JP2001216529A - Method and device for game with object display - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device which reduces the burden of processing when a picture of an object at an arbitrary visual point is generated and which reduces the burden of picture generation processing due to switching of the visual point. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a storage means where character pattern data in a plurality of directions of the object are stored, a generation means which generates object data having direction data in the three-dimensional coordinate space of the object and character pattern data in accordance with an operator's operation signal, and a picture generation means which determines the direction of the object in a two-dimensional screen in accordance with the direction data of generated object data and the position of the visual point at the time of picture generation and generates picture data in the two-dimensional screen by using character pattern data corresponding to the direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game device and a game method for displaying an object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various types of video games have been known. For example, sports games such as soccer games, hockey games, basketball games, tennis games, golf games, etc. are performed within a predetermined competition area. This is a game in which a player moves and manipulates a ball (or a puck) to move to determine a shot at a goal at a predetermined position, hit a ball into a court, or make a cup-in to enjoy a score. The fighting action game is a game in which a fighter exchanges skills while moving within a predetermined fighting area and enjoys victory and defeat.

[0003] Some game machines for enjoying these sports games and fighting action games are provided with a save function and a replay function.

[0004] This save function means that when an operator interrupts a game, the state of data at that time is stored in a memory (R).
AM), and when restarting, the stored data is read out so that the game can be continuously executed.

[0005] The replay function stores data in a RAM while constantly updating data for a certain period of time while the game is in progress, so that a wonderful goal scene or a splendid technique can be determined while the game is in progress. When a problem occurs, several scenes can be stored in another RAM by pausing appropriately according to preference.
This function allows the user to select and reproduce a favorite name / unusual scene from these scenes after the game is over.

[0006]

However, the replay screen by the replay function of the above-mentioned conventional game device merely displays a screen of the same size from the same viewpoint as the screen in which the game is in progress in the same sequence. , There was a problem that it was not possible to reproduce the name / rare scene from a different viewpoint than during the game. There is also a problem that a desired scene cannot be enlarged or reduced for viewing. Further, in the first place, with the conventional game device, the operator cannot freely change the viewpoint position itself of the game display during the progress of the game, and simply prepares the display at a predetermined angle in a fixed manner. Was only being done.

In the conventional game apparatus, the replay function is realized by storing a history of operation signals from a control pad operated by an operator during a game. Therefore, when a replay command is issued, the game device reads the stored history of the operation signals and performs the same image processing as during the game to reproduce a game scene. This is probably the simplest storage means.

For this reason, the reproduction scene cannot be reproduced in the reverse direction of the game. It is because the operation signal from the control pad is selected and input according to the situation before the game, so if there is no information about the situation before the game, the operation signal from the control pad will not be enough to start the game. This is because they cannot be reproduced.

Also, in the game device, display data is generated by calculating the position of an object to be displayed next according to an algorithm of a predetermined game program from an operation signal from a control pad and a situation before the game. Displayed on the monitor. Therefore, depending on the method of the arithmetic processing, it may not be possible to perform fast-forward or slow-motion reproduction. Further, in some cases, playback cannot be performed while moving the viewpoint of the display screen (corresponding to the viewpoint of the camera), or while performing enlargement or reduction of the screen such as zoom-up or widening.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game device which solves the above-mentioned problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus which can freely perform replay in response to an instruction signal such as reverse playback, fast forward, and slow motion when replaying a game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus capable of replaying a game while moving the viewpoint (viewpoint of a camera) of the display screen or zooming up or widening when replaying the game. To provide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus capable of reducing the load of processing for generating an image of an object for an arbitrary viewpoint. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device in which the load of the generation process is small.

[0014]

The above problem can be solved by the following configuration.

That is, in response to an operation signal from an operator, an object in a three-dimensional coordinate space is moved,
In a game apparatus for displaying an image of an object viewed from a predetermined viewpoint through a two-dimensional screen, character pattern data storage means for storing character pattern data in a plurality of directions corresponding to the motion of the object. An object data generating means for generating object data having direction data of the object in the three-dimensional coordinate space and the character pattern data according to an operation signal from the operator during a game progress; The direction of the object is determined according to the direction data of the generated object data and the position of the viewpoint at the time of image generation, and the character pattern data corresponding to the direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen is used for the two-dimensional screen. To generate image data in It is solved by the game apparatus; and a generation unit.

Further, in a game device for moving an object in a three-dimensional coordinate space in response to an operation signal from an operator and displaying an image of the object viewed from a predetermined viewpoint on a two-dimensional screen, Character pattern data storage means for storing character pattern data in a plurality of directions corresponding to the motion of the object; and, during a game, according to an operation signal from the operator, the character pattern data in the three-dimensional coordinate space of the object. Object data generating means for generating object data having direction data and the character pattern data; and, when the position of the viewpoint is changed, the direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen is changed to the direction of the generated object data. Determined according to the data and the position of the changed viewpoint Is, by the object the character pattern data corresponding to the direction of the two-dimensional screen, is solved by the game apparatus characterized by having an image generating means for generating image data of the two-dimensional screen.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[First Embodiment] Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a game device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
This is realized by the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 1 and 2
Are almost the same configuration diagrams, but in FIG. 1, some parts (21, 22, 25, 26, 27) of FIG. 2 are omitted for simplicity, and 8, 9, and 14 not shown in FIG. 2 are additionally displayed. are doing.

