Virtual space control system and virtual space control method

Abstract

A control unit included in a virtual space control system 1 detects a display state of a virtual space on a display screen of an information terminal device 10, and, on the basis of the display state of the virtual space, changes the form of an information sharing area around an avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10.

Description

Virtual space control system and virtual space control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual space control system and a virtual space control method.

[0002] In a virtual office (virtual office) configured in a virtual space, each user uses an avatar to perform work within the virtual office. There is known a technique for enabling each avatar to hear each other's voices when the avatars are close to each other in the virtual space or when they are in the same space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-071314

[0004] Because each avatar user displays a virtual space on the screen of their respective information terminal device, there are cases where they do not check the screen displaying the virtual space or are unable to check it depending on the nature of their work, etc. In such a situation, if a user continues speaking without noticing that another user's avatar is approaching, there is a risk that the user's speech will be overheard by the user of another avatar, even though they do not intend for their speech to be overheard.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to appropriately set conditions for sharing information with users of other avatars around one's own avatar.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the virtual space control system of the present disclosure is a virtual space control system that displays a virtual space on an information terminal device and displays an avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device in the virtual space, and a control unit provided in the virtual space control system detects the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device and changes the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device based on the display state of the virtual space.

[0007] The virtual space control method of the present disclosure is a virtual space control method executed by a virtual space control system that displays a virtual space on an information terminal device and displays an avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device in the virtual space, wherein the virtual space control system detects the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device and, based on the display state of the virtual space, changes the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately set conditions for sharing information with users of other avatars around one's own avatar.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a virtual space control system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a virtual office displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of a virtual office displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of a virtual office displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of a virtual office displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the size of the display screen of a virtual office and the size of the information sharing range. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the display ratio of the display screen of a virtual office and the size of the information sharing range. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to a second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to a third embodiment. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an information terminal device. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to a fifth embodiment.

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A virtual space control system and a virtual space control method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] [First embodiment] (Virtual space control system) Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a virtual space control system according to a first embodiment. The virtual space control system 1 controls a virtual office configured in a virtual space. In the following embodiment, a virtual office will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to virtual offices and can also be applied to various services that use avatars for communication in a virtual space.

[0012] In the following description, a "user" may be referred to as a "first user" and an "other user" may be referred to as a "second user." Furthermore, an information terminal device used by a first user to log in to a virtual office may be referred to as a first information terminal device, and an information terminal device used by another user, a second user, to log in to a virtual office may be referred to as a second information terminal device. A first information terminal device is any information terminal device that is logged in to a virtual office, and a second information terminal device is any information terminal device that is different from the first information terminal device and that is logged in to the same virtual office as the first information terminal device.

[0013] An overview of the virtual office controlled by the virtual space control system 1 will be described. A user uses an information terminal device 10 to come to work (log in) to the virtual office using their own account and perform their work. In the virtual office, an avatar associated with the user is set. When a user logs in to the virtual office using their own information terminal device 10 (described later), the avatar moves to any seat in the virtual office or to a predetermined seat, and the user operates and displays the avatar to sit down. The user can operate the avatar to move around the virtual office. In the virtual office, for example, when avatars are close to each other in the virtual office or when avatars are located in the same space, such as a conference room, they can share information such that they can hear each other's voices.

[0014] However, users may not always be able to check the virtual office display screen on the display screen of their information terminal device 10, or may be distracted by other tasks. For example, they may minimize the display screen (window) displaying the virtual office, or display another display screen so that it overlaps the display screen displaying the virtual office. In such cases, a user may not notice that another user's avatar has entered, or is likely to enter, the information sharing range of their avatar. For example, while having a highly confidential conversation with a user of a second avatar who is in the information sharing range of a first avatar, the user may not notice that another user's avatar, whose conversation should not be overheard, has entered, or is likely to enter, the information sharing range of their avatar.

[0015] In this embodiment, the virtual space control system 1 detects the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, and changes the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 based on the display state of the virtual office.

[0016] The virtual space control system 1 includes an information terminal device 10 that each user uses for business purposes and logs into the virtual office, and a server device 30 .

[0017] The control unit provided in the virtual space control system 1 is a conceptual control unit realized by cooperation of either or both of the terminal control devices 20 of the multiple information terminal devices 10 used in the virtual office and the server control device 40 of the server device 30. Either the terminal control device 20 of the information terminal device 10 or the server control device 40 of the server device 30 may be the control unit provided in the virtual space control system 1, or the terminal control device 20 of the information terminal device 10 and the server control device 40 of the server device 30 may be the control unit provided in the virtual space control system 1.

[0018] (Information Terminal Device) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information terminal device according to the first embodiment. The information terminal device 10 is a terminal device used by a user who performs work in a virtual office. The information terminal device 10 is a terminal device on which the user executes a virtual office application. The information terminal device 10 is a terminal device through which the user logs in to the virtual office using their own account when logging in to the virtual office.

[0019] The information terminal device 10 is, for example, an information terminal device such as a general-purpose personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The information terminal device 10 is connected to the server device 30 via a network so as to be able to communicate data with the server device 30.

[0020] The information terminal device 10 logs in to the virtual office based on the account information of the user who is logged in to the information terminal device 10 .

[0021] The information terminal device 10 includes a camera 11 , a microphone 12 , an operation unit 13 , a display unit 17 , an audio output unit 18 , a communication unit 19 , and a terminal control device 20 .

[0022] The camera 11 captures an image in a direction facing the information terminal device 10. The camera 11 is disposed at a position where it captures an image in a direction facing the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10. In other words, the camera 11 captures an image in a direction where a user using the information terminal device 10 is present. The camera 11 is disposed, for example, near the display unit 17. The camera 11 outputs the captured image to the image acquisition unit 21 of the terminal control device 20.

[0023] The microphone 12 picks up sounds around the information terminal device 10. The microphone 12 may pick up sounds facing the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10, or may be provided in a headset connected to the information terminal device 10. In other words, the microphone 12 picks up sounds spoken by the user using the information terminal device 10 and sounds from the surrounding area. The microphone 12 outputs audio information related to the picked-up sounds to the audio acquisition unit 22 of the terminal control device 20.

[0024] The operation unit 13 is an input device capable of inputting various operations to the information terminal device 10. The operation unit 13 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the received input operation to the terminal control device 20. The operation unit 13 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel overlaid on the display unit 17, buttons, switches, etc. The operation unit 13 can accept, for example, a key input operation, a click operation, or a touch operation.

