Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

[An information processing device includes a control unit that, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, sets an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and controls display of an external appearance of the avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

Description

INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM

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

[0002] In recent years, virtual space has been proposed that is made up of various objects, such as 3D models, 2D images, and so forth, and users can visually and auditorily experience virtual space by using user terminals. Examples of user terminals that are envisioned include various types of information processing terminals, such as smartphones, HMD (head-mounted displays), laptop or desktop PCs (personal computers), and so forth. An avatar, which is an other self of the user, is disposed in virtual space. The avatar is a 3D CG that is rendered on the basis of a 3D model, for example. There are cases in which a viewpoint of the user in the virtual space is a viewpoint of the avatar, or a viewpoint including the avatar in a field of view.

[0003] Also, users can communicate with each other in virtual space, using means such as text chat, voice communication, and so forth. For example, a user can move his / her avatar near to an avatar of another user,and have conversation with the avatar of the other user by text or voice in virtual space. Also, a great number of avatars are envisioned to visit events being held in virtual space, such as live performances or the like. The user can enjoy the event along with many others in the virtual space.

[0004] JP 2021-12597ASummary

[0005] Now, in events carried out in virtual space, the presence of a great number of other users (specifically, other avatars) raises a sense of presence and a sense of unity, excitation in the event increases, and the user can enjoy the event more. Meanwhile, an avatar in virtual space is an other self of the user in virtual space, and can be said to be an object regarding which consideration should be given to privacy.

[0006] With respect to protection of privacy of individuals in images, PTL 1 discloses technology in which faces of those other than a main subject in an image posted to an SNS (social network service) is blurred along with the background. However, this does not take into consideration the privacy of avatars in virtual space.

[0007] Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program, capable of not diminishing excitement of the event, while giving consideration to privacy of users using the virtual space.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an information processing device is provided, including a control unit that, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, sets an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and controls display of an external appearance of the avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

[0009] Also, according to the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, including a processor setting, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and controlling display of an external appearance of the avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

[0010] Also, according to the present disclosure, a program is provided that causes a computer to function as a control unit that, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, sets an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and controls display of an external appearance of the avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a server 20 according to the present embodiment.Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens in which various types of settings relating to an event made by an administrator are accepted, in a First Example.Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens in which various types of settings relating to the event made by the administrator are accepted, in the First Example.Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulated display screen illustrating a view of a stage front (selected area) from another area according to the First Example.Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulated display screen illustrating a view from the stage front (selected area) according to the First Example.Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a simulated display according to the First Example.Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of operation processing for event registration according to the First Example.Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations relating to purchasing a seat by a user according to the First Example.Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulated display presented at the time of the user purchasing a seat according to the First Example.Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulated display presented at the time of the user purchasing a seat according to the First Example.Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of operation processing for seat purchasing according to the First Example.Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations from the user, relating to entry to an event venue, according to the First Example.Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations from the user, relating to entry to the event venue, according to the First Example.Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of operation processing at the server 20 at the time of the user entering the event venue according to the First Example.Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting various types of settings from an administrator, relating to an event, according to a Second Example.Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting various types of settings from the administrator, relating to the event, according to the Second Example.Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations from a user, relating to entry to an event venue, according to the Second Example.Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations from the user, relating to entry to the event venue, according to the Second Example.Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting various types of settings from an administrator, relating to an event, according to a Third Example.Fig. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting various types of settings from the administrator, relating to the event, according to the Third Example.Fig. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations relating to view settings of an avatar from a fave, according to a modification.Fig. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulated display of a view of the avatar from the fave, according to the modification.Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating a screen for accepting operations relating to view settings from an acquaintance according to the modification.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below, with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in the present specification and the drawings, redundant description of components having substantially the same functional configurations will be omitted by denoting with the same signs.

[0013] Also, description will be made in the following order. 1. Configuration 1-1. System Configuration 1-2. Configuration of Server 20 2. First Example 2-1. Event Settings by Administrator 2-2. Purchasing Seats by Users (audience) 2-3. Entering Event Venue 2-4. Others 3. Second Example 3-1. Event Settings by Administrator 3-2. Purchasing Seats by Users (audience) 3-3. Entering Event Venue 4. Third Example 4-1. Event Settings by Administrator 4-2. Purchasing Seats by Users and Entering Event Venue 5. Modification 6. Supplement

[0014] <1. Configuration> An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] <<1-1. System Configuration>> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes one or more user terminals 10 (10a to 10n), an administrator terminal 12, and a server 20 (example of information processing device). The user terminal 10, the administrator terminal 12, and the server 20 are communicably connected via a network 30, and can exchange data.

[0016] The server 20 is a device that provides a user with virtual space. The server 20 may be a single device,or may be a system made up of a plurality of devices. The server 20 transmits information of the virtual space to the user terminal 10, and outputs video, audio, and so forth of the virtual space at the user terminal 10, whereby the user can be made to experience the virtual space. An avatar that is correlated with the user and that can be operated by the user is disposed in the virtual space. Video of the virtual space that is output at the user terminal 10 is video from a viewpoint of the user in the virtual space, i.e., a viewpoint of the avatar of the user, or is video from a bird's-eye view including the avatar of the user in the field of view thereof, and the user can experience the virtual space via his / her own avatar.

[0017] Also, the server 20 can receive operation input, such as movement operations, action operations for the avatar of the user, or the like, performed by the user, from the user terminal 10, and perform synchronization processing among users. Specifically, the server 20 performs processing for reflecting actions of avatars performed by users in the virtual space, on the basis of operation input information received from the user terminals 10. The server 20 transmits information relating to change in the positions, actions, and so forth of the avatars in the virtual space (difference information), on the basis of operation input information received from the user terminals 10, to the user terminals 10 (10a to 10n), as synchronization information to be reflected in the virtual space. Accordingly, the user terminals 10 can generate video of the virtual space in which the actions of the avatars have been reflected, and the users each share the same virtual space. Note that the synchronization processing among users is not restricted to this.

[0018] The user terminal 10 is an information processing terminal used by the user for viewing virtual space. The user terminal 10 is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, an HMD that covers the entire range of view, an eyeglasses type display device, a projector, or the like. The user terminal 10 generates video from a user viewpoint in the virtual space, based on the information of the virtual space received from the server 20.

[0019] The administrator terminal 12 is an information processing terminal used by an administrator that performs administration such as various types of settings of the virtual space and so forth. The administrator terminal 12 is realized by, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, an HMD that covers the entire range of view, an eyeglasses type display device, a projector, or the like.

[0020] Now, in venues of events, such as live performances or the like, carried out in virtual space, the presence of other users (specifically, other avatars) raises the sense of presence and the sense of unity in the venue, and the user can enjoy the event more. Meanwhile, an avatar in virtual space is an other self of the user in virtual space, and is an object regarding which consideration should be given to privacy.

