JP2012208548A - Program and image processing apparatus with program recording unit with the program recorded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus which is capable of easily increasing variations of a motion corresponding to a condition or characteristics of a character and a program for implementing the image processing apparatus.SOLUTION: Reference motion data are corrected on the basis of a parameter value of a feature parameter and an operational expression. As the operational expression, such an expression as being reflected with features is set in accordance with a motion and features. As the parameter value, a value indicating a degree of reflection of features is set. The corrected motion data are used to reproduce the motion reflected with the features in accordance with the parameter value. In comparison with the case where a parameter value of a sex parameter is set to "0" (refer to a selected figure (a)), a motion of walking in a feminine manner is reproduced in the case where the parameter value is set to "1" (refer to the selected figure (b)), and a motion of walking in a mannish manner is reproduced in the case where the parameter value is set to "-1" (refer to the selected figure (c)).

Description

  The present invention relates to a program and an image processing apparatus including a program recording unit that records the program, and more particularly to a character display method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an action game has been developed in which a player operates a predetermined character and fights against an enemy character in a three-dimensional virtual game space. Hereinafter, the character operated by the player is referred to as “player character”, and the enemy character is referred to as “enemy character”.

  In such an action game, the player character and the enemy character perform an action of attacking each other. In addition, the player character and the enemy character perform movements such as running and jumping. If data for each action (hereinafter referred to as “motion data”, details will be described later) are prepared in advance for each character, a huge amount of data is required. Accordingly, motion data common to each character is prepared for each motion, and this character is combined with image data and model data unique to each character (hereinafter referred to as “character data”, details will be described later). By performing each operation, the number of motion data to be prepared is suppressed.

  The motion data is data for each frame (for example, every 1/60 seconds) of each operation (motion) (see FIG. 6). In general, in an animation using computer graphics, a multi-joint object such as a person or an animal is represented by a skeleton model (see FIGS. 2 and 3) having a hierarchical structure in which parts of the body are connected by joints. The skeleton model and its hierarchical structure will be described later. As the motion data, position data of each joint of the skeleton model or rotation angle data of each joint is recorded for each frame. By placing each part of the character in accordance with the position of each joint, the character is placed in the three-dimensional virtual game space, and this is performed for each frame to cause the character to perform a predetermined action. For example, when the player performs an operation for walking and moving the player character, a motion image of the player character walking and moving is generated using the motion data of the walking and character data of the player character. Displayed on the game screen.

  Further, the state of the player character may vary depending on the progress of the game. For example, the player character may be fine or tired. If the state of the player character is different, it is necessary to change the action of the player character in order to express the state more realistically. In other words, it is necessary to generate an image of a walking action when the player character is in an energetic state and to generate an image of an walking action when the player character is tired. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare separate motion data for a healthy walking operation and a tired walking operation. If an attempt is made to distinguish between the slightly tired state and the exhausted state, the number of motion data to be prepared further increases.

  A method for suppressing the increase in the number of motion data has been developed. For example, a method has been developed in which deformation data for expressing the state is extracted from motion data in a certain state and reference motion data, and the deformation data is multiplied by the applicability. In this method, by using the extracted deformation data and the motion data of another motion, other motions in a state corresponding to the deformation data are expressed, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of motion data. .

JP 2008-15713 A

  However, when using the above method, it is necessary to prepare two pieces of motion data, that is, motion data in a certain state and reference motion data. That is, in order to extract deformation data in a tired state, it is necessary to prepare reference walking motion data and motion data walking in a tired state. Furthermore, in order to express the difference in character's gender and physique (for example, stoop), motion data for men (or women) to walk, motion data for strollers to walk, and the like must be prepared. That is, it is necessary to prepare motion data for each state and characteristic in order to increase the variation of the action according to the character's state and characteristic. Therefore, the work burden on the game creator increases and the amount of data to be recorded becomes enormous.

  The above problem is not limited to the action game, but also occurs in other types of games. In addition to the game, the above-described problem occurs when displaying the motion of the character based on the common motion data.

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances described above, and an image processing apparatus capable of easily increasing variations of actions according to the state and characteristics of a character, and the image processing apparatus are realized. Its purpose is to provide a program to do this.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

  A program provided by the first aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a computer of an image processing apparatus that displays an image in which a character having a connection structure with a plurality of joints is moving on a display device, The computer includes character data for specifying a distance between the joints, reference motion data for specifying a relative positional relationship between the joints to perform a predetermined action, and at least regarding the character Information reading means for reading out one type of parameter value from the storage unit, motion data generating means for generating motion data corresponding to the character using the reference motion data, motion data corresponding to the character, The character data is used to perform a predetermined action on the character. To function as a character control means causes I, the motion data generating unit, by correcting the reference motion data based on the parameter values for the character, and generates the motion data corresponding to the character.

