JP2005322144A - Image generation program, information storage medium, and image generation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generation program capable of generating an image having a high quality with small power consumption even if a frame with high operation load is generated, an information storage medium, and an image generation system thereof. <P>SOLUTION: A drawing end timing of an image of each frame to a drawing buffer is detected, and a determination is made as whether each frame is drawn within a prescribed frame updating time period based on the detected drawing end timing. When it is determined as not to be drawn, setting change is performed so as to increase the operating frequency of the processor, the processor operates at the set operating frequency based on the input data from an operation part, a simulation operation is performed for temporal change in things existing in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the image of each frame where the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a virtual camera is generated based on at least either arrangement information of an object obtained based on the simulation operation result or a game parameter for drawing in the drawing buffer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

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

  Conventionally, an image generation system (game system) that generates an image that can be seen from a given viewpoint (virtual camera) in an object space, which is a virtual three-dimensional space, is known. Popular. Taking an image generation system capable of enjoying a competitive game (car game) as an example, a player uses a control unit (steering, shift lever, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, etc.) to move a moving object (own player moving object, own game object). A game is enjoyed by operating a car and competing with a moving object (another player moving object, another car) operated by another player (a computer player or another human player).

  Now, in such an image generation system, there is a problem that drawing processing of all objects must be completed in one frame period.

However, for example, when there are many display objects or when a game event with a heavy processing load occurs, it may not be possible to complete the drawing process in one frame period. In such a case, the image is also updated once every two frames, but there is a possibility that an unnatural image is displayed due to a shift in simulation time and display timing.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-214868

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation program and information capable of generating a high-quality image even when a frame with a high calculation load is generated with low power consumption. To provide a storage medium and an image generation system

(1) The present invention is an image generation system for generating an image using at least one processor capable of dynamically changing an operating frequency,
A drawing end timing detector for detecting a drawing end timing of the image of each frame in the drawing buffer;
An operation for determining whether or not each frame has been drawn within a predetermined frame update time based on the detected drawing end timing, and when it is determined that the drawing has not been done, an operation for changing the setting so as to increase the operating frequency of the processor A frequency setting change processing unit;
Based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at a set operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the result of the simulation calculation An image generation unit that generates an image of each frame of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the obtained object arrangement information and game parameters, and draws the image in a drawing buffer. .

  The program according to the present invention is a program executable by a computer (an information storage medium or a program embodied in a carrier wave), and causes the computer to function as each of the processing units. An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium readable (usable) by a computer, and includes a program for causing the computer to function as the processing unit. An image generation method according to the present invention includes a step of performing processing of each of the processing units.

  The at least one processor whose operating frequency can be dynamically changed is a processor whose operating frequency can be dynamically changed by an instruction from the program when an application program (for example, an image generation program such as a game program) is executed. is there. Here, the application program (for example, an image generation program such as a game program) may be physically executed by a plurality of processors (for example, a CPU and a DSP).

  The detection of the end of drawing of the image of each frame in the drawing buffer is performed by setting a drawing end notification command for notifying the end of drawing at the end of the drawing program (after the last command of drawing processing), for example, This can be realized by detecting the execution of the drawing end notification command.

  The predetermined frame update time is the time from when the image of the nth frame is displayed until the image of the (n + 1) th frame is displayed, and all frames have a frame update period of a constant interval. For example, in a system in which an image is updated every 1/60 seconds, 1/60 seconds is a frame update time.

  The temporal change of things existing in the virtual three-dimensional space is, for example, the temporal change of the position, moving distance, speed, acceleration, speed, motion, etc. of the object, for example, the lap time or the integration of time. For example, a time change of a calculated amount (for example, a damage amount), a parameter (a function of time) that affects an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and the like.

  The simulation operation is a physical value for simulating a physical phenomenon in the real world (for example, the position, velocity, (Angular velocity, acceleration, angular acceleration, moving distance, rotation) calculation processing, motion complementation processing according to unit time, simulation time integration processing, parameter, lap time and time integration processing (for example, damage amount) calculation processing Etc.

  According to the present invention, when an image generation process for one frame (a process until an image for one frame is rendered, including a game process such as a simulation calculation) does not end within a predetermined frame update time. Performs setting for increasing the operating frequency of the processor that performs the image generation processing.

  When the image generation processing for one frame does not end within the predetermined frame update time, the processing load of the frame is high, and the drawing in the drawing buffer is not completed within the predetermined frame update time. Is likely to occur).