[0021] An arrangement is conceivable in which avatars, which do not want to be seen by other users, are hidden from view. However, there are more and more avatars that are hidden from view, which would reduce the number of avatars (audience avatars) that are visible at the event,and give the impression that the event is lackluster. An arrangement is also conceivable in which blurring processing of avatars is enabled or the like, but allowing individual users to freely perform blurred display at their own discretion would result in a situation in which blurred avatars are scattered throughout the venue, leading to loss in a sense of uniformity with other avatars that are visible as audience avatars, and the sense of presence and the sense of unity of the venue will be lost.

[0022] In light of the above points, in the present disclosure, views of avatars (i.e., external appearance display types) in accordance with viewpoint type are set for each area within the venue of the event being held in virtual space, and display of external appearance of the avatars is controlled for each area in accordance the viewpoint type thereof. The external appearance display types include displaying in a display form where audience avatars cannot be individually identified from external appearance, i.e., anonymous display. Accordingly, privacy of users using the virtual space is taken into consideration while not losing the sense of presence and the sense of unity of the venue and keeping excitement of the event from diminishing, and accordingly convenience of users using the virtual space can be further improved.

[0023] This so far has been a description of an overview of the information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, specific configurations of the devices included in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] <<1-2. Configuration of Server 20>> Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the server 20 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the server 20 includes a communication unit 210, a control unit 220, and a storage unit 230.

[0025] (Communication Unit 210) The communication unit 210 has a transmission unit that transmits data to external devices, and a reception unit that receives data from the external devices. The communication unit 210 according to the present embodiment may connect to the external devices or the Internet by communication using, for example, wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), a mobile communication network (LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (fourth generation mobile communication system), 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system)), or the like.

[0026] (Control Unit 220) The control unit 220 functions as a computation processing unit and a control device, and controls overall operations within the server 20 following various types of programs. The control unit 220 is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or an electronic circuit such as a microprocessor or the like. Also, the control unit 220 may include ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs, computation parameters, and so forth, to be used, an RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters or the like that change as appropriate.

[0027] The control unit 220 according to the present embodiment can also function as a setting unit 221 and a display control unit 222.

[0028] The setting unit 221 sets, for each area that is set in the venue of the event held in the virtual space, the external appearance display type including at least an anonymous display of audience avatars, in accordance with the viewpoint type. The viewpoint type is the type of position of the entity that is viewing the object (avatars in the area), and can be, for example, one of the areas. The areas include an audience area in which the avatars of the audience are situated, and an area in which a performer performs. Types of the audience areas include, for example, VIP area, stage front area, and stands area. Which area of the venue is to be which type (name) of audience area can be optionally set by the administrator. Also, the layout of one or more areas in the venue can be optionally set by the administrator.

[0029] Also, an area may be yet another part of one of the VIP area, the stage front area, the stands area, or the like. Also, areas may include a plurality of same types (names) of areas (e.g., two stage front areas and four stands areas, and so forth).

[0030] The setting unit 221 sets, for each of the audience areas (e.g., VIP area, stage front area, and stands area), the view (external appearance type of audience avatars) from the respective viewpoints (e.g., VIP area, stage front area, and stands area). The setting unit 221 can set the external appearance display type on the basis of operations performed by the administrator. The external appearance display types can include anonymized display such as a person-shaped silhouette, and so forth. The setting unit 221 stores settings information in a settings information DB (database) 231 of the storage unit 230.

[0031] The display control unit 222 performs various types of display control of the virtual space. For example, the display control unit 222 transmits information of the virtual space to each user terminal 10. As one of the display control of the virtual space, the display control unit 222 controls display of the external appearance of the audience avatars situated in each audience area, on the basis of the correlation with the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type, which are set in advance.

[0032] More specifically, at the time of generating (displaying) video of the virtual space, the display control unit 222 controls the external appearances of the audience avatars in each audience area in the video so as to be displayed in accordance with the external appearance display type correlated with each viewpoint type of the viewpoint entity of the video.

[0033] Description will be made regarding a case in which the view of external appearance (external appearance display type) of audience avatars are set as in the following Table 1 for the stage front area and the stands area for each viewpoint type, in a case in which there is a stage front area and a stands area as audience areas, for example.

[0034]

[0035] In this case, in video provided at a user terminal 10a used by a user Ua as video of a user viewpoint of the user Ua situated in the stage front area (user avatar seated in a stage front seat), for example, the external appearances of all other avatars (audience avatars) in the stage front area are displayed (rendered) as is, and the external appearances of all other avatars (audience avatars) in the stands area are displayed by the same person-shaped silhouette (anonymized display). Meanwhile, in video provided at a user terminal 10b used by a user Ub as video of a user viewpoint of the user Ub situated in the stands area (user avatar seated in a stands seat), for example, the external appearances of all other avatars in the stage front area are displayed by the same person-shaped silhouette, and the external appearances of all other avatars in the stands area are also displayed by the same person-shaped silhouette. Accordingly, the external appearances of the avatars in the stands area are anonymized as the person-shaped silhouette from both the stage front area and the stands area, for example, and accordingly privacy of the avatars is protected. Further, the anonymization display is set for each area, and accordingly the display types of other audience avatars in the video are uniform in each area, and the uniformity of display of avatars is maintained. Accordingly, even when anonymization display is used, the sense of presence and the sense of unity of the venue is not lost, and protection of privacy can be realized.

[0036] In the case of the settings in Table 1 above, users corresponding to the avatars in the stage front area can recognize the appearances of other avatars as they are.

[0037] At the time of purchasing tickets to the event, or at the time of entering the event venue, users can optionally decide which area to select, upon having referenced settings information regarding the external appearance display type set for each audience area.

[0038] Note that the external appearance used for anonymization display is not limited to the person-shaped silhouette,and may be any display form that does not enable identification from external appearance, such as a mosaic, a predetermined character, or the like. The predetermined character may be an official character of an event organizer side or the like, for example. Which "display form that does not enable identification from external appearance" to use for the anonymization display may be specified by the administrator, for example (replacing with specified external appearance).

[0039] The display control unit 222 may generate video of the virtual space for each user viewpoint and perform transmission thereof to each user terminal 10 so as to perform display control,or may transmit information for generating video of the virtual space for each user viewpoint (example of information of virtual space) to the user terminals 10 so as to perform display control. The information for generating video of the virtual space for each user viewpoint, which is transmitted to the user terminals 10 can include setting information of the external appearance display type for each audience area.

