Virtual Space Providing Device, Virtual Space Providing Method, and Program

Abstract

To provide a virtual space provision device, virtual space provision method, and program using a virtual space having a novel concept.SOLUTION: A virtual space provision server 1 which is connected to a plurality of user terminals 5 over a communication network N comprises: a virtual space generation unit 11 which determines an output aspect of a room by referencing a room information storage unit 33 which stores room information including information relating to locations and output aspects of rooms disposed in a 3DCG virtual space and generates a virtual space including a room having the determined output aspect; an avatar generation unit 12 which generates avatars associated with users using the user terminals 5; and a generated image output unit 15 which outputs to the user terminals 5 a generated image in which avatars generated by the avatar generation unit 12 are disposed in the virtual space generated by the virtual space generation unit 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual space providing apparatus, a virtual space providing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a mechanism for sharing a virtual space among a plurality of user terminals and displaying avatar images representing users. As an example, in a system for sharing a virtual space among a plurality of user terminals, a technique is disclosed in which a plurality of user terminals generate and display a virtual space image and an avatar image as user information of the user terminals sharing the virtual space based on the received virtual space information (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional virtual space, one large space is opened to the user, and the user operates an avatar that represents the user to move the avatar in the space, and SNS services such as chat are used between users corresponding to the avatars in the virtual space. Thus, the structure of the virtual space itself was a simple design.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a virtual space providing apparatus, a virtual space providing method, and a program using a virtual space of a new concept.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a virtual space providing apparatus connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network, comprising: a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information on the position and output mode of a small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space; a small space mode determination means that determines the output mode of the small space with reference to the small space information storage unit; a virtual space generation means that generates the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space having the output mode determined by the small space mode determination means; an object generation means that generates an object associated with a user using each user terminal; and a generated image output means that outputs, to each user terminal, a generated image in which the object generated by the object generation means is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generation means.

[0007] Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, the three-dimensional virtual space may have a nested structure in which a small space can be further arranged in the small space, and the small space information storage unit may further store information on the nested structure.

[0008] Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, the small space mode determination means may determine to vary at least one of the display color and transparency of the small space according to the number of objects belonging to the position of the small space.

[0009] Further, in the virtual space providing apparatus, it may include an operation reception means that receives an operation signal for moving the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal from the user terminal, and an object movement means that moves the object according to the operation signal received by the operation reception means.

[0010] Also, in the virtual space providing device, a user information storage unit that stores user information including the authority information of the user is provided. The small space information storage unit further stores entry permission information for the small space corresponding to the authority information. When the object is moved to the position of the small space by the object moving means, the user information storage unit and the small space information storage unit are referred to, and internal movement determination means for determining whether to permit the movement of the object into the small space is provided. The object moving means may move the object into the small space only when the internal movement determination means permits the movement into the small space.

[0011] Also, in the virtual space providing device, the generated image output means outputs the generated image related to the three-dimensional virtual space within a predetermined range from the position of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal to the user terminal, and in accordance with the movement of the object by the object moving means, the generated image related to the three-dimensional virtual space within the predetermined range from the position of the object after the movement, which is the unoutput portion of the three-dimensional virtual space, may be output to the user terminal in units of the small space.

[0012] Also, in the virtual space providing device, sound control means for controlling the output of sound for each space including the three-dimensional virtual space and the small space, and sound output means for outputting the sound of the space controlled by the sound control means corresponding to the position of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal to the user terminal may be provided.