  However, in the present invention, since the processing time can be shortened by increasing the operating frequency of the processor that performs image generation, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of processing loss (the image of the frame is displayed) and to provide a high-quality image. be able to.

  In a configuration including a plurality of processors, all of the operating frequencies of the plurality of processors may be changed, or all of the operating frequencies of some of the plurality of processors may be changed.

(2) The image generation system, the program, the information storage medium, and the image generation method of the present invention include:
The operating frequency setting change processing unit
Based on the detected drawing end timing, it is determined whether each frame has been drawn within a predetermined frame update time. If it is determined that the drawing has been done, the setting is changed so as to lower the operating frequency of the processor. It is characterized by.

  When image generation processing for one frame ends within a predetermined frame update time, the processing load of the frame is low, and even if image generation processing is performed at a lower operating frequency, the drawing buffer is transferred to the drawing buffer within the predetermined frame update time. Finish drawing.

  In such a case, according to the present invention, since the operating frequency can be lowered, the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the required maximum value is always set.

(3) The image generation system, the program, the information storage medium, and the image generation method of the present invention include:
The operating frequency setting change processing unit
It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not each frame has been drawn continuously within a predetermined frame update time for a predetermined number of times, and a setting is made to lower the operating frequency of the image generation unit based on the determination result.

  When lowering the operating frequency, there is a state in which the image generation process for one frame (the process until the image for one frame is rendered, including game processing such as simulation calculation) ends within a predetermined frame update time. Since the operating frequency is lowered after continuing for a predetermined period, the change in frequency can be moderated.

(4) The image generation system, program, information storage medium, and image generation method of the present invention include:
The operating frequency setting change processing unit
The operating frequency is set so that the change rate when the operating frequency is lowered is smaller than the change rate when the operating frequency is raised.

(5) The present invention is an image generation system that performs image generation using at least one processor capable of dynamically changing an operating frequency,
A prediction processing load calculation processing unit for calculating a prediction processing load in each frame;
Based on the prediction processing load, it is determined whether it is necessary to change the setting of the operating frequency necessary for image generation of each frame, and when it is determined that it is necessary, the setting of the operating frequency of the processor based on the prediction processing load An operating frequency change processing unit for changing
Based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at a set operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the result of the simulation calculation An image generation unit that generates an image of each frame of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the obtained object arrangement information and game parameters, and draws the image in a drawing buffer. .

  The prediction processing load of each frame is a processing load (including simulation processing and image generation processing) until an image of each frame is rendered. For example, if a game image is generated, display in each frame Number of objects (displayed in the screen), number of polygons to be used (including objects not displayed), number of moving objects or objects (number of cars started) for simulation calculation, game event contents, player moving object position The processing load until the image of each frame is rendered differs depending on the above.

  The temporal change of things existing in the virtual three-dimensional space is, for example, the temporal change of the position, moving distance, speed, acceleration, speed, motion, etc. of the object, for example, the lap time or the integration of time. For example, a time change of a calculated amount (for example, a damage amount), a parameter (a function of time) that affects an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and the like.

  The simulation operation is a physical value for simulating a physical phenomenon in the real world (for example, the position, velocity, (Angular velocity, acceleration, angular acceleration, moving distance, rotation) processing, motion interpolation processing according to unit time, simulation time integration processing, and calculation processing of parameters, lap times and time integration (eg damage amount) Etc.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to predict the processing load of each frame in real time and change the setting of the operating frequency of the processor based on the predicted processing load. Therefore, when the prediction processing load of each frame is high, the operating frequency of each frame is set high, and when the prediction processing load of each frame is not high, the operating frequency of each frame is set low to meet the processing load. In addition, since processing can be performed at a necessary and sufficient operating frequency, it is possible to efficiently save power without losing processing.

  In a configuration including a plurality of processors, all of the operating frequencies of the plurality of processors may be changed, or all of the operating frequencies of some of the plurality of processors may be changed.

(6) The image generation system, program, information storage medium, and image generation method of the present invention include:
The prediction processing load calculation processing unit
At least information indicating the number of display objects in each frame, the number of primitives used for the object, the number of objects to be simulated in each frame, the contents of game events that occur in each frame, and the position of the player moving object in each frame Based on one piece of information, the prediction processing load of each frame is calculated.

  The number of display objects in each frame is the number of objects to be displayed as a result of image generation. If the number of display objects in each frame increases, there is a high possibility that the processing load for image generation will increase.

