JP5338782B2 - Exercise support device, exercise support method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an exercise support system, an exercise support method and a program that can change characters preferentially displayed according to the degrees of skills of a plurality of users in displaying a plurality of characters different in the mode of motion. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of avatars A0-A6 different in the degree of skill are displayed on a display part 21 of a monitor 2. Users U01-U10 can make motions of moving the body parts modeling after the avatars A0-A6 suitable for the degrees of their skill. Even if the degrees of skill differ between the users, the user with the low degree of skill does not become bewildered, nor the user with the high degree of skill feels embarrassed. Further, the avatars A0-A6 suitable for the degrees of skill of more users are preferentially displayed to become models of all the participating users. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an exercise support apparatus, an exercise support method, and a program that support an exercise operation that moves a body part.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an exercise support device that supports a user's exercise by displaying an image (exercise image) of an exercise operation that moves a body part on a predetermined display unit such as a monitor or a screen is known. As the motion video, for example, a video generated by causing a character generated by computer graphics (CG) to perform a model motion of motion, a video obtained by shooting a model motion performed by an expert, or the like is used. In addition to the display of the motion video, music having a tempo corresponding to the motion (timing that becomes a motion node) is reproduced. The user follows the motion video and performs the exercise while taking timing according to the music.

  The exercise support device is installed in a sports facility such as a fitness club, for example, and exercises a user under the guidance of an instructor. Also, an instructor creates an exercise lesson combining appropriate exercises according to the user's exercise purpose and skill level. The user can exercise efficiently by performing the exercise operation according to the exercise lesson.

  By the way, what changes the mode of action which a character performs according to a user's skill level (for example, experience value) is known (for example, refer to patent documents 1). In Patent Literature 1, an experience value (score) is given according to the progress of the character's action by the user's operation, and the action pattern of the character is changed according to the score. In the exercise support device, if the mode of the exemplary action of the character changes according to the skill level of the user, motivation for the user's exercise can be enhanced.

JP 2000-140427 A

  However, Patent Document 1 is intended for a single user who operates a character, and cannot be applied when a plurality of users exercise at a sports facility or the like.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in displaying a plurality of characters having different modes of movement, the character to be displayed preferentially is changed according to the skill level of a plurality of users. It is an object to provide an exercise support device, an exercise support method, and a program that can be used.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise support apparatus for supporting a user's exercise by displaying an exercise image on which a plurality of characters performing an exercise operation for moving a body part in a virtual space are displayed on a predetermined display unit. And at least one type of exercise information representing the exercise motion performed by a plurality of characters, at least one type of lesson information combining the exercise information, and the user's familiarity with the exercise operation. Storage means for storing skill level information indicating a degree; first acquisition means for acquiring the skill level information of the plurality of users participating in the exercise lesson represented in the lesson information from the storage means; A determination unit for determining a skill rank obtained by ranking the skill level information based on the skill level information acquired by the first acquisition unit; and the determination unit Thus, according to the determined skill level, an assigning means for assigning the skill level information to each of the plurality of characters arranged in the virtual space, and the character assigned the skill level information by the assigning means An exercise support apparatus comprising: a generation unit configured to generate the exercise image of the character such that the character having a higher skill rank corresponding to the skill level information is displayed on the display unit with priority. Is provided.

  In an exercise lesson in which multiple users participate, even if the degree of familiarity of each user (hereinafter also referred to as “skill level”) is different, an exercise video showing a plurality of characters assigned skill level information is displayed. Thus, it is possible to perform an exercise motion using a character that matches the skill level of the user as an example. For this reason, even if the proficiency level between users is different, it is possible to perform an exercise operation without any trouble by a low-skilled user and without a high-skilled user. Further, by preferentially displaying characters with high skill ranks, it is possible to use characters that match the skill level of more users as examples of all participating users.