[0013] Also, in the virtual space providing device, voice reception means for receiving voice from the user terminal is provided, and the sound output means may output the voice received by the voice reception means to the user terminal of the user related to another object in the space corresponding to the position of the object.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a method for providing a virtual space by a computer connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network, the method including: a small space mode determination step of determining an output mode of a small space by referring to a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information regarding a position and an output mode of the small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space; a virtual space generation step of generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space having the output mode determined in the small space mode determination step; an object generation step of generating an object associated with a user who uses each user terminal; and a generated image output step of outputting, to each user terminal, a generated image in which the object generated in the object generation step is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated in the virtual space generation step.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a program for causing a computer connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network to function as: a small space mode determination means for determining an output mode of a small space by referring to a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information regarding a position and an output mode of the small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space; a virtual space generation means for generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space having the output mode determined by the small space mode determination means; an object generation means for generating an object associated with a user who uses each user terminal; and a generated image output means for outputting, to each user terminal, a generated image in which the object generated by the object generation means is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generation means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a virtual space providing apparatus, a virtual space providing method, and a program using a virtual space of a new concept.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. (Embodiment) <Virtual Space Provision System 100> FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a virtual space provision system 100 according to the present embodiment and a functional block diagram of a virtual space provision server 1. FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams showing an example of a storage unit 30 of the virtual space provision server 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0019] The virtual space provision system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is a system including a virtual space provision server 1 (virtual space provision device) and a user terminal 5. The virtual space provision system 100 is a system that provides a communication space on the server to a user by the user accessing a virtual space (three-dimensional virtual space) generated by the virtual space provision server 1 using the user terminal 5. In the virtual space provided by the virtual space provision system 100, an avatar (object) that substitutes for the user who operates moves and communicates with avatars of other users.

[0020] Here, the virtual space provided by the virtual space provision system 100 provides, for example, a place for communication among a plurality of users and may be used for any purpose. Further, the virtual space may be, for example, for viewing decorations in the space, paintings installed in the space, etc., or for playing music, giving speeches, etc., in the space to make sounds heard. Hereinafter, the virtual space provided by the virtual space provision system 100 will be described by taking as an example a space for communication among users.

[0021] The virtual space provision server 1 and the user terminal 5 are communicably connected via a communication network N. The communication network N is, for example, an Internet line or the like and may be wired or wireless.

[0022] <Virtual Space Providing Server 1> The virtual space providing server 1 generates a virtual space and, in response to operations by the user terminal 5, transmits a screen from the perspective of the avatar to the user terminal 5. Here, the perspective from the avatar may be a first-person perspective as if the avatar itself is looking, or a third-person perspective including an image of the user's own avatar. And the perspective may be made switchable by the user. Also, the virtual space providing server 1 transmits the voice received from the user terminal 5 to other user terminals 5.

[0023] The virtual space providing server 1 is, for example, a web server. Note that there is no limit to the number of hardware components constituting the virtual space providing server 1. It may be configured with one or more as needed. Also, the virtual space providing server 1 may be, for example, a cloud. The virtual space providing server 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 30, and a communication IF (interface) 39. The control unit 10 is a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire virtual space providing server 1. The control unit 10 appropriately reads and executes the operating system (OS) and application programs stored in the storage unit 30, and cooperates with the above-described hardware to execute various functions.

[0024] The control unit 10 includes a virtual space generation unit 11 (small space mode determination means, virtual space generation means), an avatar generation unit 12 (object generation means), an avatar processing unit 13 (operation reception means, object movement means), an avatar position determination unit 14 (internal movement determination means), a generated image output unit 15 (generated image output means), a sound control unit 21 (sound control means), a voice reception unit 22 (voice reception means), and a sound output unit 23 (sound output means).

[0025] The virtual space generation unit 11 generates a three-dimensional virtual space including small spaces called rooms. Here, the virtual space is image data generated by 3DCG. The virtual space may include a plurality of rooms. Also, a room may further include a room inside. A room refers to a space within the virtual space where control content can be set. The virtual space providing server 1 can make the control content different for each room unit.

[0026] The virtual space generation unit 11 refers to the room information storage unit 33 (small space information storage unit) described later, and determines the position and output mode of the room. Here, the output mode relates to the display method of the room, and in addition to the display / non-display of the room, when the room is to be displayed, it includes whether to make the inside of the room visible or not from outside the room, and also includes matters related to the display color of the image indicating the boundary of the room. Also, the virtual space generation unit 11 may generate a virtual space in which the display color of the image indicating the boundary of the room is changed to a different one based on the number of avatars in each room, etc. At that time, the virtual space generation unit 11 may refer to the room display condition storage unit 34 described later to determine the display color of the image indicating the boundary of the room.

