Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

This information processing device comprises a setting unit, a notification unit, and an interaction unit. The setting unit disposes an invisible agent 102 at a position outside a region displayed on a display device 14. The notification unit notifies a user regarding the position where the invisible agent 102 is disposed. The interaction unit causes a voice uttered by the invisible agent 102 to the user to be outputted from a speaker. The notification unit may output the voice corresponding to the position where the invisible agent is disposed.

Description

Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Computer Program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to data processing technology, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer program.

[0002] Among recent information processing apparatuses, there are some that display a character for communicating with a user on a display.

[0003] The inventor considered that the quality of the user experience can be effectively improved by realizing the interaction between an agent not displayed on the display and the user. One object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for assisting the communication between an agent not displayed on the display and the user.

[0004] To solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a setting unit that arranges an invisible agent at a position outside the area displayed on the display, a notification unit that notifies the user of the position where the agent is arranged, and an interaction unit that outputs the voice emitted by the agent to the user.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method. This method includes an information processing apparatus arranging an invisible agent at a position outside the area displayed on the display, notifying the user of the position where the agent is arranged, and outputting the voice emitted by the agent to the user.

[0006] In addition, any combination of the above components, and those obtained by converting the expressions of the present disclosure among a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing the computer program, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present disclosure.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the communication between an agent not displayed on the display and the user can be assisted.

[0008] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system of the embodiment. This is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the information processing device of the embodiment. This is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device of the embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example in which an invisible agent is placed. This is a diagram showing an example in which an invisible agent is placed. This is a diagram showing an example in which an invisible agent is placed.

[0009] The embodiments will now be outlined. In these embodiments, the user is a player of a game application. The information processing system of these embodiments provides an agent that communicates continuously with the user, or in other words, an agent that interacts with the user over a relatively long period of time. The agent is a character that acts as the user's friend or companion, for example, by playing games with the user or by providing the user with game hints.

[0010] While agents are typically displayed on a screen, the inventors believed that the user experience (in this embodiment, the gaming experience) could be improved by enabling communication between the user and an agent that is not visible on the screen. Therefore, in the information processing system of this embodiment, an invisible agent is placed in a location outside the area displayed on the screen, the user is notified of the location of the invisible agent, and the interaction between the invisible agent and the user is controlled. This supports communication between the user and an agent that is not visible on the screen.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes an information processing device 12, a display device 14, a controller 16, a camera 18, and a plurality of speakers 20.

[0012] The functions of the components in each computer (e.g., information processing device 12) constituting the information processing system 10 may be realized in circuits or processing circuits, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, which are configured or programmed to realize the functions described herein. A processor is considered to be a circuit or processing circuit that includes transistors and other circuits. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory.

[0013] In this specification, circuits, units, and means are hardware programmed to perform or execute the functions described herein. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein, or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the functions described herein.

[0014] If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuit, then the circuit, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to constitute the hardware and / or processor.

[0015] The information processing device 12 includes a computer capable of running system software and various application software. In the first embodiment, the information processing device 12 is a stationary game console, but as a modification, the information processing device 12 may be a portable game console, a PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc.

[0016] The controller 16 is an operating device that receives user inputs to the system software and application software executed by the information processing device 12. The controller 16 is connected to the information processing device 12 by wire or wireless connection and sequentially transmits operation information indicating the user inputs to the information processing device 12.

[0017] The controller 16 is equipped with a speaker and can output sound based on an audio signal transmitted from the information processing device 12. The controller 16 is also equipped with a vibrator and can vibrate the vibrator in a manner based on a haptic signal transmitted from the information processing device 12.

[0018] The display device 14 has a display that outputs images and a speaker that outputs sound. The display device 14 may be a television or a computer display. The display device 14 is connected to the information processing device 12 by wire or wireless. When the information processing device 12 receives operation information provided by the controller 16, it reflects that operation information in the processing of system software or application software, displays an image related to the processing result on the display device 14, and outputs sound related to the processing result from the speaker of the display device 14.

