KR20250000804A - Method and apparatus of managing media space in a virual space that provides media content - Google Patents

Abstract

A media space management method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: playing a predetermined media content when an avatar corresponding to a user enters the media space; determining at least one of whether the user has actually viewed the predetermined media content and the actual viewing time; and forcibly controlling at least one of the media content and the avatar based on at least one of the actual viewing and the actual viewing time. Accordingly, it is possible to promote a profit balance between providers and consumers of media content through a flexible cost determination method for media content in the metaverse space. In addition, by providing a cost calculation method based on whether or not the content has actually been viewed in the metaverse space, it is possible to promote the membership of users who desire rational consumption, thereby accelerating the use of the metaverse.

Description

{METHOD AND APPARATUS OF MANAGING MEDIA SPACE IN A VIRUAL SPACE THAT PROVIDES MEDIA CONTENT}

The present invention relates to a management method and device for a media space in a virtual space that provides media content.

Within the virtual environment, the Metaverse, users can manipulate avatars through various interfaces (e.g., VR gear, etc.) to perform various activities, such as shopping, playing games, video conferencing, and watching movies, within the Metaverse. Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1824863 (Title: Virtual Reality Multi-Storytelling Video Theater Multimedia Streaming Device) discloses a method in which a plurality of viewers wear a virtual reality HMD (Head Mounted Display) and participate in a video story while a real-time video is being played in a virtual reality environment (VR Environment) so that different endings are created for each viewer through a multi-scenario development method. In addition, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2451246 (Title: Method and Device for Providing Music Source and NFT ID Service Using Unique Account and Encryption Based on NFT Applied to Metaverse Space) relates to an NFT-based music content provision service applied to the Metaverse space.

The technology mentioned above discloses a method to provide various contents such as movies and music in the metaverse space, but it is merely an application of the existing content provision method provided on the Internet to the metaverse.

In addition, users come into contact with various content while working within the metaverse space, but there is a problem in that costs are charged simply because the avatar is included in the content provision location, even if the user does not actually enjoy the content.

In addition, since the cost of content in the metaverse is calculated at the time of content playback, even if the avatar leaves the content playback space, the full cost of the content is charged, which creates an injustice in that users have to pay for content they have not been able to properly enjoy. For example, if the avatar is still in the content playback space in the metaverse space, but the user's HMD (Head-Mounted Display) that controls it does not work properly, the user may have to pay for the content even though they have not been provided with it properly.

In the metaverse space, a large number of users use media content, and since the media content is provided in a special space called a virtual environment, it is necessary to charge reasonable fees for the use of media content in order to achieve a profit balance between providers and consumers of media content and create a reasonable content consumption culture.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1824863 (registered on January 29, 2018) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2451246 (registered on September 30, 2022)

The present invention has been conceived in consideration of the aforementioned cultural and temporal demands, and an object of the present invention is to provide a media space management method and device capable of promoting profit balance between providers and consumers of media content through a flexible cost determination method for media content in a metaverse space. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a media space management method and device capable of charging only for the actual viewing time of media content when it is determined that viewing of media content has been interrupted (e.g., avatar exits, user stops viewing, etc.). In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a media space management method and device capable of promoting the subscription of users who demand rational consumption and accelerating the use of the metaverse by providing a media space managed by a cost determination method according to actual viewing in a metaverse space.

In order to achieve the above object, a media space management method according to the present invention is a media space management method in a virtual environment providing media content, comprising: a step of playing a predetermined media content when an avatar corresponding to a user enters the media space; a step of determining at least one of whether the user has actually viewed the predetermined media content and the actual viewing time; and a step of forcibly controlling at least one of the media content and the avatar based on at least one of the actual viewing and the actual viewing time.

And, the controlling step can forcibly terminate the transmission of the media content to the avatar if it is determined that the avatar is not actually watching the media content.

Additionally, the controlling step may forcibly expel the avatar from the media space if it is determined that the avatar is not actually watching the media content.

And, the controlling step can store the media content playback time at the time of the avatar's forced expulsion.

In addition, the controlling step can calculate a replay time corresponding to the playback time when the media content is played again within the media space, and transmit the calculated replay time to the avatar.

And, the judging step can track the gaze of the avatar, and if the playback area of the media content is included within the avatar's field of vision based on the gaze of the avatar by a predetermined ratio or more, it can be determined that the media content is actually being viewed.

In addition, the judging step may determine the time during which the playback area of the media content is included within the avatar's field of view as the actual viewing time.

And, the method further includes a step of receiving screen information displayed on the user's HMD (Head-Mounted Display), and the determining step can determine at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time based on the screen information.

In addition, the method further includes a step of receiving the user's gaze information tracked by the user's HMD (Head-Mounted Display), and the determining step can determine at least one of the actual viewing and the actual viewing time based on the gaze information.

And, the method may further include a step of calculating a cost for the media content for which a predetermined basic usage fee is determined based on at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time; and a step of charging the calculated cost to the avatar.

In addition, the calculating step may calculate the cost by applying a discount rate based on the actual viewing time to the basic usage fee.

And, the media space is created based on a space creation request signal received from the first avatar, and the predetermined media content may be media content requested from the first avatar or media content received from the first avatar.

In addition, the method further includes a step of determining a cost sharing for the media content for the first avatar and one or more avatars that have entered the media space; and the calculating step may calculate the cost for the media content by reflecting the cost sharing.

Meanwhile, a media space management device according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes: a media space operating unit for playing a predetermined media content when an avatar enters a media space in a virtual environment providing media content; and an actual viewing determining unit for determining at least one of whether a user corresponding to the avatar has actually viewed the predetermined media content and the actual viewing time; wherein the media space operating unit can forcibly control at least one of the media content and the avatar based on at least one of the actual viewing and the actual viewing time.

In addition, if the media space operation unit determines that the avatar is not actually watching the media content, it may forcibly terminate the transmission of the media content to the avatar.

In addition, if the media space management department determines that the avatar is not actually watching the media content, it may forcibly expel the avatar from the media space.

In addition, the media space operating unit can store the playback time of the media content at the time of the avatar's forced expulsion, and when the media content is played again within the media space, calculate a continue viewing time corresponding to the playback time, and transmit the calculated continue viewing time to the avatar.

And, it further includes a communication unit that receives at least one of screen information displayed on the user's HMD (Head-Mounted Display) and the user's gaze information tracked by the user's HMD; and the actual viewing determination unit can determine at least one of the actual viewing and the actual viewing time based on the screen information or the gaze information.

In addition, the method may further include a cost calculation unit that calculates a cost for the media content for which a predetermined basic usage fee is set based on at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time.

And, the media space is created based on a space creation request signal received from the first avatar, and the predetermined media content may be media content requested from the first avatar or media content received from the first avatar.

