Reproducing apparatus and reproducing method

Abstract

To further increase satisfaction of users in a virtual space.SOLUTION: A reproducing apparatus 20 includes: a recording control unit 21 which calculates a degree of conversation, as conversation degree, based on how many times and how long an avatar made conversation in a virtual space, and records conversation degree information indicating the calculated conversation degree, with an action log of the avatar, on a recording unit 23; and a reproducing unit 22 which selects, when reproducing action of the avatar in the virtual space, an action log of which the conversation degree indicated by the conversation degree information is equal to or higher than a first threshold, and reproduces action of the avatar based on the selected action log.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a playback device and a playback method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, virtual spaces, especially those called metaverse spaces, which allow an unspecified number of users to log in from various locations around the world and interact with each other, have evolved and attracted attention. However, due to the flexibility of users' login times in metaverse spaces, there can be times when only a small number of users are logged in. Users who log in during such times may have the impression that the metaverse space is a lifeless and boring space, which raises concerns about a decline in user satisfaction with the metaverse space.

[0003] Therefore, in order to improve user satisfaction in virtual spaces such as the Metaverse, techniques have recently been proposed for creating a lively virtual space. For example, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, a log of the actions of a first avatar operated by a first user while the first user is viewing content is generated, and when a second user views the content after the first user has viewed the content, the content is played back and the actions of the first avatar are played back based on the log. This makes it possible to create the impression that the second user is viewing the content together with the first user in the virtual space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-184724 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a virtual space such as the Metaverse, it is possible to replay past avatars by applying the technology described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. In this case, if the avatars are actively interacting with each other, the Metaverse space can give the user the impression of being a more lively space, which is thought to further improve user satisfaction in the virtual space.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a playback device and a playback method that can further improve user satisfaction in virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A playback device according to one aspect includes: a recording control unit that calculates the degree of conversation of the avatar based on the number of times or duration of conversations the avatar has had in the virtual space, and records conversation degree information indicating the calculated conversation degree in a recording unit together with an operation log of the avatar; The system includes a playback unit that, when playing back the avatar's movements in the virtual space, selects the movement log whose conversation level indicated by the conversation level information is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and plays back the avatar's movements based on the selected movement log.

[0008] A reproducing method according to one aspect includes: A playback method executed by a playback device, comprising: a recording control step of calculating a conversation level of the avatar based on the number of times or duration of conversations the avatar has had in the virtual space, and recording conversation level information indicating the calculated conversation level together with an operation log of the avatar in a recording unit; The method includes a playback step of selecting an action log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information is equal to or greater than a first threshold when playing back the avatar's actions in the virtual space, and playing back the avatar's actions based on the selected action log. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above-described aspect, it is possible to provide a playback device and a playback method that can further improve the user's satisfaction in the virtual space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image of a metaverse space when a large number of users are logged in. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image of a metaverse space when the number of logged-in users is extremely small. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a playback device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow when the movement of an avatar is reproduced in the reproduction device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a playback device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow when the movement of an avatar is reproduced in the reproduction device according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a playback device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow when the movement of an avatar is reproduced in the reproduction device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer that implements all or part of the functions of the playback devices according to the first, second and third embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. In addition, in the following drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] <First Embodiment> First, before describing the playback device 10 according to the first embodiment, differences in the impression of the metaverse space depending on the number of logged-in users will be described.

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of what the metaverse space looks like when there are many logged-in users. In the metaverse space shown in Figure 1, there are many avatars other than the avatars operated by the users. This gives the user the impression that the metaverse space is lively and bustling.

[0014] On the other hand, Figure 2 shows an example of what the metaverse space looks like when there are extremely few logged-in users. In the metaverse space shown in Figure 2, there is only one avatar other than the avatar operated by the user. This gives the user the impression that the metaverse space is lifeless and boring. As a result, there is a concern that user satisfaction with the metaverse space will decrease.

[0015] The playback device 10 according to the first embodiment is configured as follows to play back a past avatar that is actively interacting with other avatars in the metaverse space.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the playback device 10 according to the first embodiment. 3, playback device 10 according to the first embodiment includes avatar action input unit 11, avatar action control unit 12, conversation level calculation unit 13, recording unit 14, selection unit 15, avatar drawing unit 16, and display unit 17. However, recording unit 14 and display unit 17 are not essential components of playback device 10, and may be provided outside playback device 10.

