Information processing system, information processing device, method, and program

Abstract

An information processing system according to an embodiment comprises a server device and a client device. The server device comprises: a management unit that manages a position in a virtual space of a person present in the virtual space, the virtual space reproducing a real space; a conversion unit that converts the position managed by the management unit into a position in the real space; and a notification instruction unit that instructs a notification device via the client device to notify information relating to the position converted by the conversion unit.

Description

Information processing system, information processing device, method, and program

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing system, an information processing device, a method, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, virtual spaces that replicate arbitrary real spaces have been constructed. Non-Patent Document 1 describes a virtual Ginza that replicates Ginza in Tokyo, Japan. In some virtual spaces, an avatar operated by a user can move within the virtual space. This allows the avatar operated by the user to move within the virtual space that replicates the real space.

[0003] There is also a method for providing a virtual space management device that provides a virtual space that reflects population information in the real space, thereby making it possible to provide a virtual space that reflects population information in the real space.

[0004] Daizo Ikeda, Masahiro Yuguchi, Takafumi Yamazoe, Kazuaki Nagata, "Development of Virtual Ginza Using Urban Spatial Datasets," NTT DOCOMO Technical Journal, Vol. 30 No. 2 (July 2022) https: / / www.docomo.ne.jp / binary / pdf / corporate / technology / rd / technical_journal / bn / vol30_2 / vol30_2_007jp.pdf

[0005] However, information about the location of an avatar in a virtual space that recreates real space cannot be known in the original real space that is recreated.

[0006] This invention has been made in light of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an information processing system, information processing device, method, and program that can notify the real space of the position of a person in a virtual space that reproduces the real space.

[0007] An information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a system having a server device and a client device, wherein the server device comprises a management unit that manages the positions in a virtual space of a person existing in the virtual space that reproduces real space, a conversion unit that converts the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space, and a notification instruction unit that instructs a notification device via the client device to notify information about the positions converted by the conversion unit.

[0008] An information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is a system having a server device and a client device, wherein the server device has a management unit that manages the positions in a virtual space of people existing in the virtual space that reproduces real space, and the client device has a conversion unit that converts the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space, and a notification instruction unit that instructs a notification device to notify information about the positions converted by the conversion unit.

[0009] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages the positions in a virtual space of a person existing in a virtual space that reproduces a real space, a conversion unit that converts the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space, and a notification instruction unit that instructs a notification device to notify information about the positions converted by the conversion unit.

[0010] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method performed by an information processing device, and includes: a management unit of the information processing device managing the positions in a virtual space of a person existing in the virtual space that reproduces real space; a conversion unit of the information processing device converting the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space; and a notification instruction unit of the information processing device instructing a notification device to notify information about the positions converted by the conversion unit.

[0011] According to the present invention, the position of a person in a virtual space that reproduces a real space can be notified to the real space.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first application example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence related to the accumulation of position information. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data accumulated in an avatar virtual position information management and accumulation unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data accumulated in an avatar real position information management and accumulation unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of coordinate systems in virtual space and real space. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence related to an avatar search within a distance range. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data accumulated in a detected position information management and accumulation unit. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between a detected position and a detection range. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence related to a notification instruction. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a sequence related to detected position information. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a sequence related to detected position information. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a second application example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence related to the accumulation of position information. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence related to an avatar search within a distance range. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence related to a notification instruction. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an avatar position and situation notification device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes embodiments of the present invention. (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a first application example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the system configuration requires a virtual space management device 10, an avatar position status notification device 20, and a notification device 30. Multiple notification devices 30 are expected, but only one notification device is acceptable. A notification device control device 40 or a location obtainable notification device control device 50 may be connected to the notification device 30. The system may include a combination of a notification device control device 40 and a notification device 30, and a location obtainable notification device control device 50 and a notification device 30. Multiple combinations of these are expected, but only one notification device is acceptable. If the system includes a notification device control device 40, the system may include a notification device management device 60 having a detected position information input unit 61, or the notification device control device 40 includes the detected position information input unit 61.

[0015] The virtual space management device 10 and avatar position status notification device 20 shown in Figure 1 constitute server devices in the information processing system, and the other devices shown in Figure 1, namely, notification device 30, notification device control device 40, location obtainable notification device control device 50, and notification device management device 60, constitute client devices in the information processing system.