[0040] Also, the display control unit 222 may perform control for displaying a simulation of view from an optional seat in the audience area, or view of this seat from another area, on the basis of the correlation between the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type. For example, the display control unit 222 performs the above simulation so as to control display in a settings screen that accepts settings of the external appearance display type performed by the administrator. Also, the display control unit 222 performs control of the above simulation so as to be displayed in a purchasing screen for accepting seat purchases by users (audience) participating in the event or in an entry screen for accepting various types of operations when the users enter the venue of the event.

[0041] (Storage Unit 230) The storage unit 230 is realized by ROM that stores programs, computation parameters, and so forth, used in processing by the control unit 220, and RAM that temporarily stores parameters and so forth that change as appropriate.

[0042] Also, the storage unit 230 has the settings information DB 231 that stores settings information of the external appearance display type of each audience area.

[0043] While the configuration of the server 20 has been described in detail above, the configuration of the server 20 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the example illustrated in Fig. 2. For example, the server 20 may have yet another configuration, and may be realized by a plurality of devices.

[0044] <2. First Example> Next, a flow of hosting an event, according to the First Example of the present embodiment, will be described.

[0045] <<2-1. Event Settings by Administrator>> Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are diagrams illustrating an example of screens in which various types of settings relating to an event made by the administrator are accepted, in the First Example.

[0046] The server 20 displays screens for accepting various types of settings relating to the event on the administrator terminal 12.

[0047] The administrator first enters basic information regarding an event, such as a date and time on which the event is to be held, a name of the event, an ID of the event, a performer (e.g., name of the performer and avatar ID of the performer), and so forth. Note that basic information of the event is one example, and the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0048] Next, in a settings screen 410 illustrated to the left in Fig. 3, the administrator selects a venue to use for the event. Venues of various patterns, such as shape of the venue, layout of the stage and seats, seating capacity, and so forth, are prepared in advance, and an optional venue can be selected from the settings screen 410. In the settings screen 410, a venue information image 411 is displayed, indicating information relating to the venue, such as shape of the venue, seating, description, and so forth. The administrator can scroll the venue information image 411 sideways by selecting arrows on either side of the venue information image 411, and display other venue information images as well. The administrator selects an enter button 412 in a state in which an optional venue is displayed in the settings screen 410, thereby deciding the venue to use for the event.

[0049] Upon deciding the venue, next, in a screen 420 illustrated to the right in Fig. 3, the administrator registers the types of seats. For example, in the screen 420, stage front seats and stands seats can be selected. Upon optionally selecting the types of seats, the administrator selects an enter button 421, and registers the types of seats. In the Present Example, a case in which stage front seats and stands seats are registered as types of seats will be described hereinafter as well.

[0050] Upon the types of seats being registered, next, in a screen 430 illustrated to the left in Fig. 4, the administrator selects the display method (external appearance display type) of avatars for each audience area, for each viewpoint type. In the screen 430, "(1) Display as is" and "(2) Anonymized display" are selectable as settings for the display method. An arrangement may be made in which, in the "(2) Anonymized display", the administrator can decide the contents of the anonymized display (replacing with person-shaped silhouette, mosaic, predetermined character, or the like), or an arrangement may be made in which the server 20 automatically sets the contents of the anonymized display. A case in which stage front seats and stands seats are selected as the type of seats in the above-described screen 420 is assumed here, and accordingly in the screen 430, "stage front" and "stands" are included in the viewpoint type and object. Also, in the viewpoint type and object illustrated in the screen 430, the "stage", which is the area in which the performer performs is also included, and the display method can be set. Note that the stage viewpoint and the view of the performer avatar who is performing on the stage may all be set to (1) in advance.

[0051] Upon the display method (external appearance display type) of avatars being set, next, in a screen 440 illustrated to the right in Fig. 4, the administrator allocates types of seats. In the example illustrated in the screen 440, a block of seats at the middle is set as the stage front, and the blocks of seats therearound are set as stands. The block of seats set to the stage front is recognized as being the stage front area, and the blocks of seats set to the stands are recognized as being stands areas.

[0052] Now, the server 20 can display a simulation of a view from a selected area, and a view of the selected area from another area, on the administrator terminal 12. The administrator selects the area regarding which displaying a simulation is desirable,and selects a simulation display button 441 that is displayed. An example of a case of selecting the stage front area will be described here.

[0053] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulated display screen illustrating a view of the stage front (selected area) from another area according to the First Example.

[0054] A simulation display screen 450 illustrated in Fig. 5 includes a "View of stage front from other area" button 451 and a "View from stage front" button 452. The administrator can confirm either simulation display by optionally selecting the buttons. Illustrated in Fig. 5 is a screen example of a case in which the "View of stage front from other area" button 451 has been selected.

[0055] Also, the simulation display screen 450 includes options for viewpoint types, such as "View from stage", "View from stage front", and "View from stands", in accordance with the viewpoint type. The administrator can confirm how the avatars in the stage front will appear from each of the viewpoint types. The viewpoint position of each viewpoint type may be an optional seat in each area. In the example illustrated in Fig. 5, "View from stands" is selected, and a range-of-view screen 453 indicating the view of the stage front from the optional seat in the stands is displayed. Direction operation buttons 454 by which the direction of line of view can be operated are displayed in the range-of-view screen 453. The administrator can move the line of view up and down, and left and right, by operating the direction operation buttons 454.

[0056] In the example illustrated in Fig. 5, the external appearances of all avatars in the stage front are changed to the person-shaped silhouettes in the range-of-view screen 453, in accordance with the display method of the audience avatars in the stage front from the stands viewpoint being set to "anonymized display", on the basis of the settings information in the above Table 1. Note that a great number of dummy avatars are prepared in the stage front for the simulation.

[0057] Accordingly, in a case in which the display method (external appearance display type) is set to anonymized display, the avatars are displayed in a display form that is not identifiable from the external appearance, and accordingly privacy of the users (avatars of the users) is protected. Meanwhile, all avatars in the object area (the stage front in the case of the range-of-view screen 453) are controlled to anonymized display, and accordingly the uniformity of display is maintained, and the sense of presence and sense of unity is not diminished.

[0058] Next, a case in which the "View from stage front" button 452 is selected will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulated display screen illustrating a view from the stage front (selected area) according to the First Example.

[0059] A simulation display screen 455 illustrated in Fig. 6 is an example of a screen displayed in a case in which the "View from stage front" button 452 is selected. In the simulation display screen 455, a range-of-view screen 456 is displayed indicating the view of the surroundings in a case in which an optional seat in the stage front (e.g., a seat at the middle of the stage front) is set as the viewpoint position. The optional seat in the stage front may be set in advance,or may be selectable by the administrator.

