JP2003123090A - Image processor and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of representing the movement and change of a drawing object without needing complicated work and high function hardware. SOLUTION: This image processor 10 is provided with a storing means 23 for recording a first image 31 and a second image 32 which consist of a plurality of pixels and where a portion of pixels displays gradation that is not higher than a reference value set as visible limitation from the reference value among the plurality of pixels, a gradation adding means 14 for overlapping the first and second images 31 and 32 to add the gradation of mutually corresponding pixels to each other of the first and second images 31 and 32, a position relation changing means 14 for changing the position relation between the first and second images 31 and 32 and a displaying means 19 for displaying the first and second images 31 and 32.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing device and a program using computer graphics technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In computer graphics,
As a method of expressing the fluctuation of air due to hot air, or the realistic flow of intangible things such as gas and clouds
A method of expressing by animation and a method of expressing by particle simulation are known.

[0003]

However, in the method of expressing by animation, it is necessary to draw and prepare an image one by one for each frame, which requires a very complicated work. In the method of expressing by particle simulation, the calculation for simulating the motion of particles requires enormous calculation cost and requires very high-performance hardware.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a computer program capable of expressing the movement and change of a drawing target without requiring complicated work and high-performance hardware. .

[0005]

The present invention will be described below. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

According to the present invention, a plurality of pixels are formed, and some of the plurality of pixels display a gradation within a range below a reference value set as a visual limit and below the reference value. The first image and the second image are overlapped with the storage means (23) for recording the first image (31) and the second image (32, 34), and the first image and the second image are overlapped. Gradation adding means (11 or 14) for adding the gradation of pixels corresponding to each other of the image, and positional relationship changing means (11 or 14) for changing the positional relationship between the first image and the second image. The above-mentioned problems are solved by an image processing device (10) characterized by comprising 14) and a display means (19) for displaying the first image and the second image.

In the present invention, the reference value set as the visual recognition limit varies depending on the capability of the display device constituting the hardware for displaying the image and the setting state thereof. In the case of hardware in which even the display device is commonly used, it is possible to uniquely specify up to what gradation the user can visually recognize by, for example, an experimental method.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the gradation displayed by a part of the pixels, which cannot be visually recognized because the gradation is low in only one image, is displayed by the corresponding pixel in the other image. Becomes higher due to the addition of, and becomes visible after the addition. Further, due to the change in the positional relationship, the position of the pixel displaying the gradation that becomes visible after the addition is changed. That is, the visually recognized image changes. As a result, it is possible to suitably represent the fluctuation of air due to hot air, or the realistic flow of an intangible object such as gas or cloud. Moreover, since only two images are prepared, it is not necessary to prepare a different image for each frame as compared with the conventional technique, and the amount of data required when expressing an image is reduced. Since only a relatively simple calculation of adding the gradations displayed by the corresponding pixels while changing the positional relationship between the two images, a complicated calculation process for simulating the motion of particles is unnecessary. There is no calculation cost. That is, it is possible to express the movement and change of the drawing target without requiring complicated work and high-performance hardware.

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, at least one of the first image and the second image has a gradation portion in which gradation is gradually changed within the range of the reference value or less. May be included.

In the gradation portion, since the difference in gradation between adjacent pixels is small, it is even more difficult for the user to see the change in gradation. In addition, since gradation changes gradually in an area that becomes visible when the gradations displayed by the gradation part and the corresponding pixel of the other image are added, the above-mentioned fluctuations of air, gas, etc. are further increased. You can draw realistically.

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the first image includes pixels that display gradations in a range exceeding the reference value, and the periphery of the pixels that display gradations in the range exceeding the reference value. Further, a pixel may be provided to display a gradation within a range of the reference value or less. In this case, the first
The gradation displayed by the pixels around the pixel displaying the gradation exceeding the reference value provided in the image changes between the visible state and the invisible state. This allows
Based on the first image, it is possible to express a feeling of fluctuation or the like around a region formed by pixels that display gradations in a range exceeding a reference value.

