Computer program, method, and server device

Abstract

To provide a computer program, a method, and a server device that reduce the possibility that the load of display control will increase.SOLUTION: A method is as follows: a first terminal obtains first data about avatar in a virtual space; a second terminal obtains second data about avatar in the virtual space; and a server receives them. The first data includes the location of a first user's avatar, and the second data includes at least one of the location of at least one user's avatar and the total number of avatars located in a first region in the virtual space among the at least one user's avatars. The server also performs a determination process to determine whether the location of the first user's avatar or the second data meets predetermined conditions, and if the server determines that the predetermined conditions are met, the server performs display control processing in which the server sends control data to the first terminal to control the first terminal's display screen and the first terminal controls the display screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a computer program, a method, and a server device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when a user uses a terminal to view content executed in a virtual space displayed on the terminal, it is known that icons corresponding to other users viewing the content are displayed in the virtual space (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-34087 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the more users who view the content, the more icons are displayed on the terminal. Therefore, there is a problem that the load of display control on the terminal increases as the number of users who view the content increases. The above Patent Document 1 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a computer program, a method, and a server device that reduce the possibility that the load of display control will become greater than before. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A computer program according to one embodiment is a computer program executed by at least one processor, which causes the at least one processor to function as follows: acquire first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user; receive second data regarding an avatar in the virtual space operated using a terminal of at least one user other than the first user via a communication line; the first data includes a position of the first user's avatar; and the second data includes at least one of the position of the at least one user's avatar and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determine whether the position of the first user's avatar or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, determine control data for controlling a display screen of the first user's terminal; and control the display screen based on the control data.

[0007] A computer program according to one embodiment is a computer program executed by at least one processor, and causes the at least one processor to function as follows: receive, via a communication line, first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user, and second data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user; the first data includes a position of the avatar of the first user, and the second data includes at least one of a position of the avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determine whether the position of the first user's avatar or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, determine control data for controlling a display screen of the terminal of the first user, and transmit the control data to the terminal of the first user via the communication line.

[0008] A method according to one embodiment includes a step of acquiring first data related to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user; receiving second data related to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of at least one user other than the first user via a communication line; the first data including a position of the avatar of the first user, and the second data including at least one of a position of the avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determining whether the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, determining control data for controlling a display screen of the terminal of the first user. and controlling the display screen based on the control data.

[0009] A method according to one embodiment includes a step of receiving, via a communication line, first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user and second data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user; the first data including a position of the avatar of the first user and the second data including at least one of a position of the avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determining whether the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; determining control data for controlling a display screen of the terminal of the first user when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied; and transmitting the control data to the terminal of the first user via the communication line.

[0010] A server device according to one embodiment receives, via a communication line, first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user and second data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user, wherein the first data includes a position of the avatar of the first user and the second data includes at least one of the position of the avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space, determines whether the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition, and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, determines control data for controlling a display screen of the terminal of the first user and transmits the control data to the terminal of the first user via the communication line.

[0011] This Summary section is provided to introduce in a simplified form selected concepts that are described below in the Detailed Description section. All trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. The statements in this Summary section are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed inventions, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the claimed inventions will become more apparent from the following Detailed Description section taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a system 1000 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal 10 and the server device 20 shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the terminal 10 shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the server device 20 shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing the processing performed in this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart showing the processing performed in this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an example of data transmitted from the terminal 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows an example of the number of avatars displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. In FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of the number of avatars displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. In FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the terminal 10 and a configuration connected to the terminal 10 shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a computing environment 1400. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] This specification is described in terms of representative embodiments that are not intended to be limiting in any manner. As used in this application, singular forms such as "a," "the," "said," "above," "the," "the," "this," and "the" can include the plural unless clearly indicated otherwise. Also, the term "comprises" can mean "comprises" or "has." Furthermore, the terms "coupled," "coupled," "coupled," "connected," or "connected" encompass mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical ways of coupling, connecting, or joining objects together, as well as other ways, and do not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between objects that are so coupled, coupled, coupled, coupled, connected, or connected.

[0014] The various systems, methods, and devices described herein should not be construed as being limited in any manner. Indeed, the present disclosure is directed to all novel features and aspects of each of the various disclosed embodiments, combinations of these various embodiments with each other, and combinations of portions of these various embodiments with each other. The various systems, methods, and devices described herein are not limited to a particular aspect, a particular feature, or a combination of such a particular aspect with a particular feature, nor do the products and methods described herein require that one or more particular advantages be present or problems be solved. Moreover, various features or aspects of the various embodiments described herein, or portions of such features or aspects, may be used in combination with each other.

[0015] Although operations of some of the various methods disclosed herein have been described in a particular order for convenience, it should be understood that description in such a manner encompasses rearranging the order of the operations, unless a particular order is required by specific text below. For example, operations described in a sequence may in some cases be rearranged or performed simultaneously. Furthermore, for purposes of simplicity, the accompanying drawings do not show the various ways in which the various items and methods described herein may be used with other items and methods. In addition, the present specification may use terms such as "generate," "generate," "display," "receive," "evaluate," and "deliver." These terms are high-level descriptions of the various actual operations that may be performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and may be readily discerned by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosure herein.

[0016] Any theories of operation, scientific principles, or other theoretical descriptions presented herein in connection with the devices or methods of the present disclosure are provided for the purpose of better understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology, and the devices and methods in the appended claims are not limited to devices and methods that operate in a manner described by such theories of operation.

[0017] Any of the various methods disclosed herein may be implemented and executed in a computer using computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as one or more optical media disks, volatile memory components, or non-volatile memory components), where the volatile memory components include, for example, DRAM or SRAM, and the non-volatile memory components include, for example, hard drives and solid-state drives (SSD). Additionally, the computer may include any computer available in the market, including, for example, smartphones and other mobile devices having hardware to perform computations. Any such computer-executable instructions for implementing the techniques disclosed herein, along with any data generated and used during the implementation of the various embodiments disclosed herein, may be stored on one or more computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage media). Such computer-executable instructions may be, for example, part of a separate software application, or part of a software application accessed or downloaded via a web browser or other software application (such as a remote computing application). Such software may be executed, for example, on a single local computer (e.g., as an agent executing on any suitable computer available on the market) or in a network environment (e.g., the Internet, a wide area network, a local area network, a client-server network (such as a cloud computing network), or other such network) using one or more networked computers.

[0018] For clarity, only certain selected aspects of various software-based implementations are described. Other details that are well known in the art are omitted. For example, the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to a specific computer language or program. For example, the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented by software written in C, C++, Java, or any other suitable programming language. Similarly, the techniques disclosed herein are not limited to a specific computer or a specific type of hardware. Specific details of suitable computers and hardware are well known and need not be described in detail herein.

[0019] Moreover, any of the various such software-based embodiments (e.g., including computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the various methods disclosed herein) may be uploaded, downloaded, or accessed in a remote manner by any suitable communication means, including, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web, an intranet, a software application, cable (including fiber optic cable), magnetic communication, electromagnetic communication (including RF, microwave, and infrared communication), electronic communication, or other such communication means.

[0020] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that common components in the drawings are given the same reference numerals. Also, please note that components shown in one drawing may be omitted in another drawing for convenience of explanation. Furthermore, please note that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0021] 1. Configuration of System 1000 Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a system 1000 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1000 includes, for example, a plurality of terminals 10 connected to a communication line (communication network) not shown, and one or a plurality of server devices 20 connected to the communication line. The terminals 10 include a first terminal 11 and a second terminal 12. The server device 20 includes, for example, a first server system 21 and a second server system 22.

[0022] The communication links may include, but are not limited to, a cellular network, a wireless network (e.g., RF connections via Bluetooth, WiFi (such as IEEE 802.11a / b / n), WiMax, cellular, satellite, laser, infrared), a landline network, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and / or an Ethernet network.

[0023] 1-1. Terminal 10 The terminal 10 is connected to one or more server devices 20 via, for example, a communication line. The terminal 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet device, and / or a personal computer. The terminal 10 is configured to be able to install a specific application and execute the specific application. The terminal 10 can also receive a web page (for example, an HTML document, and in some examples, an HTML document that encodes executable code such as JavaScript or PHP code) from the server device 20 (second server system 22).

[0024] Hereinafter, a user who operates the terminal 10 may simply be referred to as a user, a user who operates the first terminal 11 as a first user, and a user who operates the second terminal 12 as a second user. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 are provided as the multiple terminals 10, but this is not limiting. The multiple terminals 10 may include, for example, three or more terminals. In the following description, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 may be collectively referred to as terminals 10.

[0025] 1-2. Server device 20 The first server system 21 includes a distribution server device 21A1 and a server storage device 21A2. The distribution server device 21A1 receives, for example, data requested for an application executed in the terminal 10 from the terminal 10. In addition, the distribution server device 21A1 transmits, for example, data used in the application executed in the terminal 10 to the terminal 10 in response to the request. The server storage device 21A2 stores, for example, data transmitted from the distribution server device 21A1 to the terminal 10. In addition, the server storage device 21A2 stores, for example, data received by the distribution server device 21A1 from the terminal 10. In addition, the first server system 21 transmits, for example, data used in the application executed by the terminal 10 to the terminal 10. In addition, the first server system 21 transmits, for example, data received from the terminal 10 to the device 70.

[0026] Although an example in which the terminal 10 executes an application has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a process equivalent to executing the application may be executed using a web browser installed in the terminal 10. In this way, when using a web browser installed in the terminal 10, the server device 20 may include a web server (not shown), for example. When the server device 20 includes a web server (not shown), the web server transmits data related to an HTML document such as HTML5, the terminal 10 uses the web browser to display the data related to the HTML document, user instruction data is transmitted to the terminal 10 (the web browser), and the server device 20 performs display control. The server device 20 generates display data by performing the display control, and transmits the display data to the terminal 10 (the web browser). The web browser may also perform display control using a script such as JavaScript (registered trademark).

[0027] 1, an example in which the first server system 21 includes the distribution server device 21A1 and the server storage device 21A2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first server system 21 may include other components in addition to the distribution server device 21A1 and the server storage device 21A2. In this case, the other components may have at least one of the functions of the distribution server device 21A1 and the server storage device 21A2. Also, for example, the first server system 21 may be configured by a single component having the functions of the distribution server device 21A1 and the server storage device 21A2.

