Device, system, and method

Abstract

In a game server 100, a virtual space providing unit 101 provides, to a virtual space access function (for example, a browser for accessing a virtual space) operating on a user terminal 300, a virtual space including the avatar of a user of the user terminal 300. A reception unit 102 receives, from a drawing application (information presentation function) activated on a tablet terminal 400, drawing data (presentation information) to be presented in the virtual space. The virtual space providing unit 101 provides the virtual space (including the presentation information) such that the drawing data is reflected in the virtual space. This configuration makes it possible to show, in the virtual space, drawing data drawn by oneself to other users (avatars), and enables the provision of information such as realization of ideas or creative ideas among various users in the virtual space.

Description

Apparatus, system and method

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes how an omnidirectional image in a virtual space is projected onto a two-dimensional screen image using coordinate transformation and displayed on a display device, and how the omnidirectional image is edited by using a pointing device to change the line of sight and viewing angle in the virtual space, thereby drawing in two dimensions.

[0003] International Publication No. 2012 / 147303

[0004] However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 describes image writing (drawing processing) using one device, and there is a problem in that it is difficult to perform processing that takes the following measures into consideration.

[0005] In other words, in the case of a single device, after the image writing is reflected and processed, viewing the results (reflected in the drawn animation, etc.) on the same device requires screen transitions or movement within the service, which hinders a seamless experience.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a system, and a method that enable a seamless experience in a virtual space.

[0007] The device disclosed herein comprises a virtual space providing unit that provides a virtual space including an avatar of the user of the user terminal to a virtual space access function operating on the user terminal, and a receiving unit that receives presentation information to be presented in the virtual space from an information presentation function that accepts information input from the user, and the virtual space providing unit provides the presentation information to the virtual space including the presentation information.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, drawing data that a user has drawn can be easily shown to other users (avatars) in a virtual space, making it possible to provide information such as creative ideas or the realization of ideas with various users in the virtual space.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a virtual space providing system including a game server 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the game server 100. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a management table stored in a storage unit 104. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the game server 100 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the authentication server 200. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a user terminal 300. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a tablet terminal 400 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the user terminal 300 including an avatar in a virtual space and its bulletin board area. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the game server 100, authentication server 200, and user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a virtual space providing system including a game server 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown in the diagram, the virtual space providing system is composed of a game server 100 and an authentication server 200. The game server 100 and the authentication server 200 are configured to be accessible by a user terminal 300 and a tablet terminal 400.

[0012] The user terminal 300 is a terminal device having a virtual space access function (an application for accessing the virtual space, for example, a web browser) that allows the user to access the game server 100 and receive the provision of a virtual space. Examples include a PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, and other devices. The tablet terminal 400 is a terminal separate from the user terminal 300 that is intended to be operated by the same user as the user of the user terminal 300, and primarily has a function that allows the user to draw images (an information presentation function: for example, a drawing application). The tablet terminal 400 generally has a touch panel display that allows the user to draw images by tracing the touch panel display with a stylus or finger.

[0013] After the user terminal 300 has been authenticated by the authentication server 200, the game server 100 provides the user terminal 300 with a virtual space and an avatar of the user.

[0014] Thereafter, when the game server 100 is accessed by a tablet terminal 400 operated by the same user (logged in with the same user ID, etc.), the game server 100 presents a bulletin board area near the avatar that has already been provided. This bulletin board area is a type of avatar, and drawing data that the user has drawn on the tablet terminal 400 can be presented (reflected) within this area. Note that, although the bulletin board area is treated as a character in the present disclosure, this is not limiting, and when drawing data is sent from the tablet terminal 400, the drawing data may be presented directly in the virtual space without providing something like a bulletin board area.

[0015] The game server 100 can distinguish between access from the user terminal 300 and access from the tablet terminal 400 by using the UserAgent information used in the HTTP communication, and perform the above processing. This will be explained in more detail below. Note that instead of using UserAgent information, information with similar functions may be used.

[0016] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the game server 100. As shown in the figure, the game server 100 includes a virtual space providing unit 101, a receiving unit 102, and a determining unit 103.