[0016] The virtual space management device 10 and the avatar position status notification device 20 are in a state where data communication is possible. The avatar position status notification device 20 and the notification device control device 40, the location obtainable notification device control device 50, or the notification device management device 60 are in a state where data communication is possible via a communication network. The notification device control device 40 or the location obtainable notification device control device 50 and the notification device 30 are in a state where data communication is possible. For example, the devices may be connected via an IP (Internet Protocol) network, may be connected according to USB (Universal Serial Bus) specifications, or may exist as functional blocks within the same device. Wired or wireless connections are not important.

[0017] Virtual space management device 10 has at least avatar virtual position information management and storage unit 11 and avatar virtual position information transmission unit 12. The virtual space managed by virtual space management device 10 is a reproduction of real space. Things that do not exist in real space may exist in the virtual space.

[0018] The avatar virtual position information management and storage unit 11 stores the position information of each avatar in the virtual space.

[0019] The avatar virtual position information transmitting unit 12 transmits the position information of all avatars in the virtual space to the avatar position / situation notifying device 20 .

[0020] The avatar position status notification device 20 has at least an avatar virtual position information receiving unit 21, a position information conversion unit 22, an avatar real position information management and storage unit 23, a detected position information management and storage unit 24, a distance calculation unit 25, a notification management unit 26, and a detected position information storage unit 27.

[0021] The avatar virtual position information receiving unit 21 receives the position information of the avatar in the virtual space from the virtual space management device 10 .

[0022] The position information conversion unit 22 converts the position information of the avatar in the virtual space (also referred to as virtual space position information of the avatar) into the position information of the avatar in the real space (also referred to as real space position information of the avatar).

[0023] The avatar real-space position information management and storage unit 23 stores position information of the avatar in real space. The detected-space position information management and storage unit 24 stores real-space position information of a location in real space where the position status of the avatar is to be detected.

[0024] The distance calculation unit 25 is a functional unit that calculates the distance between two pieces of real space position information, which are assumed to be the real space position information of the avatar and the real space position information of the location to be detected.

[0025] The notification management unit 26 determines whether or not to notify based on the detection location information and the distance between the avatar related to that detection location, and if a notification is to be made, sends a notification to the notification device control device 40 or the location-acquirable notification device control device 50.

[0026] The detection position information storage unit 27 receives real space position information of a location to be detected from the location obtainable notification device control device 50, or receives real space position information of a location to be detected or virtual space position information of a location to be detected from the notification device management device 60, and registers the real space position information in the detection position information management accumulation unit 24. Furthermore, when virtual space position information of a location to be detected is received, the detection position information storage unit 27 uses the position information conversion unit 22 to convert the virtual space position information of the location to be detected into real space position information of the location to be detected, and registers the converted real space position information in the detection position information management accumulation unit 24.

[0027] The notification device control device 40 has a notification instruction unit 41 and an IF (interface) unit 42. When the notification instruction unit 41 receives a notification instruction from the avatar position / status notifying device 20, the notification instruction unit 41 sends a notification instruction to the IF unit 42. The notification instruction unit 41 may have a function of sending a notification stop instruction to the IF unit 42 after a configurable certain time has elapsed since sending the notification instruction.

[0028] The IF unit 42 sends a notification instruction to the notification device 30 in a manner appropriate to the notification device 30 to be notified.

[0029] The location obtainable notifying device control device 50 has a notification instruction unit 51, an IF unit 52, and a location obtainment unit 53. The functions of the notification instruction unit 51 and the IF unit 52 are similar to the functions of the notification instruction unit 41 and the IF unit 42.

[0030] The location acquisition unit 53 has a function of acquiring location information in real space of the location obtainable notification device control device 50. For example, a function of acquiring latitude, longitude, and altitude using a GPS (Global Positioning System) is assumed. Other methods of estimating location are also assumed, such as using radio wave intensity from a wireless base station (including Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark)).

[0031] The notification device management device 60 includes a detected position information input unit 61. The detected position information input unit 61 has a function of accepting input from a user or a program regarding a location in real space where the user wants to detect the location of an avatar. When the location information is input, it is sent to the detected position information storage unit 27 of the avatar position and situation notification device 20. For example, when accepting input from a user, a method is envisioned in which numerical forms for latitude, longitude, and altitude are presented on the screen, the user is asked to enter numerical values ​​into each form, and the values ​​are sent to the detected position information storage unit 27 of the avatar position and situation notification device 20. Another method is, for example, when accepting input from a user, a method is envisioned in which a map is presented on the screen, the user is allowed to specify a location where the user wants to detect the location of an avatar by operating a mouse or touching the screen, and the latitude, longitude, and altitude information of that location is sent to the detected position information storage unit 27 of the avatar position and situation notification device 20. Another possible method is to provide an API (Application Programming Interface) to receive latitude, longitude, and altitude information from another program and send that information to the detected position information storage unit 27 of the avatar position status notification device 20, for example, when accepting input from a program.