[0027] The avatar generation unit 12 generates an avatar associated with the user using the user terminal 5. The avatar is image data generated by 3DCG. Here, the avatar will be described by taking a humanoid one as an example. Note that the avatar may be one whose appearance color, etc. can be changed by user settings. The avatar processing unit 13 moves the avatar according to the operation signal in response to receiving an operation signal for the movement of the avatar generated by the avatar generation unit 12 from the user terminal 5. The avatar position determination unit 14 determines the position of the avatar within the virtual space. In particular, when the avatar is moved to the position of the room by the avatar processing unit 13, the avatar position determination unit 14 refers to the user information storage unit 32 and the room information storage unit 33 described later, and determines whether to permit the movement of the avatar into the room.

[0028] The generated image output unit 15 outputs, to the user terminal 5, a generated image in which the avatar generated by the avatar generation unit 12 is arranged in the virtual space generated by the virtual space generation unit 11. More specifically, the generated image output unit 15 outputs, to the user terminal 5, a virtual space within a predetermined range. The virtual space within the predetermined range refers to, for example, a virtual space including a room within a predetermined distance from the position of one's own avatar. Then, when the avatar moves by the avatar processing unit 13, the generated image output unit 15 outputs, to the user terminal 5 in units of rooms, a virtual space including a room within a predetermined range from the position of one's own avatar after the movement and that has not been output in the previous process.

[0029] The sound control unit 21 controls the output of sound for each space including the virtual space and the room. That is, the sound control unit 21 controls the output of sound, for example, in units of the smallest space. Therefore, the sound control unit 21 controls the sound in the space adjacent to the space where the avatar is located so that it cannot be heard in that space. The voice reception unit 22 receives voice from the user terminal 5. For example, when the user speaks toward a microphone (not shown) provided in the user terminal 5, the voice reception unit 22 receives the voice data transmitted by the user terminal 5. The sound output unit 23 outputs, to the user terminal 5 of the user, the sound in the space controlled by the sound control unit 21 corresponding to the position of the avatar related to the user of the user terminal 5. In addition, the sound output unit 23 outputs the voice of the user received by the voice reception unit 22 to the user terminal 5 of the user corresponding to the other avatar in the space corresponding to the position of the avatar related to the user.

[0030] The storage unit 30 is a storage area such as a hard disk and a semiconductor memory element for storing programs, data, etc. necessary for the control unit 10 to execute various processes. The storage unit 30 includes a program storage unit 31, a user information storage unit 32, a room information storage unit 33, and a room display condition storage unit 34. The program storage unit 31 is a storage area that stores various programs. The program storage unit 31 stores a virtual space providing program 31a (program) for performing various functions executed by the control unit 10 of the virtual space providing server 1.

[0031] The user information storage unit 32 is a storage area that stores information about users who use the virtual space. An example of the user information storage unit 32 is shown in FIG. 2A. The user information storage unit 32 shown in FIG. 2A has items such as a user ID (Identification), a user name, a privilege, and a room ID. The user ID is identification information for identifying a user who uses this virtual space. Through authentication using the user ID, the user can use the virtual space. The user name is the user's name, and it may be a nickname or the like. The privilege indicates the rank of the user. In this example, it includes general, premium, owner, etc. Note that the numbers (0 to 2) next to each privilege are flags indicating the rank, where 0 represents general, 1 represents premium, and 2 represents owner. Premium indicates, for example, special users such as users who have paid. Also, the owner indicates the owner of a certain room. The room ID is identification information for identifying a room owned by the owner when the privilege is the owner.

[0032] The user with the user ID U001 illustrated in FIG. 2A indicates having general privilege, and the user with the user ID U002 indicates having premium privilege. Note that for the premium privilege, for example, it may have a period during which the premium privilege continues. Also, the user with the user ID U003 indicates having owner privilege for the room with the room ID R023 and having general privilege in other rooms.

[0033] The room information storage unit 33 is a storage area that stores information (small space information) about each room in the virtual space. An example of the room information storage unit 33 is shown in FIG. 2C. The room information storage unit 33 shown in FIG. 2C has items such as a room ID, a position, an output mode, an upper layer, and a permission (room entry permission information). The room ID is identification information for identifying a room. The position indicates the position of the room by coordinates. In this example, the position of the room represents the position on a plane, but it may also include the position in the height direction. The output mode indicates the display mode of the room. If the output mode is transparent, it indicates that the image showing the boundary of the room is transparent. Also, if the output mode is a wall, it indicates that an image with the room boundary as a wall is output. The upper layer indicates the upper layer of the room. For example, if the room ID is R002 and the upper layer is R001, it indicates that the room with the room ID R002 is formed inside the room with the room ID R001. The permission indicates the permission to enter the room. For example, anyone can enter the room with the room ID R001, but for the room with the room ID R002, a general user does not have the permission to enter the room.