[0017] The virtual space providing unit 101 can provide avatars and message board areas to the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 400 (or to the tablet terminal 400 depending on the application).

[0018] The receiving unit 102 is a part that receives drawing data transmitted from the tablet terminal 400 .

[0019] The determining unit 103 is a part that determines the position of the bulletin board area that displays the drawing data so that it is located near the avatar of the user terminal 300 .

[0020] The storage unit 104 stores a drawing data management table, a time management table, and a publication number management table. The virtual space providing unit 101 references the drawing data management table to determine the display position of the drawing data and to perform display processing of the drawing data. As shown in FIG. 3( a), the drawing data management table stores a drawing data ID, drawing data, and a presentation position. The drawing data ID is an identifier for the drawing data. The drawing data is the data itself, and is represented here as a PNG file, but is not limited to this. The presentation position indicates coordinates within the virtual space.

[0021] 3B shows a time management table for managing the publication time of drawing data. As shown in the figure, the time management table stores drawing data IDs that indicate drawing data drawn by users, in association with the drawing dates and times. The virtual space providing unit 101 compares the drawing dates and times in this table with the current date and time, and when it determines that a predetermined time has passed, it deletes the drawing data from the virtual space (drawing data management table).

[0022] FIG. 3( c) is a diagram showing a specific example of a public number management table. As shown in the figure, the public number management table stores a virtual space ID, the number of drawing data, and the upper limit. This indicates the current number of drawing data and the upper limit in one virtual space identified by the virtual space ID. Each time drawing data is sent from the tablet terminal 400, the number of drawing data is incremented by one. Note that, as described above, when drawing data is erased over time, the number of drawing data is decremented by one. The reception unit 102 refers to this public number management table, and when the number of drawing data reaches the upper limit, performs processing to reject reception of the drawing data.

[0023] The following describes the processing of the game server 100 and user terminal 300 configured as described above. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game server 100 of the present disclosure. When login processing and authentication processing are performed in the authentication server 200 (S101), the virtual space providing unit 101 provides virtual space information and the user's avatar to the user terminal 300 (S102).

[0024] The virtual space providing unit 101 grasps the position of the avatar in accordance with the operation of the avatar on the user terminal 300, and performs processing to reflect the movement in the virtual space (S103).

[0025] When the authentication server 200 confirms the login process and authentication process for the tablet device 400 (S104), the virtual space providing unit 101 provides a bulletin board area in the virtual space provided to the user device 300 (S105). Specifically, the authentication server 200 distinguishes between the user device 300 and the tablet device 400. The authentication server 200 uses UserAgent information to determine the type of application used by the user device 300 to access the virtual space and the type of application used by the tablet device 400 to access the virtual space. The virtual space providing unit 101 then provides an avatar in the virtual space in response to access from the user device 300 (e.g., a browser), and determines a location within a predetermined range based on the avatar's position in response to access from the tablet device 400 (e.g., a drawing application), and provides a bulletin board area therein in the virtual space. When the bulletin board area is displayed, the user can draw drawing data from the tablet device 400 and send it to the game server 100.

[0026] When the reception unit 102 receives drawing data drawn by the user on the tablet terminal 400, the virtual space providing unit 101 reflects the drawing data in the bulletin board area (S106). Note that the reception unit 102 refers to the publication number management table, and if the upper limit is reached, performs processing to reject the reception of the drawing data.

[0027] In the above process S105, when the reception unit 102 receives access from the tablet device 400, it transmits multiple candidate presentation positions for the bulletin board area to the tablet device 400 based on the position of the user's avatar. The user determines one presentation position from the multiple candidate presentation positions. The virtual space providing unit 101 places the bulletin board area at the determined presentation position and reflects the drawing data in the bulletin board area, thereby displaying the drawing data at that presentation position. Note that the game server 100 may determine one presentation position randomly or according to a predetermined rule (a predetermined position) without the user determining the presentation position.

[0028] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned process S105, the virtual space providing unit 101 refers to the time management table, periodically checks for drawing data for which a predetermined time has elapsed, and performs a process of erasing the data.

