JP5520656B2 - Program and image generation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to generate an image of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera.

Among video games, there are games in which a large number of objects to be collided are arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space and a collision with an operation object operated by a player is determined to proceed.
For example, a game is known in which a large number of bamboo objects are arranged as target objects in a virtual three-dimensional space, a sword object that is an operation object is moved in accordance with an operation input by a sword controller, and a bamboo object that has collided is cut. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-85585 A

  When a collision of objects arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space is displayed on a two-dimensional game screen as in the game of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to grasp the sense of distance in the screen depth direction. This is especially true when the operation object or the collision target object is moving. Therefore, as a player's sense, even if it thinks that the operation object and the object to be collided can be collided with each other, it may not be judged that they are colliding in the game processing. May give.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game space formed in a virtual three-dimensional space with an operation object that is controlled to move by a player's operation input and a collision target object. In the video game where the game progresses with the collision of the operation object and the object to be collided as an element, the game screen is an image obtained by shooting the state in the game space with a virtual camera. is there. More specifically, as a player's feeling, even if the operation object and the collision target object can be collided with each other, it is not determined in the game processing that the object is collided. Is to reduce the situation.

In a first mode for solving the above problem, a computer moves a manipulation object in accordance with a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object (for example, the cannonball 10 in FIG. 3) exists, A program for generating an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a virtual camera,
Hit possible range setting means for setting a hit possible range expanded in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera based on the movement trajectory of the given reference point of the operation object (for example, the processing unit 200 of FIG. 6, game calculation) Unit 210, hit possible range setting unit 216, step S82 in FIG. 10),
Hit determination means (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 6, the game calculation unit 210, and step S150 in FIG. 10) that performs hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
As a program for causing the computer to function.

According to another aspect, the present invention is an image generation apparatus that moves an operation object according to a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and generates an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera. And
Hit possible range setting means (for example, the control unit 1210 in FIG. 1, FIG. 6) that sets a hit possible range expanded in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera based on the movement trajectory of a given reference point of the operation object. Processing unit 200, game calculation unit 210, hit possible range setting unit 216, step S82 in FIG. 10),
Hit determination means (for example, the control unit 1210 in FIG. 1, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 6, the game calculation unit 210, and step S150 in FIG. 10) for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
It can be set as the image generation apparatus provided with.

The “visual camera line-of-sight direction” here refers not only to the direction connecting the focal point of the virtual camera (which may of course be the position of the virtual camera) and the center position of the photographing range, but also from the focal point of the virtual camera to any of the photographing ranges. It means to include the direction to the point. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a hit possible range that extends from the operation object in the depth direction of the screen. Then, hit determination is realized between the hit possible range and the collision target object. Therefore, even if the operation object and the collision target object are misaligned in the depth direction of the screen and not actually hit, it can be treated as a hit (collision).
By assisting in the determination of hits in the depth direction of the screen, it is possible to reduce the actual situation that even if it is thought that the player could hit it, it is not determined that it is hit in the game processing, and the player is frustrated. Can be suppressed.

  The second form is a program according to the first form for causing the computer to function so that the hitable range setting means sets the hittable range in a planar shape.

  According to the second form, the same effect as the program of the first form can be exhibited, and the shape of the hittable range can be set to a planar shape.

  A third mode is a cutting control unit (for example, the processing unit 200, the game calculation unit 210, the shell cutting control unit in FIG. 6) that controls the cutting of the collision target object when it is determined that the hit determination unit has hit. 218, steps S158 to S160 in FIG. 10) are programs in the first or second form for causing the computer to further function.

  According to the third aspect, the same effect as the program of the first or second aspect is exhibited, and when the hit possible range and the collision target object are hit, the collision target object can be controlled to be disconnected. .

  According to a fourth aspect, when the hit determination unit determines that the hit has occurred, the computer further functions as a cutting control unit that controls cutting by dividing the collision target object into two parts based on the surface of the hit possible range. It is the program of the 2nd form for.

  According to the fourth form, the same effect as the program of the second form is exhibited, and the apparent sense that the collision target object has been cut by the operation object can be achieved by using the hitable range as the cut surface. Can express.

  In a fifth mode, the computer is caused to function as a collision target object control unit (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 6, the game calculation unit 210, and steps S34 to S40 in FIG. 9) that controls the movement of the collision target object. Any one of the first to fourth means for causing the computer to function so that the hit possible range setting means sets the hit possible range by varying the degree of expansion according to the moving speed of the collision target object. It is a program of the form.

  According to the fifth aspect, the same effect as the program of any one of the first to fourth aspects is achieved, and the shift in the sense of distance in the depth direction of the screen is changed according to the moving speed of the collision target object. it can.

  According to a sixth aspect, the hit possible range setting means causes the computer to function so as to set the hit possible range by varying the degree of expansion according to the moving speed of the operation object. It is a program of any 5th form.

  According to the sixth aspect, the same effect as the program of any one of the first to fifth aspects is exhibited, and the shift in the sense of distance in the depth direction of the screen changes according to the moving speed of the operation object. Can support.

  In a seventh aspect, the operation object is a sword, and the hitable range setting means causes the computer to function so as to set the hitable range using the tip of the sword as the reference point. A program according to any one of the sixth to sixth aspects.

  According to the seventh aspect, the same effect as the program of any one of the first to sixth aspects is achieved, and the setting of the game for cutting the collision target object with the sword is matched well with the setting of the hit possible range, and the sword Can express the sense of distance when cutting with.

  In an eighth aspect, the operation object is a sword, and the hitable range setting means sets a virtual blade in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera from the reference point of the operation object. Any of the first to seventh functions for setting the hit possible range expanded in the direction along the line-of-sight direction by setting the hit possible range based on the passing range of It is a program of some form.

  According to the eighth aspect, while exhibiting the same effect as the program of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the game setting of cutting the collision target object with the sword is matched well with the setting of the hit possible range, Can express a sense of distance when cutting with a sword.

  In a ninth mode, the hitable range setting means expands a trajectory line or trajectory plane determined by the movement trajectory of the operation object for the most recent predetermined time of the image generation in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera. This is a program in any one of the first to eighth modes for causing the computer to function so as to set the hit possible range.

  According to the ninth aspect, the same effect as the program of any one of the first to eighth aspects is achieved, and the setting of the game for cutting the collision target object with the sword is matched well with the setting of the hit possible range, and the sword Can express the sense of distance when cutting with.

  The tenth form is a computer-readable information storage medium storing the program of any one of the first to ninth forms. The “information storage medium” mentioned here includes, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, an IC memory, and the like. According to the tenth aspect, by causing the computer to read and execute the program of any one of the first to ninth forms, the computer can exert the same effect as any of the first to ninth forms. be able to.

The figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of a household game device. The front view and right view which show the structural example of a game controller. The figure which shows the style of a game play, and an example of a game screen. The conceptual diagram which shows the example of the relative positional relationship of the object of the player character arrange | positioned in virtual three-dimensional space, and a virtual camera. The conceptual diagram explaining an example of the process of the said bullet when the hit with the hit possible range and a bullet is detected. The functional block diagram which shows a function structural example. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of player character setting data. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of play data. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the main processes in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart following FIG. The flowchart following FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the hit possible range setting process in 1st Embodiment. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle of the setting method of the hit possible range in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the hit possible range setting process in 2nd Embodiment. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the principle of the setting method of the hit possible range in 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the hit possible range setting process in 3rd Embodiment. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the modification of the principle of the setting method of the hit possible range in 3rd Embodiment. The figure explaining the 1st concept which acquires the input of the direction where a player character shakes a sword based on the figure of the player imaged with the image sensor module. The figure explaining the 2nd concept which acquires the input of the direction which a player character shakes a sword based on the figure of the player image | photographed with the image sensor module. The figure explaining the concept which replaces a player's operation | movement with the operation | movement of a bone model based on the figure of the player image | photographed with the image sensor module, and acquires the input of the direction in which a player character shakes a sword from the motion of a bone model. The figure explaining the concept which acquires the modification of an image generation apparatus, and the input of the direction in which a player character shakes a sword based on the player's figure by touch operation.

[First Embodiment]
As a first embodiment, an example will be described in which a video game is enjoyed while a direction is input by an operation such as shaking a game controller in a stationary home game device which is an image generation device to which the present invention is applied.

[Configuration of game device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a consumer game device according to the present embodiment. The home game device 1200 includes a game device main body 1201, a video monitor 1220, a game controller 1230, an optical signal output device 1226, and an image sensor module 1227.

  The game apparatus main body 1201 includes, for example, a control unit 1210 on which a CPU, an image processing LSI, an IC memory, and the like are mounted, and information storage medium reading devices 1206 and 1208 such as an optical disk 1202 and a memory card 1204. Then, the home game device 1200 reads the game program and various setting data from the optical disk 1202 and the memory card 1204, and the control unit 1210 executes various game operations based on operation inputs made by the game controller 1230. Run video games.

The control unit 1210 includes various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and electrical and electronic devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an IC memory. Each part of the game apparatus 1200 is controlled.
In addition, the control unit 1210 includes a communication device 1212 that is wired or wirelessly connected to the communication line 1 such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a WAN (Wide Area Network), and realizes data communication with an external device. Prepare. Also, a short-range wireless communication module 1214 is provided, and data transmission / reception is realized with a plurality of game controllers 1230 via short-range wireless. As a short-range wireless format, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark), UWB (ultra-wide band wireless), wireless LAN, or the like can be applied as appropriate.

  Then, the control unit 1210 generates a game screen and game sound based on the operation input signal received from the game controller 1230 and executes the video game. A video signal or sound signal based on the generated game screen or game sound is output to a video monitor 1220 (including a display monitor, a television capable of external input such as an audio signal and a video signal) connected by a cable 1209. . The video monitor 1220 is provided with an image display device 1222 for displaying a video image and a speaker 1224 for outputting sound. The player emits sound from the speaker 1224 while watching the game screen displayed on the image display device 1222. Play the game while listening to the game sound.

  FIG. 2 is an external view showing an example of the game controller 1230 used in the present embodiment, and is (1) a front view (= top view) and (2) a right view. The game controller 1230 has a bar shape having a substantially square section that is chamfered, and the player operates by gripping one hand in the manner of gripping the bar.

  The game controller 1230 connects various input devices and output devices around a built-in controller control unit 1260 with a local bus circuit realized by, for example, an IIC (Inter-Integrated Circuit) bus. To control input / output between devices.

  Specifically, for example, as an input device for switches, operation buttons 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c are provided from the lower end portion on the front side (upper surface side) to the center portion. Further, the upper part (front end side) on the front side is provided with direction input keys 1242 that can individually input the vertical and horizontal directions by pressing the four corners of the cross, and the trigger 1246 is provided in the central part on the back side. Is provided.

  Other input devices include an acceleration sensor 1248 for detecting the movement and tilt of the game controller 1230, a gyroscope 1249, and an image sensor 1256.

  The acceleration sensor 1248 has a longitudinal tip direction of the game controller 1230 (upward in the drawing as shown in FIG. 2 (1)) in the positive direction of the Z axis and rightward toward the front (right in the drawing in FIG. 2 (1)). Direction) is detected in the positive direction of the X axis, and each acceleration in the three orthogonal directions is detected with the forward direction toward the front (the left direction of the drawing in FIG. 2 (2)) being the positive direction of the Y axis. An operation input signal including information corresponding to the acceleration is output to the controller control unit 1260.

  The image sensor 1256 is realized by mounting a filter that transmits only infrared light in front of an imaging element such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The image sensor 1256 is provided at the tip of the game controller 1230 to photograph the front side in the longitudinal direction. The image signal is output to the controller control unit 1260.

  In addition, the game controller 1230 in this embodiment includes a speaker 1252. The speaker 1252 generates sound according to the sound output signal output from the controller control unit 1260, and emits the sound toward the front side.

  The controller control unit 1260 performs wireless communication with various microchips such as a bus controller IC that controls data communication in a CPU and a local bus circuit, electronic components such as an IC memory, and the short-range wireless communication module 1214 of the game apparatus main body 1201. The short-range wireless communication module 1262 to be realized is mounted.

  Then, the controller control unit 1260 generates an operation input signal based on signals transmitted from various input devices via the local bus circuit, and the generated operation input signal is transmitted to the game apparatus main body 1201 by the short-range wireless communication module 1262. Send. When the short-range wireless communication module 1262 receives an output signal sent from the game apparatus main body 1201, the control signal is generated and sent to the output device associated with the received output signal. The electric power required by the controller control unit 1260 and each part is supplied from a battery 1270 built in a battery chamber recessed in the back side of the game controller 1230.

  The optical signal output device 1226 in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of point light sources that emit infrared light. The optical signal output device 1226 is installed at a predetermined position (for example, the upper part) near the video monitor 1220, and can project infrared light forward of the video monitor 1220.

  Further, the image sensor module 1227 is, for example, a lens, a mechanical shutter, a shutter driver, a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD image sensor module or a CMOS image sensor module, and a digital signal processor (DSP) that reads the charge amount from the photoelectric conversion element and generates image data. ) And an IC memory.

[Description of game outline]
Next, an outline of the video game in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a game play style and an example of a game screen, and an inside of a balloon is an example of a game screen. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the object of the player character 4 arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and the virtual camera CM.

  In the video game of the present embodiment, a game space image is generated by rendering an image taken by the virtual camera CM of a situation where the player character 4 operated by the player 2 and the enemy character 6 fight in the game space formed in the virtual three-dimensional space. Is generated and a game screen image is combined with various information displays to form a game screen, so-called 3DCG video game.

  In the present embodiment, the virtual camera CM is disposed obliquely upward and rearward of the player character 4 holding the sword 5 that is an operation object in the game, and the line-of-sight direction is disposed toward the front of the player character 4. Therefore, on the game screen W2 of this embodiment, the player character 4 is basically arranged in front of the screen, and the enemy character 6 at the back of the screen is arranged.