Referring to FIG. 2, the game apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 shows an example of a soccer game.
The game device 1 includes an input device 5 operated by a player (operator) to freely control the movement of the player (player) and kick the ball, and a C (C) for displaying a screen.
RT2, and an output device 21 including a sound generator and a speaker for generating a sound effect such as a sound of kicking a ball or cheering of a crowd.

Further, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3 and a VRAM
(Video random access memory) 4, a color RAM 22, a work RAM 23 for game calculation,
OM (read only memory) 25 and oscillation circuit 26
And are connected. The VRAM 4 includes a character generator 41, a scroll memory 42, and a frame memory 43.
And generates one frame of image data.

That is, the character generator 41
Generates foreground image (non-scrolling player) data from character data stored in the ROM 25.
This player corresponds to the moving object. On the other hand, the scroll memory 42 has a CPU corresponding to an input signal from the input device 5.
The scroll amount of the background image is calculated based on the instruction of No. 3 to generate scrolling background image data.

Each of these data is supplied to the frame memory 43, and the player who moves freely on the ground scroll-displayed on the CRT 2 in response to an input signal from the input device 5 is displayed on the CRT 2 together with the ground and background images including members of the opponent team. , So that a soccer game can be enjoyed.

The display image is colored by the color RAM 22 adding color data to the frame image. The CPU 3 performs the following processing based on the soccer game program stored in the ROM 25. The ROM 25 is preferably a cartridge type or a CD (compact disk) -ROM which can be freely inserted and removed in the case of a home device. That is, it is configured so that game software other than the soccer game can be enjoyed. The oscillation circuit 26 generates a clock for synchronizing the entire device.

In the case of a business device (arcade machine), a coin I / O 27 is further provided on the data bus B.
When the coin I / O 27 detects that a predetermined amount of coins have been inserted, the game is enabled to start in response to a signal from the coin I / O 27.

Further, a partial area of the work RAM 23 is provided with an area for storing the absolute coordinates on the ground of each player who is playing the game for a predetermined time. Here, the absolute coordinates are not the coordinates of the display position of the player on the CRT screen, but the absolute coordinates of the polygon constituting the player in an area where the player moves. For example, 10 seconds of absolute coordinates of each player are constantly stored in the work RAM 23, and old data is updated as the game progresses.

The absolute coordinates for 10 seconds for each player are:
Backup RAM according to storage request from input device 5
24. The backup RAM 24 has a storage capacity enough to perform this transfer a plurality of times.

Returning now to FIG. 1, FIG.
The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 6 denotes data storage means corresponding to the work RAM 23, 7 denotes storage means corresponding to the backup RAM 24, and 8 denotes game control means for controlling the movement of the entire game. 9 is a display screen generating means, 1
0 denotes camera control means, 11 denotes camera angle data at the time of reproduction, 12 denotes character data, and 13 denotes an enlargement / reduction processing unit. The above-mentioned display data generating means 14 is composed of the camera control means 10, the camera angle data at the time of reproduction 11, the character data 12, and the scaling processing section 13.

3 is a CPU, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the control by the CPU 3. Hereinafter, FIGS. 2 and 3
It will be described based on.

First, in step S31, the game control means 8 controls the progress of the game. The absolute coordinates on the ground of each player (moving body) during the progress of the game are stored in the data storage means 6 at any time in the subsequent step S32.
The absolute coordinates for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) are stored in the data storage means 6, and old data is updated.

When the absolute coordinates for the predetermined time are accumulated, it is determined in step S33 whether a storage request has been made from the input device 5. The storage request is issued by operating the input device 5 when the player wants to store a name shot scene or the like. If it is determined that there is no storage request (No), the process returns to step S31 and the game is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined that a storage request has been made (Yes), the absolute coordinates of all players stored in the data storage means 6 for 10 seconds are transferred to the storage means 7 and stored.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the game has ended. The game is not over (No)
Returns to step S31, and returns to step S31.
To S35 are repeatedly executed. That is, if the storage request is made a plurality of times, a plurality of absolute coordinates for a plurality of 10 seconds in a plurality of scenes are stored in the storage means 7.

If it is determined in step S35 that the game has ended (Yes), it is determined in subsequent step S36 whether a reproduction request (replay request) has been received from the input device 5. The reproduction request is issued by operating the input device 5 when the player wants to reproduce (replay) the name shot scene or the like stored by the player and watch it. If it is determined that there is no reproduction request (No), all the processes are terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a reproduction request (replay request) (Yes), then in step S37, the absolute coordinates of all the players for a plurality of scenes stored in the storage means 7 for 10 seconds. From, CPU3
Selects a scene in accordance with the player's selection and reads the scene from the storage means 7.

