JP2000225274A - Game device and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device and an information storage medium capable of generating a real picture of a paper trail or the like with a small using storage capacity. SOLUTION: The three-dimensional coordinates of the group of reference points successively generated from a wing end with moving of a fighter are stored in a storing part by the portion of a plurality of frames. The picture of a paper trail 20 is generated by the interpolating point groups E1' to E4', F1' to F4' and C1' to C4' of reference point groups C1' to C4', D1' to D4' on a screen 40 and the picture of a paper trail 21 is generated by the interpolating point groups G1' to G4', H1' to H4' and D1' to D4' of C1' to C4', D1' to D4'. Clipping processing of the paper trail is executed based on whether the representative point group (middle point group) of the reference point group is within the screen 40. The feature color of the paper trail becomes light toward an outer edge. A part far from a viewpoint among the paper trail is in the shape of a line specified by the reference point group.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game device and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game apparatus which arranges a plurality of objects in an object space which is a virtual three-dimensional space and generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space. Is known, and is popular as an experience of so-called virtual reality. For example, in the case of a game device capable of enjoying the operation of an airplane, a player flies an airplane controlled by himself / herself in an object space, and plays a game against another player or an airplane operated by a computer.

[0003] In such a game apparatus, generating a more realistic image is an important technical problem in order to improve the virtual reality of the player. Therefore,
Generates realistic images of vapor trails (a type of contrails, water vapor that appears to trail from the wing tip as the plane moves) generated at the wing tip (tip of the wing) of the aircraft It is desired to do.

[0004] However, since such a vapor trail remains behind the airplane in a trailing manner, information for displaying the vapor trail is provided for a given period of time in the game device until the vapor trail disappears. It must be stored in the storage unit. Therefore, there is a problem that the used storage capacity of the storage unit is squeezed for displaying the vapor trail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display object such as a vapor trail extending along a moving object so as to extend its tail. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device and an information storage medium that can generate a realistic image with a small storage capacity.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a game apparatus for generating an image, comprising: a three-dimensional coordinate system of a first reference point group which is sequentially generated; Storage means for storing the three-dimensional coordinates of the second reference point group for a plurality of frames, and at least one first interpolation obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups. By interpolating the first 'and second' reference point groups based on the point group and the first reference point group or the first and second reference point groups on the screen. An image of a first display object is generated based on the obtained at least one first 'interpolation point group and the first' reference point group, and the first and second reference point groups are interpolated. Based on at least one second interpolation point group and the second reference point group obtained by At least one second 'interpolation point group obtained by interpolating first' and second 'reference point groups which are point groups on the screen of the first and second reference point groups; Means for generating an image of the second display object based on the reference point group of '. Further, an information storage medium according to the present invention includes information for realizing the above means.

According to the present invention, the three-dimensional coordinates of the first and second reference point groups generated sequentially are stored and held for a plurality of frames.

Then, an image of a first display object is generated based on a first interpolation point group (a plurality of interpolation points may be provided) of the first and second reference point groups and the first reference point group. Then, an image of the second display object is generated based on the second interpolation point group (there may be a plurality of interpolation points) of the first and second reference point groups and the second reference point group.

Alternatively, a first 'interpolated point group (a plurality of points) of a first' and second 'reference point group on the screen (a point group obtained by perspective-transforming the first and second reference point groups to the screen). May be)
An image of the first display object is generated based on the first reference point group and the first 'reference point group, and a second' interpolation point group (a plurality of reference point groups) of the first 'and second' reference point groups on the screen is generated. And 2 '
The image of the second display object is generated based on the reference point group.

As described above, according to the present invention, the images of the first and second display objects can be generated only by storing and holding the three-dimensional coordinates of the first and second reference point groups. . Therefore, the used storage capacity can be remarkably saved. Also, an interpolation point group (first, second, first ', second' interpolation point group) and a reference point group (first, second, first ', second' reference point group) are used. Thereby, the shapes and directions of the first and second display objects can be uniquely specified, and even when the line connecting the reference point group has a complicated shape, the first and second display objects can be identified. Images can be generated without contradiction.

Further, the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention provide the first and second reference point groups based on whether or not the point group specified by the first and second reference point groups enters the screen.
The clipping process is performed on the second display object. This makes it possible to implement the process of determining whether clipping is possible with a small calculation load.

The point group specified by the first and second reference point groups may be any one of the first 'and second' reference point groups, or the first 'and second' reference point groups. , Or a representative point group related to the reference point group.

Further, in the game apparatus and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the characteristic color of the first display object becomes thinner toward the outer edge of the first display object and the characteristic color of the second display object. The color becomes thinner toward the outer edge of the second display object. In this way, even if the first and second display objects are actually simple shapes (for example, plate shapes), they can be made to look complicated (for example, three-dimensional). Thus, a real image can be generated with a small calculation load.

Further, in the game apparatus and the information storage medium according to the present invention, a portion of the first and second display objects that is far from the viewpoint may be a line specified by the first and second reference point groups. It is characterized by being formed into a shape. In this way, the portion far from the viewpoint only needs to form the shape of the line, so that the calculation load of the image generation processing in the portion far from the viewpoint can be remarkably reduced. Moreover, the shape of the line is first,
There is also an advantage that it can be easily generated from the second reference point group.