[0017] The avatar action input unit 11 receives instructions from a user who has logged in to the metaverse space regarding the action of the avatar that the user will operate. The avatar movement control unit 12 generates avatar movement control data, which is data for controlling the movement of the avatar in the metaverse space, based on instructions input to the avatar movement input unit 11. The avatar movement control data indicates the joint movements, facial expressions, movement path, conversation content, etc. of the avatar.

[0018] The conversation degree calculation unit 13 determines the number of times and duration of conversations that the avatar has had in the metaverse space based on the avatar's movement control data (e.g., conversation content, etc.) generated by the avatar movement control unit 12. Then, the conversation degree calculation unit 13 calculates the degree of conversation of the avatar as a conversation degree based on the number of times and duration of conversations that the avatar has had. At this time, the conversation degree calculation unit 13 calculates the conversation degree so that the conversation degree increases as the number of times the avatar has had conversations increases. Furthermore, the conversation degree calculation unit 13 calculates the conversation degree so that the conversation degree increases as the duration of conversations that the avatar has had is longer. The conversation level calculation unit 13 may calculate the conversation level based on either the number of conversations or the duration of conversations between the avatars.

[0019] Avatar action input unit 11 may include a microphone and receive conversation from the user via the microphone. Conversation level calculation unit 13 may measure the time from when the user starts speaking to when the user stops speaking, and calculate this as the time the avatar has been speaking. Conversation level calculation unit 13 may accumulate the time the avatar has been speaking until avatar action control unit 12, which will be described later, records an action log in recording unit 14.

[0020] If the time between when the user finishes speaking and when he / she starts speaking again is shorter than a predetermined time, the conversation level calculation unit 13 may calculate the time that the avatar spent speaking to include the time between when the user finishes speaking and when he / she starts speaking again.

[0021] When an avatar other than the user is present within a predetermined range from the avatar operated by the user, the conversation level calculation unit 13 may measure the time from when the user starts to speak until when the user finishes speaking, and calculate this as the time the avatar has been talking.

[0022] Avatar action input unit 11 may receive voices of other than the user. When an avatar other than the user exists within a predetermined range from the avatar operated by the user and when voices of other than the user are input, conversation level calculation unit 13 may measure the time from when the user starts to speak until when the user finishes speaking, and calculate this as the time the avatar has been speaking.

[0023] The conversational level calculation unit 13 may receive information about the source of voices other than the user's, and identify the individual(s) of the voices other than the user's. Alternatively, the conversational level calculation unit 13 may be equipped with a machine learning model that identifies individuals from voices, and identify the individual(s) of the voices other than the user's. The conversational level calculation unit 13 may calculate the amount of time the avatar spent talking for each identified individual of the voices other than the user's.

[0024] Conversation degree calculation unit 13 may calculate the number of times the avatar has conversed as one time each time it calculates the time the avatar has conversed. Conversation degree calculation unit 13 may accumulate the number of times the avatar has conversed until avatar action control unit 12, which will be described later, records an action log in recording unit 14. Conversation degree calculation unit 13 may calculate the number of times the avatar has conversed as one time when an avatar other than the user exists within a predetermined range from the avatar operated by the user and each time it calculates the time the avatar has conversed. The conversation degree calculation unit 13 may calculate the number of times the avatar has talked as one time when a predetermined time has passed since the user finished speaking. The conversation degree calculation unit 13 may determine the time from when the microphone is switched on to when it is switched off, and calculate the number of times the avatar has talked as one time. In the case of a so-called PTT (Push-to-Talk) method in which voice is input from a microphone only while a button is pressed, the conversation degree calculation unit 13 may determine the time from when the button is pressed to when it is released, and calculate the number of times the avatar has spoken as one time.

[0025] The avatar movement control unit 12 records a movement log (e.g., the avatar's joint movements, facial expressions, movement path, conversation content, etc.) corresponding to the avatar's movement control data in the recording unit 14 together with conversation level information indicating the conversation level calculated by the conversation level calculation unit 13.

