JP2002269582A - Game information, information storage medium, and game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for easily generating an image having a large degree of smoothing. SOLUTION: An original image to be smoothed is contracted, by lowering its resolution to generate contracted images (images A and B). Next, the images A and B are respectively enlarged to the resolution before contraction to generate enlarged images (images A' and B'). These images A' and B' are then α-composited to generate a smoothed image. The images A and B are further contracted by reducing their resolution to generate contracted images (images C-F). The images C-F are then enlarged successively in the order, and α- composited, thereby an image of a larger degree of smoothness is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to game information for generating a game image and executing a given game, a game device, and an information storage medium for storing the game information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Moving-average filtering, weighted-average filtering, variable-weighted-average filtering, and image-smoothing processing for smoothing gray-scale fluctuations of an image are known.
Various techniques such as median filtering are known. These image smoothing processes are used to reduce noise or obtain a blurring effect.

[0003]

However, in order to obtain an image with a high degree of smoothing (a more blurred image), a complicated calculation is generally required. In particular,
In a game device that requires high-speed image generation, means for generating a blurred image in a shorter time by simpler calculation is required.

An object of the present invention is to realize means for easily generating an image having a high degree of smoothing.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the game information according to the first aspect of the present invention is to execute a given game by generating a game image by calculation and control by a processor. By performing one image smoothing process on different devices based on different sample points,
Smoothed image generating means for generating a plurality of smoothed images for one original image (for example, the reduced image generating unit 421 in FIG. 10)
And a part of the gauze image generation unit 422) and a synthesizing unit (eg, the gauze image generation unit 422 in FIG. 10) for synthesizing the color information of the plurality of smoothed images. Possible game information.

The invention according to claim 25 is a game device for generating a game image and executing a given game, wherein one image smoothing process is executed based on different sample points. Smoothed image generation means for generating a plurality of smoothed images for one original image (for example, a part of the reduced image generation unit 421 and the gauze image generation unit 422 in FIG. 10) and color information of the plurality of smoothed images And a combining means (for example, a gauze image generating unit 422 in FIG. 10) for combining.

According to the present invention, an image having a high degree of smoothing can be easily obtained. That is, rather than repeatedly executing one image smoothing process, different sample points are used to generate a plurality of types of smoothed images, and the plurality of types of smoothed images are combined to further smooth the image. Thus, it is possible to obtain an image having a high degree of smoothing. Further, only one image smoothing process is required for the arithmetic processing, and only the sample points need to be different. Processing for a plurality of smoothed images to be generated may be synthesis of color information. I'm done.
For this reason, the present invention is suitable when there is a restriction on the time required to generate one frame of image, such as when generating a game image.

In the game information according to the first aspect of the present invention, the different sample points may be set in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in the original image. May be included in at least one direction.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the sample points are set at different positions in at least one of the left-right direction and the up-down direction in the original image, so that a moving image such as a game image becomes an odd image. Nothing. That is, for example, when the sample points are set at different positions only in the horizontal direction, even if the object represented in the original image (game image) moves smoothly in the vertical direction, it is generated as an image such as frame advance. May be affected. More specifically, when the sample points are different only in the left-right direction, the image of the final synthesis result by the synthesizing unit is an image in which the left-right direction is further smoothed. For this reason, the degree of smoothing is weak (low) in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the vertical movement of the object in the original image (game image) is a smooth movement,
As a result, it is expressed as intermittent movement such as frame advance. This is the same when the sample points are set at different positions only in the vertical direction. That is, in this case, even if the object represented in the original image (game image) moves smoothly in the left-right direction, it can be expressed as a frame advance as a result. According to the present invention, it is possible to make up for this disadvantage.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game information according to the first or second aspect, wherein an image for generating a reduced image having a reduced image resolution is provided to the smoothed image generating means. Reduction means (for example, reduced image generation means 421 in FIG. 10) and image enlargement means for expanding the reduced image to generate an image with a resolution before reduction (for example, a part of the gauze image generation unit 422 in FIG. 10) And information for executing the image smoothing process by functioning.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image smoothing process is executed by a series of processes in which the resolution of the image is once reduced by the image reducing unit and then returned to the original resolution by the image enlarging unit. You. Thus, for example,
The resolution is temporarily reduced by thinning out the pixel data, and the resolution is increased by copying the pixel data of the reduced resolution (the resolution does not appear to be increased by the naked eye, but the resolution increases as data. )
By such processing, it is possible to easily and easily realize the image smoothing processing.

A specific example of the reduced image generation processing by the image reduction means is the invention described in claim 4. That is, a fourth aspect of the present invention is the game information according to the third aspect, wherein a predetermined interpolation pixel data calculation process is performed on the image reduction means, and based on the obtained interpolation pixel data. And generating information for generating a reduced image.

[0013] Further, as a specific example of the expansion processing of the reduced image by the image enlargement means, there is an invention according to claim 5. That is, the invention according to claim 5 is the game information according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:
It is characterized by including information for functioning to expand a reduced image by performing a given interpolation pixel data operation process.

According to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, the nearest neighbor interpolation method or bilinear interpolation method (so-called bilinear filtering), which is known as interpolation pixel data arithmetic processing, and cubic Processing such as convolution interpolation (so-called trilinear filtering) can be used. In particular, when the device of the present invention is a game device, a computer system, or the like, the above-described interpolation pixel data calculation processing may be realized as a hardware function. Further, it is possible to further speed up the process of generating a reduced image and the process of expanding the reduced image by the image reducing unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game information according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the image reduction is performed on the smoothed image generating means based on a degree of smoothing. After recursively executing the generation of the reduced image by the means, the information includes information for causing the image enlargement means to recursively execute the expansion of the reduced image.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game information according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the reduced image generation by the image reduction unit and the image generation are performed on the smoothed image generation unit. The expansion of the reduced image by the enlargement means
It is characterized by including information for functioning to execute repeatedly based on the degree of smoothing.

According to the invention described in claim 6 or 7, the degree of smoothing can be further enhanced. However, in a case where an image having a high degree of smoothing is quickly generated, a sixth aspect of the present invention is described.
The invention described in claim 7 is more preferable in the case where the smoothing degree is to be adjusted rather than speedy.
That is, according to the invention of claim 6, first, the resolution is reduced by the image reducing means, so that the invention of claim 6 is more quickly smoothed than the invention of claim 7. Can be generated. On the other hand, according to the present invention, the generation of the reduced image by the image reduction unit and the expansion of the reduced image by the image enlargement unit are a series of processes, and this series of processes is repeatedly executed. , The degree of smoothing gradually increases, so that the degree of smoothing can be adjusted.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the game information according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the color information of the plurality of smoothed images and the original It is characterized by including information for functioning to display the original image by combining with color information of the image.

According to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to represent a blurred image by using the generated smoothed image. But,
As a result of the image smoothing process, such a phenomenon occurs that contours (edges), lines, and the like in the original image are difficult to understand, and the original color is difficult to be determined due to changes in color information and the like. This becomes more remarkable as the degree of smoothing increases. According to the invention described in claim 8, such a problem can be solved. In other words, although the generated smoothed image is an image having the above problem, it is combined with the original image according to the present invention, so that the above problem can be corrected.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the game information according to the eighth aspect, a combination ratio when combining the color information of the plurality of smoothed images and the color information of the original image is provided to the combining means. It is characterized by including information for functioning as variable.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, for example, it is possible to represent a blurred image in which the degree of blur is arbitrarily changed from the same smoothed image.