The “parameter value” in the present invention includes a parameter value for a “characteristic” preset for the character, a parameter value for the “state” of the character that changes as the game progresses, and the like. . “Characteristic” includes gender, physique, personality, and the like. For example, the degree of masculinity (or femininity) of the character, the degree of stoop, weight, degree of personality (darkness), age, arrogance (humility), etc. Is set as the “parameter value”. The “state” includes a state of physical strength and a mental state. For example, the degree of fatigue of the character, the level of morale, the level of power, the level of mood, the level of physical strength, the age (when aging while the game is in progress), etc. Value ".

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the character is a plurality of characters having the same connection structure, and the information reading means includes character data and parameter values corresponding to each character, and the reference motion data. And the motion data generating means generates motion data corresponding to each character, and the character control means uses the motion data and character data corresponding to each character to predetermine each character. Let's do the operation.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference motion data includes a rotation angle of each joint, and the motion data generation unit corrects a rotation angle of a predetermined joint included in the reference motion data. .

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference motion data includes information on the position of the character, and the motion data generation unit corrects the position information.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information reading unit reads a parameter value for specifying the degree of a plurality of predetermined features, and the motion data generating unit responds to each predetermined feature. Correction based on the parameter value to be performed.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer is further caused to function as parameter value changing means for changing the parameter value according to an operation of a player.

  An image processing apparatus provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes a program recording unit that records the program provided by the first aspect of the present invention, and a computer that executes the program recorded in the program recording unit. It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, the reference motion data is corrected based on the parameter value for specifying the degree of the feature. Based on the corrected motion data, the motion of the character is controlled. Since the reference motion data is corrected based on the parameter value, the motion reflecting the character characteristics is reproduced. Further, the degree of each feature is reflected according to the parameter value. Thereby, the variation of a character's operation | movement can be increased easily. Further, since the reference motion data is corrected and used, there is no need to create motion data corresponding to variations. Therefore, the work burden on the game creator can be reduced and the development cost can be suppressed. Moreover, since the data amount of the reference motion data does not increase even if variations increase, it is possible to suppress an increase in the storage area of the RAM for storing the motion data.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a lineblock diagram showing the game device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the link structure of each joint when a character is taking the attitude | position which stood up with both hands extended. It is a figure which shows the hierarchical structure of the parent-child relationship of each joint. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of player character data. It is a figure for demonstrating position data. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of reference | standard motion data. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of arithmetic expression data. It is a figure which shows the image of one frame of the demonstration image | video where the character is performing the motion to walk. It is a figure which shows the image of one frame of the demonstration image | video where the character is performing the motion which walks with a shield in the left hand. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process for producing | generating the skeleton data for the player character's motion reproduction. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of skeleton data.

  Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a case where a program according to the present invention is applied to game software will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a case where an action game is progressing in a home game device (hereinafter referred to as “game device”) will be described as an example.

  The action game according to the present embodiment proceeds when the player character fights against the enemy character in the three-dimensional virtual game space and defeats the enemy character. The player character performs an action such as attack or movement in accordance with the operation of the player. In addition, characters such as enemy characters perform similar actions in accordance with computer control. For each action of each character (player character, enemy character, etc.), reference motion data (hereinafter referred to as “reference motion data”) used in common for each character is preset. For example, reference motion data for each operation such as walking motion data and motion data cut with a sword is prepared. When making each character move, the reference motion data is corrected according to the character's characteristics (characteristics such as gender, physique, and personality) and conditions (characteristics such as the degree of fatigue). Used.

  For example, when the character is tired, the reference motion data is corrected so that the stride is narrowed when the character leans forward slightly (that is, the posture where the waist and the trunk are bent downward). By using the corrected motion data, the character's walking motion is expressed as if it is walking tiredly (see FIG. 8B). In addition, when the character walks around in the game progress or fights against enemies and loses physical strength, the character becomes tired. In addition, the degree of fatigue of the character changes depending on the degree of physical strength consumption.

  When the character is a woman, the reference motion data is corrected so as to emphasize the rotation of the hip joint, the trunk joint, and the clavicle. By using the corrected motion data, it is expressed as if the character is walking like a woman (see FIG. 9B). Further, when the female character is in a tired state, the above two corrections for the reference motion data are performed in an overlapping manner. By using the corrected motion data, the character is represented as feminine and walking in a tired state. A specific operation reproduction method using motion data and a method of correcting motion data according to characteristics and states will be described later.