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the second image may be formed by repeatedly arranging regions composed of pixels displaying gradations in the range of the reference value or less. In this case, by moving the second image in one direction with respect to the first image, it is possible to give a periodical change to the periphery of the pixel displaying the gray level exceeding the reference value of the first image. .

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the positional relationship changing means may change the positional relationship between the first image and the second image at a constant speed and in a constant direction. In this case, since it suffices to move the first image, the second image, or both on the screen by a predetermined amount for each frame, the processing is easy and the load on the hardware can be reduced.

The image processing computer program of the present invention is a program for causing the computer (10) to function as an image processing apparatus, and is composed of a plurality of pixels, and some of the plurality of pixels are used. Is superimposed on the first image (31) and the second image (32, 34) displaying the gradation in the range of the reference value or less than the reference value set as the visual recognition limit, and The gradation addition means for adding the gradations of the pixels corresponding to each other in the image and the second image, and the computer as the positional relationship changing means for changing the positional relationship between the first image and the second image. The above-mentioned problem is solved by being configured to function.

By executing this image processing computer program by the computer, the computer can be made to function as an image processing apparatus for realizing the image processing method of the present invention.

The image processing program of the present invention is also
The image processing method may include various preferable modes. That is, the gradation addition is performed by using, as at least one of the first image and the second image, an image including a gradation part in which gradation is gradually changed within the range of the reference value or less. The means and the positional relationship changing means may be configured to execute respective processes. Pixels for displaying gradations in a range exceeding the reference value are provided, and pixels for displaying gradations in the range of the reference value or less are provided around the pixels for displaying gradations in the range exceeding the reference value. The first image
The gradation adding means and the positional relationship changing means may be configured to execute respective processes by using the image as the image. An image formed by repeatedly arranging regions formed by pixels that display gradation in the range of the reference value or less is used as the second image, and the gradation addition unit and the positional relationship changing unit respectively May be configured to execute the processing of. The positional relationship changing means may be configured to change the positional relationship between the first image and the second image at a constant speed and in a constant direction.

The program of the present invention may be provided to the user in a state of being recorded in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be distributed to the user via a wired or wireless network.

That is, according to the present invention, it is composed of a plurality of pixels, and some of the plurality of pixels display a gradation within a range below a reference value set as a visual recognition limit and below the reference value. The data of the first image and the second image, and the computer, by superimposing the first image and the second image, between the pixels corresponding to each other of the first image and the second image. A gradation addition means for adding gradations, and a program configured to function as a positional relationship changing means for changing the positional relationship between the first image and the second image Including medium. In the storage medium, at least one of the first image and the second image,
The data may be configured so as to include a gradation portion in which gradation is gradually changed within the range of the reference value or less. The first image includes pixels displaying gradations in a range exceeding the reference value, and gradations in the range equal to or less than the reference value are displayed around the pixels displaying gradations in the range exceeding the reference value. The data may be configured such that there are pixels to be provided. In the second image, the data may be configured such that regions formed by pixels that display gradations in the range of the reference value or less are repeatedly arranged. The program recorded in the storage medium may be configured to change the positional relationship between the first image and the second image at a constant speed and in a constant direction.

[0019]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control system of a portable game machine configured as an example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The portable game machine 10 is configured as a computer that executes a predetermined game according to a game program recorded in an external storage device (for example, a cassette-type storage device having a built-in semiconductor memory) 23. The portable game machine 10 includes a CPU 11 mainly composed of a microprocessor, and the CPU 11
12 and RAM 13 as main storage devices for
And an image drawing device 14 and a sound processing device 16 that perform processing suitable for image processing and audio processing based on an instruction from the CPU 11. An operating system as a program necessary for controlling the overall operation of the game machine 10 is written in the ROM 12. The program and data for the game read from the external storage device 23 are written in the RAM 13 as needed. The image drawing device 14 follows the video memory 15 according to the instruction from the CPU 11.
It renders a predetermined image on the top, converts the data of the rendered image into a predetermined video reproduction signal, and outputs it to the monitor 19 at a predetermined timing. The image drawing device 14 performs an addition operation process on the gradations of the corresponding pixels of the images based on the data of the images of the two or more faces read from the external storage device 23 to generate an image in which the images of the two or more faces are combined. It has a function of rendering on the memory 15. A liquid crystal monitor is preferably used as the monitor 19.