[0034] The room display condition storage unit 34 is a storage area that stores conditions for changing the display mode of a room based on the number of avatars in the room. An example of the room display condition storage unit 34 is shown in FIG. 2B. The room display condition storage unit 34 shown in FIG. 2B stores the conditions and the output modes in association with each other. The conditions relate to the number of avatars in the room. The output mode indicates the mode regarding the display color of the image showing the boundary of the room. In the example of FIG. 2B, it is possible to tell the magnitude of the number of avatars by the color.

[0035] Note that, regarding each storage unit of the storage unit 30, the above configuration is an example, and there may be other storage units or other configurations. Also, regarding the items of each storage unit, the above items are an example, and there may be other items or some items may be missing. The communication IF 39 in FIG. 1 is an interface for performing communication with the user terminal 5 or the like via the communication network N.

[0036] <User terminal 5> The user terminal 5 is, for example, a personal computer such as a notebook PC shown in FIG. 1. The user terminal 5 may also be a portable terminal or the like that also has the functions of a computer such as a tablet or a smartphone. Although not shown in the figure, the user terminal 5 includes at least a control unit, a storage unit, an input unit and an output unit (or a touch panel display), and may include a microphone, a voice input / output device such as a speaker, a camera, etc. as necessary.

[0037] Here, a computer refers to an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a storage device, etc. The virtual space providing server 1 and the user terminal 5 are each information processing devices equipped with a control unit, a storage unit, etc., and are included in the concept of a computer.

[0038] <Processing of the virtual space providing system 100> Next, the processing performed between the virtual space providing server 1 and the user terminal 5 will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIGS. 3A and 3B are flowcharts showing the main processing of the virtual space providing server 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of the virtual space 40 generated by the virtual space providing server 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the start-up processing of the virtual space providing server 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the avatar 60 generated by the virtual space providing server 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 70 displayed on the user terminal 5 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation signal reception process of the virtual space providing server 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the room display change process of the virtual space providing server 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0039] When the virtual space providing program 31a of the virtual space providing server 1 is executed, the main process shown in FIG. 3A is started. In step S (hereinafter, "step S" is simply referred to as "S") 11 of FIG. 3A, the control unit 10 (virtual space generation unit 11) of the virtual space providing server 1 refers to the room information storage unit 33 and generates a virtual space in which each room is arranged. For example, in the schematic diagram of the virtual space 40 shown in FIG. 4, the virtual space includes two rooms 41 and 42. Room 41 further has rooms 41a, 41b,... inside room 41. Also, room 42 further has rooms 42a, 42b,... inside room 42.

[0040] In this way, the virtual space 40 can be provided with a plurality of rooms 41 and 42, and further, rooms 41a, etc. can be provided inside room 41, so that the rooms can have a nested structure. Also, the virtual space 40 has an entrance area 43 outside the rooms 41 and 42. The entrance area 43 is, for example, an area for outputting an avatar corresponding to the user when the user starts using. Note that the virtual space 40 may set the entrance area 43 as one room.

[0041] In S12 of FIG. 3A, the control unit 10 determines whether it has received a usage request from the user terminal 5. For example, a user who uses the virtual space providing service provided by the virtual space providing server 1 accesses the virtual space providing server 1 using the user terminal 5, and the control unit of the user terminal 5 performs authentication using the user ID. The control unit 10 may determine that it has received a usage request from the user terminal 5 when the authentication is successful. When the control unit 10 has received a usage request from the user terminal 5 (S12: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S13. On the other hand, when the control unit 10 has not received a usage request from the user terminal 5 (S12: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S14. In S13, the control unit 10 performs usage start processing.

