JP7522265B2 - Information processing device and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing method.

In recent years, a service system for providing users with a service (virtual reality space service) in a virtual reality (VR) space (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1) has become known. The technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 constructs, for example, a "Virtual Shibuya" town in Tokyo's Shibuya district in a virtual reality space, and allows users to experience "Virtual Shibuya" using a character (generally called an "avatar") that is displayed in the virtual reality space as their own avatar.

"VIRTUAL CITY", KDDI Corporation, Internet <URL: https://www.au.com/5g/virtualcity/>

Traditionally, events in virtual reality space are independent of events in real space (real space). For example, events in "Virtual Shibuya" in virtual reality space are separate from events in the actual Shibuya, Tokyo. As a result, users perceive virtual reality space and real space as separate worlds, which is one of the reasons why user satisfaction with virtual reality space services is not high enough.

The present invention was made taking these circumstances into consideration, and its purpose is to reduce the sense of distance felt by the user between virtual reality space and real space.

(1) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising a virtual reality space processing unit that identifies a location in a virtual reality space in virtual reality space data displayed on a user device associated with user identification information of a user registered in a virtual reality space service; an acquisition information identification unit that identifies acquisition information for acquiring information on a visitor staying at a location in real space corresponding to the location in the virtual reality space identified by the virtual reality space processing unit; and an actual visitor information acquisition unit that acquires actual visitor information, which is information on a visitor staying at a location in real space based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit, wherein the virtual reality space processing unit transmits to the user device the virtual reality space data for displaying, at the identified location in the virtual reality space, an additional object generated using information in which a predetermined change has been made to the actual visitor information acquired by the actual visitor information acquisition unit, and the predetermined change is an information processing device that reduces the number of visitors by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage, or changes the attributes of each visitor to other attributes by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage .
( 2 ) One aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of (1) above, in which the virtual reality space processing unit identifies a location in the virtual reality space where a user-corresponding object associated with the user identification information of the user is located.
( 3 ) One aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of any of (1) to ( 2 ) above, wherein the location in the virtual reality space is a location used for a specified purpose.
( 4 ) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device according to any of (1) to ( 3 ) above, comprising a correspondence information storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence between a location in a virtual reality space and the acquisition information.
( 5 ) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device according to any of (1) to ( 4 ) above, wherein the actual visitor information acquisition unit acquires information about real-time visitors who are staying at a location in real space based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit.
( 6 ) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device according to any of (1) to (4) above, wherein the actual resident information acquisition unit acquires past resident information, which is information about a resident who previously stayed at a location in real space, based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit, and the additional object is generated based on the past resident information acquired by the actual resident information acquisition unit.
( 7 ) One aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of any of (1) to ( 6 ) above, wherein the actual visitor information includes any one of the location, number, and attributes of the visitor.
( 8 ) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device according to any of (1) to ( 7 ) above, wherein the actual visitor information is obtained from location information of a mobile device used by a visitor staying at a location in real space.
( 9 ) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device according to any one of (1) to ( 7 ) above, wherein the actual visitor information is obtained from sensing data acquired by a sensor installed at a location in real space.
( 10 ) One aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of ( 9 ) above, wherein the sensing data is an image captured of a visitor staying at a location in real space.
( 11 ) One aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of ( 9 ) above, wherein the sensing data is voice data relating to a visitor staying in a location in real space.
( 12 ) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device according to any one of (1) to ( 11 ) above, in which the additional object is displayed in a virtual reality space separately from a user-corresponding object associated with the user identification information of the user.

( 13 ) One aspect of the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing device, the information processing method including: a virtual location identification step of identifying a location in the virtual reality space in virtual reality space data displayed on a user device associated with user identification information of a user registered in a virtual reality space service; an acquisition information identification step of identifying acquisition information for acquiring information of a visitor staying at a location in real space corresponding to the location in the virtual reality space identified by the virtual location identification step; an actual visitor information acquisition step of acquiring actual visitor information, which is information on a visitor staying at a location in real space based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification step; and a step of transmitting to the user device the virtual reality space data for displaying an additional object generated using information in which a predetermined change has been made to the actual visitor information acquired by the actual visitor information acquisition step, at the location in the virtual reality space identified by the virtual location identification step , wherein the predetermined change is to reduce the number of visitors by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage, or to change the attributes of each visitor to other attributes by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage.