  The hardware configuration of this embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a game device according to the present embodiment. The game apparatus 1 includes a main body 11 and an operation controller 12. The operation controller 12 is connected to the main body 11 by short-range wireless communication. A monitor 13 is connected to the main body 11 by a dedicated cable. The main body 11 is loaded with a disk 14 on which a game program and game data are recorded. Furthermore, a memory card 15 for storing game data is mounted on the main body 11 as necessary.

  The main body 11 includes a control unit 111, a drawing processing unit 112, an audio processing unit 113, a disk drive unit 114, a memory card connection unit 115, an I / O interface unit 116, a communication processing unit 117, and a signal transmission / reception unit 118. The control unit 111 is connected to a drawing processing unit 112, an audio processing unit 113, an I / O interface unit 116, and a communication processing unit 117. In addition, a disk drive unit 114, a memory card connection unit 115, a signal transmission / reception unit 118, and a monitor 13 are connected to the I / O interface unit 116.

  In the game apparatus 1, the disc 14 on which the action game software is recorded is mounted on the disc drive unit 114. By the disk drive unit 114, the game program and game data in the disk 14 are read into a RAM 111c (described later) in the control unit 111. When the game program is executed by a CPU 111a (described later), the player can enjoy the game contents. The player can operate the player character by operating an operation controller 12 (described later) to advance the game. Further, the player can edit the player character by operating the operation controller 12 on the editing screen. The details of the player character editing function will be described later.

  The game data in the disk 14 includes character data (including image data) such as player characters and enemy characters, item data (including image data) such as weapons, motion data, image data such as backgrounds, and sound data such as sound effects. And various tables to be referred to during game progress and drawing.

  The control unit 111 has a microcomputer that controls the overall operation of the main body 11. The microcomputer includes a CPU 111a, a ROM 111b, a RAM 111c, and the like. These are each connected by a bus line.

  The CPU 111a performs overall control of the game progress by executing the game program read into the RAM 111c. More specifically, when an operation signal by a player's operation is input from the operation controller 12 via the signal transmission / reception unit 118, the CPU 111a performs a predetermined game progress process for the operation signal in accordance with the game program. Based on the processing result, the CPU 111 a displays, for example, a two-dimensional image representing a three-dimensional space (hereinafter referred to as “game image”) on the display screen of the monitor 13. Further, the CPU 111a outputs sound such as sound effects to a speaker 13a (described later) of the monitor 13 based on the processing result.

  In the ROM 111b, a basic program for causing the game apparatus 1 to perform basic functions is recorded. The basic program includes a game program recorded on the disc 14, a program for a disc loading function for reading game data, and the like. When the disk 14 is loaded in the disk drive unit 114, the CPU 111a operates the disk drive unit 114 according to the basic program stored in the ROM 111b, reads the game program and game data from the disk 14 into the RAM 111c, and sets the game apparatus 1 to the game start state. To do.

  The RAM 111c provides an area for storing game programs and game data read from the disk 14, and a work area for the CPU 111a to execute the game programs.

The game program is configured by combining a plurality of programs such as a game progress program and a graphic control program. The game progress program is a program for controlling the action of the player character displayed on the monitor 13 based on an operation signal from the operation controller 12. The graphic control program is a program for controlling a game image to be displayed on the monitor 13. In the present embodiment, the RAM 111c records player character data (see FIG. 4) and standard motion data (see FIG. 6) read from the disk 14 as game data, and is created from these data. Skeleton data (see FIG. 11) and the like are recorded.

  Based on the operation signal from the operation controller 12, the CPU 111a reads a game program, image data, and the like from the disk 14 into the RAM 111c as necessary. The CPU 111a determines the content of the game image to be displayed on the monitor 13 by processing these data and executing the game program.

  The drawing processing unit 112 performs various arithmetic processes necessary for the drawing process. For example, the CPU 111a outputs a drawing command to the drawing processing unit 112 every 1/60 seconds. At this time, the CPU 111a determines an image to be displayed on the monitor 13, character data necessary for drawing the image, item data, image data such as background, motion data, data of the position and shooting direction of the virtual camera, and Light source data and the like are read from the RAM 111 c and supplied to the drawing processing unit 112. Further, the CPU 111 a supplies position data of each character and operation signals input from the operation controller 12 to the drawing processing unit 112.

  The drawing processing unit 112 uses image data or the like based on a drawing command from the CPU 111a, and uses data necessary for drawing (positional relationship between each object and background, coordinates of polygons constituting each object on the monitor 13 screen, The texture corresponding to each polygon and the data such as the reflection characteristics of each polygon are calculated, and one frame (one frame) is stored in a video RAM (not shown) in the rendering processing unit 112 based on the calculation result. Create game image data. The created game image data is output to the monitor 13 as a video signal every 1/60 seconds, for example, and displayed on the monitor 13 as a video.