Depending on the game machine, the image drawing device 14 may be equipped with a graphics accelerator function for executing high-level image processing calculations, and what kind of processing is to be carried out by the CPU 11 and the image drawing device 14 respectively? It changes variously depending on the hardware configuration.
The addition calculation process executed by the image drawing device 14 is CP.
It may be executed by U11. Although the video memory 15 is shown as an example provided as a drawing-only memory in the image drawing device 14, a video memory may be secured on the RAM 13 as a main memory. Sound processor 1
Reference numeral 6 reproduces data such as voice and musical sound read from the external storage device 23, sound source data and the like and outputs them from the speaker 20.

Further, an input device 22 and a communication control device 24 are connected to the CPU 11 via a bus 24, respectively. The input device 22 is, for example, a cross key 22 as an operation unit.
It includes a and operation buttons 22b and 22c. The communication control device 24 is connected to an appropriate communication means (for example, a mobile phone) via the communication interface 25 and controls data communication via a predetermined network. The above configuration is merely an example, and the configuration of the image processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied may be appropriately changed.

The game program recorded in the external storage device 23 includes data for displaying an image on the monitor 19.

The principle of image processing in the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows an example in which the gradation displayed by eight pixels arranged in a line on the monitor 19 of the portable game machine 10 is increased from 0 to 1 from left to right. The gradation 0 (the pixel at the left end) is the darkest, and the larger the gradation value (the right side), the brighter.

Due to the characteristics of human visual sense, changes in gradation cannot be visually recognized in a range below a certain gradation.
Here, assuming that the upper limit gradation (corresponding to the reference value) in the range where the gradation change is invisible is 1, the gradation displayed by the pixel on the monitor 19 is physically shown in FIG. Even if it is like this, a person who looks at the monitor 19 can visually recognize it as shown in FIG. That is, the leftmost pixel and the second pixel from the left physically have different gray scales to be displayed, but the person who sees them cannot distinguish the gray scales, and all the gray scales are zero. Is visually recognized as being displayed. On the other hand, with respect to the pixels on the right side (pixels having gradations 2 to 7), the change in the gradation can be visually recognized in the same manner as the physical change in the gradation.

The image processing of the present invention utilizes such characteristics of human visual sense. Specifically, various effects are produced in the image on the monitor 19 by the following simple method.

First, from the left as shown in FIG.
Next, there is a pixel displaying gradation 1, and other pixels prepare a first image displaying gradation 0. Also, FIG.
As shown in (d), there is a pixel which displays gradation 1 at the left end, and the other pixels prepare a second image which displays gradation 0.

Next, the gradations displayed by the pixels corresponding to the positions of these two images are added and calculated to generate one image. This combined image is displayed on the monitor 19, as shown in FIG. If the user cannot visually recognize the change in the gradation in the range where the gradation is 1 or less as described above, the user who looks at the monitor 19 displays the gradation 0 in all pixels as shown in FIG. Visually recognized as being displayed.

After that, the position of the image of FIG. 2 (d) is moved to the right by one, and the image of FIG.
9 Display on top. Similarly, when the position of the image in FIG. 2 (d) is sequentially moved to the right, a pixel displaying gradation 1 in FIG. 2 (c) and a pixel displaying gradation 1 in FIG. 2 (d) are displayed. 2D (when the leftmost pixel in FIG. 2D comes fourth from the left), the fourth pixel from the left displays gray level 2 as shown in FIG. 2G. At this time, the user viewing the monitor 19 first sees the pixel displaying the gradation 2. Further, when the position of the image data in FIG. 2D is moved to the right, the fourth pixel from the left has the gradation 1
Is displayed on the monitor 19 again, the screen shown in FIG.
It is visually recognized as shown in.