[0032] When the notification device 30 receives a notification instruction from the notification device control device 40 or the location obtainable notification device control device 50, it issues a notification in accordance with the instruction. For example, if the notification device 30 is a USB-compatible lighting device, the notification device control device 40 or the location obtainable notification device control device 50 is connected to the lighting device by a USB cable, and a lighting control signal is sent from the notification device control device 40 or the location obtainable notification device control device 50 to the lighting device in accordance with the USB specifications. The lighting control signal is a command to turn on the lighting of the lighting device, and this command turns on the lighting of the lighting device. Then, after a certain period of time predetermined for the lighting device, the lighting of the lighting device is turned off.

[0033] Alternatively, for example, if the notification device 30 is a speaker, the notification device control device 40 or the location-obtainable notification device control device 50 is connected to the speaker by an audio cable, and an audio signal is sent from the notification device control device 40 or the location-obtainable notification device control device 50 to the speaker.

[0034] Alternatively, for example, if the notification device 30 is an earphone, the notification device control device 40 or the location-obtainable notification device control device 50 is connected to the earphone via Bluetooth, and an audio signal is sent from the notification device control device 40 or the location-obtainable notification device control device 50 to the earphone.

[0035] The notification device 30 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that outputs something that can be perceived by a person using one of the five senses or something that can be received by another system. The notification device 30 may be included as a functional unit in the notification device control device 40 or the location obtainable notification device control device 50. For example, if a smartphone is used as the location obtainable notification device control device 50, the notification device 30 includes output functions such as the smartphone's screen or speaker.

[0036] Next, a description will be given of a process for storing position information in the avatar real position information management and storage unit 23 of the avatar position and situation notification device 20. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence for storing position information.

[0037] The data in the avatar virtual position information management storage unit 11 of the virtual space management device 10 is updated as needed by other functional units of the virtual space management device 10. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the avatar virtual position information management storage unit. As shown in Fig. 3, the avatar virtual position information management storage unit 11 stores, for each avatar, an avatar ID unique to the avatar, a save time, an x-coordinate position, a y-coordinate position, and a z-coordinate position, all of which are associated with the avatar.

[0038] 4 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the avatar real position information management storage unit 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the avatar virtual position information management storage unit 11 stores, for each avatar, an avatar ID unique to the avatar, a saving time, a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude.

[0039] The avatar virtual position information transmitting unit 12 has a processing interval setting value. For example, if the processing interval is set to every 5 seconds, the following processing is performed every 5 seconds (S11).

[0040] When activated, first, the avatar virtual position information transmitting unit 12 acquires data relating to all avatar IDs from the avatar real position information managing and storing unit 23 (S12).

[0041] The avatar virtual position information transmitting unit 12 transmits the acquired data to the avatar virtual position information receiving unit 21 of the avatar position / situation notifying device 20 (S13).

[0042] The avatar virtual position information receiving unit 21 of the avatar position situation notifying device 20 receives the data sent from the avatar virtual position information sending unit 12 of the virtual space managing device 10 and passes the data to the position information converting unit 22 .

[0043] The position information conversion unit 22 receives the data sent from the avatar virtual position information receiving unit 21 and performs a process of converting the virtual space position information of the avatar into real space position information (S14). The details of the conversion process will be described later.

[0044] The position information conversion unit 22 stores data of a combination of the real space position information, the avatar ID, and the saving time in the avatar real position information management and storage unit 23 (S15).

[0045] Next, the details of the conversion process will be explained. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the coordinate systems of the virtual space and the real space. The latitudes shown in Fig. 5 have negative signs for the southern hemisphere. The longitudes have negative signs for the western hemisphere. The geodetic system is, for example, WGS84, which is also used in GPS.

[0046] In the example shown in Figure 5, the origin of the coordinate system in the virtual space is set as a reference point in the real space, the X-axis direction is parallel to the latitude line, and the Y-axis direction is parallel to the meridian line.When this is the case, the conversion formula between the virtual space and the real space for adjusting the scale, for example, the conversion formula when the x-coordinate is converted to latitude, the y-coordinate is converted to longitude, and the z-coordinate is converted to altitude, is set in advance.

[0047] Furthermore, if the X-axis direction is not parallel to the latitude line, or the Y-axis direction is not parallel to the longitude line, not only is the scale adjusted but conversion is also performed using a general coordinate system conversion formula.

[0048] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence for searching for an avatar within a distance range. The distance calculation unit 25 has a setting value for the processing interval. For example, if the setting is every 5 seconds, the following process is performed every 5 seconds.