According to the media space management method and device according to the present invention, it is possible to promote profit balance between providers and consumers of media content through a flexible cost determination method for media content within the metaverse space. In addition, by providing a cost calculation method based on actual viewing in the metaverse space, it is possible to accelerate the use of the metaverse by promoting the subscription of users who want rational consumption.

FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating a virtual space to which a media space management method according to the present invention is applied.
Figure 2 illustrates various types of information used in a media space management method and device according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining the basic concept of a media space management method according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a media space management method according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a method for determining actual viewing and actual viewing time in a media space management method according to the present invention.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a method for determining actual viewing based on avatar gaze information in a media space management method according to the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a process for determining whether or not actual viewing has occurred and the actual viewing time based on the playback time of media content.
FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a method for determining actual viewing based on screen information of a user device in a media space management method according to the present invention.
Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining a method for judging actual viewing based on user gaze information extracted using electrooculogram (EOG).
Figure 10 is a diagram showing an HMD structure for extracting user gaze information.
Figure 11 is a diagram explaining a method for judging actual viewing based on user gaze information.
Figure 12 is a drawing explaining a specific method for calculating costs for media content in a media space management method according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method for creating a media space using an avatar and a cost calculation method according to the media space management method according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a method of broadcasting information about a media space in a media space management method according to the present invention.
Figure 15 is a flow chart showing the process of cost sharing according to viewing multiple avatars in a media space management method according to the present invention.
Figure 16 is a flow chart showing a method of mandating control of media content and avatar based on actual viewing in a media space management method according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an avatar forced expulsion function based on actual viewing in a media space management method according to the present invention.
FIGS. 18 and 19 are drawings for explaining a media content re-viewing method in a media space management method according to the present invention.
Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a media space management device or server according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or similar components are given the same reference numerals and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating a virtual space to which a media space management method according to the present invention is applied. The virtual space can be implemented in various ways and forms, but the following description will assume a representative implementation form, 'metaverse space'.

Before explaining Fig. 1, the structure of the metaverse space is briefly explained. The metaverse space can include landmarks, roads connecting each landmark, and various subspaces (e.g., virtual stores) created on the roads. Each landmark includes one or more objects (e.g., buildings, structures, etc.), and an avatar active in the virtual environment can use various objects (e.g., entering a building, using a tool, etc.) when moving around landmarks, roads, etc. The number of landmarks can be one or more, and the number and shape of roads connecting them can also be set in various ways.

In the present invention, the metaverse space may correspond to a virtual space corresponding to real-world real estate registered in the real estate register. The real-world real estate and the virtual space may correspond one-to-one, or a plurality of real-world real estates may be merged to form a single virtual space. In addition, the metaverse space in the present invention may be a space constructed by users, and in the metaverse space, as in the real world, ownership of various assets is possible through NFT (Non-Fungible Token) minting using blockchain technology, and the metaverse space owner can trade his or her assets.

Here, blockchain technology is a data forgery prevention technology based on distributed computing technology in which small data called blocks are stored in a chain-type link-based distributed data storage environment generated based on the P2P method, so that modification or forgery is impossible and the results of changes in ownership can be known. All transaction histories that were transmitted to users before the block was discovered are recorded in the block, and since this is transmitted equally to all users in the P2P method, the transaction histories cannot be arbitrarily modified or omitted. In the present invention, assets (various objects such as landmarks, roads, and virtual stores) in the metaverse space are tokenized into NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) using blockchain technology, thereby confirming ownership of the assets in the metaverse space and making them the subject of transactions. That is, in the present invention, an owner in the metaverse space means a user who owns the various assets in the metaverse space, and as explained above, ownership in the metaverse space can be proven through blockchain.

Meanwhile, landmarks may have a hierarchical structure. That is, they may be hierarchized into a first landmark in the upper layer, a second landmark in the middle layer, and a third landmark in the lower layer. Of course, they may include four or more types of landmarks, not just three. Depending on the hierarchization, landmarks may have different values. In addition, the initial location of the user's avatar may be determined depending on the hierarchization. Specifically, the initial location of all users may be set to the first landmark by default. In addition, the generation of roads to connect each landmark may also vary depending on the hierarchy of the landmarks. For example, if there is a competition for the generation of a road between the second landmark and the third landmark, the generation of a road between the first landmark and the second landmark corresponding to a higher hierarchy may be given priority.

The landmark in the metaverse space according to the present invention is a concept corresponding to land in the real world, and the landmark may include various objects. For example, the objects include not only various buildings (houses, companies, schools, exhibition halls, museums, restaurants, cafes, stores, department stores, airports, ports, amusement parks, etc.), but also pipes, facilities, billboards, trees, various structures, etc. that make up a city as in the real world, and further include natural environments such as ponds, lakes, and seas, as well as trains, means of transportation, and ships. As described above, these can be tokenized using blockchain technology and then become the subject of transactions. Spaces such as landmarks and roads, and various objects placed in the spaces, can be created by users. In other words, the metaverse space can be built and expanded according to the user's request.

Ownership of assets in the metaverse space can be tokenized. Specifically, by connecting to a ledger platform and linking the digital ledger of a user account. Blockchain uses a distributed ledger and performs peer-to-peer transactions through individual connections between servers. Various ledger platforms can use virtual currencies such as Ethereum or Klaytn as transaction tokens. Of course, other virtual currencies can be used when using other ledger platforms.

Afterwards, a minting platform is opened, and landmarks, roads, virtual stores, and various objects in the metaverse space are minted as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) using virtual currency. The minted NFTs can be traded in the metaverse space, or listed on a listing platform to be traded. Of course, it can be designed to mint NFTs in the same manner within the metaverse platform without using a separate minting platform other than the metaverse platform. In this way, NFTs are created by a request for the creation of a space (landmark, road, virtual store) or object from one or more users. The creation of an NFT means that the cost (virtual currency) has been paid by the user who requested the creation of the space, and the ownership of the space has belonged to the user. The server can build and continuously expand the metaverse space by implementing various spaces in the metaverse space in this way.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the media space management method according to the present invention can be performed in a space (hereinafter referred to as “media space”) created to provide media content within a metaverse space. The media content may be music, video, photos, movies, 3D content, holographic images, etc., but is not limited thereto. FIG. 1 (a) illustrates a media space where a number of avatars gather to watch a movie, and (b) illustrates a media space where a number of avatars gather to enjoy a concert.

A media space can be created in a variety of ways within the metaverse space. First, a media space can be preset in a predetermined area within the metaverse space by a platform provider from the platform design stage. In another embodiment, a media space can be created (built) within the metaverse by a space creation request signal (responding to a user request) by an avatar, or a preset space within the metaverse can be dedicated as a media space. In Fig. 1, a media space is depicted as a closed space that can accommodate multiple avatars, but it can also be created in an open space. For example, media content can be implemented in the form of a media facade implemented on a wall, a building exterior wall, a large screen, etc. installed in an open area within the metaverse space.