  The sound processing unit 113 performs various arithmetic processes necessary for processing to generate sound such as sound effects. When the CPU 111a determines a sound effect or BGM sound content to be output from the speaker 13a of the monitor 13, the CPU 111a outputs a voice command to the voice processing unit 113. The sound processing unit 113 reads sound effects or BGM sound data from the RAM 111c based on the sound command. Furthermore, the audio processing unit 113 performs predetermined processing and digital / analog conversion processing on the audio data, and then outputs the processed audio data to the speaker 13a.

  The disk drive unit 114 reads the game program and game data recorded on the disk 14 based on a loading command from the CPU 111a (a read command designating a game program to be loaded and game data).

  The memory card connection unit 115 is a unit for writing / reading information relating to game progress to / from the memory card 15. When a “save data” command is issued from the player while the game is in progress or at the end of the game, the CPU 111a stores information related to the game progress recorded in the work area of the RAM 111c (for example, this information includes the game character set by the player). Information such as various types of benefits, such as types, acquired points and items) is recorded in the memory card 15 via the memory card connection unit 115. Further, the CPU 111a reads out information related to the game progress recorded in the memory card 15 to the RAM 111c before the game starts.

  The I / O interface unit 116 transmits the game program and game data read by the disk drive unit 114 and the memory card connection unit 115 and the operation signal from the operation controller 12 received by the signal transmission / reception unit 118 to the control unit 111. . The I / O interface unit 116 transmits video signals, audio signals, and the like from the control unit 111, the drawing processing unit 112, and the audio processing unit 113 to the monitor 13 and the speaker 13a.

  The communication processing unit 117 performs control for transmitting and receiving data when the game apparatus 1 communicates with another game apparatus 1 via the network line 2. Specifically, the communication processing unit 117 transmits an operation signal input from the operation controller 12 or a signal output from the CPU 111 a to another game device 1 via the network line 2. Further, the communication processing unit 117 receives a signal transmitted from another game device 1 via the network line 2 and inputs the signal to the CPU 111a.

  The signal transmission / reception unit 118 receives a signal transmitted from the operation controller 12 by short-range wireless communication. The signal from the operation controller 12 includes detection data from various sensors (not shown) provided in the operation controller 12 in addition to the operation information of the operation buttons provided in the operation controller 12. The CPU 111a advances the game by a signal transmitted from the operation controller 12. Further, the signal transmission / reception unit 118 causes the operation controller 12 to vibrate various signals (for example, a vibration unit (not shown) of the operation controller 12, a light emitting unit (not shown) to emit light), or an audio output unit (not shown). For example, a signal to output sound from

  The operation controller 12 is operated by the player in order to operate the player character and make various settings relating to the game. When the operation controller 12 is operated by the player, the operation signal is transmitted to the control unit 111, and the player character displayed on the monitor 13 performs a predetermined action. Examples of the predetermined operation include a movement operation such as running, squatting, and jumping, and an attack operation for attacking an opponent using a weapon. The operation controller 12 has a power button for switching between its own power on state and off state, a start button for starting a game or opening a pause menu, and a select for skipping a demo or selecting a menu. Buttons and operation buttons for moving the player character and camera viewpoint (including operation buttons that are operated by pressing and operation sticks that are operated by tilting).

  The monitor 13 displays a game image indicating the game progress state on the display screen in accordance with the video signal sent from the main body 11, and sounds such as sound effects from the speaker 13 a in response to the voice signal sent from the main body 11. Is a device for outputting. The monitor 13 is composed of, for example, a television receiver having an external input terminal for inputting a video signal and an audio signal.

  The disk 14 is an optical disk such as a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM. The disc 14 stores a game program and various data and image data necessary for executing the game program. The memory card 15 is a non-volatile recording medium capable of rewriting data, such as a flash memory. The information recorded in the work area of the RAM 111c disappears when the game apparatus body 11 is turned off. Therefore, the CPU 111a records, in the memory card 15, information related to the game progress that should be left without disappearing.

  When the game apparatus 1 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), information relating to game progress, a game program, various data necessary for execution of the game program, and part of image data may be stored in the HDD. it can.

  The game apparatus 1 can be connected to the network line 2 such as the Internet line via the network adapter 16. In this case, it is also possible to play a game between a plurality of game devices 1 via the network line 2 (so-called “online game”). In the present embodiment, a game performed by the game apparatus 1 alone has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to such an online game.