Further, the present invention is a game device for generating an image, wherein three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated first reference point group and three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated second reference point group are determined. A storage unit for storing only a plurality of frames, a unit for generating an image of at least one first display object based on the first and second reference point groups,
Means for forming a portion far from the viewpoint among the displayed objects in a line shape specified by the first and second reference point groups. Further, an information storage medium according to the present invention includes information for realizing the above means.

In the present invention, the portion of the first display object far from the viewpoint is formed in a line shape, so that the calculation load of the image generation processing can be remarkably reduced. Also, there is an advantage that the line shape can be easily generated from the first and second reference point groups.

As the lines specified by the first and second reference point groups, a line connecting the reference point groups and a line connecting the representative point groups related to the reference point group can be considered.

In the game apparatus and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the first and second reference point groups are sequentially generated with the movement of the moving body, and the first and second display objects are:
It is a first and a second following display object that follows the moving object. In this way, the following display object that follows the moving object and extends so as to trail from the moving object,
Be able to express realistically.

[0019]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to a fighter game (flight simulator) will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to various games.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of the present embodiment. In the figure, the game device of the present embodiment may include at least the processing unit 100 (or the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 1).
40, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 140, and the information storage medium 150), and other blocks (for example, the operation unit 130, the image generation unit 160, the display unit 162, the sound generation unit 170, the sound output unit 172, The communication unit 174, the I / F unit 176, the memory card 180, and the like) can be optional components.

Here, the processing unit 100 controls the entire apparatus,
It performs various processes such as instruction of commands to each block in the device and game calculation.
It can be realized by hardware such as ISC type, RISC type), DSP, or ASIC (gate array or the like), or a given program (game program).

The operation section 130 is for the player to input operation information, and its function can be realized by hardware such as levers and buttons.

The storage section 140 includes a processing section 100, an image generation section 160, a sound generation section 170, a communication section 174, and an I / F section 1.
It is a work area such as 76, and its function is RAM
It can be realized by hardware such as.

The information storage medium (storage medium from which information can be read by a computer) 150 stores information such as programs and data, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DVD) or magneto-optical disk (MO). ),
It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a semiconductor memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 150. That is, the information storage medium 150 stores various information for realizing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 140).

A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 150 is stored in the storage unit 1 when the power of the apparatus is turned on.
40. The information storage medium 150
The information stored in the program includes program codes, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, list data, player information for performing the processing of the present invention, and information for instructing the processing of the present invention. And at least one of information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction.

The image generating section 160 generates various images according to an instruction from the processing section 100 and the like, and
The function is the ASI for image generation.
It can be realized by hardware such as C, CPU, or DSP, a given program (image generation program), and image information.

The sound generation section 170 generates various sounds in accordance with instructions from the processing section 100 and outputs the generated sounds to the sound output section 172. The function of the sound generation section 170 is as follows.
It can be realized by hardware such as a CPU or a DSP, a given program (sound generation program), and sound information (waveform data and the like).

The communication unit 174 performs various controls for performing communication with an external device (for example, a host device or another game device).
C or hardware such as a CPU or a given program (communication program).

Information for realizing the processing of the present invention (this embodiment) is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device to the information storage medium of the game device via the network and the communication unit 174. Is also good. Such use of the information storage medium of the host device and use of the information storage medium of the game device are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Some or all of the functions of the processing unit 100 may be performed by the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 1.
74 may be realized. Or,
Image generation unit 160, sound generation unit 170, or communication unit 174
Some or all of the functions may be realized by the function of the processing unit 100.

The I / F unit 176 exchanges information with a memory card (a portable information storage device including a portable mini game device in a broad sense) 180 in accordance with an instruction from the processing unit 100 or the like. The function can be realized by a slot for inserting a memory card, a controller IC for data writing / reading, and the like. In addition, memory card 1
In a case where information exchange with the device 80 is realized using wireless communication such as infrared light, the function of the I / F unit 176 can be realized by hardware such as a semiconductor laser and an infrared sensor.

The processing section 100 includes a game calculation section 110.

Here, the game calculation section 110 performs a coin (price) receiving process, a game mode setting process, a game progress process, a selection screen setting process, a moving object (fighter,
Processing to determine the position and direction of bullets, fire, etc.), processing to determine the viewpoint position and line of sight, processing to reproduce the motion of the moving object, processing to place objects in the object space,
Various game calculation processes such as a hit check process, a process of calculating a game result (achievement), a process for a plurality of players playing in a common game space, and a game over process are performed by operating information from the operation unit 130, This is performed based on information from the memory card 180, a game program, and the like. When the present invention is applied to games other than fighter aircraft games, moving objects include airplanes, ships (boats, battleships, submarines, yachts, motorboats, etc.), water bikes, water skis, and surfboards other than fighters. ,car,
Various things can be considered, such as motorcycles, tanks, robots, spaceships, and characters.

The game operation unit 110 includes a moving object operation unit 11
2, including a viewpoint control unit 114 and a following display object processing unit 116.

Here, the moving body computing section 112 computes movement information (position information, direction information, etc.) of a moving body such as a fighter, for example, operation information input from the operating section 130 or given information. Based on the program, processing for moving the moving object in the object space is performed. That is, based on operation information from the player (the player itself or another player) or an instruction (a given movement control algorithm) from a computer, a process of moving the moving object in the object space is performed.