  The enemy character 6 is an NPC (Non Playable Character), and is automatically controlled so as to take the front of the player character 4 and launch a cannonball 10 toward the player character 4 to attack. The cannonball 10 is automatically controlled so as to perform a parabolic motion in accordance with the pseudophysical law after the launch. In the drawing, an example of the movement path of the cannonball 10 is shown by a broken line arrow, but this is not displayed on the actual game screen. If the cannonball 10 lands on the player character 4, the player character 4 is damaged, and the hit points displayed in the hit point display field 22 are subtracted.

  The player 2 holds the game controller 1230, stands in front of the video monitor 1220, and swings the game controller 1230 at the timing when the shell 10 enters the attack range of the sword 5 in front of the player character 4. Swing to enter direction. In this embodiment, it is input as a three-dimensional game controller movement vector Vcn.

  An input speed vector Vin is calculated from the game controller moving speed vector Vcn. The input speed vector Vin is obtained by extracting XY-axis components corresponding to the top, bottom, left and right of the screen among the three orthogonal axes of the game controller moving speed vector Vcn. The player character 4 is controlled to swing the sword 5 in the direction of the two-dimensional input velocity vector Vin. If the flying shell 10 can be cut well with the sword 5, the shell 10 can be cut and deflected to prevent landing. If the landing is prevented so that the hit point does not become “0” until the attack of the enemy character 6 is completed, the game is cleared. Note that the detection value of the gyroscope 1249 may be used for calculating the game controller moving speed vector Vcn.

  It should be noted here that the game space is three-dimensional, but the game screen is two-dimensional. Since the reduced one-dimensional dimension is the screen depth direction, it is difficult to grasp the sense of distance in the depth direction in the conventional video game in which the target object moves in the screen depth direction. In the example of this embodiment, this corresponds to the difficulty in grasping the timing of successfully cutting the flying shell 10 with the sword 5. For this reason, there was a case where the intention to cut was not cut, and an unnecessary frustration was given to the player. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a screen depth feeling that is difficult to grasp is supported by devising a setting of a hit possible range for determining whether or not the shell 10 is cut.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, a predetermined reference position (tip in this embodiment) of the sword 5 swung by the player character 4 is stored in a control cycle (for example, 1/30 second) cycle. In the figure, the stored tip position in each cycle is indicated by a white circle. Then, the fourth vertex P4 is set in front of the player character 4 on a straight line passing through the tip position (first vertex P1) one cycle before and the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM, and the current tip position (second vertex P2). And the third vertex P3 in front of the player character 4 on a straight line passing through the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM.

A range surrounded by four points of the first vertex P1, the second vertex P2, the third vertex P3, and the fourth vertex P4 can be used for hit determination between the shell 10 and the sword 5 (hit possible range 30). And That is, the hit determination extended from the first vertex P1 to the second vertex P2 in the direction along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera CM, more strictly in the direction passing through the tip of the sword 5 from the position of the virtual camera CM. An area is created to assist the sword 5 in cutting the shell 10 even if the player does not grasp the sense of distance in the depth direction of the screen. Of course, the hit determination area set for the sword 5 itself is also hit-determined with the shell 10, but the sword 5 itself may be excluded from the hit determination area.
In this embodiment, the positions of four points in the current cycle and the previous cycle are used. However, a large number of predetermined cycles (for example, four cycles) from the current cycle to a predetermined cycle are used. The hitable range 30 may be configured as a polyhedron that records positions and connects them.

  The focal point P0 is substantially a representative point of the virtual camera CM, but is not limited thereto, and may be a predetermined reference point separately provided in the vicinity of the virtual camera CM. Furthermore, the relative positional relationship between the virtual camera CM and the player character 4 can be set as appropriate, not limited to diagonally upward, as in the example of FIG. For example, the center position of both eyes of the player character 4 may be used.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of processing of the shell 10 when a hit between the hit possible range 30 and the shell 10 in the present embodiment is detected.
As shown in FIG. 5A, if the hit possible range 30 and the shell 10 are hit, in this embodiment, a division plane including the hit possible range 30 is set, and the object of the bullet 10 is divided by this division plane. To do. Specifically, the polygon model is divided into two divided bullets 12 and 14 using a known technique of dividing the polygon model by a specified surface, and a polygon of a cut surface is added to each. Then, separation velocity vectors Vsc2 and Vsc4 that are directed in the normal direction of the hit possible range 30 that are opposite to each other are assigned to the divided shells 12 and 14. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 (2), the divided shells 12 and 14 respectively move in the directions of white arrows according to the velocity vector V0 at the time of division and the assigned separation velocity vectors Vsc2 and Vsc4, respectively. It is controlled so that it is divided into two hands from the cut surface.

  A designated cutting direction mark 18 is randomly assigned to the front of the shell 10 to be fired. The designated cutting direction mark 18 is automatically selected and set from any of a total of 16 directions, ie, two forward and reverse directions in each of the eight directions up and down, left and right as viewed in the screen coordinate system. If the angle difference between the input speed vector Vin and the direction of the designated cutting direction mark 18 is within a predetermined allowable range, the hit point is recovered by a predetermined value.

[Description of functional block]
Next, a functional configuration for executing the game as described above will be described.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the operation input unit 100, the player photographing unit 110, the processing unit 200, the optical signal generation unit 330, the sound output unit 350, the image display unit 360, and the communication unit 370. And a storage unit 500.

  The operation input unit 100 is a means for outputting an operation input signal to the processing unit 200 according to various operation inputs made by the player, such as button switches, triggers, dials, joysticks, touch panels, trackballs, and tilt sensors. . The game controller 1230 in FIG. 2 corresponds to the operation input unit 100. In the present embodiment, the optical signal receiving unit 102, the acceleration detection unit 104, the angular velocity detection unit 105, and the communication unit 106 are included.

The optical signal light receiving unit 102 is a device that receives an optical signal projected from the optical signal generating unit 330 and converts it into an electrical signal, thereby converting it into image data. For example, a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, a lens, an optical filter It is realized by a DSP (digital signal processor) that performs signal conversion processing. The image sensor 1256 in FIG. 2 and the controller control unit 1260 for performing signal processing correspond to this.
The optical signal generator 330 is realized by a light emitting element such as an LED, a filter that transmits only light of a specific frequency, and the like, and an optical signal indicating a reference position for using the game controller 1230 as a pointing device in a specific direction. Flood light. The optical signal output device 1226 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The acceleration detection unit 104 is realized by various acceleration sensors, detects acceleration acting on the game controller 1230, and outputs detected value information. The acceleration sensor 1248 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this. In the present embodiment, a single three-axis acceleration sensor that can detect three orthogonal axes is used, but it may be composed of three independent accelerations.

  The angular velocity detection unit 105 is realized by, for example, a gyroscope, detects the angular velocity around the three axes of acceleration detection of the game controller 230, and outputs information of the detection value. This corresponds to the gyroscope 1249 of FIG.

  The communication unit 106 realizes data communication between the game controller 1230 and the game apparatus main body 1201. In the present embodiment, this is the short-range wireless communication module 1262 in FIG.

  The player photographing unit 110 photographs the state of the player 2 and converts it into an electrical signal, generates digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to the processing unit 200. For example, it is realized by a lens, a mechanical shutter, a shutter driver, a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, a digital signal processor (DSP) that reads out the charge amount from the photoelectric conversion element and generates image data, an IC memory, or the like. In FIG. 1, the image sensor module 1227 corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or a GPU, or an electronic component such as an ASIC or an IC memory, and inputs / outputs data to / from each function unit including the operation input unit 100 and the storage unit 500. . Then, various arithmetic processes are executed based on a predetermined program and data and an operation input signal from the operation input unit 100 to control the operation of the game apparatus. In FIG. 1, the control unit 1210 corresponds to this. The processing unit 200 in this embodiment includes a game calculation unit 210, a sound generation unit 250, an image generation unit 260, and a communication control unit 270.

  The game calculation unit 210 executes various processes related to the progress of the game. For example, (1) a process for forming a game space by placing a background model in a virtual three-dimensional space, (2) a process for placing objects of the player character 4 and the enemy character 6 in the game space, and (3) a player character 4 Processing to swing the sword 5 in the input direction, (4) automatic control processing of the enemy character 6, (5) processing to move the shell 10 and the post-split shells 12 and 14 in accordance with the pseudo physical law, (6) Hit determination processing between objects such as hit determination between the shell 10 and the player character 4, hit determination between the shell 10 and the hit possible range 30, and (7) damage calculation processing and reflection processing thereof are included.

  The game calculation unit 210 of the present embodiment includes an input direction determination unit 212, a sword reference position cycle storage control unit 214, a hit possible range setting unit 216, and a shell cutting control unit 218.

  The input direction determination unit 212 determines the direction input by the player 2 from the signal detected by the operation input unit 100. In the present embodiment, the game controller moving speed vector Vcn is calculated as information indicating the direction in which the game controller 1230 is swung from each of the orthogonal three-axis accelerations detected by the acceleration detection unit 104. The angular velocity around the three orthogonal axes of acceleration detection detected by the angular velocity detector 105 may be further used for calculation. When the velocity vector exceeds a predetermined reference value, the XY-axis components corresponding to the top, bottom, left and right of the screen are extracted from the XYZ orthogonal three-axis components of the game controller movement vector Vcn to obtain a two-dimensional input velocity vector. Vin. Of course, another method may be used for calculating the input speed vector Vin from the game controller moving speed vector Vcn. It is only necessary to control the movement of the sword 5 according to the operation of the game controller 1230 by the player 2.

  The sword reference position cycle storage control unit 214 samples information related to the movement trajectory of the operation object in the game in the present embodiment. Specifically, a control for periodically storing a predetermined reference position of the sword 5 is performed. In the present embodiment, a control cycle (for example, 1/30 second), which will be described later, is one period, and the play data 550 in the storage unit 500 is set to the position coordinates of the reference point in the game space and the reference point by a predetermined period. Stores the velocity vector in association with each other.

  The hit possible range setting unit 216 uses the movement trajectory of the operation object and the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM (substantially the representative point of the virtual camera CM) to determine the movement trajectory from the focal point P0. To set the hit possible range. Specifically, the distance from the focal point P0 on the straight line passing through the first vertex P1 one cycle before the sword reference position is stored based on the speed of the shell 10 closest to the player character 4 and the input speed vector Vin. Then, the fourth vertex P4 is set. Similarly, a third vertex P3 is set on a straight line passing from the focal point P0 through the second vertex P2, which is the current sword reference position. A rectangular area surrounded by the first vertex P1, the second vertex P2, the third vertex P3, and the fourth vertex P4 is set as a hittable range 30.

  The shell cutting control unit 218 generates and replaces the post-split shells 12 and 14 from the shell 10 cut with the sword 5. Specifically, when the shell 10 hits the hit possible range 30 or the hit determination area of the sword 5, when the former hits, the plane including the hit possible range 30 is set as a divided plane, and when the latter hits the latter Uses the surface including the blade of the sword 5 as a split surface, divides the polygonal model of the shell 10 into two, and sets a polygon covering the cut surface for each. And a separation speed vector is given so that it may mutually space apart from a cut surface.

  The sound generation unit 250 is realized by a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a voice synthesis IC, or an audio codec capable of playing back an audio file, for example. Based on the processing result of the game calculation unit 210, sound effects and BGM related to the game are realized. Then, sound signals of various operation sounds are generated and output to the sound output unit 350.

  The sound output unit 350 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 250. In FIG. 1, the speaker 1224 corresponds to this.

  The image generation unit 260 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a digital signal processor (DSP), a program such as a video signal IC or a video codec, an IC memory for a drawing frame such as a frame buffer, or the like. The image generation unit 260 generates one game image in one frame time (for example, 1/60 second) based on the processing result by the game calculation unit 210, and outputs an image signal of the generated game image to the image display unit 360. To do.

  The image display unit 360 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 260. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head mounted display. In FIG. 1, the image display device 1222 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 270 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 370.

  The communication unit 370 is connected to the communication line 1 to realize communication. In addition, communication with the communication unit 106 of the operation input unit 100 is realized. For example, a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, and the like are realized, and the communication device 1212 and the short-range wireless communication module 1214 in FIG.

  The storage unit 500 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 200 to control the home game device 1200 in an integrated manner, a game program necessary for executing the game, various data, and the like. . Further, it is used as a work area of the processing unit 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD, or BD (Blueray Disc (registered trademark)). In FIG. 1, the IC memory, the optical disk 1202, and the memory card 1204 mounted on the control unit 1210 correspond to this.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 500 stores a system program 501 and a game program 502. The system program 501 is a program for realizing the basic functions of the consumer game device 1200, and includes various types of firmware that can be used by calling each function unit on the application software side. The game program 502 is software for realizing a function as the game calculation unit 210 by being read and executed by the processing unit 200.

  The storage unit 500 stores game space setting data 510, enemy character setting data 512, shell setting data 514, and player character setting data 520 as data prepared in advance. Further, play data 550 is stored as data that is generated and updated as needed as the game is prepared and progressed. Further, it is assumed that data (for example, timer values and counters) necessary for executing the process relating to the progress of the game is also stored as appropriate.

  The game space setting data 510 stores information for forming a game space in a virtual three-dimensional space and setting it as a game stage. Data defining the model data and texture data of the background object for arranging obstacles and the like serving as the background, arrangement position, posture and the like are included.

  The enemy character setting data 512 stores information for arranging the object of the enemy character 6 and controlling the action. For example, model data, texture data, motion data, and the like are included.

  The bullet setting data 514 stores information for arranging the object of the bullet 10. For example, model data, texture data, and texture data of the designated cutting direction mark 18 are included. When the collision target object is not a shell 10 but any movable object, it includes data corresponding to the motion data to be moved.

The player character setting data 520 stores various information for arranging and operating the objects of the player character 4 and the sword 5.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, player character model data 522, player character texture data 524, player character motion data 526, sword model data 528, and sword texture data 532 are included.

  The player character motion data 526 stores a swing motion set 526b in which the player character 4 swings the sword 5 for each input speed condition 526a that defines the condition of the input speed vector Vin by the game controller 1230. The swing motion set 526b includes a swing motion corresponding to all directions (upward / downward / left / right diagonal 32 directions × swing direction 2 = 64 directions) in which the player character 4 can swing, and the player character 4 is swung with the sword 5. When the control is performed, the swing motion most similar to the direction of the input speed vector Vin is selected from the corresponding swing motion set 526b and applied.

The play data 550 stores information defining the game progress status.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a stage ID 552 that stores identification information of the game stage that is currently being played, the number of shots 554 that have been fired in the game stage that is currently being played, hit points 556, and motion control of the enemy character 6 For example, enemy character motion control data 558 storing the frame number of motion data.

The initial state at the start of the game of stage ID 552 is information indicating the first stage.
The initial state when the number of fired bullets 554 starts is “0”.

Further, the play data 550 includes shell data 560 and post-divided shell data 562.
When the shell 10 is fired from the enemy character 6, the shell data 560 is newly assigned a shell ID 560a, and stores a position coordinate 560b in the game space, a velocity vector 560c, and a designated cutting direction 560d. Is done. The position coordinates 560b and the velocity vector 560c are updated every control cycle. The designated cutting direction 560d is set at the timing when the shell is generated and is not changed.
When it is determined that the shell 10 has hit the player character 4, these pieces of information corresponding to the shell are deleted. It is also deleted when it is determined that the shell 10 has hit the hittable range 30 or the sword 5 and replaced with the post-split shells 12 and 14.

  The post-split shell data 562 stores information on the post-split shells 12 and 14 generated from the shell when it is determined that the shell 10 has hit the hitable range 30 or the sword 5. Specifically, a new bullet ID 562a is automatically assigned, and a position vector 562b in the game space is associated with it, and a velocity vector 562c in which the separation velocity vectors Vsc2 and Vsc4 (see FIG. 5) are synthesized is generated. An arrangement system time 562d indicating the system time of the hour is stored.

  The play data 550 includes player character action control data 564, sword reference position period recording data 566, a game controller moving speed vector Vcn570, an input speed vector Vin572, and hit possible range setting data 574.

The player character motion control data 564 stores various information for controlling the motion of the player character 4, such as a frame number of motion data.
The sword reference position period recording data 566 stores information defining the movement locus of the tip position of the sword 5. For example, the position coordinate 566b in the game space at the tip of the sword 5 associated with the system time 566a and the input velocity vector 566c at that time are stored for a certain period. Not only the position of the tip of the sword 5 but also the position of each part of the sword 5 may be recorded and stored in the same manner.

[Description of process flow]
Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described. The processing described here is realized by the processing unit 200 reading and executing the system program 501 and the game program 502.
Here, description of the generation and output of the image signal of the game screen and the generation and output of the sound signal of the game sound is omitted, but the image generation unit 260 (image display unit 360 (image An image signal for displaying the game screen is generated and output in a cycle sufficiently shorter than the refresh rate of the display device 1222). At that time, when the game screen is generated by 3DCG, processing such as rendering is performed. Similarly, it is assumed that the sound generation unit 250 generates a sound signal of the game sound and emits the sound from the sound output unit 350 (speaker 1224).

  9 to 11 are flowcharts for explaining the main processing flow in the present embodiment. First, the processing unit 200 creates a game space in the virtual three-dimensional space with reference to the game space setting data 510 (step S2), and refers to the enemy character setting data 512 and the player character setting data 520, there A player character 4 having an sword 5 and an enemy character 6 are arranged (step S4). The player character 4 in the initial state is in a state holding the sword 5. Then, the virtual camera CM is arranged obliquely above and behind the player character 4, and the line-of-sight direction is arranged in front of the player character 4 (step S8).

If the game is started (step S10), the processing unit 200 repeatedly executes steps S12 to S204 in a predetermined control cycle.
That is, the processing unit 200 calculates the game controller movement vector Vcn in the current control cycle based on the acceleration detection signal of the acceleration detection unit 104 of the operation input unit 100 (step S12), and from the calculated game controller movement speed vector Vcn. An input speed vector Vin is calculated (step S14). It is assumed that the calculated game controller moving speed vector Vcn and the input speed vector Vin are temporarily stored in the storage unit 500. Then, a periodic recording process of the tip position of the sword 5 is performed (step S16).

  Next, the processing unit 200 executes a firing timing determination process for the cannonball 10 to determine whether or not to fire the cannonball 10 and from which enemy character 6 if fired (step S32). Specifically, a random number is generated and the firing timing is determined so that the gap between the bullets becomes shorter as the game stage progresses, and the random number is generated and from which of the plurality of enemy characters 6 is fired. To decide.

If it is determined that it is time to fire the cannonball 10 (YES in step S34), the processing unit 200 then randomly determines the firing speed of the cannonball 10 from a predetermined range (step S36), and further performs a specified cutting. A direction is determined at random (step S38).
Then, display control is performed so as to fire the shell 10 on which the designated cutting direction mark 18 is drawn from the selected enemy character 6 toward the player character 4 (step S40), and information on this new shell 10 is played data. It is stored in the bullet data 560 of 550 (step S42), and the number of fired bullets 554 is increased by "1" (step S44).

  Next, if there is registered data in the shell data 560, the processing unit 200 determines that there is a moving shell 10 (YES in Step S50), and the position coordinate 560b of the moving shell 10 and the velocity vector are determined. 560c is updated (step S52).

Moving to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the processing unit 200 determines whether to detect an operation input that shakes the game controller 1230 (step S <b> 60).
In this embodiment, since the game controller moving speed vector Vcn is calculated for each control cycle, if the speed vector in the current control cycle is equal to or greater than a reference value that can clearly be determined to be swinging the game controller 1230, affirmative Determine (YES in step S60). If the swing control in which the player character 4 is swinging the sword 5 is not being performed (NO in step S62), the processing unit 200 refers to the player character motion data 526 and determines the sword 5 based on the input speed vector Vin. A swing motion is determined (step S64), swing control of the player character 4 is started according to the determined swing motion data, and the sword 5 is swung in the direction of the input speed vector Vin (step S66).
On the other hand, when the swing control of the sword 5 is being executed (YES in step S62), the swing control being executed is continued (step S68).
If the game controller moving speed vector Vcn in the current control cycle does not satisfy the reference value (NO in step S60), these processes are skipped.

  Next, the processing unit 200 extracts the bullet 10 that is moving closest to the player character 4 (step S80), and executes a hit possible range setting process (step S82).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of hit possible range setting processing in the present embodiment. This process is a process of setting a hit possible range as an additional hit determination area along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera CM.

  In this process, the processing unit 200 first calculates the first expansion coefficient k1 using a predetermined function based on the movement speed of the shell 10 extracted in step S80 (see the speed vector 560c in FIG. 8) (step S100). . The first expansion coefficient k1 in the present embodiment takes a value of 0.8 to 1.2. In the calculation function, the higher the moving speed, the larger the first expansion coefficient k1 is calculated. Further, the second expansion coefficient k2 is calculated using a predetermined function based on the swing speed (see the input speed vector Vin572 in FIG. 8) (step S102). The second expansion coefficient k2 in the present embodiment takes a value of 0.8 to 1.2. In the calculation function, the second expansion coefficient k2 is calculated to be larger as the moving speed is higher.

  Next, the processing unit 200 corrects the predetermined reference extension length L0 by multiplying the first extension coefficient k1 and the second extension coefficient k2, and calculates the applicable extension length La (step S104). The reference extension length L0 is determined as an appropriate value through an appropriate preliminary test in consideration of the size of the shell 10 and the angle of view of the virtual camera CM.

Next, the processing unit 200 moves from the tip position to the back of the screen by the applicable extension length La on a straight line passing from the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM to the current tip position of the sword 5 (second vertex P2; see FIG. 3). The moved position is calculated, and the third vertex P3 is set here (step S106).
Also, the position moved from the tip position to the back of the screen by the applicable extension length La on the straight line passing the tip position (first vertex P1) of the sword 5 in the previous control cycle from the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM is calculated. Then, the fourth vertex P4 is set here (step S108).
Then, the area surrounded by the first vertex P1 to the fourth vertex P4 is set as the hitable range 30 (see FIG. 3) (step S110), and the hitable range setting process is terminated.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the processing unit 200 next searches for a hitable range 30 and a hit bullet 10. If there is a corresponding shell 10 (YES in step S150), a division plane including the hit possible range 30 is set (step S152). Information defining the division plane is temporarily stored in the play data 550.
If there is no hitting range 30 and no hit bullet 10 (NO in step S150), it is searched whether there is a sword 5 and a hit bullet 10 (step S154). If there is a corresponding shell 10 (YES in step S154), a divided surface along the blade surface of the sword 5 is set (step S156).

  When the division plane is set, the processing unit 200 generates and replaces the post-divided shells 12 and 14 in which the hitting range 30 or the sword 5 and the hit bullet 10 are divided by the division plane (Step S200). S158), the separation velocity vectors Vsc2 and Vsc4 are assigned to the divided shells 12 and 14, respectively, and are combined with the velocity vector of the original shell 10 to obtain the velocity vector 562c (step S160; see FIGS. 5 and 8).

  Moving on to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the processing unit 200 next calculates an angle difference between the designated cutting direction 560d set for the cut shell 10 and the input velocity vector Vin (step S170). If it is within the predetermined allowable range (YES in step S172), the hit point 556 is recovered by a predetermined value (step S174; see FIG. 8).

  Next, the processing unit 200 searches for the divided shells 12 and 14 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the generation, and deletes them if there are applicable (YES in step S180) (step S182). Thus, control can be performed so that the shells cut by the player character 4 are divided and disappear.

  Next, the processing unit 200 searches for the shell 10 that hits the player character 4, and if there is a corresponding shell 10 (YES in step S190), the processing unit 200 reduces the hit point 556 by a predetermined numerical value per shell ( In step S192, the shell 10 is deleted (step S194). Thus, control can be performed so that the shell 10 that the player character 4 fails to cut lands and receives damage.

  Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether the hit point 556 is “0”. If it is not “0” (NO in step S200), it is determined whether the number of fired bullets has reached a predetermined number (step S204).

If the number of fired ammunition has not reached the predetermined number (NO in step S204), it is determined that the game can be continued, and the process returns to step S12.
On the other hand, if the predetermined number has been reached (YES in step S204), it is determined that the game has been cleared, and the processing unit 200 executes a game clear end process, for example, displays a notification that the game has been cleared on the game screen. Etc. is executed (step S206), and the series of processes is terminated. If the game is composed of a plurality of game stages, it is determined whether or not the final stage has been cleared. If the final stage has not yet been cleared, the process proceeds to the next stage.

  In the first place, when the hit point 556 has become “0” (YES in step S200), the processing unit 200 determines that the game has not been cleared, and executes a game over end process. Production display control such as displaying a notification of a clear mistake is executed (step S208), and the series of processes is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the hit determination area extended in the screen depth direction with respect to the operation object (sword 5), the collision target object (cannonball 10) moving in the front / depth direction of the screen is provided. When the operation object is not hit strictly, but is at a distance that feels as if it is hit in a normal sense, it can be determined that it is hit.

  In the present embodiment, the hit determination area (hit possible range 30) is determined based on the object reference from either the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM or a fixed point in the vicinity along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera CM. Provide extended (in the direction passing through the point (tip of the sword 5)). Since the surface including the hit determination area is a divided surface for dividing the collision target object (cannonball 10), the cut surface at the time of cutting (at the time of the hit) is parallel to the depth direction on the generated image. Combined with the fact that the cut surface is a plane parallel to the depth direction and the insensitivity of visual depth to the two-dimensional image (difficulty in visual recognition), it is possible to express the appearance of the division beautifully. . The feeling of “cut!” Can be felt more intuitively and exhilarating than the case where only the blade surface of the sword 5 is used as the hit determination area and is used as the cut surface. Similarly, if the hit determination area is simply added in the Z-axis direction of the game space, the cut surface may not be along the virtual camera CM, and hits are made along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera CM as in this embodiment. When the judgment area is expanded, the feeling of “cut out” is more intuitive and refreshing.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. This embodiment is basically realized in the same manner as the first embodiment, but the method for setting the hit determination area is different.
Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of the hitable range setting method according to this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the player character setting data 520 stores in advance a model of a transparent, rod-like virtual blade 5b that is added to the tip of the sword 5 separately from the sword model data 528. The virtual blade 5b is arranged so that one end is connected to the tip of the sword 5 and the other end is on the back of the game space on a straight line passing through the tip of the sword 5 from a focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM or a nearby predetermined point. Is done.

  And in order to memorize | store the passage range of this virtual blade, the process part 200 in this embodiment replaces with the end P6 of the virtual blade 5b and others instead of memorize | storing the front-end | tip position of the blade 5 in 1st Embodiment periodically. A process of periodically storing each position coordinate of the end P7 is executed (see step S16 in FIG. 9). Alternatively, the movement trajectory functions of one end P6 and the other end P7 of the virtual blade 5b are stored.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of hit possible range setting processing (hit possible range setting processing B) in the present embodiment. In this process, the processing unit 200 calculates the first expansion coefficient k1 and the second expansion coefficient k2 in the same manner as the hitable range setting process of the first embodiment (steps S100 to S102).

Next, the processing unit 200 sets a passing range from the position of the virtual blade 5b in the previous control cycle to the current position of the virtual blade 5b as a basic hit possible range 30B (step S120; see FIG. 13).
Specifically, if the position coordinates of the one end P6 and the other end P7 of the virtual blade 5b are periodically stored, one end P6a of the previous control cycle, one end P6b of the current control cycle, A range surrounded by the other end P7a of the control cycle and the other end P7b of the current control cycle is defined as a basic hit possible range 30B (see FIG. 9). If each moving trajectory function of one end P6 and the other end P7 of the virtual blade 5b is stored, the trajectory from the previous control cycle to the current control cycle in each moving trajectory function is extracted. A plane is defined by connecting both ends at opposite ends, and this is defined as a basic hit possible range 30B.

  If the basic hit possible range 30B has been set, the processing unit 200 corrects the basic hit possible range 30B by expanding or reducing it in the screen depth direction by a multiple of the first expansion coefficient k1 (step S122). The corrected basic hit possible range 30B is expanded or reduced in the screen depth direction by a multiple of the second expansion coefficient k2 as a hit possible range used for hit determination (step S124), and a hit is possible The range setting process B is terminated.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. This embodiment is basically realized in the same manner as the first embodiment, but the method for setting an additional hit determination area is different.
Here, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of the hitable range setting method according to this embodiment. Instead of periodically storing the tip position of the sword 5 in the first embodiment, the processing unit 200 of the present embodiment stores and updates the movement locus L8 of the tip position of the sword 5 as a movement locus function.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of hit possible range setting processing (hit possible range setting processing C) in the present embodiment. In this process, the processing unit 200 calculates the first expansion coefficient k1 and the second expansion coefficient k2 in the same manner as the hitable range setting process of the first embodiment (steps S100 to S102).

  Next, the processing unit 200 extracts a locus line L9 that is a part from the previous control cycle to the current control cycle (step S130; see FIG. 15), and uses the extracted locus line L9 as the viewing direction of the virtual camera CM. The basic hit possible range 30 </ b> C is set by extending in the direction along the line S, strictly in the direction from the virtual camera CM toward the locus line L <b> 9 (step S <b> 132).

  If the basic hit possible range 30C has been set, the processing unit 200 corrects the basic hit possible range 30C by expanding or reducing it in the screen depth direction by a multiple of the first expansion coefficient k1 (step S134). The corrected basic hit possible range 30C is expanded or reduced in the screen depth direction by a multiple of the second expansion coefficient k2 as a hit possible range used for hit determination (step S136), and the hit possible range setting process C is terminated. To do.

  In this embodiment, the trajectory line L9 is projected and expanded in the direction along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera CM to set the basic hit possible range 30C. For example, as shown in FIG. From the trajectory plane, the trajectory plane 32 that is a part from the previous control cycle to the current control cycle is extracted, and this is projected from the virtual camera CM in the direction passing through the center of the plane to be a basic hit. The possible range 30D may be formed.

[Modification]
As described above, the first to third embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these configurations, and additions, omissions, and modifications of components may be appropriately made. it can.

  For example, the content of the game is not limited to any genre or content as long as the operation input is requested in accordance with the hit timing of two objects existing in the depth direction of the screen.

[Part 1]
For example, in the embodiment described above, the player character 4 inputs the direction in which the sword 5 is swung, the game controller movement vector Vcn is calculated from the acceleration of the game controller 1230, and the input velocity vector Vin is obtained therefrom to be obtained. Not limited to this.

  For example, FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the concept of acquiring an input in the direction in which the player character 4 swings the sword 5 based on the appearance of the player 2 photographed by the image sensor module 1227. In this example, prior to the start of the game, a predetermined play preparation guide is displayed on the video monitor 1220 and an image for calibration is acquired by the image sensor module 1227 while giving an instruction to the player 2.

  More specifically, in the play preparation guide, first, the player instructs the video monitor 1220 not to stand for a certain period of time, and the first calibration image of only the background is captured by the image sensor module 1227 during that time. Next, the player is instructed to open both hands facing the front to the image sensor module 1227, and the second calibration image C2 is photographed. When the first calibration image C1 and the second calibration image C2 are acquired, the control unit 1210 extracts the human body silhouette 39 of the player 2 from the difference between the two images.

  Next, the control unit 1210 extracts the human body silhouette 39 from the second calibration image C2, and extracts the central upward convex part and the convex parts at the left and right end parts from the extracted human body silhouette 39. Then, the extracted center upward convex portion is recognized as the head feature portion 40 corresponding to the head of the player 2 and the coordinates of the representative point (for example, the tip position or the center position of the corresponding portion) in the screen coordinate system are acquired. . Similarly, a convex portion in the left direction toward the screen of the human body silhouette 39 is identified as the left feature portion 42, and a convex portion in the right direction toward the screen is identified as the right feature portion 44.

  During the game play, the state of the player 2 is always captured by the image sensor module 1227, and the left side having the head feature portion 40 and the game controller 1230 for each captured frame (for example, the player images W4, W5,...). The coordinates of the feature portion 42 and the right feature portion 44 are continuously acquired. Then, the input speed vector Vin is calculated from the direction and speed obtained from the change of the coordinates of the left feature portion 42 between frames. Since the image photographed by the image sensor module 1227 is a front image of the player 2, the input velocity vector Vin is reversed in the left-right direction.

[Part 2]
Further, information on the direction in which the player character 4 swings the sword 5 may be calculated as follows. In other words, this is a method in which an image captured by the image sensor module 1227 is subjected to image processing to obtain a distance from the module to the player 2 and based on the obtained distance to the player character 2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the optical signal output device 1226 irradiates the player 2 with infrared rays in a predetermined cycle. The image sensor module 1227 repeatedly acquires the background image W10 acquired at the timing when the infrared light is not irradiated from the optical signal output device 1226 and the player distance image W12 acquired at the timing of irradiation (W12 (1)). ~ W12 (n)).

  The player distance image W12 is an image obtained by reflecting infrared rays, and a portion closer to the image sensor module 1227 is more strongly reflected and becomes brighter on the screen, and a portion farther away is less reflected and lowers brightness. It is reflected. For example, the luminance of the controller protruding with the game controller 1230 and the right arm portion having the controller is high, and then the luminance decreases in the order of left arm, body, and background. In the figure, the lower the brightness, the more black, and the higher the brightness, the whiter.

  The game calculation unit 210 of the processing unit 200 (1) compares the background image W10 and the player distance image W12, and extracts a portion where the reflected infrared image is captured by the player 2; 2) Second image processing for calculating the distance Z to each pixel based on the luminance of each pixel in the portion of the player distance image W12 in which the player 2 is captured, and (3) the barycentric position of the pixel set at a similar distance The third image processing for extracting the right hand representative point 46 from the above is performed. Then, the input direction determination unit 212 is configured to calculate the game controller moving speed vector Vcn570 and the input speed vector Vin572 (see FIG. 8) from the movement of the right hand representative point 46 extracted in the third image processing.

[Part 3]
Further, information on the direction in which the player character 4 swings the sword 5 may be obtained as follows. That is, the image captured by the image sensor module 1227 is subjected to image processing, and the distance from the module to the player 2 is obtained. Then, based on the obtained distance to the player character 2, a virtual model (for example, a bone model) of the player 2 may be further controlled and acquired from the arm position of the virtual model.

  Specifically, the game calculation unit 210 of the processing unit 200 (4) performs a fourth image process of cutting out the silhouette 47 of the player 2 from the player distance image W12 photographed by the image sensor module 1227, and (5) a storage unit in advance. The bone model library 590 is prepared in 500, and the bone models 48 (48a, 48b, 48c,...) Of various poses registered in the bone model library 590 are compared with the cutout silhouette 47, A process of selecting a bone model most similar to the silhouette 47 and (6) a process of correcting the position of the node or the like so as to approximate the selected bone model 48 to the pose of the silhouette 47 are performed. That is, the operation of the player 2 is traced by the bone model 48. Then, the input direction determination unit 212 determines the game controller moving speed vector Vcn570 and the input speed vector Vin572 (see FIG. 8) from the arm movement of the bone model 48 selected according to the player distance image W12 acquired periodically. The configuration is to be calculated. The bone model here is not limited to the whole body model, but may be a unit of a part constituting a person such as an arm or a leg. Further, the information of the selected bone model 48 may be used for controlling the player character 4 as it is.

  Furthermore, when the optical signal from the optical signal output device 1226 is captured by the game controller 1230 and the pointer 3 can be displayed on the game screen based on the information, the input velocity vector Vin is calculated from the displacement of the pointer 3. It can also be configured to calculate.

[Part 4]
In the above-described embodiment, the stationary home game device 1200 is exemplified as the image generation device. However, the image generation device may be realized as a portable game device or an arcade game device. Furthermore, the electronic devices used as game devices are not limited to electronic devices sold as “game devices”, but also include electronic devices such as mobile phones, compact digital cameras, music players, personal computers, and car navigation systems that can execute application software. Since it can be said that the computer that can execute the program is built in, or the computer itself, it can be an embodiment of a game device that realizes the present invention.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, a portable terminal device 1500 including a touch panel 1509 that covers a display area of a liquid crystal display 1508 can be used as a game device. The mobile terminal device 1500 includes a wireless device used for communication between the speaker 1510, the microphone 1511, and the base station, and functions as a mobile phone or PHS. Further, the mobile terminal device 1500 reads an application program from the memory card 1540 by the memory card reader 1518 or downloads and acquires it from an external device connected to the communication line 1, such as a CPU mounted on the control board 1550. Can be executed on a processor. In addition, the mobile terminal device 1500 includes a direction input key 1502. If the game program 502 and various data of the above embodiment are read from the memory card 1540 or the like, it can be made to function as a game device that implements the present invention as in the above embodiment.
In such a game device configuration, it is preferable that the touch panel 1509 causes the player character 4 to input the direction in which the sword 5 is swung.

[Others]
In the above embodiment, the sword 5 is set as an operation object. However, the sword 5 is not limited to a sword, and may be an axe, a beam saber, cloth, a character's hand, a multi-legged leg, or the like. In short, any cutting tool that can be used for cutting may be used. Further, the contact determination object is not limited to the shell 10. It may be a tree, bamboo, pillar, doll, enemy character, or the like. Since the hit possible range is a range for hit (collision) determination, a cut surface is not formed on the contact determination object, and when it is determined that a hit (collision) is made, it is moved in another direction or disappears. You may control to do.

  In the above embodiment, the virtual camera CM is behind the player character 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position of the player character 4 from the side of the player character 4 or the starting point position of the player character 4 may be arranged so as to face the line of sight. The relative position between the virtual camera CM and the player character 4 can be changed as appropriate according to the content of the game and the progress.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the length of the depth direction of the hit possible range 30 is finite, it is not restricted to this. In other words, in the above embodiment, the fourth vertex P4 is set at the front infinity (for example, the background equivalent position when setting the game space) of the player character 4 on a straight line passing through the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM, and the current tip Even if the third vertex P3 is set at the forward infinity of the player character 4 on a straight line passing through the position (second vertex P2) and the focal point P0 of the virtual camera CM (for example, the background equivalent position when setting the game space). good.

2 Player 4 Player Character 5 Sword 6 Enemy Character 10 Cannonball 18 Designated Cutting Direction Mark 30 Hitable Range 100 Operation Input Unit 104 Acceleration Detection Unit 110 Player Shooting Unit 200 Processing Unit 210 Game Calculation Unit 212 Input Direction Determination Unit 214 Sword Reference Position Period Storage control unit 216 Hitable range setting unit 218 Cannonball cutting control unit 500 Storage unit 502 Game program 510 Game space setting data 512 Enemy character setting data 514 Cannonball setting data 520 Player character setting data 550 Play data 560 Cannonball data 562 Divided shell data 566 Sword Reference Position Period Recording Data 570 Game Controller Movement Speed Vector Vcn
572 Input speed vector Vin
574 hit possible range setting data 1200 consumer game device 1201 device main body 1210 control unit 1220 video monitor 1222 image display device 1230 game controller
1248 Acceleration sensor

Claims (7)

A program for causing a computer to move an operation object in accordance with a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and to generate an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera,
A hit possible range setting means for setting a planar hit possible range expanded in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera based on a movement trajectory of a given reference point of the operation object;
Hit determination means for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
A cutting control means for controlling cutting by bisecting the collision target object based on the surface of the hit possible range when it is determined by the hit determination means to be hit;
A program for causing the computer to function as A program for causing a computer to move an operation object in accordance with a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and to generate an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera,
A collision target object control means for controlling movement of the collision target object;
Based on the movement trajectory of the given reference point of the operation object, it can be expanded in the direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera , and the degree of expansion can be varied according to the movement speed of the collision target object Hit possible range setting means for setting the range,
Hit determination means for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
A program for causing the computer to function as A program for causing a computer to move an operation object in accordance with a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and to generate an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera,
A hitable range that expands in a direction along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera based on the movement trajectory of a given reference point of the operation object, and varies the degree of expansion according to the movement speed of the operation object Hit possible range setting means for setting,
Hit determination means for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
A program for causing the computer to function as A program for causing a computer to move a sword object in accordance with a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and to generate an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera,
Hit possible range setting means for setting a hit possible range expanded in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera based on the movement trajectory of the tip of the sword object;
Hit determination means for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
A program for causing the computer to function as A program for causing a computer to move a sword object in accordance with a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and to generate an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera,
A hitable range setting means for setting a virtual blade in a direction along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera from a given reference point of the sword object, and setting a hittable range based on the passing range of the virtual blade ;
Hit determination means for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
A program for causing the computer to function as A program for causing a computer to move an operation object in accordance with a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and to generate an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera,
Hit possible range obtained by extending a trajectory line or trajectory plane of a given reference point of the operation object determined by the movement trajectory of the operation object for the most recent predetermined time of the image generation in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera Hit possible range setting means for setting,
Hit determination means for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
A program for causing the computer to function as An image generation apparatus that moves an operation object according to a user operation in a virtual three-dimensional space where a collision target object exists, and generates an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given virtual camera,
Hit possible range setting means for setting a planar hit possible range expanded in a direction along the visual line direction of the virtual camera based on a movement trajectory of a given reference point of the operation object;
Hit determination means for performing hit determination between the hit possible range and the collision target object;
A cutting control means for controlling cutting by dividing the object to be collided based on the surface of the hit possible range when it is determined by the hit determination means to be hit;
An image generation apparatus comprising:

Images