The read absolute coordinates are stored in the following step S
At 38, display data different from that during the game is generated by processing according to the processing information from the input device 5. For example, when the player arbitrarily operates the input device 5 while viewing the replay display screen, display data for rotation display, enlargement or reduction display is generated.

Here, the rotation display will be described. In the character data 12, a plurality of character data of each character (player; player) viewed from each direction are prepared in advance. Then, the camera control means 10 selects predetermined reproduction-time camera angle data 11 according to the processing information from the input device 5, selects character data 12 corresponding to the camera angle data 11, and displays the display screen generation means 9 Transfer to At this time, the direction of the character data 12 selected according to the operation of the input device 5 changes at any time. That is, the viewpoint of the camera moves.

Therefore, in step S39, the character shot data is transferred from the display screen generating means 9 to the CRT 2 via the VRAM 4, so that the name shoot scene from the viewpoint different from that during the progress of the game is rotated on the CRT 2 screen. Will be displayed.

When one scene is reproduced and displayed by the processing in step S39, it is determined in subsequent step S40 whether or not the reproduction is to be ended. If the processing is to be ended (Yes), all the processing is ended. On the other hand, if the processing is not to be ended (No), the processing returns to step S37, and the processing from step S37 to step S40 is repeatedly executed.

At this time, when the player operates the input device 5 so as to enlarge or reduce the display in step S38, the enlarged display inserts dots evenly, and the reduced display uniformly omits dots. The distance between the camera and the character (player) can be made different from that during the game, so that the player can have an arbitrary scaling factor. The enlargement / reduction display method is not limited to insertion or omission of dots.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the famous scenes and unusual scenes of the game are stored, and after the game is over, the rotation display, the enlarged display, and the reduced display are reproduced from the viewpoint different from the viewpoint where the game is in progress. You can enjoy the game many times and double the fun of the game.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment, a description will be given particularly of a soccer game as an example. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such a soccer game and can be applied to various kinds of games.

[Outline of Second Embodiment] In the game device of the second embodiment, an operator inputs an operation signal input from a control pad based on the direction of the display screen while watching the display screen in progress of the game. In response, the movement of the player (player) and the ball in the soccer game is calculated according to an algorithm in a predetermined game program, thereby determining the position of the player and the ball to be displayed next and the type of picture pattern. . In such arithmetic processing, by translating the operation signal from the control pad based on the situation of the game being displayed, in the absolute coordinate space of the game,
An operation is performed to determine to which position the 22 players and one ball should be moved, and in which direction (movement data).

Here, the absolute coordinates are not coordinates in a space corresponding to the display screen, but are coordinates arbitrarily set in a region where an object such as a player moves, and the position of a viewpoint for display or the like. A fixed coordinate system independent of direction.

The operator operates through the control pad by one or two of the 22 players (when there are two operators). This directly operated player is the first object. Then, one ball is operated through the operated player.
Therefore, the game device performs an arithmetic process in accordance with the algorithm of a predetermined game program according to the movement of the ball, thereby determining the movement position of the remaining players (21 or 20 players) and the type of picture pattern to be displayed. The operation data will be determined. Such arithmetic processing is also performed in the absolute coordinate space during the game. These indirectly operated players are the second objects.

Based on the position of the object of the player or ball in the absolute coordinate space and the type of the picture pattern obtained in this way, this time, the perspective transformation of each object is performed in accordance with the viewpoint information on the display screen. Operation processing is performed.
Here, the information on the viewpoint on the display screen includes, for example, the position and direction of the camera being relayed. That is, the direction of the viewpoint and the field of view. Further, in the perspective transformation, zoom and wide information (enlargement and reduction information) of the camera are also used. Here, perspective transformation refers to two-dimensional data in which three-dimensional data in which each object exists in various forms at various positions in the absolute coordinate space is determined according to the position and direction of the camera, zoom, and wide. It means that it is converted as two-dimensional data on the display screen.

Therefore, in more detail, the perspective transformation includes a transformation from the absolute coordinate space to a display space based on viewpoint information (mainly a direction transformation) and a transformation from three-dimensional data in the display space to a display screen. Into two-dimensional data.

Information such as the position and direction of the camera, zoom, and wide are input from the control pad by the game operator.

In the second embodiment, the position (coordinates) of an object in the absolute coordinate space and the type of picture pattern (operation data) obtained as a result of the arithmetic processing are always stored in a memory. Then, when a replay command is input from the operator, arithmetic processing for drawing a display image from data accumulated in the memory is performed, and display image data in pixel units is written and stored in the memory of the frame buffer.
Then, the image data is reproduced on the monitor.

At the same time as this replay command, the operator also inputs a replay mode command as to what replay (reverse feed, fast forward, slow motion, etc.) is to be performed, and at what camera angle. According to the instruction of the replay mode, the above-described perspective transformation is calculated, and display image data is created.