More specifically, the moving body operation unit 112
The position and direction of the moving object is, for example, one frame (1/60 second)
The required process is performed every time. For example, in the (k-1) frame, the position of the moving object is PMk-1, the speed is VMk-1, and the acceleration is AM.
Let k-1 be the time of one frame, Δt. Then, the position PMk and the speed VMk of the moving body in the k frame are obtained, for example, by the following equations (1) and (2).

PMk = PMk−1 + VMk−1 × Δt (1) VMk = VMk−1 + AMk−1 × Δt (2) The viewpoint control unit 114 obtains the position and direction of the moving object obtained by the moving object operation unit 112. Based on this information, a process of obtaining a viewpoint position, a line-of-sight direction, and the like is performed. More specifically, for example, a process of changing the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction so as to follow the position or direction of the moving body operated by the player is performed. In this case, it is desirable to cause the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction to follow the position or the direction of the moving body while having inertia, for example. The image generation unit 160 uses the viewpoint control unit 1
It will generate an image that can be seen at the viewpoint controlled by.

Note that the viewpoint control unit 114 can control the viewpoint independently of the movement of the moving object.

The tracking display object processing unit 116 performs various processes for generating an image of a tracking display object (vapor trail) that tracks a moving body such as a fighter.

More specifically, first, the three-dimensional coordinates of the first and second reference point groups sequentially generated with the movement of the moving object are expressed as follows:
Only a plurality of frames are stored in the reference point group coordinate storage unit 142. Then, the follow-up display object processing unit 116 performs first 'interpolation by interpolating the first and second' reference point groups which are the point groups on the screen of the first and second reference point groups. A process for generating an image of a first follow-up display object (first vapor trail) is performed based on the point group (or a plurality of points) and the first 'reference point group. Similarly, based on a second ′ interpolated point group (or a plurality of interpolated point groups) obtained by interpolating the first ′ and second ′ reference point groups and a second ′ reference point group, A process for generating an image of the following display object (second vapor trail) is performed.

The process of perspective-transforming the first and second reference point groups to obtain first 'and second' reference point groups on the screen is performed by the perspective transformation unit 164 included in the image generation unit 160. .

Further, an image of a first following display object is generated based on the first interpolated point group obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups and the first reference point group. The image of the second follow-up display object may be generated based on the second interpolated point group and the second reference point group obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups. Good.

The following display object processing unit 116
8, a clipping unit 120, an image information setting unit 122, and a precision changing unit 124.

Here, the interpolating unit 118 performs processing for interpolating the first 'and second' reference point groups to obtain the first 'and second' interpolation point groups (or the first and second reference points). A process for obtaining the first and second interpolated point groups by interpolating the point group is performed. The interpolation in this case is desirably a linear interpolation in order to reduce the processing load, but an M-order curve or a curve not represented by a linear operation expression (sin curve, cos curve, Bezier curve, etc.)
May be used for interpolation.

The clipping section 120 is for performing a clipping process (a process of excluding from a drawing target) a display object such as a follow-up display object. More specifically, the clipping unit 120 of the present embodiment includes first and second clipping units.
(For example, the first 'reference point group, the second' reference point group, or the representative point group relating to the reference point group) is included in the screen (perspective transformation screen). The clipping process is performed on the first and second following display objects based on the information.

The image information setting section 122 performs processing for setting image information (color, luminance, translucency coefficient, etc.) of the following display object. More specifically, the images of the first and second follow-up display objects are arranged such that the characteristic colors of the first and second follow-up display objects become lighter toward the outer edges of the first and second follow-up display objects. A process for setting information (for example, a translucent coefficient) is performed.
In this case, when the follow-up display object is a vapor trail, the characteristic color is white, when it is smoke, it is gray, and when it is flame, it is red.

The precision changing unit 124 performs processing for changing the precision of the following display object according to the distance (depth value) from the viewpoint. More specifically, a portion of the first and second following display objects far from the viewpoint is a line specified by the first and second reference point groups (for example, a line connecting the first 'reference point group). , A line connecting the second 'reference point group, or a line connecting the representative point group relating to the reference point group).

It should be noted that the game device of the present embodiment is capable of both game play in a single player mode in which one player plays and game play in a multi-player mode in which a plurality of players play.

When a plurality of players play,
The game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one game device, or may be generated using a plurality of game devices connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. May be.

2. Features of the Embodiment FIGS. 2, 3A, 4B, 4A, and 4B show examples of game images generated by the embodiment.

In the fighter game realized by the present embodiment, the player controls his or her fighter 10 to fly in the object space while watching the game image as shown in FIG. Then, the player enjoys the game by fighting against fighters operated by other players or computers.

FIG. 2 is an example of a game image from the rear viewpoint (behind view, third person viewpoint) of the fighter aircraft (own aircraft) 10. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the fighter 1
The vapor trails 20 and 22 are generated so as to follow the fighter 10 from the zero wing tips 12 and 14. By displaying such a realistic image, the virtual reality feeling felt by the player can be improved.

