JP2003109034A - Image generation system, program and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generation system capable of representing how a given object is affected by the reflected light and issuing of other objects with a small amount of operation load, a program and an information storage medium. SOLUTION: This system generates an image. A reflection image generation processing part 140 performs processing that decides color information of a virtual light source set in association with a first object on the basis of a positional relation between the first object and a second object and processing that sets the virtual light source in a representative point of the first object on the basis of the decided color information, performs light source processing of the second object and generates an image of the second object.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the real world, for example, when an object is near a colored signboard, the signboard reflects sunlight and the reflected light reflects an object near the signboard. Is illuminated, and the color of the sign may be reflected on the object.

Here, when different colors are painted on the front and back of the signboard, the color of the reflected light that hits the object differs depending on where the object is placed on the signboard.

The manner in which a given object is affected by the reflected light of another object in this way can be represented by computer graphics by using a technique such as the radiosity method.

However, the radiosity method has a problem that the processing load is too high when real-time processing is performed using hardware having a limited processing capability such as a game machine.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce a situation in which a given object is affected by reflected light or light emission of another object. An object of the present invention is to provide an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium that can be realistically represented by.

[0007]

(1) The present invention is a system for generating an image, comprising a first object and a second object.
Means for determining the color information of the virtual light source set in association with the first object based on the positional relationship of the object, and setting the virtual light source at the representative point of the first object based on the determined color information. Means for performing light source processing on the second object to generate an image of the second object.

A program according to the present invention is a program usable by a computer (a program embodied in an information storage medium or a carrier wave), and is characterized by causing the computer to realize the above means. An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including an information storage medium usable by a computer and a program for causing the computer to realize the above means.

Here, the color information of the virtual light source is, for example, information about at least one of color and intensity of the virtual light source. Note that the color and the intensity may be controlled by separate parameters, or may be controlled integrally as with RGB values, for example. For example, in hardware that controls RGB values, the color information of the virtual light source is RGB values.

Further, the color information is not limited to the RBG system, and may be color information in the case of having another color system such as an HSV system, an HLS system, a CMYK system, and in those cases, color information according to the system is obtained.

According to the present invention, the virtual light source is set at the representative point of the first object based on the color information obtained based on the positional relationship between the first object and the second object, and the second object is set. In contrast, light source processing is performed.

The representative point of the first object is, for example, the center of rotation of the first object.

In general, light source processing calculates how bright the surface of an object is with respect to a light source ray,
This is a process necessary for placing an object with a color corresponding to its brightness, and includes, for example, a given shading process.

Setting a virtual light source at the representative point of the first object and performing light source processing on the second object means coloring the surface of the second object in consideration of the influence of light from the virtual light source. That is.

In the present invention, light source processing is performed by a virtual light source to generate an image of the second object, so that the influence of the reflection and light emission of the first object on the second object can be represented in a pseudo manner. it can. Therefore, it is possible to realistically represent how a given object is affected by reflected light or light emission of another object with a small calculation load.

(2) Further, in the image generation system, the program and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the first object is an object including a plurality of colors.

The object including a plurality of colors is, for example, a case where the object has a plurality of different colored parts. The plurality of colors can be determined based on at least one of hue, saturation, and lightness of the color. For example, the hue of the color may be different, the saturation of the color may be different, or the lightness of the color may be different.

According to the present invention, the influence of the reflection and light emission of an object containing a plurality of colors on the second object can be simulated. Therefore, it is possible to realistically represent how an object including a plurality of colors is affected by reflected light of another object or issuance, with a small calculation load.

(3) Further, the image generating system, the program and the information storage medium according to the present invention determine the color information of the virtual light source to be set based on the direction of the second object viewed from the first object. And

Setting the color information of the light source based on the direction of the second object viewed from the first object means, for example, when viewed from the first object with respect to the reference direction of the second object viewed from the first object. The color information of the light source may be set based on how much the direction of the second object has changed.

It is also possible to perform a predetermined calculation based on the direction of the second object viewed from the first object to obtain color information by calculation, or to prepare a correspondence table of direction and color information of the light source in advance. Alternatively, the color information may be read from the correspondence table based on the direction detected in real time. Further, the color information may be obtained by performing an interpolation calculation based on the color information read from the correspondence table.

(4) The image generation system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention are the first object for the entire drawing area when the image of the first object is viewed from the second object direction. The color information of the virtual light source to be set in association with the first object is set based on the ratio of the drawing area.