  Next, the player character data will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining a skeleton model of a character and its hierarchical structure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a link structure of each joint when the character is taking an upright posture (hereinafter referred to as “standard posture”) with both hands extended. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of the parent-child relationship of each joint. In this embodiment, since the player character is a human character, the skeleton model is a human skeleton model, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a link structure and a hierarchical structure of the human skeleton model, respectively.

  In FIG. 2, circles in which a to q are shown indicate each joint. Note that the names of the joints a to q are the same as those in FIG. 3, and the names are not shown in FIG. 2. Also in the following description, the names of the joints a to q may be omitted and, for example, only “joint a” may be described. The connection between the joints is indicated by a solid line, for example, indicating that the right shoulder e and the right elbow f are connected. The hip joint a serves as a base point of the skeleton model (a part serving as a reference for the connection structure). In addition, each joint and link structure are not limited to this. The joints may be omitted to form a simpler structure, or the number of joints may be increased to form a more complicated structure. Further, the base point is not limited to the hip joint a, but may be the torso joint b, the neck c, the left shoulder i, or a point different from each joint. However, the base point is preferably a point that does not deviate to the left and right of the character such as the trunk, for example, a point located on the central axis (a straight line connecting the neck c, the torso joint b, and the hip joint a).

  In FIG. 3, the upper joint is the parent of the lower joint, and the lower joint is a child of the upper joint. For example, the right clavicle d is the parent of the right shoulder e and the child of the trunk joint b. The position of each joint is set with reference to the position of the parent joint. The hip joint a (base point) is the highest joint, and the position of the hip joint a is set based on the origin of the local coordinate system. The local coordinate system is a coordinate system set for each character (for example, a character whose movement is controlled by the CPU 111a, such as a player character or an enemy character), and manages the movement and posture of the character. Is provided. The local coordinate system is set such that the upward direction of the character is the positive direction of the Y axis, the front direction of the character is the positive direction of the Z axis, and the left direction of the character is the positive direction of the X axis. The arrow at the lower right in FIG. 2 indicates the direction of each axis in the local coordinate system, and the front direction from the back of the page is the positive direction of the Z axis.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of player character data.

  The player character data is character data of the player character. The player character data is recorded as game data on the disc 14, is read by the disc drive unit 114, and is stored in the RAM 111c.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the player character data includes model data, feature data, image data, and the like. The model data includes joint data. The joint data includes position data and link data for each joint a to q. The position data is position data of each joint when the character is in the standard posture, and the link data is data for specifying the parent joint. For example, in the figure, the position data of the joint b is (Xb, Yb, Zb), and the link data is “a” indicating the joint a which is the parent joint.

  Since the joint a is a base point and there is no parent joint, it does not have link data. The position data of the joint a is indicated by position coordinates in the local coordinate system. In this embodiment, since the joint a in the standard posture is set right above the origin of the local coordinate system (on the Y axis), Xa = Za = 0 (see FIG. 5). The position data of the joints b to q is data indicating a relative position with respect to the position of the parent joint in the local coordinate system.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the position data, and shows the position coordinates of the joint a, the joint b, and the joint h on the local coordinate system.

  The position data (Xh, Yh, Zh) of the joint h indicates a relative position based on the position coordinates B (XB, YB, ZB) of the joint b (see FIG. 5) which is the parent joint. Therefore, the position coordinate H of the joint h is H (XB + Xh, YB + Yh, ZB + Zh). The position coordinate A of the joint a (base point), which is the parent joint of the joint b, is A (Xa, Ya, Za) because it is position data of the joint a, and the position data of the joint b is (Xb, Yb, Zb). Therefore, the position coordinates B (XB, YB, ZB) are (Xa + Xb, Ya + Yb, Za + Zb). Therefore, the position coordinate H is H (Xa + Xb + Xh, Ya + Yb + Yh, Za + Zb + Zh).

  Note that the position data of each joint is not limited to the case where the position data is expressed as a relative position based on the position of the parent joint. For example, position coordinates in the local coordinate system may be used, or distance information from the parent joint may be used.

  The feature data includes characteristic data and state data. The characteristic data is information indicating characteristics set in advance for the player character, and a parameter value for each characteristic is set in advance. In the present embodiment, for example, a gender parameter indicating gender and a stoop parameter indicating the degree of stoop are set. In each parameter, parameter values from “−1” to “1” are set. Hereinafter, parameters indicating characteristics are collectively referred to as “characteristic parameters”.

  The sex parameter is information indicating the sex characteristics of the player character. When the parameter value is “0”, the player character is expressed as a neutral character. A larger parameter value represents a feminine (female) character, and a smaller parameter value represents a masculine (masculine) character. In FIG. 4, since the parameter value of the sex parameter is “0.5”, the player character is expressed as a somewhat feminine character.