[0042] Here, the usage start processing will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In S31 of FIG. 5, the control unit 10 acquires the authenticated user ID. In S32, the control unit 10 (avatar generation unit 12) refers to the user information storage unit 32 and acquires the authority of the user. In S33, the control unit 10 receives, for example, the designation of the display color of the avatar selected by the user from a designation screen for the display color of the avatar (not shown). In S34, the control unit 10 generates an avatar in the designated color.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an example of the generated avatar 60. The avatar 60 is a humanoid image composed of a face portion 61 and a body portion 62. In this embodiment, since it is to be displayed using a web browser, the avatar 60 has a design with a reduced number of polygons. The avatar 60 is a 3D image.

[0044] In S35 of FIG. 5, the control unit 10 arranges the generated avatar at a predetermined position in the virtual space that has already been generated by the process of S11 in FIG. 3A. The predetermined position is, for example, the entrance area of the virtual space (see FIG. 4). By designating the entrance area, the control unit 10 arranges the avatar in the entrance area.

[0045] In S36, the control unit 10 (generated image output unit 15) transmits a generated image with an avatar placed in the virtual space to the user terminal 5. FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen 70 displayed on the user terminal 5. On the floor 71, rooms 72 and 73 etc. are arranged. Also, the user's own avatar 75 is displayed in the center in front. Avatar 76 is an avatar of another user. The floor 71 corresponds to, for example, the virtual space 40 in FIG. 4, and the rooms 72 and 73 correspond to the rooms 42a and 42b in FIG. 4. Note that in the screen 70, since the room 42 (see FIG. 4) is shown in a transparent output mode, an image showing the boundary corresponding to the room 42 is not displayed.

[0046] In S37 of FIG. 5, the control unit 10 (sound control unit 21, sound output unit 23) transmits a sound corresponding to the position of the avatar to the user terminal 5. By this process, the sound of the space corresponding to the placement position of the avatar can be heard from the speaker of the user terminal 5 by the user terminal 5. Therefore, the user can obtain a feeling as if they were in the space. After that, the control unit 10 moves the process to S14 in FIG. 3A.

[0047] In S14 of FIG. 3A, the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13) determines whether an operation signal has been received from the user terminal 5. If an operation signal has been received from the user terminal 5 (S14: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S15. On the other hand, if an operation signal has not been received (S14; NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S17 in FIG. 3B. In S15, the control unit 10 performs operation signal reception processing.

[0048] Here, the operation signal reception processing will be described based on FIG. 8. In S41 of FIG. 8, the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13) moves the avatar corresponding to the operation signal. In S42, the control unit 10 (generated image output unit 15) transmits a generated image in which the avatar is placed in the virtual space during and after the movement of the avatar to the user terminal 5. Also, the control unit 10 (sound control unit 21, sound output unit 23) transmits a sound corresponding to the moved position to the user terminal 5. In S43, the control unit 10 (avatar position determination unit 14) determines whether or not the movement is a movement into the room. The control unit 10 can determine whether or not the movement is a movement into the room based on the positional relationship between the avatar and the room. If the movement is a movement into the room (S43: YES), the control unit 10 advances the process to S44. On the other hand, if the movement is not a movement into the room (S43: NO), the control unit 10 advances the process to S46.

[0049] In S44, the control unit 10 (avatar position determination unit 14) checks whether or not the movement into the room is possible with reference to the user information storage unit 32 and the room information storage unit 33. For example, if the authority of the corresponding user stored in the user information storage unit 32 is included in the permission authority of the room in the room information storage unit 33, the control unit 10 determines that the movement into the room is possible. On the other hand, for example, if the authority of the corresponding user stored in the user information storage unit 32 is not included in the permission authority of the room in the room information storage unit 33, the control unit 10 determines that the movement into the room is impossible. In S45, the control unit 10 (avatar position determination unit 14) determines whether or not to allow entry into the room based on the confirmation result. If entry into the room is allowed (S45: YES), the control unit 10 advances the process to S46. On the other hand, if entry into the room is not allowed (S45: NO), the control unit 10 advances the process to S49.

[0050] In S46, the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13) moves the avatar in response to the operation signal. In S47, the control unit 10 (generated image output unit 15) transmits a generated image in which the avatar is placed in the virtual space during and after the movement of the avatar to the user terminal 5. Further, the control unit 10 (sound control unit 21, sound output unit 23) transmits a sound corresponding to the moved position to the user terminal 5. Thereafter, the control unit 10 moves the process to S16 in FIG. 3A. On the other hand, in S49, the control unit 10 (avatar processing unit 13) stops the movement of the avatar. That is, since the avatar cannot enter the destination room according to the operation signal, it will stay at the boundary part of the room. Thereafter, the control unit 10 moves the process to S16 in FIG. 3A.