[0029] In this way, a user can use the user terminal 300 and its associated tablet terminal 400 to place a bulletin board area in the virtual space near an avatar, reflect the user's drawing data on the bulletin board area, and make the drawing data visible to other avatars (users) in the virtual space. In other words, in the past, there were hurdles to user generation (reflection) in virtual space, making it difficult to easily reflect ideas and images in virtual space. However, the present disclosure makes it possible to provide information such as creative ideas or the realization of ideas with various users in virtual space. This will lead to an approach to the younger generation who will become the next generation of users of traditional virtual spaces.

[0030] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the authentication server 200. As shown in the figure, the authentication server 200 is configured to be accessible from both the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 400, and performs login processing and authentication processing (S201). As described above, the login processing involves logging in to each of the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 400 using a user ID, password, etc., and then performing authentication processing. Note that in this disclosure, it is assumed that a common user ID is used for each of the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 400, and authentication processing is performed accordingly. This allows the same user to be recognized even from different terminals.

[0031] The authentication server 200 also analyzes UserAgent information via HTTPS communication between the applications on the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 400, and identifies access from a browser (user terminal 300) or a drawing application (tablet terminal 400). The UserAgent information includes information such as the access source device and the browser type and version, which allows the authentication server 200 to return an appropriate response. In the present disclosure, the authentication server 200 and game server 100 use this UserAgent information to provide avatars or message board areas in the virtual space for each user terminal 300 and tablet terminal 400, and also enable the input of drawing data from the tablet terminal 400.

[0032] Note that UserAgent information generally includes information for identifying whether communication is via a smartphone application or a web browser. UserAgent information includes a string sent by a client (browser or drawing application) to a server, and includes information such as the client type, version, and platform used. Web browser UserAgent information generally includes information such as the browser name (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Firefox), version, and operating system used (e.g., Windows, macOS, Android, iOS). Smartphone application UserAgent information often includes the app name and app version, but does not include a specific browser name. These characteristics of UserAgent information can be used to determine whether access is from a user terminal 300 or a tablet terminal 400.

[0033] 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 accesses the authentication server 200, inputs a user ID and password (S301), and performs authentication processing (S302). At this time, UserAgent information is transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the authentication server 200, and services corresponding to this information are provided by the authentication server 200 and the game server 100.

[0034] Then, a virtual space is provided on the user terminal 300, and the user uses a service that utilizes the virtual space (S303). The user operates the user terminal 300 to move an avatar provided in the virtual space (S304).

[0035] The user can view the bulletin board area provided in a separate process in the virtual space, and check the content reflected in the bulletin board area (S305).

[0036] Thereafter, the user continues to use the service provided in the virtual space (S306). In the present disclosure, the service in the virtual space means, for example, the movement of an avatar operated by the user within the virtual space.

[0037] 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the tablet terminal 400 of the present disclosure. The tablet terminal 400 accesses the authentication server 200, inputs a user ID and password (S401), and performs authentication processing (S402). At this time, UserAgent information is transmitted from the tablet terminal 400 to the authentication server 200, and corresponding services are provided by the authentication server 200 and the game server 100. In this case, since the tablet terminal 400 (drawing application) is launched to access the authentication server 200, the drawing application (information presentation function) is launched (S403).

[0038] The tablet terminal 400 accepts a drawing operation in response to a user operation (S404). Note that, as described above, if the upper limit of the number of pieces of drawing data has been reached, the operation is rejected and an error occurs.

[0039] In accordance with the user's operation, the tablet device 400 inquires of the game server 100 about the selection of a virtual space to be used as the reflection destination space, and makes the selection. That is, the game server 100 derives multiple presentation position candidates based on the avatar's position, and the user selects one presentation position from the multiple presentation position candidates. The tablet device 400 transmits information about the selected presentation position to the game server 100 (S405). The tablet device 400 transmits drawing data obtained by the user's operation to the game server 100 that provides the reflection destination space, and performs a process of reflecting the drawing data (S406).