The above is the outline of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, this will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[Structure of Game Apparatus] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the game apparatus of this embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a main CPU which performs image calculation processing and the like according to a game program. Main CP
U50 stores, via a CPU bus 52, a work memory during arithmetic processing, accumulation of data obtained as a result of arithmetic operation, a random access memory 54 for accumulating external game programs, image data of objects, and the like, and an initial program load. Program to be executed (IPL, Initial
It is connected to a read-only memory 56 for accumulating Program Load. A system manager / peripheral control device 58 that controls reset management of the entire system and an interface with an external device such as the control pad 60 is also connected to the CPU bus 52. 62 is an interface circuit.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a system control unit (SCU) which has a role of a coprocessor of the CPU 50, controls the buses 52 and 66, and further has a built-in direct memory access (DMA) controller. During the operation of the main CPU 50, the character data of the object is stored in the image memory (VRAM) 7.
Transfer to 8.

This system controller unit 6
4, a first image display processor (VDP1) 68 and a second image display processor (VDP1)
2) 70, audio processor 72, monitor 74, CDR
An OM (compact disk ROM) 76 is connected. 73 is an encoder, and 75 is an interface for CDROM. If the game device is a home-use game device, the monitor 74 is externally attached to the game device,
The medium of the ROM 76 is installed in a CD drive of the game device.

The first image display processor 68 is a processor for controlling an object such as a player or a ball moving in a soccer field. The image processing command and the character data of the object accompanying the image processing are written from the main CPU 50. A memory 78 and two frame buffers 80 and 82 for storing image data to be displayed in pixel units are connected. Further, the second image display processor 70 is a processor for controlling display of a background screen, and is connected to an image memory 84 and a color memory 86 for storing color information. Reference numeral 88 denotes a pair of speakers, which are externally attached in the case of a home game device.

The CDROM 76 stores a soccer game program, character data of objects such as players and balls in the game, and necessary image data such as a field and a soccer goal. The data is sequentially loaded into the memory 54.

[Absolute Coordinates] Next, the absolute coordinates in the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a soccer field for describing absolute coordinates.

Now, it is assumed that a soccer field is provided extending in the east and west directions, and both goals are provided on both sides of the east and west. In such a soccer field, the center O is defined as the origin of the absolute coordinates. Then, the X axis extends in the direction extending east from the center O, and the Y axis extends in the direction extending south.
It is defined that there is a Z axis in a direction extending directly above the axis.

A space composed of the XYZ coordinates defined in this way is defined as an absolute coordinate space.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the game proceeds in this absolute coordinate space. Main CP
The calculation of the image processing in U50 is also performed based on this absolute coordinate space.

The meaning of defining the absolute coordinates is as follows. When the soccer field is viewed from the viewpoint of the camera 90 in FIG. 5, the right side is the east side and the X axis is in the plus direction, and the left side is the west side and the X axis is the minus direction in the camera angle. Further, the far direction is the minus direction of the Y axis, and the position becomes closer when the Y axis goes from 0 to the plus direction. On the other hand, when the soccer field is viewed from the viewpoint of the camera 91, the right side is the west side and the X axis is in the minus direction, and the left side is the east side and the X axis is the plus side in the camera angle. Furthermore, when the soccer field is captured from the viewpoint of the camera 93 on the east side,
In the camera angle, the right side is the north side and the minus direction of the Y axis, and the left side is the south side and the plus direction of the Y axis.

Therefore, first, it is necessary to translate the operation signal input by the operator in the direction in the absolute coordinate space with reference to the space corresponding to the display screen.

Second, based on the calculation result of the image data obtained in the absolute coordinate space, the position and the direction on the display screen are converted based on the position and direction of the viewpoint, which is the position of the camera. Must be done. Since the position and direction of the camera are specified by an instruction signal input from the control panel by the operator, the image data in the absolute coordinate space is converted into the camera angle, that is, the coordinate space in the display screen, accordingly. It is necessary.
While the operator's instruction input regarding the position and direction of the camera is changed each time, the absolute coordinate space is always fixed, and the arithmetic processing relating to the progress of the game is performed in this absolute coordinate space. .

[Image Processing Flow] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the image processing of the game apparatus of the present embodiment.

The outline of the image processing flow will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG.

First, the operator performs key input from the control pad (step 100). The operator
While looking at the display image on the monitor where the game is progressing, the control pad gives an instruction on the direction of the player's movement and what kind of movement (standing, running, kicking, etc.). In accordance with the instruction input, the main CPU 50
Performs an arithmetic operation in the absolute coordinate axis of the object for one player (step 102). Specifically, calculation of the absolute coordinates of the object (step 103)
And determination of the type, direction, and pattern number of the motion of the object as motion data (step 104). Details will be described later. This one player is a player operated by the operator, and becomes two players when operated by two operators.

Since the soccer ball object also moves in accordance with the movement of this one player, the calculation is also performed in step 102.

Next, the movement of the object of another player is calculated by the main CPU 50 according to the position information of the ball that has moved in the soccer field. This calculation is performed according to an algorithm of a predetermined game program. For example, a player who is near the ball position moves while approaching the ball while maintaining a predetermined formation, and a player who moves away from the ball moves while moving within the range where the formation is maintained. This process is
Due to the large number of objects, the main CPU
It puts a burden on 50.

