WO2013080636A1

WO2013080636A1 - Server device, recording medium, and avatar management method

Info

Publication number: WO2013080636A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/073782
Authority: WO
Inventors: 松山　重信; 菅野　啓
Original assignee: 株式会社コナミデジタルエンタテインメント
Priority date: 2011-12-02
Filing date: 2012-09-18
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: JP2013137757A; JP5656967B2; JP5309258B2; JP2013137753A

Abstract

　This management server is used in a system providing a service to users, and manages avatars representing the users, wherein: an image assignment unit assigns, to a user, at least two sets of mascot definition data from a plurality of mascot definition data stored in a storage device; an image acquisition unit acquires second image data prepared by the user; and an avatar generation unit generates avatar data that specifies the mascot definition data and the second image data for displaying an avatar of the user, which is expressed by combining the mascot definition data selected by the user from the at least two sets of mascot definition data assigned to the user by the image assignment unit and the second image data acquired for the user by the image acquisition unit.

Description

Server device, recording medium, and avatar management method

The present invention relates to a technique for managing an avatar representing each user by a service provided to the user.

SNS (Social Networking Service) that provides various services such as message exchange between users to each user has been widely used. In SNS, an avatar representing a user is used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which one type of avatar selected at random from a plurality of avatars prepared in advance is given to a user and displayed when the SNS is provided.

JP 2010-4506 A

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since one type of avatar given to the user at the time of SNS member registration is fixedly used in subsequent services, the avatar expression is monotonous and lacks in interest. is there. In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to diversify the expression of each user's avatar.

The server device of the present invention is a server device that is used in a system that provides a service to each user and manages an avatar representing each user, and among the plurality of first image data stored in the storage unit It is expressed by an image giving unit that gives two or more first image data to a user, and first image data selected by the user from two or more first image data given to the user by the image giving unit. And an avatar generating unit that generates avatar data for designating the first image data in order to display the user's avatar.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of first image data stored in the storage unit belongs to one or more groups, and among a plurality of first image data belonging to one group, a predetermined number of types of first image data. When one image data is provided to the user by the image providing unit, the image providing unit includes a privilege providing unit that provides a privilege to the user. The privilege granting unit, for example, when the image granting unit gives a predetermined number of first image data of one group to the user, the two or more first image data of the group given to the user The user is allowed to play a game in which the first display object indicated by each of the items appears. However, the content of the privilege granted by the privilege granting unit is arbitrary.

In a preferred example of the configuration including the privilege grant unit, the privilege grant unit includes a plurality of users whose correlations are registered with a predetermined number of first image data among a plurality of first image data belonging to one group. In the case where the image giving unit is given across the two, a privilege is given to each of the plurality of users.

A server device according to a preferred aspect of the present invention includes an operation providing unit that provides a user with operation data that specifies an operation of a first display target indicated by first image data stored in a storage unit, and generates an avatar. The unit generates avatar data that specifies the avatar of the user represented by a combination of the first image data provided to each user and the operation data provided to the user.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the motion giving unit gives the user motion data associated with the first image data when the image giving unit gives the user the first image data, and generates an avatar. The unit is assigned corresponding to one first image data of two or more first image data provided to the user by the image providing unit and another first image data of two or more first image data. The user's avatar data expressed in combination with the motion data is generated.

The server apparatus which concerns on the suitable aspect of this invention comprises the image acquisition part which acquires the 2nd image data which the user prepared, and the avatar production | generation part is the said 1st image data which each user gave. Avatar data for designating each user's avatar represented by a combination with the second image data acquired for each user is generated.

The present invention is also specified as a program for causing a computer to function as the server device according to each aspect described above. The program of the present invention is a computer that is used in a system that provides services to each user. In order to manage an avatar representing each user, two of the plurality of first image data stored in the storage unit are stored. The image giving unit that gives the first image data to the user, and the first image data selected by the user among the two or more first image data given to the user by the image giving unit. In order to display a user's avatar, it is made to function as an avatar production | generation part which produces | generates the avatar data which designates the said 1st image data. The program of the present invention is provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium and installed in the computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, and an optical recording medium (optical disk) such as a CD-ROM is a good example, but a known arbitrary one such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium This type of recording medium can be included. For example, the program of the present invention can be provided in the form of distribution via a communication network and installed in a computer. Recording media that can be accessed by the distribution server that distributes the program of the present invention (for example, storage devices inside or outside the distribution server) are also included in the concept of the recording medium.

The present invention is also specified as a method for managing avatars. The avatar management method of the present invention is a method for managing an avatar representing each user in a service provided to each user, and two or more of the first image data stored in the storage unit. The first image data is given to the user, and the avatar of the user expressed by the first image data selected by the user among the two or more first image data given to the user is displayed. Avatar data for designating one image data is generated.

It is a block diagram of the service provision system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of an avatar. It is a schematic diagram of basic data and user data. It is a block diagram of the function of a management server. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement which provides a mascot. It is explanatory drawing of the angle of the mascot and identification mark which comprise an avatar. It is a display example of an avatar. It is a display example of an avatar. It is a schematic diagram of the mascot definition data in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the privilege provision process in 2nd Embodiment. It is an example of the screen of the game permitted as a privilege in 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of correlation data in the third embodiment. It is a flowchart of the privilege provision process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the avatar data in 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the management server in 5th Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a service providing system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The service providing system 100 is an SNS (Social Networking Service) system that provides various services to a user via the terminal device 10, and includes a management server 20 and a plurality of application servers (application servers) 30.

The management server 20 is a web server (SNS server) that communicates with the terminal device 10 via a communication network 200 including a mobile communication network or the Internet, and comprehensively manages the SNS. Each application server 30 is a web server that provides individual services of the SNS to the user. For example, each application server 30 provides a game (for example, a browser game) to each terminal device 10. A typical example of a game provided by each application server 30 is a social game in which a correlation (social graph) between users constructed by SNS can be used. The management server 20 and the application server 30 are not limited to web servers.