On the other hand, FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A,
(B) is a game image example in which an enemy fighter 16 is displayed. As shown in the figure, vapor trails 20 and 22 are generated so as to follow the enemy fighter 16. These vapor trails 20, 22 are
Occurs as if trailing behind fighter 16 as 6 moves. And the vapor trails 20, 22
It remains behind the fighter 16 for a given period until it disappears.

Thus, the vapor trails 20, 22
Does not disappear immediately after occurrence, but needs to be displayed on the screen for a given period. Therefore, until the vapor trails 20 and 22 disappear, the vapor trail 2
Information for displaying 0, 22 (vapor trail 2
The three-dimensional coordinates of the vertices of the objects constituting 0 and 22) must be stored in the storage unit 140 of FIG.

However, FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4
As shown in (A) and (B), the vapor trails 20, 22
, The amount of information for displaying the vapor trails 20 and 22 becomes enormous. For example,
If one frame is 1/60 second (may be 1/30 second) and the display time of the vapor trails 20 and 22 is 2 seconds, information for displaying the vapor trails 20 and 22 is stored for 120 frames. Only have to hold. Therefore, a situation occurs in which the used storage capacity of the storage unit 140 is squeezed.

In order to prevent such a situation, the present embodiment employs the following method.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the reference point groups C1, C2, C3 and C4 (first reference point group) and the reference point groups D1, D2, D3 and D4 (second Are generated sequentially. In this case, in the present embodiment, the three-dimensional coordinates of the wing tips 32 and 34 of the fighter 30 in each frame are set to the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference point groups C1 to C4 and D1 to D4. That is, the three-dimensional coordinates of the wing tip 32 of the fighter 30 in the first, second, third, and fourth frames are C1, C, respectively.
2, three-dimensional coordinates of C3 and C4. Similarly, the three-dimensional coordinates of the wing tip 34 of the fighter 30 in the first, second, third, and fourth frames become the three-dimensional coordinates of D1, D2, D3, and D4, respectively.

These sequentially generated reference point groups C1 to C
4. The three-dimensional coordinates of D1 to D4 are sequentially stored and held in the reference point group coordinate storage unit 142 of FIG.

The reference points are sequentially generated from when the vapor trail generation condition is satisfied. For example, when the speed of the fighter 30 is equal to or higher than a given speed and the angle between the moving direction and the facing direction of the fighter 30 is equal to or larger than a given angle, the vapor trail generation condition is satisfied. .

The reference points C1 and D1 disappear after a lapse of a given period after the occurrence. That is, the three-dimensional coordinates are deleted from the reference point group coordinate storage unit 142. Similarly, the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference points C2 and D2 are deleted from the reference point group coordinate storage unit 142 after a given period has elapsed after their occurrence. The same applies to the other reference points C3, C4, D3, and D4.

As described above, in this embodiment, the reference point group 3
Only the dimensional coordinates are stored in the reference point group coordinate storage unit 14 of the storage unit 140.
2 is stored. Therefore, compared with the method of storing all three-dimensional vertex coordinates of the object of the vapor trail,
The storage capacity of the storage unit 140 can be significantly reduced.

However, even if the used storage capacity of the storage unit 140 can be saved in this way, there is a problem that the shape and direction of the vapor trail cannot be uniquely specified only by the reference point group. There is also a problem that when the fighter moves in various directions, the vertices constituting the vapor trail must be generated without contradiction.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in generating the image of the vapor trail, two sets of reference point groups C1 to C4, D
Focusing on the fact that 1 to D4 are generated, an interpolation point group is obtained from these two reference point groups C1 to C4 and D1 to D4,
The shape and direction of the vapor trail are specified by using the interpolation point group.

In this way, the shape and direction of the vapor trail can be uniquely specified using only the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference point group stored in the storage unit 140, and the fighter can be controlled in various directions. , The image of the vapor trail can be generated without inconsistency.

More specifically, in this embodiment, an image of the vapor trail is generated using the reference point group as follows.

That is, first, the reference point groups C1 to C4, D1
The three-dimensional coordinates of D4 are read from the reference point group coordinate storage unit 142. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the reference point groups C1 to C
4, the reference points C1 'to C4' and D1 'to D4' are obtained by performing perspective transformation of D1 to D4 to the screen 40.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, based on the reference point groups C1 'to C4' and D1 'to D4' on the screen,
Interpolation point groups E1 'to E4', F1 'to F4' (first 'interpolation point group) and interpolation point groups G1' to G4 ', H1' to H4 '
(2 ′ interpolation point group) is obtained. More specifically, C
The points E1 ', F1' on the line 42 connecting 1 ', D1',
G1 'and H1' are obtained by linear interpolation. Similarly, C
The points E2 ', F2' on the line 44 connecting 2 ', D2',
Points E3 ', F3', G3 ', H3', C4 ', D on the line 46 connecting G2', H2 ', C3', D3 '
Points E4 ', F4', G4 'on a line 48 connecting 4'
H4 'is obtained by linear interpolation.

In FIG. 6, the reference point group C after the perspective transformation is shown.
Although the interpolation point group is obtained by interpolating 1 ′ to C4 ′ and D1 ′ to D4 ′, the reference point groups C1 to C4 before perspective transformation are obtained.
An interpolation point group (an interpolation point group in a three-dimensional space) may be obtained by interpolating D1 to D4, and the interpolation point group may be perspective-transformed to the screen 40.