[0051] In S16 of FIG. 3A, the control unit 10 performs a room display change process. Here, the room display change process will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In S51 of FIG. 9, the control unit 10 totals the number of avatars placed in each room. In S52, the control unit 10 refers to the room display condition storage unit 34 and determines the display mode of each room based on the total number of avatars.

[0052] In S53, the control unit 10 (virtual space generation unit 11) changes the display mode of each room to the determined display mode. For example, when the number of avatars belonging to a certain room changes from 9 to 10, the control unit 10 changes the image indicating the boundary of the room to green. If the image indicating the boundary of the room was transparent, a translucent wall with a green tint will be displayed. Thereafter, the control unit 10 moves the process to S17 in FIG. 3B.

[0053] In S17 of FIG. 3B, the control unit 10 (voice reception unit 22) determines whether voice data has been received from the user terminal 5. If voice data has been received (S17: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S18. On the other hand, if voice data has not been received (S17: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S19. In S18, the control unit 10 (voice control unit 21, voice output unit 23) transmits the received voice data to the user terminal 5 of the user corresponding to another avatar in the same space as the avatar.

[0054] In S19, the control unit 10 determines whether it has received an end request from the user terminal 5. When the control unit 10 receives, for example, an instruction to leave the virtual space of the avatar (that is, log out) from the user terminal 5, the control unit 10 determines that it has received an end request. If an end request is received (S19: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S20. On the other hand, if an end request has not been received (S19: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S12 in FIG. 3A. In S20, the control unit 10 (virtual space generation unit 11) deletes the avatar related to the user who has received the end request from the virtual space. Through such processing, the users of each user terminal 5 can enter and exit the generated virtual space using avatars. After that, the control unit 10 moves the process to S12 in FIG. 3A.

[0055] Next, a usage example in the virtual space providing service will be described. (Usage example 1) When used for selling goods The virtual space can be used for selling various goods. In that case, the room can be, for example, the space used by one store. The store owner is associated with the room ID of a certain room. And in the room, images of the goods to be sold are arranged.

[0056] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 80 displayed on the user terminal 5 according to the present embodiment. The screen 80 shows, for example, a virtual store where a comic market is held. The screen 80 includes a room 81, a wall portion 82, a store clerk avatar 83, a sales item image 84, and a customer avatar 85. Room 81 has some boundaries that form wall portion 82. Various anime images are arranged on wall portion 82. Store clerk avatar 83 acts on behalf of the user who sells sales item image 84. Customer avatar 85 can purchase a preferred sales item image 84 while communicating with store clerk avatar 83 by voice.

[0057] Here, the item to be sold may be image data such as sales item image 84. Also, the item to be sold may be an actual item rather than an image. In the case of image data, by settling the amount related to the item, the image data is transmitted to the user terminal 5 of the purchasing user. Also, in the case of an actual item, by settling the amount related to the item, arrangements are made to deliver the item. Note that for settlement, various online settlement means such as credit cards, electronic money, virtual currency, etc. can be used. In that case, the control unit 10 may request a settlement process from a settlement server (not shown).

[0058] (Usage Example 2) When used for communication with a user related to a specific avatar For example, the virtual space can be used to enjoy conversations with idols. In that case, the room is a space used by a plurality of users who want to talk with the idol and the idol. Then, a special room is further provided in the room to be a space shared only by one idol and one user. The avatar of the user waiting to talk with the idol waits in the room. And only for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), they can enter the special room where the idol's avatar is located in turn. In that case, permission to enter the special room is given to each user at each time. And when the predetermined time has passed, they are forced to leave the special room. By doing so, the user can enjoy a one-on-one conversation with a preferred idol. Also in this case, it is possible to charge for conversations with the idol.

[0059] (Usage Example 3) When used as a meeting space A virtual space can be used for a meeting with a specific user. In that case, assign the room to the user who hosts the meeting. Then, the user who hosts the meeting sets the permission to allow participants to enter the room. In this way, conversations and chats can be carried out in the room and used like a normal meeting.

