Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program for displaying objects in a manner suitable for a virtual space. [Solution] An information processing device 20 that displays a virtual space on an information terminal used by a user, comprising: a reception unit 211 that functions as a identifying unit to identify a virtual space selected from a plurality of virtual spaces; and a display control unit 212 that displays one or more of the avatars and sub-objects attached to the avatars, whose appearances have been set in advance by the user, on the information terminal in an appearance corresponding to the selected virtual space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a video distribution system that distributes a video including an animation in which a character object is arranged in a virtual space is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional video distribution systems can arrange a character object specified by a user in a virtual space. However, since it is not possible to apply a decoration or dress code suitable for the virtual space to the character object, there is a problem that the user may feel uncomfortable with the character object arranged in the virtual space.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to display an object in a manner suitable for a virtual space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that displays a virtual space on an information terminal used by a user, and comprises: an identification unit that identifies a virtual space selected from a plurality of virtual spaces; and a display control unit that displays one or more of an avatar whose configuration has been set in advance by the user and sub-objects to be attached to the avatar on the information terminal in a configuration corresponding to the selected virtual space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the effect is achieved of displaying objects in a manner suitable for virtual space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This shows an example of a screen where the user selects an avatar and a virtual space. [Figure 3] This is an example of a screen showing avatar A1 in a virtual space. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of information terminal 10. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 20. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of virtual space information stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of parts information stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of avatar information stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of user information stored in the memory unit 22. [Figure 11] This is a diagram illustrating the process of changing the color of avatar A1. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of the editing screen. [Figure 13]This is a diagram to explain a virtual space where the background image changes. [Figure 14] This is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the information processing device 20. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Overview of Information Processing System 1> Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of Information Processing System 1 according to this embodiment. The Information Processing System 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises one or more information terminals 10 (first information terminal 10-1, second information terminal 10-2, third information terminal 10-3) and an information processing device 20. The multiple information terminals 10 and information processing device 20 are interconnected with each other via a network N of the Internet, intranet, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or mobile communication network.

[0010] Information terminal 10 is a terminal used by users (hereinafter referred to as "users") who utilize a service that displays a virtual space (for example, a metaverse) in the information processing system 1. It is an information processing terminal such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet, or a personal computer. Information terminal 10 has a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as "dedicated app") installed, for example, for users to utilize the service that displays the virtual space.

[0011] A service for displaying a virtual space is, for example, a service that displays a character object (hereinafter referred to as an "avatar") specified by a user on an image of a virtual space specified by the user. The virtual space is an arbitrary virtual indoor or outdoor space such as a virtual store, event venue, or school displayed on the information terminal 10. The service for displaying the virtual space may mix an image of the real space in some of the images. That is, it may have a function of augmented reality. Also, the virtual space may be either a two-dimensional space or a three-dimensional space. Image data corresponding to the image of the virtual space may be distributed to a plurality of information terminals 10 connected to the network N so that a plurality of users can view it.

[0012] The image data corresponding to the virtual space may be either moving image data or still image data. When the image data corresponding to the virtual space is moving image data, the moving image data is, for example, streamed to the information terminal 10 via the network N. Note that the image data corresponding to the virtual space may be still image data, and only the image data of the avatar may be moving image data that moves by the operation of the user.

[0013] In the service for displaying the virtual space, it may be a video distribution service executed by combining the image data of the virtual space and the image data of the avatar. In this case, there may be a plurality of image data of avatars that can be combined with the image data of one virtual space. Also, a plurality of avatars corresponding to a plurality of users may coexist in the same virtual space, and a collaborative distribution (collaboration distribution) in which the same image data of the virtual space and the same image data of the avatar are distributed to a plurality of users may be executed.

[0014] The image displayed on the information terminal 10 may be an image from a first-person perspective or an image from a third-person perspective. An image from a first-person perspective is, for example, an image in the direction that the avatar displayed in the virtual space is looking, and an image from a third-person perspective is, for example, an image that displays the virtual space and the avatar. When providing an image from a first-person perspective, the user can operate a virtual camera in a 360-degree direction to move the perspective. When providing an image from a third-person perspective, the information terminal 10 may display the avatar image of the user who is operating. When switching between displaying an image from a first-person perspective and an image from a third-person perspective, the line of sight of the user's avatar in the image from a third-person perspective may coincide with the perspective that the user operates in the image from a first-person perspective.

[0015] The avatar is composed of, for example, body parts related to the body such as hair, eyes, mouth, nose, head, torso, and limbs. The avatar may be either a two-dimensional display object or a three-dimensional display object. The avatar may be created in a compatible format for various virtual space services, or may be created in a dedicated format that can only be displayed for a specific service. Also, it may be associated with an NFT (Non-Fungible Token, that is, a non-fungible token) or the like and managed by a blockchain.

[0016] Multiple sub-objects, which are wearable parts, can be worn on the avatar. The multiple wearable parts are, for example, parts related to clothing such as clothing, accessories, weapons, and armor, or parts related to image effects that make the surrounding of the avatar glow or change color. The user can operate the input device 14 described later to make at least any one of the respective body parts of the avatar or the decorative parts worn on the avatar operate in conjunction with the operation. The body parts that make up the avatar and the wearable parts worn on the avatar may be associated with an NFT or the like and managed by a blockchain, similar to the avatar composed of body parts.

[0017] Furthermore, users can change the body parts or attached parts that make up their avatar by operating an editing screen that is displayed while using the virtual space service. The editing screen includes images of the parts or a list of candidate part names for changing the body parts or attached parts, as well as text or images for performing the modification operation. In this embodiment, "modifying" a part means replacing, adding, deleting, or changing the color or shape of objects such as body parts or attached parts.

[0018] Through a dedicated app, users can select their preferred avatar from multiple options, change the avatar's body parts or attachments, and choose a virtual space to display the selected avatar. If a user uses multiple dedicated apps, they may have a separate service account for each app, or they may have a common account that allows them to log in to multiple services. The account can be linked to, for example, the user's email address, SNS (Social Networking Service) account, phone number, biometric information (fingerprint, face, bioelectric potential, etc.), credit card, or cryptocurrency wallet address.

[0019] Figure 2 shows an example of a screen where the user selects an avatar and a virtual space. Figure 2(a) is an example of a screen where the user selects an avatar, and Figure 2(b) is an example of a screen where the user selects a virtual space.

[0020] The screen shown in Figure 2(a) includes multiple display areas 151 (display area 151a, display area 151b) for displaying multiple avatars A (avatar A1, avatar A2). The user can select a desired avatar A by pressing the display area 151 containing the desired avatar A. When the user presses a body part they want to change, a list of body part candidates with different colors and shapes is displayed on the information terminal 10, and the user can change the body part of avatar A by selecting the desired body part candidate. In addition, the information terminal 10 displays a list of attachment parts that can be attached to avatar A, and when the user selects the desired attachment part candidate, the selected attachment part is attached to avatar A. Note that avatar A with attachment parts attached may be displayed on the screen for selecting avatar A.