An avatar that enters a media space must pay a usage fee for the media content being displayed (played, screened, exhibited, streamed, etc.), and the usage fee may be calculated before the start of the display of the media space or after the end of the display, and charged to each avatar. In the media space management method according to the present invention, the cost is calculated based on whether or not the media space has been actually viewed and the actual viewing time. In addition, the usage fee for the media content may also vary based on the creator of the media space, the number of avatars that have entered the media space, the media content provider, the number of advertisements included in the media content, the advertisement provider, etc.

Figure 2 illustrates various types of information used in a media space management method and device according to the present invention.

An administrator account can be classified into an account having super administrator authority, metaverse space creation authority, virtual store creation authority, and metaverse administrator authority. An administrator account having super administrator authority has overall authority over the operation of the metaverse platform, and an administrator account having metaverse space creation authority and virtual store creation authority has authority to create a metaverse space. However, an administrator account having metaverse space creation authority and virtual store creation authority can also create landmarks, virtual stores, media spaces, etc. at the request of a user. Here, an administrator account having metaverse space creation authority can hierarchize the first to nth landmarks (HIGH to LOW, or LEVEL 1 to LEVEL N), and grant different values to the first to nth landmarks according to the hierarchy, or grant different authority to the owners of the first to nth landmarks. An administrator account having metaverse administrator authority has authority over the operation of the metaverse, such as creating and selling various objects such as items within the metaverse, and supporting avatar activities.

An administrator account with the authority to create a metaverse space can create one or more media spaces within the metaverse space. One or more media spaces can be set up by an avatar request (in response to a user request), or a media space can be set up in an arbitrary space when the metaverse space is built. In addition, multiple media spaces can be formed, and each media space has a unique ID and can be managed individually.

A media space management method according to the present invention can create a media space at the request of a user, and can grant various rewards (additional discounts, coupons, discount coupons, item purchase coupons, cash, etc.) to an avatar (room manager avatar) that created the media space.

A user account includes information such as user information, avatars, and items of the first to nth users, as well as information on permissions granted to the first to nth users (ownership, teleportation permissions, location setting permissions, movement speed upgrade permissions, etc.), assets held within the metaverse, and shares.

FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the basic concept of a media space management method according to the present invention. In a media space, one or more avatars can enter and enjoy various media contents such as movies, concerts, and music. At this time, the subject who actually enjoys the media contents is the user who operates the avatar. The media space management method according to the present invention can determine the usage cost for the media contents differently depending on whether the user actually watched the media contents and the actual viewing time. For example, if the media contents are being played but the user is not actually watching the media contents, for example, if the user falls asleep while watching the media contents, or the user removes the HMD, or leaves the seat, the cost can be changed (discounted, reduced) and charged to the user because the media contents were not directly provided for the corresponding time. According to this, it is possible to promote a profit balance between the provider and the consumer of the media contents through a flexible cost calculation method for the media contents in the metaverse space. In other words, if it is determined that viewing of media content has been interrupted (e.g. avatar leaves, user stops viewing, etc.), charges may not be charged for the unviewed portion.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a media space management method according to the present invention. First, a media space providing media content is created in a metaverse space (S110). The media space may be a space preset in the metaverse space, a space arbitrarily created by an administrator, or a space created at the request of an avatar. Thereafter, when an avatar enters the media space, a predetermined media content for which a predetermined basic usage fee is set is played (S120). The basic usage fee of the media content may be determined by the provider of the media content, or may be determined by the metaverse platform itself. In addition, when an avatar enters a media space, a step of authenticating the avatar's entry authority may be further included. The avatar's entry authority may be identified by a separately granted identification item, avatar ID, invitation, entry code, etc., but is not limited thereto.

Thereafter, during playback of the media content or after playback is completed, it is determined whether the user corresponding to the avatar is actually viewing the media content. In other words, at least one of whether the user corresponding to the avatar has actually viewed the media content and the actual viewing time is determined (S130).

Actual viewing status is information about whether the user is actually watching, viewing, or appreciating the content. In addition, actual viewing time is information about the time the user actually watches, views, or appreciates the content. Time can be counted only during actual viewing. Finally, the cost of media content is calculated based on at least one of actual viewing status and actual viewing time (S140).

Figure 5 illustrates a method for determining whether or not actual viewing has occurred and the actual viewing time in a media space management method according to the present invention. Determination of whether or not actual viewing has occurred and the actual viewing time can be made based on avatar gaze information, user status information, etc.

First, a media space for providing media content is created in the metaverse space (S210). When an avatar enters the media space, a predetermined media content is played at a predetermined schedule and time (S220). Thereafter, based on the gaze information of the avatar operated by the user and/or the user status information received from the user device (e.g., HMD), at least one of whether the user actually viewed the media content and the actual viewing time is determined (S230).

Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining a method for determining actual viewing based on avatar gaze information in a media space management method according to the present invention. In the present invention, the gaze of an avatar is tracked, and if a playback area of media content is included within the avatar field of view based on the gaze of the avatar by a predetermined ratio or more, it is determined that the user is actually viewing the media content. Then, the time for which actual viewing took place is counted to derive the actual viewing time.

The actual viewing judgment based on the avatar gaze information starts with tracking the avatar's gaze. The avatar's gaze tracking can be performed by various methods currently commercialized. For example, when the avatar is operated using an HMD, the avatar's gaze and posture are rendered based on the viewpoint of the camera installed in front of the HMD, and the avatar's gaze can be tracked through this. Specifically, assuming the 12 o'clock direction in Fig. 6 as a reference point, based on the posture (direction) of the rendered avatar, the avatar in (a) has a gaze of 0°, (b) has a gaze of -60°, and (c) has a gaze of 150°. When the avatar's gaze is tracked, the field of view can be set based on the avatar's gaze. The avatar's field of view (θ) can have a range of ±α° from the avatar's gaze. α is a constant, can be preset by the user, and can vary based on the display angle of the HMD, the distance between the HMD and the user's eyes, etc.

And, based on the location/area of the playback area (S) in the metaverse space where media content is played, the avatar field of view (θ), and the distance between the playback area (S) and the avatar (A), the overlap area (V) and/or the overlap length (L) can be extracted. The overlap area (V) means the area where the avatar field of view and the playback area overlap, and the overlap ratio between the avatar field of view and the playback area can be determined based on the overlap area. In another embodiment, in order to minimize the amount of computation, only the overlap length (L) at one point of the overlap area (V) can be calculated to determine the overlap ratio between the avatar field of view and the playback area.