Each terminal device 10 is a communication terminal such as a mobile phone, and includes a control device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. The control device 11 comprehensively controls each element of the terminal device 10. The storage device 12 stores a program executed by the control device 11 (for example, a browser program for browsing a web page provided by the management server 20) and various data used by the control device 11. The communication device 13 communicates with the management server 20 via the communication network 200. Note that communication between the terminal device 10 and the communication network 200 is typically wireless communication. However, for example, in a configuration in which a stationary personal computer or the like is used as the terminal device 10, the communication between the terminal device 10 and the communication network 200 is performed. The communication between them may be wired communication.

The display device 14 (for example, a liquid crystal display panel) displays various images instructed by the control device 11. The input device 15 is a device for a user to input an instruction to the terminal device 10 and includes, for example, a plurality of operators operated by the user. In addition, it is also possible to employ | adopt as the input device 15 the touchscreen comprised integrally with the display apparatus 14, or the microphone for inputting the instruction | indication with respect to the terminal device 10 with an audio | voice.

The management server 20 includes a control device 22, a storage device 24, and a communication device 26. The communication device 26 communicates with each terminal device 10 via the communication network 200 and also communicates with each of the plurality of application servers 30. That is, the management server 20 also functions as a relay device that relays communication between each application server 30 and each terminal device 10. The control device 22 implements various functions for providing the SNS to each terminal device 10 by executing a program stored in the storage device 24. For example, the control apparatus 22 functions as an avatar management part (FIG. 4) which manages the avatar which represents each user in SNS. The storage device 24 stores a program executed by the control device 22 and various data used by the control device 22. A configuration in which the storage device 24 is installed in an external device (for example, a server) separate from the management server 20 and the management server 20 acquires information from the storage device 24 via the communication network 200 may be employed. That is, the storage device 24 is not an essential requirement for the management server 20. It is also possible to configure the storage device 24 with a plurality of servers installed at geographically different positions.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the avatar Av in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the avatar Av of the first embodiment is expressed by a combination of a mascot Ob1 and an identification mark Ob2. The mascot Ob1 is a three-dimensional display object (object) that simulates the human outline, and the identification mark Ob2 is a planar image in which an identification image GA for identifying a user is surrounded by a substantially rectangular frame GB. It is a display target. The identification mark Ob2 is arranged near (above) the mascot Ob1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of data stored in the storage device 24 in order to display each user's avatar Av. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 24 stores basic data D and user data U. The basic data D is master data serving as a basis for generating the avatar Av. As shown in FIG. 3, the basic data D includes model data DA, texture data DB, motion data DM, mascot definition data C, and second image data R2.

The model data DA defines the three-dimensional structure (model) of the mascot Ob1. A plurality of model data DA defining different structures is stored in the storage device 24, and a model identifier FA for uniquely identifying each structure is added to each model data DA. Each model data DA includes skeleton data DA1 and shape data DA2. The skeleton data DA1 defines the skeleton of the mascot Ob1 by defining a plurality of feature points including joint points and end points and the relationship between the feature points. The shape data DA2 is the surface shape (polygon) of the mascot Ob1. Stipulate. The skeleton defined by the skeleton data DA1 (the total number of joint points and the relationship between the joint points) is common to a plurality of types of mascot Ob1.

Texture data DB defines the texture (surface image) of mascot Ob1. A texture identifier FB for uniquely identifying different textures is added to each texture data DB. The appearance of one type of mascot Ob1 is defined for each combination of each model data DA and each texture data DB.

The operation data DM in FIG. 3 is data (motion data) that defines the operation of the mascot Ob1. A plurality of operation data DM defining different operations (for example, various operations such as dancing, running, greeting, thinking, etc.) are stored in the storage device 24, and an operation identifier FM for uniquely identifying each operation is stored in each operation. It is added to the data DM. The motion data DM of the first embodiment defines the trajectory of each joint point of the skeleton expressed by the model data DA (skeleton data DA1). Since the skeletons of the plurality of types of mascot Ob1 are common as described above, the operations of the plurality of types of mascot Ob1 can be defined by the common operation data DM.

Mascot definition data C defines mascot Ob1. A plurality of mascot definition data C corresponding to different types of mascots Ob1 are stored in the storage device 24, and a mascot identifier F1 for uniquely identifying each mascot Ob1 is added to each mascot definition data C. The mascot definition data C of the first embodiment includes first image data R1 that specifies an image (appearance) of the mascot Ob1, and an operation identifier FM of operation data DM that specifies the operation of the mascot Ob1.

The first image data R1 includes a model identifier FA and a texture identifier FB. A mascot Ob1 having an appearance in which the texture defined by the texture data DB of the texture identifier FB in the first image data R1 is added to the solid shape defined by the model data DA of the model identifier FA in the first image data R1 is the first image. It is specified by data R1. The combination of the model identifier FA and the texture identifier FB specified by the first image data R1 is different for each type of mascot Ob1 (for each mascot identifier F1). That is, the mascot definition data C is stored in the storage device 24 for each of a plurality of types of mascots Ob1 having different combinations (appearances) of the solid shape defined by the model data DA and the texture defined by the texture data DB.

The operation identifier FM included in the mascot definition data C specifies the initial operation (operation data DM) of the mascot Ob1 specified by the first image data R1. Specifically, the operation data DM of the operation suitable for the appearance of each mascot Ob1 is associated with the first image data R1 as the operation data DM of the initial operation of the mascot Ob1. Although details will be described later, the operation of each mascot Ob1 given to the user can be appropriately changed from the initial operation associated with the mascot definition data C in accordance with, for example, an instruction from the user.

