Virtual space construction system, method and program

Abstract

To provide a virtual space construction system, a method and a program which can select any virtual space template and an object template, and easily construct a virtual space.SOLUTION: In a virtual space construction system 1, a server 100 comprises: a data storage unit 110 in which a plurality of virtual space templates created on the basis of three-dimensional image data, and a plurality of object templates created on the basis of the three-dimensional image data are stored; a virtual space setting unit 120 which presents the plurality of virtual space templates to a provider terminal 200 operated by a provider of a virtual space, and sets the virtual space based on one virtual space template selected from these; and an object setting unit 130 which presents the plurality of object templates to the provider terminal 200, and arranges a virtual object based on one or two or more object templates selected from these at any position of the virtual space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual space construction system, method, and program for constructing and providing a virtual space. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a virtual space built on the Internet called the metaverse has been widely used. In the metaverse, stores, houses, buildings, and other structures are arranged just like in the real world, and users can freely move around the metaverse using their virtual avatars, shopping, viewing exhibits, and communicating with other users in the same metaverse. The use of the metaverse is also spreading to the business field; for example, conferences and seminars are held in the metaverse, and participants attend using avatars.

[0003] Examples of systems that provide users with virtual spaces include a system that provides users with a virtual sightseeing experience by registering spatial data consisting of captured images of real tourist spots in map data, allowing the user to select a virtual tourist spot from the map data that shows the locations of multiple virtual tourist spots, and displaying a virtual space corresponding to the virtual tourist spot selected by the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and a virtual exhibition system that allows users viewing the virtual space to view virtual exhibits arranged in the virtual space by virtually moving within the virtual space, and that includes an exhibit arrangement means that arranges the virtual exhibit at any position in the virtual space based on the operation of the exhibit user, a lighting arrangement means that arranges virtual lighting for the virtual exhibit based on the operation of the exhibit user, and an image processing means that depicts the surface of the virtual exhibit that changes when virtual lighting of set parameters is virtually irradiated on it (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0004] The system of Patent Document 1 can provide users with an experience similar to a real trip within a virtual space, and the system of Patent Document 2 can arbitrarily set conditions such as the lighting conditions for virtual exhibits placed within the virtual space, allowing for a presentation that closely resembles the exhibits in real space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-47281 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-133109 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The system of Patent Document 1 allows users to select the virtual tourist destinations they want to visit, while the system of Patent Document 2 allows the exhibition user, who is the provider of the virtual space, to freely set lighting effects for the virtual exhibits installed in the virtual space. However, both systems provide virtual spaces limited to one purpose, such as tourist destinations and exhibition halls, and are not intended to provide virtual spaces for a wide range of purposes, such as offices, stores, and exhibition halls. Furthermore, building a virtual space requires creating and editing the three-dimensional image data that serves as the material, which requires appropriate knowledge to create and provide the virtual space to users. Therefore, if a system could be provided that allows users to easily build virtual spaces without specialized knowledge, it would greatly improve the convenience of virtual space providers and further expand the scope of use.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a virtual space construction system, method, and program that enables a provider of the virtual space to easily construct a virtual space according to its intended purpose. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The means taken by the present invention to solve the above problem is a virtual space construction system comprising a server and a provider terminal operated by a virtual space provider and connected to the server through a network, wherein the server comprises: a data storage unit in which a plurality of virtual space templates created based on three-dimensional image data and a plurality of object templates created based on the three-dimensional image data are stored; a virtual space setting unit that presents the plurality of virtual space templates to the provider terminal and sets a virtual space based on a selected virtual space template; and an object setting unit that presents the plurality of object templates to the provider terminal and places virtual objects based on the selected one or more object templates at any position in the virtual space.

[0009] In other words, the virtual space construction system of the present invention allows a user to easily construct a customized virtual space by selecting any virtual space template and object template from a plurality of pre-stored virtual space templates.

[0010] The data storage unit may further store a plurality of avatar templates created based on three-dimensional image data, and the server may further include an avatar setting unit that presents the plurality of avatar templates to a visitor terminal operated by a visitor to the virtual space and creates an avatar with any appearance from a selected avatar template.