The game information according to claim 10 is the game information according to claim 8.
Or 9) determining whether to update the original image by combining the color information of the plurality of smoothed images with the color information of the original image based on a given input signal. The information is characterized by including information for functioning as follows.

According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to determine whether or not to display a blurred image in accordance with a given condition. For example, a blurred image is generated in the replay scene to make the coarseness of the game image inconspicuous, or display / non-display of the blurred image is determined according to the growth degree of the player character or the acquired item, and the growth degree and the item are determined. Can be expressed.

The game information according to claim 11 is the game information according to claim 8
Any of (a) to (c), wherein the device is configured to use the game image as the original image (for example, the image generation unit 420 of FIG. 10), and a plurality of smoothing generated by the smoothed image generating unit. Specifying means for specifying a part or all of an image (for example, the image generating unit 420 in FIG. 10);
To update the original image by synthesizing information for causing the synthesizing unit to combine the color information of the plurality of smoothed images relating to the specified portion with the color information of the original image. , And information for functioning as described above.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to blur all or part of the game image.

The game information according to claim 12 is the game information according to claim 1.
In any one of Items 1 to 10, a part or all of the game image is set as the original image according to at least one of a state, a position, a moving speed, and an environment of the player character with respect to the device. And means for causing the means to function.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the game information according to the eleventh aspect is provided, in accordance with the eleventh aspect, with respect to the state, the present position, the moving speed and the environment of the player character.
According to at least one of the plurality of smoothed images generated by the smoothed image generating unit, the information includes information for causing a part or all of the plurality of smoothed images to be specified.

Here, the state of the player character is
The parameters mean the parameters related to the player character, such as the degree of growth, offensive power, physical condition, or acquired items. The term “existing position” refers to the arrangement position of the player character in the game space and the display position on the game screen. Things. The moving speed is a temporal change of the above-mentioned position, and further includes an acceleration which is a temporal change of the moving speed. The environment is the weather in the game space or the game stage where the player character exists.

According to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect of the present invention, for example, in a situation where the player character is faint, it is possible to blur the entire screen and express a state in which the field of vision becomes hazy. Further, in a racing game or the like, when a car (or a motorcycle, an aircraft, or the like) operated by a player suddenly accelerates, by blurring the surrounding scenery, G (acceleration) is visually represented, and a situation in which the field of view narrows. Can be expressed. Furthermore, when the player character escapes from the cave, it is possible to perform an effect such that the entire screen is blurred and the eyes are not brightened.

The game information according to claim 14 is the game information according to claim 1.
In any one of (a) to (d), the device is configured to provide the device with a part or all of the game image as the original image based on a given light source in a game space of the given game (for example, FIG. Of the image generation section 420).

[0031] The game information described in claim 15 may be arranged such that the game information is sent to the specific means by the smoothed image generating means based on a given light source in a game space of the given game. It is characterized by including information for causing a part or all of a plurality of smoothed images to be generated to function.

According to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect of the present invention, for example, the region to be blurred is determined according to the position of the light source and the direction of the light beam so that the line of sight is directed to the sun as the light source. By blurring the entire game screen, it is possible to express glare.

The game information according to claim 16 is the game information according to claim 1.
Any one of (a) to (c), wherein the device has a function (for example, the image generation unit 420 in FIG. 10) of using a peripheral image of a given object in the game space of the given game as the original image. It is characterized by including information for causing the information to be transmitted.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to the eleventh aspect, the identification means is provided with a peripheral image of a given object in a game space of the given game and the smoothed image generation means. (For example, identification of a gauze polygon in the embodiment) from among a plurality of smoothed images generated by the method described above.

Here, the peripheral image includes an image of a given object, that is, a given object and its periphery in an image viewed from a given viewpoint are blurred.

According to the invention of claim 16 or 17, for example, a specific object such as expressing a state of raining by blurring a portion on a road surface which is strongly hit by rain. It is possible to express a specific self-proclaimed character in a more realistic manner.

The game information according to claim 18 is the game information according to claim 1
Or means for generating the game image based on a given viewpoint with respect to the device (for example, the image generation unit 420 in FIG. 10), and based on a distance from the given viewpoint. And means for causing a part (or all) of the game image to be the original image (for example, the image generation unit 420 in FIG. 10).

The game information according to the nineteenth aspect is the device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the device generates the game image based on a given viewpoint with respect to the device (for example, FIG. 10).
Of the plurality of smoothed images generated by the smoothed image generating unit based on the information for causing the image generating unit 420 to function and the specifying unit based on the distance from the given viewpoint. And information for causing a part or all to be specified.

According to the invention of claim 18 or 19, an arbitrary area of the game image can be blurred according to the distance from the viewpoint. For example, by using a Z value (depth value) by the Z-buffer method, an object existing farther from the viewpoint is strongly blurred, and a depth of field expression is possible.

The game information according to claim 20 is the game information according to claim 1.
Any one of (a) to (c), the device sets a point of interest in the game space of the given game (for example, the image generation unit 420 in FIG. 10), and the device based on the distance from the point of interest. Means for setting a part or all of the game image as the original image (for example, the image generation unit 4 in FIG. 10).
20) is included.

Further, the game information according to claim 21 is a device according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus sets a point of interest in the game space of the given game with respect to the device (for example, FIG. 1).
0 image generation unit 420),
For the identification means, based on the distance from the gazing point, to identify a part or all of the plurality of smoothed images generated by the smoothed image generating means, information to function as, It is characterized by including.

According to the twentieth or twenty-first aspect of the present invention, for example, blurring can be performed on an object whose distance from the point of regard is outside a certain range. This makes it possible to realize a depth-of-field expression.

The game information according to claim 22 is the game information according to claim 1.
In any one of Items 1 to 10, the information including information for causing the device to function as a source image of part or all of the game image (for example, the image generation unit 420 in FIG. 10) is included. Features.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to blur only an arbitrary area of a game image.

The game information according to claim 23 is the game information according to claim 1.
In any one of Items 1 to 10, information for causing the device to function as a source image using an image relating to a replay scene of the given game (for example, the image generation unit 420 in FIG. 10) is provided. It is characterized by including.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, for example, in a racing game or the like, it is possible to blur the replay scene to make the game image less noticeable.

Further, the game information according to any one of claims 1 to 23 may be stored like an information storage medium according to claim 24.

According to the invention described in claim 24, an information storage medium having the effects of the inventions described in claims 1 to 23 can be realized.

[0049]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game device will be described below in detail. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a blurred image is generated from an original image, and a gauze image is generated by α-combining the generated blurred image and the original image.

It should be noted that α synthesis is synthesis of color information based on transparency or opacity, and in this embodiment, the value of α is mainly treated as opacity.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an original image. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of blurred images generated at different blur levels from the original image of FIG. 1. FIG.
(A) shows a gauze level 1, FIG. (B) shows a gauze level 2, and FIG. (C) shows a gauze level 3 and a blurred image, respectively.