[0049] The distance calculation unit 25 acquires data from the detected position information management and storage unit 24 and the avatar real position information management and storage unit 23 (S21). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the detected position information management and storage unit. As shown in FIG. 7, the detected position information management and storage unit 24 stores data relating to a location where an avatar's status is to be detected, such as a detection position ID unique to the detection position, a storage time, longitude, latitude, altitude, and destination information for the data relating to the location where the avatar's status is to be detected, in association with each other. The distance calculation unit 25 acquires data relating to a location where an avatar's status is to be detected from the detected position information management and storage unit 24. The distance calculation unit 25 acquires data relating to the current location of each avatar in real space from the avatar real position information management and storage unit 23.

[0050] In order to determine whether each detection position is to be a notification target according to the detection position, the distance calculation unit 25 performs an avatar search process within a set distance range according to, for example, the following (1) (S22): | CheckPoint(lat, lon) - Avator(lat, lon) | < R ... (1) FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the detection position and the detection range. If the distance between the coordinates of the detection position (Check Point) and the coordinates of the avatar (Avatar) is smaller than the set distance (R), the avatar exists within the set distance range, which is the detection range. As shown in FIG. 8, when the detection position of the avatar exists within the set distance range, the detection position becomes a notification target.

[0051] In order to determine whether a detected position is to be notified, the number of avatars within a set distance range may be set as a threshold, and the detected position may be notified only if the number of avatars within the set distance range is equal to or greater than the threshold. The method of determining whether a detected position is to be notified is not limited to these methods.

[0052] The distance calculation unit 25 notifies the notification management unit 26 of the detection position of the notification target together with the notification target detection position ID and destination information (S23).

[0053] This process may be implemented by the distance calculation unit 25 alone after data is acquired from each storage unit (DB), or the necessary processing may be performed when generating a query to each storage unit during the data acquisition process.

[0054] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence relating to a notification instruction. The notification management unit 26 receives from the distance calculation unit 25 the notification target detection position ID, destination information, and a notification instruction.

[0055] Based on the received destination information, the notification management unit 26 transmits a notification to all notification device control devices 40 or all location obtainable notification device control devices 50 (S31). Here, an example will be described in which a notification is transmitted to the notification device control device 40.

[0056] The notification instruction unit 41 of the notification device control device 40 receives a notification from the notification management unit 26. The notification instruction unit 41 notifies the IF unit 42 of the notification (S32). The IF unit 42 transmits a notification instruction for the notification device to the notification device 30 (S33). The notification device 30 outputs a notification in accordance with the notification instruction for the notification device (S34).

[0057] For example, if the notification device 30 is a speaker device that notifies by sound, the notification instruction unit 41 stores in advance the sound to be used for notification when it receives a notification instruction from the notification management unit 26 .

[0058] The notification instruction unit 41 transmits the corresponding notification sound to the IF unit 42, which then performs signal conversion necessary for the notification device and transmits the signal to the notification device 30. The speaker device, which is the notification device 30, outputs the sound of the received signal.

[0059] For example, if the notification device 30 is a lighting device that notifies by light, the notification instruction unit 41 stores in advance the blinking pattern to be notified when it receives a notification instruction from the notification management unit 26.

[0060] The notification instruction unit 41 transmits the corresponding blinking pattern to the IF unit 42, and the IF unit 42 performs the signal conversion necessary for the notification device 30 and transmits the signal to the notification device 30. The lighting device, which is the notification device 30, outputs light of the received signal.

[0061] The following describes the process of updating data in the detected position information management and storage unit 24. The notification device control device 40 cannot acquire the virtual space and real space position information of the notification device control device 40. The position acquisition unit 53 of the position-acquirable notification device control device 50 can acquire the real space position information of the notification device control device 40.

[0062] 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a sequence relating to detection position information. The detection position information input unit 61 of the notification device management device 60 accepts input of position information of a detection position corresponding to a detection position ID from a user or a program (S41).

[0063] The detected position information input unit 61 sends a combination of the position information and the detected position ID to the detected position information storage unit 27 of the avatar position / status notification device 20 .

[0064] When the detected position information storage unit 27 receives the combination of the position information and the detected position ID, it sends the combination of the position information, the detected position ID, and the registration time to the detected position information management and accumulation unit 24 and stores it (S42).

[0065] The detected position information input unit 61 may be provided in the notification device control device 40 , the location obtainable notification device control device 50 , or the avatar position / status notification device 20 .