[0019] The display device 14 may be a head-mounted display worn on the user's head. In this case, the information processing device 12 and the display device 14 (head-mounted display) may be configured as a system in which a panoramic image is displayed on the head-mounted display, and when the user wearing the head-mounted display rotates their head, a panoramic image corresponding to the direction of their gaze is displayed. The display device 14 may be a head-mounted display configured to block out external light, and may display a virtual reality image generated by the information processing device 12. Alternatively, the display device 14 may be an optically transparent head-mounted display, and may display augmented reality images generated by the information processing device 12.

[0020] Camera 18 is a device that captures images of the user. Camera 18 is connected to the information processing device 12 by wire or wireless connection and transmits image data of the user (hereinafter also referred to as "captured image") to the information processing device 12 for estimating the user's position in three-dimensional space. Figure 1 shows one camera 18, but the information processing system 10 may include multiple cameras 18.

[0021] The multiple speakers 20 include speakers 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of speakers 20a, 20b, and 20c is connected to the information processing device 12 by wire or wireless connection. Speaker 20a is positioned to the left of the user (to the left of the user when the user is facing the display device 14) and outputs sound from the left of the user. Speaker 20b is positioned to the right of the user (to the right of the user when the user is facing the display device 14) and outputs sound from the right of the user. Speaker 20c is positioned behind the user (behind the user when the user is facing the display device 14) and outputs sound from behind the user. The information processing system 10 may use known virtual sound source playback processing, and may make the user perceive that the sound is coming from a location different from the actual speaker installation location.

[0022] When the user is wearing earphones (or headphones), speaker 20a may be the speaker for the user's left ear provided by the earphones. Also, speaker 20b may be the speaker for the user's right ear provided by the earphones.

[0023] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional blocks of the information processing device 12 in this embodiment. Each block shown in the block diagrams of this specification can be realized in hardware terms by a computer processor (CPU, etc.), memory and other elements, electronic circuits, and mechanical devices, and in software terms by a computer program, etc., but here we are depicting functional blocks that are realized through the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways by combinations of hardware and software.

[0024] The information processing device 12 comprises a processing unit 30, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 34. The processing unit 30 performs various data processing. The storage unit 32 stores data that is referenced or updated by the processing unit 30. The communication unit 34 communicates with external devices via wired or wireless communication according to a predetermined communication protocol. The processing unit 30 transmits and receives data to and from the display device 14, controller 16, camera 18, and multiple speakers 20 via the communication unit 34.

[0025] The storage unit 32 includes a program storage unit 40. The program storage unit 40 stores system software and application software. The application software in the first embodiment includes a game application (e.g., a video game).

[0026] The processing unit 30 includes a game execution unit 50, a display control unit 52, an audio output unit 54, a setting unit 56, a notification unit 58, and an interaction unit 60. The functionality of at least one of these multiple functional blocks may be implemented in a computer program (for example, system software and / or application software). This computer program may be installed in the storage of the information processing device 12. The processor of the information processing device 12 may perform the functions of these multiple functional blocks by reading this computer program into main memory and executing it.

[0027] The game execution unit 50 executes system software and application software stored in the program storage unit 40. For example, the game execution unit 50 executes a game application in response to user input to the controller 16. Based on the execution results of the game application, it generates game image data and sound data. The game execution unit 50 also includes a character control unit function that controls the movements and sounds of characters appearing in the game.

[0028] The display control unit 52 controls the content displayed on the display of the display device 14. For example, the display control unit 52 causes the game image generated by the game execution unit 50 to be displayed on the display of the display device 14. The display control unit 52 also causes a predetermined agent image to be displayed on the display of the display device 14.

[0029] The audio output unit 54 controls the audio output from the speaker of the display device 14. For example, the audio output unit 54 causes the audio of the game generated by the game execution unit 50 to be output from the speaker of the display device 14. The audio output unit 54 also causes the audio to be emitted by the agent, as determined by the interaction unit 60, to be output from at least one of the speaker, speaker 20a, speaker 20b, and speaker 20c of the display device 14.