Fig. 7 illustrates a process for determining whether or not actual viewing has occurred and the actual viewing time during playback of media content. The determination of whether or not actual viewing has occurred and the actual viewing time may be performed continuously while the media content is played, or may be performed intermittently at preset intervals. In Fig. 7, the determination of whether or not actual viewing has occurred and the actual viewing time is illustrated as being performed every 0.5 h (30 minutes), but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, it is set so that it is determined that the media content is being viewed if the overlap ratio between the avatar's field of view and the media content playback area is 60% or higher. Accordingly, the 0 h to 1.5 h section where the overlap ratio is 100% and the 1.5 h to 3 h section where the overlap ratio is 67% can be determined as the user actually viewing the media content, and the 3 h to 4 h section where the overlap ratio is only 18% can be determined as the user not actually viewing the media content.

The actual viewing time can be determined based on the time during which all or part of the playback area of the media content is included within the avatar's field of view. In the above explanation, if determined by the overlap ratio, the user's actual viewing time can be extracted as 3h. If the determination cycle is in units of seconds or minutes, the actual viewing time can be extracted more precisely. However, in another embodiment, regardless of the preset overlap ratio, if all or part of the playback area of the media content is included within the avatar's field of view, it can be determined that the user has actually watched it. In this case, since all or part of the playback area (S) is included within the avatar's field of view during the 4h during which the media content is played, the actual viewing time can be determined as 4h.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining actual viewing based on screen information of a user device in a media space management method according to the present invention. User status information received from a user device (e.g., HMD, tablet PC, laptop, etc.) may be screen information. Although screen information of an HMD is illustrated in FIG. 8, in another embodiment, it may be screen information displayed on a laptop screen, screen information displayed on a touch screen of a tablet PC, screen information displayed on a computer monitor, etc. In reality, the user sees the screen displayed on the above-mentioned device. That is, if media content is included in the screen, the user sees the media content, and if the media content disappears from the screen, the user does not see the media content. Therefore, based on the screen information displayed on the user device, it is possible to determine what the user is currently viewing. Ultimately, the present invention further includes a step of receiving screen information displayed on the user device, and at least one of actual viewing and actual viewing time may be determined based on the screen information.

Meanwhile, the media space management method according to the present invention further includes a step of receiving user gaze information of a user tracked by a user device (e.g., HMD, tablet PC, laptop, etc.), and can determine at least one of actual viewing and the actual viewing time based on the user gaze information. FIGS. 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining an actual viewing determination method based on user gaze information received from a user device in the media space management method according to the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an actual viewing determination method based on user gaze information extracted using electrooculogram (EOG), FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an HMD structure for extracting user gaze information, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an actual viewing determination method based on user gaze information.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the user device can extract user gaze information using the user's electrooculography. The electrooculography can be divided into horizontal electrooculography, which is an electrooculography according to horizontal (left-right) movement of the eyeball, and vertical electrooculography according to vertical (up-down) movement of the eyeball. The user device includes one or more sensors for measuring electrooculography, and can extract the user's gaze information based on the electrooculography measured by the sensor. At this time, the type, shape, size, number, and location of the sensor for sensing the electrooculography can be designed in various ways.

The HMD can measure an ocular conduction signal by a sensor placed in an area in contact with the user's face, and generates a linear coefficient vector that separates the measured ocular conduction signal into multiple signal components. At this time, in order to generate the linear coefficient vector, the user can be requested to perform a pre-movement for detecting horizontal/vertical eye movement. The ocular conduction signal according to a specific pattern of pre-movement can include a signal component and a noise component according to the movement of the eye. The HMD can separate the ocular conduction signal into a signal component for horizontal movement, a signal component for vertical movement, and a noise component. At this time, the mixed signal including the signal component for horizontal movement, the signal component for vertical movement, and the noise component can be separated by using an ICA (Independent Component Analysis) algorithm or a RICA (Reconstruction Independent component analysis) algorithm that separates each signal from a mixed signal, and the linear coefficient vector corresponding to the separated signal is output and then applied to the separated signal. And, using the linear coefficient vector, the horizontal eye conduction signal and the vertical eye conduction signal are estimated from the eye conduction signal for eye movement. That is, when the linear coefficient vector is obtained according to the pre-movement of the eye, the horizontal and vertical eye conduction signals can be estimated by applying the linear coefficient vector to the eye conduction signal. The horizontal and vertical eye conduction signals estimated in this way can also be used to render the eye movement of the avatar.

Based on the user gaze information extracted using EOG, it is possible to determine whether the user is actually watching the media content displayed on the HMD. More specifically, using EOG, it is possible to determine even cases where the user is asleep and not actually watching the media content.

In another embodiment, the user gaze information may be extracted through the user's pupil movement acquired through the internal camera, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. The HMD includes a cushion, a lens, a display, a housing that contacts the user's face, and an eye tracking sensor (e.g., a camera) for tracking the user's pupil movement. Various other sensor modules (e.g., an inertial sensor), a head tracking module, a communication module, a variable focus module, a controller, and the like may be provided inside and outside the housing. The eye tracking sensor may include information about the orientation of the user's eyes, i.e., information about the angle of the gaze. Through the user gaze information acquired from the eye tracking sensor and the image information displayed on the HMD, the content area that the user is currently viewing can be extracted, and based on this, whether or not the user is actually viewing and the actual viewing time can be determined.

Figure 12 is a drawing explaining a specific method of calculating costs for media content in a media space management method according to the present invention. First, whether the media content has actually been viewed is determined using the various methods described above. If it is determined that the user has not actually viewed the media content, the cost for the media content may not be charged, or a penalty for not viewing the media content may be applied (imposing a penalty, prohibiting re-viewing, etc.).

If the user is actually watching the media content, the basic usage fee set for the media content can be charged to the avatar regardless of the actual viewing time. In addition, if the user is actually watching the media content, the cost can be calculated based on the actual viewing time. Specifically, the cost for the media content can be calculated based on the actual viewing time by the following mathematical formula 1.

(C _m : cost of media content, C _b : basic usage fee, T _s : actual viewing time, T _o : total playback time)

Additionally, in another embodiment, the cost for media content can be calculated by the following mathematical expression 2.

(C _m : cost of media content, C _b : basic usage fee, D _tp : discount rate according to time interval)

In the mathematical expression 2 above, the discount rate by time section means the discount rate by section for the total playback time. For example, if the total playback time of 2 hours is divided into 30-minute units, the discount rate can be set to 90% for the section of 0 to 30 minutes, 60% for the section of 31 to 60 minutes, 30% for the section of 61 to 90 minutes, and 0% for the section of 91 to 120 minutes. The discount rate by section can be set in various ways and stored in the form of a lookup table. The server can determine the discount rate based on the extracted actual viewing time and the lookup table, and calculate the cost by applying it to the basic usage fee.