The present invention has the effect of reducing the sense of distance felt by the user between the virtual reality space and the real space.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a virtual reality space service system according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a virtual reality space server (information processing device) according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure of an information processing method according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a virtual reality space service system according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, a virtual reality space server (information processing device) 1 executes information processing for providing a virtual reality space service. In this embodiment, as the virtual reality space service, a service is provided in which an object (material) associated with a user's user identification information (user ID) is displayed in the virtual reality space. The object associated with the user ID (user-corresponding object) is, for example, an avatar displayed in the virtual reality space as the user's alter ego. In addition, the virtual reality space service allows the user to perform a predetermined operation such as moving or changing the orientation of his/her avatar in the virtual reality space.

As a virtual reality space service, for example, a virtual city space is constructed in a virtual reality space by simulating the layout of the city of Shibuya, Tokyo, using the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, and users can experience the city of Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space using an avatar that is displayed in the virtual reality space as their own avatar.

For example, an event in which multiple users can participate is held in the virtual reality space of Shibuya, Tokyo. For example, an event in which multiple participating users can watch a sports match, a music concert, a play, a comedy show, etc. together is held in the virtual reality space of Shibuya, Tokyo. Participating users can display their own avatars at the event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space, which allows them to experience participating in the event held in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space.

For example, when a real event held in real space, such as a sports match, a music concert, a play, or a comedy show, is live-streamed, the live-streamed video (video content) is simultaneously shown on a street vision in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space (for example, a street vision installed near the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in the real space) and on a street vision in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space corresponding to the street vision in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space (for example, a street vision installed near the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in the virtual reality space). For example, an event (live viewing) in which a large number of users gather to screen live-streamed video may be held simultaneously at an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space and an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space corresponding to the event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space. Note that the video content is not limited to live-streamed video, and may be, for example, existing video such as a movie.

Using the user device 2, the user can, for example, participate in live viewing in a virtual reality space and watch live streaming video projected in the virtual reality space. In addition, the user can use the user device 2 to perform predetermined operations (virtual reality space operations), such as moving or changing the orientation of his or her avatar in the virtual reality space, or changing the viewpoint in the virtual reality space when watching video content.

The virtual reality space server 1 transmits and receives data to and from a device (user device) 2 used by a user via a communication network NW such as the Internet. The user device 2 is, for example, a head mounted display (HMD). The head mounted display can make a virtual reality space created by computer graphics (CG) look like a real space (actual space) to the wearer. In addition, the head mounted display detects movement and tilt using various sensors, making it look like the wearer is moving in the virtual reality space and can change the direction in which objects in the virtual reality space are viewed. The user can use the operation unit of the head mounted display to perform predetermined operations such as moving or changing the direction of their avatar in the virtual reality space. The operation unit of the head mounted display is, for example, configured as a device separate from the head mounted display main body, and performs short-distance wireless communication with the head mounted display main body.

The virtual reality space server 1 transmits and receives data to and from the real resident information collection server 3 via the communication network NW. The real resident information collection server 3 is a server that collects real resident information. Real resident information is information about residents staying at a location in real space. For example, real resident information is information about residents staying at an event venue that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo. For example, real resident information is information about residents staying near the scramble crossing that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Actual resident information is information that includes any of the location, number, and attributes of the resident. For example, actual resident information is, for example, the location, number, and attributes (gender, age, etc.) of each resident staying at an event venue that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo. For example, actual resident information is, for example, the location, number, and attributes (gender, age, etc.) of each resident staying near the scramble crossing that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo (a specified area including the scramble crossing).

For example, real resident information is obtained from the location information of a mobile device used by a resident who is staying at a location in real space. For example, the real resident information collection server 3 obtains the location of each mobile device (location of each resident), the number of mobile devices (number of visitors), and user attribute information of each mobile device (attributes of each visitor) at an event venue that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo, for example, from a mobile phone service system (not shown) that manages user attribute information and location information of mobile devices. For example, the real resident information collection server 3 obtains the location of each mobile device (location of each visitor), the number of mobile devices (number of visitors), and user attribute information of each mobile device (attributes of each visitor) near a scramble crossing that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo (a specified range including the scramble crossing), for example, from a mobile phone service system that manages user attribute information and location information of mobile devices.

For example, actual visitor information is obtained from sensing data acquired by sensors installed at locations in real space.

For example, the actual resident information collection server 3 acquires the location, number, and attributes of each resident from captured images (sensing data) of residents staying at an event venue captured by a camera (sensor) installed at an actual event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo, for example, by image recognition processing. For example, the actual resident information collection server 3 acquires the location, number, and attributes of each resident from captured images (sensing data) of residents staying near a scramble crossing (a specified range including the scramble crossing) captured by a camera (sensor) installed near a scramble crossing (a specified range including the scramble crossing) that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo, for example, by image recognition processing.

For example, the actual resident information collection server 3 acquires the location, number, and attributes of each resident from voice data (sensing data) of residents staying at an event venue picked up by a microphone (sensor) installed at an actual event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo, for example, by voice recognition processing. For example, the actual resident information collection server 3 acquires the location, number, and attributes of each resident from voice data (sensing data) of residents staying near a scramble crossing (a specified range including the scramble crossing) picked up by a microphone (sensor) installed near a scramble crossing (a specified range including the scramble crossing) that actually exists in Shibuya, Tokyo, for example, by voice recognition processing.

In response to a request for actual resident information, the actual resident information collection server 3 distributes actual resident information in real time, or distributes recorded past actual resident information.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a virtual reality space server (information processing device) according to this embodiment. In Figure 2, the virtual reality space server 1 includes a virtual reality space processing unit 10, an acquisition information identifying unit 11, an actual visitor information acquisition unit 12, and a storage unit 20.

The functions of the virtual reality space server 1 are realized by the virtual reality space server 1 having computer hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and the CPU executing a computer program stored in the memory. The virtual reality space server 1 may be configured using a general-purpose computer device, or may be configured as a dedicated hardware device. For example, the virtual reality space server 1 may be configured using a server computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet. The functions of the virtual reality space server 1 may also be realized by cloud computing. The virtual reality space server 1 may also be realized by a single computer, or may be realized by distributing the functions of the virtual reality space server 1 among multiple computers. The virtual reality space server 1 may also be configured to set up a website using, for example, a WWW system.

The virtual reality space processing unit 10 executes virtual reality space processing to generate virtual reality space data by computer graphics for showing a virtual reality space to the user. The virtual reality space data is data that can be displayed, for example, on a head-mounted display, to make the virtual reality space created by computer graphics appear as if it were a real space to the wearer. The virtual reality space data is transmitted from the virtual reality space server 1 to a user device 2 such as the user's head-mounted display.

In addition, an information processing device (not shown) that generates the virtual reality space data may be provided separately from the virtual reality space server 1, and the virtual reality space processing unit 10 may acquire the virtual reality space data from the information processing device provided separately from the virtual reality space server 1.

In this embodiment, an avatar, for example, is displayed in the virtual reality space as a user-associated object associated with the user's user ID.

In addition, various events are held in the virtual reality space according to this embodiment. For example, events such as live viewing, in which multiple participating users watch a sports match, a music concert, a play, a comedy show, etc., are held in the virtual reality space. A user can use the user device 2 to participate in an event held in the virtual reality space and watch the event in the virtual reality space. In addition, a user can use the user device 2 to perform predetermined operations (virtual reality space operations), such as moving or changing the orientation of his or her avatar in the virtual reality space, or changing the viewpoint in the virtual reality space when watching the event.

The virtual reality space processing unit 10 identifies a location in the virtual reality space in the virtual reality space data displayed on the user device 2 associated with the user ID of the user. The location in the virtual reality space identified by the virtual reality space processing unit 10 is a location used for a specific purpose. For example, the virtual reality space server 1 identifies a live viewing event venue being held in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space. For example, the virtual reality space server 1 identifies a street vision where live streaming video is being shown in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space (for example, a street vision installed near the scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space). Examples of locations used for a specific purpose include stores, locations where events are held, land, roads, etc.

The virtual reality space processing unit 10 may identify a location in the virtual reality space where a user-associated object associated with the user's user ID exists. For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 identifies a location in the virtual reality space where the user's avatar exists in the city of Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space in which the user is participating.

The acquisition information identifying unit 11 identifies acquisition information for acquiring information of a visitor staying at a location in real space corresponding to a location in the virtual reality space identified by the virtual reality space processing unit 10. The acquisition information identifying unit 11 utilizes association information 201 stored in the storage unit 20. The association information 201 is information indicating an association between a location in the virtual reality space and the acquisition information. The acquisition information may be information indicating a location in real space, information indicating a device that acquires information of a visitor staying at a location in real space, or information indicating a real visitor information collecting server 3 that aggregates the visitor information acquired by the device.
Therefore, by using the association information 201, it is possible to specify a location in the real space that corresponds to a location in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space. For example, by using the association information 201, it is possible to specify an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space that corresponds to an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space. For example, by using the association information 201, it is possible to specify a scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space that corresponds to a scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space.
Furthermore, by using the association information 201, it is possible to identify a device that acquires information on a visitor staying at a location in the real space that corresponds to a location in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space. For example, by using the association information 201, it is possible to identify a camera that is installed at an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space and captures images of the event venue and a microphone that collects sounds within the event venue. For example, by using the association information 201, it is possible to identify a camera that captures images of the vicinity of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo in the real space (a predetermined range including the scramble crossing) that corresponds to the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo in the virtual reality space and a microphone that collects sounds of the vicinity of the scramble crossing.
In addition, only specific locations in the virtual reality space (for example, locations in the virtual reality space identified by the virtual reality space processing unit 10 and used for a specific purpose) may be limited to be targets for association with the acquisition information.

The actual resident information acquisition unit 12 acquires actual resident information, which is information on residents staying at a location in real space, based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit 11. For example, the actual resident information acquisition unit 12 acquires actual resident information of residents staying at a location in real space indicated in the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit 11 from the actual resident information collection server 3. For example, the actual resident information acquisition unit 12 acquires actual resident information acquired using a device indicated in the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit 11. For example, the actual resident information acquisition unit 12 acquires actual resident information aggregated by the actual resident information collection server 3 indicated in the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit 11.
Also, for example, the actual visitor information acquisition unit 12 acquires information on real-time visitors staying at a location in real space, based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit 11. For example, the actual visitor information acquisition unit 12 acquires information on visitors who have stayed at a location in real space in the past (past visitor information), based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit 11.

The virtual reality space processing unit 10 transmits to the user device 2 virtual reality space data for displaying the additional object generated based on the actual resident information acquired by the actual resident information acquisition unit 12 at a location in the virtual reality space (virtual specific location) identified in the virtual reality space data displayed on the user device 2 associated with the user's user ID.

The additional object is an object that is not associated with the user's user ID (a user-unassociated object). A user-unassociated object is, for example, an "apparent avatar" (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, referred to as a ghost avatar) that is not an alter ego of any user. The virtual reality space processing unit 10 generates a ghost avatar based on the position, number of visitors, and attributes of each visitor (gender, age, etc.) indicated by the actual visitor information, obtains virtual reality space data for displaying the generated ghost avatar in a specific virtual location, and transmits the obtained virtual reality space data to the user device 2. The virtual reality space processing unit 10 may also generate a ghost avatar to be displayed in a specific virtual location based on the position, number of visitors, and attributes of each visitor (gender, age, etc.) indicated by the past visitor information.

For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying ghost avatars at each position in the event venue (virtual specific location) in the virtual reality space corresponding to the position of each visitor at the event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space (actual visitor information). For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying a number of ghost avatars corresponding to the number of visitors at the event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space (actual visitor information) at the event venue in the virtual reality space (virtual specific location). For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying ghost avatars with each attribute corresponding to the attributes of each visitor at the event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space (actual visitor information) at the event venue in the virtual reality space (virtual specific location).

For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying ghost avatars at each position near the scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo (a specified range including the scramble crossing; a virtual specific location) in the virtual reality space corresponding to the position of each visitor (actual visitor information) near the scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo (a specified range including the scramble crossing) in the real space. For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying a number of ghost avatars corresponding to the number of visitors (actual visitor information) near the scramble crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo (a specified range including the scramble crossing) in the real space in the virtual reality space. For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying ghost avatars with attributes corresponding to the attributes (actual visitor information) of each visitor near the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo in real space (a specified range including the scramble crossing) near the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo in the virtual reality space (a specified range including the scramble crossing; a virtual specific location).

The actual resident information may include voice data of the resident. The virtual reality space processing unit 10 may acquire virtual reality space data for playing voice based on the voice data included in the actual resident information as the voice of a ghost avatar in the virtual reality space, and transmit the acquired virtual reality space data to the user device 2.

The virtual reality space processing unit 10 may also acquire virtual reality space data for distinguishing between user-associated objects and user-incompatible objects and displaying them in the virtual reality space, and transmit the acquired virtual reality space data to the user device 2. For example, a ghost avatar may be displayed semi-transparently in the virtual reality space.

The virtual reality space processing unit 10 may display ghost avatars in the virtual reality space using information in which a predetermined change has been made to the information of the visitor indicated by the actual visitor information. For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying ghost avatars at positions in the virtual reality space shifted by a predetermined distance from each position in the virtual reality space corresponding to the position of each visitor indicated by the actual visitor information, and transmits the acquired virtual reality space data to the user device 2. For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying ghost avatars in the virtual reality space, the number of visitors indicated by the actual visitor information being reduced by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage, and transmits the acquired virtual reality space data to the user device 2. For example, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying ghost avatars with each attribute in which the attributes of each visitor indicated by the actual visitor information are changed to other attributes by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage, and transmits the acquired virtual reality space data to the user device 2.

In this way, by displaying ghost avatars in the virtual reality space using information in which predetermined changes have been made to the information of visitors indicated by the actual visitor information, it is possible to respect the privacy of actual visitors. Furthermore, if there are too many actual visitors, displaying ghost avatars in the virtual reality space for the same number of visitors may cause the virtual reality space to become busy, which may result in a decrease in the quality of the virtual reality space service. For this reason, it is preferable to display ghost avatars in the virtual reality space that are a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage less than the number of visitors indicated by the actual visitor information. For example, if the number of visitors indicated by the actual visitor information is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the number of ghost avatars may be reduced below the number of visitors in the actual visitor information.

The memory unit 20 stores various data such as association information 201 and user information 202.

The correspondence information 201 is information that indicates the correspondence between a location in the virtual reality space and the acquisition information. For example, the correspondence information 201 indicates which location in real space a specific location in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space (e.g., an event venue or a scramble crossing) corresponds to. For example, the correspondence information 201 indicates which device (e.g., a camera or microphone installed at the event venue or scramble crossing) a specific location in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space corresponds to. For example, the correspondence information 201 indicates which real resident information collection server 3 a specific location in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space (e.g., an event venue or a scramble crossing) corresponds to.

User information 202 is information about users registered with the virtual reality space service. For each user, user information 202 includes information such as a user ID and device identification information (device ID) of the user device 2.

Next, the information processing method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure of the information processing method according to this embodiment. Here, as an example of the acquisition information according to this embodiment, a case where the acquisition information is information indicating a location in real space will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

(Step S100) The real resident information collection server 3 constantly collects information on residents staying at locations in real space (real resident information). Here, the real resident information collection server 3 constantly collects information on residents staying at a specific location in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space (real resident information). The specific location in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space is a location in real space registered in the association information 201 set in the virtual reality space server 1.

(Step S101) The user uses the user device 2 to participate in the virtual reality space service provided by the virtual reality space server 1. Here, the user is participating in an event held at an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space. Furthermore, the virtual reality space service causes the user's avatar to be displayed at the event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space where the event in the virtual reality space in which the user is participating is being held.

(Step S102) The virtual reality space processing unit 10 in the virtual reality space server 1 identifies the location in the virtual reality space where the user's avatar exists in the virtual reality space data displayed on the user's user device 2. Here, the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space" where the event in the virtual reality space in which the user is participating is being held is identified.

(Step S103) In the virtual reality space server 1, the acquisition information identifying unit 11 uses the association information 201 to identify acquisition information, i.e., a location in real space, that corresponds to the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space" identified by the virtual reality space processing unit 10. Here, the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space" is identified.

(Step S104) In the virtual reality space server 1, the actual resident information acquisition unit 12 requests actual resident information, which is information about residents staying at the "real-time event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" identified by the information to be acquired identification unit 11, from the actual resident information collection server 3. Here, the actual resident information acquisition unit 12 requests real-time (real-time) information about residents from the actual resident information collection server 3. In addition, the requested actual resident information may be limited to information about residents other than the user who is participating in the event being held at the event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space.

(Step S105) In response to a request for real-time actual resident information from the virtual reality space server 1, the actual resident information collection server 3 distributes real-time actual resident information, which is information about residents staying at the "real-space event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" (actual resident information response).

(Step S106) In the virtual reality space server 1, the virtual reality space processing unit 10 acquires virtual reality space data for displaying a ghost avatar in the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space" (virtual specific location) based on information about real-time visitors staying at the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space" acquired by the real visitor information acquisition unit 12.

(Step S107) The virtual reality space processing unit 10 in the virtual reality space server 1 transmits the acquired virtual reality space data to the user device 2 of the user. As a result, a ghost avatar is displayed in the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space" where the event in the virtual reality space in which the user is participating is being held. The ghost avatar is generated based on information about real-time visitors to the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space", so the user can experience the situation (such as how crowded it is, how excited it is, etc.) of the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space" as if it were the current situation of the "event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space".

The event held at the "virtual reality event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" and the event held at the "real world event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" may be the same or different.

The actual resident information acquisition unit 12 may also acquire information (past resident information) of residents who have stayed at the "real-world event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" in the past from the actual resident information collection server 3. As a result, the ghost avatar displayed at the "virtual reality space event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" where the virtual reality space event in which the user is participating is being held is generated based on information (past resident information) of residents who have stayed at the "real-world event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" in the past, allowing the user to experience the situation (such as how crowded it is, how lively it is, etc.) of the "virtual reality space event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" as if it were the situation at the "real-world event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo" in the past.

In this way, according to this embodiment, the status of people staying at a location in real space (for example, an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the real space) that corresponds to a location in virtual reality space (for example, an event venue in Shibuya, Tokyo in the virtual reality space) can be reflected in the location in the virtual reality space. This allows the user to experience the status of the location in virtual reality space as if it were the status of the location in real space. This has the effect of reducing the sense of distance felt by the user between the virtual reality space and the real space. This can contribute to improving user satisfaction with virtual reality space services.

Furthermore, this will make it possible to improve the overall service quality in systems that provide virtual reality space services, for example, and thus contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design modifications and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

Also, a computer program for implementing the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Note that the "computer system" referred to here may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, if a WWW system is used, the "computer system" also includes the home page providing environment (or display environment).
In addition, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or a hard disk built into a computer system.

Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
The program may be a program for implementing some of the above-mentioned functions, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

1... Virtual reality space server (information processing device), 2... User device, 3... Actual resident information collection server, 10... Virtual reality space processing unit, 11... Acquisition information identification unit, 12... Actual resident information acquisition unit, 20... Storage unit, NW... Communication network

Claims (13)

a virtual reality space processing unit that identifies a location in the virtual reality space in virtual reality space data displayed on a user device associated with user identification information of a user registered with the virtual reality space service;
an acquisition information identification unit that identifies acquisition information for acquiring information of a visitor staying at a location in the real space that corresponds to the location in the virtual reality space identified by the virtual reality space processing unit;
an actual resident information acquisition unit that acquires actual resident information, which is information on a resident staying at a location in real space, based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit;
the virtual reality space processing unit transmits to the user device the virtual reality space data for displaying an additional object generated using information obtained by making a predetermined change to the actual resident information acquired by the actual resident information acquisition unit at a location in the specified virtual reality space;
An information processing device ,
The predetermined change is to reduce the number of visitors by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage, or to change the attributes of each visitor to another attribute by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage.
Information processing device. The virtual reality space processing unit identifies a location in the virtual reality space where a user-associated object associated with the user identification information of the user exists.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The location in the virtual reality space is a location used for a predetermined purpose.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . a correspondence information storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence between a location in a virtual reality space and the acquisition information;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the actual visitor information acquisition unit acquires information on real-time visitors staying at a location in real space based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the actual visitor information acquisition unit acquires past visitor information, which is information on a visitor who previously stayed at a location in real space, based on the acquisition information identified by the acquisition information identification unit;
The additional object is generated based on the past visitor information acquired by the actual visitor information acquisition unit.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The actual visitor information includes any one of the location, number, and attributes of the visitor.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The real visitor information is obtained from location information of a mobile device used by a visitor staying at a location in real space.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The real visitor information is obtained from sensing data acquired by a sensor installed at a location in real space.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The sensing data is an image of a visitor staying at a location in real space.
The information processing device according to claim 9 . The sensing data is voice data regarding a visitor staying at a location in real space.
The information processing device according to claim 9 . The additional object is displayed in the virtual reality space separately from a user-corresponding object associated with the user identification information of the user.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . An information processing method executed by an information processing device,
a virtual location identification step of identifying a location in the virtual reality space in virtual reality space data displayed on a user device associated with user identification information of a user registered with the virtual reality space service;
an acquisition information specifying step of specifying acquisition information for acquiring information of a visitor staying at a place in real space corresponding to the place in the virtual reality space specified in the virtual place specifying step;
an actual resident information acquisition step of acquiring actual resident information, which is information on a resident staying at a location in real space, based on the acquisition information identified in the acquisition information identification step;
a step of transmitting to the user device the virtual reality space data for displaying an additional object generated using information obtained by making a predetermined change to the actual resident information acquired in the actual resident information acquisition step, at a location in the virtual reality space identified in the virtual location identification step;
Including,
The predetermined change is to reduce the number of visitors by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage, or to change the attributes of each visitor to another attribute by a predetermined number or a predetermined percentage.
Information processing methods.

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