  The spine parameter is information indicating the extent of the player character's spine. When the parameter value is “0”, the player character is expressed as a (general) character that is not a spine. On the other hand, when the parameter value is a positive value, it is expressed as a stooped character, and when the parameter value is a negative value, it is expressed as a hungry (fat) character. The degree of stoop (or fatness) becomes prominent according to the size of the parameter value. In FIG. 4, since the parameter value of the stoop parameter is “0.5”, the player character is expressed as a slightly stoop character. In general, since a fat person tends to be in an angry and outstretched posture, in this embodiment, the posture of the character is opposite to the posture of the stoop and the fat posture, The parameters are set in common. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fatness parameter may be set separately from the stoopback parameter, and both characteristics may be expressed independently of each other.

  The state data is information indicating the state of the player character, and a parameter value for each state is set. In the present embodiment, for example, a fatigue parameter indicating the degree of fatigue is set. Each parameter is set to a value from “0” to “1”. In the following, parameters indicating states are collectively referred to as “state parameters”, and characteristic parameters and state parameters are collectively referred to as “feature parameters”.

  The fatigue parameter indicates the degree of fatigue of the player character. When the parameter value is “0”, the player character is expressed as if it is not tired, and as the parameter value increases, the player character is expressed so as to be more tired. In FIG. 4, since the parameter value of the fatigue parameter is “0.5”, the player character is expressed as being in a slightly tired state.

  The parameter value of the state data changes according to the progress of the game. For example, the parameter value of the fatigue parameter is calculated based on the physical strength value set for the player character, and is updated as appropriate. It may be calculated based on the elapsed time or other factors. Further, the state data is not limited to those recorded as player character data, and may be calculated and used in a timely manner. On the other hand, the parameter value of the characteristic data is fixed regardless of the progress of the game. For example, the parameter values of the sex parameter and the back parameter are set in advance as predetermined fixed values.

  The image data includes polygon data and texture data of each part constituting the character.

  Characters other than the player character that have the same skeleton model (see FIGS. 2 and 3) as the player character (for example, enemy characters) have the same character data as the player character data (see FIG. 4). Each is set.

  Next, a method for reproducing the motion of the player character using the motion data will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 to 11.

  The player character's motion is reproduced using the player character data (see FIG. 4) and the standard motion data (see FIG. 6). That is, skeleton data (see FIG. 11 described later) obtained by calculating position data of each joint of the player character is generated for each frame based on the player character data and the reference motion data. At this time, in this embodiment, the reference motion data is used after being corrected based on the feature data included in the player character data. Based on the generated skeleton data, each part of the player character data is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual game space. By performing this for each frame, the player character is caused to perform a predetermined action.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the reference motion data.

  The reference motion data is data for reproducing each action of the character (for example, a walking action, a running action, an action to jump, an action to attack an opponent, an action to prevent an attack, etc.). The reference motion data is also used as motion data for the player character. The reference motion data is set for each operation (motion) and includes position data of each joint for each frame or data indicating a rotation angle of each joint. The data of the joint a (base point) includes position data that is position coordinates in the local coordinate system and rotation data that indicates the rotation angle of the joint a in the local coordinate system. The data of the joints b to q includes rotation data indicating the rotation angle of each joint in the local coordinate system. The rotation data includes rotation angle data centered on three axes (X axis, Y axis, and Z axis) in the local coordinate system. In the following, each element is abbreviated as “X-axis rotation angle”, “Y-axis rotation angle”, and “Z-axis rotation angle”. The unit of each element is (°). Further, the rotation direction of each axis is a positive direction counterclockwise when viewed from the positive direction of the axis. For example, in the case of the local coordinate system shown in FIG. 2, the rotation angle about the Z axis is a positive value in the counterclockwise rotation angle with respect to the paper surface.

  The position coordinates of each joint in the local coordinate system of the player character can be calculated from the rotation data of each joint of the reference motion data and the position data of each joint of the player character data (see FIG. 4). Since the method of calculating the position of the child joint in this order from the position of the joint and the rotation angle in this manner is known as a forward kinematics technique, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the reference motion data may not include all the frame data, but only the key frame data may be included, and the inter-frame data may be interpolated by linear interpolation or spline interpolation. .

  Next, correction of reference motion data will be described.