The images of the vapor trails 20 and 22 shown in FIG. 7 are generated based on the interpolation point group and the reference point group obtained as described above. That is, the image of the vapor trail 20 is generated based on the reference point groups C1 ′ to C4 ′ and the interpolation point groups E1 ′ to E4 ′ and F1 ′ to F4 ′ (the shape is specified). The image of the vapor trail 22 includes reference point groups D1 ′ to D4 ′ and interpolation point groups G1 ′ to G4.
4 ′, generated based on H1 ′ to H4 ′ (shape is specified).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the vapor trail 20 includes polygons (primitive surfaces in a broad sense) PL11, PL21, PL12, PL22, PL1.
3, PL23. Then, the reference point group C1 ′
To C4 ', interpolation point groups E1' to E4 ', F1' to F4 '
Are the vertices of these polygons.

The vapor trail 22 includes polygons PL31, PL41, PL32, PL42, PL33,
It is composed of PL43. Then, the reference point groups D1 'to D1
4 ′, interpolation point groups G1 ′ to G4 ′, and H1 ′ to H4 ′ are vertices of these polygons.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 14
Since the information stored in 0 is only the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference point groups C1 to C4 and D1 to D4, the used storage capacity can be remarkably reduced. Therefore, even when the vapor trails 20 and 22 are elongated, the vapor trails 20 and 22 can be displayed without any problem.

In the present embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that two systems of reference points are generated in the display of the vapor trail, and an interpolation point group is obtained from these two systems of reference points. And the shape and direction of the vapor trail 20
The obtained interpolation point groups E1 'to E4', F1 'to F4'
And the reference point group C1 ′ to C4 ′, and the shape and direction of the vapor trail 22 are determined by the obtained interpolation point group G.
1 ′ to G4 ′, H1 ′ to H4 ′, and reference point groups D1 ′ to D
4 ′.

In this way, the direction of the fighter is
This is appropriately reflected in the direction in which the surface of the vapor trail faces, and a more realistic image can be generated.
That is, when the fighter rolls clockwise, the surface of the vapor trail also rolls clockwise.

Also, even if the fighter moves in various directions,
The vertices constituting the vapor trail can be generated without contradiction. That is, for example, in FIG.
Vertices (E2 ', C2') on the 11th polygon PL12 side
Does not coincide with the vertex of the polygon PL12 on the polygon PL11 side.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to display a long vapor trail as shown in FIG. 4B. However, if a portion that goes out of the screen is drawn, the processing is wasted. become.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a portion of the vapor trail outside the screen is clipped.

However, when the burden of the clipping process is increased, the real-time property of image generation required for this type of game device is impaired.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to increase the efficiency of the clipping process, the vapor group is determined based on whether or not a point group specified by the reference point group, for example, a representative point group on the screen, is within the screen. The trailing clipping process is performed.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not a representative point group (here, a middle point group) I1 'to I7' is within the screen 40. This representative point group I1 '~
I7 'may be obtained by perspectively transforming the midpoint group of the reference point groups C1 to C7 and D1 to D7 onto the screen 40, or the midpoint point of the reference point groups C1' to C7 'and D1' to D7 '. It may be obtained by obtaining a group.

For example, in FIG.
And I2 ′, one frame before I3 ′, is determined to be outside the screen 40. In this case,
Up to one frame before I3 ′ (C2 ′, D2 ′) is set as a drawing target. That is, two frames before I3 '(C1', D
1 ′) is excluded from the drawing target.

In FIG. 8, I6 'is determined to be inside the screen 40, and I7' one frame after I6 'is determined to be outside the screen 40. In this case, I
One frame after 6 ′ (C7 ′, D7 ′) is set as a drawing target, and the subsequent frames are excluded from the drawing target.

With the above-described configuration, the portion of the vapor trails 20 and 22 that has come out of the screen 40 can be properly clipped. In addition, whether or not to perform clipping can be determined only by the coordinates of the representative point groups I1 'to I7', so that the calculation load of the clipping process can be significantly reduced.

It is particularly desirable that the object for judging whether clipping is possible is the representative point groups I1 'to I7' as shown in FIG. 8 from the viewpoint of reducing processing.
However, the reference point groups C1 'to C7', D1 'to D
7 ′, or reference point groups C1 ′ to C7 ′,
Both of D1 ′ to D7 ′ may be determined.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the characteristic colors (for example, white) of the vapor trails 20 and 22 are used.
Are generated from the reference lines (lines connecting the reference point group) toward the outer edge, so that the images of the vapor trails 20 and 22 are generated. That is, the vapor trails 20, 22
The colors of the vapor trails 20, 22 are graduated so that the color of the vapor trails merges into the background as it approaches the outer edge. In this case, the vapor trail 2
It is possible to prevent a situation in which the player recognizes that 0 and 22 are plate-shaped. That is, the plate-like vapor trails 20 and 22 can be made to look like a three-dimensional object, and a real image can be generated with a small processing load.

The process of making the characteristic color of the vapor trail lighter toward the outer edge is performed by a translucent addition process (α addition process between a background display object (for example, the sky) and the vapor trail. ) Can be realized by controlling the translucency coefficient.