This gauze level M (M = 0, 1, 2, 3,...
()) Expresses the degree of blurring, and is a blurred image in which the greater the value of the gauze level M, the greater the degree of blurring. Further, the blurred image of the gauze level 0 is an image that has not been subjected to the blurring process, and is the original image itself.

FIG. 3 shows a gauze image generated by α-combining the original image of FIG. 1 and the blurred image (gauze level 3) of FIG. It is a figure showing an example at the time of applying to a screen.

FIG. 3A shows that the blurred image is 0% (ie,
The original image is 100%), and FIG.
0% (that is, the original image is 50%), and FIG.
Is 100% for the blurred image (ie, 0% for the original image)
It is a figure which shows the gauze image produced | generated by (alpha) combining with an original image, respectively. Thus, by changing the combination ratio, different gauze images are generated.

The gauze image obtained by synthesizing the blurred image at 0% (FIG. 3A) is the original image itself shown in FIG. 1, and the gauze image obtained by synthesizing the blurred image at 100% (FIG. 3C) Is
This is the blurred image itself of FIG.

Note that it is possible to express the generated blurred image as a blurred image itself. However, the process of generating a blurred image may make it difficult to understand the outline (edge) or line of the original image, or may make it difficult to determine the original color by changing color information or the like. Furthermore, this becomes more pronounced as the degree of blur increases. However, by combining with the original image, such a problem can be corrected.

Next, the principle of generating a blurred image from an original image by an image smoothing process will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an outline of an image smoothing process, and FIG.
Shows a case in which a blur image of gauze level 1 is generated.

In the following description, “reducing” or “enlarging” an image means “changing the image size by changing the resolution of the image”. That is, for example, instead of simply reducing or enlarging an image of 600 ppi, the original size of the image is reduced by setting the resolution of 600 ppi to 300 ppi, or by changing the resolution of 300 ppi to 600 ppi. This means increasing the original size.

In FIG. 4A, first, images A and B obtained by reducing the original image are generated. The images A and B are images obtained by reducing the original image in both the vertical and horizontal directions by 1/2, and the size thereof is 1/4 of the original image. The generated images A and B are different images because of different sample points. This point will be described later together with details of the image reduction method.

Next, images A ', which are obtained by enlarging images A and B,
B ′ is generated. The images A 'and B' are
Is doubled vertically and horizontally, and its size is four times that of the images A and B, that is, the same size as the original image. The details of the image enlargement method will be described later.

Then, the images A ′ and B ′ are α-combined at an equal ratio to generate a blurred image having the same size as the original image. The details of the α synthesis of the image will be described later. The blurred image created in this way is a shade level 1 blurred image as shown in FIG.

As described above, by performing the image smoothing process of generating two reduced images different from the original image and α-synthesizing these reduced images to generate a blurred image, a blurred image having a higher degree of blurring is obtained. Can be easily generated. In addition, since processing for these reduced images can be performed by combining color information, there is an advantage that simple arithmetic processing is sufficient.

Finally, a gauze image is generated by α-combining the original image and the blurred image generated from the original image at a predetermined combination ratio. For example, when the composition ratio of the original image and the blurred image is 1: 1 (ie,
In the case where the composition ratio of the blurred image is 50%), FIG.
When a gauze image as shown in FIG. 3B is generated and the ratio is set to 0: 1 (that is, when the synthesis ratio of the blurred image is 100%), a gauze image as shown in FIG. Is generated.

Next, the description will be made of the α-synthesis of an image.
For example, when the α synthesis is α blending, the image X and the image Y are synthesized and the image Z is generated as in the following equation. Rz = (1-α) × Rx + α × Ry (1-a) Gz = (1-α) × Gx + α × Gy (1-b) Bz = (1-α) × Bx + α × By (1-c) Here, Rx, Gx, and Bx are R (color) of the image X.
GB components (Rx, Gx, Bx), and Ry, G
y and By are RGB components (Ry, Ry,
Gy, By). Rz, Gz, and Bz are α
RGB components (Rz, Gz, Bz) of the color (luminance) of the image Z generated by blending (α synthesis). Α represents the opacity of the image Y, and 0.0 ≦ α ≦ 1.
This is a value set in the range of 0.

For example, in FIG. 4A, images A ′,
Since the α synthesis of B ′ is performed at an equal ratio (that is, α = 0.5), the RGB (R, R,
G, B) components are as follows. R = 0.5 × Ra + 0.5 × Rb G = 0.5 × Ga + 0.5 × Gb B = 0.5 × Ba + 0.5 × Bb Here, Ra, Ga, and Ba are RGB of the color of the image A ′. Components (Ra, Ga, Ba), and Rb, Gb, B
b is the RGB component (Rb, Gb, Bb) of the color of the image B ′
It is.

Further, in this embodiment, a reduced image or an enlarged image is generated by an image smoothing process using an interpolation function of pixel data of bilinear filtering. In an image generation device such as a game device, interpolation pixel data arithmetic processing such as nearest neighbor interpolation, bilinear interpolation (so-called bilinear filtering), and cubic convolution interpolation (so-called trilinear filtering) is performed by hardware. It may be implemented as a function of hardware. In such a case, it is possible to realize the image smoothing process at higher speed.

Next, bilinear filtering will be described. FIG. 5 illustrates the existing pixels (T1, T2, T3, and T3).
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between 4) and a pixel (P) interpolated by bilinear filtering. As shown in FIG. 5A, the color CP of the interpolated pixel (sampling point) P
Is a color obtained by interpolating the colors of the pixels T1 to T4 around P.

Specifically, based on the coordinates of T1 to T4 and the coordinate of P, the coordinate ratio β: 1−β (0 ≦ β ≦
1) and the coordinate ratio γ: 1−γ in the y-axis direction (0 ≦ γ ≦ 1)
And ask. Then, the color CP of P (output color in bilinear filtering) is represented by the following equation. CP = (1-β) × (1-γ) × CT1 + β × (1-γ) × CT2 + (1-β) × γ × CT3 + β × γ × CT4 (2)

As shown in FIG. 5B, β = γ =
When it is と, the color CP of the interpolated pixel P is
It becomes like the following formula. CP = (CT1 + CT2 + CT3 + CT4) / 4 (3) In the present embodiment, a reduced image or an enlarged image is generated by using the above equation (3), and an image smoothing process is performed.

The .alpha. Synthesis is not limited to the .alpha. Blending described above, but techniques such as .alpha. Addition, .alpha. Subtraction, and translucent processing are also conceivable.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the generation of the gauze image described with reference to FIG. 4 is realized by using a frame buffer.

The frame buffer is a memory for storing an image displayed every 60/1 seconds or 30/1 seconds (one frame) displayed on the display screen. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a frame buffer FA that uses two frame buffers and stores an entire image of one frame as a frame buffer FB, and a frame buffer FB that uses blurred images and the like as processing of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, the original image X is drawn in the frame buffer FA, and the vertex coordinates (x, y) of the original image X are represented by (0, 0), (2n, 0), (2n, 2n), (0, 2
n). Then, the original image X is drawn in the frame buffer FB by using the interpolation function of bilinear filtering, and reduced images (images A and B) are generated.

More specifically, first, when drawing the original image X in the frame buffer FB, the coordinates (xa, ya) of the frame buffer FB = (0, 0), (n, 0), (n,
The vertex coordinates given to (n) and (0, n) are (0,0), (2n, 0), (2) in the frame buffer FA, respectively.
n, 2n) and (0, 2n).