By using such a method, for example, the movement or change of the drawing target can be expressed. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an image to be displayed on the monitor 19 and an image visually recognized by a viewer of the monitor 19. Data of a background image 31 and data of a filtered image 32 as shown in FIG. 3A are prepared in the external storage device 23. The background image 31 and the filter image 32 are images each composed of 49 pixels of 7 × 7. In the figure, the pixel g1 shown in black is a pixel for displaying the gradation in the range exceeding the reference value set as the visual recognition limit, that is, the gradation in the range in which the change in the gradation can be visually recognized by the viewer of the monitor 19. Is. The pixel g4 shown in white is a pixel displaying a gradation 0 (darkest gradation). The shaded pixel g3 has a range of gradations equal to or lower than the reference value, that is, the gradation is not 0, but the viewer 19 cannot see the change in gradation (indistinguishable from gradation 0). Pixels that display a range of gradations (corresponding to pixels that display gradation 1 in FIG. 2). However, when the gradations displayed by the pixel g3 and the pixel g3 are added and calculated, the gradation exceeds the reference value (gradation 1). The background image 31 is composed of pixels g1, g3, and g4. The filtered image 32 has pixels g3, g
4 and the pixels g3 and g4 are arranged in a predetermined order.

The image drawing device 14 adds the gradations displayed by the corresponding pixels of the background image 31 and the filter image 32 read from the external storage device 23. this is,
Conceptually, as shown in FIG. 4, both images are superimposed and combined. This combined image is displayed on the monitor 19
When displayed above, a person looking at the monitor 19 will see FIG.
It is visually recognized as the image 33 of (a). In the image 33, the position of the mesh pattern pixel g2 is the position of the pixel g3 in both the background image 31 and the filter image 32. That is, the pixel g2 is a pixel for which the gradation equal to or higher than the reference value is displayed by the addition operation (the gradation for which the change in gradation can be visually recognized is displayed). A person who looks at the monitor 19 can see only the change in gradation due to the pixels g1 and g2 of the image 33.
For the pixel g4 of 3, the pixel g3 is physically
Even if two gradations are displayed by the pixel g4, it is visually recognized that the same gradation (gradation 0) is displayed.

Next, the image drawing device 14 determines the position of the filter image 32 of the next frame so that the filter image 32 moves by one pixel in the direction of the arrow y1 on the screen. Conceptually, as shown in FIG. 4, the filter image 32 is moved in the direction of the arrow y1, and the background image 3
It means to shift relative to 1. As a result, the display range of the filter image 32 on the monitor 19 becomes as shown in the filter image 34. Then, the background image 31 and the filter image 34 are combined again. A person who looks at the monitor 19 visually recognizes the combined image as an image 35. In the image 35, among the pixels visually recognized by the viewer of the monitor 19, the position of the pixel g2 is different from that of the image 33,
It looks as if the pixel g2 has moved. By further moving the filter image 34, the pixels g2 appear to move continuously, and the drawing target appears to be moving. By this, the fluctuation of the air by the hot air,
Alternatively, it is possible to suitably represent a state in which an unshaped object such as gas or cloud flows realistically.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a procedure executed by the image drawing apparatus 14 for each frame in order to realize the above-mentioned image processing method. First, the current position on the screen of the filtered image 32 held in the RAM 13 is acquired (step S1). The position shifted by a predetermined amount is set as the position of the next frame (step S2). According to the instruction of the CPU 11, the data of the background image 31 of the next frame is acquired from the external storage device 23 (step S3). Filter image 32
And the gradation displayed by the corresponding pixel of the background image 31 is added and calculated (step S4). The image synthesized by the addition operation is rendered in the video memory 15, and the video memory 15 is instructed to display the rendered image on the monitor 19 (step S5).