[0028] The second server system 22 is a server that transmits data related to content to the terminal 10. Here, for example, a case is assumed in which a user operates the terminal 10 to execute an application. In this case, when the second server system 22 receives a request for data related to content from the terminal 10 while the application is being executed, the second server system 22 transmits the data related to content to the terminal 10. The data related to content transmitted from the second server system 22 to the terminal 10 is, for example, data related to video.

[0029] 1-3.Equipment 70 The device 70 (third terminal) is, for example, a terminal operated by an operator or an operating organization that operates the virtual venue. The device 70 transmits predetermined data to the first server system 20 and receives predetermined data transmitted from the first server system 20. A specific configuration of the device 70 will be described later.

[0030] 2. Hardware configuration of each device Next, an example of the hardware configuration of each of the terminal 10 and the server device 20 will be described.

[0031] 2-1. Hardware configuration of terminal 10 An example of the hardware configuration of each terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal 10 (server device 20) shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the reference symbols in parentheses are those described in relation to the server device 20, as will be described later.

[0032] 2, each terminal 10 includes, for example, a central processing unit 14, a main memory device 15, an input / output interface device 16, an input device 17, an auxiliary memory device 18, and an output device 19. The components shown in FIG. 2 are connected to each other by a data bus and / or a control bus.

[0033] The central processing unit 14 is referred to as a "CPU" and performs operations on instructions and data stored in the main memory 15 and stores the results of the operations in the main memory 15. Furthermore, the central processing unit 14 can control an input device 17, an auxiliary memory device 18, an output device 19, etc. via an input / output interface device 16. The terminal 10 can include one or more such central processing units 14.

[0034] The main memory device 15 is referred to as a "memory" and stores instructions and data received from the input device 17, the auxiliary memory device 18, and the communication line 30 (such as the server device 20) via the input / output interface device 16, as well as the results of calculations by the central processing unit 14. The main memory device 15 can include, without limitation, computer-readable media such as volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), EEPROM, flash memory), and storage (e.g., hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), magnetic tape, optical media). As will be readily understood, the term "computer-readable recording medium" can include media for data storage such as memory and storage, as well as transmission media such as modulated data signals, i.e., temporary signals.

[0035] The input device 17 is a device that inputs data from the outside, and includes, but is not limited to, a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a sensor, etc. The sensor may include, but is not limited to, one or more cameras, etc. and / or one or more microphones, etc., as described below.

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 18 is a storage device having a larger capacity than the main storage device 15. It can store instructions and data (computer programs) constituting the above-mentioned specific applications (video distribution applications, video viewing applications, etc.), web browser applications, etc. Furthermore, the auxiliary storage device 18 can transmit these instructions and data (computer programs) to the main storage device 15 via the input / output interface device 16 by being controlled by the central processing unit 14. The auxiliary storage device 18 can include, but is not limited to, a magnetic disk device and / or an optical disk device, etc.

[0037] The output device 19 may include, but is not limited to, a display device, a touch panel, and / or a printer device.

[0038] In such a hardware configuration, the central processing unit 14 sequentially loads instructions and data (computer programs) constituting a specific application stored in the auxiliary storage device 18 into the main storage device 15, and performs operations on the loaded instructions and data to control the output device 19 via the input / output interface device 16, or to transmit and receive various data to and from other devices (e.g., a server device 20, other terminals 10) via the input / output interface device 16 and the communication line 2.

[0039] 2-2. Hardware configuration of server device 20 An example of the hardware configuration of each server device 20 will also be described with reference to Fig. 2. The hardware configuration of each server device 20 (each of the distribution server device 21A1 and the server storage device 21A2) may be the same as the hardware configuration of each of the above-mentioned terminals 10. Therefore, the reference characters for the components of each server device 20 are shown in parentheses in Fig. 2.

[0040] 2, each server device 20 can mainly include a central processing unit 24, a main memory device 25, an input / output interface device 26, an input device 27, an auxiliary memory device 28, and an output device 29. These devices are connected to each other by a data bus and / or a control bus.

[0041] The central processing unit 24, main memory device 25, input / output interface device 26, input device 27, auxiliary memory device 28, and output device 29 can be approximately the same as the central processing unit 14, main memory device 15, input / output interface device 16, input device 17, auxiliary memory device 18, and output device 19 included in each terminal 10 described above, respectively.

[0042] In such a hardware configuration, the central processing unit 24 sequentially loads instructions and data (computer programs) constituting a specific application stored in the auxiliary storage device 28 into the main storage device 25, and performs operations on the loaded instructions and data to control the output device 29 via the input / output interface device 26, or to transmit and receive various data to and from other devices (e.g., each terminal 10) via the input / output interface device 26 and the communication line 2.

[0043] Note that the server device 20 may include one or more microprocessors and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU) instead of or in addition to the central processing unit 24.

[0044] 3. Functions of each device Next, an example of the functions of the terminal 10 and the server device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, respectively.

[0045] 3-1. Functions of Terminal 10 Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of functions of the terminal 10 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal 10 includes, for example, a communication unit 110, an acquisition unit 120, a control unit 130, a display unit 140, a user interface unit 150, and a storage unit 160.

[0046] (1) Communications Department 110 The communication unit 110 is used, for example, to transmit various data to the server device 20. Moreover, the communication unit 210 is used, for example, to receive various data from the server device 20. The data received by the communication unit 210 is sent to the control unit 130, for example.

[0047] (2) Acquisition part 120 The acquisition unit 120 acquires, for example, operation data related to an operation from a user. The acquisition unit 120 also acquires, for example, data detected by various sensors. The data acquired by the acquisition unit 120 is sent to, for example, the control unit 130. The acquisition unit 120 performs, for example, processes S121 in FIG. 9, S122 in FIG. 9, S121 in FIG. 10, and S122 in FIG. 10, which will be described later. For example, the operation data may include one or more of the following data: Data showing how the streamer swiped the touchpad display Data showing which object the streamer tapped or clicked on Data showing how the streamer dragged the touchpad display Other such operational data

[0048] In addition, the data acquired by the acquisition unit 120 may be data regarding non-operation (data indicating that no operation was performed), for example, data indicating that the terminal 10 was not operated for a specific time (specific period) and / or data indicating that a specific location within the virtual space 300 was not entered.

[0049] (3) Control unit 130 The control unit 130 performs various controls based on, for example, data received by the communication unit 110. The control unit 130 also performs various controls based on data acquired by the acquisition unit 120. The control unit 130 performs, for example, processes of S131 in Fig. 9, S141 in Fig. 9, and S141 in Fig. 10, which will be described later.

[0050] (4) Display section 140 The display unit 140 displays, for example, display contents based on control data output from the control unit 130. The display unit 140 displays, for example, a screen for selecting a specific application. In addition, the display unit 140 displays, for example, a screen related to the inside of a virtual space when a specific application is selected and executed.

[0051] (5) User interface unit 150 The user interface unit 150 is used to input various data used for executing applications through user operations.

[0052] (6) Storage section 160 The storage unit 160 can store various data used to execute applications. The storage unit 160 stores data used to control the display unit 140. The storage unit 160 stores, for example, module data used to generate an avatar of a first user and an avatar of a second user. Note that the storage unit 160 is not limited to storing module data used to generate an avatar of a first user and an avatar of a second user, and may store module data used to generate other avatars.

[0053] The module data is, for example, data related to parts for generating an avatar. Here, the parts for generating an avatar include, for example, data on each part of the avatar (eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows, skin color, hairstyle, hair color, clothes, body, etc.). The module data also includes data on IDs assigned to each part for generating an avatar. If the part of the avatar is the body, the data related to the part for generating the avatar may include data categorized by body type, such as skinny, slightly skinny, normal, slightly obese, obese, etc.

[0054] In addition, when display unit 140 displays an avatar 80 other than avatar 80A (another person's avatar), server device 20 may be configured to transmit ID data used to generate avatar 80 other than avatar 80A to first terminal 11, and first terminal 11 may construct avatar 80 other than avatar 80A based on the ID data.

[0055] Furthermore, when display unit 140 displays an avatar 80 other than avatar 80A (another person's avatar), display unit 140 may display the avatar 80 other than avatar 80A colored black, or may display the avatar 80 other than avatar 80A with two options of male or female using parts and / or color determined based on the gender (e.g., male or female) of the user corresponding to the avatar 80 other than avatar 80A.

[0056] 3-2. Functions of the server device 20 Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the server device 20 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the server device 20 includes, for example, a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0057] (1) Communications unit 210 The communication unit 210 is used, for example, to transmit various data to the terminal 10. The communication unit 210 is also used, for example, to receive various data from the terminal 10. The data received by the communication unit 210 is sent to the control unit 230.

[0058] (2) Storage section 220 The storage unit 220 stores various data used for executing an application. The storage unit 220 stores, for example, the first data transmitted from the first terminal 11 and the data transmitted from the second terminal 12. At least one of the first data transmitted from the first terminal 11 and the data transmitted from the second terminal 12 may include, for example, data related to an "action history". Details of the first data transmitted from the first terminal 11, the data transmitted from the second terminal 12, and the data related to an "action history" will be described later.

[0059] (3) Control unit 230 The control unit 230 performs various controls based on, for example, data received by the communication unit 210. The control unit 230 performs, for example, processes of S183 in Fig. 9, S193 in Fig. 9, S133 in Fig. 10, S183 in Fig. 10, and S193 in Fig. 10, which will be described later.

[0060] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 by operating the first terminal 11 to start an application. As shown in Fig. 5, a virtual space 300 is displayed on the display unit 140. The virtual space 300 is, for example, a three-dimensional space. An avatar 80 and a virtual venue 310 are shown in the virtual space 300. Note that in addition to the avatar 80 and the virtual venue 310, facilities related to a live venue (described later) may also be provided in the virtual space 300.

[0061] The avatar 80 is configured to be able to perform at least one of walking, running, and jumping, for example, by a user's operation. The avatar 80 is also configured to be able to examine a virtual object, push a virtual object, pull a virtual object, lift a virtual object, sit on a virtual object, purchase a virtual object, and give an item to a virtual object, for example, by a user's operation. Here, examples of the virtual object include an avatar, a door, groceries, an admission ticket, a chair, and an exhibit. When the user operates the avatar 80 using the terminal 10, data related to the operation is transmitted to the server device 20.

[0062] By the above-mentioned operation of "examine virtual object", an explanation of the virtual object is displayed on the display unit 140. The sentence explaining the virtual object is, for example, at least one of the name of the virtual object, the use of the virtual object, and the price of the virtual object. The explanation of the virtual object is, for example, at least one of a sentence, an image, and a video.