[0021] The screen shown in Figure 2(b) contains multiple display images 152 (display image 152a, display image 152b). Each display image 152 includes a thumbnail image of a virtual space and text or an image indicating the name of the virtual space. By pressing a display image 152, the user can select the virtual space in which they want to display avatar A.

[0022] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a computer and consists of one or more physical servers. The information processing device 20 uses a hypervisor (hyp The system may be configured using a virtual server running on an ervisor, or it may be configured using a cloud server. The information processing device 20 is a device for displaying the avatar A selected by the user and images of the virtual space on the information terminal 10 used by the user.

[0023] However, there are cases where the parts (e.g., clothing) of avatar A specified by the user are not suitable for the virtual space specified by the user. In such cases, the user may feel that avatar A displayed in the virtual space is unnatural. To address this, the information processing device 20 replaces the parts of avatar A with parts suitable for the virtual space selected by the user, and displays avatar A in the virtual space with the replaced parts. The information processing device 20 may also replace the body parts of the avatar.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of a screen displaying avatar A1 in a virtual space. Figure 3(a) shows a screen displaying avatar A1 in the virtual space "Conference Room" shown in Figure 2(b), and Figure 3(b) shows a screen displaying avatar A1 in the virtual space "Live Venue" shown in Figure 2(b).

[0025] In Figure 3(a), avatar A1 is wearing a suit suitable for the virtual space "Conference Room". If the user selects the virtual space "Live Venue" after selecting the virtual space "Conference Room", the information processing device 20 determines that the suit worn by avatar A1 is not suitable for the virtual space "Live Venue". As shown in Figure 3(b), the information processing device 20 displays avatar A1 on the information terminal 10 with avatar A1 wearing casual clothing suitable for the virtual space "Live Venue".

[0026] By operating in this manner, the information processing device 20 can display avatar A, equipped with parts suitable for the virtual space, in the virtual space. As a result, users who select avatar A and the virtual space can view the virtual space in which avatar A is displayed without feeling any discomfort with the avatar A displayed in the virtual space.

[0027] <Hardware Configuration> Figure 4 shows the hardware configuration of the information terminal 10. The information terminal 10 includes a processor 11, a storage unit 12, a communication interface 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15.

[0028] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and it realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 12. The memory unit 12 has storage media such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory unit 12 stores the programs that the processor 11 executes.

[0029] The communication IF 13 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information processing device 20 via the network N. The communication IF 13 notifies the processor 11 of data received from the information processing device 20. The communication IF 13 also transmits data input from the processor 11 to the information processing device 20.

[0030] The input device 14 accepts input from the user, for example. The input device 14 may be a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, joystick, directional pad, sensor for detecting human gesture movements (motion tracking), sensor for detecting changes in biometric information (e.g., changes in gaze, pupil, bioelectric potential, brain waves, pulse, pulse wave, heart rate, facial expression, etc.), camera for acquiring photographic information, or microphone. The output device 15 may be a display unit, vibration unit, odor generation unit, light emission unit, or audio output unit for outputting information to the user, for example. The output device 15 may be a display, vibration motor, device for generating odors, light or speaker including light-emitting diodes, etc.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20. The information processing device 20 includes a processor 21, a storage unit 22, a communication interface 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25.

[0032] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), and it realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 22. The memory unit 22 has a storage medium such as memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The memory unit 22 stores the programs that the processor 21 executes. The memory unit 22 also stores data used to perform various processes based on avatar A or the virtual space.

[0033] The communication IF23 has a communication controller for wired or wireless communication with the information terminal 10 via the network N. The communication IF23 notifies the processor 21 of data received from the information terminal 10. The communication IF23 also transmits data input from the processor 21 to the information terminal 10.

[0034] The input device 24 receives input operations from, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 20. The input device 24 is, for example, a keyboard, touch panel, mouse, or microphone. The input device 24 may also be a joystick, directional pad, motion tracking sensor, biometric information sensor, or camera, similar to the input device 14. The output device 25 outputs information to, for example, the administrator of the information processing device 20. The output device 25 is, for example, a display, vibration motor, device for generating scent, light including light-emitting diodes, or speaker.

[0035] <Functional Block Configuration> Figure 6 shows an example of the functional block configuration of the information processing device 20. The processor 21 has a reception unit 211 and a display control unit 212. The processor 21 functions as the reception unit 211 and the display control unit 212 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0036] The memory unit 22 stores virtual space information, part information, avatar information, and user information. Figures 7 to 10 show examples of this information stored in the memory unit 22.

[0037] Figure 7 shows an example of virtual space information stored in the memory unit 22. The virtual space information is information that indicates the characteristics of multiple virtual spaces that can be displayed on the information terminal 10. In the virtual space information shown in Figure 7, the virtual space ID, virtual space attributes, and image data name are associated. The virtual space attributes include the type of virtual space, the color of the virtual space, and the attributes of the corresponding parts.

[0038] The virtual space ID is virtual space identification information used to identify the virtual space. The image data name is the file name of the image data corresponding to the virtual space, associated with an address in the storage unit 22, and the processor 21 can access the image data by specifying the image data name. The image data may be moving image data or still image data.

[0039] "Suitable part attributes" are the attributes that make a part suitable for being attached to Avatar A, which will be displayed overlaid on the image of each virtual space. Formal attire is suitable for virtual space V11 (conference room), and Avatar A can attach, for example, a suit in virtual space V11. Casual attire is suitable for virtual space V12 (live venue), and Avatar A can attach, for example, a sweatshirt in virtual space V12.

[0040] Figure 8 shows an example of part information stored in the memory unit 22. In the part information shown in Figure 8, part identification information (hereinafter referred to as "part ID") for identifying the part, part type, part attributes indicating the characteristics of the part, color scheme, and part data name are associated. In Figure 8, "color scheme" indicates the color that occupies the largest area among the multiple colors used in the part, but "color scheme" may also indicate multiple colors used in the part.

[0041] The part data name is the filename of the part data associated with an address in the storage unit 22, and the processor 21 can access the part data by specifying the part data name. The part data may be three-dimensional image data or two-dimensional image data.

[0042] Figure 9 shows an example of avatar information stored in the memory unit 22. In the avatar information shown in Figure 9, avatar identification information (hereinafter referred to as "avatar ID") for identifying the avatar, part IDs of multiple parts that make up avatar A displayed on the screen for selecting the avatar, and an avatar data name are associated. The avatar data name is the name of the avatar's image data, and the processor 21 can access the avatar's image data by specifying the avatar data name.

[0043] Figure 10 shows an example of user information stored in the memory unit 22. In the user information shown in Figure 10, the user ID, the virtual space ID of the virtual space previously selected, the configuration setting information, the avatar ID of avatar A that was previously displayed in the virtual space, and the part ID of the part that was displayed together with avatar A are associated. The avatar ID is the avatar ID of avatar A that was displayed in each virtual space selected by the user.

[0044] The appearance setting information is information that indicates how the user has set the appearance of avatar A as it is displayed in each virtual space. In Figure 10, "make inconspicuous," "make conspicuous," or "match other avatars" are given as examples of appearance setting information. The appearance setting information may also be information regarding whether or not body parts and attached parts can be changed, such as "do not change the wristwatch."