[0030] The setting unit 56 places an invisible agent in a location outside the area displayed on the display device 14. The invisible agent can also be described as an agent that is not visible on the display device 14, or an agent that is placed outside the user's field of view.

[0031] The notification unit 58 notifies the user of the location where an invisible agent is placed, which is outside the area displayed on the display device 14. In this embodiment, the notification unit 58 notifies the agent's location using sound. As a modification, the notification unit 58 may also notify the agent's location using vibration (vibration of the controller 16 or glasses, etc.), heat (heat from the controller 16), smell, etc.

[0032] The interaction unit 60 determines the content of the voice that the agent will speak to the user and that will be used for communication with the user (hereinafter also referred to as "agent's spoken voice"). The interaction unit 60 outputs the agent's spoken voice from one or more speakers via the voice output unit 54.

[0033] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device 12 of the embodiment. The operation of the information processing system 10 of the embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 3.

[0034] The display control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 displays an image of an agent assisting the user on the display device 14 (S10). The game execution unit 50 of the information processing device 12 executes a game application in response to user input to the controller 16 and generates a game image showing the game execution result. The display control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 displays the game image on the display device 14 (S11).

[0035] The setting unit 56 of the information processing device 12 includes a determination unit function and repeatedly determines whether predetermined transition conditions are met. The transition conditions are those that cause the displayed agent to be hidden (invisible). For example, the transition conditions may be met when a user input is received instructing the agent to be made invisible. Alternatively, the transition conditions may be met when predetermined content that should not be obstructed by the agent's image (for example, an image of a game played by the user) is displayed on the display device 14.

[0036] If the setting unit 56 of the information processing device 12 determines that the transition conditions have been met (Y in S12), the display control unit 52 of the information processing device 12 terminates the display of the agent image on the display device 14. The setting unit 56 of the information processing device 12 places an invisible agent in a position outside the area displayed on the display device 14 (S13).

[0037] Specifically, the setting unit 56 of the information processing device 12 includes a detection unit function and detects the user's position in real space (in other words, the world coordinate system) based on the image captured by the camera 18 that shows the user. The setting unit 56 determines the placement position of the invisible agent based on the user's position in real space. For example, the setting unit 56 may determine the placement position of the invisible agent to the left of the user, to the right of the user, or behind the user according to a predetermined rule, and determine the agent's position in the world coordinate system. The above rule may be a predetermined agent positioning rule in the video game being played.

[0038] The notification unit 58 of the information processing device 12 controls the audio output from the speaker via the audio output unit 54 to inform the user of the location of the invisible agent (S14). The interaction unit 60 of the information processing device 12 controls the audio output from the speaker via the audio output unit 54 to control the interaction between the invisible agent and the user (S15). If it is determined that the transition condition is not met (N in S12), the processes from S13 to S15 are skipped.

[0039] According to the information processing device 12 of the first embodiment, by placing an invisible agent, it is possible to avoid the agent interfering with the display of content (such as game images) on the display device 14. Furthermore, it is possible to make the user aware of the presence of the invisible agent and promote interaction between the user and the invisible agent. In addition, by determining the placement position of the agent based on the user's position in real space, the invisible agent that interacts with the user can be placed in an appropriate position.

[0040] The following describes an example of a process that supports communication between an agent hidden on the display of the display device 14 and the user. Any combination of the following examples is possible.

[0041] Figure 4 shows an example of the placement of invisible agents. In Figure 4, the user is facing the display device 14 that shows the game image 100, with speaker 20a placed to the user's left and speaker 20b placed to the user's right. Figure 4 also shows invisible agent 102a placed to the user's left and invisible agent 102b placed to the user's right. When referring to agents 102a and 102b collectively, they are called "agent 102".

[0042] Example 1: The notification unit 58 of the information processing apparatus 12 outputs, from a speaker, a voice for notifying the arrangement position of the invisible agent 102, and a voice corresponding to the arrangement position of the invisible agent 102. For example, when the agent 102 is arranged to the left of the user, that is, when the agent 102a is arranged, the notification unit 58 may output a voice indicating that the agent moves from the front position of the user (that is, the display device 14) to the left of the user. Further, the notification unit 58 may output a voice directly indicating that there is an agent to the left of the user (for example, "I'm here on the left" etc.).