[0025] The operation unit 13 can accept operations such as moving an avatar corresponding to the user in the virtual office in any direction on the display screen of the display unit 17. For example, the operation unit 13 accepts operations such as overlapping or placing the user's avatar in the virtual office next to another avatar on the display screen of the display unit 17.

[0026] By performing an operation such as superimposing one's avatar on another or placing it adjacent to another avatar, communication such as a video call or a voice call can be initiated between users in the virtual office application. Whether a video call or a voice call will be conducted may be set in advance or may be set by the user's operation.

[0027] The display unit 17 displays various types of video including text and images. The display unit 17 is, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, etc. The display unit 17 displays a video of a virtual office, etc. In this embodiment, when a video call becomes possible, the display unit 17 outputs a video of the user of another avatar with whom the video call is being made, in other words, a video captured by the camera 11 of the information terminal device 10 used by the user of the other avatar. The display on the display unit 17 is controlled by the display control unit 27.

[0028] The audio output unit 18 is an audio output device that outputs audio from the virtual office. In this embodiment, when the user is using the virtual office, the audio output unit 18 outputs audio around the user's avatar in the virtual office. When a voice call or video call becomes possible, the audio output unit 18 also outputs the audio of the user of another avatar making the voice call or video call, in other words, the audio picked up by the microphone 12 of the information terminal device 10 used by the user of the avatar. The audio output of the audio output unit 18 is controlled by an audio output control unit 28.

[0029] The communication unit 19 is a communication unit for performing wired communication or wireless communication. The communication unit 19 performs communication using a communication method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or a mobile phone line, and is connected to an intranet or the Internet. The communication of the communication unit 19 is controlled by a communication control unit 29. The communication unit 19 communicates data such as video and audio, or application operation information, with the server device 30. The communication unit 19 communicates data such as account information of a user logged in to the information terminal device 10 and application operation status information with the server device 30.

[0030] (Terminal Control Device) The terminal control device 20 controls each unit of the information terminal device 10. The terminal control device 20 has, for example, a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The terminal control device 20 executes a program that controls the operation of the information terminal device 10 according to the present disclosure. The terminal control device 20 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The terminal control device 20 loads a stored program into memory and executes instructions included in the program. The terminal control device 20 includes an internal memory such as the RAM described above, which is used for temporary storage of data in the terminal control device 20. The terminal control device 20 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0031] The terminal control device 20 has functional blocks realized by circuits and executed programs, including a video acquisition unit 21, an audio acquisition unit 22, an operation reception unit 23, an application control unit 24, a detection unit 25, a memory unit 26, a display control unit 27, an audio output control unit 28, and a communication control unit 29.

[0032] The video acquisition unit 21 acquires video captured by the camera 11. More specifically, the video acquisition unit 21 acquires video captured by the camera 11 of a user facing the information terminal device 10, etc. The video data acquired by the camera 11 is a moving image.

[0033] The voice acquisition unit 22 acquires the voice detected by the microphone 12. The voice acquisition unit 22 acquires voice such as the voice spoken by a user present in the vicinity of the information terminal device 10.

[0034] The operation reception unit 23 acquires an operation signal corresponding to an operation on the operation unit 13 from the operation unit 13. The operation reception unit 23 outputs a control signal corresponding to the acquired operation signal to each unit.

[0035] The operation accepting unit 23 accepts operations on the display screen of the display unit 17. For example, the operation accepting unit 23 accepts an operation to move the user's own avatar in the virtual office on the display screen of the display unit 17. For example, the operation accepting unit 23 accepts an operation to overlap or place the user's own avatar in the virtual office next to another avatar on the display screen of the display unit 17.

[0036] The application control unit 24 controls the operation of various applications executed on the information terminal device 10. The applications operated by the application control unit 24 may cooperate with a virtual office control unit 42 of the server device 30, which will be described later, to control the various applications.

[0037] The application control unit 24 causes a display control unit 27 (described later) to display on the display unit 17 a display related to an application running on the information terminal device 10. The display related to the application is a display screen such as a window or an icon that shows the display related to the application to the user of the information terminal device 10.

[0038] When the user of the information terminal device 10 is logged in to the virtual office, the application control unit 24 makes the virtual office executed by the virtual office control unit 42 of the server device 30 available to the information terminal device 10 .

[0039] When a virtual office application is being executed on the information terminal device 10, the application control unit 24 shares information using the display control unit 27 and the audio output control unit 28 based on an information sharing range set around an avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10. Furthermore, when a video call with an avatar corresponding to another user is started while the virtual office application is being executed on the information terminal device 10, the application control unit 24 performs the video call using the display control unit 27 and the audio output control unit 28.

[0040] The application control unit 24 displays on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 not only a display screen (window) of the virtual office application but also display screens (windows) relating to applications other than the virtual office application.

[0041] The application control unit 24 can change the display size and display position of these display screens as desired based on user operations. The application control unit 24 detects the size of the display screen of the virtual office application and transmits the detected size of the display screen to the server device 30.

[0042] The application control unit 24 arbitrarily changes the position of the avatar displayed on the display screen of the virtual office based on the user's operation.

[0043] When a video call becomes possible, the application control unit 24 causes the first information terminal device 10 in which the first user is logged in to the virtual office and the second information terminal device 10 in which the second user is logged in to the virtual office to mutually display images of faces, etc. More specifically, the application control unit 24 of the terminal control device 20 of the first information terminal device 10 causes the display unit 17 of the first information terminal device 10 to output the image of the second user captured by the camera 11 of the second information terminal device 10. Similarly, the application control unit 24 of the terminal control device 20 of the second information terminal device 10 causes the display unit 17 of the second information terminal device 10 to output the image of the first user captured by the camera 11 of the first information terminal device 10.

[0044] When the video call is stopped, the application control unit 24 stops the video sharing between the first user and the second user.

[0045] The detection unit 25 detects the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10. The detection unit 25 detects, for example, the display size of the display screen of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10.

[0046] The detection unit 25 transmits the detection result to the server device 30 .

[0047] The storage unit 26 stores information such as the calculation contents and programs of the terminal control device 20. The storage unit 26 is configured with, for example, a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and a storage device such as an SSD or HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0048] The storage unit 26 stores programs and setting information relating to applications used in the information terminal device 10, such as a virtual office application.