[0045] The user can select desired mode setting information from a list of mode setting information candidates displayed on the information terminal 10 in response to the selection of a virtual space. The user may also pre-set the mode for displaying avatar A in each virtual space by selecting desired mode setting information from a list of mode setting information candidates displayed on a screen for setting mode setting information for each of the multiple virtual spaces. In this case, the user does not need to select mode setting information when selecting a virtual space.

[0046] The following describes the configuration of each part implemented by the processor 21, returning to Figure 6. The reception unit 211 receives user selection or setting operations from the information terminal 10. The reception unit 211 functions as an identification unit that identifies a virtual space selected from multiple virtual spaces by acquiring information indicating the virtual space selected by the user, for example, via the communication IF 23. Specifically, the reception unit 211 identifies the virtual space selected from multiple virtual spaces based on the virtual space ID acquired from the user's information terminal 10. The reception unit 211 notifies the display control unit 212 of the virtual space ID of the identified virtual space.

[0047] Furthermore, the reception unit 211 obtains the avatar ID of the avatar A selected by the user from the user's information terminal 10. The reception unit 211 may also accept settings from the user regarding the appearance of avatar A displayed in the selected virtual space. The reception unit 211 accepts the settings for the appearance of avatar A by displaying a screen on the information terminal 10 that shows multiple avatars A, each with a different appearance, as shown in Figure 2(a), for example. The reception unit 211 may also accept operations from the user to change the appearance of avatar A. The reception unit 211 may also accept settings for the appearance of parts by displaying a screen on the information terminal 10 for selecting parts to be attached to the selected avatar A.

[0048] The reception unit 211 may obtain the mode setting information from the user's information terminal 10 in association with the virtual space ID. The mode setting information may be information such as "make it stand out" as shown in Figure 10, or it may be information about at least one attached part that the user has specified as unchangeable, such as "do not change the wristwatch". The reception unit 211 receives the virtual space ID of the virtual space from the user, the avatar ID of avatar A, and the mode setting information. The information is associated with other information and stored in the storage unit 22 as user information, as shown in Figure 10.

[0049] The display control unit 212 displays an image on the information terminal 10 in which the image of Avatar A is superimposed on the image of the virtual space corresponding to the virtual space ID notified by the reception unit 211. For example, the display control unit 212 displays on the information terminal 10 one or more of the Avatar A and attachment parts to be attached to Avatar A, whose configurations have been set in advance by the user, in a configuration corresponding to the virtual space selected by the user.

[0050] In order to display Avatar A or parts in a manner corresponding to the selected virtual space, the display control unit 212 first determines whether the body parts or attached parts of Avatar A selected by the user are suitable for the virtual space selected by the user. In order to change to parts suitable for the virtual space, the display control unit 212 refers to the virtual space information shown in Figure 7 and the parts information shown in Figure 8 and determines whether the attributes of parts suitable for the virtual space match the attributes of the selected parts.

[0051] If the display control unit 212 determines that the parts of avatar A are suitable for the virtual space, it displays those parts as they are on the information terminal 10. If the display control unit 212 determines that the parts of avatar A are not suitable for the virtual space, it changes them to parts with attributes that match the attributes of parts suitable for the virtual space.

[0052] In the example shown in Figure 7, the type of virtual space V11 is "conference room," and the attributes of the parts that fit virtual space V11 include "suit." If the attribute of the parts worn by the avatar A1 selected by the user is "suit," the display control unit 212 displays avatar A1 in the virtual space V11 of the conference room as shown in Figure 3(a) without changing the parts worn.

[0053] Next, let's assume the user selects virtual space V12. In the example shown in Figure 7, the type of virtual space V12 is "live venue," and the attributes of parts that are suitable for virtual space V12 do not include "suit" but do include "trainer." In this case, the attributes of the "suit" worn by avatar A1 are not suitable for virtual space V12, so the display control unit 212 changes the attached part to a "trainer" and displays avatar A1 in the virtual space V12 of the live venue. By selecting parts that are suitable for the virtual space in this way, the display control unit 212 can prevent the user from feeling that avatar A1 displayed in the virtual space is unnatural.

[0054] The display control unit 212 may select a dark-colored suit as the equipped part if the hue of the virtual space V11 is a light color and the attribute of the compatible part is a dark color. On the other hand, the display control unit 212 may select a light-colored casual outfit as the equipped part if the hue of the virtual space V12 is a dark color and the attribute of the compatible part is a light color.

[0055] The display control unit 212 may refer to the configuration setting information in the user information shown in Figure 10 and select the mounted parts in the configuration set by the user. Specifically, the display control unit 212 decides whether or not to change the configuration of the parts image to be displayed on the information terminal 10 based on the configuration setting information indicating the configuration of the parts image when avatar A is displayed in the virtual space selected by the user, the configuration of the parts image corresponding to other virtual spaces in which avatar A was displayed before displaying avatar A in the selected virtual space, and information about the selected virtual space.

[0056] When a user moves avatar A from virtual space V11 to virtual space V12, the display control unit 212 determines the appearance of avatar A in virtual space V12 based on whether the relationship between the attributes of virtual space V12 and the attributes of the parts satisfies the conditions of the appearance indicated by the appearance setting information corresponding to the selected virtual space V12. If the determined appearance is different from the appearance of avatar A that was displayed in virtual space V11, the display control unit 212 changes the appearance of avatar A.

[0057] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, let's assume that user U11 has set the appearance to "make it stand out" in virtual spaces V11 and V12. Also, as shown in the virtual space information in Figure 7, let's assume that virtual space V11 is a light color and virtual space V12 is a dark color. Since virtual space V11 is a light color, the display control unit 212 displays a dark-colored part image (for example, an image of a black suit) while avatar A is in virtual space V11. If a dark-colored part image is displayed in virtual space V12, the part image will not stand out, and the condition "make it stand out" indicated in the appearance setting information of virtual space V12 will not be met. Therefore, when displaying avatar A in virtual space V12, the display control unit 212 changes the color of the part image to a light color.

[0058] If a user has set a mode setting information associated with a virtual space, the display control unit 212 may select a part prioritizing the conditions indicated by the mode setting information, even if the attributes of the part determined based on the mode setting information are not the attributes of a part that is suitable for the virtual space. For example, if the mode setting information corresponding to the virtual space V11 is "make it inconspicuous," and the conference room is a light color, the display control unit 212 will select a light-colored garment.

[0059] The display control unit 212 may select parts based on the results of identifying color tones based on image data of the virtual space, without using the attributes of the virtual space included in the virtual space information. For example, to make avatar A stand out, the display control unit 212 selects attachment parts with colors different from the color tones of the virtual space by identifying a color that matches or is similar to a color whose area of ​​use is smaller than a threshold among the multiple colors used in the selected virtual space. The display control unit 212 then replaces one or more parts or all of avatar A or attachment parts with avatar A or attachment parts of the identified color and displays them.

[0060] In this case, the display control unit 212 acquires the image data of the selected virtual space by referring to, for example, the "image data name" shown in Figure 7. The display control unit 212 identifies a color that matches or is similar to a color whose area of ​​use is smaller than a threshold by identifying the pixel values ​​of multiple pixels included in the image data, and changes the parts of avatar A to the identified color for display.