FIG. 6A shows the background image 31 as shown in FIG.
Shows an example of the filtered image 32. FIG. 6A shows
It represents a celestial body burning like the sun.
By synthesizing with the filter image of (b) by addition calculation and displaying it on the monitor 19, by moving the filter image of FIG. 6 (b), it is possible to express how the flame of the celestial body fluctuates.

6 (c) and 6 (d) are enlarged views of a part of FIG. 6 (a) and FIG. 6 (b), respectively. As shown in the figure, each image includes a gradation part in which the gradation is gradually changed within a gradation range of a reference value or less. That is, as shown in FIG.
From the region 41 to the region 43 between the region 41 composed of pixels displaying the gradation equal to or less than the reference value and the region 43 composed of pixels displaying the gradation 0 (see FIG. 6 (e)).
The gradation portion 42 whose gradation gradually changes from the gradation of the area 41 to the gradation 0 is provided in the direction of the arrow). As a result, the image processing of the present invention can be performed without causing the viewer of the monitor 19 to visually recognize the area 41 in a state in which the reference gradation is not exceeded, and without causing the viewer of the monitor 19 to recognize the presence of the filtered image. The device can be realized.

According to the present embodiment, the gradation displayed by the pixels forming the background image 31 and the gradation displayed by the pixels forming the filter image 32 are added by the addition calculation process in step S4, and the monitor is displayed. The target image 33 displayed on 19 is generated. At this time, the gradation displayed by the pixel g3 of the background image 31 and the pixel g of the filter image 32, which are below the reference value set as the visual recognition limit,
The gradation to be displayed at 3 becomes higher than the reference gradation (becomes visible gradation) by being added. Furthermore, since the positional relationship between the background image 31 and the filter image 32 changes due to the processing in step S2, the position of the pixel g2 that displays the gradation that can be visually recognized after addition in the target image 33 changes. That is, the visually recognized image 33 changes to the image 35. As a result, it is possible to suitably represent the fluctuation of air due to hot air, or the realistic flow of an intangible object such as gas or cloud. Moreover,
Since only two images, that is, the background image 31 and the filtered image 32 are prepared, it is not necessary to prepare different images for each frame as compared with the conventional case, and the amount of data required for expressing the images is reduced. Background image 31 and filter image 3
Since only a relatively simple operation of adding the gradations displayed by the corresponding pixels while changing the positional relationship with 2, there is no need for complicated operation processing to simulate the motion of particles. There is no cost.
That is, it is possible to express the movement and change of the drawing target without requiring complicated work and high-performance hardware.

The background image 31 does not necessarily have to include the pixel g1 which displays a gradation exceeding the reference value set as the visual limit, and the gradation displayed by all the pixels of the background image 31 is the reference value. It may be as follows. That is, the background image 31 may be composed only of pixels that display a gradation that can be visually recognized only when the background image 31 is combined with the filter image 32. Conversely, the pixel g1 may be included in both the background image 31 and the filter image 32.

The direction in which the filter image 32 is moved on the screen does not have to be diagonally upward, and may be horizontal or vertical, or may be rotated or given an irregular motion. The speed at which the filtered image 32 is moved does not have to be a constant speed, and acceleration may be applied. It does not have to be moved continuously, but may be moved intermittently to express the appearance or disappearance of the drawing target. It suffices that the background image 31 and the filter image 32 move relative to each other, so that the filter image 32 is fixed and the background image 3
1 may be moved on the screen, or both may be moved.