[0026] Note that the conversation degree calculation unit 13 may also calculate the conversation degree for the avatar of a conversation partner with which the avatar conversed. When an avatar other than the user exists within a predetermined range from the avatar operated by the user and when a voice other than the user's voice is input, the conversation degree calculation unit 13 may determine that the avatar other than the user's voice is the avatar of the conversation partner, and may also determine that the voice other than the user's voice is the voice of the avatar of the conversation partner. Furthermore, avatar movement control unit 12 may record the movement log of the conversation partner's avatar in recording unit 14 together with the conversation level information of the conversation partner's avatar.

[0027] When a user logs in to the metaverse space, selection unit 15 selects the movement control data of the avatar to be operated by the user, which data was generated by avatar movement control unit 12, and passes the selected movement control data to avatar drawing unit 16. Avatar drawing unit 16 draws the movement of the avatar on display unit 17 based on the movement control data passed from selection unit 15.

[0028] In addition, when a user logs in to the metaverse space, the selection unit 15 compares the number of avatars currently present in the metaverse space (i.e., the number of users logged in to the metaverse space) with a specified value, either in parallel with the above-mentioned operation or before performing the above-mentioned operation.

[0029] As a result, if the number of avatars existing in the metaverse space is equal to or greater than a specified value, the avatar's actions are not played back. In other words, the selection unit 15 does not select an action log from the recording unit 14 that records the past avatar actions operated by users who had logged in to the metaverse space in the past.

[0030] On the other hand, if the number of avatars existing in the metaverse space is less than the specified value, the avatar's actions are played back. That is, the selection unit 15 selects an action log from the recording unit 14 in which the actions of past avatars operated by users who had logged in to the metaverse space in the past are recorded.

[0031] Specifically, the selection unit 15 determines whether or not there is an action log in the recording unit 14 in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 14 is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. If an action log with a conversation level equal to or greater than a first threshold exists in the recording unit 14, the selection unit 15 selects that action log. In this case, the selection unit 15 excludes action logs of avatars previously operated by a user logged in to the metaverse space. In other words, the selection unit 15 may select action logs of avatars previously operated by a user other than the logged-in user. The selection unit 15 may also limit the number of action logs to a predetermined number. When selecting a predetermined number of action logs from multiple action logs, the selection unit 15 may compare the date and time of the action log with the date and time of playback and select the action logs in descending order of the date and time of the action log. Here, the playback may be the current date and time, or the date and time at which the selection unit 15 selects the action log. Alternatively, the selection unit 15 may compare the date and time of the action log with a specific date and time specified by the user and select the action logs in descending order of the date and time of the action log with the date and time of the action log. The specific date and time may be, for example, the user's birthday, Christmas, New Year's, or the date and time of a specific event.

[0032] The selection unit 15 passes the motion control data of the motion log selected from the recording unit 14 to the avatar drawing unit 16. The avatar drawing unit 16 draws (plays) the motion of the avatar on the display unit 17 based on the motion control data passed from the selection unit 15.

[0033] On the other hand, if there is no action log in recording unit 14 whose conversation level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, selection unit 15 may select no action log and avatar drawing unit 16 may not play back the avatar's actions. Alternatively, selection unit 15 may set a new threshold lower than the first threshold, select an action log whose conversation level is equal to or greater than the new threshold, and avatar drawing unit 16 may play back the avatar's actions.

[0034] Avatar movement input unit 11 may be realized by, for example, a controller for moving an avatar, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a sensor attached to an HMD (Head Mounted Display), a motion capture system, or the like. Recording unit 14 may be realized by, for example, a memory configured by combining a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. Avatar movement control unit 12, conversation level calculation unit 13, selection unit 15, and avatar drawing unit 16 may be realized by, for example, a processor such as a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Avatar movement control unit 12, conversation level calculation unit 13, selection unit 15, and avatar drawing unit 16 may be realized by, for example, a processor reading and executing a program stored in a memory that realizes recording unit 14. Display unit 17 may be realized by, for example, a display device.

[0035] Fig. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow when reproducing the actions of an avatar in the reproduction device 10 according to the present embodiment 1. Note that Fig. 4 assumes that the action logs of past avatars that previously existed in the metaverse space have already been recorded in the recording unit 14 together with conversation level information indicating the conversation level of the past avatars.