That is, the translucent addition processing can be represented by, for example, the following equations (3), (4), and (5).

XR = BR + α × CR (3) XG = BG + α × CG (4) XB = BB + α × CB (5) Here, BR, BG, and BB represent R of the color information of the background display object,
G, B components are CR, CG, and CB are R, G, and B of the color information (characteristic color of the vapor trail) of the vapor trail.
XR, XG, and XB are R, G, and B components of the color information of the output image obtained by the translucent addition processing.
Α is a translucent coefficient in the translucent addition processing (luminance in the luminance addition processing).

In the above equations (3), (4), and (5), if α is decreased toward the outer edge of the vapor trail, it becomes possible to make the characteristic color of the vapor trail lighter toward the outer edge. Become.

Note that in formulas (3), (4), and (5), translucent addition processing is employed, but translucent blending processing may be employed. In this case, BR, B
Each of G and BB is multiplied by, for example, (1−α).

In the present embodiment, a portion of the vapor trail that is far from the viewpoint has a line shape specified by the reference point group.

For example, in FIG.
In other words, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a portion close to the viewpoint (a portion where the Z coordinate which is the depth value is small or the linear distance from the viewpoint is short) is the same as the vapor trail 2.
The shapes of 0 and 22 are plate-like (more precisely, a shape in which a plurality of plates are connected).

On the other hand, the portion indicated by A2, that is, the portion far from the viewpoint (the portion where the Z coordinate which is the depth is large or the linear distance from the viewpoint is long) is the vapor trail 2
The shapes of 0 and 22 are lines. That is, the portion far from the viewpoint is reduced in precision and is formed not in a plate shape but in a linear shape.

In this way, for a portion far from the viewpoint, the interpolation processing for obtaining an interpolation point group and the processing for generating a polygon as described with reference to FIG. 6 can be omitted, and the processing load is greatly reduced. Can be reduced. And FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, even if a portion of A2 far from the viewpoint is drawn with a line, the possibility of the player noticing is low and an unnatural image is not obtained.

Moreover, the process of making the portion of the vapor trail far from the viewpoint linear can be realized by a simple process such as connecting the reference point group with a line. That is, for a portion near the viewpoint, processing for generating polygons PL11 to PL43 is performed as shown in FIG. 6, while for a portion far from the viewpoint, reference point groups C1 ′ to C1
It is only necessary to perform processing for connecting 4 ′ and D1 ′ to D4 ′ with a line.

Note that the method of forming a portion far from the viewpoint into a line shape can be widely applied to a case where there is only one vapor trail (follow-up display object in a broad sense, and display object in a broader sense). For example, in FIG. 11, the rocket 50 has only one vapor trail 52. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the vapor trail 52
Has a plate shape (formed of polygons). On the other hand, in the portion A4 far from the viewpoint, the shape of the vapor trail 52 is linear. In this case, for the portion indicated by A3 of the vapor tail 52, an image of the portion can be generated by generating polygons having the vertices of the interpolation point groups C5 'to C8' and D5 'to D8', for example.
On the other hand, for the portion indicated by A4 of the vapor tail 52, a line connecting the reference point groups C1 'to C5' (or D1 'to
By generating a line connecting D5 'or a line connecting the representative point group), an image of that portion can be generated.

3. Next, a detailed processing example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the three-dimensional coordinates of the reference point groups CM and DM are read from the reference point group coordinate storage section 142 of FIG. 1 for N frames (step S1). Then, the read middle point group (representative point group) IM of CM and DM for N frames is perspective-transformed to obtain IM ′ for N frames. When the obtained IM ′ is within the screen, Sets the flag FL1 of the corresponding frame to 1 (step S
2).

Next, the depth value of the IM for N frames (or the linear distance from the viewpoint) may be checked, and if the depth value is equal to or greater than a given value (if it is far from the viewpoint), the corresponding frame The flag FL2 is set to 1 (Step S
3). By using the flag FL2, it is possible to determine whether the shape of the vapor trail is plate-like or linear.

Next, at step S2, the flag FL1 is set.
Are set to 1 and the reference points of the frames before and after the frame are set as drawing targets (step S4). For example, in FIG. 8, C2 'to C7' and D2 'to D7' are set as drawing targets, but C1 'and D1' are excluded from drawing targets.

Next, the first reference point CK to be drawn is
The DK is perspective-transformed to obtain CK ′ and DK ′ (for example, C2 ′ and D2 ′ in FIG. 8) on the screen, and as shown in FIG. 14A, is on a line 60 connecting CK ′ and DK ′. E
K ′, FK ′, GK ′, HK ′ are obtained by interpolation (step S5).

Next, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all the reference points to be drawn (step S6 in FIG. 13). The DL is perspectively transformed to obtain CL 'and DL' (step S7). Then, it is determined whether or not the flag FL2 of the corresponding frame is set to 1 (step S8). This flag FL2 is determined in step S3 of FIG.
The flag is set when the distance from the viewpoint is small, and is not set when the distance from the viewpoint is large.