[0061] Figure 11 illustrates the operation of changing the color of avatar A1. Figure 11(a) shows the case where the area of ​​the dark color region in the virtual space is smaller than the threshold, and Figure 11(b) shows the case where the area of ​​the light color region in the virtual space is smaller than the threshold.

[0062] If the display control unit 212 identifies a virtual space with few dark areas, as shown in Figure 11(a), it changes the color of the clothing worn by avatar A1 to a darker color. On the other hand, if the display control unit 212 identifies a virtual space with few bright areas, as shown in Figure 11(b), it changes the color of the clothing worn by avatar A1 to a brighter color. By using colors that are used in small areas in the virtual space for the parts of avatar A, the display control unit 212 can make avatar A stand out.

[0063] To make avatar A less conspicuous, the display control unit 212 identifies a color that matches or is similar to a color whose area of ​​use is greater than a threshold among the multiple colors used in the selected virtual space. The display control unit 212 replaces one or more of the multiple attachment parts to be attached to avatar A with an attachment part of the identified color and displays it. For example, if the area of ​​a bright color is large, as in Figure 11(a), the display control unit 212 changes the color of the clothes attached to avatar A1 to a bright color, and if the area of ​​a dark color is large, as in Figure 11(b), the display control unit 212 changes the color of the clothes attached to avatar A1 to a dark color.

[0064] The display control unit 212 may select attachment parts to be attached to Avatar A depending on whether the image data representing the image of Avatar A is two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data. The display control unit 212 identifies whether the body parts of Avatar A are two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data by, for example, referring to the storage unit 22. For example, if the body parts of Avatar A are two-dimensional image data, the display control unit 212 selects attachment parts that include two-dimensional images, and if the body parts of Avatar A are three-dimensional image data, it selects attachment parts that include three-dimensional images. By selecting part data in this way, the display control unit 212 makes it easier to change the appearance of Avatar A to an appearance suitable for Avatar A.

[0065] The display control unit 212 may select an attachment part that includes two-dimensional image data, even if the image data representing the image of Avatar A is three-dimensional image data, if it determines that the area to which the attachment part is to be attached is flat. For example, when attaching an attachment part that represents an emblem, such as a patch, to a flat area such as the back of Avatar A, which is composed of three-dimensional image data body parts, the display control unit 212 will attach the attachment part to Avatar A even if the attachment part is two-dimensional image data. By operating in this manner, the display control unit 212 can increase the variety of attachment parts that can be attached to Avatar A.

[0066] The display control unit 212 may display Avatar A with a new attachment part added to the multiple attachment parts already attached to Avatar A, which are different from the existing attachment parts. For example, the display control unit 212 may attach an accessory such as a wristwatch or necklace to Avatar A without changing the attachment parts already attached to Avatar A (e.g., clothing). By adding a new attachment part to Avatar A, the display control unit 212 makes it easier to change Avatar A to a form suitable for the virtual space.

[0067] The display control unit 212, when avatar A is wearing an attachment part that the user has designated as unchangeable, displays that attachment part without replacing it with another attachment part, regardless of the virtual space configuration. On the other hand, the display control unit 212 replaces attachment parts that are not designated as unchangeable with attachment parts corresponding to the configuration of the selected virtual space and displays them in the selected virtual space. By displaying attachment parts designated as unchangeable without replacement, the display control unit 212 allows users to display their preferred attachment parts regardless of the virtual space.

[0068] By the way, if the display control unit 212 displays a first-person view image (i.e., an image of the direction avatar A is looking in the virtual space) on the user's information terminal 10, the user cannot see the appearance of avatar A because their own avatar A is not displayed. Therefore, if the user changes or adds attachment parts to avatar A while the display control unit 212 is displaying a first-person view image on the user's information terminal 10, the display control unit 212 switches the first-person view image to a third-person view image (i.e., an image showing the virtual space and avatar A). By operating in this way, the user can easily find out the changed appearance of avatar A at the moment the appearance of avatar A changes.

[0069] The display control unit 212 may, while displaying a first-person view image on the user's information terminal 10, switch the display control unit 212 to a third-person view image when the reception unit 211 receives an operation from the user to change the body parts or attached parts of avatar A. By operating in this manner, the display control unit 212 allows the user to change the body parts or attached parts while confirming the appearance of avatar A.

[0070] The display control unit 212 may display the image of Avatar A after the parts have been changed and the image of Avatar A before the parts were changed side by side on the user's information terminal 10. By operating in this manner, the user can easily see the changes in the appearance of Avatar A.

[0071] The display control unit 212 may issue a warning to the user or notify the user to purchase parts if the user does not own parts suitable for the virtual space. The display control unit 212 may, for example, refer to the storage unit 22 to determine which body parts the user owns. The system identifies the part attributes of the parts and attached parts, and determines whether the identified part attributes are suitable for the virtual space. If the identified part attributes are not suitable for the virtual space, the display control unit 212 displays "No suitable parts available" on the user's information terminal 10, emits a warning sound, or displays an advertisement for a shop where the user can purchase body parts or attached parts that correspond to part attributes suitable for the virtual space. If the user purchases body parts or attached parts, payment is made using the payment method associated with the user's account that specified avatar A (e.g., credit card, cryptocurrency wallet address).

[0072] If the user does not possess a part suitable for the virtual space, the display control unit 212 may notify the user to launch a dedicated application for creating a part, allowing the user to create the part, or it may use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to create a part suitable for the virtual space. If the display control unit 212 cannot attach a part suitable for the virtual space to avatar A, it may hide avatar A or change the state of avatar A by replacing its color with a specific color that matches or is similar to a specific color (i.e., a silhouette-like state).

[0073] [Display of Multiple Avatars] The display control unit 212 may create image data by combining the avatar data of multiple avatars A specified by multiple users with the background image data of the virtual space, and display it on the multiple information terminals 10 of those multiple users. In such a case, if the style of the first user's avatar A1 differs from the style of the second user's avatar A2, the user may feel uncomfortable. For example, if avatar A1 is dressed formally but avatar A2 is dressed casually, other users may feel uncomfortable when they see the virtual space, or the user operating the avatar may feel embarrassed about the incorrect attire.

[0074] Therefore, the display control unit 212 displays the first user's avatar A1 in a manner that corresponds to the avatar A2, which is an object of a second user different from the first user, or a plurality of attachment parts to be attached to the object, displayed in the selected virtual space.

[0075] The display control unit 212 identifies a second user who uses the same virtual space as the first user by referring to, for example, the "Virtual Space ID" shown in Figure 10. The display control unit 212 identifies the attributes of the body parts and attached parts that make up the second user's avatar A2 by referring to the "Parts" shown in Figure 9(b) and the "Part Attributes" shown in Figure 8. The display control unit 212 attaches the body parts and attached parts that match the attributes of the body parts and attached parts that make up avatar A2 to avatar A1 and displays them. In this way, the display control unit 212 prevents the appearance of multiple avatars A from having a similar tendency.