[0063] By the above-mentioned operations of "pushing a virtual object", "pulling a virtual object", and "lifting a virtual object", the position of the virtual object in virtual space 300 can be changed.

[0064] By the above-mentioned operation of "taking a seat on a virtual object", the avatar 80 takes a seat on the virtual object. The avatar 80 may be configured to be able to take a seat at a specific location other than the virtual object. When the avatar 80 takes a seat on the virtual object or when the avatar 80 takes a seat at a specific location other than the virtual object, the display unit 140 may display a display screen (for example, a display screen without a UI operation unit or a chat screen) different from the display screen before the avatar 80 took a seat, or may hide the user interface that existed before the avatar 80 took a seat. When the display unit 140 displays a display screen different from the display screen before the avatar 80 took a seat, the display unit 140 may perform a display such that the screen to be displayed is displayed in full screen.

[0065] By performing the above-mentioned operation of "purchase a virtual object", for example, the virtual object can be purchased. If the virtual object is wearable, the appearance of the avatar 80 can be changed by having the avatar 80 wear the purchased virtual object.

[0066] Among the avatars displayed on the display unit 140, the avatars 80 other than the avatar 80 to be operated may be avatars operated by the user, or may be avatars whose movements within the virtual space 300 have been determined in advance. Here, when the movements of the avatars 80 within the virtual space 300 have been determined in advance, this means that the avatars 80 act as NPCs (Non Player Characters).

[0067] 5 all have the same appearance, but this is not limiting. The appearance of the avatar 80 may be determined based on data related to the user who operates the avatar 80. For example, if the user who operates the avatar 80 is male, the appearance of the avatar 80 may be male. For example, if the user who operates the avatar 80 is female, the appearance of the avatar 80 may be female.

[0068] Also, the movement of the avatar in the virtual space may change in conjunction with the user's movement. For example, when the user nods, the avatar in the virtual space may nod as well. Here, the movement data may be acquired, for example, using a motion capture system. As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, some examples of suitable motion capture systems that may be used with the apparatus and methods disclosed in the present application include optical motion capture systems using passive or active markers or without markers, and inertial and magnetic non-optical systems. The motion data may be acquired using an image capture device (such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensor) coupled to a computer that converts the motion data into video or other image data.

[0069] When operating avatar 80A shown in FIG. 5, for example, display unit 140 displays a screen as shown in FIG.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example displayed on the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 when the first user operates the avatar 80A using the first terminal 11. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the avatar 80, the avatar 80A, and the virtual venue 310 are displayed on the display unit 140. Here, the display unit 140 displays the back of the avatar 80A, and the line of sight of the first user operating the first terminal 11 and the line of sight of the avatar 80A corresponding to the first user are in the same direction. For example, the display unit 140 displays an area in the virtual space including the avatar 80A based on a virtual viewpoint located in the front direction of the paper surface of FIG. 6 from the avatar 80A. The display unit 140 displays an area in the virtual space including the traveling direction of the avatar 80A. Note that the area in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 140 can be changed by operating the avatar 80A using the terminal 10. For example, by changing the direction of travel of avatar 80A by 180 degrees using terminal 10, the area behind avatar 80A in Fig. 6 can be displayed. In this manner, by operating avatar 80A using terminal 10, an area not shown in Fig. 6 can be displayed on display unit 140. When a user operating first terminal 11 operates avatar 80A and avatar 80A shown in Fig. 6 is positioned inside virtual venue 310, a display screen such as that shown in Fig. 7 is displayed.

[0071] 6, when the first user operates the avatar 80A, the first terminal 11 acquires, for example, data on the position of the avatar 80A in the virtual space 300. Also, for example, the data on the position of the avatar 80A in the virtual space 300 acquired by the first terminal 11 is transmitted to the server device 20. The timing at which the first terminal 11 acquires the data on the position of the avatar 80A in the virtual space 300 may be any timing. Also, for example, the timing at which the data on the position of the avatar 80A in the virtual space 300 acquired by the first terminal 11 is transmitted to the server device 20 may also be any timing.

[0072] Also, any area of ​​the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 may be configured to be touch-operated. Also, the first terminal 11 may be configured to include an acceleration sensor (not shown), and when the first terminal 11 is operated, the display area and / or direction displayed by the display unit 140 may be changed based on the acceleration sensor. Here, the above-mentioned "any area" includes, for example, the area 301 and / or the area 314 in FIG. 6. The area 301 and / or the area 314 is an operation user interface for performing a predetermined display control by performing a touch operation. Also, the "touch operation" refers to at least one of the operations of tapping, double tapping, swiping, flicking, pinching in, and pinching out. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, two areas 301 may be provided, or one or three or more areas may be provided. In addition, in the case where two or more regions 301 are provided, one region 301 corresponds to, for example, a region used to make the avatar 80A walk, and the other region 301 corresponds to, for example, a region used to make the avatar 80A jump. In this way, the avatar 80A can be made to walk or jump by performing a touch operation on the region 301. Here, the touch operation for making the avatar 80A walk or jump is, for example, an operation of tapping or double tapping the region 301 of the avatar 80A. In addition, the region in which the touch operation for making the avatar 80A walk or jump is performed may be a region other than the region 301. In addition, the region 301 and / or the region 314 may be displayed at the same position or at a different position not only when the display of FIG. 6 is performed, but also when other drawings (for example, FIG. 7 and / or FIG. 8) described later are displayed.

[0073] 6, for example, when an operation of tapping or double-tapping point 321 is performed, display unit 140 displays line segment 322 connecting avatar 80A and point 321, and avatar 80A walks to point 321 along line segment 322. Point 321 and line segment 322 may be any color. A touch operation for making avatar 80A walk is an operation of flicking any area of ​​avatar 80A to change the direction of travel, and then tapping or double-tapping any point on a virtual straight line in the changed direction of travel.

[0074] The first terminal 11 may be configured so that the first user can chat with a user corresponding to at least one of all the avatars 80 through the area 314 of the display unit 140. Here, the area 314 is an area for displaying a message input by the user corresponding to the avatar 80. The user chatting with the first user is an individual user or an exhibiting company. In addition, when multiple messages are displayed in the area 314, if all the messages cannot be displayed in the area 314, a touch operation can be performed to display messages that are not displayed in the area 314. Here, the touch operation in the case where all the messages cannot be displayed in the area 314 is, for example, a swipe.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the virtual venue 310 displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. In FIG. 7, the user who operates the first terminal 11 operates the avatar 80A, and the avatar 80A shown in FIG. 6 is positioned inside the virtual venue 310, whereby the scene changes, and the display screen changes. Note that the URL when the display screen when the avatar 80A is outside the virtual venue 310 (for example, FIG. 6) is displayed using the web browser of the first terminal 11 is different from the URL when the display screen when the avatar 80A is inside the virtual venue 310 (for example, FIG. 7) is displayed using the web browser of the first terminal 11. Therefore, when the web browser of the first terminal 11 is used, if the avatar 80A shown in FIG. 6 is positioned inside the virtual venue 310, the URL will change. As shown in FIG. 7, the avatar 80, the avatar 80A, the chair 81, the display area 311, the display area 312, the avatar 313, and the area 314 are shown. Here, virtual venue 310 is, for example, a booth at an exhibition or event venue. At least one chair 81 is provided. Avatar 80 and avatar 80A are assumed to be located in a first area within virtual venue 310.

[0076] The chair 81 is, for example, a virtual object on which the avatar 80 can sit. For example, the user operates the avatar 80A to approach a specific chair among the multiple chairs 81 and perform a predetermined operation, whereby the avatar 80 sits on the chair 81. Also, for example, the user operates the avatar 80A to approach a specific chair among the multiple chairs 81 and perform a predetermined operation, whereby a message asking whether or not to sit on the specific chair is displayed on the display screen of the first terminal 11. When a message asking whether or not to sit on the specific chair is displayed on the display screen of the first terminal 11, if the user operates the terminal 10 to perform a predetermined operation indicating an intention to sit on the specific chair in response to the message, the avatar 80 sits on the chair 81. As a result, the display unit 140 performs a display related to a first-person perspective instead of a display related to a third-person perspective. That is, the display unit 140 performs a display not including the avatar 80A instead of a display including the avatar 80A.

[0077] In the display area 311, for example, various explanatory materials and / or videos are displayed. In the display area 312, the name of the organization operating the virtual venue 310, the theme of the explanatory session, and the like are displayed. The avatar 313 is, for example, an avatar imitating a staff member who manages the virtual venue 310. The avatar 313 may be an avatar operated by a user, or an avatar whose behavior within the virtual space 300 has been determined in advance. Here, when the avatar 80 behaves in a manner that has been determined in advance in the virtual space 300, this means that the avatar behaves as the above-mentioned NPC.

[0078] At least one of a message sent from the first terminal 11 and a message sent from a terminal other than the first terminal is displayed in the area 314. Here, the message displayed in the area 314 may display a message addressed to the first terminal, or the message displayed in the area 314 may display a message exchanged between terminals other than the first terminal. Thus, the area 314 functions as an area that can be viewed and / or chatted by a user corresponding to at least one avatar 80 present in the virtual space 300, or an area that can be viewed and / or chatted by a user corresponding to at least one avatar 80 present in a specific location in the virtual space 300.

[0079] The condition for displaying the area 314 on the display unit 140 is not limited to when the avatar 80 is located in the virtual venue 310. For example, when the avatar 80 is located in a predetermined area in the virtual space 300, a display area corresponding to the predetermined area may be displayed on the display unit 140. That is, the display area to be displayed on the display unit 140 may be determined according to the location where the avatar 80 is present. This allows the user to exchange messages with users corresponding to other avatars 80 that are present in the same area as the area in which the user's avatar 80 is present. Therefore, the user can easily communicate with other users who share the same interests, concerns, and / or attributes.

[0080] Furthermore, the terminal of the sender of the message displayed in area 314 is, for example, a terminal used by a user who operates an avatar present in virtual venue 310. However, the avatar corresponding to the terminal of the sender of the message displayed in area 314 may or may not be displayed in virtual venue 310.

[0081] Additionally, area 314 may display products that can be purchased. The products are, for example, products related to the operator or organization that operates virtual venue 310. Area 314 may display content related to the products and content encouraging the purchase of the products together with the products. Here, the content encouraging the purchase of the products is configured to be selectable and displays, for example, "Add to shopping cart."

[0082] In addition, when a user uses terminal 10 to perform an operation to proceed with the purchase procedure for at least one product displayed in area 314, for example, a browser installed on terminal 10 is launched, and a page requesting input of details to be used to purchase the product is displayed on display unit 140.

