined. The size of the area may be variable.

[0055] The output unit 130 outputs the calculated attention level for the spatial object. For example, the output unit 130 may display the calculated attention level near the spatial object in the virtual space designated by the installer. Specifically, when the installer sets a virtual signboard object in the virtual space, the output unit 130 may display the calculated attention level near the set virtual signboard object. Alternatively, when the attention level for each two-dimensional area in a grid pattern has been calculated, the output unit 130 may color or grayscale each two-dimensional area according to the attention level for each two-dimensional area and display it as an attention level distribution. In this case, since the attention level is typically biased toward small values, it may be appropriately scaled.

[0056] [Attention calculation process] Next, an attention level calculation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the attention level calculation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The attention level calculation process can be realized by the server device 100, more specifically, by the processor 103 of the server device 100 executing a program stored in the memory device 102.

[0057] 13, in step S101, the server device 100 acquires an action log of a user in the virtual space. For example, the action log may indicate the position and orientation of each user in the virtual space at each time. Typically, such an action log may be collected in advance for each user who logged in to the virtual space during a certain period in the past and stored in a database.

[0058] In step S102, the server device 100 determines whether a spatial object in the virtual space has been designated. For example, the server device 100 may detect whether the installer has set a virtual signboard object in an area in the virtual space, or whether the installer has designated a two-dimensional area in the virtual space. If a spatial object has been designated in the virtual space (S102: YES), the server device 100 proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if a spatial object has not been designated in the virtual space (S102: NO), the server device 100 returns to step S102 and waits for the spatial object to be designated.

[0059] In step S103, the server device 100 calculates the attention level of a spatial object in the virtual space based on the action log. For example, if the spatial object is a virtual signboard object, the server device 100 performs intersection detection using the set size, installation position, and installation direction of the virtual signboard object and the position and orientation of each user at each time recorded in the action log, and determines whether the virtual signboard object has entered the field of view of each user. Alternatively, if the spatial object is a two-dimensional area in the virtual space, the server device 100 performs intersection detection using the specified two-dimensional area and the position and orientation of each user at each time recorded in the action log, and determines whether the two-dimensional area has entered the field of view of each user.

[0060] In step S104, the server device 100 outputs the calculated attention level for the spatial object. For example, the server device 100 may display the attention level near the set virtual signboard object or the specified two-dimensional area, or may color or grayscale each of the two-dimensional areas divided into a grid according to the attention level and display it as an attention level distribution.

[0061] The above-described server device 100 can calculate the attention level of a spatial object in a virtual space from the behavior logs of users in the virtual space collected in the past, and can present the attention level of a structure object to be installed or a 2D area to be used in advance to a person who plans to install a structure object or a person who plans to use a 2D area before installation or use. Furthermore, the operator of the virtual space can determine the compensation for installing a structure object or using a 2D area according to the attention level.

[0062] Although the examples of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Information Processing Systems 20 User terminal 30 Network 100 Server device 110 Acquisition Department 120 Attention Calculation Unit 130 Output section

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a user's behavior log in the virtual space; an attention level calculation unit that calculates an attention level of a spatial object in the virtual space based on the action log; an output unit that outputs the calculated attention level for the spatial object; A server device having the above configuration.

2. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the action log indicates a position and a direction of each user in the virtual space at each time.

3. The server device according to claim 2 , wherein the attention level of the spatial object represents a rate at which the spatial object comes into view of each user.

4. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the spatial object is defined by a structure object defined by a size, an installation position, and an installation direction.

5. The server device according to claim 4 , wherein the structure object is set in the virtual space in accordance with a setting instruction.

6. The server device according to claim 4, wherein whether or not the structure object has entered the user's field of view is determined by an intersection detection using the size, installation position, and installation direction of the structure object and the position and orientation of the user at each time.

7. The server device according to claim 1 , wherein the spatial object is defined as a two-dimensional or three-dimensional area in the virtual space.

8. The server device according to claim 7, wherein whether the two-dimensional or three-dimensional area is within the user's field of view is determined by an intersection determination using the two-dimensional or three-dimensional area and the user's position and orientation at each time.

9. Acquiring a user's behavior log in the virtual space; Calculating an attention level of a spatial object in the virtual space based on the action log; outputting the calculated attention level for the spatial object; The attention calculation method is executed by a computer.

10. Acquiring a user's behavior log in the virtual space; Calculating an attention level of a spatial object in the virtual space based on the action log; outputting the calculated attention level for the spatial object; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images