  Here, the number of display objects in each frame is preferably determined in consideration of LOD. That is, the LOD is an object indicating the level of detail of an object. Since the processing load increases when the level of detail is high, the value obtained by multiplying the number of display objects and each LOD by a predetermined algorithm is used as the number of display objects. Within range.

  The number of primitives used for the object is the number of primitives (polygon number, vertex number, etc.) used for the object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space regardless of whether or not it is displayed. When the number of primitives used in an object increases, there is a high possibility that a three-dimensional calculation such as perspective projection conversion, a rendering calculation processing load, and the like will increase.

  In addition, the number of objects to be simulated in each frame is, for example, a moving object. When the number of objects to be subjected to simulation calculation increases in each frame, the object position calculation load and the like are likely to increase.

  The content of the game event that occurs in each frame is an event that occurs in the game, such as an explosion or a collision, for example. When such a game event occurs in each frame, there is a high possibility that a simulation calculation load, an image processing calculation load, and the like increase.

  The information indicating the position of the player moving body in each frame may be a coordinate value indicating the position, or information indicating an area, block, stage, or the like where the player moving body is positioned. Depending on the position of the player moving body, the content of the simulation calculation such as the background and movement of the image changes, so the processing load also changes.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In addition, this embodiment demonstrated below does not limit the content of this invention described in the claim at all. Further, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential as a solution means of the present invention.

1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of an image generation system (for example, a game system) according to a first embodiment.

  In the figure, the present embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100 and the clock supply processing unit 150 (or include the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 170, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 170, and the information storage medium 180). ) And other blocks (for example, the operation unit 160, the display unit 190, the sound output unit 192, the portable information storage device 194, and the communication unit 196) can be arbitrary constituent elements.

  Here, the processing unit 100 operates based on the reference clock 156 and performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction instruction to each block in the system, game processing, image processing, or sound processing. The function can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) or ASIC (gate array, etc.) and a given program (game program).

  The clock supply processing unit 150 includes a clock generation unit 152 and a generated clock control information setting register 154, and performs a process of supplying a reference clock having a set operating frequency to various processors for realizing the processing unit 100.

  The generated clock control information setting register 154 stores information for controlling the operating frequency (the operating frequency itself or frequency division information corresponding to the operating frequency may be stored). The unit 120 is configured to be dynamically changeable.

  The clock generation unit 152 generates a reference clock 156 having a set operation frequency based on the contents set in the generation clock control information setting register 154 and supplies the reference clock 156 to the processing unit 100. It can be realized by hardware such as a counter, a frequency divider, and a programmable timer.

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

  The storage unit 170 includes a main memory (main storage unit and the like) 172, a frame buffer (drawing buffer and the like) 174, and the like, and serves as a work area such as the processing unit 100 and the communication unit 196. It can be realized by hardware.

  An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 180 stores information such as programs and data, and functions thereof are an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, and a hard disk. It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic tape or a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (this embodiment) based on 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 (this embodiment) (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100).

  Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 180 is transferred to the storage unit 170 when the system is powered on. Information stored in the information storage medium 180 includes a program for performing the processing of the present invention, image data, sound data, shape data of display objects, table data, list data, and information for instructing the processing of the present invention. And at least one piece of information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction.

  The display unit 190 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as an LCD or an HMD (head mounted display). Note that the frame update rate of the display unit can be changed by an instruction from the host.

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

  The portable information storage device 194 stores player personal data, save data, and the like. As the portable information storage device 194, a memory card, a portable game device, and the like can be considered.

  The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, a host device or other image generation system), and functions as hardware such as various processors or a communication ASIC. Or by a program.

  The program or data for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) may be 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. Good. Use of such an information storage medium of the host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The processing unit 100 includes a game processing unit 110, an operating frequency setting processing unit 120, an image generation unit 130, and a sound generation unit 140.

  Here, the game processing unit 110 receives a coin (price) reception process, various mode setting processes, a game progress process, a selection screen setting process, the position and rotation angle (X, Processing for obtaining the rotation angle around the Y or Z axis), processing for moving the object (motion processing), processing for obtaining the viewpoint position (virtual camera position) and line-of-sight angle (virtual camera rotation angle), map object, etc. Various game processes such as a process for placing objects in the object space, a hit check process, a process for calculating game results (results, results), a process for multiple players to play in a common game space, or a game over process Operation data from the operation unit 160, personal data from the portable information storage device 194, storage data , Carried out on the basis of a game program.