The image when the first object is viewed from the second object direction means, for example, the first object with a viewpoint at a certain distance from the first object in the second object direction. It is an image etc. when viewed.

Here, the ratio of the drawing area of the first object to the total drawing area when drawing the image of the first object viewed from the direction of the second object is
The calculation may be performed in real time, or a correspondence table of directions and ratios may be created in advance for the ratios obtained by drawing the image of the first object viewed from the second object from each direction. It is also possible to read from the correspondence table on the basis of the direction detected.

(5) Further, the image generation system, the program and the information storage medium according to the present invention use the color information of the pixels in the drawing area when the image of the first object is viewed from the second object direction. The color information of the virtual light source set in association with the first object is determined based on the above.

The image of the first object viewed from the second object direction means, for example, the first object with the viewpoint at a point separated from the first object by a certain distance in the second object direction. It is an image etc. when viewed.

The color of the pixel in the drawing area may be, for example, the color information of the pixel of the drawn first object,
It may be color information of pixels in the entire drawing area.

For example, the RGB values which are the color information of all the pixels of the drawn first object may be summed, and the color of the light source may be determined based on the value obtained by multiplying the sum by a predetermined count. .

When the first object is drawn with a black background, for example, the RGB values of all pixels in the entire drawing area are summed, and the total value is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient to determine the light source. The color of may be determined.

Here, the color information of the pixels in the drawing area when the image of the first object viewed from the second object direction is drawn may be calculated in real time or may be calculated in advance from each direction. A correspondence table of directions and ratios of pixel color information obtained by drawing an image when the first object is viewed from the second object is created, and is read from the correspondence table based on the detected direction in real time. In some cases.

(6) Further, the image generation system, program and information storage medium according to the present invention use, as table information, color information of virtual light sources corresponding to a plurality of positional relationships between the first object and the second object in advance. In addition, based on the positional relationship between the first object and the second object detected in real time, the color information of the corresponding light source is read from the table information, and associated with the first object based on the read color information. It is characterized in that the color information of the virtual light source to be set is determined.

By setting the table information in advance, it is possible to reduce the processing load when performing the calculation in real time.

(7) Further, the image generation system, the program and the information storage medium according to the present invention are such that the first object and the second object having a plurality of different positional relations in advance from the second object direction to the first object. Of the drawing area of the first object to the entire drawing area when drawing the image of the first object from the second object direction when drawing the image of the first object or drawing of the first object It is characterized in that the color information of the light source corresponding to each positional relationship is provided as table information based on the color information of the pixels in the area.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Configuration Note that the present embodiment described below does not limit the content of the present invention described in the claims.
Further, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential as the solving means of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of this embodiment. It should be noted that in the figure, this embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100, and the other blocks can be arbitrary constituent elements.

Here, the processing section 100 performs various kinds of processing such as control of the entire system, instruction of instructions to each block in the system, game processing, image processing, sound processing, etc., and its functions are various. Processor (CPU, DSP
Etc.) or hardware such as ASIC (gate array etc.) or a given program (game program).

The operation section 160 is for the player to input operation data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a housing.

The storage unit 170 includes the processing unit 100 and the communication unit 1.
It is a work area such as 96, and the main memory 17
2. It functions as the frame buffer 174 (first frame buffer, second frame buffer) and can be realized by hardware such as RAM.

An information storage medium (a storage medium usable by a computer) 180 stores information such as programs and data, and its function is that of an optical disc (C
D, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or memory (RO
It can be realized by hardware such as M). Processing unit 10
0 performs various processes of the present invention (this embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores information (program or data) for executing the means of the present invention (the present embodiment) (particularly the block included in the processing unit 100).

A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 180 will be transferred to the storage unit 170 when the power of the system is turned on. The information storage medium 1
Information stored in 80 is a program code for performing the process of the present invention, image data, sound data, shape data of a display object, table data, list data, information for instructing the process of the present invention, and instructions thereof. The information includes at least one of the information for performing the processing according to the above.

The display unit 190 outputs the image generated by this embodiment, and its function is CRT,
LCD or HMD (head mounted display)
It can be realized by hardware such as.

The sound output section 192 outputs the sound generated by this embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a speaker.

The save information storage device 194 stores the player's personal data (save data), and the save information storage device 194 may be a memory card, a portable game device, or the like. it can.