Meanwhile, the cost for media content may vary based on the number of avatars that entered the media space, in addition to whether or not the media content was actually viewed and the actual viewing time. The media space management method according to the present invention may have the steps of creating a media space for providing media content, playing the media content in a media space entered by one or more avatars, and counting the number of avatars that entered the media space. An avatar that entered the media space may be regarded as having viewed the media content. Then, the shared cost for the media content is determined based on the number of avatars. The shared cost for the media content may be basically calculated by the following mathematical expression 3, but is not limited thereto.

(C _each : shared cost for each avatar, A _contents : basic cost of media content, N _avatar : number of avatars that entered the media space)

The determined shared cost can be used to calculate the cost of media content, together with the actual viewing and actual viewing time, as explained above. In other words, the basic usage fee in Equations 1 and 2 can be replaced with the shared cost.

FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a method for creating a media space by an avatar and a cost calculation method according to the media space management method according to the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a method for broadcasting information about a media space in the media space management method according to the present invention.

As illustrated in Fig. 13, a media space providing media content within a metaverse space is created based on a space creation request signal received from a first avatar. Then, the first avatar can broadcast the media space information it created to other avatars. Referring to Fig. 14, information about a media space may include, but is not limited to, information about the host, the title of the media content, the screening date and time, the number of people allowed, and the cost sharing.

Afterwards, when one or more avatars enter the media space, the media content is played, and the cost for each avatar is calculated based on whether or not they actually watched it, the actual viewing time, and the shared cost. The calculated cost is charged to each avatar. In addition, the first avatar who actively led the creation of the media content can be given benefits such as a cost discount or reward.

Figure 15 is a flow chart showing the process of cost sharing according to viewing multiple avatars in a media space management method according to the present invention.

First, a media space is created based on a space creation request signal received from the first avatar (S310). Accordingly, the first avatar can become a 'room manager avatar' of the media space. Thereafter, a decision is made on media content to be displayed in the media space. The media content may be provided by an external content provider or may be provided by the first avatar. The media content provided by the content provider may be a movie, animation, music, concert video, etc., and the media content provided by the first avatar may be content produced by the first avatar (e.g., YouTube ^TM content) or content streamed in real time by the first avatar.

Thereafter, when receiving a media content request from the first avatar (S320), the server determines whether to allow playback of the media content (S330) and plays the media content within the media space (S350). At this time, the metaverse platform can link with the content providing platform to request the media content requested from the first avatar to the content providing platform, receive the media content from the content providing platform, and play it within the media space within the metaverse space.

If the media content is content provided by the first avatar, the server receives the media content from the first avatar (S340) and then plays it within the media space (S350).

Afterwards, the number of avatars entering the media space is counted (S360), the cost sharing for the media content is determined (S370), and the cost sharing is reflected in the cost calculation for the media content (S380). For example, the cost sharing may be assumed as a basic usage fee for the media content, and the final cost for the media content may be determined based on whether or not it was actually viewed and the actual viewing time.

At this time, the sharing cost for the first avatar who created the media space and the sharing cost for other avatars who entered the media space may be different from each other. For example, if the media content played in the media space is media content received from another content providing platform, the sharing cost for the first avatar may be set lower than the sharing cost for other avatars. This is to provide a reward of a sharing cost discount to the host in return for creating the media space. The sharing cost for the first avatar may be negative (-), in which case it becomes the first avatar's revenue. At this time, the first avatar may be charged a higher rental fee for using the media space, but if the rental fee is less than the discount, the difference may be attributed to the first avatar as revenue. Conversely, if the rental fee is more than the discount, the first avatar must also pay the sharing cost, but since it is less than the sharing cost for other avatars, the first avatar can enjoy the media content at a lower cost. The cost sharing charged to other avatars can be calculated by, but is not limited to, the mathematical formula 4 below.

(C _each : shared cost for each avatar, A _contents : basic cost of media content, C _avatar1 : shared cost for the room manager avatar, N _avatar : number of avatars that entered the media space)

Through this method of calculating shared costs, the server can induce users to use the metaverse space and generate revenue through rental fees for space use, while users can enjoy media content at a lower price and generate revenue through active metaverse activities.

Meanwhile, if the media content played in the media space is media content provided by the first avatar, the sharing cost for the first avatar may be set higher than the sharing cost for other avatars. In other words, when the first avatar wants to promote or advertise its own media content, the sharing cost for other avatars may be set lower so that more avatars can view the media content. The first avatar may have to pay a rental fee for using the media space, but if the sharing cost paid by other avatars is greater than the rental fee, it can generate revenue. In addition, even if the sharing cost paid by other avatars is less than the rental fee, there is a practical benefit of being able to promote and advertise its own media content. The revenue of the first avatar through the playback of the first avatar's media content can be calculated by, but is not limited to, the following mathematical formula 3.

(P _avatar1 : revenue of the first avatar, B _contents : cost of media content provided by the first avatar, C _avatar1 : cost sharing for the first avatar, N _avatar : number of avatars that entered the media space, R _mediaspace : cost of renting the media space)

The reason why the cost sharing is set for the first avatar even though the media content was provided by the first avatar is because the first avatar who created the media space is also a member who watches the media content played in the space. Unlike the server provider unilaterally showing content such as movies, in the metaverse space, avatars can be both designers who decide the use of the space and users who use the space.

Meanwhile, the media space created based on the space creation request signal of the first avatar can have a limited number of people set. If the number of viewers of the media content increases without limit, the media content can be viewed at a lower cost, but unlimited damage can occur from the perspective of the media content provider. Therefore, the limited number of viewers of the media space can be preset, and the cost of the media content can be determined in advance based on the preset limited number of viewers.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the media space management method according to the present invention may be such that the media content played in the media space may include one or more advertisements, and the advertisements may be advertisements selected or provided by the first avatar, or may be advertisements of a third party received from the outside. If one or more advertisements are included at the request of the first avatar, the sharing cost for the first avatar may be determined to be higher than the sharing cost for other avatars. In the case of promoting the advertising effect by exposing the first avatar's own advertisement to other avatars who have entered the media space, even if the sharing cost for the first avatar is set higher than that for the other avatars, the first avatar still benefits from the advertisement. The first avatar can use the media space as an advertisement exposure space, and in return for viewing the advertisements, the other avatars can enjoy the media content at a lower cost.

In contrast, if the media content includes one or more advertisements without the request of the first avatar, a reward may be provided to the first avatar based on the number of avatars and the number of advertisements. In other words, a third party (such as an advertiser) that enables advertising activities in the media space created by the first avatar may provide a reward to the first avatar. In this case, the value of the reward provided to the first avatar may be calculated by the following mathematical formula 4, but is not limited thereto.