[0060] As described above, according to the virtual space providing server 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are obtained. (1) Place a room in the virtual space and output a generated image with an avatar placed therein to the user terminal 5. Then, the room refers to the room information storage unit 33 including the position of the room and the output mode, and places it at a specified position in the virtual space in a specified output mode. Therefore, a new concept virtual space equipped with a room can be provided to the user. Moreover, since the room can be displayed or hidden from the user, the room can be used for various purposes.

[0061] (2) Since the virtual space can further have a room within the room, various controls can be performed in units of rooms, which is convenient. (3) The room display condition storage unit 34 stores conditions related to the number of avatars and the output mode, and referring to the room display condition storage unit 34, the display color of the room can be changed according to the number of avatars at the position of the room. Therefore, the degree of congestion of the room can be visually indicated by the color.

[0062] (4) In response to receiving an operation signal for the movement of the avatar from the user terminal 5, move the position of the avatar. Therefore, according to the user's movement operation, the user's own avatar can be moved within the virtual space. (5) The user information storage unit 32 that stores user information including the user's authority information and the permission authority of the room stored in the room information storage unit 33 are referred to, and it is determined whether the avatar to move is permitted to move into the room. Only when the movement within the room is permitted, the avatar is controlled to move (enter) into the room. Therefore, it is possible to control whether or not to allow the avatar to enter the room depending on the authority.

[0063] (6) The generated image related to the virtual space within a predetermined range is output to the user terminal 5, and in response to the movement of the avatar, among the generated images related to the virtual space within a predetermined range from the position of the avatar, the difference is transmitted to the user terminal 5 in units of rooms. Therefore, the transmission of the generated image data can be limited to the necessary range, so that the load related to the processing can be reduced. In particular, in the display of the generated image by the web browser, the processing can be made lighter by suppressing the data amount.

[0064] (7) The output of sound is controlled in each space including the virtual space and the room, and the sound of the space where the position of the avatar corresponding to the user is located is output to the user terminal 5. Therefore, it is possible to hear the sound as if the user is in the virtual space or the room. (8) When the voice is received from the user terminal 5, the voice is transmitted to the user terminal 5 of the user related to the other avatar in the space corresponding to the position of the avatar. Therefore, avatars in the same space can have conversations and the like with each other.

[0065] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Also, the effects described in the embodiments are merely an enumeration of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. In addition, although the above-described embodiments and the deformation modes described later can be used in appropriate combinations, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0066] (Modification mode) (1) In this embodiment, as shown by the avatar 60 in FIG. 6, the avatar has been described by taking an example of having the same shape, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a difference may be shown by outputting the face image of the actual user at a portion located on the face of the avatar. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an avatar 60-2 generated by a virtual space providing server according to a modified form. When the user terminal is provided with a camera and the user uses the service, the control unit of the user terminal acquires the face image of the user via the camera and transmits the face image data to the virtual space providing server. The control unit of the virtual space providing server receives the face image data of the user and generates an avatar 60-2 in which the face image 65 is synthesized with the face portion 61-2. Note that, by the control unit of the user terminal continuously transmitting the face image data of the user all the time while using the service, the control unit of the virtual space providing server generates an avatar based on the received face image data, so that an avatar whose expression changes in real time can be output in the virtual space.

[0067] (2) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the color of the room is made different according to the number of avatars, but it is not limited thereto. The transparency of the room may be changed. Moreover, changing the display mode of the room is not limited to the number of avatars. For example, the color and transparency of the room may be made different according to the volume. (3) In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the avatars of each user are displayed, but it is not limited thereto. For example, without displaying all the avatars, only some of the avatars located in the vicinity of one's own avatar may be displayed according to the number of users related to the avatars in the room. By doing so, a state in which a large number of avatars are displayed and visually congested can be avoided.

[0068] (4) In this embodiment, although the conversation by voice in the room has been described, it is not limited thereto. A chat which is a conversation by characters in the room may be performed. In that case, the content of the chat is output to the user terminal only when the user is in the room. Therefore, while in the room, the user can participate in the conversation by characters conducted in the room. Further, the virtual space providing server may have a translation function or may cooperate with a device having an external translation function. Regarding conversations by voice or text in languages of various countries, it is convenient because the translation function can be used to convert and output them into the language of one's own country.