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a reduced image (image A) is generated based on equation (3). Here, the color CA [u, v] of the pixel interpolated by interpolation is determined as in the following equation. CA [u, v] = (CX [2u, 2v] + CX [2u + 1,2v] + CX [2u, 2v + 1] + CX [2u + 1,2v + 1]) / 4 (4) where u , V = 0, 1,..., N−1. [U, v] indicates the position of a pixel in the image,
CX [u, v] is the color of the pixel corresponding to the pixel position [u, v] of the original image X. That is, according to the above equation (4), the color CA [u, v] of the interpolated pixel is the color of the surrounding four pixels (that is, CX [2u, 2v], CX [2u + 1,2v], CX [2u, 2v +
1], and the average value of CX [2u + 1, 2u + 1]).

As described above, by setting the average value of the colors of the four pixels of the original image X to the color of one pixel of the image A, the vertical and horizontal widths are each １ ／ (that is, the size is １ ／). Is drawn (generated) in the frame buffer FB.

Further, in FIG. 6, when the original image X is drawn in the frame buffer FB, the coordinates (xb, yb) of the frame buffer FB = (0, n), (n, n), (n, n)
2n) and the vertex coordinates given to (0, 2n)
(−1, −1), (2n−1,
-1), (2n-1,2n-1), (-1,2n-1)
Set as Then, as shown in FIG. 7, color interpolation is automatically performed, and an image B (reduced image) is similarly drawn (generated).

Here, the color C of the pixel inserted by interpolation
B [u, v] is determined as in the following equation based on equation (3). CB [u, v] = (CX [2u-1,2v-1] + CX [2u, 2v-1] + CX [2u-1,2v] + CX [2u, 2v]) / 4 (5) where u , V = 0, 1,..., N−1. CX [u, v] is the color of the pixel of the original image X. That is, according to the above equation (5), the color CB [u,
v] is the color of the four pixels surrounding the sample point (ie, C
X [2u-1,2v-1], CX [2u, 2v-1], CX [2u-1,2v
2], and the average value of CX [2u, 2v]).

In equation (5), the position of a pixel serving as a sample point may be outside the area of the image B. In this case, the color of a pixel located in the immediate vicinity is changed to the sample point. Is adopted as the color of the pixel. For example, CX
For example, CX [0,0] is adopted for [-1, -1], and CX [2,0] is adopted for CX [2, -1].

As described above, by setting the average value of the colors of the four pixels of the original image X to the color of one pixel of the image B, the length and width are each reduced to １ ／ (that is, the size is reduced to ４). Is rendered (generated) in the frame buffer FB.

Further, since the sampling points are different between Expressions (4) and (5), the images A and B drawn (generated) in the frame buffer FB are different images.

Further, since sample points are set at different positions in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in the original image, strange images are not generated in a moving image such as a game image.
For example, if sample points are set at different positions only in the horizontal direction, the finally generated image will be an image obtained by smoothing only the horizontal direction, and an image having a low degree of smoothing in the vertical direction. Become. Therefore, even if the object represented in the original image (game image) moves smoothly in the up-down direction, there is a possibility that an image such as frame-by-frame is eventually generated. The same can be considered when sample points are set at different positions only in the vertical direction. However, such problems can be solved by setting sample points at different positions in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

Subsequently, in FIG. 6, these reduced images (images A and B) are enlarged, and each enlarged image is α-combined with the original image to form a gauze image (α combination of the original image and the blurred image). Is generated). First, the image A drawn in the frame buffer FB is enlarged, and the enlarged image and the original image X already drawn in the frame buffer FA are enlarged.
Are combined at a predetermined combination ratio, and the combined image is drawn in the frame buffer FA.

Specifically, an enlarged image is generated from the image A by utilizing the interpolation function of bilinear filtering. Draw image A in frame buffer FA (α
At the time of synthesis, the coordinates (x,
y) = (0,0), (2n, 0), (2n, 2n),
The vertex coordinates given to (0, 2n) are (0, 0), (n, 0), (n, n),
(0, n).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, an enlarged image (image Z) is generated based on equation (3). Here, the pixel color CZ [2u, 2v] interpolated by interpolation,
CZ [2u + 1,2v], CZ [2u, 2v + 1], and CZ [2u + 1,2
v + 1] is determined as follows. CZ [2u, 2v] = (CA [u-1, v-1] + CA [u, v-1] + CA [u-1, v] + CA [u, v]) / 4 (6-a) CZ [2u + 1,2v] = (CA [u, v-1] + CA [u + 1, v-1] + CA [u, v] + CA [u + 1, v]) / 4 (6-b) CZ [2u, 2v + 1] = (CA [u-1, v] + CA [u, v] + CA [u-1, v-1] + CA [u, v-1]) / 4 (6-c ) CZ [2u + 1,2v + 1] = (CA [u, v] + CA [u + 1, v] + CA [u, v + 1] + CA [u + 1, v + 1]) / 4 (4) 6-d) where u, v = 0, 1,..., N−1. CA [u, v] is the color of the pixel of the image A. That is,
According to the above equations (6-a) to (6-d), the color of the interpolated pixel CZ [u, v] is the color of the surrounding four pixels (that is, C
A [u-1, v-1], CA [u, v-1], CA [u-1, v], and CA [u, v]).

As described above, by utilizing the interpolation function of bilinear filtering, a reduced image or an enlarged image can be easily generated.

As described above, an image is generated from the image A in which the vertical and horizontal dimensions are each doubled (ie, the size is quadrupled). Then, the enlarged image and the frame buffer FA
The original image X is updated by α-combining the original image X and the original image already drawn on the frame buffer FA. Hereinafter, the code of the updated original image is X ′.

Similarly, for the image B drawn in the frame buffer FB, the enlarged image and the original image X ′ already drawn in the frame buffer FA are α-combined at a predetermined combination ratio, and the frame buffer Draw on FA.

By performing the above processing, finally,
The image drawn in the frame buffer FA is the original image X
, And an image obtained by enlarging the image A and an image obtained by enlarging the image B are α-combined. In addition, this gauze image,
This corresponds to a gauze image when the blur image of gauze level 1 and the original image are α-combined.

Actually, enlargement of the images A and B and α
The combining process is performed for each pixel of the frame buffer FA. That is, the color of each pixel of the frame buffer FA is determined from the image A by using bilinear filtering. Then, the pixel whose color has been determined and the corresponding pixel of the original image X that has already been drawn are α-synthesized at a predetermined synthesis ratio, and the generated image data is drawn in the pixel of the frame buffer FA. I do. Then, by repeating this drawing process for each pixel of the frame buffer FA, a composite image of the enlarged image of the image A and the original image X is drawn in the frame buffer FA. The same processing is performed for the image B.

Therefore, the enlarged image is not actually drawn (overwritten) in the frame buffer FA, but is synthesized with the original image X (or original image X ') at the same time as the enlarged image is generated. . That is, the image finally drawn on the frame buffer FA becomes a gauze image.

Further, the combination ratio of the α combination of the original image X and the image A and the image X ′ and the image B is determined based on the combination ratio of the original image X and the blurred image.