The second image data R2 in FIG. 3 is image data indicating the identification image GA of the identification mark Ob2. A plurality of second image data R2 indicating different identification images GA is stored in the storage device 24, and a marker identifier F2 for uniquely identifying each identification image GA is added to each second image data R2. The second image data R2 indicating the identification image GA is image data prepared by the user himself (details will be described later). The above is the contents of the basic data D in FIG.

The user data U shown in FIG. 3 is data for individually defining the avatar Av for each user. Each of the owned mascot data U1, the owned marker data U2, the owned operation data UM, and the avatar data V is provided for each user. Consists of including individually.

The owned mascot data U1 includes an identifier UID for uniquely identifying the user, and a mascot identifier F1 of the mascot Ob1 (that is, the mascot Ob1 owned by the user) that can be used by the user for his avatar Av. . A user can own a plurality of types of mascots Ob1. A plurality of mascot identifiers F1 corresponding to each mascot Ob1 are registered in the possessed mascot data U1 of the user who owns a plurality of types of mascot Ob1.

The owned sign data U2 includes a user identifier UID and a sign identifier F2 of the second image data R2 indicating the identification image GA that the user can use for his / her avatar Av (that is, the identification image GA owned by the user). Including. The user can own a plurality of types of second image data R2. A plurality of marker identifiers F2 corresponding to each second image data R2 are registered in the owned marker data U2 of the user who owns a plurality of types of second image data R2.

The owned operation data UM includes the user identifier UID and the operation identifier FM of the operation data DM that can be applied to the mascot Ob1 of the user's own avatar Av. A user can own a plurality of types of operation data DM. A plurality of operation identifiers FM corresponding to each operation data DM are registered in the operation data UM owned by the user who owns a plurality of types of operation data DM.

The avatar data V in FIG. 3 designates the user's avatar Av expressed by a combination of the mascot Ob1, the identification image GA, and the operation data DM. Specifically, each user's avatar data V includes one mascot identifier F1 in the user's owned mascot data U1, one sign identifier F2 in the user's owned sign data U2, and It includes one operation identifier FM in the user's own operation data UM. Appearance combining the mascot Ob1 defined by the mascot definition data C designated by the mascot identifier F1 of the avatar data V and the identification mark Ob2 including the identification image GA indicated by the second image data R2 designated by the sign identifier F2. The avatar Av in which the mascot Ob1 operates is generated according to the operation data DM designated by the operation identifier FM of the avatar data V.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the avatar management unit 50 that manages each user's avatar Av. When the control device 22 executes the program held in the storage device 24, a plurality of elements (an image acquisition unit 52, an information addition unit 54, an avatar generation unit 56, and a display control unit 58) in FIG. 4 are realized. It should be noted that each element in FIG. 4 can be distributed to a plurality of devices.

4 acquires the second image data R2 of the identification image GA prepared by an arbitrary user XA. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 52 adds the marker identifier F2 to the second image data R2 acquired from the user XA and stores it in the storage device 24 (basic data D), and also stores the marker data owned by the user XA. The indicator identifier F2 is added to U2. That is, the second image data R2 provided by the user XA is in a state where it can be used for displaying the identification mark Ob2 of the user XA. The acquisition of the second image data R2 by the image acquisition unit 52 is sequentially executed in accordance with an instruction from the user XA, so that a plurality of marker identifiers F2 corresponding to different identification images GA are owned by the user XA. Registered in the data U2.

Specifically, the second image data R2 is image data acquired in advance by the user using the terminal device 10 (hereinafter referred to as “acquired image data”) or edited in accordance with an instruction from the user. This is generated image data (hereinafter referred to as “edited image data”). The acquired image data is, for example, image data captured by an imaging device (not shown) attached to the terminal device 10, image data stored in a built-in or portable recording medium of the terminal device 10, or other data It may be image data received by the terminal device 10 from a web server (for example, an existing SNS server). On the other hand, the edited image data is, for example, data of a single image made up of images selected by a user from a plurality of candidates for each element (eyes, nose, etc.) of a human face, or an instruction from a user It may be image data drawn accordingly.

4 gives one of a plurality of mascot definition data C (combination of mascot Ob1 and operation data DM) stored in the storage device 24 to the user. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of giving the mascot definition data C to the user.

When the user operates the input device 15 of the terminal device 10 to instruct acquisition of the mascot Ob1, the information adding unit 54 displays the mascot list on the display device 14 of the terminal device 10 (SA1). The mascot list is a list for allowing the user to select one of a plurality of mascot definition data C, and a plurality of types of mascots Ob1 defined by each mascot definition data C are arranged as selection candidates. The user appropriately operates the input device 15 to select one desired mascot Ob1 (mascot definition data C) from the mascot list displayed on the display device 14 (SA2). The information giving unit 54 gives the user the mascot Ob1 selected from the mascot list by the user (SA3).

As can be understood from the above description, the mascot Ob1 is an image prepared in advance by the service providing system 100 (management server 20), whereas the identification mark Ob2 is prepared in advance by the service providing system 100. This is an image other than the selected image (that is, an image prepared by the user). Therefore, there is a tendency that the user's distinguishability with the identification mark Ob2 exceeds the distinguishability with the mascot Ob1. In addition, in this specification, “identification of users” means that each user is uniquely identified in a strict sense, in addition to a narrowly defined identification in a completely strict sense (that each user can be identified uniquely). It also includes broad identification in a substantive sense to the extent that each user can be specified within reasonable limits that do not fall into the category identification but cause practically no particular problem. Therefore, it is not completely excluded that the identification mark Ob2 (identification image GA) is common among users.

As shown in FIG. 4, the information adding unit 54 includes an image adding unit 542 and an operation adding unit 544. The image giving unit 542 gives the user XA the mascot Ob1 (first image data R1) selected by the user XA. Specifically, the image giving unit 542 adds the mascot identifier F1 of the mascot Ob1 (mascot definition data C) selected by the user XA to the mascot data U1 owned by the user XA.