Explanation of Signs

[0069] 1 Virtual space providing server 5 User terminal 10 Control unit 11 Virtual space generation unit 12 Avatar generation unit 13 Avatar processing unit 14 Avatar position determination unit 15 Generated image output unit 21 Sound control unit 22 Voice reception unit 23 Sound output unit 30 Storage unit 31a Virtual space providing program 32 User information storage unit 33 Room information storage unit 34 Room display condition storage unit 60, 60-2 Avatar 100 Virtual space providing system N Communication network

Claims

1. A virtual space providing device connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network, comprising: a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information regarding the position and output mode of a small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space; small space mode determination means for determining the output mode of the small space with reference to the small space information storage unit; virtual space generation means for generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space with the output mode determined by the small space mode determination means; object generation means for generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal; generation image output means for outputting, to each user terminal, a generated image in which the object generated by the object generation means is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generation means; and the small space mode determination means determines to vary at least one of the display color and transparency of the small space according to the number of objects belonging to the position of the small space. A virtual space providing device.

2. The virtual space providing device according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space has a nested structure in which a small space can be further arranged within the small space, and the small space information storage unit further stores information regarding the nested structure. A virtual space providing device.

3. The virtual space providing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: operation reception means for receiving an operation signal for the movement of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal from the user terminal; object movement means for moving the object in response to the operation signal received by the operation reception means; A virtual space providing device.

4. The virtual space providing device according to claim 3, wherein it comprises a user information storage unit that stores user information including the authority information of the user, the small space information storage unit further stores entry permission information of the small space corresponding to the authority information, when the object is moved to the position of the small space by the object movement means, it refers to the user information storage unit and the small space information storage unit, and comprises internal movement determination means for determining whether to permit the movement of the object into the small space, and the object movement means moves the object into the small space only when the internal movement determination means permits the movement into the small space. A virtual space providing device.

5. In the virtual space providing apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, the generated image output means outputs the generated image related to the three-dimensional virtual space within a predetermined range from the position of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal to the user terminal, and in response to the movement of the object by the object movement means, outputs the generated image related to the three-dimensional virtual space within the predetermined range from the position of the object after the movement, which is the three-dimensional virtual space of the unoutput portion, to the user terminal in units of the small space. A virtual space providing apparatus.

6. In the virtual space providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, sound control means for controlling the output of sound for each space including the three-dimensional virtual space and the small space; sound output means corresponding to the position of the object corresponding to the user using the user terminal, and outputting the sound of the space controlled by the sound control means to the user terminal. A virtual space providing apparatus comprising:

7. In the virtual space providing apparatus according to claim 6, it includes voice reception means for receiving voice from the user terminal, and the sound output means outputs the voice received by the voice reception means to the user terminal of the user related to other objects in the space corresponding to the position of the object. A virtual space providing apparatus.

8. A virtual space providing method by a computer connected to a plurality of user terminals via a communication network, comprising: the computer a small space mode determination step of determining an output mode of the small space by referring to a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information on the position and output mode of the small space arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space; a virtual space generation step of generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space having the output mode determined by the small space mode determination step; an object generation step of generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal; a generated image output step of outputting a generated image in which the object generated by the object generation step is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generation step to each user terminal; and including The virtual space providing method, wherein the small space mode determining step determines to vary at least one of the display color and the transparency of the small space according to the number of the objects belonging to the position of the small space.

9. A computer connected via a communication network to a plurality of user terminals, a small space mode determining means for determining an output mode of the small space with reference to a small space information storage unit that stores small space information including information on a position and an output mode of a small space arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space; a virtual space generating means for generating the three-dimensional virtual space including the small space having the output mode determined by the small space mode determining means; an object generating means for generating an object associated with a user using each user terminal; a generated image output means for outputting, to each user terminal, a generated image in which the object generated by the object generating means is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space generated by the virtual space generating means; functioning as a program for causing the small space mode determining means to function so as to determine to vary at least one of the display color and the transparency of the small space according to the number of the objects belonging to the position of the small space.

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