[0011] This makes it easy to create avatars with customized appearances.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is a virtual space construction method executed by a virtual space construction system including a server and a provider terminal operated by a virtual space provider and connected to the server via a network, the virtual space construction method comprising: a data storage step in which a plurality of virtual space templates created based on three-dimensional image data and a plurality of object templates created based on the three-dimensional image data are stored in the server; a virtual space setting step in which the plurality of virtual space templates are presented to the provider terminal and a virtual space is set based on a selected virtual space template; and an object setting step in which the plurality of object templates are presented to the provider terminal and virtual objects based on the selected one or more object templates are placed at any position in the virtual space.

[0013] This virtual space construction method is a method executed by the virtual space construction system.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer connected via a network to a provider terminal operated by a provider of a virtual space to function as a server comprising: a data storage unit that stores a plurality of virtual space templates created based on three-dimensional image data and a plurality of object templates created based on three-dimensional image data; a virtual space setting unit that presents the plurality of virtual space templates to the provider terminal and sets a virtual space based on one selected virtual space template; and an object setting unit that presents the plurality of object templates to the provider terminal and places virtual objects based on one or more selected object templates at any position in the virtual space.

[0015] This program causes a computer to execute the functions of a server that includes a data storage unit, a virtual space setting unit, and an object setting unit.

[0016] In this specification and claims, "virtual space" includes not only a three-dimensional space constructed on a computer, but also a three-dimensional space (metaverse) where people interact and engage in social activities over a network as if in the real world, and "virtual objects" include three-dimensional images of objects, two-dimensional images, videos, text, etc., and data files such as images and documents linked to these. Furthermore, "provider" refers to a person who provides a created virtual space to a third party, and "visitor" refers to a person who enters or wishes to enter a virtual space constructed by a provider. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the virtual space construction system, method, and program of the present invention, a virtual space can be easily constructed by selecting any virtual space template and object template. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a virtual space construction system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the virtual space creation system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen for a virtual space template in the virtual space construction system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a display screen of a virtual space constructed by the virtual space construction system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a selection screen for an object template to be placed in a virtual space constructed by the virtual space construction system according to the embodiment; [Figure 6] 10 is a setting screen for a virtual object to be placed in a virtual space constructed by the virtual space construction system according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a setting screen for an avatar operated in a virtual space created by the virtual space creation system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention provides a virtual space construction system, method, and program that allows for easy construction of a virtual space.

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Example]

[0021] Figure 1 shows a virtual space construction system 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as system 1 for convenience). The virtual space construction system 1 is a system that constructs and provides a metaverse, and comprises a server 100, a provider terminal 200, and one or more visitor terminals 300, which are networked together via the Internet N.

[0022] The server 100 is a computer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage media, etc., and includes a data storage unit 110, a virtual space setting unit 120, an object setting unit 130, and an avatar setting unit 140.

[0023] The data storage unit 110 is provided in a storage medium such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive connected to the server 100, and stores virtual space templates, object templates, and avatar templates.

[0024] A virtual space template is composed of 3DCG model data that represents the interior and / or exterior of facilities such as homes, offices, conference rooms, shops, art galleries, museums, schools, showrooms, event halls, etc. An object template is composed of 3DCG model data that represents buildings, furniture, small items, etc.

[0025] An avatar template is made up of 3DCG model data that expresses various elements of the avatar, such as body shape, facial features, hairstyle, clothing, etc. An avatar is a character placed in a virtual space, and visitors can control it as their own alter ego, moving freely within the virtual space and performing various actions such as shopping and communicating with other visitors.

[0026] The virtual space setting unit 120 transmits a plurality of virtual space templates stored in the data storage unit 110 to the provider terminal 200 (described later), generates a virtual space based on the virtual space template selected by the virtual space provider, and displays it on the provider terminal 200 and the visitor terminal 300 (described later). The virtual space setting unit 120 functions by the CPU executing a program stored on a storage medium such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive connected to the server 100.

[0027] The object setting unit 130 transmits a plurality of object templates stored in the data storage unit 110 to the provider terminal 200 (described later), generates a virtual object based on an object template selected by the provider of the virtual space, and places the generated virtual object at any position in the virtual space. The object setting unit 130 can also handle virtual objects that are not based on object templates. For example, the object setting unit 130 can display and / or download images, videos, document data, etc. stored separately in the data storage unit 110 or other storage media to the virtual object, or link a separately stored program to the virtual object so that the linked program can be launched and used within the virtual space. The object setting unit 130 functions by the CPU executing a program stored in a storage medium, such as a hard disk drive or solid-state drive, connected to the server 100.