The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, a host device or another game system), and its function is that of various processors or communication ASICs. It can be realized by hardware or programs.

The program or data for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 180 via the network and the communication unit 196. You may Use of such an information storage medium of the host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The processing section 100 includes a game processing section 110, an image generating section 130, and a sound generating section 150.

Here, the game processing unit 110 accepts coins (price), sets various modes, progresses the game, sets selection screens, positions and rotation angles of objects (one or more primitive surfaces). (Process for obtaining (rotation angle around X, Y or Z axis), process for moving object (motion process), process for obtaining viewpoint position (position of virtual camera) and line-of-sight angle (rotation angle of virtual camera), map object Such as arranging objects in the object space, hit check processing, processing for calculating game results (results, achievements), processing for allowing multiple players to play in a common game space,
Alternatively, various game processing such as game over processing,
This is performed based on operation data from the operation unit 160, personal data from the save information storage device 194, a game program, and the like.

The image generating section 130 includes the game processing section 110.
Various image processes are performed in accordance with an instruction from, and an image viewed from a virtual camera (viewpoint) in the object space is generated and output to the display unit 190, for example. Further, the sound generation unit 150 performs various kinds of sound processing according to instructions from the game processing unit 110, generates sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and sounds, and outputs the sounds to the sound output unit 192.

The game processor 110 and the image generator 1
All of the functions of the sound generation unit 150 and the sound generation unit 150 may be realized by hardware, or all of them may be realized by a program. Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.

The game processing section 110 includes a movement / motion calculation section 112.

The movement / motion calculation unit 112 calculates movement information (position data, rotation angle data) and motion information (position data, rotation angle data of each part of the object) of an object such as a character car. Yes,
For example, processing for moving or operating an object is performed based on operation data input by the player through the operation unit 160, a game program, or the like.

More specifically, the movement / motion calculation unit 112
Performs processing for obtaining the position and rotation angle of the object, for example, for each frame (1/60 seconds). For example (k-
1) The position of an object in a frame is PMk-1, the velocity is VMk-1, the acceleration is AMk-1, and the time of one frame is Δt.
And Then the position PM of the object in k frames
The k and the speed VMk are obtained, for example, by the following equations (1) and (2).

[0054] PMk = PMk-1 + VMk-1 × Δt (1) VMk = VMk-1 + AMk-1 × Δt (2)

The image generation unit 130 draws various geometric processing (three-dimensional operation) such as coordinate conversion, clipping processing, perspective conversion, or light source calculation, and an object (model) after the geometric processing in a frame buffer. Perform processing.

The image generator 130 includes a reflection image generation processor 140.

The reflected image generation processing section 140 determines the processing for determining the color information of the virtual light source set in association with the first object based on the positional relationship between the first object and the second object. The virtual light source is set at the representative point of the first object based on the color information and the second
The object is subjected to light source processing to generate an image of the second object.

Here, the color information of the virtual light source to be set may be determined based on the direction of the second object viewed from the first object.

A virtual set in association with the first object based on the ratio of the drawing area of the first object to the entire drawing area when the image of the first object viewed from the second object direction is drawn. You may make it set the color information of a light source.

Further, the color information of the virtual light source to be set in association with the first object is determined based on the color information of the pixels in the drawing area when the image of the first object viewed from the second object direction is drawn. You may do it.

In addition, the first object and the second
The color information of the virtual light source corresponding to the plurality of positional relationships of the objects is stored as table information, and the table information is used based on the positional relationship between the first object and the second object detected in real time. The color information of the light source may be read, and the color information of the virtual light source to be set in association with the first object may be determined based on the read color information.

The game system of this embodiment is
It may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only human players can play, or a system having not only such a single player mode but also a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play.

When a plurality of players play,
The game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or may be generated using a plurality of terminals connected by a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Good.

2. Features and processing of this embodiment The features and processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a reflection phenomenon caused by reflected light of an object.

The first object 210 is the green surface 2
12 is a cube having a red surface 214 and a red surface 214 having different colors. When another object comes near such a first object 210, the surface of the cube facing away from the cube becomes brighter due to reflection of the reflected light.
The reflection at this time reflects the color of the reflected light received from the cube.

For example, when the second object 220-2 is on the red surface 214 side, the second object 22-2
The part of 0-2 facing the red surface 214 is dyed red. When the second object 220-2 is on the green surface 212 side, the second object 220-2
The part of the green surface 212 facing the green surface is dyed green.