For example, in FIG. 4A, an enlarged image A ′ of the image A and an enlarged image B ′ of the image B are α-combined at an equal ratio. Then, the generated blurred image and the original image X are
It is assumed that α is synthesized at an equal ratio. In this case, first, the image A is α-combined (drawn) at 33% with respect to the original image X such that the composition ratio between the image A and the original image X is 1: 2. Subsequently, the image B is compared with the original image X ′ by 2 so that the composition ratio of the image B and the original image X ′ is 1: 3.
Perform α synthesis (drawing) at 5%. As a result, the original image X
Then, a gauze image is generated (drawn) in which the blurred image is α-combined at 50%.

As described above, a series of processes of once reducing the resolution of the original image and then returning to the original resolution,
An image smoothing process is performed. That is, the image smoothing process is easily and easily realized by a process of temporarily reducing the resolution by thinning out the pixel data and then increasing the resolution by copying the pixel data having the reduced resolution.

In the above description, the case where a blurred image of the gauze level 1 is generated by executing the image smoothing process, and the blurred image and the original image X are α-synthesized to generate a gauze image. As described above, the same can be realized for a higher gauze level M (M = 2, 3,...), That is, a case where the smoothing degree is higher.

For example, in FIG.
Is reduced again, it is possible to generate a blurred image of gauze level 2, which has a higher degree of blurring. That is, FIG.
As shown in (b), the images A and B are reduced again to generate images C and D obtained by reducing the image A and images E and F obtained by reducing the image B, respectively. Images C and D,
The images E and F are different images because the sample points are different. These images C to F are images A and B
Is an image in which each of the vertical and horizontal directions is reduced to そ れ ぞ れ, and the size (area) is ４ of the images A and B, and is 1
/ 16.

Next, these images C to F are doubled both vertically and horizontally to generate images C ′, D ′, E ′, and F ′ that are １ ／ of the size of the original image. I do. And
The images C ′ and D ′ are α-combined at equal ratios to generate an image A ′. Similarly, the images E ′ and F ′ are α-synthesized at the same ratio to generate an image B ′. This image A ', B'
Is the same size as the images A and B, and is １ ／ the size of the original image.

Further, the images A 'and B' are enlarged twice in both the vertical and horizontal directions to generate images A "and B" having the same size as the original image. Finally, a blurred image is generated by α-combining the images A ″ and B ″ at the same ratio. The blurred image generated in this way is the blurred image (shape level 2) shown in FIG.

Further, by repeating the reduction for the reduced images (images C to F) again, it is possible to generate a blurred image having a higher degree of blurring.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between an original image and a reduced image generated from the original image. As shown in the figure, it is expressed in a hierarchical structure with the original image as the root, and the depth of the hierarchy corresponds to the gauze level M.

As described above, a strongly blurred (smoothed) image can be quickly generated according to the gauze level M. Also, by changing the synthesis ratio between the original image and the blurred image, it is possible to generate an image (shape image) blurred to an arbitrary degree.

Further, by simultaneously executing the drawing of the blurred image and the synthesis of the image, the memory capacity required for generating the gauze image is required to be at most two frame buffers. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a reduced image generated by increasing the gauze level M, that is, increasing the degree of smoothing, is drawn in the frame buffer B as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the frame buffers A and B correspond to the frame buffers FA and FB in FIG. 6, respectively. The image A corresponds to scr [2], and the image B corresponds to scr [3]. The images C and D generated by further reducing the image A are stored in the scr of the frame buffer B in FIG.
Images E and F, which are drawn on [4] and scr [5] and are generated by reducing the image B, are similarly shown in FIG.
[6], scr of frame buffer B at
It is drawn in [7].

As described above, since the reduced image generated by increasing the gauze level M is drawn in an unused area of the frame buffer B (FB), it is necessary to generate the gauze image after all. Only two frame buffers are required.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a game device to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the functional blocks include an operation unit 100, a display unit 300, a processing unit 40
0 and the storage unit 500.

The operation section 100 is for the player to input operation data. The function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a housing. Also,
When an operation such as pressing a button is performed, an operation signal is output to the processing unit 400.

The display unit 300 displays a game image and the like generated by the image generation unit 420 in the processing unit 400. The player inputs operation data (instruction, selection) according to the game progress from the operation unit 100 while watching the game image displayed on the display unit 300.

The processing section 400 is based on the operation signal and the game program 510 for executing the game stored in the storage section 500, etc., for processing the game, calculating the score, generating the game image, etc. I do. The function of this processing unit 400 is a CPU (SISC type, RISC type),
It can be realized by hardware such as a DSP, an ASIC (such as a gate array), and a memory. Further, the processing unit 400 includes:
The game calculation unit 410 and the image generation unit 420 are included.

The game calculation section 410 determines a position of an object such as a player character or an enemy character to set a game space, sets a viewpoint (virtual camera) in the game space, and performs processing for the game program 510. The game progress processing and the like according to the game are performed.

The image generating section 420 has a game operation section 410
For example, processing for generating a game space in which objects are arranged as a game image viewed from a viewpoint (virtual camera) is performed. More specifically, a representative point of an object arranged in the game space, vertex coordinates (expressed in a world coordinate system) of polygons constituting the object, and the like are converted to a viewpoint coordinate system. And
Image data is generated by performing a rendering process, and the generated image data is stored in a frame buffer (A) 5.
A process for storing the data in the storage 50 is performed.

The image generation section 420 includes a reduced image generation section 421 and a gauze image generation section 422, and performs image smoothing processing on the original image stored in the frame buffer (A) 550. Is performed to generate a blurred image, and a process of generating a gauze image is performed.

The reduced image generation unit 421 converts the original image drawn in the frame buffer (A) 550 into a frame buffer (B) 5 using bilinear filtering.
By drawing on 50, an image reduced to the gauze level M is generated.

The gauze image generation unit 422 includes the reduced image generation unit 4
In step 21, a blurred image is generated from the reduced image drawn in the frame buffer (B) 550, and the blurred image and the original image stored in the frame buffer (A) 550 are α-combined as a gauze image Update the frame buffer (A) 550.

The storage section 500 stores a game program 510 relating to the execution of the game, a main program 520 for executing the main processing shown in FIG. 12, and a reduced image generation for executing the reduced image generation processing shown in FIG. A program 530 and a gauze image generation program 540 for executing the gauze image generation processing shown in FIG. 14 are stored. Further, storage unit 500 includes a frame buffer 550 and a temporary storage unit 560.

The frame buffer 550 has at least two
It is composed of two frame buffers A and B, each composed of a memory having a capacity to hold image data for one frame. The temporary storage unit 560 is used as a work area when the processing unit 400 or each unit included in the processing unit 400 executes various processes.

The function of the storage section 500 can be realized by hardware such as a CD-ROM, game cassette, IC card, MO, FD, DVD, hard disk, and memory. The processing unit 400 performs various processes based on the program and data read from the storage unit 500.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of the frame buffer 550. As shown in FIG. 11, scr [i] (i = 1, 2,.
・ An image is drawn in the area of ()). The frame buffers A and B correspond to the frame buffers FA and FA shown in FIG.
B, and in FIG.
The image B is drawn on cr [2] and the image B is drawn on scr [3].

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a main process for generating a gauze screen from an original image. In this processing, the image generation unit 420 generates image data for one frame, stores the image data in the frame buffer (A) 550, and then stores the main program 520 in the storage unit 500.
Is a process executed in accordance with

In the figure, first, the image generation unit 420
Causes the reduced image generation unit 421 to execute a reduced image generation process (see FIG. 13) described later (step S1). By this reduced image generation processing, as shown in FIG.
In [2] to scr [2 ^{m + 1} -1], an image generated by reducing the original image to the gauze level M is drawn.

For example, if the gauze level is 1, scr [2] to scr [3] are stored in the frame buffer B. If the gauze level is 2, scr [2] to scr [7] are stored.
For gauze level 3, scr [2] to scr [15]
Are rendered respectively.

Next, the image generation unit 420 causes the gauze image generation unit 422 to execute a gauze image generation process (see FIG. 14) described later (step S2). By this gauze image generation processing, the gauze image obtained by blurring the original image is represented by scr [1]
(Frame buffer A).

That is, a gauze image generated by α-combining the blurred image of the gauze level M and the original image at a predetermined combination ratio is drawn in scr [1] (frame buffer A). For example, if the blurred image is 0% with respect to the original image, α
In the case of combining, a gauze image as shown in FIG.
When alpha synthesis is performed at 50%, a gauze image as shown in FIG. 4B is obtained, and when alpha synthesis is performed at 100%, a gauze image as shown in FIG. [1]
(Frame buffer A).

Finally, the image generation section 420 converts the gauze image drawn in the frame buffer A (scr [1]) into
The display is displayed on the display unit 300 (step S3), and the main process ends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the reduced image generation processing executed in step S1 of the above-described main processing (see FIG. 12). This process is a subroutine process executed by the reduced image generation unit 421 according to the reduced image generation program 530 in the storage unit 500.

In the figure, first, the reduced image generation unit 4
21 sets the value of the current level m to "0" (step S11). If the current level m is less than the gauze level M (step S12: YES), the value of the variable i is set to 2 ^m
Is set to 2 ^{m + 1} (step S13).

Then, the reduced image generation unit 421 sets the scr
As described with reference to FIG. 7, the image drawn in [i] is drawn in each of scr [j] and scr [j + 1] by bilinear filtering based on Expression (3) (step S14). . That is, an image in which the size of scr [i] is reduced to 1/4 is generated (drawn).

Thereafter, the value of i is incremented by 1 and the value of j is incremented by 2 (step S15). If the value of i is less than 2 ^{m + 1} (step S16: YES), the reduced image generation unit 4
In step 22, the process proceeds to step S14, and the same process is repeated.

As a result, an image reduced to the current level (m + 1) is drawn in the frame buffer B.

If the value of i is equal to or greater than 2 ^{m + 1} (step S16: NO), the reduced image generation unit 421 increments the current level m by 1 (step S17), and proceeds to step S12.
The processing shifts to. Then, the same processing is repeatedly executed for the next level (m + 1).

If the current level m matches the gauze level M during the above processing, that is, if the current level m is not less than the gauze level M (step S12: NO), the reduced image generation unit 421
Determines that the image reduced to the gauze level M has been drawn in the frame buffer B, and ends this processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the gauze image generation processing executed in step S2 of the above-described main processing (see FIG. 12). This process is a subroutine process executed by the gauze image generation unit 422 in accordance with the gauze image generation program 540 in the storage unit 500.

In the figure, first, a gauze image generation unit 42
2 sets the value of the current level m to the gauze level "M" (step S21). If the current level m is equal to or greater than “2” (step S22: YES), the gauze image generation unit 422 sets the value of the variable i to 2 ^m and the value of the variable j to 2
to ^{m + 1,} respectively set (step S23).

Next, the gauze image generation unit 422 generates the scr
As described with reference to FIG. 8, the image drawn in [i] is drawn (overlaid) on scr [j] by bilinear filtering based on Expression (3). Subsequently, the gauze image generation unit 422 converts the image drawn in scr [i + 1] into s by bilinear filtering based on Expression (3) as described in FIG.
α is synthesized at the same ratio with respect to cr [j] and rendered (step S24). This allows the scr
An image obtained by α-combining the images drawn on [i] and scr [i + 1] at the same ratio is drawn on scr [j].

Thereafter, the gauze image generator 422 increments the value of i by +1 and the value of j by +2 (step S25). And
If the value of i is less than 2 ^m (step S26: YE
S), the gauze image generation unit 422 shifts the processing to step S24, and repeats the same processing.

If the value of i is 2 ^m or more (step S26: NO), the gauze image generation unit 422 decrements the current level m by one (step S27). And step S
The process shifts to 22 and the same process is repeatedly executed for the next level (m-1).

During the above processing, the current level m is “2”.
If the value is less than (Step S22: NO), the gauze image generation unit 422 converts the image drawn in scr [2] based on Expression (3) as described with reference to FIG. By bilinear filtering, to scr [1],
A combination is performed at a predetermined combination ratio and the drawing is performed (step S28). Then, similarly, the image drawn in the scr [3], as described with reference to FIG.
By bilinear filtering based on equation (3),
α is synthesized and drawn on scr [1] at a predetermined synthesis ratio (step S29).

Here, scr [2] (or scr [2]
As described above, the combination ratio of the image drawn in [3]) and the image drawn in scr [1] is determined based on the combination ratio of the original image and the blurred image.
After performing the above processing, the gauze image generation unit 422 ends this processing.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the device shown in FIG.
02, RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC 1008, image generation IC 1010, I / O port 1
012 and 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be input and output. The display device 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010, the speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008, and the I / O
The control device 1022 is connected to the port 1012, and the communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores various programs, image data for expressing a display object, sound data, play data, and the like. The information storage medium 1006 is mainly stored in the functional units of the storage unit 500 shown in FIG. It is equivalent. For example, in a home-use game device, a CD-R is used as the storage unit 500 for storing the game program 510, the main program 520, the reduced image generation program 530, the shade image generation program 540, various processing programs, and the like in FIG.
OMs, game cassettes, DVDs and the like are used. Also,
A personal computer uses a CD-ROM, DVD, hard disk, or the like. Further, in the arcade game device, a memory such as a ROM or a hard disk is used,
In this case, the information storage medium 1006 becomes the ROM 1002.

[0139] 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. This control device 1022
Corresponds to the functional unit of the operation unit 100 in FIG.

According to various programs and data stored in the information storage medium 1006, system programs (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, signals input by the control apparatus 1022, etc.
The PU 1000 controls the entire apparatus and performs various data processing. The RAM 1004 is a storage unit used as a work area of the CPU 1000, and corresponds to the frame buffer 550 and the temporary storage unit 560 of the storage unit 500, and temporarily stores one frame of image data and play data, The predetermined contents of the storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002 or the calculation results of the CPU 1000 are stored. The RAM 1004 stores the temporary storage unit 5 of FIG.
This corresponds to 60.

Further, this type of device includes a sound generation IC 100
8 and an image generation IC 1010 are provided so that 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 sounds 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 an image signal to be output to the display device 1018 based on image information sent from the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like.

The display device 1018 is a CRT, LCD, T
V, a plasma display, a projector, and the like. This display device 1018 corresponds to the display unit 30 shown in FIG.
0 corresponds to the functional unit.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various types of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another game device and communicates with the game program 51.
It is used for transmitting / receiving given information corresponding to 0, transmitting / receiving information of the game program 510 or the like via a communication line, and the like.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 are shown in the main program 520 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the reduced image generation program 530 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, and the flowchart shown in FIG. An information storage medium 1006 storing a gauze image generation program 540, a RAM 1004 corresponding to a frame buffer 550, and a CP operating according to the program.
U1000, image generation IC 1010, sound generation IC 100
8 and the like.

CPU 1000 and Image Generation IC 1010
Corresponds to the processing unit 400 in FIG. 10. The CPU 1000 mainly corresponds to the game calculation unit 410, and the image generation IC corresponds to the image generation unit 420. Image generation I
The processing performed by the C1010, the sound generation IC 1008, etc.
The processing may be performed by software using the CPU 1000 or a general-purpose DSP. In this case, the CPU 1000 corresponds to the processing section 400.

Next, FIG. 16A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. The player
The user enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, etc. while watching the game image projected on the display 1100. Various processors, various memories, and the like are mounted on a built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. Information (program, data) for executing the present invention is stored in the system board 1106.
The information is stored in the memory 1108 as the information storage medium.
Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.

FIG. 14B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game machine. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image projected on the display 1200. In this case, the storage information is stored in a CD (DVD) 1206, a memory card 1208, 1209, or the like, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main unit.

FIG. 17C shows a host device 1300, a host device 1300 and a network 1302 (LAN).
1304 connected via a small-scale network such as the Internet or a wide-area network such as the Internet.
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a system including 1 to 1304-n will be described. In this case, the stored information is, for example, an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300.
Is stored in Terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n
However, when a game image and a game sound can be generated stand-alone, a game program 510 for generating a game image and a game sound is distributed from the host device 1300 to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. Is done. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated standalone,
The host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound,
By transmitting this to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n, the terminal outputs.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 16C, each processing of the present invention may be executed by distributing the processing between the host device (server) and the terminal. Further, the storage information for executing each process of the present invention may be distributed and stored in an information storage medium of a host device (server) and an information storage medium of a terminal.

The terminal connected to the network may be a home game device or a business game device. When the arcade game device is connected to a network, the portable information storage device is capable of exchanging information with the arcade game device and exchanging information with the home game device. (A memory card, a portable game device) may be used.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in FIG. 6, when the original image of the frame buffer FA is drawn on the image A (or image B) of the frame buffer FB, the coordinates set to the coordinates (0, 0) of the frame buffer FB are as follows: Frame buffer FA
(0, 0) (or (1-1, -1)), but the coordinate value of the frame buffer FA to be set is not limited to this.

Further, the number of reduced images generated from the original image is not limited to “2”, but may be more. However, since it is desirable that the reduced images to be generated are different, it is necessary to change the positions of the sample points, that is, to change the coordinate values of the frame buffer FA to be set.

In this embodiment, the image smoothing process is performed by using the interpolation function of bilinear filtering. However, other pixel data interpolation methods, for example, trilinear filtering (3 Next-order convolution interpolation) can also be used. In the cubic convolution interpolation method, image data of a point to be interpolated is obtained by a convolution function using 16 image data around the point as sampling points.

Further, in the present embodiment, first, the original image is reduced to a gauze level M, and the generated reduced image is sequentially enlarged and α-combined to generate a gauze-applied image (shaa image). It was decided to. However, it is also possible to configure so as to generate a gauze image by first performing reduction, enlargement, and α synthesis of the original image successively, and then repeating these series of processes again. At this time, the series of processes are repeatedly executed, and the degree of smoothing gradually increases in accordance with the number of repetitions. Therefore, the degree of smoothing can be adjusted as compared with the case where the original image is first reduced to the gauze level M, and then these reduced images are enlarged and α-combined.

It is also possible to determine whether or not to display (or generate) a shaded image according to given conditions such as an input instruction from the player. Specifically, in the main processing shown in FIG. 12, prior to the processing in step S1, display / non-display (or generation / non-generation) of the gauze image is performed by an input signal instructing display (or generation) of the gauze image. ) Is added. And
When the above-mentioned instruction signal is input, it can be realized by executing the processing after step S1 and displaying (or generating) a gauze image. Still further, the gauze level M may be configured to be able to be determined according to given conditions.

As a result, for example, by displaying (generating) an image in which gauze is applied only to the replay scene of the game, the coarseness of the game image can be made inconspicuous. Further, in the role playing game, whether or not to wear gauze and the number of gauze levels M are determined in accordance with the degree of growth of the player character, the acquired items, and the like, so that the degree of growth and the effects of the items are exhibited. In addition, it may be determined whether or not to use an image with gauze according to a game stage such as in a cave.

Further, in the present embodiment, the generation of a gauze image for the entire image in which the entire image is subjected to image smoothing processing has been described. It is possible to generate a gauze image including a (non-blurred) region, and to extract only a smoothed (blurred) region. Furthermore, the degree of gauze application may be changed depending on the area. Hereinafter, a method for realizing the method will be described.

There are roughly two methods for realizing the method. One is a method of dividing a blurred region and a non-blurred region with respect to a generated blurred image or gauze image after performing an image smoothing process on the entire original image (hereinafter, region dividing is performed later). Method). Another method is to first classify a blurred region and a non-blurred region in the original image, and then execute an image smoothing process only on the blurred region (hereinafter, the region classification is performed first). It is called a method of execution.) Each will be described specifically.

(1) Method of Executing Area Division Later As a method of executing area division later, for example, there is a method of applying a mask. The masking method is a method of preparing mask data having the same size as the size of the original image, and masking the generated blurred image or gauze image with the mask data, thereby dividing a region. . More specifically, mask data for storing a bit ("1" or "0") corresponding to each pixel of the original image is prepared, and a bit corresponding to a pixel in a blurred area is set to "1" in the mask data. And a bit corresponding to a pixel in an unblurred area is set to “0”. Then, mask processing using this mask data is performed on the blurred image or the gauze image (for example, the bit value corresponding to each pixel is multiplied by the RGB value of the pixel, the α value of the pixel is multiplied, or the like). ), A blurred area can be cut out, or a blurred area and a non-blurred area can be distinguished.

Here, the mask data setting method, that is,
The method for determining the pixels in the blurred area and the pixels in the non-blurred area can be realized by the following means.
That is, for example, it is set whether or not to blur each object, or whether or not to blur each polygon constituting the object. Then, at the time of perspective projection conversion by the image generation unit 420, the object or the polygon is drawn on the frame buffer (A) 550, and at the same time, the mask data corresponding to the pixel on which the object or the polygon is drawn is updated. Can be realized by:

In the game space, objects or polygons (hereinafter referred to as “shape polygons”) for specifying a range to be shaded (blurred) may be arranged. For example, by setting this gauze polygon around the engine part of an airplane object, or by setting a gauze polygon around a part that is exposed to rain, the background is blurred due to the heat or rain of the engine. be able to.

In the perspective projection conversion, a Z-buffer method using a depth value is generally used. Therefore, the mask data may be set according to the depth value of the object or polygon to be perspectively transformed. In that case, for example, it can be used as a blurred image due to the depth of field.