  The operating frequency setting processing unit 120 sets the operating frequency of the processor that executes the processing of the game processing unit 110 and the image generation unit 139 and the setting change processing for the generated clock control information setting register 154. A drawing end timing detection unit that detects the drawing end timing of the image in the drawing buffer, and determines whether each frame is drawn within a predetermined frame update time based on the detected drawing end timing, and determines that it is not drawn In this case, it functions as an operating frequency setting change processing unit for changing the setting so as to increase the operating frequency of the processor.

  Further, the operating frequency setting processing unit 120 determines whether each frame is drawn within a predetermined frame update time based on the detected drawing end timing. The setting may be changed so as to lower the value.

  The operating frequency setting processing unit 120 determines whether each frame has been drawn continuously within a predetermined frame update time for a predetermined number of times, and performs settings for lowering the operating frequency of the image generation unit based on the determination result. You may do it.

  The operating frequency setting processing unit 120 may set the operating frequency so that the rate of change when the operating frequency is lowered is smaller than the rate of change when the operating frequency is raised.

  In addition, the operating frequency setting processing unit 120 needs to change a prediction processing load calculation processing unit that calculates a prediction processing load in each frame, and a change in setting of the operating frequency necessary for image generation of each frame based on the prediction processing load. If it is determined that it is necessary, it may function as an operating frequency change processing unit that changes the setting of the operating frequency of the processor based on the predicted processing load.

  The image generation unit 130 performs various types of image processing in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110, for example, generates an image that can be seen from a virtual camera (viewpoint) in the object space, and outputs the generated image to the display unit 190.

  The image generation unit 130 generates an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the object arrangement information and the game parameter obtained based on the result of the simulation calculation, and draws it in the drawing buffer. Perform the process.

  The sound generation unit 140 performs various types of sound processing in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110, generates sound such as BGM, sound effects, or sound, and outputs the sound to the sound output unit 192.

  Note that all the functions of the game processing unit 110, the virtual object arrangement processing unit 120, the image generation unit 130, 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 image generation unit 130 includes a geometry processing unit (three-dimensional calculation unit) 132 and a drawing unit (rendering unit) 140.

  Here, the geometry processing unit 132 performs various types of geometry processing (three-dimensional calculation) such as coordinate transformation, clipping processing, perspective transformation, or light source calculation. In this embodiment, the object data (after the perspective transformation) after the geometry processing (object vertex coordinates, vertex texture coordinates, luminance data, etc.) is stored in the main storage unit 172 of the storage unit 170 and saved. The

  The drawing unit 140 draws an object in the drawing buffer 174 based on the object data after geometry processing (after perspective transformation) and the texture stored in the storage unit 170. As a result, an image viewed from the virtual camera (viewpoint) is drawn (generated) in the object space in which the object moves.

  Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or not only the single player mode but also a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play. The system may also be provided.

  Further, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Alternatively, it may be generated using a plurality of terminals.

  First, a first embodiment will be described.

  The first embodiment detects a frame update state based on whether or not each frame is drawn within a specified frame update time, and each frame is not drawn within the specified frame update time based on the detection result. If it is determined, the setting for increasing the operating frequency of the processor is performed, and the processor operates at the set operating frequency to simulate the temporal change of things existing in the virtual three-dimensional space. Processing for performing calculation, generating an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the object arrangement information and the game parameter obtained based on the result of the simulation calculation, and drawing the drawing in the drawing buffer I do.

  The update time of each frame is the time from when the image of the nth frame is displayed until the image of the (n + 1) th frame is displayed. In the present embodiment, a specified frame update time (for example, 1/60 seconds). ) To update to the next frame every time.

  The detection of the end of drawing of the image of each frame in the drawing buffer is performed by setting a drawing end notification command for notifying the end of drawing at the end of the drawing program (after the last command of drawing processing), for example, This can be realized by detecting the execution of the drawing end notification command. Therefore, the frame update state relating to whether or not each frame has been rendered within the specified frame update time may be determined based on whether or not the drawing end notification has been received within the specified frame update time.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow of the present embodiment.

  First, F = initial frequency and Tup = 0 are initialized (step S10). Here, F is an operating frequency of the CPU, and Tup is a counter for determining whether each frame is drawn within a predetermined frame update time after a predetermined number of times after the frequency is increased or decreased. Used to calm the changes.

  Next, the following processing is repeated for each frame.

  A game process for one frame (a process until an image for one frame is drawn) is performed (step S20). For example, based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at a set operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and the simulation calculation results Based on at least one of the object arrangement information and the game parameters obtained based on this, an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera is generated and drawn in the drawing buffer.

  When the specified frame update period is reached, the image in the drawing buffer is output to the display unit (steps S30 and S40).

  Here, it is determined whether or not the processing of the game for one frame (the processing until the image for one frame is rendered) is completed within one screen update time (predetermined frame update time). Steps S60 to S80 are performed.

  First, F = F + dF and Tup = 10 are set (step S60). Here, dF is a frequency change unit.

Next, if F> Fmax, F = Fmax is set (steps S70 and S80), and the process of the game for one frame (the process until the image for one frame is drawn) is one screen update time (specified) The following steps S90 to S120 are performed.

  First, it is determined whether or not Tup = 0. If Tup = 0, F = F-dF and Tup = 10 are set (steps S90 and S100). Here, dF is a frequency change unit.

  Next, if F <Fmim, F = Fmim is set (steps S110 and S120).

  If Tup = 0, Tup = Tup-1 is set and the operating frequency setting is not changed (steps S90 and S130).

  Then, the process of setting F as the operating frequency of the processor (processor such as CPU or DSP) is performed, and the process returns to step S20 to process the next frame (step S130).

  In this way, if the processing of the game for one frame (processing until the image for one frame is rendered) does not end within one screen update time (predetermined frame update time), the game is immediately executed. A setting is made to increase the operating frequency of a processor that performs processing (processing until an image for one frame is rendered).

  If the game processing for one frame (processing until the image for one frame is rendered) ends within one screen update time (the specified frame update time), the game processing (image for one frame) Is set to lower the operating frequency of the processor that performs the processing until the image is rendered. Here, when lowering the operating frequency of the image generation unit, a setting is made to lower the operating frequency when each frame is drawn within a specified frame update time continuously a predetermined number of times.

  In this way, when the operating frequency is increased, immediately increasing the operating frequency can quickly solve the situation where the drawing does not end within the specified time. When the operating frequency is lowered, a state in which a game process for one frame (a process until an image for one frame is rendered) ends within one screen update time (a prescribed frame update time) continues for a predetermined period. Since the operating frequency is lowered, the frequency change can be made gentle.

  Further, in the above processing, the case where the setting of the operating frequency is increased or decreased for each predetermined unit dF has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, the operating frequency may be set such that the change rate of the operating frequency when the operating frequency is lowered is smaller than the change rate of the operating frequency when the operating frequency is raised. For example, dF that is a frequency change unit when the operating frequency is lowered in step S100 may be set smaller than dF that is a frequency change unit when the operating frequency is raised in step S60.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the prediction processing load in each frame is calculated, and it is determined whether it is necessary to change the operating frequency necessary for image generation of each frame based on the prediction processing load. When the determination is made, the setting of the operating frequency of the processor is changed based on the predicted processing load, and the processor is operated at the changed operating frequency based on the input data from the operation unit. Each frame of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the object arrangement information and the game parameters obtained based on the result of the simulation calculation, performing a simulation calculation on the temporal change of the existing thing The image is generated and drawn in the drawing buffer.

  Here, the prediction processing load in each frame is the number of display objects in each frame (considering LOD), the number of primitives used in the object, the number of objects to be simulated in each frame, and the game generated in each frame. The calculation may be performed based on at least one piece of information indicating the content of the event and the position of the player moving body in each frame.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the flow of processing for changing the operating frequency based on the predicted processing load.

  In the second embodiment, the following processing is repeated for each frame.

  First, input information from the operation unit is acquired (step S210).

  The prediction processing load in the next frame is calculated (step S220).

  Then, based on the predicted processing load, it is determined whether it is necessary to change the operating frequency necessary for image generation of each frame. If it is determined that it is necessary, the setting of the operating frequency of the processor based on the predicted processing load Is changed (steps S230 and S240).

  Based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at the changed operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the result of the simulation calculation Based on at least one of the obtained object arrangement information and game parameters, an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera is generated and drawn in the drawing buffer (step S250).

  Thus, it is possible to predict the processing load of each frame in real time according to the predicted processing load and change the setting of the operating frequency of the processor based on the predicted processing load. Therefore, when the prediction processing load of each frame is high, the operating frequency of each frame is set high, and when the prediction processing load of each frame is not high, the operating frequency of each frame is set low to meet the processing load. In addition, since processing can be performed at a necessary and sufficient operating frequency, it is possible to efficiently save power without losing processing.

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

  For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims of the present invention, a part of the constituent features of the dependent claims can be omitted. Moreover, the principal part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention may be made dependent on another independent claim.

  The present invention can also be applied to various games (such as fighting games, shooting games, robot battle games, sports games, competitive games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.).

  Further, the present invention can be applied to various game systems such as a business 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 game images.

An example of the functional block diagram of the image generation system (for example, game system) of this Embodiment is shown. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating an example of the flow of a process of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating another example of the flow of a process which changes an operating frequency based on prediction process load.

Explanation of symbols

100 processing unit 110 game processing unit 112 simulation operation unit 120 operating frequency setting processing unit 130 image generation unit 132 geometry processing unit 134 drawing unit 140 sound generation unit 150 clock supply processing unit 152 clock generation unit 154 generated clock control information register 160 operation unit 170 Storage Unit 172 Main Memory 174 Frame Buffer 180 Information Storage Medium 190 Display Unit 192 Sound Output Unit 194 Portable Information Storage Device 196 Communication Unit

Claims (9)

An image generation program for generating an image using at least one processor capable of dynamically changing an operating frequency,
A drawing end timing detector for detecting a drawing end timing of the image of each frame in the drawing buffer;
An operation for determining whether or not each frame has been drawn within a predetermined frame update time based on the detected drawing end timing, and when it is determined that the drawing has not been done, an operation for changing the setting so as to increase the operating frequency of the processor A frequency setting change processing unit;
Based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at a set operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the result of the simulation calculation An image generation unit that generates an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the obtained object arrangement information and game parameters;
An image generation program that causes a computer to function. In claim 1,
The operating frequency setting change processing unit
Based on the detected drawing end timing, it is determined whether each frame has been drawn within a predetermined frame update time. If it is determined that the drawing has been done, the setting is changed so as to lower the operating frequency of the processor. A program characterized by In claim 2,
The operating frequency setting change processing unit
A program for determining whether or not each frame has been drawn continuously within a predetermined frame update time for a predetermined number of times, and making a setting for lowering the operating frequency of the image generation unit based on the determination result. In any one of Claims 2 thru | or 3.
The operating frequency setting change processing unit
A program characterized in that the operating frequency is set so that the rate of change when the operating frequency is lowered is smaller than the rate of change when the operating frequency is raised. An image generation program for generating an image using at least one processor capable of dynamically changing an operating frequency,
A prediction processing load calculation processing unit for calculating a prediction processing load in each frame;
Based on the prediction processing load, it is determined whether it is necessary to change the setting of the operating frequency necessary for image generation of each frame, and when it is determined that it is necessary, the setting of the operating frequency of the processor based on the prediction processing load An operating frequency change processing unit for changing
Based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at a set operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the result of the simulation calculation An image generation unit that generates an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the obtained object arrangement information and game parameters;
A program that causes a computer to function. In claim 5,
The prediction processing load calculation processing unit
At least information indicating the number of display objects in each frame, the number of primitives used for the object, the number of objects to be simulated in each frame, the contents of game events that occur in each frame, and the position of the player moving object in each frame A program characterized by calculating a prediction processing load for each frame based on one piece of information.   A computer-readable information storage medium, wherein the program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is stored. An image generation system for generating an image using at least one processor capable of dynamically changing an operating frequency,
A drawing end timing detector for detecting a drawing end timing of the image of each frame in the drawing buffer;
An operation for determining whether or not each frame has been drawn within a predetermined frame update time based on the detected drawing end timing, and when it is determined that the drawing has not been done, an operation for changing the setting so as to increase the operating frequency of the processor A frequency setting change processing unit;
Based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at a set operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the result of the simulation calculation An image generation unit that generates an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the obtained object arrangement information and game parameters;
An image generation system comprising: An image generation system for generating an image using at least one processor capable of dynamically changing an operating frequency,
A prediction processing load calculation processing unit for calculating a prediction processing load in each frame;
Based on the prediction processing load, it is determined whether it is necessary to change the setting of the operating frequency necessary for image generation of each frame, and when it is determined that it is necessary, the setting of the operating frequency of the processor based on the prediction processing load An operating frequency change processing unit for changing
Based on the input data from the operation unit, the processor operates at a set operating frequency, performs a simulation calculation of a temporal change of an object existing in the virtual three-dimensional space, and based on the result of the simulation calculation An image generation unit that generates an image of each frame when the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from the virtual camera based on at least one of the obtained object arrangement information and game parameters;
An image generation system comprising:

Images