[0039]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus and the program of the present invention, the gradation displayed by some pixels which cannot be visually recognized because the gradation is low in only one image is The gradation displayed by the corresponding pixel of the image is increased by the addition, and becomes visible after the addition. Further, due to the change in the positional relationship, the position of the pixel displaying the gradation that becomes visible after the addition is changed. That is, the visually recognized image changes. As a result, it is possible to suitably represent the fluctuation of air due to hot air, or the realistic flow of an intangible object such as gas or cloud. Moreover, since only two images are prepared, it is not necessary to prepare a different image for each frame as compared with the conventional technique, and the amount of data required when expressing an image is reduced. Since only a relatively simple operation of adding the gradations displayed by the corresponding pixels while changing the positional relationship between the two images, a complicated operation process for simulating the motion of particles is unnecessary. There is no calculation cost. That is, it is possible to express the movement and change of the drawing target without requiring complicated work and high-performance hardware.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control system of a portable game machine configured as an example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of the image processing method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an image to be displayed on a monitor of the portable game machine in FIG. 1 and an image visually recognized by a viewer of the monitor.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of composition of a background image and a filter image by gradation addition calculation.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for realizing the image processing method of the present invention.
Showing a procedure executed by the image drawing device of the portable game machine for each frame

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a background image and a filtered image.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Portable game console 11 CPU 14 Image drawing device 15 video memory 19 monitors 23 External storage device 31 background image 32 filtered images 33 Target image 34 Filtered image 35 Target image

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5B050 AA08 BA06 BA08 BA11 CA05                       CA07 EA12 EA19 EA24 FA02                 5B057 CA08 CA16 CB08 CB16 CD02                       CE08 CE11 CH01 CH11 CH14

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A first pixel comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein some of the plurality of pixels display a gray scale within a range below a reference value set as a viewing limit and below the reference value. Storage means for storing the first image and the second image, the first image and the second image are overlapped,
Gradation adding means for adding the gradations of pixels corresponding to each other in the image and the second image, and positional relationship changing means for changing the positional relationship between the first image and the second image, Display means for displaying the first image and the second image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. At least one of the first image and the second image includes a gradation portion in which gradation is gradually changed within a range of the reference value or less. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The first image includes pixels displaying gradations in a range exceeding the reference value, and a range equal to or less than the reference value is surrounded by pixels displaying gradations in a range exceeding the reference value. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pixel for displaying the gradation of. 4. The image processing according to claim 3, wherein the second image is formed by repeatedly arranging regions formed of pixels displaying gradations in a range equal to or lower than the reference value. apparatus. 5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the positional relationship changing means changes the positional relationship between the first image and the second image at a constant speed and in a constant direction. Processing equipment. 6. A program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device, the program comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein some of the plurality of pixels are more than a reference value set as a view limit. 1st displaying the gradation of the range below a standard value
The image and the second image are overlapped with each other, and a gradation adding means for executing a process of adding the gradations of pixels corresponding to each other in the first image and the second image, the first image and the second image A positional relationship changing unit that executes a process of changing the positional relationship between two images, and a display unit that displays the first image and the second image. Computer program. 7. An image including a gradation portion in which gradation is gradually changed within the range of the reference value or less is used as the first image.
7. The gradation addition means and the positional relationship changing means are configured to execute respective processes by using as at least one of the image of No. 2 and the second image. The described computer program. 8. A gradation including a pixel displaying a gradation in a range exceeding the reference value is displayed, and a gradation in a range equal to or less than the reference value is displayed around a pixel displaying a gradation in the range exceeding the reference value. The image provided with pixels is the first
7. The computer program according to claim 6, wherein the gradation adding means and the positional relationship changing means are configured to execute respective processes by using as an image of. 9. An image formed by repeatedly arranging regions formed of pixels displaying gradations in the range of the reference value or less is used as the second image, and the gradation addition means and the position are set. 9. The computer program according to claim 8, wherein the relationship changing means is configured to execute each processing. 10. The positional relationship changing means determines the positional relationship between the first image and the second image at a constant speed, and
The computer program according to claim 9, wherein the computer program is configured to change in a fixed direction.