As will be described later in detail, the arithmetic processing 105 determines the absolute coordinates (position) of the other players (objects) operated by the CPU, and their directions and pattern numbers (steps 106 and 107).

The data of the object in the absolute coordinate space thus obtained is stored in the memory 54 by the main CPU 50. The object data obtained for each screen (frame) is sequentially stored in an area in the memory 54. The replay memory area has, for example, a capacity such that a frame corresponding to several seconds is stored. It has become. And the address to be written is
It is generated by adding the value of the head address of the memory area to the value from the ring counter. In this way, the replay memory area always stores the latest data for several seconds. When 60 frames are displayed per second, for example, in order to enable replay for 8 seconds, a memory capacity enough to store data of 480 frames of objects is secured in the random access memory 54. (Step 108).

Next, based on the absolute coordinate value of the object (player or ball) in the absolute coordinate space, the type of motion, the direction, the pattern number, etc. According to the operation signal of the replay mode for the position and the direction, the calculation of the perspective transformation is performed (step 109). That is, this is an operation for converting three-dimensional data in the absolute coordinate space into two-dimensional data in the display screen.

As will be described in detail later, the method comprises a step 110 for again determining the direction and pattern number of the object so as to be adapted to the display screen, and a step 111 for performing perspective transformation of the object on the display screen.

According to the image data obtained in this way, the image data in pixel units is converted by the first image display processor 68 into one of the frame buffers 80 and 8.
2 (step 112). Here, the pair of frame buffers 80 and 82 are provided because the image data in the other frame buffer is read out while the image data is being written in one frame buffer, and the monitor 74 is provided. This is for the purpose of reproduction. This makes it possible to perform very complicated and time-consuming processing and writing of image data without affecting the progress of the game.

The calculation 109 of the perspective transformation based on the information of the camera described above is also performed by the main CPU 50. However, commands and character data according to the calculation result are written to the image memory 78 by the main CPU 50 via the system control unit 64. Then, the first image display processor 68 calculates the command and the character data in the designated order, so that the image data in units of pixels is written to the frame buffers 80 and 82.

Similarly, for the background image other than the object, necessary commands and data are written into the image memory 84 via the system control unit 64 by the main CPU 50. In accordance with those commands, the second image display processor 70 generates a background image in pixel units.

Finally, the second image display processor 70 combines (merges) the image data (pixel unit) of the object in the frame buffer and the data of the background image according to a predetermined priority. , Monitor 74
To be displayed.

The above is the description of the game device of this embodiment.
It is an outline of an image processing flow.

[Data Structure of Object] Next, objects such as players and balls will be described more specifically.

FIG. 7 is a table for explaining the data structure of an object for a player. Object data includes absolute coordinates within the absolute coordinate axis, operation number, direction,
It consists of a pattern number and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the operation number 1 is a “kick” operation. This kicking operation has an attribute about the direction and an attribute of each series of pattern numbers. The attribute for the direction is, for example, 8
Direction, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, north, northeast. Of course, directions such as upward, diagonally upward, horizontal, and diagonally downward may be added. Then, in the eastward direction of direction number 1, eight character patterns performing a kicking operation to the east belong. If these eight patterns are replaced every three frames, the kicking operation will be drawn in 24 frames (24/64 seconds).

Similarly, for the "running" motion of motion number 2, there are eight patterns directed in eight directions. The operation number 3 is a “stand” operation. In addition, necessary patterns such as a sliding operation and a heading operation are prepared in advance according to the design of the program.

Next, FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the absolute coordinates of the data structure of the object.

In the object in this embodiment, eight character patterns are prepared in advance for one operation in one direction. FIG. 8 shows, as an example, a fifth pattern in the east direction of the kicking operation. In this pattern, the point A at the lower center is defined as the origin. Then, the coordinate value (x, y, z) of the origin A in the absolute coordinate space is the absolute coordinate of this pattern.

Therefore, if the data of the absolute coordinates, the operation number, the direction number, and the pattern number are defined, the object can be defined in the absolute coordinate space.

FIG. 9 shows a modification of the object data. In this example, a certain object is composed of a set of polygons such as a head, both hands, both feet, and a body. Also in this example, the origin A of the object has (x0, y0, z0) as the absolute coordinates. Further, each polygon has coordinates (x1, y1, z1), (x2,
y2, z2). . . . (X6, y6, z6).

Therefore, when an object is composed of a set of polygons, the data of the object is composed of absolute coordinates, types of polygons to be composed, relative coordinates from the absolute coordinates of the polygons, and the like. By increasing the number of polygons, a more realistic object can be reproduced. Further, if a rotation angle around each axis is further added to the relative coordinates as the position information of the polygon, the drawing can be performed in more detail.

However, if the configuration data of each object is increased in such a manner, the image processing itself becomes conversely complicated, and may not be suitable for a low-cost home video game machine.
On the other hand, in the case of an arcade type game machine, a more realistic image is required, and in that case, it can be said that it is suitable.