[0066] 11 is a diagram showing a second example of a sequence relating to detected position information. The position acquisition unit 53 of the location availability notification device control device 50 acquires position information of the location availability notification device control device 50 in real space at predetermined intervals (S51).

[0067] The position acquisition unit 53 sends a combination of a preset detection position ID and the acquired position information to the detection position information storage unit 27 of the avatar position / status notification device 20 .

[0068] When the detected position information storage unit 27 receives the combination of the position information and the detected position ID, it sends the combination of the position information, the detected position ID, and the registration time to the detected position information management and accumulation unit 24 and stores it (S52).

[0069] Second Embodiment Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a second application example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those shown in Fig. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The system shown in Fig. 12 corresponds to a system in which part of the functions of avatar position / status notification device 20 in the system shown in Fig. 1 are assigned to notification device control device 40 or location obtainable notification device control device 50 shown in Fig. 1.

[0070] This system configuration requires a virtual space management device 10, an avatar position status notification device 20, and a notification device 30. Multiple notification devices 30 are expected, but only one notification device is acceptable. Connected to the notification device 30 is a notification device control device 40a or a location obtainable notification device control device 50a. Within this system, a combination of a notification device control device 40a and a notification device 30, and a location obtainable notification device control device 50a and a notification device 30 may be mixed. Multiple combinations of these are expected, but only one notification device is acceptable.

[0071] The avatar position status notification device 20 and the notification device control device 40a or the location obtainable notification device control device 50a are in a state where data communication is possible. The notification device control device 40a or the location obtainable notification device control device 50a are in a state where data communication is possible with the notification device 30. The avatar position status notification device 20 has at least an avatar virtual position information receiving unit 21, a position information converting unit 22, an avatar real position information managing and storing unit 23, and an avatar real position information transmitting unit 28. The avatar real position information transmitting unit 28 sends avatar position information in real space to the notification device control device 40a or the location obtainable notification device control device 50a.

[0072] As shown in Figure 12, the notification device control device 40a has, in addition to the notification instruction unit 41 and IF unit 42 shown in Figure 1, an avatar real position information receiving unit 43a, an avatar real position information management and storage unit 44a within the notification device control device, a detected position information management and storage unit 45a, a distance calculation unit 46a, a notification management unit 47a, a detected position information storage unit 48a, and a detected position information input unit 49a.

[0073] The detection position information management and accumulation unit 45a, distance calculation unit 46a, notification management unit 47a, and detection position information storage unit 48a in the notification device control device 40a correspond to the detection position information management and accumulation unit 24, distance calculation unit 25, notification management unit 26, and detection position information storage unit 27 shown in Fig. 1. The detection position information input unit 49a in the notification device control device 40a corresponds to the detection position information input unit 61 shown in Fig. 1.

[0074] The avatar real position information receiving unit 43a of the notification device control device 40a receives the position information of the avatar in real space from the avatar position status notification device 20. The avatar real position information receiving unit 43a stores the received position information of the avatar in real space in the avatar real position information management and storage unit 44a in the notification device control device. The avatar real position information management and storage unit 44a in the notification device control device receives and stores the position information of the avatar in real space from the avatar real position information receiving unit 43a.

[0075] The detected position information management and storage unit 45a stores real-space position information of a location in real space where the position status of an avatar is to be detected. The distance calculation unit 46a is a functional unit that calculates the distance between two pieces of real-space position information, that is, the real-space position information of the avatar and the real-space position information of the location to be detected.

[0076] The notification management unit 47a determines whether or not to notify based on the detection location information and the distance between the avatars related to the detection location, and if notification is to be made, passes a notification instruction to the notification instruction unit 41.

[0077] When the notification instruction unit 41 receives a notification instruction from the notification management unit 47a, it sends a notification instruction to the IF unit 42. The notification instruction unit 41 may have a function of sending a notification instruction to the IF unit 42 to stop notifications after a configurable fixed time has elapsed since sending the notification instruction. The IF unit 42 sends a notification instruction to the notification device 30 in a method appropriate for the notification device 30.

[0078] The detected position information input unit 49a has a function of accepting input from a user or a program regarding a location in real space where the user wants to detect the position status of the avatar. When the detected position information input unit 49a receives the input, it sends the input information to the detected position information storage unit 48a. For example, when accepting input from a user, a method is envisioned in which numerical forms for latitude, longitude, and altitude are presented on the screen, the user is asked to enter the numerical values ​​in each form, and the input information is sent to the detected position information storage unit 48a.

[0079] Another possible method for accepting input from a user is to present a map on the screen, accept the location where the user wants to detect the avatar's location status by operating the mouse or touching the screen, and send information on the latitude, longitude, and altitude of that location to the detected location information storage unit 48a.

[0080] Another possible method is to provide an API to receive latitude, longitude, and altitude information from another program and send that information to the detection position information storage unit 48a, for example, when accepting input from a program.

[0081] The detected position information storage unit 48a receives the real space position information from the detected position information input unit 49a, and registers the real space position information in the detected position information management and accumulation unit 45a.

[0082] As shown in Figure 12, the location acquisition possible notification device control device 50a has a notification instruction unit 51, an IF unit 52, a location acquisition unit 53, an avatar real location information receiving unit 53a, an avatar real location information management and storage unit 54a within the notification device control device, a detected location information management and storage unit 55a, a distance calculation unit 56a, a notification management unit 57a, and a detected location information storage unit 58a.

[0083] The detection location information management and accumulation unit 55a, distance calculation unit 56a, notification management unit 57a, and detection location information storage unit 58a within the location acquisition possible notification device control device 50a correspond to the detection location information management and accumulation unit 24, distance calculation unit 25, notification management unit 26, and detection location information storage unit 27 shown in Figure 1.

[0084] The location obtainable notification device control device 50a has functional units similar to those of the notification device control device 40a, and also has a location obtainment unit 53 instead of the detected position information input unit 49a of the notification device control device 40a. The location obtainment unit 53 has a function of obtaining real-space position information of the location obtainable notification device control device 50a. The location obtainment unit 53 sends the obtained position information to a detected position information storage unit 58a. The detected position information storage unit 58a receives real-space position information from the location obtainment unit 53 and registers the real-space position information in a detected position information management and accumulation unit 55a.

[0085] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence relating to the accumulation of position information. In the sequence relating to the accumulation of position information, the exchange from the avatar virtual position information management / accumulation unit 11 to the position information conversion unit 22 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0086] The position information conversion unit 22 receives the data passed from the avatar virtual position information receiving unit 21, and performs a process of converting the virtual space position information into real space position information (S114).

[0087] The position information conversion unit 22 stores data of a combination of the real space position information, the avatar ID, and the time in the avatar real position information management and storage unit 23 (S115).

[0088] The avatar real position information management and storage unit 23 passes to the avatar real position information transmission unit 28 the avatar information that has been updated since the previous time the information was passed to the avatar real position information transmission unit 28 .

[0089] Instead of this process, the position information conversion unit 22 may pass data of a combination of real space position information, an avatar ID, and time to the avatar real position information transmission unit 28 .

[0090] The avatar real position information transmitting unit 28 sends the avatar information to the notification device control device 40a or the location obtainable notification device control device 50a connected to the avatar position situation notification device 20. Here, the processing by the notification device control device 40a will be taken as an example.

[0091] The avatar real position information receiving unit 43a receives avatar information from the avatar position / status notification device 20. The avatar real position information receiving unit 43a sends data of a combination of real space position information, an avatar ID, and time to the avatar real position information management / storage unit 44a in the notification device control device and stores it (S116). The avatar real position information management / storage unit 44a in the notification device control device receives and stores the data from the avatar real position information receiving unit 43a.

[0092] The sequence for searching for an avatar within a distance range is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, instead of the avatar real-location information management and storage unit 23 shown in Fig. 1, for example, an avatar real-location information management and storage unit 44a in the notification device control device is used. However, for example, the distance calculation unit, notification management unit, notification instruction unit, and IF unit are the corresponding units in the notification device control device 40a.

[0093] The distance calculation unit 46a has a setting value for the processing interval. For example, if the setting is every 5 seconds, the following process is performed every 5 seconds. The distance calculation unit 46a acquires data from the detected position information management and storage unit 24 and the avatar real position information management and storage unit 23 (S121). The distance calculation unit 46a acquires data related to the location where the avatar status is to be detected from the detected position information management and storage unit 45a. The distance calculation unit 46a acquires data related to the current position of each avatar in real space from the avatar real position information management and storage unit 44a in the notification device control device.

[0094] In order to determine whether each detection position is to be a notification target, the distance calculation unit 46a performs an avatar search process within a set distance range (S122). For the detection position to be a notification target, the distance calculation unit 46a notifies the notification management unit 47a of the notification target detection position ID and the destination information (S123).

[0095] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence relating to a search for an avatar within a distance range. The series of exchanges in the sequence relating to a notification instruction is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0096] The data update process of the detected position information management and storage unit 45a is described below. The notification device control device 40a cannot acquire the virtual space and real space position information of the notification device control device 40a. The location-acquirable notification device control device 50a has a position acquisition unit 53 and can acquire the real space position information of the notification device control device 40a.

[0097] The detection position information input unit 49a of the notification device control device 40a receives input of the detection position information corresponding to the detection position ID from a user or a program, and sends a combination of the position information and the detection position ID to the detection position information storage unit 48a of the avatar position / status notification device 20.

[0098] When the detected position information storage unit 48a receives the combination of the position information and the detected position ID, the detected position information storage unit 48a sends the combination of the position information, the detected position ID, and the registration time to the detected position information management and accumulation unit 45a and stores it. The detected position information input unit 49a may be included in the notification device control device 40a, the location obtainable notification device control device 50a, or the avatar position status notification device 20.

[0099] The position acquisition unit 53 of the position obtainable notification device control device 50a acquires the position information of the position obtainable notification device control device 50a in real space at preset intervals.

[0100] The position acquisition unit 53 sends a combination of a preset detection position ID and the acquired position information to the detection position information storage unit 48 a of the avatar position / status notification device 20 .

[0101] When the detected position information storage unit 48a receives a combination of the position information and the detected position ID, it sends the combination of the position information, the detected position ID, and the registration time to the detected position information management and accumulation unit 45a and stores it.

[0102] Third Embodiment The configuration of an information processing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the notification management unit 26 of the avatar position and status notification device 20 determines whether to issue a notification based on the detection location information and the distance between avatars related to the detection location. If a notification is to be issued, the notification management unit 26 sends a notification and notification content to the notification device control device 40 or the location acquisition availability notification device control device 50. Furthermore, for example, when the notification instruction unit 41 of the notification device control device 40 receives a notification from the avatar position and status notification device 20, the notification instruction unit 41 analyzes the notification content according to the notification content and then sends a notification instruction to the IF unit 42. The same applies to the location acquisition availability notification device control device 50.

[0103] The sequence of interactions in the sequence related to the accumulation of location information is the same as in the first embodiment. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence related to a notification instruction. The distance calculation unit 46a notifies the notification management unit 47a of information on which the notification content is based, related to the detected location of the notification target, destination information, and a notification instruction (S201).

[0104] The notification management unit 47a receives from the distance calculation unit 46a information on which the notification content is based, relating to the detected position of the notification target, destination information, and a notification.

[0105] The notification management unit 47a generates notification content for the notification device control device 40a (S202).

[0106] The notification contents may include, for example, the following:

[0107] (Example of notification content) { Detection location ID, { Destination information, [ {Avatar ID, latitude, longitude, altitude, distance from detection location}, {Avatar ID, latitude, longitude, altitude, distance from detection location}, ... ]}}, ... (Example of notification content ends here)

[0108] The notification content is information for each detection location ID. The information for each detection location ID consists of destination information and avatar information within the detection range. The avatar information within the detection range consists of the avatar ID, latitude, longitude, altitude, and distance from the detection location. Based on the received destination information or the destination information in the notification content, the notification management unit 47a sends the notification content and a notification to the notification device control device 40a or the location obtainable notification device control device 50a (S203).

[0109] The notification instruction unit 41 of the notification device control device 40a or the location obtainable notification device control device 50a receives the notification content and the notification from the notification management unit 47a.

[0110] The notification instruction unit 41 reads the received notification content and extracts the avatar information within the detection range (S204). The notification instruction unit 41 determines the notification method to the IF unit 42 based on a preset rule.

[0111] For example, if the notification device 30 is a device that outputs sound, the following rules may be considered.

[0112] (Rule) When the number of avatars within the detection range is between "4" and "6", the volume is 10% louder than when the number of avatars within the detection range is between "1" and "3".

[0113] For example, if a lighting device is a device that outputs light, the following rules may be considered.

[0114] (Rule) When the number of avatars within the detection range is between "4" and "6", the brightness of the illumination light is 10% greater than when the number of avatars within the detection range is between "1" and "3".

[0115] The notification instruction unit 41 transmits the notification to the IF unit 42 based on the determined notification method (S205). The IF unit 42 transmits a notification instruction for the notification device to the notification device 30 (S206). The notification device 30 outputs the notification in accordance with the notification instruction for the notification device (S207).

[0116] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an avatar position and status notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the avatar position and status notification device 20 according to the embodiment is configured, for example, by a server computer or a personal computer, and has a hardware processor 111A such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). A program memory 111B, a data memory 112, an input / output interface 113, and a communication interface 114 are connected to this hardware processor 111A via a bus 115. The same applies to the other devices shown in FIGS. 1 and 12.

[0117] The communication interface 114 includes, for example, one or more wireless communication interface units, and enables transmission and reception of information to and from a communication network. As the wireless interface, for example, an interface that adopts a low-power wireless data communication standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is used.

[0118] An input device 500 and an output device 600, which are attached to the avatar position / status notification device 20 and used by a user or the like, are connected to the input / output interface 113. The input / output interface 113 can receive operation data input by a user or the like via the input device 500, such as a keyboard, a touch panel, or a touchpad, and can output output data to and display it on the output device 600, which may include a display device using a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The input device 500 and the output device 600 may be devices built into the avatar position / status notification device 20, or may be input devices and output devices of other information terminals that can communicate with the avatar position / status notification device 20 via a network.

[0119] The program memory 111B is a non-transitory tangible storage medium that is a combination of a non-volatile memory that can be written to and read from at any time, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and a non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and can store programs necessary to execute various control processes, etc., according to one embodiment.

[0120] The data memory 112 is a tangible storage medium that is, for example, a combination of the above-mentioned nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), and can be used to store various data or information acquired and created during various processes.

[0121] The avatar position and situation notification device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be configured as an information processing device having the units shown in FIG. 1 as software processing function units.

[0122] The information storage unit used as a work memory or the like in avatar position / status notification device 20 may be configured using data memory 112 shown in Fig. 16. However, these configured storage areas are not essential components within avatar position / status notification device 20, and may be areas provided in an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or in a storage device such as a database server located in the cloud.

[0123] The processing function units in each of the above units can be realized by reading and executing a program stored in the program memory 111B by the hardware processor 111A. Note that some or all of these processing function units may be realized in various other forms, including integrated circuits such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0124] The methods described in each embodiment can be stored as a program (software means) that can be executed by a computer on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.), or semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), and can also be distributed by transmitting it via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium also includes a configuration program that configures the software means (including not only execution programs but also tables or data structures) that the computer executes. The computer that realizes this device reads the program stored on the recording medium and, in some cases, configures the software means using the configuration program, and executes the above-mentioned processing by controlling the operation of this software means. The term "recording medium" as used herein is not limited to a storage medium for distribution, but also includes a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or semiconductor memory installed inside the computer or in a device connected via a network.

[0125] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the embodiments may be implemented in appropriate combinations, in which case the combined effects can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combining selected elements from the disclosed elements. For example, if the problem can be solved and the desired effect can be obtained even if some elements are deleted from all elements shown in the embodiments, the configuration from which these elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

[0126] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Virtual space management device 11...Avatar virtual position information management and storage unit 12...Avatar virtual position information transmission unit 20...Avatar position situation notification device 21...Avatar virtual position information reception unit 22...Location information conversion unit 23...Avatar real position information management and storage unit 24, 45a, 55a...Detected position information management and storage unit 25, 46a, 56a...Distance calculation unit 26, 47a, 57a...Notification management unit 27, 48a, 58a...Detected position information storage unit 28...Avatar real position information transmission unit 30...Notification device 40, 40a...Notification device control device 41, 51...Notification instruction unit 42, 52...IF (interface) unit 43a, 53a...Avatar real position information reception unit 44a, 54a...Avatar real position information management and storage unit in notification device control device 49a, 61...Detected position information input unit 50, 50a... Location obtainable notification device control device 53... Location obtainment unit 60... Notification device management device

Claims

1. An information processing system having a server device and a client device, wherein the server device has: a management unit that manages the positions in a virtual space of people who exist in a virtual space that reproduces real space; a conversion unit that converts the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space; and a notification instruction unit that instructs a notification device via the client device to notify information about the positions converted by the conversion unit.

2. An information processing system having a server device and a client device, wherein the server device has a management unit that manages the positions in a virtual space of people who exist in a virtual space that reproduces real space, and the client device has a conversion unit that converts the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space, and a notification instruction unit that instructs a notification device to notify information about the positions converted by the conversion unit.

3. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the notification instruction unit generates notification content according to the situation of a person located at the position converted by the conversion unit, and instructs the notification device to notify information using the generated notification content.

4. An information processing device comprising: a management unit that manages the positions in a virtual space of a person existing in a virtual space that reproduces a real space; a conversion unit that converts the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space; and a notification instruction unit that instructs a notification device to notify information about the positions converted by the conversion unit.

5. A method performed by an information processing device, comprising: a management unit of the information processing device managing positions in a virtual space of a person existing in the virtual space that reproduces real space; a conversion unit of the information processing device converting the positions managed by the management unit into positions in the real space; and a notification instruction unit of the information processing device instructing a notification device to notify information on the positions converted by the conversion unit.

6. An information processing program that causes a processor to function as each part of the information processing device according to claim 4.

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