(W _reward : value of reward, a: constant, N _ad : number of advertisements included in media content, N _avatar : number of avatars)

The cost sharing for each avatar is determined in the various ways described above, and the cost sharing is used to calculate the final cost for media content along with actual viewing and actual viewing time.

In another embodiment, if the number of avatars entering the media space exceeds a preset number (P), a reward may be provided to the first avatar, who is the room manager. More specifically, if the preset number (P) is 15, and the media content is played while the number of avatars exceeds 15, the server provides a predetermined reward to the first avatar. In another embodiment, the preset number (P) may be divided into sections such as 10, 20, and 30, and a differential reward may be provided to the first avatar according to the sections as shown in the table below, but is not limited thereto.

panel Number of Avatars Reward Section 1 2 to 10 10 Metacoin Section 2 11 to 20 20 Metacoin ... ... ... Section n N∼N+10 10*n Metacoin

The first avatar can create a media space and obtain a bigger reward by encouraging viewing of the media content through various promotional activities. The reward includes monetary value and can take various forms such as coupons, vouchers, coins, items, and cash that can be used in spaces inside and outside the metaverse. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a method of forcing control of media content and avatars based on actual viewing in a media space management method according to the present invention.

First, when an avatar enters a media space, a predetermined media content is played (S410). The media content can be played at a preset schedule and time after the avatar enters. However, if no avatar enters the media space, the playback of the media content can be canceled. Thereafter, at least one of whether the user has actually viewed the predetermined media content and the actual viewing time is determined (S420). In the above, at least one of whether the user has actually viewed the content and the actual viewing time was used as a basis for calculating the cost, but in this embodiment, it is used to forcefully control the media content and/or the avatar. Forced control of the media content can be cancellation of playback, stop of playback, resumption of playback, pause of the media content, stop of transmission of the media content to a specific avatar, etc. Forced control of the avatar can be forced expulsion (release, exit) from the media space, forced movement to another space in the metaverse, etc.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an avatar forced expulsion function based on actual viewing in a media space management method according to the present invention.

When an avatar enters the media space, media content is played at a preset schedule and time. Then, actual viewing is determined in the manner described above. If it is determined that the user is actually viewing the media content, the actual viewing time is extracted, the cost of viewing the media content is calculated, and the calculated cost is charged to the avatar (user).

If it is determined that a user is not actually watching the media content, the server can forcibly stop the transmission of the media content. At this time, the transmission of the media content can be stopped only for users who are determined not to actually watch the media content. In other words, the media content can continue to be transmitted to other avatars who are actually watching. In addition, the server can forcibly kick out an avatar that has not watched the media content from the media space. Afterwards, the server can charge the forcibly kicked avatar the cost calculated up to the time of the kickout. If this is applied to lecture activities in the metaverse, a student avatar who is not properly watching the lecture content can be forcibly kicked out, thereby preventing the student avatar from paying unnecessary fees. The determination of actual viewing and the forced control of the avatar can be performed automatically without the intervention of other users or other avatars.

Figures 18 and 19 are drawings for explaining a media content re-viewing method in a media space management method according to the present invention. The media space management method according to the present invention stores the media content playback time at the time of the avatar's forced expulsion, and provides an environment in which the expelled avatar can watch from the part that he/she previously unwatched when the media content is played again within the media space.

Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 18, while the first media content is being played in the media space (red hole), whether the first avatar is actually watching is continuously determined. If it is determined that the first avatar is not actually watching the first media content, the first avatar is forcibly expelled, and the current playback time of the media content (the time when the first avatar stopped watching) is saved. Then, the first media content is continuously transmitted to other avatars.

Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 19, when the first media content is played again in another media space (white hole), the screening information is transmitted to the first avatar. In addition, the screening information includes information on the time point at which the first avatar was interrupted while watching in the media space (red hole). In other words, the server stores the media content playback time point at the time of the avatar's forced expulsion, and when the first media content is played again in the same or another media space, the server can calculate the time corresponding to the playback time point (the time point at which the previous screening was interrupted), and transmit the calculated time information to the avatar. For example, if the playback time at which the previous viewing was interrupted was '01:08:25 after the screening start' and the current re-screening start time is 13:30:00, the time corresponding to the playback time point may be 14:38:25. Therefore, the server can calculate the continue viewing time as 14:38:25 and transmit it to the first avatar. If this is applied to lecture activities in the metaverse, it will be possible to provide an environment where student avatars who were kicked out because they were not properly watching the lecture content can watch the lecture content again. The student avatar will be able to listen to the lecture for the cost of one lecture content without having to pay twice to complete the lecture. In particular, according to this embodiment, the process of forcibly kicking out avatars based on the judgment of actual viewing, saving playback time, and calculating costs are automatically performed, so the objectivity of cost charging can be guaranteed.

Figure 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a media space management device or server according to the present invention. The device (1000) according to the present invention may be implemented as various devices such as a server or a terminal. The device (1000) according to the present invention may be a digital device having a processor, memory, and computing power, such as a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a web pad, or a mobile phone.

In addition, the device (1000) according to the present invention may be a web server providing a metaverse platform. In addition, the device (1000) according to the present invention may be a server providing a cloud computing service. More specifically, the device (1000) according to the present invention may be a server providing a cloud computing service that processes information with another computer connected to the Internet rather than the user's computer as a type of Internet-based computing. The cloud computing service may be a service that stores data on the Internet and allows the user to use the data or programs required by the user anytime and anywhere through an Internet connection without having to install them on his or her computer. Data stored on the Internet can be easily shared and transmitted with simple manipulation and clicks. In addition, the cloud computing service may be a service that not only simply stores data on a server on the Internet, but also performs desired tasks by utilizing the functions of application programs provided on the web without having to install a separate program, and allows multiple people to share documents and work simultaneously. In addition, the cloud computing service may be implemented in the form of at least one of IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), SaaS (Software as a Service), a virtual machine-based cloud server, and a container-based cloud server. That is, the device (1000) according to the present invention can be implemented in the form of at least one of the above-described cloud computing services. The specific description of the above-described cloud computing services is only an example, and may include any platform that constructs the cloud computing environment of the present invention.

A device (1000) according to the present invention may include a processor (1010), a user account registration unit (1020), an avatar creation unit (1030), a metaverse space creation unit (1040), a media space operation unit (1050), an actual viewing judgment unit (1060), a cost calculation unit (1070), a storage unit (1080), and a communication unit (1090).

The device (1000) according to the present invention performs the media space management method described above. The operation of each component included in the device (1000) according to the present invention may correspond to each step of the media space management method. However, each component illustrated in FIG. 20 is merely functionally distinguished according to the performed operation, and the processor may perform the operation of the entire component or a part of the component. In addition, two or more components may be integrated into one component, and one component may be separated into two or more components. In other words, the block diagram illustrated in FIG. 20 is merely schematically illustrated to easily understand the operation of the device (1000) according to the present invention, and it should be understood that the name, structure, shape, number, etc. of each component do not limit the scope of the rights of the present invention.