The action giving unit 544 gives the user XA the action data DM specified by the mascot definition data C as the initial action of the mascot Ob1 given to the user XA by the image giving unit 542. Specifically, the action giving unit 544 includes the action identifier FM included in the mascot definition data C of the mascot Ob1 selected from the mascot list by the user XA (that is, the action identifier FM of the action data DM associated with the mascot Ob1). Is added to the owned operation data UM of the user XA. Note that the operation identifier FM of a basic operation (for example, an operation expressing emotions such as emotions) has been registered in the possession operation data UM since the stage before the user acquired the first mascot Ob1. Each time the mascot Ob1 is given to the user, an action identifier FM of one kind of action is added to the owned action data UM.

As described above, when the image giving unit 542 gives the user the mascot Ob1, the action giving unit 544 gives the operation data DM associated with the mascot Ob1 to the user. That is, in the first embodiment, the mascot Ob1 and the operation data DM are given to the user as a set. The assignment of the mascot Ob1 by the image assigning unit 542 and the assignment of the operation data DM by the action assigning unit 544 are sequentially executed in accordance with an instruction from the user XA, so that a plurality of mascot data U1 owned by the user XA is included. Mascot identifier F1 is registered, and a plurality of operation identifiers FM are registered in the owned operation data UM of the user XA.

Among the plurality of types of mascots Ob1 whose mascot definition data C is stored in the storage device 24, the mascots Ob1 that are given unconditionally (free of charge) upon selection by the user, and a user under a predetermined condition. There is a mascot Ob1 to be granted. The latter mascot Ob1 is given to the user on condition that the money value such as electronic money or virtual currency is paid. It is also possible to give the user the mascot Ob1 selected in the lottery process executed in response to an instruction from the user.

4 generates the avatar data V for each user. By appropriately operating the input device 15 of the terminal device 10, the user is registered in the desired mascot Ob1 among the plural types of mascot Ob1 registered in the own mascot data U1 and in the owned sign data U2. It is possible to arbitrarily select a desired identification image GA among a plurality of types of identification images GA and desired operation data DM among a plurality of types of operation data DM registered in the owned operation data UM. The avatar generating unit 56 includes a mascot identifier F1 of the mascot Ob1 selected by the user, a marker identifier F2 of the identification image GA selected by the user, and an operation identifier FM of the operation data DM selected by the user. V is generated and stored in the storage device 24. That is, the avatar generation unit 56 is an element that associates the mascot Ob1, the identification image GA, and the operation data DM with each other. The editing of the avatar data V described above (change of the combination of the mascot Ob1, the identification mark Ob2, and the operation data DM) is executed at any time.

If the user owns only one type of mascot Ob1, that mascot Ob1 is registered in the avatar data V. The same applies to the identification image GA and the operation data DM. When the user does not select the identification image GA or when the image acquisition unit 52 has not acquired the identification image GA from the user, a predetermined identification image GA prepared in advance is registered in the avatar data V. The Similarly, when the user does not select the action data DM, the initial action data DM of the mascot Ob1 selected by the user is registered in the avatar data V.

As described above, since the mascot Ob1 of the avatar data V and the operation data DM are selected independently of each other, the operation of each mascot Ob1 is changed from the initial operation associated with the mascot Ob1 in the mascot definition data C. Can be done. That is, the operation data DM can be exchanged between a plurality of mascots Ob1 owned by the user. For example, avatar data V designating a combination of one type of mascot Ob1 and motion data DM designated by mascot definition data C of another mascot Ob1 can be generated.

4 causes the display device 14 of the terminal device 10 to display each user's avatar Av. Specifically, the display control unit 58 displays the avatar Av on the display device 14 of the terminal device 10 by transmitting the display data Z designating the avatar Av to the terminal device 10. The display data Z for displaying the avatar Av of the arbitrary user XA is model data DA specified by the first image data R1 among the mascot definition data C corresponding to the mascot identifier F1 in the avatar data V of the user XA. And texture data DB, second image data R2 corresponding to the indicator identifier F2 in the avatar data V of the user XA, and motion data DM corresponding to the motion identifier FM in the avatar data V of the user XA. Composed.

The control device 11 of the terminal device 10 that has received the display data Z from the management server 20 via the communication network 200 displays an image of the mascot Ob1 that operates according to the operation data DM in the display data Z as model data in the display data Z. An identification mark Ob2 generated by rendering DA and texture data DB and combining the identification image GA indicated by the second image data R2 in the display data Z and a predetermined frame portion GB is arranged in the vicinity of the mascot Ob1.

The display control unit 58 of the management server 20 determines that the direction of the mascot Ob1 on the horizontal plane in the virtual space (front direction) and the direction of the identification mark Ob2 (normal direction on the front side of the identification image GA) satisfy the following conditions: The mascot Ob1 and the identification mark Ob2 are displayed on the display device 14 so as to be satisfied. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the direction of the mascot Ob1 changes over a range θ1 (eg, θ1 = 360 °) in accordance with an instruction from the user to the input device 15, for example. On the other hand, the direction of the identification mark Ob2 changes so as to be linked to the direction of the mascot Ob1 within the narrow range θ2 compared to the range θ1 (for example, it faces the same direction as the mascot Ob1), and does not change outside the range θ2. . The range θ2 is set to a range (for example, θ2 <180 °) in which the user who visually recognizes the display of the identification mark Ob2 can identify the identification image GA. Therefore, regardless of the direction of the mascot Ob1, there is an advantage that the identification of the user by the identification mark Ob2 is ensured.