[0028] The avatar setting unit 140 transmits the avatar templates stored in the data storage unit 110 to the visitor terminal 300 (described later), generates an avatar based on the avatar template selected by the visitor, and places it in the virtual space. The avatar placed in the virtual space can be operated from the visitor terminal 300 (described later). The avatar setting unit 140 functions by the CPU executing a program stored on a storage medium such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive connected to the server 100.

[0029] The provider terminal 200 and the visitor terminal 300 are, for example, computers equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage media, etc., such as a personal computer, a high-function mobile phone (smartphone), a tablet PC, or a head-mounted display, and are equipped with a display capable of displaying a virtual space and a browser.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows the processing operations performed by the system 1, and FIGS. 3 to 7 show screens displayed on the provider terminal 200 or the visitor terminal 300 during the processing operations.

[0031] The process of constructing a virtual space will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. First, a provider who wants to construct a virtual space accesses the server 100 from the provider terminal 200 that the provider operates, creates an account, and logs in to the system 1 (step S1). When creating an account, information about the provider, such as an email address, name, company name, and nickname, is entered, and an ID and password are set. The provider can create and manage the virtual space by logging in to the system 1 using this ID and password. When logging in, biometric authentication may be used, which identifies the provider's fingerprint or face, instead of entering an ID and password. Information about the account created by the provider is stored in an information management unit (not shown) provided in the data storage unit 110.

[0032] Once the provider has logged in to server 100, virtual space setting unit 120 presents multiple virtual space templates stored in data storage unit 110 to provider terminal 200 (step S2). The provider selects a desired virtual space template from the multiple virtual space templates displayed on provider terminal 200 (step S3). FIG. 3 shows virtual space template selection screen 220. Virtual space template selection screen 220 displays category selection section 221, from which virtual space templates can be displayed by category. In FIG. 3, the residential category is selected, and two virtual space templates 222a and 222b belonging to this category are displayed. The provider can select either of the two virtual space templates 222a or 222b to build a virtual space for the residential home. After selecting a virtual space template, various settings can also be configured, such as whether or not visitors are permitted to use each function in the virtual space.

[0033] Once the selection of the virtual space template and various settings are complete, a virtual space based on the selected virtual space template is displayed on the provider terminal 200. Figure 4 shows the display screen of the provider terminal 200, where (1) is virtual space 223a representing the interior of the house, and (2) is virtual space 223b representing the exterior of the house.

[0034] Next, the object setting unit 130 presents a plurality of object templates stored in the data storage unit 110 to the provider terminal 200. The provider selects a desired object template from the plurality of object templates displayed on the provider terminal 200 and places it in the virtual space (step S4). FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show an object template selection screen 230a and a virtual object placement screen 230b displayed on the provider terminal 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the object template selection screen 230a displays a selection unit 231 in which thumbnails of object templates representing furniture, small items, etc. are arranged. The provider can select a desired object template from the selection unit 231. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the adjustment unit 232 adjusts the size and orientation of a virtual object based on the selected object template and places it at any position in the virtual space. These operations are performed for each selected virtual object, completing the construction of the virtual space (step S5). The constructed virtual space is saved in association with the provider's account registered on the server 100. If multiple virtual spaces are associated with one account, any virtual space can be selected and displayed.

[0035] The constructed virtual space is made public on the Internet N (step S6). If entry to the virtual space is limited to specific individuals, the visitor accesses the server 100 from the visitor terminal 300 that he or she operates and creates an account (step S7). To create an account, visitor information such as an email address, name, company name, and nickname is entered, and an ID and password are set. Visitors can enter the virtual space by logging in to the system 1 using this ID and password. When logging in, biometric authentication may be used, which identifies the provider's fingerprint or face, instead of entering an ID and password. Information regarding the account created by the provider is stored in an information management unit (not shown) provided in the data storage unit 110.