In any case, the data of the object is composed of its absolute coordinates and additional attribute data which is motion data.

[Calculation of Image Data] Next, referring to the block diagram of FIG. 4 and an example of the display screen, regarding the calculation in the absolute coordinate space of the player (object) operated by the opter, which is step 102 in FIG. I will explain it.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the movement of a player and a ball as objects on the display screen. In this example,
In a state where the player P1 dominating the ball BL is standing (FIG. 10 (1)), the player P1 receives an operation signal from the operator.
1 starts running to the right (Fig. 10 (2)), and the player P
1 shows a state where it is running to the right while dominating the ball BL (FIG. 10 (3)).

For example, it is assumed that the operator operates the direction lever button on the control panel while the player P1 in FIG. 10A is standing on the side of the ball BL. The main CPU 50 recognizes such an operation signal, and determines that it is instructed to run toward the right side of the screen based on the current standing state of the player. Young,
Assuming that the viewpoint position (camera position) is at the position 90 in FIG. 5, the display screen has the same direction as the absolute coordinates.
The main CPU 50 recognizes an operation signal indicating that the vehicle runs east in the absolute coordinate space.

Therefore, the main CPU 50 calculates the operation number of running, the direction number of eastward, and the running pattern number from the standing pattern by calculation, and further changes the value of the absolute coordinates in the absolute coordinate space. Then, the object data (absolute coordinates and operation data) in the absolute coordinate space is stored in the memory 54. This stored information is used for replay when a replay command is issued later.

Next, the main CPU 50 performs conversion into the coordinate space for the display screen according to the input information of the replay mode such as the camera position and direction from the operator. In the above example, since the camera position is at the position 90 in FIG. 5, the direction and coordinates are the same as those in the absolute coordinate space.

When the operation is performed in this manner, the main CP
From U50, a command and a character pattern necessary for drawing the corresponding object are written into an image memory (VRAM) of the first image display processor 68.

Then, the first image display processor 68
Writes a running pattern into the frame buffer 80 or 82 in pixel units according to a command or the like written in the image memory 78. As a result, the image of FIG. 10B is reproduced on the monitor.

FIG. 10 (3) shows the running operation of the next frame, which is calculated and reproduced in the same manner as described above.

Here, if the camera position is on the opposite side as indicated by 91 in FIG. 5, the running direction of the player P1 is on the left side, and that direction (the direction corresponding to the west side in the absolute coordinate space).
Will be selected. as a result,
As shown in FIGS. 11 (1), (2), and (3), the display screen is an image that is horizontally inverted from that in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a case where the player P1 kicks the ball BL.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the operator presses the operation button corresponding to the "kicking" operation from the control panel while the player P1 is running east in the absolute coordinate space, the main CPU 50 Recognize that you are kicking toward. Then, a kicking pattern in the east direction of the kicking operation is obtained by calculation. The obtained data of the object in the absolute coordinate space is stored in the memory 54 for replay as described above.

Further, perspective transformation is performed based on data such as the camera position and direction. If the camera position is not changed at the position of 90 in FIG. 5, FIG. 12 (1), (2),
It is reproduced on the display screen as shown in (3).

The above is the image processing for the player and the ball operated by the operator. Next, image processing for another player (21 or 20 players) operated by the CPU will be described.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a player and a ball operated by the CPU. Now, FIG.
In (3), it is assumed that the ball BL is kicked to the east. Ball B determined by main CPU 50
In accordance with the information on the absolute coordinate position of L, the main CPU 50 calculates the motions of the other 21 players under the algorithm of the predetermined game program.

According to FIG. 13A, the outline of the calculation algorithm is understood. That is, it is assumed that the ball BL has moved to the point X in the figure. Then, the players P2 and P3 near the position of the moved ball move so as to approach the ball BL. On the other hand, other players far away from the ball BL move within a range that does not break the predetermined formation. In the figure, the star is the defensive side.
Players P4 and P5 who move in front of the goal while maintaining the formation of 2, 4 Players P6 and P7 who return to the goal
It is shown. The triangle indicates the attacking side, but in addition to the player P1 operated by the operator, the player P8
-P11 is moving toward the goal on the east side.

As described above, when the movements of the other players are obtained from the algorithm of the program, the same arithmetic processing as that of the player P1 operated by the operator is performed on the object as each player. Then, the data, the absolute coordinates, the motion, the direction, the motion pattern, and the like of those objects in the absolute coordinate space are stored in the memory 54.

Then, perspective transformation is performed according to the input information on the camera position and direction. Then, the data is written to the frame buffer. After that, the data of the frame buffer and the data of the background image (scroll image) are combined (merged) by the second image display processor 70 according to a predetermined priority algorithm and displayed on the monitor 74. FIG. 13 (2) shows the player P
2 and P3 are moving toward the ball BL in the running motion.

[Operation for Perspective Transformation] Next, the main CP
Calculation processing of perspective transformation performed by U50 (Step 10 in FIG. 6)
9) will be described.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams for explaining perspective transformation.