  The reference motion data is created based on the action of a character having no features. A “character without a feature” is a character that has intermediate characteristics and is not in a specific state. For example, the character is neutral, not a stoop or a fat figure, and a character who is not tired at all. More specifically, the character is a character whose parameter values are all “0”. Hereinafter, a case where the character is a “character having no feature” is referred to as “normal case”. When reproducing the motion of each character, the reference motion data is corrected according to the characteristics of the character, and the corrected motion data is used. The correction is performed based on the feature data (see FIG. 4) and the arithmetic expression data (see FIG. 7) recorded corresponding to each feature and each motion data. This is done by correcting the rotation data and the position data of the joint a (base point).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of arithmetic expression data.

  The arithmetic expression data is data having each arithmetic expression set for each feature and motion set as an element. For example, in the figure, an arithmetic expression 1W is set as an arithmetic expression corresponding to gender and motion 1. Each arithmetic expression includes one or more expressions for correcting rotation data of a predetermined joint or position data of a joint a (base point).

  What correction is performed on which joint varies depending on the operation and also varies depending on the characteristics. In the following, an example will be described in which motion data of a walking motion is corrected based on a fatigue parameter, a correction based on a stoopback parameter, and a correction based on a gender parameter.

  In the correction based on the fatigue parameter, a correction for increasing the X-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the hip joint a and the trunk joint b and a correction for decreasing the Z coordinate of the position data of the joint a (base point) are performed. As described above, the parameter value of the fatigue parameter is calculated based on the physical strength value set for the player character, and the parameter value set for the player character data (see FIG. 4) is updated as appropriate. Correction is performed using the parameter value.

Specifically, assuming that the rotation data of the hip joint a of the reference motion data is (θx, θy, θz) and the fatigue parameter is T, the corrected rotation data (θx ′, θy ′, θz ′) is as follows: 1) Calculated by the equation.

θx ′ = θx + 10 · T
θy ′ = θy
θz ′ = θz (1)

  For example, when the fatigue parameter T is “0.5”, θx ′ = θx + 5, 5 ° is added to the X-axis rotation angle, and the character is bent 5 ° lower than usual. Similarly, the X-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the trunk joint b is also corrected (a specific calculation formula is omitted). When the fatigue parameter T is “0”, no correction is performed (the same data is obtained after correction).

If the position data of the joint a (base point) is (Px, Py, Pz), the corrected position data (Px ′, Py ′, Pz ′) of the joint a (base point) is expressed by the following equation (2). Calculated.

Px ′ = Px · [1 + (− 0.5) · T]
Py '= Py
Pz ′ = Pz · [1 + (− 0.5) · T] (2)

  For example, when the fatigue parameter T is “0.5”, Px ′ = 0.75 · Px, and the movement of the character in the left-right direction is 75% of the normal case. Further, Pz ′ = 0.75 · Pz, and the distance of the character traveling in the traveling direction is 75% of the normal case. When the traveling distance decreases, the stride is corrected so as to decrease. That is, the position of the foot is corrected, and the rotation data of the ankle joint, the knee joint, and the hip joint are corrected by automatic calculation using the inverse kinematics technique.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a one-frame image of a demonstration video in which a character is walking. FIG. 5A shows a walking action of a character having no feature, and shows a case where the fatigue parameter T is “0”. The arrow at the lower right of FIG. 4A indicates the direction of each axis in the local coordinate system of the character, and the front direction from the back of the page is the positive direction of the X axis. FIG. 5B shows a walking action of a tired character, and shows a case where the fatigue parameter T is “1”.

  Compared with the character shown in FIG. 6A, the character shown in FIG. 5B is added 10 ° (= 10 · 1) to the X-axis rotation angle of the hip joint a, and the X-axis rotation of the torso joint b. A predetermined angle is also added to the angle. In addition, the distance that the character advances in the direction of travel (Z-axis direction) is 50% (= 1 + (− 0.5) · 1) in the case of FIG. 10A, and the stride is corrected accordingly. Yes. Although not understood from the figure, the movement of the character in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) is also 50% (= 1 + (− 0.5) · 1) of the normal case. With these corrections, the posture of the character shown in FIG. 5B is changed to a posture in which the waist and torso are bent and faced downward, and the character is reproduced as if walking with a small stride.

  In the correction based on the stoopback parameter, correction for changing the X-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the hip joint a, the trunk joint b, and the neck joint c, and correction for changing the Y-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the collarbones d and h, Is done. As described above, the parameter values of the spine parameters are preset in the player character data (see FIG. 4) as fixed values. Correction is performed using the parameter value.

Specifically, assuming that the rotation data of the hip joint a of the reference motion data is (θx, θy, θz) and the back parameter is S, the corrected rotation data (θx ′, θy ′, θz ′) is as follows ( 3) Calculated by the equation.