In the present embodiment, a virtual light source is set at the representative point of the first object and light source processing is performed to generate a reflected image of the reflected light of the first object generated in the second object.

Here, in the present embodiment, in order to realistically represent the reflection on the first object including the surfaces of a plurality of colors according to the position where the second object is placed, the first object and the second object The color information of the virtual light source is determined based on the positional relationship between the objects.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the positional relationship between the first object and the second object and the color information of the virtual light source.

O1 and O2 are rotation centers of the first object 210 and the second object 220, respectively.
X, Y, and Z are the first object 2 whose origin is O1
10 is a coordinate axis of the local coordinate system.

Reference numeral 230 denotes the second object viewed from the first object.
Direction vector of the first object 210 and the second object 220
Is a vector connecting the rotation centers O2 of. 232 is 23
It is a vector obtained by projecting 0 on the XZ plane.

Further, β is the angle formed by the direction vector 230 and its projection vector 232, and α is the projection vector 23.
It is the angle between 2 and the Z axis. The direction vector 230 can be specified by the values of α and β. Where α is Z
The negative axis direction is set to 0, and the positive X direction is defined as the positive direction.
Further, β is 0 on the XZ plane, and the Y direction is the positive direction.

Here, it is assumed that the first object 210 has cubes each of which has a different color. In such a case, what color of reflected light from the cube the second object 220 receives depends on the color of the surface of the first object facing the second object.

That is, the first object 210 and the second object 210
Position of the object 220 (for example, the direction of the second object viewed from the first object).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the first object 210 and the second object 220 (for example, the direction of the second object viewed from the first object) is specified by the relative angles α and β, Color information (for example, RGB value) of the virtual light source is determined based on this value.

The process of determining the color information (for example, RGB value) of the virtual light source by the relative angles α and β may be, for example, a case where a predetermined calculation process is performed based on the relative angles α and β obtained in real time. .

Further, for example, the value of the color information (for example, RGB value) of the virtual light source corresponding to the plurality of relative angles α and β is obtained in advance, and based on the result, the relative angle α and β values and the color information of the virtual light source ( For example, set a correspondence table of RGB values) values,
The value of the color information (for example, RGB value) of the corresponding virtual light source may be read out and obtained from the correspondence table based on the relative angles α and β obtained in real time.

FIG. 4 shows the relative angles α and β and the RG of the virtual light source.
It is a figure for explaining an example of creating a correspondence table of B values.

Divide α and β by an appropriate number of divisions,
The RGB value of the virtual light source corresponding to each division value is calculated in advance.

Here, the surface of the first object 210 of FIG. 3 viewed from the positive direction of the X axis is black (0,0,0), the surface viewed from the negative direction of the X axis is red (255,0,0), and the Y axis. The surface viewed from the positive direction is blue (0,0,255), the surface viewed from the Y-axis negative direction is black (0,0,0), and the surface viewed from the Z-axis positive direction is green (0,2).
55,0), the surface seen from the negative direction of the Z axis is green (0,255,
0).

The correspondence table 300 is a table for storing RGB values obtained for each value obtained by dividing α and β into 16 in the above case.

R ₀₀ , G ₀₀ and B ₀₀ are the respective RGB values obtained for α = 0 and β = 0.

In the present embodiment, the corresponding RGB value is read from the correspondence table 300 based on the α and β values detected in real time, and the RGB value of the virtual light source is set based on the read RGB value.

Here, for example, when the value of α falls between α = 1 and α = 2, both the RGB value when α = 1 and the RGB value when α = 2 are read out and interpolated from both RGB values. You may make it calculate and calculate the RGB value set to a virtual light source.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views for explaining an example of setting the information of the virtual light source based on the drawing result of the image of the first object viewed from the second object direction.

In FIG. 5A, the positional relationship between the first object and the second object in FIG. 3 is α = 0, β =
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a drawing result of an image when the first object is viewed from the second object direction in the case of 0.

The image of the first object viewed from the second object direction means, for example, the first object with the viewpoint at a point separated from the first object by a certain distance in the second object direction. It is an image etc. when viewed.

Image 3 of the first object in FIG. 5 (A)
10 is a cube viewed from the Z direction (first object)
Is the aspect of. For example, assuming that each side of the cube (first object) is 1, the drawing area of the image 310 of the first object is 1.

If the area of the entire drawing area 300 is MA and the area of the drawing area of the first object is M1, the area M1 of the drawing area of the first object with respect to the area MA of the entire drawing area is M1 in the present embodiment. The intensity of the light source to be set is set based on the ratio M1 / MA.

That is, the larger the value of M1 / MA, the greater the intensity of the light source to be set.

Further, the RGB values which are the color information of all the pixels of the image (drawing area) 310 of the first object are summed, and the color of the light source is determined based on the value obtained by multiplying the sum by a predetermined count. You may

Further, for example, when the first object is drawn with the background 312 black, the RGB values of all pixels in the entire drawing area 300 are summed, and the sum is multiplied by a predetermined count. You may make it determine the color of a light source based on it.

FIG. 5B shows that the positional relationship between the first object and the second object in FIG. 3 is α = 45, β.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a drawing result of an image of the first object viewed from the second object direction in the case of = 35.2644.

The image of the first object viewed from the second object direction means, for example, the first object with the viewpoint at a point separated from the first object by a certain distance in the second object direction. It is an image etc. when viewed. Here, the constant distance is the same distance as in the case of FIG.

Image 3 of the first object in FIG. 5 (B)
In FIG. 20, three faces of a cube (first object) are drawn.

For example, assuming that each side of the cube (first object) is 1, the area of each surface 322, 324, 326 of the cube (first object) is 1 / √3. If all faces have the same color, each face 32
The total of 2,324,326 is 3 / √3 = √3.

Therefore, when the positional relationship between the first object and the second object is α = 45 and β = 35.2644 (in the case of FIG. 5B), the first object and the second object
The intensity of the virtual light source is set to be larger (for example, √3 times) than when the positional relationship of the objects is α = 0 and β = 0 (the case of FIG. 5A).

For an object such as a cube whose shape is complicated and which cannot be obtained by simple calculation, the object is drawn in a region with a black background, and all the pixels in all the drawing regions are drawn. The RGB components may be summed and the RGB value of the virtual light source may be set based on a value obtained by multiplying the total value by a predetermined count.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the light source processing of this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the point light source 420 is set at the representative point 410 of the first object, the light source processing is performed, and the second object 220 is drawn.

Here, RGB values obtained by the method described in FIGS. 2 to 5 are set as the light source parameters in the virtual light source.

Then, the brightness of the surface of the second object 220 with respect to the light rays from the virtual light source is calculated, and the light source processing necessary for placing the color corresponding to the brightness on the object is performed. To do. Accordingly, the color 430 considering the influence of the light from the virtual light source can be attached to the surface of the second object.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of the reflected image generation processing of this embodiment.

Here, the first object is an object that reflects light rays, and the second object is an object that is illuminated by the light rays reflected by the first object.

First, in the local coordinate system of the first object, the relative angles α and β are obtained from the direction vector of the second object viewed from the first object (step S10).

Next, the light source parameters are obtained from the correspondence table based on the obtained α and β (step S20). The light source parameter is, for example, an RGB value.

Next, a virtual light source is placed at the representative point of the first object, and the obtained light source parameter is set (step S30).

Next, light source processing is performed by the set virtual light source, and a state in which the second object is illuminated is drawn (step S40).

3. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The main processor 900 is a CD982.
It operates based on a program stored in the (information storage medium), a program transferred via the communication interface 990, a program stored in the ROM 950 (one of the information storage media), game processing, image processing,
Various processing such as sound processing is executed.

The coprocessor 902 assists the processing of the main processor 900, has a product-sum calculator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel calculation, and executes matrix calculation (vector calculation) at high speed. For example, when a physical simulation for moving or moving an object requires a process such as a matrix calculation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs (requests) the coprocessor 902 to perform the process. ) Do.

The geometry processor 904 performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, light source calculation, and curved surface generation, has a product-sum calculator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel calculation, and performs matrix calculation (vector calculation). Calculation) is executed at high speed. For example, when processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, and light source calculation is performed, the program running on the main processor 900 instructs the geometry processor 904 to perform the processing.

The data decompression processor 906 performs a decoding process for decompressing compressed image data and sound data, and a process for accelerating the decoding process of the main processor 900. Accordingly, a moving image compressed by a given image compression method can be displayed on the opening screen, the intermission screen, the ending screen, the game screen, or the like. The image data and sound data to be decoded are stored in the ROM 95.
0, stored in the CD 982, or transferred from outside via the communication interface 990.

The drawing processor 910 is for executing the drawing (rendering) processing of an object composed of primitive surfaces such as polygons and curved surfaces at high speed. When drawing an object, the main processor 900
Uses the function of the DMA controller 970 to pass the object data to the drawing processor 910 and
If necessary, the texture is transferred to the texture storage unit 924. Then, the drawing processor 910 draws the object in the frame buffer 922 at high speed while performing hidden surface removal using a Z buffer or the like based on these object data and texture. The drawing processor 910 can also perform α blending (semi-transparency processing), depth cuing, mip mapping, fog processing, bilinear filtering, trilinear filtering, anti-aliasing, shading processing, and the like. Then, when the image for one frame is written in the frame buffer 922, the image is displayed on the display 912.

The sound processor 930 incorporates a multi-channel ADPCM sound source, etc., and generates high-quality game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and sounds. The generated game sound is output from the speaker 932.

The operation data from the game controller 942, save data from the memory card 944, and personal data are transferred via the serial interface 940.

The ROM 950 stores system programs and the like. In the case of the arcade game system, the ROM 950 functions as an information storage medium,
Various programs are stored in 950. A hard disk may be used instead of the ROM 950.

The RAM 960 is used as a work area for various processors.

The DMA controller 970 is a DM between processors and memories (RAM, VRAM, ROM, etc.).
It controls the A transfer.

The CD drive 980 is a CD 982 in which programs, image data, sound data, etc. are stored.
(Information storage medium) is driven to enable access to these programs and data.

The communication interface 990 is an interface for transferring data with the outside through the network. In this case, a communication line (analog telephone line, ISDN), high-speed serial bus, or the like can be considered as the network connected to the communication interface 990. Then, by using the communication line, data transfer via the Internet becomes possible. Further, by using the high-speed serial bus, it becomes possible to transfer data to / from another game system or another game system.

The means of the present invention may be executed entirely by hardware, or may be executed only by a program stored in an information storage medium or a program distributed via a communication interface. Good. Alternatively, it may be executed by both hardware and a program.

When each means of the present invention is executed by both hardware and a program, the information storage medium stores a program for executing each means of the present invention using hardware. Will be. More specifically, the program instructs each processor 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, which is hardware, to perform processing, and passes data if necessary. Then, each processor 902, 904, 906, 910,
930 etc., based on the instruction and the passed data,
Each means of the present invention will be implemented.

FIG. 9A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the buttons 1104, etc. while watching the game image displayed on the display 1100. Various processors, various memories, etc. are mounted on the built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. The information (program or data) for executing each unit of the present invention is the system board 1
It is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on 106. Hereinafter, this information will be referred to as stored information.

FIG. 9B shows an example in which this embodiment is applied to a home game system. While watching the game image displayed on the display 1200, the player operates the game controllers 1202 and 1204 to enjoy the game. In this case, the above-mentioned stored information is stored in the CD 1206 or the memory cards 1208, 1209, which is an information storage medium that can be detachably attached to the main body system.

FIG. 9C shows the host device 1300, the host device 1300 and the network 1302 (LAN).
1304 connected via a small-scale network such as the Internet or a wide area network such as the Internet)
-1 to 1304-n will be described as an example when the present embodiment is applied to the system. In this case, the above-mentioned stored information is stored in the 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. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n are capable of standalone generation of the game image and the game sound, the host device 1300 provides the terminal 13 with the game image and the game program for generating the game sound.
It is delivered to 04-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, when it cannot be generated standalone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, and these are generated by the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1.
It will be transmitted to 304-n and output at the terminal.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 9C, the respective means of the present invention may be distributed and executed by the host device (server) and the terminal. Further, the above stored information for executing each means of the present invention may be distributed and stored in the information storage medium of the host device (server) and the information storage medium of the terminal.

Further, the terminal connected to the network may be a home game system or an arcade game system. When the arcade game system is connected to a network, a save information storage device is capable of exchanging information with the arcade game system and also with the home game system. (Memory card, portable game device) is preferably used.

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

For example, in the inventions according to the dependent claims of the present invention, it is possible to omit some of the constituents of the dependent claims. Further, a main part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention can be made dependent on another independent claim.

Further, although the case where the RGB system is adopted has been described as an example in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, it may have another color system such as an HSV system, an HLS system, a CMYK system, or the like.