[0083] At a predetermined time in the virtual venue 310, for example, a predetermined explanation is started. Here, the time used in the virtual space may be a time synchronized with the real time so as to be the same as the real time, or may be a time used in the virtual space 300 separately from the real time. Note that the condition for starting a predetermined explanation in the virtual venue 310 does not have to be related to time. For example, the condition for starting a predetermined explanation in the virtual venue 310 may be, for example, when the number of avatars present in the virtual venue 310 reaches a predetermined number or more, or when a specific avatar is located in the virtual venue 310, or the like.

[0084] Note that the system may be configured so that multiple avatars can overlap and sit on one seat at the same time. For example, when avatar 80 is seated on chair 81 at the left end of Fig. 7, a user may operate avatar 80A using terminal 10 to make avatar 80A sit on chair 81 at the left end of Fig. 7. In this way, for example, even if the total number of avatars located in virtual venue 310 exceeds the total number of chairs 81, all avatars viewing the content displayed in display area 311 can be seated in virtual venue 310.

[0085] A predetermined explanation that starts at a predetermined time is given by displaying predetermined content in the display area 311 and / or outputting audio. The explanation is, for example, a video. The video is, for example, any one of a predetermined explanatory video, an event video such as a concert, a video such as a movie, and a video reflecting a real-time Vtuber's movement and / or performance. If the explanation is a video, the terminal 10 requests data related to the video from the second server system 22. Then, in response to the request, the second server system 22 transmits data related to the video to the terminal 10. As a result, the terminal 10 can receive data related to the video from the second server system 22 and watch the video.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10. FIG. 8 shows a live venue 410. The live venue 410 is an example of a venue provided in the virtual space 300. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of chairs 81 are provided inside the live venue 410. The chairs 81 are virtual objects on which the avatar 80 can sit, for example. For example, the user operates the avatar 80A to approach a specific chair among the plurality of chairs 81 and perform a predetermined operation, whereby the avatar 80 sits on the chair 81. Also, for example, the user operates the avatar 80A to approach a specific chair among the plurality of chairs 81 and perform a predetermined operation, whereby a message asking whether or not to sit on the specific chair is displayed on the display screen of the first terminal 11. When a message asking whether or not to sit on the specific chair is displayed on the display screen of the first terminal 11, if the user uses the terminal 10 to perform a predetermined operation indicating an intention to sit on the specific chair in response to the message, the avatar 80 sits on the chair 81.

[0087] At a predetermined time, the video is played in display area 411. Here, the time used in the virtual space may be a time synchronized with the real time so as to be the same as the real time, or may be a time used in virtual space 300 separately from the real time. Note that the condition for playing the video in display area 411 does not have to be related to the time. For example, the condition for playing the video in display area 411 may be when the number of avatars present in live venue 410 reaches a predetermined number or more, or when a specific avatar is located in live venue 410, or the like.

[0088] Note that the system may be configured so that multiple avatars can overlap and sit on one seat at the same time. For example, when avatar 80 is seated on chair 81 at the leftmost position in Fig. 8, a user may operate avatar 80A using terminal 10 to make avatar 80A sit on chair 81 at the leftmost position in Fig. 8. In this way, for example, even if the total number of avatars located in live venue 410 exceeds the total number of chairs 81, all avatars viewing the content displayed in display area 411 can be seated in live venue 410.

[0089] 8, avatar 80A is not shown within live venue 410, but this is not limiting. Avatar 80A may be displayed on display unit 140 within live venue 410, and avatar 80A may move within display unit 140 in response to an operation of first terminal 11 used by the first user.

[0090] 4. Operation of System 1000 The operation of the system 1000 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figures 9 and 10 are flow charts showing an example of the operation performed by using the system 1000 shown in Figure 1.

[0091] First, steps S111 to S193 will be described in order with reference to FIG.

[0092] In S111, the first user operates the first terminal 11 to start up an application, and in S112, the second user operates the second terminal 12 to start up an application.

[0093] In S121, the first terminal 11 acquires the first data. In addition, in S122, the second terminal 12 acquires the second data. After the process of S122, the second terminal 12 transmits data related to the position of the avatar operated by the second user to the server device 20. Thereafter, the server device 20 transmits the second data including data related to the position of the avatar operated using the second terminal 12 to the first terminal 11.

[0094] 9 illustrates an example in which there are two terminals 10, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12, but the terminals 10 may include at least one other terminal in addition to the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. In this case, data on the position of the avatar operated using each of the at least one other terminal is transmitted to the server device 20. Then, the server device 20 determines second data based on data received from a terminal other than the first terminal, and transmits the second data to the first terminal 11.

[0095] The first data includes, for example, data related to an avatar in a virtual space operated by the first user using a terminal. The first data includes, for example, user operation data and operation history data, and includes, for example, data related to the position of the avatar of the first user. The first data includes, for example, data related to the action history of the avatar in a virtual space operated by the first user using a terminal.

[0096] The second data also includes, for example, data on avatars in the virtual space operated by at least one user other than the first user using a terminal of each user. The second data also includes, for example, at least one of the following: a position of an avatar of at least one user other than the first user, and a total number of avatars of at least one user other than the first user that are located in a first area in the virtual space. The second data includes, for example, data on the behavior history in the virtual space of an avatar in the virtual space operated by at least one user other than the first user using a terminal of at least one user other than the first user.

[0097] In S131, the first terminal 11 performs a first determination process. Here, the first determination process is to determine whether or not the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition. If the first terminal 11 determines in S131 that the predetermined condition is satisfied, control data for controlling the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 is determined, and the process of S141 is executed. On the other hand, if the first terminal 11 determines in S131 that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the process of S131 is repeated.

[0098] The predetermined condition in S131 is at least one of the following: when the avatar 80A of the first user is located in the first area; when the total number of the avatars 80 other than the avatar 80A that are located in the first area is equal to or greater than a first value; when the total number of the avatars 80 other than the avatar 80A that are located in the first area is equal to or less than a second value; when the number of the avatars 80 other than the avatar 80A that are located within a first distance from one avatar 80 located in the first area is equal to or greater than a third value; and when the number of the avatars 80 other than the avatar 80A that are located within a first distance from one avatar 80 located in the first area is equal to or less than a fourth value. The first value is greater than the second value, and the third value is greater than the fourth value. The first area is, for example, an area inside the virtual venue 310 or an area inside the live venue 410.

[0099] The server device 20 may transmit data on at least one of the number of simultaneous connections, the user, and the attributes of the event to the first terminal 11. The first terminal 11 may then receive the data and determine the total number of avatars 80 to be displayed by the display unit 140, taking into consideration the performance of drawing. As a result, even if the first terminal 11 does not have high performance, the first terminal 11 can draw the avatar 80 so that the first user operating the avatar 80A feels synchronized within the range of the performance of the first terminal 11. The first terminal 11 determines the total number of avatars 80 as described above, taking into consideration at least one of the number of vertices, materials, and the number of textures of the mesh of the 3D model that can be drawn.

[0100] The control data determined in S131 is data for controlling the display screen of the first terminal 11. In addition, this control data includes data on the position of at least one user's avatar to be displayed on the display screen determined based on the position of the avatar included in the second data, and the total number of at least one user's avatar to be displayed on the display screen determined based on the total number of avatars included in the second data.

[0101] In S141, first terminal 11 performs a process of controlling display unit 140 of first terminal 11 based on the control data.

[0102] In S183, server device 20 determines analytical data based on at least one of the first data and the second data. Then, server device 20 transmits the determined analytical data to device 70. Server device 20 determines analytical data and transmits the determined analytical data to device 70, for example, every time server device 20 receives at least one of the first data and the second data.

[0103] In S193, the server device 20 determines advertisement data based on at least one of the first data and the second data. The advertisement data includes data determined based on the first data and intended for a first user who operates the first terminal 11, and data determined based on the second data and intended for a second user who operates the second terminal 12. In S193, the server device 20 transmits the determined advertisement data intended for the first user to the first terminal 11, and transmits the determined advertisement data intended for the second user to the second terminal 12.

[0104] Next, steps S111 to S193 will be described in order with reference to FIG.

[0105] In S111, the first user operates the first terminal 11 to start up an application, and in S112, the second user operates the second terminal 12 to start up an application.

[0106] In S121, the first terminal 11 acquires the first data. In addition, in S122, the second terminal 12 acquires the second data. After S121, the server device 20 acquires the first data from the first terminal 11. After S122, the server device 20 acquires the data acquired at the second terminal 12 from the second terminal 12. After the server device 20 acquires the first data from the first terminal 11 and the data acquired at the second terminal 12 from the second terminal 12, the process of S133 is performed. In addition, the server device 20 transmits data to the first terminal 11 requesting the generation of an avatar of at least one user.

[0107] 9, an example is described in which there are two terminals 10, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12, but the terminals 10 may include at least one other terminal in addition to the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. In this case, data on the position of the avatar operated using each of the at least one other terminal is transmitted to the server device 20. Then, the server device 20 determines the second data based on the data received from a terminal other than the first terminal.

[0108] In S133, the server device 20 performs a first determination process. Here, the first determination process of S133 in Fig. 10 is similar to the first determination process of S131 in Fig. 9. If the server device 20 determines in S133 that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the server device 20 determines control data, transmits the control data to the first terminal 11, and the process of S141 is executed. On the other hand, if the server device 20 determines in S133 that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the process of S133 is repeated.

[0109] The control data determined in S133 is data for controlling the display screen of the first terminal 11. In addition, this control data includes data on the position of at least one user's avatar to be displayed on the display screen determined based on the position of the avatar included in the second data, and the total number of at least one user's avatar to be displayed on the display screen determined based on the total number of avatars included in the second data.

[0110] In S141, first terminal 11 performs a process of controlling display unit 140 of first terminal 11 based on the control data.

[0111] In S183, server device 20 determines analytical data based on at least one of the first data and the second data. Then, server device 20 transmits the determined analytical data to device 70. Server device 20 determines analytical data and transmits the determined analytical data to device 70, for example, every time server device 20 receives at least one of the first data and the second data.

[0112] In S193, the server device 20 determines advertisement data based on at least one of the first data and the second data. The advertisement data includes data determined based on the first data and intended for a first user who operates the first terminal 11, and data determined based on the second data and intended for a second user who operates the second terminal 12. In S193, the server device 20 transmits the determined advertisement data intended for the first user to the first terminal 11, and transmits the determined advertisement data intended for the second user to the second terminal 12.

[0113] 9 and S193 in Fig. 10, if the avatar 80 has entered the virtual venue 310 or live venue 410 where an event held by a specific operating organization is being held, and has a history of watching a video played in the virtual venue 310 or live venue 410, the advertisement data transmitted to the first terminal 11 may include, for example, data regarding information about an event to be held in the future by the specific operating organization. The data includes at least one of text data, image data, and video data.

[0114] 9 and S193 in FIG. 10, the above-mentioned advertisement data may be, for example, data including a URL for accessing a database storing third data related to the advertisement determined based on the first data. The above-mentioned advertisement data may be, for example, data including a URL for accessing a database storing fourth data related to the advertisement determined based on the data acquired in the second terminal 12. The above-mentioned advertisement data may be, for example, already downloaded in an app (application) by batch processing or the like. In this case, the server device 20 may transmit data related to an ID corresponding to the data to be transmitted to the first terminal 11, and the first terminal 11 may display the advertisement data based on the ID. The server device 20 may transmit data related to an ID corresponding to the data to be transmitted to the second terminal 12, and the second terminal 12 may display the advertisement data based on the ID.

[0115] FIG. 11 shows an example of data transmitted from the terminal 10. In FIG. 11, various data that the server device 20 receives from each terminal 10 when the first user, the second user, and the third user each operate an avatar using their own terminal 10 is described. Here, the various data is, for example, data related to "age", "gender", "current location", "virtual object", "chat history", "content viewing history", "parts ID", and "simple avatar". Here, the "parts ID" is, for example, data for identifying an avatar. The "simple avatar" is, for example, data related to an ID pattern according to gender, including male and female.

[0116] The above-mentioned first data may include, for example, at least any content related to the first user in Fig. 11. The above-mentioned second data may include at least any content related to the second user in Fig. 11 and / or at least any content related to the third user in Fig. 11.

[0117] Here, with regard to the above-mentioned "age", FIG. 11 shows an example in which the first user's age is 21 years old, the second user's age is 31 years old, and the third user's age is 41 years old.

[0118] Regarding the above-mentioned "gender," FIG. 11 shows an example in which the gender of the avatar of the first user is male, the gender of the avatar of the second user is female, and the gender of the avatar of the third user is male.

[0119] Furthermore, with regard to the above-mentioned "current location," FIG. 11 shows an example in which an avatar operated by a first user is located at location A01, an avatar operated by a second user is located at location B01, and an avatar operated by a third user is located at location C01.

[0120] 11 shows an example in which an avatar operated by a first user purchases a virtual object A12 at a price A13 at time A11, an avatar operated by a second user opens the virtual object B12 at time B11, and an avatar operated by a third user acquires the virtual object C12 at time C11. Note that the virtual object A2 is, for example, an admission ticket for entering a live music venue. The virtual object B22 is, for example, a door.

[0121] Also, with regard to the above-mentioned "chat history," FIG. 11 shows an example in which a first user's terminal sends a message "Hello" to a third user's terminal at location A22 at time A21, the second user has no chat history with any other users, and the third user's terminal receives the message "Hello" from the first user's terminal at location C22 at time C21.

[0122] Furthermore, with regard to the above-mentioned "content viewing history," FIG. 11 shows an example in which a first user's avatar stands up at position A32 at time A31 and begins viewing content, a second user's avatar watches the content for two hours in seat B33 at position B32 at time B31, and a third user's avatar finishes viewing the content at position C32 at time C31 and leaves seat C33.

[0123] Although the above-mentioned "age" has been described as an example showing the age of the user, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the above-mentioned "age" may show the age group to which the user belongs. For example, when 21 years old or older and 30 years old or younger are defined as category 1, the age of the first user may be shown to belong to category 1. Also, when 31 years old or older and 40 years old or younger are defined as category 2, the age of the second user may be shown to belong to category 2. Also, when 41 years old or older and 50 years old or younger are defined as category 3, the age of the third user may be shown to belong to category 3. In this way, for example, when the analysis data is determined in S183 of FIG. 9 or S183 of FIG. 10 and the analysis data is transmitted to the device 70, the data on age can be used for marketing, etc., without transmitting the specific personal information of the user to the device 70.

[0124] Although the above-mentioned "current location" indicates the location of the avatar at a specific time, the current location is not limited to this. For example, the current location may include data indicating the path of the avatar's movement within the virtual space 300 within a predetermined period of time.

[0125] In addition, with regard to the above-mentioned "chat history," an example was described in which a first user sends a message "Hello" to a terminal of a third user at a position A22 at a time A21, but the contents of the message are not limited to this. Furthermore, data sent from a terminal of one user to a terminal of another user may include at least one of text, emoticons, voice messages, images, and videos.

[0126] 11 are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and may include data related to "behavior history." Data related to "behavior history" may include, for example, the time when the avatar 80 entered the virtual venue 310, the time when the avatar 80 entered the live venue 410, the time when the avatar 80 left the virtual venue 310, the time when the avatar 80 left the live venue 410, the time when the avatar 80 stayed in the virtual venue 310, the time when the avatar 80 stayed in the live venue 410, the time when the avatar 80 started viewing an object displayed in the display area 311 in the virtual venue 310, the time when the avatar 80 started viewing a video in the live venue 410, the time (period) when the avatar 80 viewed an object displayed in the display area 311 in the virtual venue 310, the time (period) when the avatar 80 viewed a video in the live venue 410, the time when the avatar 80 viewed a video in the virtual venue 310, the time ... virtual venue 310, the time when the avatar 80 viewed a video in the live venue The history may include at least any of the following: the time when avatar 80 finished viewing the object displayed in display area 311 at terminal 10, the time when avatar 80 finished viewing the video at live venue 410, the time when avatar 80 sat down in chair 81, the time when avatar 80 left chair 81, the time from when avatar 80 sat down in chair 81 to when it left chair 81, and position data of chair 81 when avatar 80 sits down in chair 81, a history of received data including a message received from a terminal 10 operated by a user operating one terminal 10, and a history of sent data including a message sent by the user operating one terminal 10 to a terminal 10 operated by a user operating another terminal 10.

[0127] Furthermore, server device 20 may select which content of data among the contents described in Fig. 11 is to be transmitted to device 70. For example, in a case where the data to be transmitted to device 70 includes the content related to the chat history described in Fig. 11, server device 20 may transmit to device 70 data excluding the content related to the chat history among the contents described in Fig. 11.

[0128] 11 to the device 70. For example, instead of transmitting data indicating that the avatar of the first user is located at position A01 to the device 70, the server device 20 may transmit data indicating that the avatar of the first user is located near position A01 to the device 70.

[0129] Furthermore, when data including a message for the other of the device 70 and the second terminal 12 is received from one of the device 70 and the second terminal 12, the data including the message does not have to be transmitted to the other terminal 10. In this way, data exchanged between the second terminal 12 and the device 70 is not transmitted to any terminal 10 other than the second terminal 12. Therefore, when data transmitted and received between the second terminal 12 and the device 70 includes data related to personal information of a user operating the second terminal 12, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the personal information will be known to a user operating a terminal 10 other than the second terminal 12.

[0130] In this way, the display unit 140 may not display a screen that reflects the total number and positions of the avatars 80 in real time. However, even if the display unit 140 does not display a screen that reflects the total number and positions of the avatars 80 in real time, the first user who operates the first terminal 11 can check a display that reflects the approximate total number and positions of the avatars 80 and communicate with other users in real time using a general chat. Therefore, even if the display unit 140 displays a screen that reflects the approximate total number and positions of the avatars 80 but does not reflect the total number and positions of the avatars 80 in real time, the possibility that the user will feel uncomfortable can be reduced.

[0131] When display unit 140 displays area 314 and users chat with each other, the user ID and avatar 80 in the chat may or may not be linked to each other.

[0132] As described above, according to the present disclosure, first data related to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user is stored, second data related to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of at least one user other than the first user is received via a communication line, and whether or not the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition is determined. If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, control data for controlling the display screen of the terminal of the first user is determined, and the display screen is controlled based on the control data. The second data includes at least one of the coordinates of the avatar of the at least one user and the total number of avatars located in the first area in the virtual space among the avatars of the at least one user. Therefore, for example, the total number of avatars displayed on the display unit 140 of the terminal 10 can be changed. Therefore, even when the performance of the terminal 10 (for example, a smartphone) is low and an application is executed using the terminal 10, it is possible to suppress the load of display control and, in turn, delays while generating a sense of realism by having multiple avatars appear in the virtual space on the display unit of the terminal 10. In this way, the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 changes and displays the total number and / or positions of the actual avatars 80. Meanwhile, the exhibitor, manager, and / or operating company of the virtual space 300 can obtain data regarding the actual total number and / or positions of the avatars, rather than data regarding the changed total number and / or positions of the avatars displayed by the display unit 140. Thus, accurate data regarding the total number and / or positions of the avatars can be used for marketing.

[0133] 5. Variations

[0134] Note that the storage unit 160 of the terminal 10 may store data acquired by the terminal 10 when the data is received from the terminal 10. Specifically, for example, the storage unit 160 of the terminal 10 may store second data. Then, the terminal 10 may determine the control data using the second data previously received and stored in the storage unit 160.

[0135] Furthermore, when data acquired by the terminal 10 is received from the terminal 10, the storage unit 220 of the server device 20 may store the data. Specifically, for example, the storage unit 220 of the server device 20 may store second data. Then, the server device 20 may determine the control data using the second data previously received and stored in the storage unit 220.

[0136] Fig. 12 shows an example of the number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11. In Fig. 12, the number of avatars present in a predetermined area in virtual space 300 excluding avatar 80A is shown.

[0137] Here, it is assumed that at time 1, there is one avatar in the predetermined area, at time 2, there are two avatars operating the second terminal, at time 3, there are seven avatars operating the second terminal, at time 4, there are 90 avatars, and at time 5, there are 400 avatars. Note that the number of avatars at each of times 1 to 5 is not limited to the above example.

[0138] Furthermore, among times 1 to 5, time 1 is the past time closest to the current time, and among times 1 to 5, time 5 is the past time furthest from the current time. Time 1 is, for example, 5 minutes before the present, time 2 is, for example, 1 hour before the present, time 3 is, for example, 12 hours before the present, time 4 is, for example, 1 day before the present, and time 5 is, for example, 3 days before the present. Note that each of times 1 to 5 is not limited to the above example.

[0139] Here, when the total number of avatars present in the predetermined area is equal to or greater than a first value, or when the total number of avatars included in virtual venue 310 is equal to or less than a second value, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed to a predetermined value. Here, the first value is, for example, 11, and the second value is, for example, 9. The first value is greater than the second value. Also, the predetermined value is, for example, 10. Note that the specific values ​​of the first value and the second value are not limited to these.

[0140] For example, assume that the number of avatars (1) at time 1 is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 as in example 1 of Fig. 12. In this case, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is equal to or less than the second value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of terminal 10 is changed from 1 to 10. In other words, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed from the number of avatars at time 1 to the sum of the numbers of avatars at each of times 1 to 3.

[0141] Also, for example, assume that the total number of avatars (three) at time 1 and time 2 is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 as in example 2 of Fig. 12. In this case, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is equal to or less than the second value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is changed from three to ten. In other words, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed from the sum of the numbers of avatars at each of time 1 and time 2 to the sum of the numbers of avatars at each of time 1 to time 3.

[0142] Also, for example, assume that the total number of avatars (10) from time 1 to time 3 is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 as in example 3 of Fig. 12. In this case, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is less than the first value and greater than the second value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 does not change.

[0143] Also, for example, assume that the total number of avatars at times 1 to 4 (100) is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 as in example 4 of Fig. 12. In this case, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is equal to or greater than the first value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of terminal 10 is changed from 100 to 10. In other words, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed from the sum of the numbers of avatars at times 1 to 4 to the sum of the numbers of avatars at times 1 to 3.

[0144] Also, for example, assume that the total number of avatars at times 1 to 5 (500) is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 as in example 5 of Fig. 12. The total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is equal to or greater than a first value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is changed from 500 to 10. In other words, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed from the sum of the number of avatars at times 1 to 5 to the sum of the number of avatars at times 1 to 3.

[0145] In Fig. 12, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed when the total number of avatars is equal to or greater than a first value, or when the total number of avatars is equal to or less than a second value, but this is not limiting. For example, the total number of avatars after the change may differ depending on the total number of avatars. A specific example of this will be described below with reference to Fig. 13.

[0146] Fig. 13 shows an example of the number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11. In Fig. 13, the number of avatars present in a predetermined area is shown excluding avatar 80A.

[0147] Here, it is assumed that the number of avatars present in the predetermined area at time 1 is 3, the number of avatars operating the second terminal at time 2 is 7, the number of avatars operating the second terminal at time 3 is 10, and the number of avatars at time 4 is 80. Note that the number of avatars at each of times 1 to 4 is not limited to the above example.

[0148] Of times 1 to 4, time 1 is the past time closest to the current time, and of times 1 to 5, time 5 is the past time furthest from the current time. Time 1 is, for example, 5 minutes before the present, time 2 is, for example, 1 hour before the present, time 3 is, for example, 12 hours before the present, and time 4 is, for example, 1 day before the present. Note that each of times 1 to 4 is not limited to the above example.

[0149] Here, the number of avatars to be displayed on display unit 140 when the total number of avatars present in a specified area is greater than a first value is defined as a first value, and the number of avatars to be displayed on display unit 140 when the total number of avatars included in virtual venue 310 is less than a second value is defined as a second value, where the first value is, for example, 20, and the second value is, for example, 10. The first value is greater than the second value. Note that the specific values ​​of the first value and the second value are not limited to these.

[0150] For example, assume that the number of avatars at time 1 (three) is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11, as in example 1 of Fig. 13. In this case, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is less than the second value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of terminal 10 is changed from three to ten. In other words, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed from the number of avatars at time 1 to the sum of the numbers of avatars at time 1 and time 2.

[0151] Also, for example, assume that the number of avatars (10) at time 1 and time 2 is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 as in example 2 of Fig. 13. In this case, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is less than or equal to a first value and greater than or equal to a second value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 does not change.

[0152] Also, for example, assume that the number of avatars (100) at times 1 to 4 is displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 as in example 3 of Fig. 13. In this case, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of first terminal 11 is greater than the first value. Therefore, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 of terminal 10 is changed from 100 to 20. In other words, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 is changed from the sum of the number of avatars at times 1 to 4 to the sum of the number of avatars at times 1 to 3.

[0153] 13, when the total number of avatars actually existing in the virtual space 300 is small and the total number of avatars actually existing in the virtual space 300 is less than a predetermined lower limit, the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 displays as few avatars as possible while displaying a number of avatars greater than the actual total number of avatars. Also, in FIG. 13, when the total number of avatars actually existing in the virtual space 300 is large and the total number of avatars actually existing in the virtual space 300 is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit, the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 displays as many avatars as possible while displaying a number of avatars less than the actual total number of avatars. Therefore, even if the display unit 140 of the first terminal 11 does not perform a display that accurately reflects the total number of avatars in the venue, the first user can grasp the degree of activity in the virtual space 300 by checking the approximate total number of avatars in the virtual space 300 via the display unit 140.

[0154] Also, as described above, when the total number of actual avatars is less than a predetermined threshold and the total number of avatars to be displayed is changed, an example has been described in which the total number of avatars to be displayed is increased based on the threshold, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, when the total number of actual avatars is less than a predetermined threshold and the total number of avatars to be displayed is changed, the total number of avatars to be displayed may be increased by adding a predetermined number.

[0155] Also, the display mode of the avatar may be changed according to the total number of actual avatars. For example, when the total number of actual avatars is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the display unit 140 may display the actual avatars by simplifying the parts of each avatar. In this way, even when the performance of the terminal 10 is low, the display unit 140 of the terminal 10 can display the actual avatars by reflecting the total number of avatars. Note that, for example, when the total number of actual avatars is less than a predetermined threshold, the display unit 140 may display the actual avatars without simplifying the parts of each avatar. Here, the display of the simplified avatar parts is, for example, a human-shaped avatar in a single color (black) or an identification display according to the gender of the user corresponding to the avatar. For example, when the gender of the user corresponding to the avatar is male, the avatar parts are the first parts, and when the gender of the user corresponding to the avatar is female, the avatar parts are the second parts different from the first parts.

[0156] Furthermore, when first terminal 11 receives position data of an avatar 80 (another person's avatar) other than avatar 80A at a given time t, display unit 140 of first terminal 11 does not have to immediately display the position data after receiving the position data. For example, display unit 140 of first terminal 11 may display the position data of an avatar 80 other than avatar 80A after an arbitrary time has elapsed counting from time t. Here, "an arbitrary time" is, for example, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 1 hour, etc.

[0157] In addition, when increasing or decreasing the number of avatars included in the virtual space, as described above, it is not limited to increasing or decreasing it to a predetermined number. For example, when increasing or decreasing the number of avatars included in the virtual space, the size of a predetermined space in the virtual space may be taken into consideration. Here, taking into consideration the size of the predetermined space in the virtual space means, for example, taking into consideration the density in the predetermined space in the virtual space. Also, the density in the predetermined space in the virtual space means, for example, the number of predetermined avatars displayed per unit volume in the predetermined space in the virtual space. For example, in a case where two areas as shown in FIG. 7 are provided in the virtual space, one is assumed to be the first space and the other is assumed to be the second space. Furthermore, in a case where the first space has a first size and 50 avatars exist in the first space, and the second space has a second size smaller than the first size and 50 avatars exist in the second space, it is assumed that the number of avatars included in the first space and the second space is excessive, so that the number of avatars is reduced. In this case, the number of avatars included in the first space may be reduced from 50 to 20, and the number of avatars included in the second space may be reduced from 50 to 10. Therefore, when a user operates an avatar using terminal 10, the total number of avatars displayed on display unit 140 can be prevented from becoming excessive, improving visibility.

[0158] 9, an example in which the server device 20 performs the processes of S183 and S193 after S141 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the server device 20 may receive the first data from the first terminal 11 before S131. As a result, the server device 20 may perform the process of S183 before S131 and transmit the analysis data to the device 70. Also, for example, the server device 20 may perform the process of S193 before S131 and transmit the advertisement data to the device 70. In this way, the server device 20 can shorten the time between the timing of receiving the first data and the timing of transmitting the analysis data determined based on the received first data to the device 70.

[0159] Also, as shown in Fig. 14, a first sensor 102a, a second sensor 102b, a camera 102c, and a microphone 102d may be provided in addition to the terminal 10 shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of the terminal 10 shown in Fig. 3 and a configuration connected to the terminal 10. Here, the terminal 10 is connected to each of the first sensor 102a, the second sensor 102b, the camera 102c, and the microphone 102d, for example, by wire or wirelessly.

[0160] The first sensor 102a is connected to the camera 102c, for example, by wire or wirelessly. The camera 102c can include, for example, an RGB camera that captures visible light and a near-infrared camera that captures near-infrared light. For example, the camera 102c can be a camera included in the True Depth camera of the iPhone X (registered trademark). The second sensor 102b is connected to the microphone 102d, for example, by wire or wirelessly. The first sensor 102a and the camera 102c may be provided as a single configuration. The second sensor 102b and the microphone 102d may be provided as a single configuration.

[0161] In this manner, the terminal 10 may transmit an image captured by the camera 102c to the server device 20. The first terminal 11 may transmit voice data input to the microphone 102d to the server device 20. The second terminal 12 may transmit voice data input to the microphone 102d to the server device 20. The first terminal 11 may transmit video data using the camera 102c and the microphone 102d to the server device 20.

[0162] 15 illustrates a generalized example of a suitable computing environment 1400 in which the embodiments, techniques, and technologies described herein, including transmitting and using tokens to render video in a computing environment, may be implemented. For example, the computing environment 1400 may implement any of a terminal device (or broadcaster, or viewer), a broadcast server system, etc., as described herein.

[0163] The computing environment 1400 is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the technology, as the technology may be implemented in a wide variety of general purpose or special purpose computing environments. For example, the technology disclosed herein may be implemented with a wide variety of other computer system configurations, including a variety of handheld devices, a variety of multiprocessor systems, a variety of microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, a variety of network PCs, a variety of minicomputers, a variety of mainframe computers, and the like. The technology disclosed herein may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0164] Referring to FIG. 15, the computing environment 1400 includes at least one central processing unit 1410 and memory 1420. In FIG. 15, this most basic configuration 1430 is included within the dashed line. The central processing unit 1410 executes computer-executable instructions, and may be a real processor or a virtual processor. In a multiprocessing system, multiple processors can run simultaneously, as multiple processing units execute computer-executable instructions to increase processing power. The memory 1420 may be volatile memory (e.g., registers, cache, RAM), non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. The memory 1420 stores, for example, software 1480, various images, and videos that can implement the techniques described herein. The computing environment may have various additional functions. For example, computing environment 1400 includes storage 1440, one or more input devices 1450, one or more output devices 1460, and one or more communication connections 1470. An interconnection mechanism (not shown), such as a bus, controller, or network, interconnects the various components of computing environment 1400. Typically, operating system software (not shown) provides an operating environment for other software executing in computing environment 1400 and coordinates various activities of the various components of computing environment 1400.

[0165] Storage 1440 may be removable or non-removable and may include magnetic disks, magnetic tapes or cassettes, CD-ROMs, CD-RWs, DVDs, or any other medium used to store information and that may be accessed within computing environment 1400. Storage 1440 stores instructions for software 1480, plug-in data, and messages that may be used to implement the techniques described herein.

[0166] The one or more input devices 1450 may be a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen display, a touch input device such as a pen or trackball, a voice input device, a scanning device, or another device that provides input to the computing environment 1400. In the case of audio, the one or more input devices 1450 may be a sound card or similar device that accepts audio input in analog or digital form, or a CD-ROM reader that provides various audio samples to the computing environment 1400. The one or more output devices 1460 may be a display, a printer, speakers, a CD writer, or another device that provides output from the computing environment 1400.

[0167] The one or more communications connections 1470 enable communication over a communications medium (e.g., a connected network) to another computing entity. The communications medium conveys information such as computer-executable instructions, compressed graphics information, video, or other data contained in a modulated data signal. The one or more communications connections 1470 include, but are not limited to, wired connections (e.g., megabit or gigabit Ethernet, InfiniBand, or Fibre Channel over electrical or optical fiber connections), but also wireless technologies (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi (IEEE 802.11a / b / n), WiMax, cellular, satellite, laser, infrared, RF connections), and other suitable communications connections for providing network connectivity to the various agents, bridges, and data consumers of the destination agents disclosed herein. In a virtual host environment, the one or more communications connections may be virtualized network connections provided by the virtual host.

[0168] Various embodiments of the various methods disclosed herein may be performed using computer-executable instructions implementing all or a portion of the techniques disclosed herein in the computational cloud 1490. For example, various agents may perform various vulnerability scanning functions in the computing environment, while agent platforms (e.g., bridges) and destination agent data consumer services may execute on various servers located within the computational cloud 1490.

[0169] Computer readable media are any available media that can be accessed within computing environment 1400. By way of example, and not limitation, with respect to computing environment 1400, computer readable media include memory 1420 and / or storage 1440. As will be readily understood, the term computer readable media includes media for data storage, such as memory 1420 and storage 1440, and does not include transmission media, such as various modulated data signals.

[0170] The various embodiments described above can be used in combination with each other unless there is a contradiction or inconvenience. Considering the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the invention disclosed herein can be applied, it should be understood that the illustrated various embodiments are merely preferred examples and should not be considered to limit the technical scope of the claimed invention to these preferred examples. In fact, the technical scope of the claimed invention is defined by the appended claims. Therefore, we claim the grant of a patent as our invention for all that falls within the technical scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0171] The computer program according to the first aspect is "a computer program executed by at least one processor, which causes the at least one processor to function as follows: obtain first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user; receive, via a communication line, second data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of at least one user other than the first user; the first data including a position of the first user's avatar; and the second data including at least one of a position of the at least one user's avatar and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determine whether the position of the first user's avatar or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, determine control data for controlling a display screen of the first user's terminal; and control the display screen based on the control data."

[0172] A computer program according to a second aspect of the present invention is a computer program executed by at least one processor, the computer program receiving, via a communication line, first data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user, and second data relating to an avatar in the virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user, the first data including a position of the avatar of the first user; The second data includes at least one of the position of an avatar of the at least one user and the total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area within the virtual space, and causes the at least one processor to function as follows: determine whether the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, determine control data for controlling the display screen of the first user's terminal; and transmit the control data to the first user's terminal via the communication line.

[0173] The computer program according to the third aspect is, in the first or second aspect described above, such that "the control data includes data regarding at least one of the position of an avatar of the at least one user to be displayed on the display screen, which is determined based on the position of the avatar included in the second data, and the total number of avatars of the at least one user to be displayed on the display screen, which is determined based on the total number of the avatars included in the second data."

[0174] A computer program according to a fourth aspect is, in any of the first to third aspects described above, "the specified condition is at least one of the following: when the first user's avatar is located in the first area; when the total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in the first area is a first value or more; when the total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in the first area is a second value or less; when the number of avatars of the at least one user that are located within a first distance from one avatar that is located in the first area is a third value or more; and when the number of avatars of the at least one user that are located within the first distance from one avatar that is located in the first area is a fourth value or less, and the first value is greater than the second value and the third value is greater than the fourth value."

[0175] The computer program according to a fifth aspect is the computer program according to any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, wherein "the second data includes data relating to the gender of an avatar of the at least one user."

[0176] The computer program according to the sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, in which "at least one virtual venue is provided within the virtual space, which is a space where video is distributed, and the first area is an area within one of the at least one virtual venues."

[0177] The computer program according to the seventh aspect is the same as in the sixth aspect described above, in which "when the second data includes data regarding the position of an avatar of the at least one user, the position of the avatar of the at least one user indicates a position within the virtual venue, and the position of the avatar of the at least one user included in the control data is a position within the virtual venue."

[0178] The computer program according to the eighth aspect is in the first aspect or any of the third to seventh aspects dependent on the first aspect described above, which "stores module data used to generate an avatar of the first user and an avatar of the second user."

[0179] A computer program according to a ninth aspect is in the second aspect described above or any of the third to seventh aspects subordinate to the second aspect, and "transmits data to the terminal of the first user requesting the terminal of the first user to generate an avatar of the at least one user."

[0180] The computer program according to the 10th aspect is one in any of the first to ninth aspects described above, wherein "at least one of the first data and the second data includes at least one of data regarding the avatar's behavioral history within the virtual space, and data of a user operating the avatar."

[0181] The computer program according to the 11th aspect is a computer program according to the 10th aspect which is dependent on the 6th aspect described above, wherein "the data relating to the behavioral history includes at least any of the following: data relating to the viewing history of the avatar watching the video, data relating to the viewing time of the avatar of the video, data relating to the entry history of the avatar into the virtual venue, data relating to the time the avatar stayed in the virtual venue, data relating to the exit history of the avatar from the virtual venue, data relating to the action history of the avatar on virtual objects existing in the virtual space, data relating to the position of a terminal from which a message is sent when the message is sent from one of the first user's terminal and the at least one user's terminal to the other of the first user's terminal and the at least one user's terminal, data relating to the purchase history of the virtual object, and data relating to the position of the virtual object when the virtual object is available for sitting and the avatar sits on the virtual object."

[0182] The computer program according to the 12th aspect is, in any one of the first to 11th aspects described above, "wherein at least one of the first data and the second data is transmitted to a third terminal other than the terminal of the first user and the terminal of the at least one user."

[0183] The computer program according to the 13th aspect is the same as in the 12th aspect described above, in which "determines whether or not at least one of the first data and the second data has been received, and if at least one of the first data and the second data has been received, transmits at least one of the received first data and the second data to the third terminal."

[0184] The computer program according to a 14th aspect is the computer program according to the 12th or 13th aspect described above, wherein "the period for receiving the first data is shorter than the period for determining the control data."

[0185] The computer program according to the 15th aspect is any one of the 12th to 14th aspects described above, wherein "the third terminal is a terminal operated by an operator or operating organization that operates the virtual venue."

[0186] The computer program according to the 16th aspect is, in any one of the first to fifteenth aspects described above, "wherein third data relating to an advertisement determined based on the first data is transmitted to a terminal of the first user, and / or fourth data relating to an advertisement determined based on the second data is transmitted to a terminal of the at least one user."

[0187] A computer program according to a 17th aspect is one in which, in any of the first to fifteenth aspects described above, "data including a URL for accessing a database storing third data related to an advertisement determined based on the first data is sent to a terminal of the first user, and / or data including a URL for accessing a database storing fourth data related to an advertisement determined based on the second data is sent to a terminal of the at least one user."

[0188] The computer program according to the 18th aspect is, in the above-mentioned 1st aspect, any of the 3rd to 8th aspects dependent on the 1st aspect, or any of the 10th to 17th aspects dependent on the 1st aspect, which "displays the virtual space in a first display area in a display screen of the terminal of the first user and displays the first message in the first display area when the avatar of the first user and the avatar of the at least one user are present in the virtual space at a predetermined time and when data including a first message transmitted from a terminal of a user corresponding to any of the avatars of the at least one user is received."

[0189] A computer program according to a 19th aspect is, in the above-mentioned 2nd aspect, any of the 3rd to 7th aspects dependent on the 2nd aspect, or any of the 9th to 17th aspects dependent on the 2nd aspect, which "when the first user's avatar and the at least one user's avatar are present in the virtual space at a predetermined time and data including a first message transmitted from a terminal of a user corresponding to any of the at least one user's avatars is received, transmits data for displaying the virtual space in a first display area in a display screen of the terminal of the first user and displaying the first message in the first display area."

[0190] The computer program according to the 20th aspect is the same as in the 19th aspect described above, in that "when data including a third message is received from one of the third terminal and the at least one user's terminal, which is intended for the other of the third terminal and the at least one user's terminal, the data including the third message is not transmitted to the first user's terminal."

[0191] A computer program according to a 21st aspect is, in any of the 5th to 20th aspects dependent on the 4th or 4th described above, that "the second data includes data regarding the total number of avatars located in the first area among the avatars of the at least one user, and the specified condition is either a case where the total number of avatars located in the first area among the avatars of the at least one user is equal to or greater than the first value, or a case where the total number of avatars located in the first area among the avatars of the at least one user is equal to or less than the second value, the second data is stored at each of a plurality of times, and when it is determined that the specified condition is satisfied at the first time, a cumulative total of the total number for a period from a second time to the first time among the plurality of times is determined, and the control data is determined based on the determination."

[0192] The computer program according to the 22nd aspect is the same as the 21st aspect described above, in that "if the total number of avatars located in the first area among the avatars of the at least one user is equal to or greater than the first value, the second time is determined so that the period to be used for determining the cumulative total is shortened, and if the total number of avatars located in the first area among the avatars of the at least one user is equal to or less than the second value, the second time is determined so that the period to be used for determining the cumulative total is lengthened."

[0193] The computer program according to a twenty-third aspect is the computer program according to any one of the first to twenty-second aspects described above, wherein "the virtual space is a three-dimensional space."

[0194] The computer program according to a 24th aspect is the computer program according to any one of the first to 23rd aspects described above, wherein "the movement of the avatar of the at least one user within the virtual space is determined in advance."

[0195] The computer program according to a twenty-fifth aspect is the computer program according to any one of the first to twenty-fourth aspects described above, wherein "the communication line includes the Internet."

[0196] The computer program according to the 26th aspect is any one of the first to 25th aspects described above, wherein "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."

[0197] The computer program according to a 27th aspect is the computer program according to any one of the first to 26th aspects described above, wherein "the at least one processor is installed in a server device, a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile phone, or a personal computer."

[0198] The method according to the 28th aspect includes "a step of acquiring first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user; receiving, via a communication line, second data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user; the first data including a position of the avatar of the first user, and the second data including at least one of a position of the avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determining whether the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; determining control data for controlling a display screen of the terminal of the first user when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied; and controlling the display screen based on the control data."

[0199] The method according to the 29th aspect includes "a step of receiving, via a communication line, first data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user and second data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user; the first data including a position of the avatar of the first user and the second data including at least one of a position of the avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determining whether the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition; determining control data for controlling a display screen of the terminal of the first user when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied; and transmitting the control data to the terminal of the first user via the communication line."

[0200] The method according to the 30th aspect is the same as the 28th or 29th aspect described above, wherein "the communication line includes the Internet."

[0201] The method according to the 31st aspect is any one of the above-mentioned 28th to 30th aspects, wherein "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."

[0202] A server device according to the 32nd aspect "receives, via a communication line, first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of a first user and second data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user, the first data including a position of the avatar of the first user and the second data including at least one of a position of the avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space, determines whether the position of the avatar of the first user or the second data satisfies a predetermined condition, and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, determines control data for controlling a display screen of the terminal of the first user, and transmits the control data to the terminal of the first user via the communication line."

[0203] The server device according to the 33rd aspect is the server device according to the 32nd aspect described above, wherein "the communication line includes the Internet."

[0204] The server device according to the 34th aspect is the same as in the 32nd or 33rd aspect, wherein "the at least one processor includes a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU)."

[0205] In this way, the technology disclosed herein can provide a computer program, a method, and a server device that prevent comfort from being compromised compared to conventional methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0206] 2. Communication Network 10 Terminal 11 Terminal 1 12 Terminal 2 14, 24 Central Processing Unit 15, 25 Main memory 16, 26 Input / Output Interface 17, 27 Input device 18, 28 Auxiliary storage device 19, 29 Output device 20 Server device 21 First Server System 21A1 Distribution server device 21A2 Server storage device 22 Second Server System 70 equipment 80, 80A, 313 Avatar 81 Chair 102a First sensor 102b Second sensor 102c Camera 102d Microphone 104 Processing section 110 Communications Department 120 Acquisition Department 130 Control section 140 Display section 150 User Interface Section 160 Storage section 210 Communications Department 220 Storage section 230 Control Unit 300 Virtual Space 301, 314 area 310 Virtual Venue 311, 312 display area 321 points 322 Line Segments 410 Live Venue 411 Display area 1000 Systems 1400 computing environment 1410 Processing Unit 1420 Memory 1430 Configuration 1440 Storage 1450 Input Device 1460 Output Device 1470 Communication Connection 1480 Software Instructions 1490 Computational Cloud

Claims

1. A computer program executed by at least one processor, comprising: Acquire first data regarding an avatar in a virtual space operated by a first user using a terminal; receiving second data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated by at least one user other than the first user using a terminal of each user, the second data being collected at a plurality of times from a server device via a communication line; the second data includes a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determining, when it is determined at a first time that the second data satisfies a predetermined condition, a cumulative total of the total number during a period from a second time to the first time among the plurality of times, and determining control data for controlling the display screen so as to display a predetermined total number of avatars of the at least one user on the display screen of the terminal of the first user based on the determination; causing the at least one processor to control the display screen based on the control data. Computer program.

2. A computer program executed by at least one processor, comprising: receiving, via a communication line, first data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated by a terminal of a first user from the terminal of the first user; receiving data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user via the communication line, the data being at a plurality of times from a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user; generating second data including a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area within the virtual space based on the data; determining, when it is determined at a first time that the second data satisfies a predetermined condition, a cumulative total of the total number during a period from a second time to the first time among the plurality of times, and determining control data for controlling the display screen so as to display a predetermined total number of avatars of the at least one user on the display screen of the terminal of the first user based on the determination; causing the at least one processor to transmit the control data to a terminal of the first user via the communication line; Computer program.

3. The control data includes data regarding at least one of a position of an avatar of the at least one user to be displayed on the display screen, which is determined based on a position of the avatar included in the second data, and a total number of avatars of the at least one user to be displayed on the display screen, which is determined based on a total number of the avatars included in the second data.

3. A computer program according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first data includes data regarding a behavioral history of the avatar in the virtual space. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The second data is data regarding the gender of the at least one user's avatar; A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. At least one virtual venue is provided in the virtual space, which is a space in which videos are distributed; The first area is an area within one of the at least one virtual venues. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. In a case where the second data includes data regarding a position of an avatar of the at least one user, the position of the avatar of the at least one user indicates a position within the virtual venue; The location of the at least one user's avatar included in the control data is a location within the virtual venue.

7. A computer program according to claim 6.

8. storing module data used to generate the first user avatar and the at least one user avatar; A computer program according to claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 7 dependent on claim 1.

9. transmitting data to a terminal of the first user requesting generation of an avatar of the at least one user to the terminal of the first user; A computer program according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 7 dependent on claim 2.

10. The data on the behavioral history is The data includes at least any of the following: data on the viewing history of the avatar watching the video; data on the viewing time of the avatar watching the video; data on the entry history of the avatar into the virtual venue; data on the stay time of the avatar in the virtual venue; data on the exit history of the avatar from the virtual venue; data on the action history of the avatar on virtual objects existing in the virtual space; data on the position of a terminal from which a message is sent when a message is sent from one of the first user's terminal and the at least one user's terminal to the other of the first user's terminal and the at least one user's terminal; data on the purchase history of the virtual object; and data on the position of the virtual object when the virtual object is available for sitting and the avatar sits on the virtual object. A computer program according to claim 6 when dependent on claim 4.

11. Data relating to the analysis determined based on the second data is transmitted to a third terminal other than the terminal of the at least one user. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. determining whether the second data has been received, and if the second data has been received, transmitting the received second data to the third terminal; 12. A computer program product as claimed in claim 11.

13. The third terminal is a terminal operated by an operator or an operating organization that operates the virtual venue. A computer program according to any one of claims 11 to 12 dependent on claim 6.

14. and transmitting fourth data relating to an advertisement determined based on the second data to a terminal of the at least one user. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. data including a URL for accessing a database storing fourth data related to the advertisement determined based on the second data is transmitted to the terminal of the at least one user; A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. when the first user's avatar and the at least one user's avatar are present in the virtual space at a predetermined time and data including a first message transmitted from a user's terminal corresponding to any one of the at least one user's avatars is received, displaying the virtual space in a first display area in a display screen of the terminal of the first user and displaying the first message in the first display area; A computer program according to claim 1, any one of claims 3 to 8 depending on claim 1, or any one of claims 10 to 15 depending on claim 1.

17. transmit data for displaying the virtual space in a first display area within a display screen of the terminal of the first user and displaying the first message in the first display area when the avatar of the first user and the avatar of the at least one user are present in the virtual space at a predetermined time and when data including a first message transmitted from a terminal of a user corresponding to any one of the avatars of the at least one user is received; A computer program according to claim 2, any one of claims 3 to 7 depending on claim 2, or any one of claims 9 to 15 depending on claim 2.

18. When receiving data including a third message from one of the third terminal and the at least one user's terminal to the other of the third terminal and the at least one user's terminal, not transmitting the data including the third message to the first user's terminal; A computer program according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 11.

19. The virtual space is a three-dimensional space. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A movement of the at least one user's avatar in the virtual space is predetermined. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The communication line includes the Internet. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. the at least one processor: including a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU); A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. The at least one processor is installed in a server device, a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile phone, or a personal computer. A computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. 1. A method performed by at least one processor executing computer readable instructions, comprising: acquiring first data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated by a first user using a terminal; receiving second data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated by at least one user other than the first user using a terminal of each user via a communication line from a server device, the second data being collected at a plurality of times; the second data includes a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determining, when it is determined at a first time that the second data satisfies a predetermined condition, a cumulative total of the total number during a period from a second time to the first time among the plurality of times, and determining control data for controlling the display screen based on the determination so as to display a predetermined total number of avatars of the at least one user on the display screen of the terminal of the first user; and controlling the display screen based on the control data. method.

25. 1. A method performed by at least one processor executing computer readable instructions, comprising: receiving, via a communication line, from a terminal of a first user, first data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated by the terminal of the first user; receiving data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user via the communication line, the data being at a plurality of times from a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user; generating second data including a position of an avatar of the at least one user and a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space based on the data; determining, when it is determined at a first time that the second data satisfies a predetermined condition, a cumulative total of the total number during a period from a second time to the first time among the plurality of times, and determining control data for controlling the display screen based on the determination so as to display a predetermined total number of avatars of the at least one user on the display screen of the terminal of the first user; transmitting the control data to a terminal of the first user via the communication line; method.

26. The communication line includes the Internet.

26. The method of claim 24 or claim 25.

27. the at least one processor: including a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU); A method according to any one of claims 24 to 26.

28. At least one processor; receiving, via a communication line, first data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated by a terminal of a first user from the terminal of the first user; receiving second data relating to an avatar in a virtual space operated using a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user via the communication line, the second data being at a plurality of times from a terminal of each of at least one user other than the first user; the second data includes a total number of avatars of the at least one user that are located in a first area in the virtual space; determining, when it is determined at a first time that the second data satisfies a predetermined condition, a cumulative total of the total number during a period from a second time to the first time among the plurality of times, and determining control data for controlling the display screen so as to display a predetermined total number of avatars of the at least one user on the display screen of the terminal of the first user based on the determination; Transmitting the control data to a terminal of the first user via the communication line; Server device.

29. The communication line includes the Internet.

29. The server device according to claim 28.

30. the at least one processor: including a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU); 30. The server device according to claim 28 or 29.

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