[0043] According to the aspect of Example 1, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the position where the agent 102 is arranged.

[0044] Example 2: The notification unit 58 of the information processing apparatus 12 outputs, from the speaker corresponding to the position where the agent 102 is arranged, among a plurality of speakers (in FIG. 4, speakers 20a and 20b) arranged at different positions, a voice for notifying the position where the agent 102 is arranged. For example, when the agent 102 is arranged to the left of the user, that is, when the agent 102a is arranged, the notification unit 58 may output a voice indicating that there is an agent to the left of the user (for example, "I'm here on the left" etc.) from the speaker 20a. Further, when the agent 102 is arranged to the right of the user, that is, when the agent 102b is arranged, the notification unit 58 may output a voice indicating that there is an agent 102 to the right of the user (for example, "I'm here on the right" etc.) from the speaker 20b.

[0045] According to the aspect of Example 2, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the position where the agent 102 is arranged.

[0046] Example 3: When the setting unit 56 of the information processing apparatus 12 should draw the user's attention to a certain area of the content displayed on the display device 14, the agent 102 is arranged at a position corresponding to the area. For example, information indicating that the user's attention should be drawn to the area displayed on the right side as viewed from the user facing the display device 14 may be recorded in the game application executed by the game execution unit 50. The setting unit 56 may detect that the user's attention should be drawn to the right area in the content displayed on the display device 14 based on this information. In this case, the setting unit 56 may determine the arrangement position of the agent 102 to be on the right side of the user, for example, arrange the agent 102b in FIG. 4. The notification unit 58 notifies that the agent 102 is on the right side of the user, so that the user can easily pay attention to the right area in the content displayed on the display device 14.

[0047] According to the aspect of Example 3, it becomes easier to draw the user's attention to a specific area of the content displayed on the display device 14, that is, to draw the user's attention to a specific area of the display of the display device 14.

[0048] Example 4: The interaction unit 60 of the information processing apparatus 12 outputs the voice uttered by the agent 102 to the user in a manner corresponding to the position where the agent 102 is arranged. The voice uttered by the agent 102 to the user may include, for example, advice to the user, hints for the game the user plays, and recommendation information according to the user's attributes.

[0049] When the agent 102 is arranged on the left side of the user as in the agent 102a in FIG. 4, the interaction unit 60 may output the voice uttered by the agent 102 to the user from the speaker 20a. On the other hand, when the agent 102 is arranged on the right side of the user as in the agent 102b in FIG. 4, the interaction unit 60 may output the voice uttered by the agent 102 to the user from the speaker 20b.

[0050] According to the embodiment of Example 4, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the location where agent 102 is placed.

[0051] Example 5: The game execution unit 50 of the information processing device 12 acts as a character control unit and displays a predetermined character (for example, a character appearing in a game) on the display device 14. The game execution unit 50 further controls the character's posture and movement so that it can see the location where the invisible agent 102 is positioned.

[0052] Figure 5 also shows an example in which an invisible agent is placed. In Figure 5, the invisible agent 102 is placed to the right of the user. In Figure 5, the game execution unit 50 of the information processing device 12 controls the eyes (pupils) of the character 104 so that the character's gaze is directed towards the invisible agent 102. According to the configuration of Example 5, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the presence of the invisible agent 102.

[0053] Example 6: The game execution unit 50 of the information processing device 12 acts as a character control unit and displays a predetermined character (for example, a character appearing in a game) on the display device 14. The game execution unit 50 further controls the character's posture and movements so that it speaks to an invisible agent 102.

[0054] In Figure 5, the game execution unit 50 of the information processing device 12 controls the character 104's gaze to face the invisible agent 102, and outputs the voice message "What are you going to do, you over there?" spoken by the character 104 to the invisible agent 102 through the speaker. According to the configuration of Example 6, similar to Example 5, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the presence of the invisible agent 102.