[0049] The following describes the information sharing range and information sharing set for avatars in a virtual office. In the virtual office, an information sharing range is set around each avatar. The information sharing range is the range in which information can be shared with users of other avatars, and is the range in which information can be shared between multiple users who are included in the information sharing range. One example of information sharing in the information sharing range is mutual sharing of audio. In other words, the information sharing range is the range in which audio, such as the voice of a user of each avatar, can be heard by users of other avatars. Furthermore, the information sharing range is the range in which audio, such as the voice of a user of each avatar, can be heard by users of other avatars. Information that can be shared in the information sharing range is not limited to audio, but also includes other information such as video and text. In this embodiment, the information sharing range is described as an example in which audio is shared.

[0050] For example, when a second avatar enters the information sharing range of a first avatar, the second user of the second avatar can hear the voice of the first user of the first avatar. Furthermore, when a second avatar enters the information sharing range of a first avatar and a first avatar enters the information sharing range of the second avatar, two-way voice sharing is performed, allowing each user to sense the other's presence and to converse without any special operations. Therefore, the information sharing range can also be referred to as the voice sharing range. Specifically, when a first avatar and a second avatar are within each other's information sharing range, the voice acquired by the voice acquisition unit 22 of the information terminal device 10 used by the first user of the first avatar can be heard in the information terminal device 10 used by the second user, and the voice acquired by the voice acquisition unit 22 of the information terminal device 10 used by the second user of the second avatar can be heard in the information terminal device 10 used by the first user.

[0051] It is also possible to set up a space that allows information sharing among all avatars within a specific range, such as a conference room set up in a virtual office. Outside of such a set space, the information sharing range is set for each avatar.

[0052] The information sharing range is displayed when operating an avatar. The information sharing range for each avatar is set to an initial size and shape when the virtual office is first used. The size and shape of the information sharing range for each avatar may be changeable by user operation.

[0053] The initial shape of the information sharing range is, for example, a circle with the target avatar at the center, and the initial size of the information sharing range is set to, for example, a size that includes two or three virtual desks for two to four people in a virtual office.

[0054] The display control unit 27 controls the display of various images on the display unit 17. The display control unit 27 controls the display of an image of the virtual office on the display unit 17. In this embodiment, when the information to be shared includes an image or text, the display control unit 27 outputs the image or text to the display unit 17. Furthermore, when a video call becomes possible, the display control unit 27 outputs an image of the user's avatar in the virtual office to the display unit 17.

[0055] The display control unit 27 changes the display mode of the virtual office display screen based on information indicating the change in the type of information sharing range received from the server device 30 (described later).

[0056] The audio output control unit 28 controls the output of audio in the audio output unit 18. When information sharing is taking place, the audio output control unit 28 causes the audio output unit 18 to output the speech and the like of the user of another avatar who is present within the information sharing range in the virtual office. Furthermore, when a video call becomes possible, the audio output control unit 28 causes the audio output unit 18 to output the speech and the like of the user who is the other party in the video call.

[0057] The communication control unit 29 controls the communication unit 19 to transmit and receive data such as video and audio to and from the server device 30, and to transmit and receive operation status information of the application. More specifically, the communication control unit 29 controls, for example, the communication unit 19 to receive video and audio of the virtual office from the server device 30. The communication control unit 29 controls, for example, the communication unit 19 to transmit to the server device 30, video and audio of the user facing the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10, acquired by the video acquisition unit 21 and the audio acquisition unit 22. The operation status information of the application includes, for example, in the case of a virtual office application, the operation of the avatar by the operation unit 13, the operation of starting and ending a video call, etc. The communication control unit 29 also transmits information indicating the detection result by the detection unit 25 to the server device.

[0058] (Server Device) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. The server device 30 is a server device of a company to which the users of the information terminal devices 10 belong, or a server device of a business entity that provides a virtual office service, and may be a general-purpose server device, including a distributed type. The server device 30 constructs and controls a virtual space such as a virtual office. The server device 30 includes a communication unit 31 and a server control device 40.

[0059] The communication unit 31 is a communication unit for performing wired communication or wireless communication. The communication unit 31 performs communication using a communication method such as Wi-Fi or a mobile phone line, and is connected to an intranet or the Internet. The communication of the communication unit 31 is controlled by the communication control unit 41. The communication unit 31 communicates data such as video, audio, and application operation status information with multiple information terminal devices 10.

[0060] (Server control device) The server control device 40 controls each unit of the server device 30. The server control device 40 has, for example, a control device such as a CPU or MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or ROM. The server control device 40 may be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The server control device 40 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software. The server control device 40 executes a program that controls the operation of the server device 30 according to the present disclosure.

[0061] The server control device 40 includes a communication control unit 41, a virtual office control unit 42, and a storage unit 49 as functional blocks realized by circuits and programs that are executed.

[0062] The communication control unit 41 controls the communication unit 31 to transmit and receive data including video and audio to and from the information terminal device 10, and to transmit and receive operation status information of applications, etc. The communication control unit 41, for example, controls the communication unit 31 to receive from the information terminal device 10 video captured by the camera 11 of the information terminal device 10 and audio collected by the microphone 12 of the information terminal device 10. The communication control unit 41, for example, controls the communication unit 31 to transmit video and audio of the virtual office to the information terminal device 10. The operation status information of the application is, for example, configuration information of the virtual office application.

[0063] The virtual office control unit 42 controls the operation of various applications running on the server device 30. For example, the virtual office control unit 42 controls the operation of a virtual office application. For example, the virtual office control unit 42 controls the operation of an application used for online communication.

[0064] The virtual office control unit 42 transmits the configuration of the application running on the server device 30 to the information terminal device 10 that is executing the application via the communication control unit 41. Specifically, the application control unit 43 transmits information indicating the configuration of the virtual office running on the server device 30 to the information terminal device 10 that is logged in to the virtual office.

[0065] The virtual office control unit 42 detects the position of a first avatar corresponding to a first user and the position of a second avatar corresponding to a second user in the virtual office. More specifically, the virtual office control unit 42 detects, for example, a first avatar that has entered an information sharing range of a second avatar in the virtual office. The virtual office control unit 42 detects, for example, a first avatar that has left an information sharing range of a second avatar in the virtual office.