The mask data is set to “1” or “0”.
Is not a bit but a numerical value between "0" and "1".
It may be used as an α value when the blurred image and the original image are α-combined. Specifically, the α value of each pixel of the blurred image may be determined by the mask data, and α blending with the original image may be performed based on the α value. In that case, a blurred area and a non-blurred area can be divided, and the degree of blurring can be further adjusted. For example, according to the depth value at the time of perspective projection transformation,
If the value of the mask data is changed, a more practical depth of field can be expressed.

(2) Method of Executing Area Division First As a method of executing area division first, for example, a method of preparing a frame buffer for a blurred area and a frame buffer for a non-blurred area is available. is there. Image generation unit 4
At the time of perspective projection conversion and rendering by 20, it is determined whether each object or polygon is to be blurred, and is drawn in any frame buffer. Then, after the drawing of all the objects and the like is completed, the image is smoothed only for the frame buffer for the blurred area, and the area is finally divided with the frame buffer for the unblurred area to perform the area division. Images can be generated.

The determination as to whether or not to blur each object or polygon may be made in advance for the object or the like, or may be determined according to the depth value at the time of perspective projection conversion.

In the above-described depth-of-field expression method, a point of interest may be set in the game space, and an area or an object to be blurred may be specified according to the distance from the point of interest. Good. That is, for example, the object to be blurred is specified or the degree of blurring is determined by calculating the distance from the player character with the player character as the point of regard. This allows
It is possible to make the player point the gaze position at the player character and realize a more realistic representation of the depth of field.

According to the present invention, according to the gauze level M,
A more strongly blurred (smoothed) image can be generated quickly. Also, by changing the synthesis ratio between the original image and the blurred image, it is possible to generate an image (shape image) blurred to an arbitrary degree.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an original image.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a blurred image.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gauze image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a procedure for generating a gauze image from an original image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating bilinear filtering.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a concept of generating a gauze image using a frame buffer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating generation of a reduced image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating generation of an enlarged image.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an original image and a reduced image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a frame buffer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating main processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a reduced image generation process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a gauze image generation process.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration that can implement the present embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 operation unit 200 communication unit 300 display unit 400 processing unit 410 game calculation unit 420 image generation unit 421 reduced image generation unit 422 gauze image generation unit 500 storage unit 510 game program 520 main program 530 reduced image generation program 540 gauze image generation program 550 Frame buffer 560 Temporary storage

Claims (25)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for generating a game image and executing a given game by calculation and control by a processor, by executing one image smoothing process based on different sample points. A smoothable image generating means for generating a plurality of smoothed images for one original image; and a synthesizing means for synthesizing color information of the plurality of smoothed images. information. 2. The game information according to claim 1, wherein the different sample points are located at different positions in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction in the original image with respect to the smoothed image generating means. And game information including information for causing the game to function. 3. The game information according to claim 1, wherein said smoothed image generating means includes an image reducing means for generating a reduced image having a reduced image resolution, and expanding said reduced image. An image enlarging means for generating an image having a resolution before the reduction by reducing the information, and information for executing the image smoothing process by operating the game information. 4. The game information according to claim 3, wherein the image reduction means is configured to generate a reduced image by performing an average calculation of a plurality of pixel data based on the sample points. Game information including information for the game. 5. The game information according to claim 3, wherein interpolation image data is calculated by executing an average calculation of a plurality of pixel data based on the sample points with respect to the image enlarging means. Game information including information for causing a reduced image to be expanded. 6. The game information according to claim 3, wherein the generation of the reduced image by the image reduction unit based on the degree of smoothing is performed recursively for the smoothed image generation unit. Game information including information for causing the image enlarging means to recursively execute the expansion of the reduced image after the image expansion. 7. The game information according to claim 3, wherein: the reduced image generation unit generates a reduced image and the reduced image generated by the image enlargement unit transmits the reduced image to the smoothed image generation unit. Game information characterized by including information for causing a function to repeatedly execute expansion based on a degree of smoothing. 8. The game information according to claim 1, wherein the combining means combines the color information of the plurality of smoothed images and the color information of the original image. Game information including information for displaying the original image. 9. The game information according to claim 8, wherein a combination ratio for combining the color information of the plurality of smoothed images and the color information of the original image is variable with respect to the combining means. And game information including information for causing the game to function. 10. The game information according to claim 8, wherein color information of the plurality of smoothed images and color of the original image are provided to the synthesizing unit based on a given input signal. A game information comprising information for functioning to determine whether to update the original image by synthesizing the information with the information. 11. The game information according to claim 8, wherein the game information is generated by the means for using the game image as the original image, and the smoothed image generating means. Specifying means for specifying a part or all of the plurality of smoothed images; and information for causing the function to function; and for the synthesizing means, color information of the plurality of smoothed images related to the specified portion, And information for causing the original image to be updated by synthesizing the color information of the original image. 12. The game information according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the game information is provided to the device according to at least one of a state, a location, a moving speed, and an environment of a player character. Means for causing a part or the entirety of the game image to be the original image. 13. The game information according to claim 11, wherein the smoothed image is provided to the specifying means in accordance with at least one of a state, an existing position, a moving speed, and an environment of a player character. A game information comprising information for causing a part or all of a plurality of smoothed images generated by a generation unit to be specified. 14. The game information according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the game apparatus outputs one of the game images to the device based on a given light source in a game space of the given game. Game information including information for causing a part or all of the means to be the original image to function. 15. The game information according to claim 11, wherein the smoothed image generating unit generates the specified unit based on a given light source in a game space of the given game. Game information characterized by including information for causing a part or all of a plurality of smoothed images to be specified. 16. The game information according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral image of a given object in a game space of the given game is used as the original image for the device. Game information, including information for causing the means to function. 17. The game information according to claim 11, wherein a peripheral image of a given object in a game space of the given game is generated by the smoothed image generating means for the specifying means. Game information including information for causing a function to be specified from among a plurality of smoothed images. 18. The game information according to claim 1, wherein the game device generates the game image based on a given viewpoint; and Means for using part or all of the game image as the original image based on the distance of the game image, and information for causing the game to function. 19. The game information according to claim 11, wherein: information for causing the device to function as a means for generating the game image based on a given viewpoint; And information for causing a part or all of the plurality of smoothed images generated by the smoothed image generating means to be specified based on the distance from the given viewpoint. Game information characterized by. 20. The game information according to claim 1, wherein: a means for setting a gazing point in the game space of the given game; Means for using part or all of the game image as the original image based on the distance, and information for causing the game to function. 21. The game information according to claim 11, wherein: information for causing the device to function as a gazing point in a game space of the given game; On the other hand, based on the distance from the point of gazing point, based on the distance from the point of gaze, to specify a part or all of the plurality of smoothed images generated by the smoothed image generating means, information to function as, Feature game information. 22. The game information according to claim 1, wherein information for causing the device to function as a part or all of the game image as the original image is provided. The game information characterized by including. 23. The game information according to claim 1, wherein the device causes the device to function as an original image using an image related to a replay scene of the given game. Game information including information for the game. 24. An information storage medium for storing the game information according to claim 1. 25. A game device for generating a game image and executing a given game, wherein a plurality of smoothing operations for one original image are performed by executing one image smoothing process based on different sample points. A game device comprising: a smoothed image generating unit that generates a smoothed image; and a combining unit that combines color information of the plurality of smoothed images.