The processor (1010) controls the overall operation of the user account registration unit (1020), the avatar creation unit (1030), the metaverse space creation unit (1040), the media space operation unit (1050), the actual viewing judgment unit (1060), the cost calculation unit (1070), the storage unit (1080), and the communication unit (1090). The processor (1010) can read a computer program stored in the storage unit (1080) and perform a method according to the present invention. The processor (1010) may be composed of one or more cores, and may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a general purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), or the like of a computing device.

The user account registration unit (1020) registers user information. The user information may be the user's avatar information, item information, authority information, owned assets, shares, etc. Meanwhile, the user account registration unit (1020) may further include information on the creation history of media spaces, and the user's level may be determined based on this. That is, a user who has created multiple media spaces may have their level adjusted upward, and various rewards may be granted for activities within the metaverse space.

The avatar creation unit (1030) creates an avatar that is active in the metaverse space. The avatar is active in the metaverse space by user manipulation. The avatar creation unit (1030) presents the avatar appearance (face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, skin color, hair, body type, hands, feet, etc.), clothing, accessories, shoes, gloves, bags, etc. to the user, and can create the appearance, appearance, posture, etc. of the avatar by combining options selected by the user. The avatar creation unit (1030) can be assigned an ID that can identify the user. The avatar ID can include an identification code that can identify that media space setting authority has been granted. The metaverse space creation unit (1040) can determine whether to set a media space based on the avatar ID including the identification code.

The metaverse space creation unit (1040) can create one or more media spaces in the metaverse space. The media space can be created by an avatar's request (e.g., a media space creation request signal) or can be designed at the time of constructing the metaverse space. The media space can be permanently created in any area in the metaverse space, but can also be created temporarily and disappear after a certain period of time. Accordingly, the media space can be set to have a duration and can be set to disappear from the metaverse space when the duration elapses. Meanwhile, at least one of the first to nth landmarks can be created in the virtual metaverse space according to a user request. The metaverse space creation unit (1040) can create a first landmark in the metaverse space according to a first user's request, create a second landmark in the metaverse space according to a second user's request, and create a road connecting the first landmark and the second landmark in the metaverse space based on the requests of the first user and the second user. In particular, the metaverse space creation unit (1040) can create one or more virtual stores on the road based on at least one of the requests of the first user having authority over the first landmark and the second user having authority over the second landmark.

The media space operation unit (1050) performs various operations related to the operation of the media space in the manner described above. The media space operation unit (1050) plays media content in a media space where one or more avatars have entered, or in a part of the media space. At this time, the media space operation unit (1050) can read media content requested from a first avatar from a third platform or server storage and play it, or receive media content from the first avatar and play it within the media space.

In addition, the media space operation unit (1050) can provide a reward to the first avatar in the manner described above when the number of avatars exceeds a preset number. The media content can include one or more advertisements regardless of the request of the first avatar, and the media space operation unit (1050) can provide a reward to the first avatar in the manner described above based on the number of avatars and the number of advertisements included in the media content.

The media space operation unit (1050) can forcibly control at least one of the media content and the avatar based on at least one of actual viewing and actual viewing time. Specifically, if the media space operation unit (1050) determines that the avatar does not actually view the media content, it can forcibly terminate transmission of the media content to the avatar. In addition, if it determines that the avatar does not actually view the media content, it can forcibly expel the avatar from the media space.

In addition, the media space operation unit (1050) can store the playback time of the media content at the time of the avatar's forced expulsion, calculate the continue viewing time corresponding to the playback time when the media content is played again within the media space, and transmit the calculated continue viewing time to the avatar.

In addition, the media space operation unit (1050) can calculate the number of avatars that have entered the media space. By counting +1 every time an avatar enters the media space and -1 every time an avatar exits, the total number of avatars is calculated until the media content is played. The number of avatars can be used to calculate the cost of sharing multiple avatars for the media content.

The actual viewing judgment unit (1060) determines at least one of whether the user corresponding to the avatar is actually viewing and the actual viewing time. The actual viewing judgment unit (1060) tracks the gaze of the avatar, and if the playback area of the media content is included in the avatar's field of view based on the gaze of the avatar by a predetermined ratio or more, it can be determined that the user is actually viewing the media content. In addition, the actual viewing judgment unit (1060) can determine the time during which the playback area of the media content is included in the avatar's field of view in whole or in part as the actual viewing time.

The actual viewing judgment unit (1060) receives screen information displayed on the user's HMD (Head-Mounted Display), and can determine at least one of actual viewing and actual viewing time based on the screen information. In addition, the actual viewing judgment unit (1060) can receive user gaze information of the user tracked by the user's HMD, and determine at least one of actual viewing and actual viewing time based on the user gaze information.

The cost calculation unit (1070) calculates the cost of media content based on at least one of the actual viewing determined by the actual viewing determination unit (1060) and the actual viewing time. The cost calculation unit (1070) can calculate the cost of media content based on the mathematical expressions 1 to 6 above. The cost calculation unit (1070) can calculate the cost by applying a discount rate based on the actual viewing time to the basic usage fee set above. In addition, if the cost calculation unit (1070) determines that the user has actually viewed the media content, it can determine the basic usage fee set as the cost of the media content regardless of the actual viewing time.

Meanwhile, the media space is created based on a space creation request signal received from the first avatar, and the predetermined media content may be media content requested from the first avatar or media content received from the first avatar, and in this case, the cost sharing for multiple avatars that have entered the media space can be calculated using various methods described above.

The cost estimation unit (1070) determines the shared cost based on the number of avatars, and may determine the shared cost for the first avatar and the shared cost for one or more avatars that have entered the media space differently from each other. If the media content includes one or more advertisements at the request of the first avatar (room manager avatar), the cost estimation unit (1070) may determine the shared cost for the first avatar to be higher than the shared cost for other avatars that have entered the media space. If the media content is media content received from the first avatar (room manager avatar), the cost estimation unit (1070) may determine the shared cost for the first avatar to be higher than the shared cost for other avatars that have entered the media space. The determined shared cost may be used to calculate the final cost for the media content based on the actual viewing and the actual viewing time, replacing the basic usage fee of Equations 1 to 6.

The storage (1080) can store a computer program for performing a media space management method according to the present invention. The storage (1080) can include various information about an administrator and a user, attribute information about an object included in a metaverse space, tokenization information about an object, etc. In addition, the storage (1080) can store various formats of content that can be played in the media space. The content can be read out based on an avatar request and played in the media space. In addition, the storage (1080) can store information about rewards according to the number of avatars, a lookup table about a discount rate by section according to a time section, etc.