Now, it is assumed that the player has performed the operation of “Keing”, and in the east direction, the keeping pattern 5 has been derived as a result of calculation in the absolute coordinate space. In this case, FIG. 14 shows perspective transformation when the camera position is on the south side, and FIG. 15 shows perspective transformation when the camera position is on the east side.

In the case of FIG. 14, the position of the camera is on the south side, and its direction is on the north side. Therefore, in the perspective transformation, the coordinates and directions in the absolute coordinate space remain unchanged. Then, the character pattern 120 of the kick pattern 5 at the position of the coordinates (x, y, z) is projected as a see-through pattern 124 on a display screen 122 determined by a predetermined angle and distance from the camera 90 as a viewpoint.

The specific operation is, for example, the pattern 120
The origin A and its vertical and horizontal widths YB, YA, etc. are calculated based on the viewpoint 126 and the display screen 122 by calculating the similarity of the position and size of the projection.

If the camera 90 has the same position and direction but is wider (reduced), the display screen is as shown by a broken line 128, and the calculation is performed based on it.

Now, a description will be given of a case where the camera position of the player in the same situation, that is, the pattern 5 to be cut in the east direction in the east direction in the absolute coordinate space is on the east side. FIG. 15 illustrates this.

Various data recognized in the absolute coordinate space are converted into data adapted to the display screen by performing various calculations based on information that the camera 93 is facing west from the east. You. First, the direction corresponding to the coordinate axes (XD, YD, ZD) corresponding to the display screen is calculated. That is, although the east side is the plus side of the X axis in the absolute coordinate space, the direction toward the camera, that is, the plus side of the YD axis, is the direction from the camera 93 in FIG. Therefore, the pattern 5 in the direction 3 on the south side in the data configuration shown in FIG. 7 is adopted as the pattern 5 to be cut. The pattern 5 that can be drawn is a picture that the player can go to the front.

Thus, based on the direction information,
Once the pattern number has been defined, this time, from the viewpoint 130 of the camera 93, the display screen 132 determined by the direction, wide and zoom, and the coordinates and size of the origin A of the character pattern 134 of the pattern 5 to be changed, etc. , Projection pattern 136 are obtained by calculation.

[Replay Function] Next, while the game is in progress,
An operation when a replay instruction signal is input from the operator will be described.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a replay processing flow. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating an area of the replay data in the memory 54. FIG. 18 is a view showing seven frames of an image when the camera is replayed by changing the position of the camera to the north side in the reverse direction.

For convenience of explanation, FIG.
A case where the game progresses in the order shown at 0, 12, and 13 will be described.

First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16, in step 140, the operator inputs a replay instruction from the control pad, and inputs the type of replay (reverse feed, slow motion, etc.) and camera information as a replay mode. Done.

Before the replay instruction is input, the main CPU 50 stores the absolute coordinates, the motion, the direction, and the pattern number for each object in the replay data storage area of the memory 54 for each frame.

FIG. 17 shows the outline. That is,
The frame 1 stores absolute coordinates: (x, y, z) operation: standing direction: direction pattern number: pattern as data of the player 1 operated by the operator. Similarly, data on the player P2, the ball, and the like are also stored.

The same data is stored in frame 2. For example, if data for 8 seconds is stored, a total of 48 frames is obtained at 60 frames / second.
Data for 0 frames is stored in this storage area.

In this storage area, for example, data is sequentially and cyclically stored at an address corresponding to the count value of the ring counter 144.

Now, as an aspect of replay, it is assumed that an input has been performed by the operator to instruct replay with a camera (position 91 in FIG. 5) placed on the north side in reverse playback.

Step 142 in the flowchart of FIG.
The main CPU 50 reads the object data stored in the memory 54 in the absolute coordinate space in the reverse direction from the frame 480 as shown in FIG.

Data from frame 480 is the main CP
When read by U, based on the information of the camera (the position of the viewpoint, the direction of the field of view, the magnification, etc. as the mode of replay),
Calculation of perspective transformation is performed. This calculation process is the same as the process at the time of normal game progress, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 is assigned the same number as the step number in FIG.

That is, the direction and pattern number of the object corresponding to the space of the display screen are determined again based on the camera information (step 110), and the character pattern of the determined pattern number is perspectively transformed on the display screen. (Step 111). When this calculation is completed, the main CPU 50 stores a command corresponding to the calculation result and necessary pattern data in the image memory 78 of the first image display processor (VDP1) 68 through the system control unit (SCU) 64. Write. Then, in accordance with the written command, the first image display processor converts the object into pixel-based image data and writes the image data into the frame buffers 80 and 82.

A second image display processor (VDP2) 70 for processing background image data, color data, and the like.
Accordingly, the synthesized image is displayed on the monitor 74 while the image data of the object in the frame buffer and the background image data are synthesized (merged) according to a predetermined priority algorithm.

FIGS. 18 (1) to (7) show the above-mentioned FIGS. 10 (1), (2), (3), FIGS. 12 (1), (2),
It is shown that the scenes of (3) and (2) of FIG. 13 are replayed in the reverse feed and the left-right reversal (mirror image).