[0055] Example 7: The interaction unit 60 of the information processing device 12 outputs the voice that agent 102 has spoken to the user in a manner that corresponds to the distance between the user and agent 102. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the location where the invisible agent 102 is positioned, or the distance between the user and the invisible agent.

[0056] Figure 6 also shows an example of deploying invisible agents. Agent 102c in Figure 6 is an agent 102 that is relatively close to the user, in other words, an agent 102 whose distance from the user is less than a predetermined distance threshold. On the other hand, agent 102d in Figure 6 is an agent 102 that is relatively far from the user, in other words, an agent 102 whose distance from the user is greater than or equal to the above distance threshold.

[0057] If the distance between the invisible agent 102 and the user is less than the distance threshold (i.e., close), the interaction unit 60 may output the voice that agent 102 has spoken to the user in a whispering manner. Furthermore, the interaction unit 60 may increase the tendency of the voice that agent 102 has spoken to the user to be a whisper as the distance between the invisible agent 102 and the user decreases. For example, the reduction in low-frequency power relative to the normal frequency spectrum of vowels may increase as the distance between the invisible agent 102 and the user decreases.

[0058] Furthermore, if the distance between the invisible agent 102 and the user is less than the distance threshold (i.e., far), the interaction unit 60 may increase the volume of the voice that agent 102 emits to the user, or it may make the voice that agent 102 emits to the user have high-frequency components removed compared to normal speech, resulting in a so-called muffled voice. The interaction unit 60 may also increase the volume of agent 102's voice as the distance between the invisible agent 102 and the user increases. Furthermore, the interaction unit 60 may increase the tendency of agent 102's voice to be muffled as the distance between the invisible agent 102 and the user increases, for example, by widening the range of high-frequency component removal compared to normal speech.

[0059] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] Let me explain some variations. The interaction unit 60 of the information processing device 12 may cause an agent that is not displayed on the display device 14 to perform behaviors that give a sense of presence. For example, the interaction unit 60 may output sounds in which the agent reacts to a game event. These sounds may be, for example, "Wow!" or "Yay!". Alternatively, for example, the interaction unit 60 may output sounds resulting from the agent's reaction to a game event. These sounds may be, for example, the sound of clothes rustling or the sound of a chair creaking.

[0061] Furthermore, for example, the interaction unit 60 may output sounds in which the agent reacts to the game environment. These sounds may include, for example, the agent saying "It's hot" in a lava stage. Alternatively, for example, the interaction unit 60 may output sounds made by an agent moving around the user. The movement of the sound source can enhance the sense of the agent's presence. These sounds may include footsteps or the sound of clothes rustling, and may also include sound effects (such as "Hiyo hiyo hiyo").

[0062] Let me explain another variation. The interaction unit 60 of the information processing device 12 may output sound indicating continuity from the agent displayed on the display device 14 as sound related to an agent not displayed on the display device 14. For example, the interaction unit 60 may output footsteps that represent the agent displayed on the screen of the display device 14 moving towards the user's ear. Since it takes time for the agent to move from the screen of the display device 14 to the user's ear, the interaction unit 60 may output the above-mentioned footsteps for the duration of this time.

[0063] Furthermore, for example, the interaction unit 60 may enhance the sense of presence of agents by moving agents that are currently off-screen (hidden) onto the screen when they can be displayed on the screen. For example, the interaction unit 60 may move an agent onto the screen before the end of the game and display an agent waving to the user.

[0064] Furthermore, if the agent's movement cannot be represented, the interaction unit 60 (and the display control unit 52) ​​may use a door as a metaphor. For example, the interaction unit 60 (and the display control unit 52) ​​may display that (1) the agent leaves the room using a door, (2) wait for a predetermined time to elapse (for example, 200 milliseconds to 2 seconds), and (3) the agent appears on the screen as the door opens.

[0065] Furthermore, if instantaneous movement is necessary (for example, a request for emergency response during a game), the interaction unit 60 may use a sound effect for instantaneous movement to let the user know that the agent has moved. For example, if the user calls out the agent's name, the interaction unit 60 may immediately move the agent to the user's side and have the agent say, "Yes, I'm here." In this case, it is effective to output the sound effect for instantaneous movement (for example, "whoosh") before the user finishes calling out the agent's name.

[0066] Let's describe another variation. When an agent is placed inside a device equipped with a vibration device, such as a controller 16, the interaction unit 60 of the information processing device 12 may actively use vibration to represent the agent's behavior. If the agent is near the user's ear, the vibration may be set to a very small level. This avoids the agent's presence being perceived as being split into two separate entities.

[0067] Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiments resulting from these combinations possess the combined effects of each of the combined embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each component described in the claims can be achieved by each component shown in the embodiments and modifications individually or in combination thereof.

[0068] The technical concepts described in this disclosure can be expressed as follows: [Technology 1] An information processing device comprising a circuit configured to the following, wherein the circuit places an invisible agent at a location outside the area displayed on the display, notifies the user of the location where the agent is placed, and outputs sound emitted by the agent to the user. [Technology 2] The information processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the circuit outputs sound corresponding to the location where the agent is placed. [Technology 3] The information processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the circuit outputs sound for notifying the location where the agent is placed from a speaker corresponding to the location where the agent is placed among a plurality of speakers placed at different locations. [Technology 4] The information processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the circuit determines the location where the agent is placed based on the location where the user is located in real space. [Technology 5] The information processing device according to Technology 1, wherein the circuit places the agent at a location corresponding to a certain area of ​​content displayed on the display when the user's attention should be drawn to that area. [Technical 6] The information processing apparatus according to Technical 1, wherein the circuit displays a predetermined character on the display and controls the character to look at the location where the agent is positioned. [Technical 7] The information processing apparatus according to Technical 1, wherein the circuit displays a predetermined character on the display and controls the character to speak to the agent. [Technical 8] The information processing apparatus according to Technical 1, wherein the circuit outputs the sound that the agent has made to the user in a manner corresponding to the location where the agent is positioned. [Technical 9] The information processing apparatus according to Technical 1, wherein the circuit outputs the sound that the agent has made to the user in a manner corresponding to the distance between the user and the agent.[Technical 10] An information processing method comprising: an information processing device placing an invisible agent at a location outside the area displayed on a display; informing a user of the location where the agent is placed; and outputting a sound spoken by the agent to the user. [Technical 11] A computer-readable non-temporary recording medium storing a computer program for causing an information processing device to perform the following actions: placing an invisible agent at a location outside the area displayed on a display; informing a user of the location where the agent is placed; and outputting a sound spoken by the agent to the user.

[0069] This invention can be applied to information processing devices, information processing systems, and the like.

[0070] 10 Information processing system, 12 Information processing device, 14 Display device, 20 Speaker, 50 Game execution unit, 52 Display control unit, 54 Audio output unit, 56 Setting unit, 58 Notification unit, 60 Interaction unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a setting unit for positioning an invisible agent outside the area displayed on the display; a notification unit for informing the user of the position where the agent is positioned; and an interaction unit for outputting the voice that the agent has spoken to the user.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit outputs sound corresponding to the location where the agent is positioned.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit outputs sound for notifying the location where the agent is located from a speaker corresponding to the location where the agent is located among a plurality of speakers located at different positions from each other.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit determines the position for placing the agent based on the user's position in real space.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit places the agent at a position corresponding to a certain area of ​​content displayed on the display when it is necessary to draw the user's attention to that area.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a character control unit that displays a predetermined character on the display and controls the character to view the position where the agent is located.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a character control unit that causes a predetermined character to be displayed on the display and controls the character to speak to the agent.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interaction unit outputs the voice spoken by the agent to the user in a manner corresponding to the position where the agent is located.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interaction unit outputs the voice spoken by the agent to the user in a manner corresponding to the distance between the user and the agent.

10. An information processing method comprising: an information processing device placing an invisible agent at a location outside the area displayed on a display; informing the user of the location where the agent is placed; and outputting the sound that the agent has spoken to the user.

11. A computer program that causes an information processing device to place an invisible agent at a location outside the area displayed on the display, notify the user of the location where the agent is placed, and output the sound that the agent has spoken to the user.

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