The communication unit (1090) is connected to external devices and external servers via wired or wireless means to transmit and receive various signals and data. Here, the external devices may be HMDs, smartphones, tablet PCs, laptops, etc., but are not limited thereto. The communication unit (1080) transmits and receives data with external devices such as HMDs, smartphones, tablet PCs, etc. via wired or wireless communication networks. The communication unit (1090) can receive screen information displayed on a user device (e.g., HMD), user gaze information tracked by a user device, etc.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 20, it may further include an object minting unit (not shown) that tokenizes various spaces (landmarks, roads, virtual stores, etc.) and various objects within the metaverse created at the user's request into NFTs. The object minting unit (not shown) may create NFTs by linking with an external platform, or may create NFTs within the platform itself. Meanwhile, assets within the metaverse space may be created as NFTs and made the subject of a transaction, and the subject of a transaction (landmark, etc.) may be sectioned within the metaspace, and the subject of a transaction may be traded through online and offline payments depending on the area of the subject of the transaction.

In addition, although not shown in Fig. 20, it may further include a virtual space composition unit (not shown), an object modeling unit (not shown), an avatar management unit (not shown), etc., for visualizing the metaverse space. The virtual space design unit (not shown) has the function of pre-dividing, dividing, and arranging the virtual metaverse space to be the subject of the transaction, and setting the purpose of each space. The user can purchase the space divided by the virtual space design unit (not shown) and use it as a landmark, road, or virtual store. The transaction subject may be assigned various values depending on the size, purpose, etc. The object modeling unit (not shown) models an object according to user input, etc., assigns attribute information, and then arranges it in the virtual space. The object modeled by the object modeling unit (not shown) may be displayed on the user terminal. The avatar management unit (not shown) may create an avatar model that will be active in the metaverse space, and present it to the user to select. The avatar management unit (not shown) may create various objects (clothes, bags, accessories, hair, poses, etc.) related to the avatar. Alternatively, you can input various objects (clothes, bags, accessories, hair, poses, etc.) created by users and sell them on consignment within the metaverse space.

The computer program according to the present invention can be stored in a recording medium to execute the above-described media space management method on a computer.

The media space management method according to the present invention may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be those known to and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands such as ROMs, RAMs, flash memories, etc. Examples of the program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

In addition, although the above description has been made with reference to examples, these are merely examples and do not limit the present invention, and those with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains will recognize that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. For example, each component specifically shown in the examples can be modified and implemented. And the differences related to such modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

1000: Media Space Management Device or Server
1010: Processor
1020: User Account Registry
1030: Avatar Creation Section
1040: Metaverse Space Creation Section
1050: Media Space Operations Department
1060: Actual viewing judgment department
1070: Cost-Estimating Government
1080: Storage
1090: Communications Department

Claims (20)

A method for managing media space in a virtual environment that provides media content.
A step of playing a predetermined media content when an avatar corresponding to a user enters the media space;
A step of determining at least one of whether the user has actually viewed the above-mentioned media content and the actual viewing time; and
A media space management method, comprising: a step of forcibly controlling at least one of the media content and the avatar based on at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time. In the first paragraph,
The above controlling step is,
A media space management method for forcibly terminating transmission of the media content to the avatar when it is determined that the avatar is not actually viewing the media content. In the first paragraph,
The above controlling step is,
A media space management method for forcibly expelling an avatar from a media space if it is determined that the avatar is not actually viewing the media content. In the third paragraph,
The above controlling step is,
A media space management method for storing the playback time of the media content at the time of the forced expulsion of the above avatar. In paragraph 4,
The above controlling step is,
A media space management method for calculating a replay time corresponding to the playback time when the media content is played again within the media space and transmitting the calculated replay time to the avatar. In the first paragraph,
The above judging steps are:
A media space management method for tracking the gaze of the avatar and determining that the media content is actually being viewed when the playback area of the media content is included within the avatar's field of view based on the gaze of the avatar by a predetermined ratio or more. In Article 6,
The above judging steps are:
A media space management method for determining the time during which the playback area of the media content is included within the field of view of the avatar as the actual viewing time. In the first paragraph,
Further comprising a step of receiving screen information displayed on the HMD (Head-Mounted Display) of the user;
The above-mentioned judging step is a media space management method that determines at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time based on the above-mentioned screen information. In the first paragraph,
Further comprising a step of receiving the user's gaze information tracked by the user's HMD (Head-Mounted Display);
The above-mentioned judging step is a media space management method that determines at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time based on the above-mentioned gaze information. In the first paragraph,
A step of calculating the cost for the media content for which a predetermined basic usage fee is determined based on at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time; and
A method for managing a media space, further comprising: a step of charging the calculated cost to the avatar. In Article 10,
The above calculating step is a media space management method for calculating the cost by applying a discount rate based on the actual viewing time to the basic usage fee. In the first paragraph,
A media space management method wherein the above media space is created based on a space creation request signal received from a first avatar, and the predetermined media content is media content requested from the first avatar or media content received from the first avatar. In Article 12,
Further comprising a step of determining a cost sharing for the media content for the first avatar and one or more avatars that have entered the media space;
The above calculating step is a media space management method for calculating the cost of the media content by reflecting the above sharing cost. A media space operation unit that plays a certain media content when an avatar enters a media space within a virtual environment that provides media content; and
Includes an actual viewing judgment unit that determines at least one of whether the user corresponding to the above avatar has actually viewed the given media content and the actual viewing time;
The above media space management department,
A media space management device that forcibly controls at least one of the media content and the avatar based on at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time. In Article 14,
The above media space management department,
A media space management device that forcibly terminates transmission of the media content to the avatar when it is determined that the avatar is not actually watching the media content. In Article 14,
The above media space management department,
A media space management device that forcibly expels the avatar from the media space if it is determined that the avatar is not actually viewing the media content. In Article 16,
The above media space management department,
Save the playback time of the media content at the time of the forced expulsion of the above avatar,
A media space management device that calculates a replay time corresponding to the playback time when the media content is played again within the media space and transmits the calculated replay time to the avatar. In Article 14,
It further includes a communication unit that receives at least one of screen information displayed on the user's HMD (Head-Mounted Display) and the user's gaze information tracked by the user's HMD;
The above actual viewing judgment department is,
A media space management device that determines at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time based on the screen information or the line of sight information. In Article 14,
A media space management device further comprising a cost calculation unit that calculates a cost for the media content for which a predetermined basic usage fee is set based on at least one of the actual viewing status and the actual viewing time. In Article 14,
A media space management device wherein the above media space is created based on a space creation request signal received from a first avatar, and the predetermined media content is media content requested from the first avatar or media content received from the first avatar.

Images