[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the display screen of the user terminal 300 including avatars in a virtual space and their bulletin board area. Avatar X represents user A's avatar. Character X1 represents drawing data drawn by user A and is displayed in a specified bulletin board area. Characters X2 and X3 represent data drawn by other users B and C. As shown in FIG. 8, the user terminal 300 displays a virtual space including the user's own avatar X and character X1 drawn by the user. This character X1 is drawing data drawn by the user on the tablet terminal 400. When operating avatar X, the user can view the drawing data in the virtual space.

[0041] In this virtual space, user A can see characters X2 and X3 drawn by other users B and C. Conversely, character X1 drawn by user A can be seen by other users B and C.

[0042] The drawing position of the character X1 is, but is not limited to, a position that is easily visible from the avatar X. The user can arbitrarily determine the drawing position of the character X1, but it is preferable to place the character X1 near the avatar X.

[0043] Next, the effects of the game server 100 and a system including the game server 100 according to the present disclosure will be described. In the game server 100, the virtual space providing unit 101 provides a virtual space including an avatar of the user of the user terminal 300 to a virtual space access function (e.g., a browser for accessing the virtual space) running on the user terminal 300. The receiving unit 102 receives drawing data (presentation information) to be presented in the virtual space from a drawing application (information presentation function) running on the tablet terminal 400.

[0044] The virtual space providing unit 101 provides a virtual space in which drawing data is reflected (including presentation information).

[0045] According to this configuration, drawing data that a user has drawn can be easily shown to other users (avatars) in the virtual space, making it possible to provide information such as creative ideas or the realization of ideas with various users in the virtual space.

[0046] On the other hand, by enabling operation using multiple devices such as the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 400, one device can be used for drawing purposes, while the other device acts as a service to view the drawn data, improving the user experience. For example, in an educational setting, a teacher (PC) and a student (tablet) can collect and share data that students have freely drawn on their PCs. Furthermore, by shifting the drawing function to a mobile device app such as the tablet terminal 400, the processing load can be distributed. Furthermore, the game server 100 only needs to receive formatted data that the server can accept and reflect it in the virtual space, which is expected to reduce the processing load.

[0047] In this disclosure, drawing data is described as an example of presentation information, but the present invention is not limited to this and may include not only what the user draws but also non-image information such as text. Furthermore, the presentation information may include sound or video.

[0048] In addition, although the user terminal 300 and the tablet terminal 400 are different terminals in the present disclosure, this is not a limitation. The user terminal 300 may have both a function (application) for accessing a virtual space and a drawing function (drawing application), and may use one of the functions to access the virtual space to use a service in the virtual space, and use the other drawing function to enable the reflection of drawing data in the virtual space. The game server 100 can determine the application being accessed based on the UserAgent information.

[0049] In the game server 100 according to the present disclosure, the reception unit 102 functions as a determination unit and determines the drawing position (presentation position) of the drawing data (presentation information) based on the position of the avatar in the virtual space. The virtual space providing unit 101 provides the web browser (virtual space access function) of the user terminal 300 with a virtual space in which the drawing data (presentation information) is arranged at the drawing position (presentation position).

[0050] Furthermore, the reception unit 102 sets multiple positions within a predetermined range from the position of the avatar in the virtual space as candidates for bulletin board areas (candidate presentation positions for presentation information), and determines one bulletin board area (presentation position) from the multiple candidate bulletin board areas (candidate presentation positions) in response to an instruction from the user. The multiple candidate bulletin board areas are determined based on the position of the avatar, and for example, three positions are determined in advance that are a predetermined distance from the position of the avatar. It is preferable to determine about three positions in the direction the avatar is looking. Of course, the number of candidates is not limited to three. More candidates may be presented to the user.

[0051] The game server 100 further includes a determination unit that determines whether the access is via the virtual space access function or the information presentation function based on the User Agent information. The virtual space providing unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 function as the determination unit. The virtual space providing unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 perform operations based on the determined function.

[0052] The authentication server 200 also functions as a determination unit. Based on the User Agent information, the authentication server 200 can determine the type of application from which the access is made, and notify the game server 100 (the virtual space providing unit 101 and the receiving unit 102) of this information.

[0053] According to this configuration, the game server 100 can determine which application is making the access, and can perform appropriate processing according to that determination.

[0054] In the present disclosure, the browser (virtual space access function) operates on the user terminal 300, and the drawing application (information presentation function) operates on a tablet terminal 400 equipped with a touch panel function, which is a terminal separate from the user terminal 300. The drawing application (information presentation function) is a function that can accept drawing data from a user on the tablet terminal 400.

[0055] In the present disclosure, the authentication server 200 accepts logins from the user terminal 300 and another user terminal, a tablet terminal 400, using a common user ID, and the virtual space providing unit 101 provides a virtual space to the user terminal 300.

[0056] This allows access to the same virtual space from different terminals using the same user ID.

[0057] If the acceptance condition is not satisfied, the acceptance unit 102 does not accept presentation information from the drawing application (information presentation function). In the present disclosure, the acceptance condition is, for example, whether or not the number of bulletin board areas presented in the virtual space has reached an upper limit. Because presenting bulletin board areas in the virtual space places a high processing load on the game server 100, it is advisable to set an upper limit.

[0058] Furthermore, the virtual space providing unit 101 erases the drawing data (presented information) received by the bulletin board area (information presentation function) from the virtual space when the data satisfies the erasure condition. Leaving the drawing data in the virtual space increases the load on the game server 100. Therefore, the erasure condition may be, for example, the elapsed time since the drawing data was created, but may also be determined in relation to the amount of data involved. For example, the larger the amount of data, the shorter the time until erasure.

[0059] The device, system, and method of the present disclosure include the following configuration.

[0060] [1] A device comprising: a virtual space providing unit that provides a virtual space including an avatar of a user of a user terminal to a virtual space access function operating on the user terminal; and a receiving unit that receives presentation information to be presented in the virtual space from an information presentation function that receives information input from the user, wherein the virtual space providing unit provides the virtual space including the presentation information.

[0061] [2] The device described in [1], further comprising: a determination unit that determines a presentation position of the presentation information based on a position of the avatar in the virtual space; and the virtual space providing unit provides the virtual space access function with a virtual space in which the presentation information is arranged at the presentation position.

[0062] [3] The device described in [2], wherein the determination unit determines a plurality of positions within a candidate range from the position of the avatar in the virtual space as presentation position candidates for the presentation information, and determines one presentation position from the plurality of presentation position candidates in response to an instruction from the user.

[0063] [4] The device described in any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a judgment unit that judges whether the access is from the virtual space access function or the information presentation function based on User Agent information, and the virtual space providing unit and the receiving unit perform operations based on the function judged by the judgment unit.

[0064] [5] The device described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the virtual space access function operates on the user terminal, and the information presentation function operates on a tablet terminal that is a terminal separate from the user terminal and has a touch panel function, and the information presentation function is a function that can accept drawing data from the user on the tablet terminal.

[0065] [6] The virtual space providing device according to [5], wherein the virtual space providing unit accepts logins from the user terminal and the tablet terminal using a common user ID, and provides the virtual space to the user terminal.

[0066] [7] The device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the reception unit does not receive the presented information from the information presentation function if the reception condition is not satisfied.

[0067] [8] The device described in any one of [1] to [7], wherein the virtual space providing unit erases the presented information accepted by the information presentation function from the virtual space when the information satisfies an erasure condition. [9] A system including a user terminal, a tablet terminal, and a virtual space providing server, wherein the user terminal has a virtual space access function and is provided with a virtual space from the virtual space providing server, the tablet terminal has a drawing data providing function that provides drawing data drawn by a user of the user terminal to the virtual space, and the virtual space providing server comprises: a virtual space providing unit that provides a virtual space including an avatar of the user of the user terminal to the virtual space access function operating on the user terminal, and a receiving unit that receives drawing data to be presented in the virtual space from the drawing data providing function that accepts information input from the user, and the virtual space providing unit provides the drawing data to the virtual space including the drawing data.

[0068]

[10] A method comprising: a virtual space providing step of providing a virtual space including an avatar of a user of a user terminal to a virtual space access function operating in the user terminal; and a receiving step of receiving presentation information to be presented in the virtual space from an information presentation function that receives information input from the user, wherein the virtual space providing step provides the presentation information to the virtual space including the presentation information in the virtual space.

[0069] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (e.g., via wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0070] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0071] For example, the game server 100, authentication server 200, and user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as computers that perform processing of the virtual space providing method of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the game server 100, authentication server 200, and user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The game server 100, authentication server 200, and user terminal 300 described above may be physically configured as computer devices including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like.

[0072] In the following description, the term "device" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configurations of the game server 100, the authentication server 200, and the user terminal 300 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figures, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0073] Each function of the game server 100, authentication server 200, and user terminal 300 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as a processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0074] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned virtual space providing unit 101 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0075] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with these. The program used is a program that causes a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the virtual space providing unit 101 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be made for other functional blocks. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by a single processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0076] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a virtual space providing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0078] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). The communication device 1004 may be implemented with a transmitter and a receiver that are physically or logically separated.

[0079] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0080] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0081] Furthermore, the game server 100, the authentication server 200, and the user terminal 300 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0082] The notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI) and Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB) and System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0083] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0084] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0085] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0086] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0087] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0088] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0089] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0090] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0091] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0092] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0093] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0094] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0095] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0096] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0097] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0098] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0099] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0100] When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0101] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0102] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0103] 100...game server, 200...authentication server, 300...user terminal, 400...tablet terminal, 101...virtual space providing unit, 102...receiving unit, 103...determining unit, 104...memory unit.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a virtual space providing unit that provides a virtual space including an avatar of a user of a user terminal to a virtual space access function operating on the user terminal; and a receiving unit that receives presentation information to be presented in the virtual space from an information presentation function that receives information input from the user, wherein the virtual space providing unit provides the virtual space including the presentation information.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines a presentation position of the presentation information based on the position of the avatar in the virtual space, wherein the virtual space providing unit provides the virtual space access function with a virtual space in which the presentation information is arranged at the presentation position.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines a plurality of positions within a candidate range from the position of the avatar in the virtual space as candidate presentation positions for the presentation information, and determines one presentation position from the plurality of candidate presentation positions in response to an instruction from the user.

4. The device described in claim 1, further comprising a judgment unit that judges based on User Agent information whether the access is from the virtual space access function or the information presentation function, and the virtual space providing unit and the receiving unit perform operations based on the function judged by the judgment unit.

5. The device described in claim 1, wherein the virtual space access function operates on the user terminal, the information presentation function operates on a tablet terminal that is separate from the user terminal and has a touch panel function, and the information presentation function is a function that can accept drawing data from the user on the tablet terminal.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the virtual space providing unit accepts logins from the user terminal and the tablet terminal using a common user ID, and provides the virtual space to the user terminal.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit does not accept the presented information from the information presentation function if the reception conditions are not met.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the virtual space providing unit erases the presented information received by the information presentation function from the virtual space when the information meets an erasure condition.

9. A system including a user terminal, a tablet terminal, and a virtual space providing server, wherein the user terminal has a virtual space access function and is provided with a virtual space from the virtual space providing server, the tablet terminal has a drawing data providing function that provides drawing data drawn by the user of the user terminal to the virtual space, and the virtual space providing server has: a virtual space providing unit that provides a virtual space including an avatar of the user of the user terminal to the virtual space access function operating on the user terminal, and a receiving unit that receives drawing data to be presented in the virtual space from the drawing data providing function that receives information input from the user, and the virtual space providing unit provides the virtual space with the drawing data included in the virtual space.

10. A method comprising: a virtual space providing step of providing a virtual space including an avatar of a user of a user terminal to a virtual space access function operating in the user terminal; and a receiving step of receiving presentation information to be presented in the virtual space from an information presentation function that receives information input from the user, wherein the virtual space providing step provides the presentation information to the virtual space including the presentation information in the virtual space.

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