[0060] In the range-of-view screen 456, other audience avatars (dummy avatars) seated in the stage front, and the stage, are visible. A performer avatar disposed on the stage may be a dummy avatar,or may be an avatar of an actual performer that is displayed on the basis of the event settings information input by the administrator. The administrator can move the line of view up and down, and left and right, by operating direction operation buttons 457.

[0061] In the example illustrated in Fig. 6, the external appearances of all avatars in the stage front in the range-of-view screen 456 are displayed in a display form in which who the avatars are can be identified, in accordance with the display method of the audience avatars in the stage front from the stage front viewpoint being set to "display as is", on the basis of the settings information in the above Table 1. Note that although not illustrated, when the direction operation button 457 is operated and the line of view is directed in the direction of the stands, to where a stands area is in the range of view, the external appearances of all avatars (dummy avatars) in the stands are changed to the person-shaped silhouette and displayed, on the basis of the settings information shown in Table 1 above.

[0062] As described above, the administrator can confirm beforehand the view from each area, and the view of each area from other areas. The view of each area from other areas includes the view from the same area as well.

[0063] The screen configurations and display contents illustrated in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to these. Although an example has been described in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 in which a simulation display is performed of the range of view from an optional seat in the selected area on the administrator terminal 12, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and video of the optional seat in the selected area being viewed from the front may be displayed as the simulation display, for example. This will be described below with reference to Fig. 7.

[0064] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a simulated display according to the First Example. A simulation display screen 458 illustrated in Fig. 7 is an example of a screen that is displayed in a case in which the "View of stage front from other area" button 451 is selected. As illustrated in Fig. 7, in the simulation display screen 458, views of audience avatars (dummy avatars) in the stage front from each of the viewpoint types of stage, stands, and stage front, are displayed in a single screen. Thus, the administrator can confirm the view of the audience avatars in the selected area from each viewpoint type without having to switch the screen.

[0065] In the example illustrated in Fig. 7, the external appearances of dummy avatars are changed to the person-shaped silhouettes in the "View from stands" displayed in the simulation display screen 458, and displayed in accordance with the display method of the audience avatars in the stage front from the stands viewpoint being set to "anonymized display", on the basis of the settings information in the above Table 1.

[0066] (Operation Processing) Next, operation processing according to the Present Example will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of operation processing for event registration according to the First Example.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 8, first, the server 20 performs input acceptance of event information input by the administrator using the administrator terminal 12 (step S103). The event information includes basic information regarding the event such as described above, which is date and time on which the event is to be held, name of the event, ID of the event, performer (e.g., name of the performer and avatar ID of the performer), and so forth.

[0068] Next, the server 20 selects the venue for the event, following operations performed by the administrator (step S106).

[0069] Next, the server 20 registers seat types, following operations performed by the administrator (step S109).

[0070] Next, the server 20 sets the display method for avatars (external appearance display type) for each audience area, for each viewpoint type, following operations performed by the administrator (step S112).

[0071] Next, the server 20 allocates the types of the seats with respect to the seats of the venue, following operations performed by the administrator (step S115).

[0072] Next, the server 20 performs simulation display indicating the views from each area and the views of each area, on the basis of the settings information set in step S112 above (step S118).

[0073] Next, the server 20 repeats the processing of the above steps S109 to S118 until decided by the administrator (step S121 / No).

[0074] Upon the administrator deciding (step S121 / Yes), the server 20 registers the event (step S125). Specifically, the server 20 stores information such as the basic information of the event, settings information of venue, seat types, display method for avatars (external appearance display type) for each audience area that is correlated with each viewpoint type, and allocation of types of seats, in the storage unit 230. The server 20 may also perform release of information relating to the event that is registered, notification of the event, and so forth, with respect to users.

[0075] Although operation processing of the server 20 according to the Present Example has been described above with reference to Fig. 8, the operation processing shown in Fig. 8 is an example, and the Present Example is not limited thereto. For example, the server 20 may automatically select the venue for the event, the types of seats, the display method of avatars by audience area, and so forth, rather than by operations performed by the administrator.

[0076] <<2-2. Purchasing Seats by Users (audience)>> Next, purchasing of seats by users (audience) according to the First Example will be described.

[0077] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations relating to purchasing a seat by a user according to the First Example. The screens illustrated in Fig. 9 are displayed on a display unit of a user terminal 10 communicably connected to the server 20. Information of operations performed by the user on the screens is transmitted from the user terminal 10 to the server 20.

[0078] First, the user selects an event that he / she desires to participate in, from a list of events that are planned to be held in an event selection screen 510 illustrated to the left in Fig. 9. Upon selecting the event, a seat selection screen 520 for the selected event is displayed, as illustrated to the right in Fig. 9. The user selects a seat that he / she desires to purchase.

[0079] Upon the user selecting a seat, a simulation display button 521 is displayed. Selecting the simulation display button 521 enables the user to confirm the view of the surroundings from the seat regarding which purchase is being considered, and the view of this seat from the surroundings.

[0080] An example of the simulation displayed when the simulation display button 521 is selected will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are diagrams illustrating an example of simulated displays presented at the time of the user purchasing a seat according to the First Example.

[0081] A simulation display screen 550 illustrated in Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a "View of selected seat from other area". The simulation display screen 550 includes options for viewpoint types, such as "View from stage", "View from stage front", and "View from stands". The user can confirm how the avatar in the seat that he / she has selected (referred to as "selected seat" in the present specification) will look from each of the viewpoint types. Note that dummy avatars can be disposed in the seats including the selected seat in the simulation display.

[0082] In the example illustrated in Fig. 10, "View from stands" is selected, and a range-of-view screen 553 indicating the view of the stage front from the optional seat in the stands is displayed. The selected seat of the user is included in the range-of-view screen 553. The selected seat of the user may be clearly indicated by an arrow or the like, as in the range-of-view screen 553 in Fig. 10. Also, a seat No. display 554 indicating the selected seat of the user may be displayed in the range-of-view screen 553. Also, direction operation buttons 555 by which the direction of line of view can be operated are displayed in the range-of-view screen 553. The user can move the line of view up and down, and left and right, by operating the direction operation buttons 555.

[0083] In the example illustrated in Fig. 10, the external appearance of all avatars in the stage front are changed to the person-shaped silhouette in the range-of-view screen 553, in accordance with the display method of the audience avatars in the stage front from the stands viewpoint being set to "anonymized display", on the basis of the settings information in the above Table 1. Accordingly, the avatar of the user disposed in the selected seat (avatar at location indicated by arrow. A dummy avatar is used here) is also changed to the person-shaped silhouette. In a case in which viewing from another viewpoint type is desired, the user selects "View from stage" or "View from stage front". Accordingly, the user can confirm how his / her avatar in the selected seat appears from other areas (how clearly visible, etc.), and can draw on this at the time of selecting a seat to purchase. In a case of desiring to display a "View from selected seat", the user selects a "View from selected seat" button 552. Upon the "View from selected seat" button 552 being selected, a simulation display screen 556 illustrated in Fig. 11 is displayed.

[0084] The simulation display screen 556 illustrated in Fig. 11 is a screen indicating the "View from selected seat". The simulation display screen 556 displays a range-of-view screen 557 indicating the view of the surroundings in a case in which the selected seat (seat No. "Stage front A62" in the example illustrated in Fig. 11) is the viewpoint position. The user can move the line of view up and down, and left and right, by operating direction operation buttons 558.

[0085] In the example illustrated in Fig. 11, the external appearances of all avatars in the stage front are displayed in a display form in which who the avatars are can be identified in the range-of-view screen 557, in accordance with the display method of the audience avatars in the stage front from the stage front viewpoint being set to "display as is", on the basis of the settings information in the above Table 1. Thus, the user can confirm the view from the selected seat,and draw on this at the time of selecting a seat to purchase. In a case of desiring to display a "View of selected seat from other area", the user selects a "View of selected seat from other area" button 551. Upon the "View of selected seat from other area" button 551 being selected, the simulation display screen 550 illustrated in Fig. 10 is displayed.

[0086] (Operation Processing) Next, operation processing of the Present Example will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of operation processing for seat purchasing according to the First Example.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 12, first, the server 20 selects an event from a list of events that are planned on being held (see Fig. 9), in accordance with operation input performed by the user using the user terminal 10 (step S203).

[0088] Next, the server 20 displays the seat selection screen (see Fig. 9) for the event that has been selected,and accepts selection of a seat by the user (step S206).

[0089] Next, the server 20 performs a simulation display of the selected seat (seat that is selected) (step S209). Specifically, the server 20 displays a simulation of the view from the selected seat, and views of the selected seat from the viewpoint types (see Fig. 10 and Fig. 11).

[0090] Next, the server 20 repeats the processing shown in the steps S206 to S209 above, until the user decides the seat that is the object of purchasing (step S212 / No).

[0091] When the user decides the seat that is the object of purchasing (step S212 / Yes), the server 20 then executes seat purchasing processing (step S215). The method of settlement processing at for the seat purchasing is not limited in particular. The server 20 may store the user information and the seat information in the storage unit 230 in a correlated manner.

[0092] While operation processing of the server 20 according to the Present Example has been described above with reference to Fig. 12, the operation processing shown in Fig. 12 is one example, and the Present Example is not limited thereto.

[0093] <<2-3. Entering Event Venue>> Next, entry of the user to the event venue according to the First Example will be described.

[0094] Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are diagrams illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations from a user, relating to entry to an event venue,according to the First Example. The screens illustrated in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 10 that is communicably connected to the server 20. Information of operations performed by the user with respect to the screens is transmitted from the user terminal 10 to the server 20.

[0095] The user first selects an event to enter, from a list of events that are enterable in an enterable event list screen 610 illustrated to the left in Fig. 13. An enterable event is an event regarding which the user has a right to enter, such as an event regarding which a seat has already been purchased, or the like. Once an event is selected, a seatable seat screen 620 is displayed, in which a seat where the user can be seated is clearly indicated in the seat table of the venue where the selected event is to be held, such as illustrated to the right in Fig. 13. A seat where the user can be seated is, for example, a seat that the user has already purchased. Upon confirming his / her own seat, the user selects an enter button 621.

[0096] Upon the enter button 621 being selected, next, an avatar view screen 630 illustrated to the left in Fig. 14 is displayed. The avatar view screen 630 presents the view of the avatar, regarding how the avatar of the user appears at the seat of the user, for each viewpoint type.

[0097] In the example in Fig. 14, the appearance of the avatar of the user is displayed as it is in the avatar view screen 630 for "View from stage and stage front". Accordingly, the user can confirm that his / her own avatar will be displayed in the appearance as it is from the stage and the stage front, i.e., displayed in a state that is identifiable, before entering the event venue. Note that the user can select an edit button 631 and change clothing, accessories, and so forth, of the avatar of him / herself in advance.

[0098] Also, in the example in Fig. 14, the avatar of the user is displayed anonymized, more specifically, as the person-shaped silhouette, in the avatar view screen 630 for "View from stands". Accordingly, the user can confirm that his / her own avatar will be displayed as the person-shaped silhouette from the stands, i.e., in a state that is not identifiable, before entering the venue.

[0099] Upon confirming the view of the avatar, the user selects an enter button 632. Upon the enter button 632 being selected, a seatable seat screen 640 illustrated to the right in Fig. 14 is displayed next. When the user places a cursor over his / her own seat in the seatable seat screen 640, a simulation display button 641 is displayed. The user can confirm the view of the surroundings from the seat of the user, and the view of this seat front the surroundings before entering the venue, by selecting the simulation display button 641. The simulation displayed here is the same as that described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, and accordingly detailed description will be omitted. Note that the avatar of the user may be used in the simulation before entering the event venue, instead of the dummy avatar. Upon confirming the simulation, the user selects an enter venue button 642, and enters the event venue.

[0100] (Operation Processing) Next, operation processing of the Present Example will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of operation processing at the server 20 at the time of the user entering the event venue according to the First Example.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 15, first, the server 20 selects an event from the list of events that the user can enter (see Fig. 13), in accordance with operation input performed by the user using the user terminal 10 (step S233).

[0102] Next, the server 20 presents the seat that the user has already purchased (see Fig. 13) in the event that is selected (step S236).

[0103] Next, the server 20 presents the view of the avatar at the seat (step S239). Specifically, the server 20 presents the view of the avatar at the seat, for each viewpoint type (see Fig. 14).

[0104] Next, the server 20 performs simulation display of the seat (step S242). Specifically, the server 20 displays simulations of the view from the seat and views of the seat from each of the viewpoint types.

[0105] Next, the server 20 repeats the processing of the above steps S236 to S242 until confirmation of views of the avatar and so forth by the user ends (step S245 / No).

[0106] When confirmation by the user ends (step S245 / Yes), the server 20 causes the user (specifically, the avatar of the user) to enter the event venue (step S248).

[0107] While operation processing of the server 20 according to the Present Example has been described above with reference to Fig. 15, the operation processing shown in Fig. 15 is one example, and the Present Example is not limited thereto.

[0108] <<2-4. Others>> In the First Example described above, selection buttons are displayed for "View of selected area or selected seat from other areas" and "View from selected area or selected seat" in the simulation display screen that is displayed when the simulation display button is selected, and either view can be selected from here, but the display method of the simulation according to the Present Example is not limited to this. For example, in a case in which the selected area is selected from the screen 440 illustrated to the right in Fig. 4, and the "display simulation" button that is displayed in a state in which the cursor is placed in the selected area is selected, the server 20 may display a simulation of the view from the selected area (range-of-view screen 456 illustrated in Fig. 6), and in a case in which the "display simulation" button that is displayed in a state in which the cursor is placed over another area is selected, display a simulation of the view of the selected area from the other area (the range-of-view screen 453 illustrated in Fig. 5 in a case in which the cursor is placed over the stands).

[0109] Also, in a case in which a view option, such as a telescope function or the like, is set in the area, the server 20 enables the option correlated with the area to be tested in the simulation display as well. Thus, the user can confirm that there is a possibility that his / her avatar will be viewed in an enlarged manner from another area, and so forth, in advance.

[0110] <3. Second Example> Next, a flow of hosting an event, according to a Second Example of the present embodiment, will be described. In the Second Example, a case will be described in which, with respect to the types of seats for the event, VIP seats are added in addition to the stage front seats and stands seats described in the First Example.

[0111] <<3-1. Event Settings by Administrator>> Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 are diagrams illustrating an example of screens in which various types of settings relating to an event made by the administrator are accepted, in the Second Example.

[0112] The administrator selects the venue to use for the event, in a settings screen 710 illustrated to the left in Fig. 16. Upon deciding the venue, next, in a screen 720 illustrated to the right in Fig. 16, the administrator registers the types of seats. For example, in the screen 720, VIP seats, stage front seats, and stands seats can be selected. In the present embodiment, a case in which VIP seats, stage front seats, and stands seats are registered as types of seats will be described hereinafter as well.

[0113] Upon the types of seats being registered, next, in a screen 730 illustrated to the left in Fig. 17, the administrator sets the display method (external appearance display type) of avatars for each area, for each viewpoint type. In the screen 730, "(1) Display as is", "(2) Anonymized display", and "(3) Selectable by user him / herself" are selectable as settings for the display method. "(3) Selectable by user him / herself" means that the user (audience) can select whether to display the avatar as is, or to anonymize display. In the Present Example, the view (display method) of just VIP audience (avatars), of which the number of seats is relatively smaller, is set to (3), as an example. Also, although not fully displayed in the screen 730, the settings are the same here as in the First Example, other than regarding VIPs, as an example.

[0114] Upon the display method (external appearance display type) of avatars being set, next, in a screen 740 illustrated to the right in Fig. 17, the administrator allocates types of seats. In the example in screen 740, part of a block of seats at the middle is set as VIP, the remainder thereof is set to the stage front, and the blocks of seats therearound are set as stands. Out of the block of seats at the middle, the seats set to the VIP are recognized as being a VIP area, and seats set to stage front as being the stage front area. Also, the blocks of seats set to the stands are recognized as being stands areas.

[0115] In the same way as with the First Example, simulations can be displayed regarding the view from the selected area and the view of the selected area from other areas. The administrator can display simulations by selecting an area regarding which displaying a simulation is desired,and selecting a simulation display button 741 that is displayed. The server 20 displays simulations of views from the selected area and from other areas, in accordance with settings information in which the display method (external appearance display type) of the avatar by viewpoint type and by audience area are correlated. Note that a great number of dummy avatars can be disposed in each area in simulations. With respect to the settings of the aforementioned (3), the server 20 randomly displays the external appearances of the dummy avatars in the VIP areas as is or anonymized.

[0116] Detailed description of a specific example of simulation display according to the Second Example will be omitted here, due to being the same as in the First Embodiment other than the view from the VIP area being added, primarily. Also, detailed description of the operation processing for event registration according to the Second Example will be omitted here, due to being the same as the operation processing according to the First Example shown in Fig. 8.

[0117] <<3-2. Purchasing Seats by Users (audience)>> Users can purchase seats for an event registered by the processing described above. At the time of purchasing seats, simulations such as the view from the selected seat, views of the selected seat from other areas, and so forth, are displayed. Purchasing of seats according to the Second Example is the same as in the First Example described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 12, other than VIP seats being added to purchasable seats.

[0118] <<3-3. Entering Event Venue>> Next, entry of the user to the event venue according to the Second Example will be described.

[0119] Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 are diagrams illustrating an example of screens for accepting operations from a user, relating to entry to an event venue, according to the Second Example.

[0120] The user first selects an event to enter, from a list of events that are enterable in an enterable event list screen 810 illustrated to the left in Fig. 18. Once an event is selected, a seatable seat screen 820 is displayed, in which a seat where the user can be seated in the event that has been selected is indicated, such as illustrated to the right in Fig. 18. A seat where the user can be seated is, for example, a seat that the user has already purchased. In the Second Example, a case in which the user has already purchased a VIP seat is assumed. Upon confirming his / her own seat, the user selects an enter button 821.

[0121] Upon the enter button 821 being selected, next, an avatar view screen 830 illustrated to the left in Fig. 19 is displayed. In the Present Example, the view of avatars in the VIP area is set to "(3) Selectable by user him / herself", as indicated in the screen 730 in Fig. 17. Accordingly, the user can select the view of his / her own avatar seated in the VIP seat, in the avatar view screen 830. The view of the avatar may be selectable by viewpoint type (e.g., stage, VIP, stage front, and stands). The view of the avatar can be selected from settings in which the appearance of the avatar is displayed as is, and settings in which the avatar is displayed anonymized (specifically, displayed as the person-shaped silhouette).

[0122] Upon deciding the view of the avatar, the user selects an enter button 831. Upon the enter button 831 being selected, a seatable seat screen 840 illustrated to the right in Fig. 19 is displayed next. When the user places the cursor over his / her seat in the seatable seat screen 840, a simulation display button 841 is displayed. The user can confirm the view of the surroundings from the seat of the user, and the view of this seat from the surroundings before entering the venue, by selecting the simulation display button 841. Detailed description of the simulation displayed will be omitted here, due to being the same as in the First Embodiment described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, other than the view from the VIP area being added, primarily. Upon confirming the simulation, the user selects an enter venue button 842, and enters the event venue.

[0123] <4. Third Example> Next, a flow of hosting an event, according to a Third Example of the present embodiment, will be described. In the Third Example, a case will be described in which "live" and "recording" are settable for the event, and "live" and "recording" are added in accordance with the viewpoint type.

[0124] <<4-1. Event Settings by Administrator>> Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 are diagrams illustrating examples of screens for accepting various types of settings from an administrator, relating to an event, according to the Third Example.

[0125] The administrator selects a venue to use for the event from a settings screen 910 illustrated to the left in Fig. 20. Upon deciding the venue, next, in a screen 920 illustrated to the right in Fig. 20, the administrator registers the types of seats and the types of cameras. The types of cameras include "live" and "recording". "Live" distributes what is happening in the event to viewers in real time. "Recording" keeps what is happening in the event as an archive that can be viewed at a later date. In the present embodiment, a case in which stage front seats and stands seats are registered as types of seats, and live and recording as types of cameras, respectively, will be described hereinafter as well.

[0126] Upon the types of seats and the types of cameras being registered, next, in a screen 930 illustrated to the left in Fig. 21, the administrator selects the display method (external appearance display type) of avatars for each audience area, for each viewpoint type. The viewpoint type includes not only audience areas, but cameras as well. Although only part is displayed in the screen 930, the display method (external appearance display type) of avatars for each area (stage, stage front, and stands) is set for each of stage viewpoint, stage front viewpoint, stands viewpoint, live camera, and recording camera, in the Present Example.

[0127] Upon the display method (external appearance display type) of avatars being set, next, in a screen 940 illustrated to the right in Fig. 21, the administrator allocates types of seats. In the example illustrated in the screen 940, a block of seats at the middle is set as the stage front, and the blocks of seats therearound are set as stands. Also, the administrator can display simulations of the view from the selected area and views of the selected area from other areas, by selecting an area regarding which display of a simulation is desired,and selecting a simulation display button 941 that is displayed.

[0128] Also, in the Present Example, a simulation of the live camera viewpoint can be displayed by selecting a "live camera display" button 942 displayed in the screen 940. Also, a simulation of the recording camera viewpoint can be displayed by selecting a "recording camera display" button 943 displayed in the screen 940. Regarding simulations of the cameras, camerawork envisioned for live coverage or recording, for example, may be registered in advance, and a moving image of around ten seconds or so forth of the camerawork may be presented.

[0129] <<4-2. Purchasing Seats by Users and Entering Event Venue>> Purchasing of seats and entry to the event venue by users according to the Third Example is the same as the content described in the First Example and so forth, and accordingly detailed description will be omitted here. Note that in the Present Example, in the simulation presented to the user at the time of purchasing seats or entering the venue, the view in the live camera viewpoint and the view in the recording camera viewpoint can be confirmed as well. Accordingly, the user can confirm the view of his / her own avatar in live or in recording in advance.

[0130] <5. Modification> Next, a modification of the present embodiment will be described.

[0131] (Settings for View from Fave) With regard to settings of the external appearance display type of the avatar according to the present embodiment, the user can make settings such that his / her own avatar appears to stand out from an optionally-selected "fave". A "fave" is a favorite performer that the user supports.

[0132] Fig. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for accepting operations relating to view settings of the avatar from a fave according to a modification. The view settings of the avatar from the fave are performed by the user at the time of entry, for example.

[0133] First, at the time of entry, the user selects the event to enter from the list of events that are enterable, in the same way as in the First Example described with reference to Fig. 13, and then confirms a seatable seat for the user in the seat table of the venue where the event will be held. Next, the user can set the view of the avatar from the fave.

[0134] Specifically, in a screen 950 illustrated to the left in Fig. 22, the user can set the view of his / her own avatar from the fave. For example, the user can set which member out of the members of an idol group that will be performing in the relevant event to be set to a "fave mode" regarding the view of his / her avatar (fave mode ON / OFF). In the screen 950, the view from idol A is set to "fave mode ON".

[0135] In a case of being set to "fave mode ON", display control is performed such that the avatar of the user stands out in video of virtual space in which the relevant "fave" (performer) is the viewpoint entity (i.e., video of virtual space that the performer is seeing). The display method of the avatar of the user in a case of "fave mode ON" is not limited in particular, but examples include making around the avatar shine, displaying effects around the avatar, and so forth. Thus, the user can call the attention of the fave to his / her own presence, and also the performer can more readily find fans supportive of him / herself, and thus bidirectional communication can be realized. The administrator side may set in advance users that can perform such fave settings, such as only users who purchased VIP seats, or the like.

[0136] Upon confirming the view of the avatar, the user selects an enter button 951. Once the enter button 951 is selected, next, a seatable seat screen 960 illustrated to the right in Fig. 22 is displayed. When the user places the cursor over his / her own seat in the seatable seat screen 960 displays a simulation display button 961.

[0137] The user can confirm the view of the surroundings from the seat of the user, and the view of this seat from the surroundings before entering the venue, by selecting the simulation display button 961. Now, the simulation displayed here further enables confirmation of the display in fave mode regarding the view from performers on the stage, in addition to that described with reference to Fig. 10 and Fig. 11.

[0138] Fig. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulation display for the view of the avatar from a fave according to the modification. In a simulation display screen 970 illustrated in Fig. 23, out of views of the idols (example of performers) performing on stage, the view from the "idol A" that the user has set to fave mode ON is selected, and a simulation of this view is displayed. The avatar of the user may be used in this simulation. As an example of fave mode display, effects are displayed around an avatar 972 of the user in the simulation display screen 970 in Fig. 23. Thus, the user can confirm how his / her avatar in fave mode will appear to the fave. Upon confirming the simulation, the user selects an enter venue button 962, and enters the event venue.

[0139] (Settings for View from Acquaintance) The settings regarding the view of the avatar of the user in accordance with an object is not limited to the fave being the object as described above, and for example, settings in which an acquaintance of the user is the object is also conceivable.

[0140] The user can set the view of his / her own avatar from acquaintances in a venue of an event. An "acquaintance" is, for example, another user that the user has registered as a friend.

[0141] Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for accepting operations relating to settings for the view of the avatar from acquaintances, according to the modification. The settings for the view of the avatar from acquaintances are performed by the user at the time of entry, for example.

[0142] In a screen 980 illustrated in Fig. 24, the user can set one of an effect display in which the avatar is made to stand out, a normal display in which nothing is changed, and an anonymized display to keep from being identified, for example, as the views of his / her own avatar from acquaintances. Envisioned needs of users participating in events include a case in which the own avatar is made to stand out so as to be found by acquaintances, and a case in which avoiding being seen by acquaintances is desirable. Enabling the user to optionally select the view of the avatar can improve user convenience.

[0143] <6. Supplement> While a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the attached Figures, the present technology is not limited to this example. It will be apparent to one with ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present disclosure that various modifications and alterations can be conceived within the technical spirit set forth in the Claims, all of which are to be understood to belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure as a matter of course.

[0144] For example, one or more computer programs for causing hardware such as the CPU, ROM, RAM, and so forth, built into the server 20, user terminal 10, or administrator terminal 12, which are described above, to exhibit functions of the server 20, the user terminal 10, or the administrator terminal 12, can be created as well. Also, a computer-readable storage medium in which the one or more computer programs are stored is also provided.

[0145] Also, the effects described in the present specification are only descriptive or exemplary,and are not limiting. That is to say, the technology according to the present disclosure can have other effects that are clearly apparent to one skilled in the art from the description in the present specification, along with the above-described effects or instead of the above-described effects.

[0146] Note that the present technology may also be configured as follows. (1) An information processing device, including a control unit that, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, sets an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and controls display of an external appearance of the avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type. (2) The information processing device according to the (1) above, wherein the viewpoint type is a type of an area in which an avatar of a user, which is a viewpoint entity viewing video of the virtual space, is situated. (3) The information processing device according to the (2) above, wherein at least one of stage, VIP, stage front, and stands, is included in the type of area. (4) The information processing device according to the (1) above, wherein the viewpoint type is a type of camera that shoots what is happening in the virtual space, and the type of camera includes at least one of a camera performing live coverage of what is happening in the virtual space, and a camera recording what is happening in the virtual space. (5) The information processing device according to any one of the (1) to (4) above, wherein the external appearance display type includes settings for displaying the external appearance of the avatar as is without change. (6) The information processing device according to any one of the (1) to (5), wherein the control unit performs control, regarding an area of which the external appearance display type correlated with the viewpoint type of a viewpoint entity of the video of the virtual space is set to anonymized display, such that the external appearances of all avatars in this area are all displayed substituted with the same specified external appearance. (7) The information processing device according to the (6) above, wherein the specified external appearance is a display form by which the avatars cannot be individually identified from external appearance thereof. (8) The information processing device according to the (6) or (7) above, wherein the specified external appearance is a person-shaped silhouette, a mosaic, or a predetermined character. (9) The information processing device according to any one of the (1) to (8) above, wherein the control unit performs control to display simulation of a view from an optional seat in the area, or a view of the seat from another area, on the basis of the correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type. (10) The information processing device according to the (9) above, wherein the control unit performs control to display the simulation on a screen that accepts settings of the external appearance display type by an administrator. (11) The information processing device according to the (9) above, wherein the control unit performs control to display the simulation on a screen that accepts seat purchasing by a user participating in the event. (12) The information processing device according to the (9) above, wherein the control unit performs control to display the simulation on a screen that accepts entry to a venue of the event by a user participating in the event. (13) The information processing device according to any one of the (1) to (12) above, wherein the control unit sets a view of an avatar of a user from a particular performer performing in the event, to a view in which the avatar appears to stand out, in accordance with operations by the user. (14) The information processing device according to any one of the (1) to (13) above, wherein the control unit sets a view of an avatar of a user from an acquaintance of the user, in accordance with operations by the user. (15) An information processing method, comprising: a processor setting, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and controlling display of an external appearance of the avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type. (16) A program that causes a computer to function as a control unit that, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, sets an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and controls display of an external appearance of the avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

[0147] 1 Information processing system 10 User terminal 12 Administrator terminal 20 Server 210 Communication unit 220 Control unit 221 Setting unit 222 Display control unit 230 Storage unit 231 Settings information DB 30 Network

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising: a control unit having a processor and a memory with a computer readable program stored therein that upon execution of the computer readable program by the processor configures the control unit to: transmit information of a virtual space to at least one user terminal, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in the virtual space, set an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar for each of the at least one user terminal, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and control display of an external appearance of each avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the viewpoint type is a type of the one or more areas in which each avatar is situated.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the type of the one or more area includes at least one of a stage of the virtual space, VIP area of the virtual space, a stage front of the virtual space, and stands of the virtual space.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the viewpoint type is a type of camera that captures the virtual space, and the type of camera includes at least one of a first camera performing live coverage of the virtual space for distribution to the at least one user terminal, and a second camera recording in memory the virtual space.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the external appearance display type includes settings for displaying the external appearance of the avatar without change.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to control, in response to the viewpoint type being set to anonymized display for one area of the one or more areas, the display of the external appearances of all avatars in the one area with the same specified external appearance.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the specified external appearance is a display form by which the avatars cannot be individually identified from external appearance thereof.

8. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the specified external appearance is a person-shaped silhouette, a mosaic, or a predetermined character.

9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to display a simulation of a view from an optional seat in a first area among the one or more areas, or a view of the seat from a second area among the one or more areas, on the basis of the correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

10. The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is further configured to display the simulation on a screen, and the screen includes buttons to select the external appearance display type and the buttons are selectable by an administrator.

11. The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is further configured to display a seat selection screen for the event, the seat selection screen including a simulation display button, and in response to a user selecting the simulation display button after selecting a seat in the seat selection screen, the control unit is configured to display a view from the selected seat for confirmation of the seat by the user.

12. The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is further configured to display the simulation on a screen that accepts entry to a venue of the event by a user participating in the event.

13. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is further configured to set a view of the avatar of the at least one user terminal from a particular performer performing in the event, to a view in which the avatar appears to stand out, in accordance with operations by the at least one user terminal.

14. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one user terminal includes a plurality of user terminals, the plurality of user terminals includes a first user terminal and a second user terminal, the control unit is further configured to set a view of the avatar of the first user terminal from the perspective of an acquaintance of the first user terminal, in accordance with an operation by the user, and the operation by the first user includes registering the second user terminal as the acquaintance.

15. An information processing method, comprising: setting, by a processor, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar for each of a plurality of user terminals, in correlation with a viewpoint type; and controlling display of an external appearance of each avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

16. The information processing method of claim 15, wherein the viewpoint type is a type of the one or more areas in which each avatar is situated, and the type of the one or more area includes at least one of a stage of the virtual space, VIP area of the virtual space, a stage front of the virtual space, and stands of the virtual space.

17. The information processing method of claim 15, further comprising controlling, in response to the viewpoint type being set to anonymized display for one area of the one or more areas, the display of the external appearances of all avatars in the one area with the same specified external appearance.

18. The information processing method of claim 15, further comprising displaying the simulation on a screen, wherein the screen includes buttons to select the external appearance display type and the buttons are selectable by an administrator19. The information processing method of claim 15, further comprising displaying a seat selection screen for the event, the seat selection screen including a simulation display button; and in response to a user selecting the simulation display button after selecting a seat in the seat selection screen, displaying a view from the selected seat for confirmation of the seat by the user20. A controller having a processor and a memory with a computer readable program stored therein that upon execution of the computer readable program by the processor configures the controller to: transmit information of a virtual space to at least one user terminal, with respect to one or more areas in an event performed in a virtual space, set an external appearance display type including at least an anonymized display of an avatar for each of a plurality of user terminals, in correlation with a viewpoint type, and control display of an external appearance of each avatar in each area in video of the virtual space, on the basis of correlation of the viewpoint type and the external appearance display type.

Images