[0036] 4, the selection unit 15 determines whether or not a user has logged in to the metaverse space (step S11). If a user has not logged in (No in step S11), the process returns to step S11.

[0037] In step S11, when a user logs in to the metaverse space (Yes in step S11), the avatar movement control unit 12 generates movement control data for the avatar to be operated by the user, the selection unit 15 selects the movement control data generated by the avatar movement control unit 12, and the avatar drawing unit 16 draws the movement of the avatar on the display unit 17 based on the movement control data selected by the selection unit 15 (step S12).

[0038] In addition, in parallel with the operation of step S12, the selection unit 15 compares the number of avatars currently existing in the metaverse space with a specified value (step S13). Note that the operation of step S13 may be performed before the operation of step S12.

[0039] In step S13, if the number of avatars is less than the specified value (Yes in step S13), the selection unit 15 selects past avatar behavior logs from the recording unit 14. Specifically, the selection unit 15 selects behavior logs in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the behavior logs in the recording unit 14 is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S14).

[0040] Thereafter, avatar drawing unit 16 draws (plays) the avatar's movements on display unit 17 based on the movement control data corresponding to the movement log of the avatar selected by selection unit 15 (step S15).

[0041] On the other hand, in step S13, if the number of avatars is equal to or greater than the specified value (No in step S13), the selection unit 15 decides not to select any past avatar action logs, and ends the process.

[0042] As described above, according to the first embodiment, avatar action control unit 12 records in recording unit 14 action logs of past avatars operated by users who previously logged in to the metaverse space, along with conversation level information indicating the conversation levels of the past avatars. When a user subsequently logs in to the metaverse space, if the number of avatars currently existing in the metaverse space is less than a specified value, selection unit 15 selects an action log whose conversation level, indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in recording unit 14, is equal to or greater than a first threshold. Avatar drawing unit 16 then plays back the avatar's actions based on the action log of the selected avatar.

[0043] This makes it possible to create a lively metaverse space even during times when there are few logged-in users. Furthermore, since the avatars operating according to the operation logs at this time are avatars with a high level of conversationality, it is expected that they will be actively conversing with other avatars. Therefore, when a user sees an avatar operating according to the operation logs, the avatars will be able to sense that the avatars are actively interacting with each other, making the metaverse space seem more lively. This can further improve user satisfaction in the metaverse space.

[0044] When the avatar rendering unit 16 plays back the avatar's actions based on the action log, it may also provide a reward to the user who operated the avatar. For example, the reward may be a coupon or points that can be used in the metaverse space. This is expected to encourage the user to operate the avatar more proactively to converse with other avatars in order to receive the reward. As a result, the metaverse space can be made more lively.

[0045] <Embodiment 2> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a playback device 10A according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, playback device 10A according to the second embodiment differs from playback device 10 according to the first embodiment in that an information amount calculation unit 18 is added, and avatar movement control unit 12 and selection unit 15 are replaced with avatar movement control unit 12A and selection unit 15A, respectively.

[0046] Note that avatar movement control unit 12A and selection unit 15A only partially differ in their operations from avatar movement control unit 12 and selection unit 15. Therefore, the following description will focus on the operations of avatar movement control unit 12A and selection unit 15A that differ from those of avatar movement control unit 12 and selection unit 15.

[0047] The information amount calculation unit 18 acquires, as operation information, input from the avatar action input unit 11 when the user operates the avatar in the metaverse space. Then, the information amount calculation unit 18 calculates the amount of operation information of the avatar based on the avatar action information. At this time, the information amount calculation unit 18 may calculate, for example, the amount of operation information of the avatar per unit time. Here, the amount of operation information depends on the type of the avatar action input unit 11. For example, if the avatar action input unit 11 is a motion capture system, the amount of operation information will be large, and if the avatar action input unit 11 is a mouse, keyboard, or the like, the amount of operation information will be small. The information amount calculation unit 18 may calculate the number of user inputs input to the avatar motion input unit 11 as the amount of operation information.

[0048] The avatar motion input unit 11, which uses a motion capture system, has the user wear multiple markers and detects the user's movements by tracking the markers with a camera at predetermined time intervals, and inputs the movements as operation information. The avatar motion input unit 11 may detect the user's movements using sensors such as acceleration sensors and angular velocity sensors instead of markers. The markers and sensors are worn on multiple parts of the user's body, such as joints. When there are a large number of markers and sensors, the amount of operation information becomes larger than when there are a small number of markers and sensors.