[0076] When the display control unit 212 displays multiple other users' avatars A in the selected virtual space, it may change the appearance of each of the multiple avatars A corresponding to the multiple other users that are displayed, based on the attributes associated with each of them. For example, the display control unit 212 may change the appearance of the user's avatar A to "an appearance that matches the average color of other users' avatars A," "an appearance that matches the appearance of other users' avatars A with whom the user is friends," "an appearance that matches the parts most commonly attached to other users' avatars A," or "an appearance that matches the parts attached to the avatar A of the host user."

[0077] For example, when matching the most frequently worn part on another user's avatar A, the display control unit 212 identifies multiple other users using the same virtual space as the user by referring to the "Virtual Space ID" shown in Figure 10. The display control unit 212 then identifies the part that has been worn most frequently among the multiple parts that the identified other users have worn on their avatars A. The display control unit 212 then attaches the identified part to the user's avatar A. Since the display control unit 212 can attach the same part to the user's avatar A as it has been attached to other users' avatars A, it can create a sense of uniformity in the virtual space.

[0078] The display control unit 212 may display avatar A2, which corresponds to a second user (another user) that has a predetermined relationship with the first user, in a manner corresponding to avatar A1. The predetermined relationship is, for example, a friendship relationship. Other users who are friends are other users that the user has registered to use the virtual space together or to send and receive messages. The display control unit 212 identifies other users who are friends with the user and use the same virtual space as the user, for example by referring to the storage unit 22.

[0079] If a user has set their avatar A2 to be displayed in a manner similar to their own avatar A1, the display control unit 212 refers to the "parts" shown in Figure 9(b) to identify the parts of the first user's avatar A1 and attaches parts similar to the identified parts to the second user's avatar A2. On the other hand, if a user has set their avatar A2 to be displayed in a manner different from their own avatar A1, the display control unit 212 attaches parts to avatar A2 that are not similar to the parts of avatar A1. In this way, the display control unit 212 can match the appearance of other users' avatars A2 to the appearance of the user's avatar A1, allowing users to create a sense of unity among multiple avatars A or to make it easier to distinguish between multiple avatars A according to their preferences.

[0080] The display control unit 212 may also display Avatar A1 in a form corresponding to Avatar A2 in conjunction with the emotions of the user of Avatar A1 received by the reception unit 211. For example, the display control unit 212 displays Avatar A1 in a form corresponding to Avatar A2 when the reception unit 211 obtains biometric information from a device that can acquire biometric information worn by the user (for example, a wearable terminal that can detect pulse waves) that suggests the user is feeling embarrassed. The biometric information that suggests the user is feeling embarrassed may be, for example, information indicating that the user's sweat volume is above a threshold, or information indicating that the user's pulse wave or pulse rate is above a threshold.

[0081] The display control unit 212 may, when the reception unit 211 obtains biometric information from a device capable of acquiring biometric information that is presumed to indicate that the user is feeling embarrassed, display a screen on the user's information terminal 10 for changing the body parts or attached parts of avatar A1. If the reception unit 211 does not receive biometric information that is presumed to indicate that the user is feeling embarrassed, the display control unit 212 may not display a screen for changing the body parts or attached parts of the user's avatar A, even if the clothing of the user's avatar A differs from that of other avatars A in the same virtual space.

[0082] Incidentally, depending on the event in the virtual space, the appropriate attire for a user may differ depending on their role in the event. For example, if the virtual space is a tutoring classroom, the dress code may differ between the tutor and the students, meaning that even within the same virtual space, the appropriate parts may differ. Therefore, the display control unit 212 may display avatar A in a manner that corresponds to at least one of the user's attributes. User attributes may include, for example, the actions the user performs in the virtual space, or the user's role in the virtual space.

[0083] To enable the display control unit 212 to select appropriate parts for the user's role, the virtual space information may associate the user's role in the virtual space with the attributes of the suitable parts. The display control unit 212 then selects parts with attributes corresponding to the user's role entered by the user on the information terminal 10. For example, the display control unit 212 selects a suit if the user chooses to enter the virtual space of a cram school classroom as an instructor, and casual clothes if the user chooses to enter the virtual space of a cram school classroom as a student. By operating in this way, when multiple avatars A corresponding to multiple users with different roles are displayed in the virtual space, the avatar A with clothing appropriate to the role is displayed, thus enhancing the sense of realism.

[0084] [Display of a screen for editing the appearance] A user may want to change the parts attached to avatar A before moving avatar A from the virtual space where avatar A is displayed (hereinafter referred to as the "first virtual space") to the next virtual space they have selected (hereinafter referred to as the "second virtual space"). Therefore, the display control unit 212 displays an editing screen on the information terminal 10 for changing the parts attached to avatar A before displaying avatar A in the second virtual space selected by the user.

[0085] The display control unit 212 displays an editing screen on the information terminal 10 for changing one or more of the multiple first attachment parts attached to avatar A, which is displayed in a first form corresponding to the first virtual space. The display control unit 212 displays the avatar in a second form, which is generated when the user changes one or more first attachment parts to one or more second attachment parts on the editing screen, in the selected second virtual space.

[0086] Figure 12 shows an example of an editing screen. The editing screen shown in Figure 12 includes an avatar A2 specified by the user, multiple display areas 161 (display area 161a, display area 161b) for displaying attached parts, and operation images 162 and 163. The user can edit the attached parts attached to avatar A2 by pressing on display area 161.

[0087] Operation image 162 is an operation image for changing the attached parts displayed in the display area 161. When the user presses operation image 162, other attached parts different from the displayed attached parts are displayed. Operation image 163 is an operation image for ending the operation of editing the attached parts to be attached to avatar A2. When the user presses operation image 163, the information terminal 10 notifies the reception unit 211 that the user has finished editing the attached parts of avatar A2. Before displaying avatar A in the second virtual space, the display control unit 212 displays an editing screen and allows the user to change the attached parts of avatar A, so that the user can attach attached parts to avatar A that are suitable for the second virtual space.

[0088] The display control unit 212 may display an image of the second virtual space on the editing screen. For example, the display control unit 212 displays on the editing screen image data representing the selected second virtual space and a plurality of second attachment parts that can replace any of the plurality of first attachment parts to be attached to avatar A. The second attachment parts are candidate attachment parts to be attached in the second virtual space, and are, for example, the attachment parts displayed in the display area 161 shown in Figure 12. By displaying the image data representing the second virtual space on the editing screen, the display control unit 212 makes it easier for the user to confirm whether the attachment parts they have selected are suitable for the second virtual space.

[0089] The display control unit 212 may display, on the editing screen, avatar A2 corresponding to another second user who is scheduled to be displayed in the selected second virtual space, along with avatar A1 corresponding to the first user. The display control unit 212 may, for example, display an editing screen showing the first user's avatar A1 and the avatar A2 of a second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user, on the first information terminal 10-1 used by the first user and the second information terminal 10-2 used by the second user. The predetermined relationship is, for example, a relationship that has been set in advance by the users as close friends.