If FL2 is not set to 1, ie, close to the viewpoint, as shown in FIG.
EL ', FL' on a line 62 connecting CL 'and DL',
GL 'and HL' are obtained by interpolation (step S9).
Then, as shown in FIG. 14C, CK ′, EK ′,
A polygon PL1 having vertices EL 'and CL', and F
Polygon P whose vertices are K ', CK', CL ', and FL'
L2, a polygon PL3 having DK ', GK', GL ', and DL' as vertices, and a polygon PL4 having HK ', DK', DL ', and HL' as vertices are generated (step S1).
0).

Next, the contents of CL ', EL', FL '(2
Dimensional coordinates) are substituted for CK ', EK', and FK ', respectively, and the contents (two-dimensional coordinates) of DL', GL ', and HL' are substituted for DK ', GK', and HK ', respectively. (Step S11). Then, the process returns to step S6 and shifts to the processing of the reference point of the next frame.

When FL2 is set to 1, that is, when FL2 is far from the viewpoint, CK ′ and CK shown in FIG.
A line 64 connecting L 'and a line 66 connecting DK' and DL 'are generated (step S12). That is, as described with reference to FIG. 10, for the portion A2 far from the viewpoint, the shape of the vapor trail is a line (a line connecting the reference point group).

Next, the contents of CL 'are replaced with CK', EK ',
FK 'and substitute the contents of DL' with DK ', G
Substitute into K ′ and HK ′ (step S13). And
The process returns to step S6 and shifts to the processing of the reference point of the next frame.

4. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration that can realize the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the device shown in the figure, a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002, a RAM 100
4. Information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC 1008, image generation IC 1010, I / O ports 1012, 1014
Are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received therebetween. And the image generation IC 1010
Is connected to the display 1018, and the sound generation IC 10
08 is connected to a speaker 1020, and the I / O port 1
012 is connected to the control device 1022,
A communication device 1024 is connected to the O port 1014.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing a display object, sound data, and the like. For example, in a home game device, a CD-R is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program and the like.
OMs, game cassettes, DVDs and the like are used. In the arcade game machine, a memory such as a ROM is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is the ROM 1002.

The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of a determination made by a player in accordance with the progress of a game to the main body of the device.

A program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the control apparatus 102
CPU 1000 according to a signal input by
Controls the entire apparatus and performs various data processing. RAM10
Reference numeral 04 denotes storage means used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000. The information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 10
02, or the calculation result of the CPU 1000 or the like is stored. A data structure having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.

Further, this type of device includes a sound generation IC 100
8 and an image generating IC 1010 are provided so that a suitable output of game sounds and game images can be performed.
The sound generation IC 1008 includes the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1
This is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on the information stored in 002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004,
An integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. Note that a so-called head-mounted display (HMD) can also be used as the display 1018.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various kinds of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another game device to transmit and receive given information according to the game program. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as a game program via a communication line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14C are performed by the information storage medium 1006 storing information such as programs and data, the CPU 1000 operating based on the information from the information storage medium 1006, and the like. Image generation I
This is realized by the C1010, the sound generation IC 1008, or the like. Note that the image generation IC 1010 and the sound generation IC 1008
The processing performed by the CPU 1000 or the general-purpose D
It may be performed by software such as SP.

FIG. 16A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, and the like while watching the game image projected on the display 1100. A CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted on a system board (circuit board) 1106 built in the apparatus. Then, information for executing (realizing) the processing of the present embodiment (means of the present invention) is stored in a semiconductor memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.

FIG. 16B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game machine. The player looks at the game image displayed on the display 1200,
The game controller 1202 and 1204 are operated to enjoy the game. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, memory cards 1208, 1209, etc., which are information storage media detachable from the main unit.

FIG. 16C shows a host device 1300,
A terminal 1304-1 connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line (small network such as LAN or wide area network such as the Internet) 1302.
An example in a case where the present embodiment is applied to a system including 1304-n. In this case, the storage information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a semiconductor memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. Terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n are CPs
U, an image generation IC, a sound processing IC, and a game image and a game sound that can be generated stand-alone, a game program and the like for generating the game image and the game sound are output from the host device 1300. Terminal 1304-1
~ 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, and transmits them to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1.
4-n and output at the terminal.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 16C, the processing of the present invention is performed in a distributed manner between the host device and the terminal (or, when a server is provided, between the host device, the server and the terminal). It may be. Further, the storage information for realizing the present invention is distributed to the information storage medium of the host device and the information storage medium of the terminal (or the information storage medium of the host device, the information storage medium of the server, and the information storage medium of the terminal). May be stored.

The terminal connected to the communication line may be a home game device or a business game device. When the arcade game device is connected to a communication line, information can be exchanged with the arcade game device and the portable information storage device can exchange information with the home game device. Equipment (memory card,
It is desirable to use a portable game device).

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the display object is a follow-up display object, particularly the case where the display object is a vapor trail, has been described. Also applicable to For example, the present invention can be applied to various display objects other than the vapor trail, such as contrails, flowing clouds, air currents, backfires, wakes from the stern of ships, smoke from chimneys, shooting stars, and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where there are two reference point groups has been described, but the case where there are three or more reference point groups is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, the shape of the display object generated based on the reference point group is not limited to the plate shape as shown in FIGS. )
And various other shapes.

Further, the method of forming a portion of the display object far from the viewpoint into a line shape is not limited to the method described with reference to FIGS. That is, the shape of the display object at a portion far from the viewpoint may be at least a line specified by the first and second reference point groups.