The avatar Av of each user is displayed on the display device 14 of each terminal device 10 by various services provided by the service providing system 100. For example, the user's avatar Av is displayed as a character in the game provided by each application server 30. Further, for example, when a service is provided in which the user XA and the user XB exchange messages with each other, the display control unit 58 uses the avatar Av [a] of the user XA and the usage as shown in FIG. The user XB's avatar Av [b] and the time series (timeline) TL of messages exchanged between them are displayed on the display device 14 of each terminal device 10 of the user XA and the user XB.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the menu screen (my page) where the user XA selects a desired service from a plurality of services, the avatar Av [a] of the user XA is displayed on the terminal device 10 of the user XA. It is displayed on the device 14. However, since it is not necessary to ensure the distinguishability of the avatar Av [a] displayed on the terminal device 10, the display of the identification mark Ob2 is omitted and only the mascot Ob1 is displayed.

In the first embodiment described above, the avatar Av representing the user is expressed by a combination of the mascot Ob1 and the identification mark Ob2. The mascot Ob1 is selected from a plurality of candidates (mascot definition data C) prepared in advance by the service providing system 100, while the identification mark Ob2 (identification image GA) is individually prepared by each user. Therefore, even when the number of types of the mascot Ob1 is small with respect to the total number of users (when the mascot Ob1 alone does not necessarily ensure sufficient discrimination), the discrimination of the avatar Av can be sufficiently ensured by the identification mark Ob2. Is possible.

In addition, since the user can arbitrarily select a mascot Ob1 that is actually displayed as an avatar Av from a plurality of mascots Ob1 owned by the user, the avatar is compared with a configuration in which one type of mascot Ob1 is used in a fixed manner. There is also an advantage that the display of Av can be varied and interesting. In the first embodiment, since the avatar Av identification mark Ob2 and the operation data DM displayed on the display device 14 are also changed from a plurality of types according to the instruction from the user, the expression of the avatar Av is diversified. The effect of being done is particularly remarkable.

In the first embodiment, since the mascot Ob1 operates in accordance with the operation data DM provided by the operation assigning unit 544, it is possible to display an avatar Av that is rich and interesting compared to the configuration in which the mascot Ob1 is stationary. There is. In the first embodiment, the mascot Ob1 (first image data R1) and the operation data DM are given to the user as a set, but the operation data DM of each mascot Ob1 is mascot Ob1 in the mascot definition data C. Since the action data DM initially associated with the action data DM can be changed, it is possible to maintain the effect of being able to display various and interesting avatars Av.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In addition, about the element which an effect | action or function is equivalent to 1st Embodiment in each form illustrated below, the detailed reference of each code | symbol referred by description of 1st Embodiment is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of mascot definition data C in the second embodiment. A plurality of mascots Ob1 indicated by each mascot definition data C are divided into a plurality of groups. Each group has N0 types (N0 is a natural number of 2 or more) of mascots Ob1. As shown in FIG. 9, the mascot definition data C of each mascot Ob1 is used to uniquely identify the group to which the mascot Ob1 belongs in addition to the first image data R1 and the motion identifier FM similar to those in the first embodiment. A group identifier FG is included. A configuration in which the number of types N0 of the mascots Ob1 belonging to each group is individually set for each group is suitable, but the number of types N0 can be shared across a plurality of groups.

The control device 22 of the management server 20 in the second embodiment functions as an element (privilege grant unit) that executes the privilege grant process SB of FIG. The privilege granting process SB is a process for granting a privilege to a user who has acquired the NT type (NT ≦ N0) mascot Ob1 among the N0 types of mascot Ob1 of each group. The privilege given by privilege grant process SB means the special treatment regarding SNS. The privilege granting process SB is executed each time the image granting unit 542 grants the mascot Ob1 to an arbitrary user XA.

When the privilege grant process SB is started, the control device 22 specifies the group of the mascot Ob1 (hereinafter referred to as “target group”) that the image grant unit 542 has given to the user XA this time from the group identifier FG in the mascot definition data C. (SB1). The control device 22 determines the number N of mascots Ob1 belonging to the target group (that is, the mascots Ob1 to which the group identifier FG of the target group is assigned) among the plurality of mascots Ob1 registered in the mascot data U1 owned by the user XA. Is counted (SB2). That is, the number N of types means the number of types of the mascot Ob1 that has already been given to the user XA among the N0 mascots Ob1 of the target group. The control device 22 determines whether or not the number of types N has reached a predetermined threshold value NT (SB3). The threshold value NT is individually selected for each group, for example.

If the number N of mascots Ob1 already assigned to the user XA in the target group reaches the threshold value NT (SB3: YES), the control device 22 grants a privilege to the user XA (SB4). Specifically, the control device 22 stores data indicating the provision of the privilege in the storage device 24 for the user XA. On the other hand, when the number N of types has not reached the threshold value NT (SB3: NO), the control device 22 ends the privilege granting process SB without giving a privilege to the user XA.

The privilege granted to the user XA in the privilege grant processing SB of the second embodiment is a right for the user to play a game corresponding to the target group among a plurality of types of games provided by each application server 30. Specifically, the control device 22 permits the user XA to play a game in which the mascot Ob1 of the group in which the number N of mascot Ob1 has reached the threshold value NT. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the user XA is permitted to play a billiard game in which a plurality of mascots Ob1 belonging to one group satisfying the privilege granting conditions are regarded as balls. The user XA plays the game by appropriately operating the input device 15 of the terminal device 10.

In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment is realized. In the second embodiment, since a privilege is given to the user by collecting a large number of mascots Ob1, an incentive to collect mascots Ob1 (an incentive to continuously enjoy the service provided by the service providing system 100) is used. It is possible to give it to a person.

<Third Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, when a single user collects NT types of mascots Ob1 in the group, a privilege is given to the user. In the third embodiment, when a plurality of users whose correlations (social graphs) are registered collect NT types of mascots Ob1 in the group as a whole, a privilege is given to each user.

The user data U stored in the storage device 24 of the management server 20 of the third embodiment includes the correlation data UR in FIG. 12 in addition to the same elements (U1, U2, UM, V) as in the first embodiment. Include every. The correlation data UR of an arbitrary user XA includes an identifier UID of the user XA itself, and identifiers UID_B of each of a plurality of users XB in which correlations with the user XA are registered. In addition, although the case where there are a plurality of users XB in which the correlation with the user XA is registered is illustrated for convenience in the following description, the number of users XB may be single.

When the image giving unit 542 gives the mascot Ob1 to an arbitrary user XA, the control device 22 of the third embodiment executes the privilege granting process SB of FIG. 13 instead of the privilege granting process SB of FIG. When the privilege grant process SB is started, the control device 22 identifies the target group in the same manner as in the second embodiment (SB11), and selects a plurality of users XB whose correlation with the user XA is registered in the correlation data UR. Specify (SB12). Then, the control device 22 calculates the total number of types N of the target group mascots Ob1 given to the entire user XA and each user XB (SB13). For example, when each of the user XA and the two users XB owns one different type of mascot Ob1 in the target group, the number of types N is calculated as “3”. That is, the number N of types means the number of types of mascot Ob1 assigned across a plurality of users (XA, XB) whose correlations are registered among the N0 types of mascot Ob1 of the target group.

The control device 22 determines whether or not the number N of types calculated in step SB13 has reached the threshold value NT (SB14). When the number N of types of the assigned mascot Ob1 reaches the threshold value NT, the control device 22 grants a privilege to the user XA and each of the plurality of users XB specified in step SB12 (SB15). Specifically, play of a game in which each mascot Ob1 of the target group appears is permitted to the user XA and each user XB. On the other hand, when the number of types N has not reached the threshold value NT (SB14: NO), the control device 22 ends the privilege granting process SB without giving a privilege to each user.

Also in the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is realized. In the third embodiment, a privilege is given to each user according to the number N of types of mascots Ob1 owned by a plurality of users whose correlations are registered as a whole. That is, a user whose correlation is registered with a large number of users tends to easily obtain a privilege. Therefore, there is an advantage that an incentive to establish a correlation with many users can be given to each user.

<Fourth embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of avatar data V in the fourth embodiment. In the first embodiment, one avatar data V is stored in the storage device 24 of the management server 20 for each user. In the fourth embodiment, a plurality of avatar data V corresponding to different services is stored in the storage device 24 for each user. For example, in the illustration of FIG. 14, the avatar corresponding to each of the service S1 that provides the game A from the application server 30, the service S2 that provides the game B from the application server 30, and the service S3 that exchanges messages between users. Data V is illustrated.

The user appropriately operates the input device 15 of the terminal device 10 so that the mascot Ob1 (mascot identifier F1), the identification marker Ob2 (label identifier F2), and the motion data DM (motion identifier FM) are avatar data thereof. It can be set individually for each V (for each service). That is, the combination of the mascot Ob1, the identification mark Ob2, and the operation data DM may be different for each avatar data V (for each service).

The display control unit 58 selects the avatar data V corresponding to the service currently provided to the user XA among the plurality of avatar data V of the user XA, and displays the avatar Av on the display device 14 of the terminal device 10. For example, the avatar Av corresponding to the avatar data V of the service S1 is displayed when the service S1 is provided to the user XA, and the avatar Av corresponding to the avatar data V of the service S2 is displayed when the service S2 is provided to the user XA. . Therefore, the appearance of the mascot Ob1 and the identification mark Ob2 or the operation of the mascot Ob1 is different for each service of the avatar Av of the user XA.

In the fourth embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment is realized. In the fourth embodiment, since a plurality of avatar data V having different combinations of the mascot Ob1, the identification mark Ob2, and the operation data DM is stored for each user, the avatar Av of each user is stored for each service. Various changes are possible. The configuration of the second embodiment or the third embodiment can be applied to the fourth embodiment.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In each of the above-described embodiments, the display data Z (model data DA, texture data DB, second image data R2, motion data DM) indicating the user's avatar Av is displayed from the management server 20 to the terminal device 10 each time the avatar Av is displayed. The structure which transmits to is illustrated. In the fifth embodiment, the display data Z of the avatar Av that is predicted to be frequently displayed on each terminal device 10 is provided in advance from the management server 20 to the terminal device 10 and then held in the storage device 12. The

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of an operation for the management server 20 in the fifth embodiment to display the avatar Av on the terminal device 10 of an arbitrary user XA. The storage device 24 of the management server 20 of the fifth embodiment stores correlation data UR similar to that of the third embodiment for each user. The control device 22 (display control unit 58) displays the display data Z corresponding to the avatar data V of the user XA and the display corresponding to the avatar data V of each user XB registered in the correlation data UR of the user XA. Data Z is generated and transmitted to the terminal device 10 (SC11). The control device 11 of the terminal device 10 stores each display data Z received from the management server 20 in the storage device 12 (SC12). The display data Z can be transmitted from the management server 20 to the terminal device 10 at any time. For example, a configuration in which the display data Z is transmitted to the terminal device 10 when the correlation data UR or the avatar data V is changed is preferable. is there.

When displaying the avatar Av of the specific user XC on the terminal device 10 of the user XA, the control device 22 (display control unit 58) of the management server 20 displays the display data Z of the avatar Av of the user XC as the user XA. It is determined whether it is held in the terminal device 10 (SC21). When the display data Z is held in the terminal device 10 (when the user XC is the user XA or the user XB in which the correlation with the user XA is registered), the control device 22 of the management server 20 The (display control unit 58) transmits the identifier UID of the user XC to the terminal device 10 (SC22). The control device 11 of the terminal device 10 acquires the display data Z corresponding to the identifier UID received from the management server 20 from the storage device 12 and displays the avatar Av of the user XC (XA, XB) on the display device 14 ( SC23). On the other hand, when the display data Z is not held in the terminal device 10 (when the user XC is neither the user XA itself nor the user XB in which the correlation with the user XA is registered), the control device 22 Similarly to the first embodiment, display data Z corresponding to the avatar data V of the user XC is generated and transmitted to the terminal device 10 (SC24).

Also in the fifth embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment is realized. Further, in the fifth embodiment, the display data Z of the avatar Av (the avatar Av of each user whose correlation is registered) that is predicted to be displayed frequently is held in the terminal device 10 in advance, and the avatar Av. Used for display. Therefore, when displaying the avatar Av in which the display data Z is held on the terminal device 10, it is sufficient to indicate the identifier UID of the user to be displayed to the terminal device 10 from the management server 20, and the display data Z is displayed for each display. Is not required to be transmitted from the management server 20 to the terminal device 10. Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the display data Z is transmitted to the terminal device 10 for each display of the avatar Av, the processing load by the management server 20 or the communication amount between the management server 20 and each terminal device 10 is reduced. There is an advantage. The configurations of the second to fourth embodiments can be applied to the fifth embodiment.

In addition, when the user XB in which the correlation with the user XA is registered changes the avatar data V, the avatar data V after changing the display data Z of the user XB held in the terminal device 10 of the user XA. It is necessary to update it according to the contents. The following method is suitably employed for updating the display data Z held in the terminal device 10.

The latest change time (time stamp) TA is added to the avatar data V of each user stored in the storage device 24, and each identifier UID_B registered in the correlation data UR of the user XA contains the user XA. Is associated with the time TB at which the display data Z of the user XB with the identifier UID_B is transmitted. For example, in step SC21 of FIG. 15, the control device 22 of the management server 20 uses the time TB corresponding to each identifier UUD_B in the correlation data UR of the user XA and the time corresponding to the avatar data V of the user XB of the identifier UID_B. By comparing with TA, it is determined whether or not the display data Z corresponding to the latest avatar data V of the user XB is held in the terminal device 10 of the user XA. For example, when the time TA is later than the time TB (that is, when the avatar data V of the user XB is changed after the display data Z of the user XB is transmitted to the terminal device 10 of the user XA) The latest display data Z of the person XB is not transmitted to the terminal device 10. Therefore, the control device 22 generates display data Z corresponding to the latest (after the last change) avatar data V of the user XB and transmits it to the terminal device 10. On the other hand, when the time TA is earlier than the time TB (that is, after the latest change of the avatar data V of the user XB, display data Z corresponding to the changed avatar data V is transmitted to the terminal device 10 of the user XA. If so, the control device 22 transmits the identifier UID of the user XB to the terminal device 10 (the transmission of the display data Z is omitted). According to the above configuration, it is possible to display the avatar Av corresponding to the latest avatar data V of each user.

<Modification>
Each of the above-described embodiments can be variously modified. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more modes arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined within a range that does not contradict each other.

(1) In each of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the operation of the mascot Ob1 is controlled according to the operation data DM registered in advance in the avatar data V is exemplified. However, the operation data DM is transmitted when a message is transmitted using SNS. A configuration in which the user can select is also suitable. Specifically, the user XA who transmits a message to the user XB is arbitrary operation data among the operation data DM owned by the user XA (operation data DM specified by the operation identifier FM registered in the owned operation data UM). DM is selected by operating the input device 15. The control device 22 (display control unit 58) of the management server 20 transmits the display data Z including the operation data DM selected by the user XA to the terminal device 10 of the destination user XB together with the message. Therefore, the avatar Av in which the mascot Ob1 operates according to the operation data DM selected by the user XA is displayed on the display device 14 of the terminal device 10 of the user XB together with the message from the user XA. In the fifth embodiment in which the display data Z is held in the terminal device 10, the operation data DM selected by the transmission source user XA is transmitted along with a message to the terminal device 10 of the transmission destination user XB. Instead of the operation data DM in the display data Z, it is applied to control the operation of the mascot Ob1.

(2) A configuration in which the display data Z of the user is provided to an external server that provides an SNS that is separate from the service providing system 100 may be employed. Specifically, in a service provided by an external server (for example, message posting or chat service), an avatar Av corresponding to the display data Z provided from the management server 20 is displayed as an image representing the user. . Further, in the configuration in which the management server 20 communicates with a plurality of external servers that provide different types of SNS, the user avatar data V is individually stored in the storage device 24 for each of the plurality of external servers, and each external server It is also possible to provide display data Z corresponding to the avatar data V corresponding to the external server. The content of the avatar data V is individually set for each external server. For example, the combination of the mascot Ob1, the identification image GA, and the operation data DM may be different between the avatar data V provided to the first external server and the avatar data V provided to the second external server. In the configuration in which the external server cannot process the display data Z, for example, the management server 20 generates image data of the planar image of the user's avatar Av from the display data Z by image processing such as rendering, and then sends it to the external server. It is possible to provide.

(3) In the second embodiment or the third embodiment, a configuration in which one type of mascot Ob1 belongs to a plurality of groups (a plurality of groups overlap each other) may be employed. The mascot definition data C of the mascot Ob1 belonging to a plurality of groups includes a plurality of group identifiers FG corresponding to each group.

(4) In the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which a plurality of types of mascots Ob1 are selectively used for displaying the avatar Av is exemplified. However, only one type of mascots Ob1 is fixedly used for displaying the avatar Av. A configuration (a configuration in which a user can own only one type of mascot Ob1) can also be adopted. Similarly, in each of the above-described embodiments, a plurality of types of identification images GA are selectively used, but only one type of identification image GA can be fixedly used for displaying an avatar Av (identification mark Ob2). is there.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the mascot Ob1 and the operation data DM are given to the user as a set. However, the mascot Ob1 and the operation data DM can also be given to the user individually. However, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiments in which the operation data DM is given to the user together with the mascot Ob1, the incentive to acquire a large number of mascot Ob1 is used as compared with the configuration in which the mascot Ob1 is given alone. There is an advantage that it can be given to a person.

(6) In each of the above-described embodiments, the mascot Ob1 simulating the human contour and the identification mark Ob2 surrounding the identification image GA with the frame GB are illustrated, but the forms of the mascot Ob1 and the identification mark Ob2 are arbitrary. For example, a mascot Ob1 that simulates the outer shape of an animal other than a human or an identification mark Ob2 in which an arbitrary shape (for example, a circle) frame GB other than a rectangle is added to the identification image GA is also used. It is also possible to display an identification mark Ob2 (for example, an identification mark Ob2 composed only of the identification image GA) from which the frame portion GB is omitted.

(7) A configuration in which the management server 20 executes rendering of the model data DA and the texture data DB may be employed. That is, the display control unit 58 performs rendering of the model data DA and the texture data DB, and transmits an image generated by the rendering to the terminal device 10. In each of the above-described embodiments, the model data DA and texture data DB for specifying the mascot Ob1 are stored in the storage device 24 of the management server 20, but the model data DA and the texture data DB are rendered in advance (pre-rendering). The image data (for example, time series of PNG format images) can be held in the storage device 24 and used for displaying the avatar Av. Further, both the model data DA and the texture data DB and the rendered image data are stored in the storage device 24 of the management server 20, and the communication status between the terminal device 10 that displays the avatar Av and the management server 20 ( Depending on communication traffic or communication quality, a configuration in which transmission data for the terminal device 10 is switched between the two may be employed. For example, when communication traffic is large or communication quality is low, rendered image data is transmitted, and when communication traffic is small or communication quality is high, model data DA and texture data DB are transmitted. Note that the data format indicating the mascot Ob1 and the identification mark Ob2 is arbitrary in the present invention. For example, the mascot Ob1 does not need to be a stereoscopic image generated by rendering, and the mascot 0b1 expressed by a planar image can be displayed as an avatar Av (and thus rendering is unnecessary).

(8) The content of the privilege given to the user in the second embodiment or the third embodiment is arbitrary. For example, a configuration in which a predetermined amount of virtual currency that can be used in SNS is given to a user as a privilege, or a configuration in which a right to use a specific mascot Ob1 for an avatar Av is given to a user as a privilege may be employed.

(9) In each of the above-described embodiments, the avatar Av represented by the combination of the mascot Ob1 and the identification mark Ob2 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is also applied to the display of the avatar Av represented by only one type of image. obtain. For example, it is possible to omit the identification mark Ob2 and display the avatar Av expressed only by the mascot Ob1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Service provision system, 200 ... Communication network, 10 ... Terminal device, 11 ... Control device, 12 ... Storage device, 13 ... Communication device, 14 ... Display device, 15 ... Input device, 20 …… Management server, 22 …… Control device, 24 …… Storage device, 26 …… Communication device, 30 …… App server, 52 …… Image acquisition unit, 54 …… Information adding unit, 542 …… Image adding unit, 544... Action giving unit, 56... Avatar generating unit, 58.

Claims

A server device that is used in a system that provides services to each user and manages an avatar that represents each user,
An image giving unit for giving two or more first image data among a plurality of first image data stored in the storage unit to a user;
The first image data is displayed in order to display the user's avatar represented by the first image data selected by the user among the two or more first image data provided by the image giving unit to the user. A server device comprising: an avatar generating unit that generates a specified avatar data.
Each of the plurality of first image data stored in the storage unit belongs to one or more groups,
A privilege granting unit that grants a privilege to the user when the image granting unit gives a predetermined number of first image data among a plurality of first image data belonging to one group to the user. Item 1. The server device according to item 1.
The privilege granting unit grants the predetermined number of first image data among the plurality of first image data belonging to the one group across the plurality of users whose correlations are registered. When it does, the server apparatus of Claim 2 which gives a privilege to each of these users.
The privilege granting unit, when the image granting unit gives the user the predetermined number of first image data in one group, the two or more first images of the group given to the user. The server device according to claim 2, wherein the user is allowed to play a game in which a first display target indicated by each piece of data appears.
An operation giving unit for giving the user operation data specifying the operation of the first display target indicated by the first image data stored in the storage unit;
The avatar generation unit specifies the avatar of the user represented by a combination of the first image data provided to each user by the image providing unit and the operation data provided to the user by the operation providing unit. The server apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4 which produces | generates the avatar data to perform.
The motion giving unit gives motion data associated with the first image data to the user when the image giving unit gives the first image data to the user,
The avatar generation unit includes one first image data of the two or more first image data provided to the user by the image providing unit and another first image data of the two or more first image data. The server device according to claim 5, wherein the avatar data of the user expressed by a combination with the operation data given corresponding to is generated.
An image acquisition unit for acquiring second image data prepared by a user;
The avatar generation unit is expressed by a combination of the first image data provided to each user by the image providing unit and the second image data acquired by the image acquisition unit for each user. The server apparatus in any one of Claims 1-6 which produces | generates the avatar data which designates no avatar.
In order to manage the avatar that represents each user, the computer used in the system that provides services to each user,
An image giving unit for giving two or more first image data among a plurality of first image data stored in the storage unit to a user;
The first image data is displayed in order to display the user's avatar represented by the first image data selected by the user among the two or more first image data provided by the image giving unit to the user. A recording medium that records a program that functions as an avatar generator that generates avatar data to be specified.
A method for managing an avatar representing each user in a service provided to each user,
Two or more first image data among a plurality of first image data stored in the storage unit are given to the user,
Avatar data designating the first image data to display the user's avatar represented by the first image data selected by the user among the two or more first image data given to the user. Generate avatar management method.