[0036] Once the visitor has logged in to the server 100 from the visitor terminal 300, they can create their own avatar (steps S8 and S9). An avatar is created by selecting any avatar template from multiple avatar templates presented to the visitor terminal 300 by the avatar setting unit 140. Figure 7 shows the avatar setting screen 240 displayed on the visitor terminal 300. The avatar setting screen 240 displays a base character 241 and an element selection unit 242. From this screen, the visitor can set the gender and body type of the base character 241, and select various elements of the base character 241, such as hairstyle and clothing, from the element selection unit 241, thereby creating a characterized avatar.

[0037] Once the avatar has been created, the visitor can operate the avatar from the visitor terminal 300 to enter the virtual space and act within the virtual space (step S10).

[0038] According to the virtual space construction system, method, and program of this embodiment, a virtual space can be created by selecting any virtual space template from multiple virtual space templates pre-stored in the data storage unit 110. This allows a provider to easily construct a virtual space that suits their purpose, etc. Furthermore, since virtual objects can be freely placed in the constructed virtual space, the virtual space can be easily customized. Furthermore, when a provider creates multiple virtual spaces, the provider can switch to and display the desired virtual space.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims and the scope of the embodiments, and these modifications and combinations are also included in the scope of rights.

[0040] For example, the data storage unit 110 may store data constituting 3DCG models other than virtual spaces, virtual objects, and avatars, or may store data such as two-dimensional image data, images, videos, and documents as virtual objects. The virtual space setting unit 120, object setting unit 130, and avatar setting unit 140 may have an editing function that enables changes to be made to templates and elements stored in the data storage unit 110, or a function that automatically generates virtual spaces, virtual objects, and avatars using artificial intelligence. Furthermore, virtual spaces, virtual objects, and avatars may be configured using 3DCG model data owned by providers or visitors.

[0041] Furthermore, when the constructed virtual space is made public on the Internet N, a domain selection function may be provided that allows the user to select whether to use a domain owned by the server operator or a domain owned by the provider.

[0042] In addition, known functions such as a guest login function that allows entry to the virtual space without creating an account, a chat function, a live streaming function, a document / image display function, a translation function, a simultaneous interpretation function, an electronic payment function, and a blockchain function may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Virtual space construction system 100 servers 110 Data storage unit 120 Virtual Space Setting Section 130 Object Settings 140 Avatar Settings 200 Provider Terminal 300 Visitor terminal

Claims

1. a provider terminal operated by a provider of a virtual space and connected to the server via a network; The server a data storage unit that stores a plurality of virtual space templates created based on the three-dimensional image data and a plurality of object templates created based on the three-dimensional image data; a virtual space setting unit that presents the plurality of virtual space templates to the provider terminal and sets a virtual space based on one selected virtual space template; an object setting unit that presents the plurality of object templates to the provider terminal and places a virtual object based on one or more selected object templates at an arbitrary position in the virtual space; A virtual space construction system comprising:

2. the data storage unit further stores a plurality of avatar templates created based on the three-dimensional image data; The virtual space construction system according to claim 1, characterized in that the server further comprises an avatar setting unit that presents the plurality of avatar templates to a visitor terminal operated by a visitor to the virtual space and creates an avatar of any appearance from a selected avatar template.

3. A virtual space construction method executed by a virtual space construction system including a server and a provider terminal operated by a virtual space provider and connected to the server via a network, comprising: a data storage step in which a plurality of virtual space templates created based on the three-dimensional image data and a plurality of object templates created based on the three-dimensional image data are stored in the server; a virtual space setting step of presenting the plurality of virtual space templates to the provider terminal and setting a virtual space based on one selected virtual space template; an object setting step of presenting the plurality of object templates to the provider terminal and placing a virtual object based on one or more selected object templates at an arbitrary position in the virtual space; A virtual space construction method comprising:

4. A computer connected to a provider terminal operated by a provider of the virtual space via a network, a data storage unit that stores a plurality of virtual space templates created based on the three-dimensional image data and a plurality of object templates created based on the three-dimensional image data; a virtual space setting unit that presents the plurality of virtual space templates to the provider terminal and sets a virtual space based on one selected virtual space template; an object setting unit that presents the plurality of object templates to the provider terminal and places a virtual object based on one or more selected object templates at an arbitrary position in the virtual space; A program that causes the computer to function as a server having the above-mentioned functions.

Images