  The storage unit according to the first aspect of the present invention may further store position information indicating an arrangement position of each of the characters arranged in the virtual space. A position order that ranks the placement positions that are preferentially displayed on the display unit in generating the motion video may be set in advance in the placement positions of the characters indicated in the position information. Based on the position information of the storage means, the generating means arranges the character having a higher skill rank as the arrangement position of the character having a higher position order, and displays the motion video of the character. It may be generated. If the position that is preferentially displayed on the display unit is set in the position order, the character with the high skill rank is preferentially placed on the display part only by placing the character with the high skill rank at the position with a high position order. Can be displayed.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the storage unit may further store position information indicating an arrangement position of each of the plurality of characters arranged in the virtual space and a viewpoint position of the viewpoint at which the character is projected. The generating means changes the viewpoint position of the viewpoint so that the character with higher skill ranking is displayed near the center of the display unit based on the position information of the storage means, The motion video of the character may be generated. If the viewpoint position is changed so that a character with high skill rank is displayed near the center of the display section, a character with high skill rank is preferentially displayed on the display section without adjusting the character placement position. Can do.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the determining means may determine the skill ranking obtained by ranking the skill level information in descending order of the number of users having the same degree of familiarity indicated in the skill level information. . The skill level at the stage where the number of users having the same skill level is the highest is the highest in the skill rank. Therefore, if a character with a high skill rank is displayed preferentially, the skill level of more users is increased. A character suitable for can be used as a model for all participating users.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the determination means has a higher degree of habituation when there is the same number of pieces of skill information as the number of users having the same degree of habituation shown in the skill level information. The skill ranking of the skill level information may be increased. The skill level is improved by getting used to the motor movement. Therefore, by increasing the skill level on the higher skill level under the same conditions and displaying the skill level character preferentially, the character on the higher skill level is displayed. As an example, it is possible to perform exercise motion, and it is easier to increase the degree of familiarity with the user's motion motion than when performing a motion motion using a character with a low skill level as a model.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the skill level information may be provided for each of at least one or more types of the exercise motions included in the exercise lesson. In the first aspect, the exercise motion included in the exercise lesson includes the determination of the skill level information by the determination unit, the assignment of the skill level information by the assignment unit, and the generation of the exercise video by the generation unit. Control means for performing control for each of the above may be further provided. Even if the user's proficiency level varies depending on the type of athletic action included in the athletic lesson, if any of the athletic actions is displayed as a model, a higher skill level is displayed for each of the athletic actions. Characters that match the user's skill level can be used as models for all participating users.

  The first aspect of the present invention may further comprise update means for updating the skill level information of each of the users participating in the exercise lesson. By updating the skill level information to increase the skill level of the user and using a character that matches the high skill level as a model in the next exercise lesson, it is possible to further improve the exercise motion.

  The first aspect of the present invention may further comprise second acquisition means for acquiring the number of characters to be displayed in the motion video. By acquiring the number of characters to be displayed on the motion video, an optimal number of characters can be displayed on the display unit according to the content of the motion motion and the number of users.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the movement information is combined with at least one kind of movement information representing the movement movements of a plurality of characters performing movement movements that move a body part in a virtual space. Storage means for storing at least one or more types of lesson information and skill level information indicating a degree of habituation to the user's exercise motion, and output means for outputting an exercise video showing the character to a predetermined display section And an exercise support method for supporting the user's exercise by displaying the exercise image on the display unit, and participating in an exercise lesson represented by the lesson information from the storage means A first acquisition step of acquiring the skill level information of the plurality of users, and the skill level information acquired by the first acquisition step. And determining the skill level obtained by ranking the skill level information, and the skill level for each of the plurality of characters arranged in the virtual space according to the skill level determined by the determination step. Of the characters to which the skill level information is assigned by the assignment step of assigning information and the skill level information, the character having the higher skill rank according to the skill level information is preferentially displayed on the display unit. And a generation step of generating a motion image of the character.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the movement information is combined with at least one kind of movement information representing the movement movement of a plurality of characters performing movement movements that move a body part in a virtual space. Storage means for storing at least one or more types of lesson information and skill level information indicating a degree of habituation to the user's exercise motion, and output means for outputting an exercise video showing the character to a predetermined display section A program for displaying the exercise image on the display unit to function as an exercise support device for supporting the user's exercise, and is displayed on the lesson information from the storage means on a computer. A first acquisition step of acquiring the skill level information of the plurality of users participating in the exercise lesson, and the first acquisition step. A determination step of determining a skill rank in which the skill level information is ranked based on the skill level information, and a plurality of the characters arranged in the virtual space according to the skill rank determined in the determination step An assignment step for assigning the skill level information to each of the characters assigned with the skill level information by the assignment step, the character having a higher skill rank according to the skill level information, There is provided a program for executing a generation step of generating a motion image of the character that is preferentially displayed on a display unit.

  By executing the process according to the exercise support method according to the second aspect on a computer, or by executing the program according to the third aspect and causing the computer to function as an exercise support apparatus, the same effect as the first aspect is obtained. be able to.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an exercise support apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of each storage area of the HDD 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the user information table. It is a figure which shows the lesson information table. It is a figure which shows the motion data correspondence table. It is a figure which shows the motion management table. 4 is a diagram for explaining a three-dimensional virtual space 80. FIG. It is a flowchart of an exercise support program. It is a flowchart of a lesson execution process.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking an exercise support apparatus 1 as an example. The drawings to be referred to are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the configuration of the apparatus and the flowcharts of various processes described are not intended to be limited thereto. This is just an illustrative example.

  First, a schematic configuration of the exercise support apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. An exercise support apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a sports facility 4 such as a fitness club. The exercise support apparatus 1 displays an exercise image on the display unit 21 of the monitor 2 and supports an exercise operation in which a plurality of users (10 people in the present embodiment) U01 to U10 operate their body parts.

  The exercise support device 1 is a plurality of characters that perform exercise motions according to the execution of an exercise support program described later (in this embodiment, the number of characters is described as 7 (body), hereinafter referred to as “avatar”) A0. A motion image showing ~ A6 is generated and displayed on the display unit 21. At that time, the exercise support apparatus 1 reproduces music corresponding to the tempo of the exercise operation in accordance with the display of the exercise video. The users U01 to U10 of the sports facility 4 perform exercises that operate their body parts in accordance with the tempo of the music, using the exercise video displayed on the display unit 21 as a model.

  The exercise support device 1 includes a well-known personal computer (PC) and includes a CPU 11 that controls the exercise support device 1. The CPU 11 is connected to a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and an input / output (I / O) interface 17 via a bus 14. The ROM 12 is a read-only storage device that stores programs such as BIOS executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 13 is a readable / writable storage device that temporarily stores data.

  A disk drive 18, an output controller 15, an input controller 16, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 3 are electrically connected to the input / output interface 17. The disk drive 18 reads data, programs, and the like from the disk ROM 19 when a disk ROM 19 which is a storage medium storing data, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, is inserted. An OS, a program, and the like for operating the PC as the exercise support device 1 are stored in the disk ROM 19 and provided. An exercise support program, which will be described later, is also stored in the disk ROM 19 and provided.

  The output control unit 15 displays an operation screen such as an OS or a program operated in the exercise support apparatus 1 or an exercise image that displays the avatars A0 to A6 on the display unit 21 of the monitor 2 installed in the sports facility 4. The drawing process is performed. In addition, the output control unit 15 performs control to output the music to be played back in accordance with the motion video showing the avatars A0 to A6 from the speaker 22 of the monitor 2.

  The input control unit 16 is connected to input devices such as a mouse 23 and a keyboard 24 that operate the exercise support apparatus 1. The mouse 23 and the keyboard 24 are used for inputting information and operating the program in the execution of an exercise support program described later.

  An OS, a program, and the like read from the disk ROM 19 are installed in the HDD 3 that is a storage device. Note that the OS, the program, and the like may be provided by being stored in another storage medium such as a flash ROM, and the exercise support apparatus 1 may include a reading device for these storage media. Alternatively, although not shown, it may be provided by downloading from a terminal on a network connected via a network interface.

  Next, details of the storage area of the HDD 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, the HDD 3 is provided with a program storage area 31, a motion data storage area 32, a texture data storage area 33, an arrangement position information storage area 34, and a viewpoint position information storage area 35. Yes. The HDD 3 is provided with a storage area for a database, and includes a user information table 36, a lesson information table 37, a motion data correspondence table 38, a skill level conversion table 39, a viewpoint position designation table 41, and a motion management table 42. A database is built with associated tables. The HDD 3 is also provided with other various storage areas (not shown). Further, although not shown, music data (data in a format such as MIDI, WAV, MP3, etc.) reproduced together with the motion video is also stored in a predetermined storage area.

  The program storage area 31 stores an exercise support program described later, data used in the exercise support program, initial values of flags, and the like. In the motion data storage area 32, motion data for causing the avatars A0 to A6 arranged in a later-described three-dimensional virtual space 80 (see FIG. 7) to perform a specific motion (motion) is stored. . For example, the motion data of the stepping motion on the spot is the motions of small units such as “raise the right foot”, “lower the right foot”, “raise the left foot”, “lower the left foot” to the avatars A0 to A6. Is data that is repeatedly performed in order. The motion data includes coordinate data of each body part of the avatars A0 to A6, as well as detailed coordinate data corresponding to each body part.

  Furthermore, different types of motion data of a plurality of types of patterns are prepared for the same motion. Specifically, six types of pattern motion data are prepared for each motion. As will be described later, the user U01 to U10 are set with a proficiency level for each motion (a numerical value of the level of familiarity). In the present embodiment, five levels of proficiency are set, and five types of motion data corresponding to each level of proficiency are prepared. The motion data of the pattern corresponding to the low skill level is data configured so that the motion of the motion performed by the avatars A1 to A6 indicates awkward motion (motion in which the motion procedure is wrong or the motion timing is delayed). It is. The higher the level of proficiency, the smoother the movement of the movements performed by the avatars A1 to A6 (the movement procedure is more accurate and the movement timing matches the movement tempo). Data is structured. The avatar A0 is set as an (exemplary) avatar that performs an exemplary operation. Unlike the motion data assigned to the avatars A1 to A6, the motion data of the motion movement performed by the avatar A0 is configured to show the smoothest movement.

  In the texture data storage area 33, texture data corresponding to each of the seven avatars A0 to A6 is stored. In the arrangement position information storage area 34, position information (arrangement positions P0 to P6 in FIG. 7, etc.) indicating arrangement positions when the avatars A0 to A6 are arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space 80 (see FIG. 7) to be described later. Are stored). Position information indicating the arrangement position of the avatar is prepared according to the number of avatars (7 in the present embodiment). In the viewpoint position information storage area 35, position information (viewpoint in FIG. 7) indicating the position of the viewpoint for photographing the avatars A0 to A6 in the three-dimensional virtual space 80 described later when the motion video is generated. (Position coordinates of V0, V1, V2, etc.) are stored. The position information of the viewpoint arrangement position includes information such as the line-of-sight direction 82 and the angle of view of the virtual camera 81 (see FIG. 7) virtually arranged at each viewpoint.

  The user information table 36 is a table in which user information of users of the exercise support apparatus 1 including the users U01 to U10 in FIG. 1 is recorded. As shown in FIG. 3, in the user information table 36, the user name, the number of executions of the motion in the past, and the skill level for the motion are stored in association with the user ID for each motion.

  The lesson information table 37 is a table showing information combining exercise motions (motions) according to the types and contents of exercise lessons. As shown in FIG. 4, in the lesson information table 37, lesson information representing an exercise lesson, exercise information representing a motion included in the exercise lesson, and a motion ID for identifying the motion are associated. An exercise lesson is a combination of one or more motions effective to achieve a predetermined exercise purpose, and a series of exercise operations are performed by specifying an execution order.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the motion data correspondence table 38 is a table in which the level of skill for each motion is associated with a pattern of motion data. As described above, in this embodiment, five levels of skill are set, and each motion corresponds to identification information (data name) for reading out the motion data of each step from the motion data storage area 32. It is attached. In addition, since the avatar A0 is a model avatar, dedicated motion data is prepared for each motion as the skill level “EX (excellent)”.

  The skill level conversion table 39 is a table for setting the skill level for the motion based on the number of times the users U01 to U10 have performed the motion in the past. Specifically, when the execution count is “0 to 1”, the skill level is “1”, when the execution count is “2 to 3”, the skill level is “2”, and when the execution count is “4 to 6”, the skill level is “3”. ”, The skill level“ 4 ”is associated with the execution number“ 7-9 ”, and the skill level“ 5 ”is associated with the execution number“ 10 or more ”. In the exercise support program described later, when the number of executions of each user U01 to U10 is added, the skill level conversion table 39 is referred to and the skill level is updated.

  The viewpoint position designation table 41 is a table for designating viewpoints for photographing the avatars A0 to A6 in a three-dimensional virtual space 80 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later, according to the skill ranking. Note that the skill level is obtained by summing up the number of users having the skill level at each level of skill level and ranking in descending order in the exercise support program described later. In the exercise support program, the content of the exercise (the intensity of the motion and the progress) The motion video is generated by switching as appropriate according to time or the like or by the operation of the operator. For example, in the case of the three-dimensional virtual space 80 of FIG. 7, the viewpoint is set at a plurality of locations where the avatars A0 to A6 can be photographed (in the figure, each viewpoint is indicated by a black square), and position information indicating the viewpoint position is provided. It is stored in the viewpoint position information storage area 35. It is assumed that a virtual camera 81 having a line-of-sight direction 82 and an angle of view is arranged at each viewpoint (three of them are shown in the figure).

  As described above, in the position information indicating the arrangement position stored in the arrangement position information storage area 34, the position order indicating the order in which the avatars A0 to A6 are arranged is set. Specifically, when the number of avatars is 7, the position order is set in the order of the arrangement positions P1, P2,..., P6 in the three-dimensional virtual space 80 of FIG. In addition, since the example avatar A0 is arranged at the arrangement position P0, it is excluded from the setting of the position order. The placement positions P1 and P2 are positioned so as to sandwich the placement position P0 in a row behind the placement position P0 viewed from the viewpoint. The placement positions P3 to P6 are positioned so as to be parallel to the arrangement of the placement positions P1 and P2 in a row further behind the placement positions P1 and P2 as viewed from the viewpoint. In this way, the higher the position order, the closer to the placement position P0 where the example avatar A0 is placed. In the motion video generated in the exercise support program described later, all avatars A0 to A6 are photographed centering on the model avatar A0. Therefore, the avatar arranged in the higher position order is preferentially exercised. Displayed in the video.

  When the number of avatars is 7, in the exercise support program described later, avatars A1 to A6 are arranged at arrangement positions P1 to P6 in the order of position in the three-dimensional virtual space 80 of FIG. The skill levels of the avatars A1 to A6 are set in descending order of skill level. Therefore, the viewpoint V1 capable of photographing the composition displaying the avatar A1 having the highest skill ranking in the vicinity of the center is associated with 7 (body) as the number of avatars in the viewpoint position designation table 41.

  As described above, the position information of the arrangement position of the avatar is prepared according to the number of avatars. Therefore, if the number of avatars is different, the placement position of avatars with high skill ranks is also different from the case of the above seven bodies, so the viewpoint position is also set in advance in association with the number of avatars. Yes. For example, when the number of avatars is 3, if the position order of the arrangement position (not shown) set near the arrangement position P2 is set highest, the avatar arranged at the arrangement position is displayed near the center. A viewpoint V2 capable of photographing the composition is associated in the viewpoint position designation table 41 so as to be determined as a viewpoint. The viewpoint V0 is set as a default viewpoint for photographing all the avatars A0 to A6 around the model avatar A0.

  The motion management table 42 is a table that is temporarily created and various information is recorded in the execution of an exercise support program to be described later. By referring to each table above, information such as motion data, skill level, texture data, etc. assigned to each avatar A0 to A6 is recorded in the motion management table 42 for each motion included in the exercise lesson. The In the exercise support program, the motion management table 42 is created, and an exercise video is generated based on the created motion management table 42.

  Next, a process of generating an exercise image in the exercise support apparatus 1 will be briefly described. The motion video is generated as follows. By referring to the arrangement position information storage area 34, the position information of the arrangement positions P0 to P6 corresponding to the number of avatars is read, and the arrangement positions P0 to P6 are set in the three-dimensional virtual space 80 shown in FIG. Avatars A0 to A6 are arranged. And let each avatar A0-A6 perform the exercise | movement operation | movement based on motion data. The avatars A0 to A6 that perform exercise motion with the virtual camera 81 are photographed every predetermined time, and are converted into a two-dimensional image by a known affine transformation. An exercise video is an image in which images of the avatars A0 to A6 that perform exercise are thus displayed continuously in time series.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the exercise support program executed in the exercise support device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 as appropriate. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart is abbreviated as “S”. The following processing is executed by the CPU 11. Further, data temporarily generated during execution of the program is temporarily stored in the motion management table 42 secured in the RAM 13 or the HDD 3 and other data processing storage areas.

  When the exercise support apparatus 1 is operated by an operator (such as a user or an instructor not shown) of the exercise support apparatus 1 and the execution of the exercise support program shown in FIG. 8 is started, an initial setting process (not shown) is performed. In the initial setting process, a storage area corresponding to each process of the exercise support program is secured in the RAM 13. A storage area for virtually constructing the three-dimensional virtual space 80 is also secured. Also, variables used in the program (for example, variables M, N, i, etc.), flags, counters, etc. are initialized.

  An operation support program operation screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 21 of the monitor 2, and participation registration of users U01 to U10 participating in the exercise lesson is performed by the operation of the operator. Information for specifying the users U01 to U10, such as a user name, is input by input using the mouse 23 or the keyboard 24 or reading a user card or the like by a card reader (not shown). Based on the input information of the users U01 to U10, the user ID is read from the user information table 36 and stored in the RAM 13 (S10).

  Next, each lesson information whose data is stored in the lesson information table 37 (see FIG. 4) and exercise information included in each lesson information are read. On the operation screen, a list of lesson information is displayed, and the operator selects lesson information combined with desired exercise information. The selected lesson information and the exercise information included in the lesson information are recorded in the motion management table 42 (S11). Further, the number of exercise information included in the lesson information is obtained and substituted into the variable M. Also, the motion ID of each exercise information is read and recorded in the motion management table 42.

  On the operation screen, the operator inputs the number of sub-avatars (S12). The sub avatar is the number of avatars excluding the example avatar A0, and is 6 in the present embodiment. An avatar ID corresponding to the number of input avatars is generated (S13). The ID for the avatar A0 serving as a model is defined as “0”, and IDs “1” to “6” satisfying the number 6 of avatars are generated and recorded in the motion management table 42.

  Next, the lesson execution processing subroutine shown in FIG. 9 is called (S15). As shown in FIG. 9, in the lesson execution process, first, 1 is assigned to the variable i (S20). The motion management table 42 is referred to, and the motion ID of the i-th motion is read and stored in the RAM 13 (S21). The user information table 36 is referred to, and the skill level corresponding to the motion ID of the i-th motion in each user ID stored in the RAM 13 in S10 is read and stored in the RAM 13 in association with the user ID. (S22).

  Next, for each level of skill acquired in S22, the number of users having that skill is counted (S23). For example, the proficiency levels of the users U01 to U10 for the motion whose motion ID is M1 are “5” “4” “3” “4” “5” “4” “4” “3” “2” “1” in order. (See FIG. 3). Summarizing each level of skill level, the skill level “5” is 2 people, “4” is 4 people, “3” is 2 people, “2” is 1 person, and “1” is 1 person.

  The skill ranking is set in descending order of the number of users with respect to the total skill level (S25). In the above example, the skill level “4” is four, and the skill ranking is set to first. The skill levels “5” and “3” are both two persons. In this case, the skill level is set higher when the skill level is higher. Therefore, the skill rank of skill level “5” is set to the second place, and the skill rank of skill level “3” is set to the third place. Similarly, the skill level “2” is set to the fourth place, and the skill level “1” is set to the fifth place.

  When the skill level of the skill level is set, skill levels according to the order of the position order are set in order of the avatar IDs “1” to ID “6” generated in S13 (S26). For example, in the case of the above example, the skill level “4” of the first rank is set for the avatar ID “1”. Similarly, skill levels “5”, “3”, “2”, and “1” of skill ranks 2 to 5 are set in order for avatar IDs “2” to “5”. The skill rank is up to the fifth place, and the avatar exceeding the number of skill ranks is repeatedly set in order from the skill rank first place. That is, the skill level “4” of the first skill level is set for the avatar ID “6”. As described above, the avatar ID “0” is a model avatar A0, and the skill level is set to “EX”, so that it is excluded from the setting target. The set skill level is recorded in the motion management table 42.

  Next, image information is set in each of the avatars A0 to A6 (S27). Identification information (data name) for identifying the texture data corresponding to each of the avatars A0 to A6 is read from the texture data storage area 33 and recorded in the motion management table 42. Further, the motion data identification information associated with the motion ID and the skill level is read from the motion data correspondence table 38 and recorded in the motion management table 42.

  The arrangement position information storage area 34 is referred to, and position information having arrangement positions corresponding to the total number of avatars obtained by adding the number of sub-avatars input in S12 and the avatar A0 as a model is read (S28). . Further, by referring to the viewpoint position information storage area 35, according to the position information of the arrangement position, a viewpoint (here, the viewpoint V1) capable of shooting a motion image having a composition in which an avatar having a high skill level is displayed near the center, and a default Position information with respect to the viewpoint V0 is read and recorded in the motion management table 42. And each avatar A0-A6 is arrange | positioned according to the positional information on an arrangement position in the three-dimensional virtual space 80 ensured by RAM13 (S31).

  Based on the motion management table 42, the texture data of each avatar A0 to A6 is read from the texture data storage area 33 and applied to each avatar A0 to A6. Similarly, based on the motion management table 42, the motion data of each avatar A0-A6 is read from the motion data storage area 32, and is applied to each avatar A0-A6. Then, the position information of the default viewpoint V0 is read from the viewpoint position information storage area 35, and the virtual camera 81 is virtually installed. The i-th motion by the avatars A0 to A6 is executed, and a motion image in which all the avatars A0 to A6 are displayed around the model avatar A0 is generated and displayed (reproduced) on the display unit 21 of the monitor 2. (S32).

  The generation and reproduction of the motion video is continued until the execution of the i-th motion is completed (S33: NO, S36: NO, S33). If an instruction to change the viewpoint position is issued by the operator's operation during the execution of the motion (S33: YES), the motion management table 42 is referred to and the viewpoint V1 that can be changed from the current viewpoint V0 is referred to. The position information is read out. Then, the virtual camera 81 installed at the viewpoint V1 generates a motion image having a composition in which the avatar A1 having the highest skill ranking is displayed near the center (S35), and the process proceeds to S36.

  When the execution of the i-th motion is completed (S36: YES), the number of executions of each of the users U01 to U10 who participated in the exercise lesson is incremented by 1 in the user information table 36 based on the motion ID. At this time, each skill level is also updated by referring to the skill level conversion table 39 (S37).

  Here, it is confirmed whether or not the variable i matches the variable M (S38). If the variable M indicating the number of exercise information included in the lesson information and the execution order of the motion that has just been executed do not match (S38: NO), the processes of S21 to S37 are performed for the next motion. Therefore, the variable i is incremented (S40), and the process returns to S21. If the variable M and the variable i coincide with each other while S21 to S40 are repeated (S38: YES), the execution of all the motions included in the exercise lesson is completed, and the lesson execution process is ended, and FIG. The process returns to the main routine and proceeds to S16.

  If there is no instruction to end the exercise support program by the operator's operation on the operation screen (S16: NO), the process returns to S11 and a list of lesson information is displayed to continue the next exercise lesson. On the other hand, in S16, if an instruction to end the exercise support program is given by the operator's operation (S16: YES), the execution of the exercise support program is ended.

  As described above, in the exercise support device 1 according to the present embodiment, in an exercise lesson in which a plurality of users participate, even if each user has a different skill level, an exercise that displays a plurality of avatars assigned skill levels By displaying the video, a motion can be performed using an avatar that matches the skill level of the user as an example. For this reason, even if the proficiency level between users is different, it is possible to perform a motion without any trouble by a low-skilled user or a high-skilled user. Furthermore, by displaying preferentially avatars with high skill ranks, it is possible to use avatars that match the skill levels of more users as examples of all participating users.

  In addition, if the arrangement position preferentially displayed on the display unit is set in the position order, the avatar with the high skill rank is preferentially placed only by placing the avatar with the high skill rank at the arrangement position with the high position order. It can be displayed on the display unit. Alternatively, if the viewpoint position is changed so that an avatar with a high skill level is displayed near the center of the display unit, an avatar with a high skill level is preferentially displayed on the display unit without adjusting the arrangement position of the avatar. can do. Since the skill level at the stage where the number of users having the same skill level is the highest is the highest in the skill rank, if avatars with a high skill rank are displayed preferentially, more users An avatar that matches the skill level can be used as a model for all participating users.

  In addition, skill level improves by getting used to motion, so by increasing the skill level of the high skill level under the same conditions and displaying the avatar of that skill level preferentially, Avatar can be used as a model for motion. Therefore, it is easier to increase the degree of familiarity with the user's motion than when performing a motion using an avatar with a low level of skill as a model. In addition, even if the user's skill level differs depending on the type of motion included in the exercise lesson, if an avatar with a high skill level is displayed as a model for each motion, more motions can be obtained for any motion. An avatar that matches the skill level of the user can be used as a model for all participating users.

  Further, by updating the skill level information to increase the skill level of the user and using an avatar that matches the high skill level as a model in the next exercise lesson, it is possible to further improve the motion. In addition, by acquiring the number of avatars to be displayed on the motion video, an optimal number of avatars can be displayed on the display unit according to the content of the motion and the number of users.

  The configuration of the exercise support apparatus 1 shown in the above embodiment is an exemplification, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be variously modified. In the present embodiment, a motion image is generated by shooting avatars A0 to A6 that perform motion in the three-dimensional virtual space 80. However, a motion image is generated by shooting avatars drawn in a two-dimensional virtual space. May be. In this case, the viewpoint position may be changed by appropriately adjusting the display position of the avatar displayed in the motion video. In addition, although the number of sub-avatars can be input in S12, the number of sub-avatars may be a predetermined number.

  In the present embodiment, the avatars are arranged in the ID order in the order of the position order set in the arrangement position at the arrangement position in the three-dimensional virtual space. And the skill level was set to each avatar in the order of skill and the order of skill. In other words, there is a position order at the position where the avatar is placed in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the skill level according to the skill order is given to the avatar at the position where the order of the position order matches the order of the skill order. . That is, the avatar of the same texture data is arrange | positioned in the same arrangement position, and the skill level of an avatar changes according to the skill rank based on a user's skill level.

  For example, the skill level of the avatar may be set in advance for each avatar ID. In this case, the avatars are ranked according to the skill rank of the skill level. Therefore, avatars according to the skill level of the skill level may be arranged according to the position order of the arrangement position. In other words, the skill level is set in advance for each avatar, and an avatar having a skill level that matches the order of the position rank of the placement position and the order of the skill rank may be placed at the corresponding placement position. . That is, the avatar of the same texture data may be set for the same skill level, and the arrangement position of the avatar may be changed according to the skill ranking based on the skill level of the user. In this case, if the number of skill ranks (that is, the number of skill levels) is smaller than the number of position ranks, avatars may be arranged repeatedly in descending order of skill levels as in the present embodiment. However, at that time, it is desirable to separately prepare texture data of overlapping avatars.

  Alternatively, the position order may not be provided, and only the position information of the arrangement position may be provided, and each avatar may be randomly arranged at each arrangement position. In this case, it is preferable to set a viewpoint capable of capturing a motion image having a composition in which an avatar arranged at each arrangement position is displayed near the center. Then, a viewpoint in which an avatar having a high skill level is displayed near the center of the screen may be selected, and a motion image shot from that viewpoint may be generated. Of course, the viewing direction 82 and the angle of view of the viewpoint may be arbitrarily changed. Then, by changing the line-of-sight direction 82 and the angle of view, a motion image in which an avatar having a high skill level is displayed near the center of the screen may be taken.

  In this embodiment, the avatar having a high skill level is selected by selecting a viewpoint that is displayed near the center of the screen so that the target avatar is preferentially displayed. The target avatar may be preferentially displayed so that the frequency and time are higher or longer than other avatars. In addition, even if it is not displayed near the center of the screen, the target avatar is displayed preferentially so that the target avatar is displayed in a zoom-in (up) state or the display occupancy rate in the screen is increased. You may be made to do. In addition, the number of avatars and the number of users shown in the present embodiment are examples, and are not limited to the numbers.

  In the present embodiment, the HDD 3 corresponds to a “storage unit”. The CPU 11 that acquires the skill levels of the users U01 to U10 in S22 corresponds to the “first acquisition unit”. The CPU 11 that determines the skill ranking in S25 corresponds to “determination means”. The CPU 11 that assigns the skill level to the avatars A1 to A6 in S26 corresponds to “assignment means”. The CPU 11 that generates the motion video in S32 corresponds to the “generating unit”. If the variable i and the variable M are compared in S38 and they do not match, the CPU 11 that performs control so that S25, S26, and S32 are repeated is incremented to “control means” by incrementing the variable i in S40 and returning to S21. Equivalent to. The CPU 11 that updates the skill levels of the users U01 to U10 in S37 corresponds to “update means”. CPU11 which acquires the number of sub avatars by S12 is equivalent to a "2nd acquisition means."

1 Exercise support device 3 HDD
11 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Display part 31 Program storage area 32 Motion data storage area 33 Texture data storage area 34 Arrangement position information storage area 35 Viewpoint position information storage area 36 User information table 37 Lesson information table 38 Motion data correspondence table 39 Skill level conversion table 41 Viewpoint position Designation table 42 Motion management table 80 3D virtual space

Claims (10)

An exercise support apparatus for supporting a user's exercise by displaying an exercise image on which a plurality of characters performing an exercise operation for moving a body part in a virtual space are displayed on a predetermined display unit,
Indicates at least one type of exercise information representing the exercise motion performed by a plurality of characters, at least one type of lesson information formed by combining the exercise information, and the degree of familiarity of the user with the exercise operation Storage means for storing skill level information;
First acquisition means for acquiring, from the storage means, the skill level information of the plurality of users participating in the exercise lesson represented in the lesson information;
A determination unit that determines a skill rank obtained by ranking the skill level information based on the skill level information acquired by the first acquisition unit;
Allocating means for allocating the skill level information to each of the plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space according to the skill ranking determined by the determining means;
Of the characters assigned the skill level information by the assigning means, the character having a higher skill rank according to the skill level information is preferentially displayed on the display unit. Generating means for generating the motion image of
An exercise support apparatus comprising: The storage means further stores position information indicating an arrangement position of each of the characters arranged in the virtual space,
The position of the character indicated by the position information is set in advance with a position order that ranks the position of the position preferentially displayed on the display unit in the generation of the motion video,
Based on the position information of the storage means, the generating means arranges the character having a higher skill rank as the arrangement position of the character having a higher position order, and displays the motion video of the character. The exercise support device according to claim 1, wherein the exercise support device is generated. The storage means further stores position information indicating a position of each of the plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space and a viewpoint position of a viewpoint for projecting the character,
The generating means changes the viewpoint position of the viewpoint so that the character with higher skill ranking is displayed near the center of the display unit based on the position information of the storage means, The exercise support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise image of the character is generated.   4. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the skill rank obtained by ranking the skill level information in descending order of the number of the users having the same degree of familiarity indicated in the skill level information. The exercise support apparatus according to any one of the above.   In the case where there is the same number of the same number of users as the degree of familiarity indicated in the skill level information, the determining means determines the skill rank of the skill level information on the higher degree of familiarity level. The exercise support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the exercise support apparatus is increased. The skill level information is provided for each of the at least one type of the exercise motion included in the exercise lesson,
The determination of the skill level information by the determination unit, the allocation of the skill level information by the allocation unit, and the generation of the exercise video by the generation unit are performed for each of the exercise motions included in the exercise lesson. The exercise support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that performs control so as to be performed.   The exercise support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update unit that updates the skill level information of each of the users who participate in the exercise lesson.   The exercise support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second acquisition unit configured to acquire the number of characters displayed in the exercise image. At least one or more types of exercise information representing the exercise operations of a plurality of characters that perform an exercise operation that moves a body part in a virtual space, at least one type of lesson information that is a combination of the exercise information, and a user Storage means for storing skill level information indicating a degree of habituation to the exercise motion of
An output means for outputting a motion image showing the character to a predetermined display;
An exercise support method for supporting the user's exercise by displaying the exercise image on the display unit,
A first acquisition step of acquiring, from the storage means, the skill level information of the plurality of users participating in the exercise lesson represented in the lesson information;
A determination step for determining a skill rank obtained by ranking the skill level information based on the skill level information acquired in the first acquisition step;
An allocating step of allocating the skill level information to each of the plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space according to the skill ranking determined by the determining step;
Among the characters to which the skill level information is assigned in the assignment step, the character having a higher skill rank according to the skill level information is preferentially displayed on the display unit. Generating a motion image of
Exercise support method including. At least one or more types of exercise information representing the exercise operations of a plurality of characters that perform an exercise operation that moves a body part in a virtual space, at least one type of lesson information that is a combination of the exercise information, and a user Storage means for storing skill level information indicating a degree of habituation to the exercise motion of
An output means for outputting a motion image showing the character to a predetermined display;
A program for displaying the exercise video on the display unit and functioning as an exercise support device for supporting the user's exercise,
On the computer,
A first acquisition step of acquiring, from the storage means, the skill level information of the plurality of users participating in the exercise lesson represented in the lesson information;
A determination step for determining a skill rank obtained by ranking the skill level information based on the skill level information acquired in the first acquisition step;
An allocating step of allocating the skill level information to each of the plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space according to the skill ranking determined by the determining step;
Among the characters to which the skill level information is assigned in the assignment step, the character having a higher skill rank according to the skill level information is preferentially displayed on the display unit. Generating a motion image of
A program that executes

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