Further, the case where the point light source is set as the virtual light source is described as an example in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a parallel light source may be set as the virtual light source. When a parallel light source is set as the virtual light source, light ray attenuation processing may be performed.

In the present embodiment, the case where the correspondence table is set in advance and the color information of the virtual light source is read from the correspondence table has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the calculation may be performed based on the positional relationship between the first object and the second object.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where a reflected object image is generated when a given object is affected by the reflected light of another object has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when another object is emitting light by itself, a reflected image may be generated when the other object is affected by this light emission.

Further, the present invention can be applied to various games (fighting games, shooting games, robot fighting games, sports games, competition games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.).

Further, the present invention can be applied to various game systems such as an arcade game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which a large number of players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, and a system board for generating a game image. .

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a reflection phenomenon caused by reflected light of an object.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a first object and a second object and at least one of color and intensity of a virtual light source.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of creating a correspondence table of relative angles α and β values and RGB values of a virtual light source.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of setting virtual light source information based on a drawing result of an image of a first object viewed from a second object direction.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining light source processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram for explaining a flow of a reflection image generation process of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

9 (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams showing examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 processing unit 110 Game processing unit 112 Movement / motion calculation unit 130 Image generator 140 Reflection image generation processing unit 150 sound generator 160 Operation part 170 storage 172 main memory 174 frame buffer 180 Information storage medium 190 Display 192 sound output section 194 Information storage device for saving 196 Communications Department

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Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A system for generating an image, comprising means for determining color information of a virtual light source set in association with a first object based on a positional relationship between the first object and the second object, Means for setting a virtual light source at a representative point of the first object based on the determined color information, performing light source processing on the second object, and generating an image of the second object. Image generation system. 2. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the first object is an object including a plurality of colors. 3. The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the color information of the virtual light source to be set is determined based on the direction of the second object as viewed from the first object. 4. The method according to claim 1, based on the ratio of the drawing area of the first object to the total drawing area when drawing the image of the first object viewed from the second object direction. And the color information of the virtual light source set in association with the first object. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first object is associated with the first object based on color information of pixels in a drawing area when an image of the first object is viewed from the second object direction. An image generation system characterized by determining color information of a virtual light source to be set. 6. The color information of a virtual light source, which corresponds to a plurality of positional relationships between a first object and a second object, as table information in advance and is detected in real time according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Based on the positional relationship between the first object and the second object, the color information of the corresponding light source is read from the table information, and the color of the virtual light source set in association with the first object based on the read color information. An image generation system characterized by determining information. 7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein an image of the first object and the second object having different positional relationships is viewed in advance from the second object direction and the second object is drawn. Each position based on the ratio of the drawing area of the first object to the total drawing area when drawing the image when the first object is viewed from the object direction or the color information of the pixels of the drawing area of the first object An image generation system characterized in that color information of a light source corresponding to a relation is provided as table information. 8. A computer-executable program for determining color information of a virtual light source set in association with a first object based on a positional relationship between the first object and the second object. A means for setting a virtual light source at a representative point of the first object based on the determined color information, performing light source processing on the second object, and generating an image of the second object, A program characterized by: 9. The program according to claim 8, wherein the first object is an object including a plurality of colors. 10. The program according to claim 8, wherein the color information of the virtual light source to be set is determined based on the direction of the second object viewed from the first object. 11. The method according to claim 8, which is based on a ratio of a drawing area of the first object to a total drawing area when an image of the first object viewed from the second object direction is drawn. A program for setting color information of a virtual light source set in association with the first object. 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first object is associated with the first object based on color information of pixels in a drawing area when an image of the first object is viewed from the second object direction. A program for determining color information of a virtual light source to be set by setting. 13. The color information of a virtual light source, which corresponds to a plurality of positional relationships between a first object and a second object, as table information in advance and is detected in real time according to any one of claims 8 to 12. Based on the positional relationship between the first object and the second object, the color information of the corresponding light source is read from the table information, and the color of the virtual light source set in association with the first object based on the read color information. A program characterized by determining information. 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein an image of the first object and the second object having different positional relationships is viewed in advance from the second object direction and the second object is drawn. Each position based on the ratio of the drawing area of the first object to the entire drawing area when drawing the image when the first object is viewed from the object direction or the color information of the pixels of the drawing area of the first object A program for storing color information of light sources as table information corresponding to the relationship. 15. An information storage medium readable by a computer, which stores the program according to any one of claims 8 to 14.