Further, the present invention can be applied to various games other than the fighter aircraft (airplane games other than fighter aircraft, spaceship games,
Competition games, fighting games, robot battle games, sports games, shooting games, role playing games, etc.).

The present invention also provides various games such as arcade game machines, home game machines, large attraction devices in which many players participate, simulators, multimedia terminals, image generation devices, system boards for generating game images, and the like. Applicable to equipment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of a game device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game image generated by the embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of a game image generated according to the embodiment; FIG.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating examples of a game image generated according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing generation of a reference point.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of obtaining an interpolation point group from a reference point group and generating an image of a vapor trail.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a generated image of a vapor trail.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a clipping process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of reducing the characteristic color of the vapor trail toward the outer edge.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of forming a portion far from the viewpoint into a line shape.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a method of forming a portion far from the viewpoint into a line shape.

FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of the embodiment;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are diagrams for explaining an interpolation method and a polygon generation method according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are diagrams illustrating examples of various types of apparatuses to which the present embodiment is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

10,16 Fighter 12,14 Wing tip 20,22 Vapor trail (first and second (following) display) 30 Fighter 32,34 Wing tip 40 Screen 42,44,46,48 line 60,62, 64, 66 lines 100 processing unit 110 game operation unit 112 moving object operation unit 114 viewpoint control unit 116 follow-up display object processing unit 118 interpolation unit 120 clipping unit 122 image information setting unit 124 precision change unit 130 operation unit 140 storage unit 142 reference Point group coordinate storage unit 150 Information storage medium 160 Image generation unit 162 Display unit 164 Perspective transformation unit 170 Sound generation unit 172 Sound output unit 174 Communication unit 176 I / F unit 180 Memory card

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A game device for generating an image, wherein three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated first reference point group and three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated second reference point group are stored in a plurality of frames. Based on at least one first interpolation point group and the first reference point group obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups, or At least one first 'interpolation point group obtained by interpolating first' and second 'reference point groups which are point groups on the screen of the first and second reference point groups; ′ Based on the first reference point group and at least one second interpolation point group obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups, A point group on the screen based on the second reference point group or the first and second reference point groups. At least one obtained by interpolating the first 'and second' reference point groups
Means for generating an image of a second display object based on two second 'interpolation point groups and the second' reference point group. 2. The clipping of the first and second display objects according to claim 1, wherein a point group specified by the first and second reference point groups is included in a screen. A game device wherein processing is performed. 3. The characteristic color of the first display object according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic color of the first display object becomes lighter toward the outer edge of the first display object, and the characteristic color of the second display object is A game device characterized by becoming thinner toward an outer edge of a second display object. 4. The shape of a line specified by the first and second reference point groups in a portion of the first and second display objects that is far from a viewpoint, according to claim 1. A game device characterized by being formed in a game device. 5. A game device for generating an image, wherein three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated first reference point group and three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated second reference point group are stored in a plurality of frames. Storage means for storing only the minutes, means for generating an image of at least one first display object based on the first and second reference points, and among the first display objects For the part far from the viewpoint,
Means for forming a line specified by the first and second reference point groups. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second reference point groups are sequentially generated along with a movement of a moving object, and the first and second display objects are the same. A game device comprising first and second display objects that follow a moving object. 7. An information storage medium capable of reading information by a computer and generating an image, comprising: a three-dimensional coordinate of a first reference point group sequentially generated; and a second reference point sequentially generated. Storage means for storing three-dimensional coordinates of a point group for a plurality of frames; at least one first interpolation point group obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups; At least one reference point group obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups based on the first reference point group or the first and second reference point groups on the screen. An image of a first display object is generated based on the first 'interpolation point group and the first' reference point group, and is obtained by interpolating the first and second reference point groups. Based on at least one second group of interpolation points and the second group of reference points, or At least one obtained by interpolating first 'and second' reference point groups, which are point groups on the screen of the first and second reference point groups.
Means for generating an image of a second display object based on two second 'interpolation points and the second' reference points, and information for realizing the following. Information storage medium. 8. The clipping of the first and second display objects according to claim 7, based on whether or not a point cloud specified by the first and second reference point cloud falls within a screen. An information storage medium on which processing is performed. 9. The characteristic color of the first display object according to claim 7, wherein the characteristic color of the first display object becomes lighter toward the outer edge of the first display object, and the characteristic color of the second display object is An information storage medium characterized in that it becomes thinner toward an outer edge of a second display object. 10. The line shape specified by the first and second reference point groups for a portion of the first and second display objects far from the viewpoint, according to any one of claims 7 to 9, An information storage medium formed on a medium. 11. An information storage medium for generating an image, comprising: a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated first reference point group and a plurality of three-dimensional coordinates of a sequentially generated second reference point group. Storage means for storing frames only; means for generating an image of at least one first display object based on the first and second reference point groups; Of the parts far from the viewpoint,
Means for forming into a line shape specified by the first and second reference point groups; and information for realizing the following. 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first and second reference point groups are sequentially generated with the movement of a moving object, and the first and second display objects are the same. An information storage medium, which is a first and a second following display object that follows a moving object.