[0066] The virtual office control unit 42 detects avatars of other users who are communicating with the user and who are present within the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 .

[0067] Based on the display state of the virtual office, the virtual office control unit 42 changes the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10. More specifically, based on the detection result indicating the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, the virtual office control unit 42 changes the form of the information sharing range around the avatar. The virtual office control unit 42 transmits the changes to the form of the information sharing range to the information terminal device 10.

[0068] When the display state of the virtual office is such that it is difficult to recognize that another avatar corresponding to a user of another information terminal device 10 is approaching an avatar corresponding to a user of the information terminal device 10, the virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10.

[0069] Display forms that make it difficult to recognize that another avatar corresponding to a user of another information terminal device 10 is approaching an avatar corresponding to a user of another information terminal device 10 include, but are not limited to, when the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office is small, when a large proportion of the display screen displaying the virtual office is hidden by other display screens, when the user's own avatar is not displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, when the range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office is large, or when the display scale of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office is small.

[0070] When the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office is small, as a display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, the virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user as the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office becomes smaller. The virtual office control unit 42 may narrow the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user as the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office becomes smaller. If the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office is small, it is difficult for the user to notice that another avatar is approaching the information sharing range, making it difficult for the user to grasp that another avatar is approaching. Therefore, narrowing the information sharing range reduces the possibility of the user's speech being unintentionally overheard.

[0071] The display size refers to the ratio of the area of ​​the virtual office display screen to the area of ​​the entire display screen of the information terminal device 10. The display size may also refer to the vertical or horizontal size of the virtual office display screen relative to the vertical or horizontal size of the entire display screen of the information terminal device 10.

[0072] Narrowing the information sharing range does not necessarily mean reducing the area of ​​the information sharing range to zero. In other words, it means narrowing the range while maintaining the state in which information can be shared.

[0073] Furthermore, when an avatar of another user communicating with the user is present within the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10, the virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user when the information sharing ranges of the avatar corresponding to the user and the avatar of the other user overlap.

[0074] Based on the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, the virtual office control unit 42 changes the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user so as to avoid the range through which other avatars pass.

[0075] The range through which the other avatars pass is, for example, a corridor in the virtual office through which the other avatars are moving, or a corridor in the virtual office through which the other avatars are expected to move.

[0076] The change in the form of the information sharing range is not limited to reduction, but also includes modifications such as avoiding or reducing the range through which other avatars pass, for example, the range where the virtual desks are spaced apart.

[0077] The storage unit 49 stores information such as the contents of calculations and programs of the server control device 40. The storage unit 49 is configured with, for example, a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and a storage device such as an SSD or HDD.

[0078] The storage unit 49 stores information indicating a virtual office configured in a virtual space. For each user who logs in to the virtual office, the storage unit 49 stores information indicating an avatar, the information terminal device 10 associated with the avatar, and the account user of the information terminal device 10. The storage unit 49 stores information indicating the layout of objects that configure the virtual office, such as the sections that configure the virtual office and virtual desks.

[0079] The virtual office display screen displayed on the display unit of the information terminal device will be described using Figures 4 to 9. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen of the information terminal device. In Figure 4, the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10 displays, for example, a display screen W1 that displays a virtual office using a virtual office application, and a display screen W2 related to another application.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual office display screen displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. For ease of explanation, FIG. 5 illustrates only the information sharing range C1 of the first avatar A1, omitting the information sharing ranges of the other avatars. The information sharing range defines the range within which information can be shared and may or may not be displayed on the display screen of the information terminal device. This also applies to the following figures. A virtual desk D is also arranged in the virtual office. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office shows the information sharing range C1 of the first avatar A1 set to its default size. In FIG. 5, a second avatar A2 corresponding to a second user is moving within the virtual office, and there is a possibility that the second avatar A2 may enter the information sharing range of the first avatar A1 corresponding to the first user during the movement.

[0081] As shown in Figure 4, when the display size of the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office is equal to or larger than a threshold value, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1, which is the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device, is set to an initial size, as shown in Figure 5.

[0082] 6 is a diagram showing another example of a display screen of an information terminal device. In FIG. 6, the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10 displays, for example, a display screen W1 displaying a virtual office using a virtual office application, and display screens W2 and W3 related to other applications. The display size of the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office is less than the threshold value.

[0083] The threshold value for the display size of the virtual office display screen is set to, for example, about 50% of the screen size of the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10. The display size of the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office is 50% or more in both the vertical and horizontal directions of the screen size of the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10 in Fig. 4. Also, the display size of the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office is less than 50% in both the vertical and horizontal directions of the screen size of the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10 in Fig. 6.

[0084] 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a display screen of a virtual office displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. In the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1 is reduced in the radial direction.

[0085] As shown in Figure 6, when the display size of the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office is less than a threshold value, as shown in Figure 7, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1, which is the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device, is set to a size that is radially reduced; in other words, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1 is changed to be narrower.

[0086] 8 is a diagram showing another example of a virtual office display screen displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. When there are avatars of other users communicating with the user, the information sharing ranges of the avatars corresponding to the user and the avatars of the other users remain overlapped, while the information sharing ranges of the avatars are reduced. Specifically, on the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1 is reduced to an oval shape that includes the first avatar A1 and the third avatar A3. In other words, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1 is reduced, while the information sharing ranges of the first avatar A1 and the third avatar A3 are included in each other's information sharing ranges.

[0087] 9 is a diagram showing another example of a virtual office display screen displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device. The information sharing range C1 of the first avatar A1 has been reduced to avoid the area through which other avatars pass. In FIG. 9 , the virtual desks D are spaced farther apart below the first avatar A1 and above the second avatar A2, creating an area through which other avatars pass, in other words, an aisle within the virtual office. The information sharing range C1 of the first avatar A1 shown in FIG. 9 has been reshaped to avoid the area through which other avatars pass, and has also been modified to include the third avatar A3 and the fourth avatar A4, which were included in the information sharing range in the initial state shown in FIG. 5 , in other words, to maintain information sharing.

[0088] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the relationship between the display size of the virtual office display screen and the size of the information sharing range. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) show an example in which the size of the information sharing range changes in two stages depending on the display size of the virtual office display screen. In FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), when the display size of the virtual office display screen is equal to or greater than a threshold, the size of the information sharing range is set to the initial value. When the display size of the virtual office display screen is less than the threshold, the size of the information sharing range is reduced. In FIG. 10(c), when the display size of the virtual office display screen is equal to or greater than a threshold, the size of the information sharing range is set to the initial value. When the display size of the virtual office display screen is less than the threshold, the size of the information sharing range changes linearly. In FIG. 10(d), the size of the information sharing range changes linearly depending on the display size of the virtual office display screen. As shown in FIG. 10, when the display size of the virtual office display screen becomes less than the threshold, the information sharing range is set as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. Furthermore, when the display size of the virtual office display screen is minimized, in the cases of Figures 10(a) and 10(c), the reduced size of the information sharing range is maintained, while in the case of Figure 10(d), a certain size is maintained. Minimizing the display size of the virtual office display screen means that the virtual office display screen is displayed at its minimum value or is not displayed at all. In the case of Figure 10(b), when the display size of the virtual office display screen is minimized, the size of the information sharing range is minimized or there is no information sharing range. In the case of Figure 10(b), minimizing the display size of the virtual office display screen sets the size of the information sharing range to its minimum value or a range within which a video call can be requested by overlapping avatars. The range within which a video call can be requested by overlapping avatars is the same as the display range of the avatars displayed on the display screen.

[0089] When a second avatar enters the information sharing range of a first avatar, the virtual office control unit 42 enables the second user to share the voice of the first user. Furthermore, when the second avatar is within the information sharing range of the first avatar and the first avatar is within the information sharing range of the second avatar, the second user can share the voice of the first user, and the first user can share the voice of the second user. In other words, the first and second users can share voice, enabling them to have a conversation via voice. More specifically, when voice sharing is enabled, the virtual office control unit 42 enables the information terminal device 10 used by the first user corresponding to the first avatar and the second information terminal device 10 used by the second user corresponding to the second avatar, logged in to the virtual office, to hear each other's voices. More specifically, the virtual office control unit 42 causes the voice of the second user picked up by the microphone 12 of the second information terminal device 10 to be output from the voice output unit 18 of the first information terminal device 10, and causes the voice of the first user picked up by the microphone 12 of the first information terminal device 10 to be output from the voice output unit 18 of the second information terminal device 10.

[0090] When the first avatar and the second avatar are no longer included in the information sharing range due to, for example, the movement of the avatar, the virtual office control unit 42 stops the voice sharing between the first user and the second user.

[0091] (Virtual space control method) The virtual space control method will be described with reference to Fig. 11 . Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the virtual space control method according to the first embodiment. The processing shown in Fig. 11 is executed while the virtual office is provided by the virtual space control system 1. The processing shown in Fig. 11 is executed by the terminal control device 20 of the information terminal device 10 and the server control device 40 of the server device 30 of the virtual space control system 1.

[0092] The terminal control device 20 starts displaying the virtual office when the application control unit 24 starts running the virtual office application (step S101). More specifically, when the application control unit 24 starts the virtual office application through a user operation or automatic startup, the display control unit 27 displays an image showing the virtual office screen on the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10. After executing step S101, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0093] The terminal control device 20 starts detecting the display size of the virtual office display screen on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 using the detection unit 25 (step S102). The terminal control device 20 transmits the detection result of the detection unit 25 to the server device 30. After executing step S102, the process proceeds to step S103.

[0094] The server control device 40 determines, using the virtual office control unit 42, based on the detection result of the detection unit 25, whether the display area of ​​the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold value (step S103). If the server control device 40 determines, using the virtual office control unit 42, that the display area of ​​the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold value (Yes in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104. If the server control device 40 does not determine, using the virtual office control unit 42, that the display area of ​​the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold value (No in step S103), the process proceeds to step S107.

[0095] If the server control device 40 determines that the display area of ​​the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold (Yes in step S103), the server control device 40 determines whether the virtual office display screen is hidden by the virtual office control unit 42 (step S104). More specifically, the server control device 40 determines that the virtual office display screen is hidden if the display size of the virtual office display screen has been minimized by the virtual office control unit 42. If the server control device 40 determines that the virtual office display screen is hidden by the virtual office control unit 42 (Yes in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. If the server control device 40 does not determine that the virtual office display screen is hidden by the virtual office control unit 42 (No in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106.

[0096] If it is determined that the virtual office display screen is not displayed (Yes in step S104), the server control device 40 minimizes the information sharing range of the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 (step S105). More specifically, the server control device 40, via the virtual office control unit 42, reduces the information sharing range of the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 to a size that allows the avatars to overlap and request a video call when another avatar enters the information sharing range of the avatar. After executing step S105, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0097] If it is not determined that the virtual office display screen is not displayed (No in step S104), the server control device 40 reduces the size of the information sharing range of the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 (step S106). More specifically, the server control device 40 reduces the size of the information sharing range of the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 by using the virtual office control unit 42. After executing step S106, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0098] If the server control device 40 does not determine that the display area of ​​the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold value (No in step S103), the server control device 40 determines, via the virtual office control unit 42, whether the size of the information sharing range is at its initial value (step S107). If the server control device 40 determines, via the virtual office control unit 42, that the size of the information sharing range is at its initial value (Yes in step S107), the process proceeds to step S109. In other words, the size of the information sharing range is maintained at its initial value. If the server control device 40 does not determine, via the virtual office control unit 42, that the size of the information sharing range is at its initial value (No in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0099] If it is not determined that the size of the information sharing range is the initial value (No in step S107), the server control device 40 returns the information sharing range of the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 to the initial value (step S108). More specifically, the server control device 40 causes the virtual office control unit 42 to return the size of the information sharing range of the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 to the initial value. After executing step S108, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0100] The terminal control device 20 determines whether to terminate use of the virtual office (step S109). The terminal control device 20 determines to terminate use of the virtual office, for example, when it detects an operation to terminate use of the virtual office, when the information processing terminal 10 is disconnected from a network that allows use of the virtual office, or when an operation to turn off the power of the information processing terminal 10 is performed. If the terminal control device 20 determines to terminate use of the virtual office (Yes in step S109), it terminates the processing of this flowchart. If the terminal control device 20 does not determine to terminate use of the virtual office (No in step S109), it executes the processing of step S103 again.

[0101] When the virtual office control unit 42 of the server control device 40 controls the size of the information sharing range as shown in Figures 10(a), 10(c), and 10(d), it omits the processing of steps S104 and S105, and if step S103 is Yes, it proceeds to step S106.

[0102] (Effects) As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to change the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device 10 based on the display state of the virtual office. In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately set the information sharing conditions with users of other avatars around the user's own avatar.

[0103] In this embodiment, the smaller the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office, the narrower the information sharing range around the avatar can be changed. According to this embodiment, when the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office is small and a user using the virtual office may continue speaking without noticing that another user's avatar is approaching, the risk of the user of the other avatar unintentionally overhearing what is being spoken can be reduced.

[0104] In this embodiment, if the information sharing range includes an avatar of another user communicating with the user, the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user can be narrowed when the information sharing ranges of the avatar corresponding to the user and the avatar of the other user communicating with the user overlap. According to this embodiment, the information sharing range can be changed while maintaining the current communication.

[0105] In this embodiment, the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user can be changed to avoid areas through which other avatars pass, based on the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10. According to this embodiment, the information sharing conditions with users of other avatars around the user's avatar can be appropriately set.

[0106] Second Embodiment A virtual space control system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an information terminal device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the size of a virtual office display screen and the size of an information sharing range. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to the second embodiment. In the following description, components similar to those of the virtual space control system 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The virtual space control system 1 differs from the first embodiment in the processing performed by the detection unit 25 of the terminal control device 20 of the information terminal device 10 and the virtual office control unit 42 of the server control device 40 of the server device 30.

[0107] The detection unit 25 detects the display ratio of the virtual office display screen on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 as the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 .

[0108] The display ratio of the virtual office display screen is the ratio of the area displayed when the virtual office display screen is hidden behind another display screen, etc. to the area displayed when the virtual office display screen is not hidden behind another display screen, etc. In this case, it is preferable that the display size of the virtual office display screen be equal to or larger than the threshold value in the first embodiment.

[0109] The virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user when, as a display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, the display screen displaying the virtual office is largely hidden by other display screens, is only partially hidden by other display screens, or is only partially visible on the display screen. The virtual office control unit 42 may narrow the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user as the display screen is largely hidden by other display screens, is partially hidden by other display screens, or is only partially visible on the display screen of the virtual office. In other words, the smaller the display screen displaying the virtual office is partially hidden by other display screens, i.e., the smaller the visible portion of the virtual office on the display screen of the virtual office, the narrower the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. If the display screen displaying the virtual office is largely hidden by other display screens, it is difficult for the user to notice that another avatar is approaching the information sharing range, making it difficult for the user to grasp that another avatar is approaching. Therefore, by narrowing the information sharing range, the possibility of unintentional overhearing of speech is reduced.

[0110] An example of a virtual office display screen displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10 displays, for example, a display screen W1 that displays a virtual office using a virtual office application and a display screen W2 related to another application. The display screen W1 that displays the virtual office is obscured by the display screen W2 related to the other application to a degree equal to or greater than a threshold. In other words, this indicates a state in which the display screen W1 that displays the virtual office is obscured by the display screen W2 related to the other application, and the displayed degree is less than the threshold.

[0111] The threshold for the percentage of the virtual office display screen that is obscured by other display screens is set to, for example, about 30 to 50%. The percentage of the virtual office display screen in Figure 4 that is obscured by other display screens is about 10%, which is below the threshold. Also, the percentage of the virtual office display screen in Figure 12 that is obscured by other display screens is 60% or more, which is above the threshold.

[0112] 13A and 13B show an example of the relationship between the display ratio of the virtual office display screen and the size of the information sharing range. FIGS. 13A and 13B show an example in which the size of the information sharing range changes in two stages depending on the display ratio of the virtual office display screen. In FIGS. 13A and 13B, when the display ratio of the virtual office display screen is equal to or greater than a threshold, i.e., when the percentage of the virtual office display screen hidden by other display screens is less than the threshold, the size of the information sharing range is set to the initial value. When the display ratio of the virtual office display screen is less than the threshold, i.e., when the percentage of the virtual office display screen hidden by other display screens is equal to or greater than the threshold, the size of the information sharing range is reduced. In FIG. 13C, when the display ratio of the virtual office display screen is equal to or greater than a threshold, i.e., when the percentage of the virtual office display screen hidden by other display screens is less than the threshold, the size of the information sharing range is set to the initial value. When the display ratio of the virtual office display screen is less than the threshold, the size of the information sharing range changes linearly. In Figure 13(d), the size of the information sharing range changes linearly depending on the display ratio of the virtual office display screen, i.e., the percentage of the virtual office display screen that is hidden by other display screens. As shown in Figure 13, when the display ratio of the virtual office display screen falls below a threshold, i.e., when the percentage of the virtual office display screen that is hidden by other display screens exceeds a threshold, the information sharing range is set as shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9. Furthermore, when the display ratio of the virtual office display screen is minimized, the reduced size of the information sharing range is maintained in the cases of Figures 13(a) and 13(c), while a certain size is maintained in the case of Figure 13(d). Minimizing the display ratio of the virtual office display screen means that the virtual office display screen is 100% or nearly 100% hidden by other display screens. In Figure 13(b), when the display ratio of the virtual office display screen is minimized, the size of the information sharing range becomes the minimum or there is no information sharing range. In the case of Figure 13 (b), when the display ratio of the virtual office display screen is minimized, the size of the information sharing range is set to the minimum value or a range in which avatars can overlap each other to request a video call.

[0113] (Virtual Space Control Method) A virtual space control method will be described with reference to Fig. 14. The processes of steps S201, S202, S204 to S209 in Fig. 14 are the same as those of steps S101, S102, S104 to S109 in Fig. 11.

[0114] The server control device 40 determines, via the virtual office control unit 42, based on the detection result of the detection unit 25, whether the display ratio of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold value (step S203). If the server control device 40 determines via the virtual office control unit 42 that the display ratio of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold value (Yes in step S203), the process proceeds to step S204. If the server control device 40 does not determine via the virtual office control unit 42 that the display ratio of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than the threshold value (No in step S203), the process proceeds to step S207.

[0115] (Effect) As described above, in this embodiment, the larger the proportion of the display screen displaying the virtual office that is hidden by other display screens, the smaller the information sharing range around the avatar can be changed to. According to this embodiment, when the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual office is small and there is a possibility that a user using the virtual office may continue speaking without noticing that another user's avatar is approaching, the risk of the user of the other avatar unintentionally overhearing the content of the speech can be reduced.

[0116] [Third Embodiment] A virtual space control system 1 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to the third embodiment. The virtual space control system 1 differs from the first embodiment in the processing performed by the detection unit 25 of the terminal control device 20 of the information terminal device 10 and the virtual office control unit 42 of the server control device 40 of the server device 30.

[0117] The detection unit 25 detects whether or not the user's own avatar is displayed on the display screen of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 as the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 .

[0118] The virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the user's avatar when the user's avatar is not displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, as a display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10. When the user's avatar is not displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, for example, the user is looking outside the area in the virtual office where the user's avatar is located. In such a case, the user cannot see the area around the user's avatar and is unlikely to notice that another avatar is approaching the user's avatar's information sharing range. Therefore, narrowing the information sharing range reduces the possibility of the user's speech being unintentionally overheard.

[0119] A state in which one's own avatar is not displayed may include a state in which one's own avatar is not visible even though it is present within the display range of the virtual office display screen because the virtual office display screen is hidden by another display screen, as shown in Figure 12.

[0120] (Virtual Space Control Method) A virtual space control method will be described with reference to Fig. 15. The processes of steps S301, S302, S304, S305 to S307, and S309 in Fig. 15 are similar to those of steps S101, S102, S106, and S107 to S109 in Fig. 11.

[0121] The server control device 40 determines, via the virtual office control unit 42, that the user's avatar is not displayed on the virtual office display screen on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 (step S303). If the server control device 40 determines, via the virtual office control unit 42, that the user's avatar is not displayed (Yes in step S303), the process proceeds to step S304. If the server control device 40 does not determine, via the virtual office control unit 42, that the user's avatar is not displayed, i.e., if the user's avatar is displayed (No in step S303), the process proceeds to step S305.

[0122] (Effect) As described above, in this embodiment, if a user's own avatar is not displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user can be narrowed. According to this embodiment, if a user's own avatar is not displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office and there is a possibility that the user will continue speaking without noticing that another user's avatar is approaching, it is possible to reduce the risk of the user of the other avatar unintentionally overhearing what they are saying.

[0123] [Fourth Embodiment] A virtual space control system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of an information terminal device. Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to a fourth embodiment. The virtual space control system 1 differs from the first embodiment in the processing performed by the detection unit 25 of the terminal control device 20 of the information terminal device 10 and the virtual office control unit 42 of the server control device 40 of the server device 30.

[0124] The detection unit 25 detects the size of the display range of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 as the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 .

[0125] The size of the display range of the virtual office on the virtual office display screen is the size of the display range of the virtual office displayed on the virtual office display screen.

[0126] When the range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office is wide, the virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user, as a display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10. In other words, when the range of the visible virtual office on the display screen displaying the virtual office is wide, the virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. The wider the range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, the narrower the virtual office control unit 42 may narrow the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. In other words, the wider the range of the visible virtual office, the narrower the virtual office control unit 42 may narrow the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. When the range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office is wide, the user can see a wide range within the virtual office, but it is difficult for the user to notice that another avatar is approaching the information sharing range, making it difficult for the user to recognize that another avatar is approaching. Therefore, by narrowing the scope of information sharing, the possibility of someone unintentionally overhearing your speech is reduced.

[0127] An example of a virtual office display screen displayed on the display screen of an information terminal device will be described with reference to Fig. 16. In Fig. 16, the display unit 17 of the information terminal device 10 displays a display screen W1 that displays the virtual office, and the display screen W1 displays an area that is larger than a predetermined area (default area) in the virtual office.

[0128] For example, the default display range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen W1 that displays the virtual office is assumed to be the range shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, the default range of the display screen W1 that displays the virtual office is the range of the department to which the user displaying the virtual office belongs, or the range that includes the location of the avatar of the user displaying the virtual office and is approximately four to six times the width of the virtual desk. The dashed line in Fig. 16 indicates the default display range of the virtual office that corresponds to Fig. 5.

[0129] In contrast, if the user operates the display screen W1 displaying the virtual office so that it includes an area more than twice the default area, the area displayed on the virtual office display screen is determined to be larger than the predetermined size. In Figure 16, the virtual office is displayed with an area about three times the width of the default display area of ​​the virtual office shown by the dashed line.

[0130] Examples of the correspondence between the display range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office and the information sharing range will be described below. (Example 1) When the display range of the virtual office is up to twice the default range As shown in FIG. 5, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1 is set to the initial size. (Example 2) When the display range of the virtual office is more than twice the default range (a predetermined width or larger), As shown in FIG. 7, the information sharing range of the first avatar is reduced in the radial direction compared to FIG. 5. (Example 3) When the display range of the virtual office is between two and five times the default range As the range of the displayed virtual office is wider, the width of the information sharing range may be narrowed. In this case, the information sharing range may be reduced as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. When the display range of the virtual office is more than five times the default range, the width of the information sharing range may be set to a constant value.

[0131] (Virtual Space Control Method) A virtual space control method will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The processes in steps S401, S402, and S404 to S407 in Fig. 17 are similar to those in steps S101, S102, and S106 to S109 in Fig. 11.

[0132] The server control device 40 determines, using the virtual office control unit 42, based on the detection result of the detection unit 25, whether the area displayed on the display screen of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (step S403). If the server control device 40 determines, using the virtual office control unit 42, that the area displayed on the display screen of the virtual office is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (Yes in step S403), the process proceeds to step S404. If the server control device 40 does not determine, using the virtual office control unit 42, that the area displayed on the display screen of the virtual office is equal to or larger than a predetermined size (No in step S403), the process proceeds to step S405.

[0133] (Effect) As described above, in this embodiment, as the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, if the range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office is wide, or the wider the range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, the narrower the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user can be changed.

[0134] Fifth Embodiment A virtual space control system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a virtual space control method according to the fifth embodiment. The virtual space control system 1 differs from the first embodiment in the processing performed by the detection unit 25 of the terminal control device 20 of the information terminal device 10 and the virtual office control unit 42 of the server control device 40 of the server device 30.

[0135] The detection unit 25 detects the display scale of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 as the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 .

[0136] The display scale of the virtual office on the display screen of the virtual office is the scale at which the virtual office is displayed on the display screen of the virtual office.

[0137] When the display scale of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office is small, as a display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, the virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. In other words, when the display scale of the visible virtual office on the display screen displaying the virtual office is small, the virtual office control unit 42 narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. The smaller the display scale of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, the narrower the virtual office control unit 42 may narrow the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. In other words, the smaller the display scale of the visible virtual office on the display screen displaying the virtual office, the narrower the virtual office control unit 42 may narrow the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user. If the display scale of the virtual office displayed on the display screen is small, the user can see a wide area within the virtual office, but it is difficult for the user to notice that another avatar is approaching the information sharing range, making it difficult for the user to grasp that another avatar is approaching. Therefore, by narrowing the information sharing range, the possibility of unintentional overhearing of speech is reduced.

[0138] For example, the default scale of the display range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen W1 that displays the virtual office is set to approximately the scale shown in Fig. 5. Specifically, the default scale (1.0x) of the display screen W1 that displays the virtual office is set to a scale that includes the position of the avatar of the user displaying the virtual office and displays an area that is approximately four to six times the width of the virtual desk.

[0139] In contrast, if the user operates the display screen W1 that displays the virtual office to change the display scale so that it is 0.5 times (half) smaller than the default scale, the display scale of the virtual office displayed on the virtual office display screen is determined to be smaller than the specified scale.

[0140] The dashed lines in Fig. 16 indicate the range that is displayed when the display scale of the virtual office is the default display scale, which corresponds to Fig. 5. In Fig. 16, the virtual office is displayed at a scale that is approximately 0.3 times (one-third) the default display scale of the virtual office.

[0141] The following describes examples of the correspondence between the display range of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office and the information sharing range. (Example 1) When the display scale of the virtual office is up to 0.5 times the default range: As shown in FIG. 5, the information sharing range of the first avatar A1 is set to the initial size. (Example 2) When the display range of the virtual office is 0.5 times or more the default range (a predetermined width or larger): As shown in FIG. 7, the information sharing range of the first avatar is reduced in the radial direction. (Example 3) When the display range of the virtual office is approximately 0.3 to 0.5 times the default range: The smaller the display scale of the displayed virtual office, the narrower the information sharing range may be. In this case, the information sharing range may be reduced as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. When the display scale of the virtual office is 0.3 times or less the default display scale, the width of the information sharing range may be a fixed value.

[0142] (Virtual Space Control Method) A virtual space control method will be described with reference to Fig. 18. The processes in steps S501, S502, and S504 to S507 in Fig. 18 are similar to those in steps S101, S102, and S106 to S109 in Fig. 11.

[0143] The server control device 40 determines, using the virtual office control unit 42, based on the detection result of the detection unit 25, whether the display scale of the virtual office display screen on the display screen of the information terminal device 10 is less than a predetermined value (step S503). If the server control device 40 determines, using the virtual office control unit 42, that the display scale of the virtual office display screen is less than a predetermined value (Yes in step S503), the process proceeds to step S504. If the server control device 40 does not determine, using the virtual office control unit 42, that the display scale of the virtual office display screen is less than a predetermined value (No in step S503), the process proceeds to step S505.

[0144] (Effect) As described above, in this embodiment, as the display state of the virtual office on the display screen of the information terminal device 10, if the display scale of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office is small, or the smaller the display scale of the virtual office displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual office, the narrower the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user can be changed.

[0145] The components of the virtual space control system shown in the figure are conceptual and functional, and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of each device is not limited to that shown, and all or part of them may be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on the processing load and usage status of each device.

[0146] The configuration of the virtual space control system is realized, for example, as software, by a program loaded into memory. In the above embodiment, the functional blocks are described as being realized by the cooperation of these hardware and software. In other words, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms, using only hardware, only software, or a combination of both.

[0147] The components described above include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0148] The virtual space control system and virtual space control method of the present disclosure can be used, for example, in a communication system that performs communication using avatars in a virtual space such as a virtual office.

[0149] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Virtual space control system 10 Information terminal device 11 Camera 12 Microphone 13 Operation unit 17 Display unit 18 Audio output unit 19 Communication unit 20 Terminal control device (control unit) 21 Video acquisition unit 22 Audio acquisition unit 23 Operation acceptance unit 24 Application control unit 25 Detection unit 26 Storage unit 27 Display control unit 28 Audio output control unit 29 Communication control unit 30 Server device 31 Communication unit 40 Server control device (control unit) 41 Communication control unit 42 Virtual office control unit 49 Storage unit

Claims

1. A virtual space control system that causes an information terminal device to display a virtual space and an avatar corresponding to a user of the information terminal device in the virtual space, wherein a control unit provided in the virtual space control system detects the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device, and changes the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device based on the display state of the virtual space.

2. The virtual space control system of claim 1, wherein the control unit narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user when the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device is in a display form that makes it difficult to recognize that another avatar is approaching the avatar corresponding to the user.

3. The virtual space control system of claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device so that, when the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual space is small, or the smaller the display size of the display screen displaying the virtual space, the narrower the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user.

4. The virtual space control system of claim 2, wherein the control unit narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user when the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device is such that a large proportion of the display screen displaying the virtual space is hidden by other display screens, or the larger the proportion of the display screen displaying the virtual space is hidden by other display screens.

5. The virtual space control system of claim 2, wherein the control unit narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user when the user's own avatar is not displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual space as the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device.

6. The virtual space control system of claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device so that when the range of the virtual space displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual space is wide, or the wider the range of the virtual space displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual space, the narrower the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user.

7. The virtual space control system of claim 2, wherein the control unit narrows the width of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user when the display scale of the virtual space displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual space is small, or the smaller the display scale of the virtual space displayed on the display screen displaying the virtual space, as a display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device.

8. A virtual space control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit, when an avatar of another user communicating with the user is present within the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user, narrows the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user while the information sharing ranges of the avatar corresponding to the user and the avatar of the other user overlap.

9. A virtual space control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit changes the shape of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user based on the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device so as to avoid the area through which other avatars pass.

10. A virtual space control method executed by a virtual space control system that causes an information terminal device to display a virtual space and an avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device in the virtual space, the virtual space control method comprising: detecting the display state of the virtual space on the display screen of the information terminal device; and changing the form of the information sharing range around the avatar corresponding to the user of the information terminal device based on the display state of the virtual space.

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