[0049] On the other hand, the avatar action input unit 11 using a mouse or keyboard inputs operations input by the user to the mouse or keyboard as operation information. The amount of operation information when using a mouse or keyboard is less than the amount of operation information when using a motion capture system. In particular, the difference in the amount of operation information between the two becomes greater as the number of markers and sensors increases.

[0050] The avatar movement control unit 12A records an movement log corresponding to the avatar movement control data in the recording unit 14 together with conversation level information indicating the conversation level calculated by the conversation level calculation unit 13 and information amount information indicating the amount of operation information calculated by the information amount calculation unit 18.

[0051] As in the above-described first embodiment, when a user logs in to the metaverse space, if the number of avatars present in the metaverse space is less than a specified value, the selection unit 15A plays back the avatar's movements and selects the avatar's movement log from the recording unit 14.

[0052] However, in this embodiment 2, when playing back the avatar's actions, the selection unit 15A selects the action log based on the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 14 and the amount of operation information indicated by the information amount information.

[0053] For example, in the case of an action log with a high conversational level, an avatar acting in accordance with the action log is expected to be actively conversing with other avatars, which can contribute to creating a lively metaverse space. Therefore, a high conversational level is preferable.

[0054] Furthermore, in the case of an action log with a small amount of operation information, the amount of action control data is small, and therefore the amount of action control data transferred from recording unit 14 to avatar rendering unit 16 is small. Therefore, if you want to play back the actions of many avatars, an action log with a small amount of operation information is suitable.

[0055] However, if the amount of operation information in the action log is small, the avatar that moves according to the action log will not move realistically, for example, in terms of joint movements, etc. Therefore, if you want to reproduce the avatar's movements realistically, an action log with a small amount of operation information is not suitable.

[0056] On the other hand, in the case of an action log with a large amount of operation information, the avatar that moves according to the action log will have more realistic movements, for example, in terms of joint movements, etc. Therefore, for example, if a user logged in to the metaverse space wants to draw an avatar operated by that user and want to reproduce a nearby avatar with realistic movements, an action log with a large amount of operation information is suitable.

[0057] However, in the case of an action log with a large amount of operation information, the amount of action control data is large, and therefore a large amount of action control data must be transferred from recording unit 14 to avatar rendering unit 16. Therefore, if you want to play back the actions of many avatars, an action log with a large amount of operation information is not suitable.

[0058] Therefore, when reproducing the actions of many avatars, the selection unit 15A selects an action log with a high degree of conversation and a small amount of operation information. Specifically, the selection unit 15A selects an operation log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the operation log in the recording unit 14 is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and the amount of operation information indicated by the information amount information recorded together with the operation log in the recording unit 14 is less than a second threshold.

[0059] Alternatively, when the selection unit 15A is drawing an avatar operated by a user logged in to the metaverse space and playing back a nearby avatar with realistic movements, it selects the action log of the avatar that is close to the avatar being drawn, which has a high degree of conversation and a large amount of operation information.

[0060] Specifically, based on the action logs (e.g., movement paths, etc.) recorded in recording unit 14, selection unit 15A identifies avatars located within a predetermined range from the avatar being drawn and operated by the user, and extracts the action logs of the identified avatars from recording unit 14. Then, selection unit 15A selects, from the extracted action logs of the avatars, action logs in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action logs in recording unit 14 is equal to or greater than a first threshold and the amount of operation information indicated by the information amount information recorded together with the action logs in recording unit 14 is equal to or greater than a third threshold. In this case, the second threshold and the third threshold may be the same value or different values. The selection unit 15A may specify avatars (other than the user) that are included in a circle of a predetermined radius from the user's avatar as avatars located within a predetermined range. In the second embodiment, the configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0061] Avatar movement control unit 12A, selection unit 15A, and information amount calculation unit 18 may be realized by a processor such as a microprocessor, an MPU, or a CPU. Avatar movement control unit 12A, selection unit 15A, and information amount calculation unit 18 may also be realized by a processor reading and executing a program stored in a memory that realizes recording unit 14.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow when reproducing the actions of an avatar in reproduction device 10A according to Embodiment 2. Note that Fig. 6 assumes that the action logs of past avatars that previously existed in the metaverse space have already been recorded in recording unit 14 together with conversation level information indicating the conversation level of the past avatars and information amount information indicating the amount of operation information of the past avatars.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, first, the processes of steps S11 to S13 similar to steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment are performed.