As described above, since the data in the absolute coordinate space is perspective-transformed in accordance with the camera information specified for each frame, for example, (1), (2), and (3) in FIG. (4) and (5) in FIG. 18 are displayed by the camera 93 on the east side, and finally (6) and (7) in FIG.
Is displayed by the camera 90 on the south side, so that it is possible to reproduce the image while rotating the camera from north to east and south.

Further, if there is a replay instruction by slow motion, the data for each frame stored in the memory 54 is read twice, for example, twice and perspective-transformed to realize the replay function.

Further, if there is a replay instruction by fast-forwarding, the replay function can be realized by reading out, for example, only odd-numbered frames of the data for each frame stored in the memory 54 and performing perspective transformation. .

The enlargement and reduction of the display screen can be easily realized by changing the factor of the magnification at the time of the perspective transformation. Moreover, it can be changed for each frame.

Therefore, for example, it is also possible to perform a dynamic (dynamic) replay while rotating the camera position in a reverse motion and in a slow motion while gradually expanding the camera position.

[0135]

As described above, according to the present invention, in response to a replay request, rotation, enlargement,
Since the game scene is displayed on the display screen based on the display data that has been reduced, etc., the game's famous scenes and unusual scenes can be reproduced from a different viewpoint than when the game is in progress, and the game can be played many times. It has the feature that it can be enjoyed and double the fun of the game.

Further, according to the present invention, since image data in the absolute coordinate space which is not affected by the type of replay is stored, when a replay is requested, reverse feed, slow motion, fast forward, enlargement The replay can be performed in response to any type of replay, such as reduction, change of the camera position (viewpoint), rotation of the camera position, and the like, making the game more enjoyable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a game device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a soccer field for describing absolute coordinates.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of image processing of the game device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating a data structure of an object for a player.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing absolute coordinates of a data structure of an object.

FIG. 9 is a modification example as data of an object.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing movement of a player and a ball as objects on a display screen.

11 is a diagram illustrating a case of FIG. 10 and a case of a horizontally inverted image.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a case where a player P1 kicks a ball BL.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a player and a ball operated by a CPU.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining perspective transformation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining perspective transformation.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a replay processing flow.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating an area of replay data.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing 7 frames of an image when the camera is replayed by changing the position of the camera to the north side in the reverse feed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 54 storage means, memory 76 recording medium

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game device for moving an object in a three-dimensional coordinate space in response to an operation signal from an operator and displaying an image of the object viewed from a predetermined viewpoint on a two-dimensional screen. Character pattern data storage means for storing character pattern data in a plurality of directions corresponding to the motion of the object; and, during a game, according to an operation signal from the operator, the character pattern data in the three-dimensional coordinate space of the object. Object data generating means for generating object data having direction data and the character pattern data; and a direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen, the direction data of the generated object data and the position of a viewpoint at the time of image generation. Is determined according to the By the character pattern data corresponding to the direction, the game apparatus characterized by having an image generating means for generating image data of the two-dimensional screen. 2. A game device for moving an object in a three-dimensional coordinate space in response to an operation signal from an operator and displaying an image of the object viewed from a predetermined viewpoint on a two-dimensional screen. Character pattern data storage means for storing character pattern data in a plurality of directions corresponding to the motion of the object; and, during a game, according to an operation signal from the operator, the character pattern data in the three-dimensional coordinate space of the object. Object data generating means for generating object data having direction data and the character pattern data; and, when the position of the viewpoint is changed, the direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen is changed to the direction of the generated object data. Determined according to the data and the position of the changed viewpoint, By the character pattern data corresponding to the direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen, the game apparatus characterized by having an image generating means for generating image data of the two-dimensional screen. 3. A game method for moving an object in a three-dimensional coordinate space in response to an operation signal from an operator, and displaying an image of the object viewed from a predetermined viewpoint on a two-dimensional screen. Character pattern data in a plurality of directions is stored in advance in correspondence with the movement of the object, and during game progress, direction data of the object in the three-dimensional coordinate space and the character pattern are inputted in accordance with an operation signal from the operator. An object data generating step of generating object data having data and a direction of an object in the two-dimensional screen are determined in accordance with the direction data of the generated object data and a position of a viewpoint at the time of generating an image. The character corresponding to the direction of the object in the three-dimensional screen The pattern data, the game method characterized by and an image generation step of generating image data of the two-dimensional screen. 4. A game method for moving an object in a three-dimensional coordinate space in response to an operation signal from an operator, and displaying an image of the object viewed from a predetermined viewpoint on a two-dimensional screen. Character pattern data in a plurality of directions is stored in advance in correspondence with the movement of the object, and during game progress, direction data of the object in the three-dimensional coordinate space and the character pattern are inputted in accordance with an operation signal from the operator. An object data generating step of generating object data having data and a direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen when the position of the viewpoint is changed;
Image data in the two-dimensional screen is generated based on the character pattern data determined according to the direction data of the generated object data and the changed position of the viewpoint, and corresponding to the direction of the object in the two-dimensional screen. A game method, comprising: