Three-dimensional virtual space simulator, three-dimensional virtual space simulation program, and computer readable recording medium where the program is recorded

• US 20070075993A1
• Filed: 07/13/2004
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Japan Science & Technology Trading Co. Limited
• Original Assignee: Japan Science & Technology Trading Co. Limited
• Inventors: Ishida, Toru, Nakanishi, Hideyuki
• Application Number:
  US10/572,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20070075993A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/424 involving acoustic input signals, e.g. by using the results of pitch or rhythm extraction or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6607 for animating game characters, e.g. skeleton kinematics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings

Abstract

A three-dimensional virtual space simulator comprises a section for determining the action of an avatar according to the input by the user and generating action instruction data representing the content of the action, a section for determining the action of an agent autonomously and generating action instruction data representing the content of the action, and a process control section for displaying each character in a virtual space according to the action instruction data received from the sections wherein the process control section and a graphic process section share an interface for receiving the action instruction data from the avatar action instruction section, and an interface for receiving the action instruction data from the agent action instruction section. Consequently, a flexible participation mode of the user and high reliability are realized.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional virtual space simulator that displays a virtual space in a three-dimensional image where a plurality of characters including an avatar and an agent, appear,

the three-dimensional virtual space simulator comprising:

avatar action instruction means for determining action of the avatar according to an input made by a user, and creating action instruction data indicating a content of the action;

agent action instruction means for autonomously determining action of the agent, and creating action instruction data indicating a content of the action; and

character displaying means for displaying the characters in the virtual space according to the action instruction data supplied by the avatar action instruction means or the agent action instruction means,

the action instruction data to be transmitted to the avatar and the action instruction data to be transmitted to the agent sharing a common format,

the character displaying means having a common interface for receiving the action instruction data from the avatar action instruction means, and for receiving the action instruction data from the agent action instruction means, and

the character displaying means displaying a specific character as the avatar or the agent in the virtual space, and switching between the avatar action instruction means and the agent action instruction means in receiving the action instruction data.

2. Previously Presented) A three-dimensional virtual space simulator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space is configured with a plurality of computers that are connected to one another through a network, share a virtual space, and display the virtual space in a three-dimensional image.

3. A three-dimensional virtual space simulator as set forth in claim 2,

wherein

the plurality of characters are allowed to make a conversation with each other, and

each of the plurality of computers transmitting and receiving data of the conversation, if one of characters making the conversation is an agent, then converts audio data regarding the avatar into text data by carrying out a voice recognition process and transmits the text data to the agent, and if the characters making the conversation are avatars, then transmits and receives the audio data so as to allow users to make the conversation in their own voice.

4. A three-dimensional virtual space simulator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space simulator simulates, in the virtual space, evacuation for a disaster situation.

8. A three-dimensional virtual space simulator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space simulator simulates, in the virtual space, evacuation for a disaster situation.

9. A three-dimensional virtual space simulator as set forth in claim 3, wherein the three-dimensional virtual space simulator simulates, in the virtual space, evacuation for a disaster situation.

5. A three-dimensional virtual space simulation program for causing a computer to function as a three-dimensional virtual space simulator that displays a virtual space in a three-dimensional image where a plurality of characters including an avatar and an agent, appear,

the three-dimensional virtual space simulation program causing the computer to function as:

avatar action instruction means for determining action of the avatar according to an input made by a user, and creating action instruction data indicating a content of the action; and

character displaying means for displaying the characters in the virtual space according to the action instruction data supplied by the avatar action instruction means or the agent action instruction means,

the action instruction data to be transmitted to the avatar and the action instruction data to be transmitted to the agent sharing a common format,

the character displaying means having a common interface for receiving the action instruction data from the avatar action instruction means, and for receiving the action instruction data from the agent action instruction means, and

the character displaying;

means displaying a specific character as the avatar or the agent in the virtual space, and switching between the avatar action instruction means and the agent action instruction means in receiving the action instruction data.

7. A computer-readable storage medium storing the three-dimensional virtual space simulation program set forth in claim 5.

6. A three-dimensional virtual space simulation program for causing a plurality of computers that are connected to one another through a network, share a virtual space, and display a virtual space in a three-dimensional image where a plurality of characters including an avatar and an agent, appear, to function as a three-dimensional virtual space simulator,

the three-dimensional virtual space simulation program causing the computers to function as:

avatar action instruction means for determining action of the avatar according to an input made by a user, and creating action instruction data indicating a content of the action;

agent action instruction means for autonomously determining action of the agent, and creating action instruction data indicating a content of the action; and

character displaying means for displaying the characters in the virtual space according to the action instruction data supplied by the avatar action instruction means or the agent action instruction means,

the action instruction data to be transmitted to the avatar and the action instruction data to be transmitted to the agent sharing a common format,

the character displaying means having a common interface for receiving the action instruction data from the avatar action instruction means, and for receiving the action instruction data from the agent action instruction means, and

the character displaying means displaying a specific character as the avatar or the agent in the virtual space, and switching between the avatar action instruction means and the agent action instruction means, in receiving the action instruction data.

10. A computer-readable storage medium storing the three-dimensional virtual space simulation program set forth in claim 6.