[0090] The display control unit 212, for example, among multiple second users, receives notification from the reception unit 211 that one or more users have finished their operations on the editing screen. The second user's avatar A is displayed on the first user's editing screen. By displaying the second user's avatar A on the first user's editing screen, the first user can select parts to wear so that they do not feel any discomfort even when displayed in the same second virtual space as the second user's avatar A.

[0091] The display control unit 212 may display the avatar A of the first user, who is continuing to change the attached parts on the editing screen, on the editing screen of a second user who has a predetermined relationship with the first user. The display control unit 212 displays the first user's avatar A with the changed parts on the second user's editing screen each time the first user changes parts. Similarly, the display control unit 212 displays the second user's avatar A with the changed parts on the first user's editing screen each time the second user changes parts. By displaying the avatar A of the second user with whom the predetermined relationship exists on the first user's editing screen, the first user can change the attached parts while referring to the second user's parts.

[0092] The display control unit 212, upon receiving confirmation from the user's information terminal 10 that the reception unit 211 has completed the operation of replacing the first mounting part with the second mounting part, displays the second form of avatar A (i.e., avatar A with the modified mounting part) in the selected second virtual space. The display control unit 212, for example, upon receiving confirmation from the reception unit 211 that the user has pressed the operation image 163 shown in Figure 12, displays the user's avatar A in the selected second virtual space. By operating in this manner, the display control unit 212 can prevent avatar A in the state before the modification of the mounting part was completed from being displayed in the second virtual space.

[0093] Incidentally, there are cases where a user needs to enter the virtual space by a predetermined time, such as when the virtual space is a live music venue. In such cases, the display control unit 212 may, when a preset time has arrived while avatar A is displayed on the editing screen, display avatar A displayed on the editing screen in the selected virtual space. The preset time is, for example, 5 minutes before the "start time" in the virtual space information shown in Figure 7, and is stored in the storage unit 22 beforehand.

[0094] Even if, for example, the reception unit 211 has not yet received confirmation that the user has finished changing the installed parts, the display control unit 212 will display avatar A, which is displayed on the editing screen, in the selected virtual space after a predetermined time has elapsed. By operating in this manner, the display control unit 212 can display avatar A in time for the start time.

[0095] The display control unit 212 may, within a predetermined time period from the time Avatar A was displayed in the destination virtual space, either hide Avatar A displayed in the virtual space or display Avatar A on the editing screen. The predetermined time period is, for example, 5 minutes. For example, if the reception unit 211 receives an operation from the user to return Avatar A from the virtual space to the editing screen, the display control unit 212 will display the editing screen on the user's information terminal 10 within a predetermined time period from the time Avatar A was displayed in the virtual space.

[0096] If the time at which the reception unit 211 receives the request to return Avatar A from the virtual space to the editing screen exceeds a predetermined time from the time it was displayed in the virtual space, the display control unit 212 displays a warning message on the information terminal 10 indicating that it cannot return to the editing screen. By the display control unit 212 returning Avatar A from the destination virtual space to the editing screen, the user can change the attached parts of Avatar A again, even if they felt something was off after displaying Avatar A in the virtual space.

[0097] [Virtual Space with Changing Background Image] A virtual space selected by a user may be a virtual space in which the background image data changes under predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions are, for example, the timing when Avatar A, displayed by a predetermined user such as the organizer of an event held in the virtual space, performs a predetermined action in the virtual space. The predetermined action is, for example, using an item in a game virtual space or starting a performance in a live venue virtual space. The predetermined conditions may also be a pre-set time, a combination of users in which Avatar A is displayed, or the appearance of Avatar A or its parts that are displayed.

[0098] The display control unit 212 causes Avatar A to be displayed on the information terminal 10 in a manner corresponding to each background image data that differs depending on the time. For example, the display control unit 212 causes Avatar A associated with a predetermined time stored in the storage unit 22 to be displayed on the information terminal 10.

[0099] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating a virtual space in which the background image changes. In this embodiment, as an example, a virtual space of a live venue in which the background image data changes at a predetermined time is used. In Figure 13, the time, event content, background image, special effects, and avatar type are associated. The avatar type may include the type of attached parts.

[0100] Special effects are image effects such as creating rain or snow, or generating lightning or fire. Multiple avatar types associated with multiple time points are set by the user, for example, using a dedicated application on the information terminal 10. The user can acquire multiple background images, for example, as shown in Figure 13, before the live stream starts, and set an avatar type corresponding to each of the multiple background images. In the information processing device 20, the reception unit 211 receives the avatar type setting from the user and stores it in the storage unit 22.

[0101] The display control unit 212, for example, identifies that the background image has changed from "fireworks" to "night view" at 17:20:00 and changes the avatar "A0100" displayed on the information terminal 10 to avatar "A0101". The display control unit 212 identifies that the special effect "rain" has been added at 17:50:00 and changes the avatar "A0102" displayed on the information terminal 10 to avatar "A0103".

[0102] Incidentally, special effects are sometimes used as a visual effect that the user is not informed of in advance. In such cases, the user cannot set changes to the parts of Avatar A in response to the addition of the special effect. To address this, the display control unit 212 refers to the memory unit 22 to identify the attachment parts associated with the special effect, and at the time the special effect occurs, displays Avatar A on the information terminal 10 with the identified attachment parts added to the multiple attachment parts that the user has attached to Avatar A.

[0103] Specifically, the display control unit 212, in response to the occurrence of the special effect "rain" between 17:50:00 and 18:00:00 as shown in Figure 13, displays Avatar A with the attachment part "umbrella" added to the user's Avatar A on the information terminal 10. By displaying Avatar A with the attachment part added in response to the change in the background image, the display control unit 212 can display the movements of Avatar A that are similar to those of a person in the real world.

[0104] Furthermore, if the display control unit 212 detects that an obstacle such as flames displayed by a special effect has come into contact with the first attachment part of Avatar A, it may change the appearance of the first attachment part. Specifically, the display control unit 212 may attach a second attachment part that is partially charred due to contact with Avatar A by flames displayed by a special effect to Avatar A.

[0105] The display control unit 212 detects, for example, that the position of avatar A in the virtual space coincides with the position of flames generated by a special effect. The display control unit 212 replaces one or more of the multiple attachment parts attached to avatar A with a second attachment part that is a modified version of the first attachment part (i.e., an attachment part that is partially burnt) and displays it on the information terminal 10. The second attachment part, which is a modified version of the first attachment part, is stored in the storage unit 22 in association with the first attachment part.

[0106] The display control unit 212 may, at a predetermined timing for changing the attached parts, change the second attached part attached to Avatar A back to the first attached part associated with the second attached part and display it. The predetermined timing for changing the attached parts is, for example, the timing when the "background image" shown in Figure 13 changes.

[0107] If a user has purchased an attachment part, there may be a limit to the number of times that attachment part can be displayed in the virtual space. In such a case, if the display count of the first attachment part displayed in the virtual space reaches the limit, and the system replaces it with the second attachment part when it is time to change the attachment part, the first attachment part cannot be displayed again when it is time to change the attachment part again. Therefore, if the display control unit 212 has reached the limit of the number of times the first attachment part has been displayed, it replaces the second attachment part with a different attachment part at the next time it is time to change the attachment part. The display control unit 212 may also choose not to replace the first attachment part with another attachment part when it is time to change the attachment part, even if the display count of the first attachment part has reached the limit.

[0108] The display control unit 212, by referring to the "part ID" shown in Figure 10, determines that the upper limit of the number of times the first mounted part stored in the storage unit 22 can be displayed matches the number of times the first mounted part has been displayed. The display control unit 212, by referring to the "part attributes" shown in Figure 8, identifies other mounted parts associated with the same attributes as the first mounted part, and replaces the second mounted part with the other mounted part for display. By operating in this manner, the display control unit 212 can mount an alternative mounted part even if the upper limit of the number of times a mounted part can be displayed is reached.

[0109] However, it is cumbersome for the user to set how the attached parts change in accordance with changes in the appearance of avatar A in each virtual space. Therefore, the display control unit 212 may, for example, replace one or more of the multiple attached parts attached to avatar A with other attached parts owned by the user that are appropriate for the virtual space when the appearance of avatar A changes in the selected virtual space. For example, the display control unit 212 replaces one or more of the multiple attached parts attached to avatar A with other attached parts owned by the user when the appearance of avatar A satisfies predetermined conditions associated with the background image data displayed in the selected virtual space.

[0110] Specifically, the display control unit 212 replaces the necklace with a fan when avatar A, who was wearing clothes and a necklace, changes into a yukata in response to the background image changing to an image of a fireworks display. In this way, for example, when the appearance of avatar A changes in response to a change in the background image of the virtual space, the display control unit 212 can automatically display the appropriate accessories for avatar A on the information terminal 10 without the user having to set how to change the accessories.

[0111] The display control unit 212 may decide whether or not to replace the attachment part attached to avatar A with another attachment part based on the attributes of the virtual space. For example, if the virtual space is a formal space such as a wedding hall or conference room, the display control unit 212 will replace the attachment part whose appearance has changed with another attachment part. On the other hand, if the virtual space is an outdoor space such as a park or sports field, the display control unit 212 will not replace the attachment part whose appearance has changed with another attachment part. By operating in this manner, the display control unit 212 can make it less likely for the attachment part selected by the user to be displayed.

[0112] <Operation Flow in Information Processing Device 20> Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the operation flow in the information processing device 20. The flowchart in Figure 14 shows the operation in which the information processing device 20 changes the appearance of avatar A and displays it in the virtual space. The flowchart in Figure 14 shows the operation in the virtual space before movement. The game starts with Avatar A displayed.

[0113] As shown in Figure 14, the reception unit 211 receives the destination virtual space from the user's information terminal 10 (S11). Based on the virtual space ID obtained from the user's information terminal 10, the reception unit 211 identifies the selected virtual space from among multiple virtual spaces. The reception unit 211 receives the mode setting information of the destination virtual space from the user's information terminal 10 (S12).

[0114] The display control unit 212 determines whether or not to change the configuration of the attached parts based on the configuration setting information received by the reception unit 211, the virtual space attributes of the virtual space received by the reception unit 211, and the configuration of the attached parts worn by avatar A in the virtual space before movement (S13). If it is determined that the configuration of the attached parts should not be changed (NO in S13), the display control unit 212 does not change the attached parts. If it is determined that the configuration of the attached parts should be changed (YES in S13), the display control unit 212 first selects one of the multiple parts attached to avatar A, which is identified by referring to the "parts" shown in Figure 9(b) (S14).

[0115] The display control unit 212 determines whether the user has designated the selected part as an unchangeable part by referring to the configuration setting information received by the reception unit 211 (S15). If the part is not designated as an unchangeable part (YES in S15), the display control unit 212 determines the modified part corresponding to the selected part based on the part attributes that fit the virtual space and the attributes of the part selected in S14 (S16). If the selected part is designated as an unchangeable part (NO in S15), the display control unit 212 does not modify the selected part.

[0116] If there are any parts attached to the avatar for which processing in S15 and S16 has not been completed (NO in S17), the display control unit 212 repeats processing from S14 to S16. When the display control unit 212 has finished processing all the parts attached to avatar A to be changed (YES in S17), the reception unit 211 displays avatar A with the changed attached parts in the virtual space received from the user (S18).

[0117] If no operation to terminate processing is performed (NO in S19), the information processing device 20 repeats the processes from S11 to S18. If an operation to terminate processing is performed (YES in S19), the information processing device 20 terminates the process.

[0118] <Modification> In the above description, the operation shown was that the information processing device 20 displays avatar A in the selected virtual space when the user of the information terminal 10 selects a virtual space on the screen for selecting a virtual space, but it is not limited to this. The display control unit 212 may, for example, display avatar A in another virtual space (i.e., the selected virtual space) when the reception unit 211 receives notification that the user has moved avatar A, which was displayed in the virtual space, to a predetermined position within the virtual space.

[0119] <Effects of the Information Processing Device 20> As described above, the information processing device 20 has a receiving unit 211 that functions as a identifying unit to identify a virtual space selected from a plurality of virtual spaces. The display control unit 212 then replaces at least one of the avatar A and attachment parts attached to avatar A, whose configurations have been set in advance by the user, with the configuration corresponding to the selected virtual space and displays it on the information terminal 10.

[0120] With the information processing device 20 configured in this way, the information processing device 20 can display avatar A in a manner suitable for the virtual space selected by the user. As a result, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling any sense of incongruity when viewing avatar A placed in the virtual space.