[0064] In step S13, if the number of avatars is less than the specified value (Yes in step S13), the selection unit 15A selects past avatar action logs from the recording unit 14. Specifically, the selection unit 15A selects the action logs based on the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action logs in the recording unit 14 and the operation information amount indicated by the information amount information recorded together with the action logs in the recording unit 14 (step S24).

[0065] At this time, for example, the selection unit 15A may select an action log having a high conversation level and a small amount of operation information, as described above. Specifically, the selection unit 15A selects an action log having a conversation level equal to or greater than a first threshold and an amount of operation information less than a second threshold.

[0066] Alternatively, the selection unit 15A may select an action log having a high conversation level and a large amount of operation information from among the action logs of avatars located near the avatar being drawn and operated by a user who has logged in to the metaverse space. Specifically, the selection unit 15A identifies avatars located within a predetermined range from the user's avatar, and extracts the action logs of the identified avatars from the recording unit 14. Then, the selection unit 15A selects, from the action logs of the extracted avatars, an action log having a conversation level equal to or greater than a first threshold and an amount of operation information equal to or greater than a third threshold.

[0067] Thereafter, avatar drawing unit 16 draws (plays) the avatar's movements on display unit 17 based on the movement control data corresponding to the movement log of the avatar selected by selection unit 15A (step S25).

[0068] On the other hand, in step S13, if the number of avatars is equal to or greater than the specified value (No in step S13), the selection unit 15A decides not to select any past avatar action logs, and ends the process.

[0069] As described above, according to the second embodiment, avatar action control unit 12A records in recording unit 14 action logs of past avatars operated by users who previously logged in to the metaverse space, together with conversation level information indicating the conversation level of the past avatars and information amount information indicating the amount of operation information of the past avatars. When a user subsequently logs in to the metaverse space, if the number of avatars currently existing in the metaverse space is less than a specified value, selection unit 15A selects an action log based on the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in recording unit 14 and the operation information amount indicated by the information amount information recorded together with the action log in recording unit 14. Avatar drawing unit 16 then plays back the action of the avatar based on the action log of the selected avatar.

[0070] At this time, for example, the selection unit 15A may select a motion log with a high degree of conversation and a small amount of operation information. In this case, the amount of motion control data in the motion log is small, so the amount of motion control data transferred from the recording unit 14 to the avatar drawing unit 16 can be reduced. As a result, many avatar motions can be reproduced.

[0071] Alternatively, the selection unit 15A may select an action log with a high degree of conversation and a large amount of operation information from the action logs of avatars near the avatar being drawn and operated by a user who has logged in to the metaverse space. In this case, the avatars near the avatar being drawn and operated by the user can be reproduced with realistic movements.

[0072] Furthermore, regardless of which of the above options is selected, the avatar acting according to the behavior log is an avatar with a high level of conversationality, and is therefore expected to be actively conversing with other avatars. Therefore, when a user sees an avatar acting according to the behavior log, the avatars will be actively interacting with each other, and the metaverse space will feel more lively. This can further improve user satisfaction in the metaverse space.

[0073] The selection unit 15A may select in advance either an operation log with a small amount of operation information or an operation log with a large amount of operation information. The selection unit 15A may select an operation log with a large amount of operation information within a predetermined range from the user, and may select an operation log with a small amount of operation information outside the predetermined range from the user. The selection unit 15A may determine whether or not there is an action log of an avatar located within a predetermined range from the user, and if the determination is true, select an action log with a large amount of operation information, or if the determination is false, select an action log with a small amount of operation information.