[0121] In addition to the above embodiments, the following is further added: (Addendum 1) An information processing device for displaying a virtual space on an information terminal used by a user, comprising: a specification unit for specifying a virtual space selected from a plurality of virtual spaces; and a display control unit for displaying on the information terminal one or more of an avatar whose form has been set in advance by the user and sub-objects to be attached to the avatar, in a form corresponding to the selected virtual space. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can display an avatar that has been replaced with a sub-object corresponding to the virtual space, so that the user can view the avatar displayed in the virtual space without feeling any discomfort. (Addendum 2) The information processing device according to Addendum 1, wherein the display control unit determines whether or not to change the form of the sub-object to be displayed on the information terminal based on setting information indicating the form of the sub-object when the avatar is displayed in the selected virtual space, the form of the sub-object in the virtual space in which the avatar was displayed before the avatar was displayed in the selected virtual space, and information regarding the selected virtual space. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can display an avatar in a manner that is in accordance with the user's request and in a manner that corresponds to the virtual space. (Note 3) The information processing device according to Note 1, wherein the display control unit displays the avatar in a manner that corresponds to at least one of the attributes of the selected virtual space or the attributes of the user. With the information processing device configured in this way, when multiple avatars corresponding to multiple users with different positions are displayed in the virtual space, the information processing device can display an avatar equipped with a sub-object appropriate to the position, thereby enhancing the sense of realism. (Note 4) The information processing device according to Note 1, wherein the display control unit replaces one or more of the avatar and sub-objects, in whole or in part, with an avatar or sub-object of a color that matches or is similar to a color whose area of ​​use is smaller than a threshold among the multiple colors used in the selected virtual space.With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can use colors with a small area used in the virtual space as the color of the avatar or sub-object, thereby making the avatar stand out. (Note 5) The information processing device according to Note 1, wherein the display control unit replaces one or more sub-objects from among a plurality of sub-objects to be attached to the avatar with a sub-object of a color that matches or is similar to a color whose area of ​​use is greater than a threshold among a plurality of colors used in the selected virtual space. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can use colors with a large area used in the virtual space as the color of the avatar or sub-object, thereby making the avatar stand out. (Note 6) The information processing device according to Note 1, wherein the display control unit displays the avatar in a second form, generated when the user changes one or more first sub-objects to one or more second sub-objects in an editing screen for changing one or more first sub-objects from among a plurality of first sub-objects to be attached to the avatar displayed in a first form corresponding to the first virtual space, in the selected virtual space. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device allows the user to change the avatar's sub-objects before displaying them in the selected virtual space, so that the user can attach their preferred sub-objects to the avatar according to the virtual space. (Note 7) The display control unit displays image data indicating the selected virtual space and a plurality of the second sub-objects which can be replaced with any of the plurality of first sub-objects to be attached to the avatar on the editing screen, as described in Note 6. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can display image data indicating the virtual space on the editing screen, so that the user can easily confirm whether the sub-objects they have selected are suitable for the virtual space.(Note 8) The information processing device according to Note 6, wherein the display control unit displays on the editing screen objects corresponding to other users that are scheduled to be displayed in the selected virtual space together with the avatar corresponding to the user. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can display the objects of other users on the user's editing screen, so that the user can select sub-objects that do not feel out of place even when displayed in the same virtual space as the objects of other users. (Note 9) The information processing device according to Note 6, wherein the display control unit displays the editing screen displaying the avatar and the objects of other users that have a predetermined relationship with the user on the information terminal used by the user and the information terminal used by the other user. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can display on the user's editing screen objects that other users with a predetermined relationship have not yet finished modifying, so that the user can modify sub-objects while referring to the objects of other users. (Note 10) The information processing device according to Note 6, further comprising a reception unit that receives from the user's information terminal that the user has completed the operation of replacing the first sub-object with the second sub-object, and the display control unit, in response to the reception unit receiving confirmation that the user has completed the operation, displays the avatar in the second form in the selected virtual space. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can prevent the display of the avatar in the virtual space in the state before the modification of the sub-object was completed. (Note 11) The information processing device according to Note 6, further comprising the display control unit that, when the avatar is displayed on the editing screen, displays the avatar displayed on the editing screen in the selected virtual space at a predetermined time. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can display the avatar in the virtual space at a predetermined time, so the display control unit can display the avatar in time for the start time.(Note 12) The information processing apparatus according to Note 1, wherein the display control unit displays the avatar in a manner corresponding to an object of another user different from the user, or a plurality of sub-objects to be attached to such object, which is displayed in the selected virtual space. With the information processing apparatus configured in this manner, the information processing apparatus can attach the same sub-objects to each of the plurality of avatars displayed in the virtual space, thereby preventing the user from feeling any sense of incongruity in a virtual space used by multiple users. (Note 13) The information processing apparatus according to Note 12, wherein the display control unit changes the manner of the avatar based on the attributes associated with each of the plurality of objects corresponding to the plurality of other users displayed in the selected virtual space. With the information processing apparatus configured in this manner, the information processing apparatus can attach the same sub-objects to the user's avatar as the sub-objects attached to the objects of other users, thereby creating a sense of unity in the virtual space. (Note 14) The information processing apparatus according to Note 1, wherein the display control unit displays an object corresponding to another user that has a predetermined relationship with the user, in a manner corresponding to the avatar. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can match the appearance of other users' objects to the appearance of the user's avatar, so that, according to the user's preference, it can create a sense of unity among multiple avatars or make it easier to distinguish between multiple avatars. (Note 15) The display control unit is configured to attach to the avatar multiple sub-objects. The information processing device according to Appendix 1, which displays the avatar with new sub-objects added that are different from the aforementioned plurality of sub-objects. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can add new sub-objects to the avatar, making it easier to change it to a form suitable for the virtual space. (Appendix 16) The selected virtual space is a virtual space in which background image data changes under predetermined conditions, and the display control unit displays the avatar on the information terminal in a form corresponding to each of the different background image data, the information processing device according to Appendix 1. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can change the form of the user's avatar according to the characteristics of each of the changed background image data. (Appendix 17) The display control unit replaces one or more sub-objects from the plurality of sub-objects attached to the avatar with other sub-objects owned by the user that are appropriate for the virtual space when the form of the avatar changes in the selected virtual space, the information processing device according to Appendix 1. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can replace a sub-object whose appearance has changed with a sub-object owned by the user and display it, so that the user can continuously equip sub-objects suitable for the virtual space. (Note 18) The information processing device according to Note 17, wherein the display control unit replaces one or more sub-objects from a plurality of sub-objects to be equipped on the avatar with other sub-objects owned by the user when the appearance of the avatar satisfies predetermined conditions associated with background image data displayed in the selected virtual space. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can decide whether or not to replace a sub-object with another sub-object depending on the type of virtual space, so that actions similar to those in the real world can be represented using the avatar.(Note 19) An information processing device according to Note 1, having a receiving unit that receives at least one sub-object designated by the user as unchangeable, and the display control unit replaces sub-objects that are not designated as unchangeable with sub-objects in a manner corresponding to the selected virtual space and displays them in the selected virtual space. With the information processing device configured in this way, the information processing device can display sub-objects designated as unchangeable without replacing them, so that the user can display any sub-object of their choice in any virtual space. (Note 20) An information processing method for displaying a virtual space on an information terminal used by a user, comprising the steps of: a computer identifying a virtual space selected from a plurality of virtual spaces; and a computer displaying on the information terminal one or more of an avatar whose manner has been set in advance by the user and sub-objects to be attached to the avatar, in a manner corresponding to the selected virtual space. With the information processing method configured in this way, the information processing method can display an avatar that has been replaced with a sub-object corresponding to the virtual space, so that the user can view the avatar displayed in the virtual space without feeling any discomfort. (Note 21) A program for causing a computer to perform the following steps: display a virtual space on an information terminal used by a user; identify a selected virtual space from a plurality of such virtual spaces; and display one or more of an avatar whose appearance has been set in advance by the user and sub-objects to be attached to the avatar on the information terminal in an appearance corresponding to the selected virtual space. With the program configured in this way, the program can display an avatar that has been replaced with a sub-object corresponding to the virtual space, so that the user can view the avatar displayed in the virtual space without feeling any discomfort.

[0122] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 Information Processing System 10 Information Terminal 11 Processor 12 Storage Unit 13 Communication IF 14 Input Device 15 Output Device 20 Information Processing Device 21 Processor 22 Storage Unit 23 Communication IF 24 Input Device 25 Output Device 211 Reception Unit 212 Display Control Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device for displaying a virtual space on an information terminal used by a user, comprising: an identification unit for identifying a virtual space selected from a plurality of virtual spaces; and a display control unit for displaying one or more of an avatar whose configuration has been set in advance by the user and sub-objects to be attached to the avatar on the information terminal in a configuration corresponding to the selected virtual space.

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