[0074] The selection unit 15A may determine whether or not there are action logs of avatars located within a predetermined range from the user, and if the determination is true, select an action log with a large amount of operation information, and if the determination is false, select an action log with a small amount of operation information. Outside the predetermined range from the user, the selection unit 15A may select an action log with a small amount of operation information. The selection unit 15A may select an action log that has a high degree of conversation and a large amount of operation information, instead of an action log of an avatar located within a predetermined range from the user. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0075] <Third Embodiment> 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a playback device 20 according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment corresponds to an embodiment that is a superordinate concept of the first and second embodiments described above. As shown in FIG. 7, a playback device 20 according to the third embodiment includes a recording control unit 21 and a playback unit 22.

[0076] Recording control unit 21 corresponds to avatar movement control unit 12, 12A, conversation level calculation unit 13, and information amount calculation unit 18 in the above-described first and second embodiments. Playback unit 22 corresponds to selection unit 15, 15A, and avatar drawing unit 16 in the above-described first and second embodiments.

[0077] Recording control unit 21 calculates the degree of conversation of the avatar based on the number of times or duration of conversations that the avatar has had in the virtual space, as a conversation degree, and records conversation degree information indicating the calculated conversation degree together with an operation log of the avatar in recording unit 23 outside playback device 20. Recording unit 23 corresponds to recording unit 14 according to the first and second embodiments described above, but is not limited to being provided outside playback device 20, and may be provided inside playback device 20.

[0078] The playback unit 22 plays back the actions of the avatar on a display unit 24 outside the playback device 20, based on the action log and conversation level information recorded in the recording unit 23. The display unit 24 corresponds to the display unit 17 according to the first and second embodiments described above, but is not limited to being provided outside the playback device 20, and may be provided inside the playback device 20.

[0079] Here, when reproducing the actions of an avatar in a virtual space, the reproduction unit 22 selects an action log whose conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 23 is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and reproduces the actions of the avatar based on the selected action log.

[0080] At this time, the reproduction unit 22 may compare the number of avatars present in the virtual space with a predetermined threshold, and if the number is less than the predetermined threshold, reproduce the movements of the avatars. If the number of avatars present in the virtual space is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the reproduction unit 22 may not reproduce the movements of the avatars.

[0081] Alternatively, the reproduction unit 22 may compare the congestion level of the virtual space with another predetermined threshold, and reproduce the avatar's movements if the congestion level is less than the other predetermined threshold. The reproduction unit 22 may not reproduce the avatar's movements if the congestion level of the virtual space is equal to or greater than the other predetermined threshold. Here, the congestion level refers to the number of avatars located per unit area of ​​the virtual space.

[0082] Fig. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow when reproducing the actions of an avatar in reproduction device 20 according to embodiment 3. Note that Fig. 8 assumes that the action logs of past avatars that previously existed in the virtual space have already been recorded in recording unit 23 together with conversation level information indicating the conversation level of the past avatars.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 8, when reproducing the actions of an avatar in a virtual space, the reproduction unit 22 selects an action log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 23 is equal to or greater than a first threshold (step S31).

[0084] Thereafter, the reproducing unit 22 reproduces the movements of the avatar based on the movement log selected in step S31 (step S32).

[0085] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the recording control unit 21 calculates the degree of conversation based on the number of times or duration of conversations that the avatar has had in the virtual space, as a conversation degree, and records conversation degree information indicating the calculated conversation degree together with the avatar's action log in the recording unit 23. When reproducing the avatar's actions in the virtual space, the reproduction unit 22 selects an action log in which the conversation degree indicated by the conversation degree information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 23 is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and reproduces the avatar's actions based on the selected action log.

[0086] This allows a lively virtual space to be created even during times when there are few logged-in users. Furthermore, since the avatars operating according to the operation logs at this time are avatars with a high level of conversation, it is expected that they will be actively conversing with other avatars. Therefore, when a user sees an avatar operating according to the operation logs, the avatars will be interacting actively with each other, and the virtual space will feel more lively. This can further improve user satisfaction in the virtual space.

[0087] In addition, the recording control unit 21 may calculate the amount of operation information of the avatar based on the operation information when the avatar is operated in the virtual space, and further record information amount indicating the calculated amount of operation information in the recording unit 23 together with the avatar's operation log.

[0088] In this case, when reproducing the actions of the avatar in the virtual space, the reproduction unit 22 may select an action log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 23 is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and the amount of operation information indicated by the information amount information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 23 is less than a second threshold, and reproduce the actions of the avatar based on the selected action log.

[0089] Alternatively, in this case, when reproducing the actions of an avatar in a virtual space, the reproduction unit 22 may extract, from the action logs recorded in the recording unit 23, action logs of avatars located within a predetermined range from the avatar operated by the user. Then, the reproduction unit 22 may select, from the extracted action logs, an action log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 23 is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the amount of operation information indicated by the information amount information recorded together with the action log in the recording unit 23 is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and reproduce the actions of the avatar based on the selected action log. In this case, the second threshold and the third threshold may be the same value or different values.

[0090] Furthermore, when the playback unit 22 plays back the actions of the avatar based on the action log, it may provide a reward to the user who operated the avatar. Examples of the reward may be the same as those described in the first embodiment.

[0091] <Computer that realizes the playback device according to the embodiment> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 30 that implements all or part of the functions of the playback devices 10, 10A, and 20 according to the first to third embodiments described above. As shown in FIG. 9, a computer 30 includes a processor 31 and a memory 32 .

[0092] The processor 31 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU, or a CPU. The processor 31 may include multiple processors.

[0093] The memory 32 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 32 may include storage located remotely from the processor 31. In this case, the processor 31 may access the memory 32 via an I (Input) / O (Output) interface (not shown).

[0094] A program is stored in the memory 32. When the program is loaded into the computer 30, it includes a set of instructions (or software code) that causes the computer 30 to perform all or part of the functions of the playback devices 10, 10A, and 20 according to the first to third embodiments described above. The components of the playback devices 10, 10A, and 20 described above may be realized by the processor 31 reading and executing the program stored in the memory 32. Furthermore, the storage function of the playback devices 10, 10A, and 20 described above may be realized by the memory 32.

[0095] The above-described programs may also be stored on non-transitory computer-readable media or tangible storage media. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media or tangible storage media include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The programs may also be transmitted on transitory computer-readable media or communication media. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable media or communication media include electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0096] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10,10A Regeneration Device 11 Avatar movement input unit 12, 12A Avatar movement control section 13 Conversational level calculation unit 14 Recording section 15,15A selection section 16 Avatar Drawing Section 17 Display section 18 Information amount calculation section 20 Playback device 21 Recording control section 22 Playback Department 23 Recording Section 24 Display section 30 Computer 31 processors 32 memory

Claims

1. a recording control unit that calculates the degree of conversation of the avatar based on the number of times or duration of conversations the avatar has had in the virtual space, and records conversation degree information indicating the calculated conversation degree in a recording unit together with an operation log of the avatar; a playback unit that, when playing back an action of an avatar in the virtual space, selects the action log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and plays back the action of the avatar based on the selected action log. playback device.

2. the recording control unit calculates an amount of operation information of the avatar based on operation information when the avatar is operated in the virtual space, and further records information amount information indicating the calculated amount of operation information in the recording unit together with the operation log of the avatar; When reproducing the action of the avatar in the virtual space, the reproduction unit selects the action log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the amount of operation information indicated by the information amount information is less than a second threshold, and reproduces the action of the avatar based on the selected action log. The playback device according to claim 1 .

3. the recording control unit calculates an amount of operation information of the avatar based on operation information when the avatar is operated in the virtual space, and further records information amount information indicating the calculated amount of operation information in the recording unit together with the operation log of the avatar; When reproducing the actions of an avatar in the virtual space, the reproduction unit extracts the action logs of avatars located within a predetermined range from the avatar operated by the user, selects from the extracted action logs an action log for which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the amount of operation information indicated by the information amount information is equal to or greater than a third threshold, and reproduces the actions of the avatar based on the selected action log. The playback device according to claim 1 .

4. When the reproduction unit reproduces the action of the avatar based on the action log, it provides a reward to the user who operated the avatar. The playback device according to claim 1 .

5. A playback method executed by a playback device, comprising: a recording control step of calculating a conversation level of the avatar based on the number of times or duration of conversations the avatar has had in the virtual space, and recording conversation level information indicating the calculated conversation level together with an operation log of the avatar in a recording unit; a reproducing step of selecting, in the virtual space, the action log in which the conversation level indicated by the conversation level information is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and reproducing the action of the avatar based on the selected action log, when reproducing the action of the avatar. How to play.

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