θx ′ = θx + 7 · S
θy ′ = θy
θz ′ = θz (3)

  For example, when the spine parameter S is “0.5”, θx ′ = θx + 3.5, 3.5 ° is added to the X-axis rotation angle, and the character bends 3.5 ° lower than usual. It becomes a state. On the other hand, when the spine parameter S is “−0.5”, θx ′ = θx−3.5, 3.5 ° is subtracted from the X-axis rotation angle, and the character is 3.5 ° from the normal case. The waist is bent in the opposite direction (that is, the back is stretched). Similarly, the X-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the trunk joint b is also corrected (a specific calculation formula is omitted). At this time, when the back parameter S is “1”, the correction is performed so that 10 ° is added to the X-axis rotation angle in the normal case. When the back parameter S is “0”, no correction is performed (the same data is obtained after correction).

  When the X-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the hip joint a and the torso joint b is corrected according to the stoopback parameter S, the orientation of the character's face also changes. That is, when the back parameter S is a positive value, the character's face turns downward, and when the back parameter S is a negative value, the character's face turns upward. In the present embodiment, correction is also performed to change the X-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the neck joint c so that the character's face faces the front.

Specifically, assuming that the rotation data of the neck joint c of the reference motion data is (θx, θy, θz) and the back parameter is S, the corrected rotation data (θx ′, θy ′, θz ′) is as follows: 4) Calculated by the equation.

θx ′ = θx−17 · S
θy ′ = θy
θz ′ = θz (4)

  For example, when the stoopback parameter S is “0.5”, θx ′ = θx−8.5, and 8.5 ° is subtracted from the X-axis rotation angle of the neck joint c. As a result, the 3.5 ° added by the correction of the hip joint a and the 5 ° added by the correction of the torso joint b are canceled out, and the direction of the character's face is the same as the normal direction (facing the front). ).

Further, assuming that the rotation data of the right clavicle d of the reference motion data is (θx, θy, θz) and the back parameter is S, the corrected rotation data (θx ′, θy ′, θz ′) is expressed by the following equation (5): Is calculated by

θx ′ = θx
θy ′ = θy + 10 · S
θz ′ = θz (5)

  For example, when the back parameter S is “0.5”, θy ′ = θy + 5, and 5 ° is added to the Y-axis rotation angle. As a result, the character's right shoulder comes out before the normal case (shouldered). On the other hand, when the stoopback parameter S is “−0.5”, θy ′ = θy-5, and 5 ° is subtracted from the Y-axis rotation angle. As a result, the character's right shoulder comes out behind the normal case (the chest is stretched). Similarly, the Y-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the left clavicle h is also corrected. At this time, since the left clavicle h needs to be rotated in the opposite direction to the right clavicle d, when the stoop parameter S is “0.5”, the left clavicle h has a normal Y-axis rotation angle of 5 °. Correction is made so as to be subtracted (a specific calculation formula is omitted). As a result, the character's left shoulder comes out of the normal case (shouldered). When the back parameter S is “0”, no correction is performed (the same data is obtained after correction).

  FIG. 8C shows the walking action of the character of the back of the back, and shows the case where the back of the back parameter S is “1”. FIG. 4A shows a walking action of a character having no features, and is for the case where the stoop parameter S is “0”.

  Compared to the character shown in FIG. 6A, the character shown in FIG. 7C adds 7 ° (= 7.1) to the X-axis rotation angle of the hip joint a, and the X-axis rotation of the torso joint b. 10 ° (= 10 · 1) is added to the angle, and 17 ° (= 17.1) is subtracted from the X-axis rotation angle of the neck joint c. Further, 10 ° (= 10 · 1) is added to the Y-axis rotation angle of the right clavicle d, and 10 ° (= 10 · 1) is subtracted from the Y-axis rotation angle of the left clavicle h. By these corrections, the posture of the character shown in FIG. 5C is changed to a posture in which the waist and torso are swollen and the shoulders are swollen, and the character is reproduced as if a stooped person is walking.

  FIG. 8D shows a walking action of a hungry (fat) character, and shows a case where the stoop parameter S is “−1”.

  In the character shown in FIG. 6D, compared to the character shown in FIG. 6A, −7 ° (= 7 · (−1)) is added to the X-axis rotation angle of the hip joint a (ie, 7 °). Is subtracted), and −10 ° (= 10 · (−1)) is added to the X-axis rotation angle of the trunk joint b (that is, 10 ° is subtracted), and −17 ° from the X-axis rotation angle of the neck joint c (= 17 · (−1)) is subtracted (that is, 17 ° is added). Further, −10 ° (= 10 · (−1)) is added to the Y-axis rotation angle of the right clavicle d (that is, 10 ° is subtracted), and −10 ° (= 10) from the Y-axis rotation angle of the left clavicle h. (-1)) is subtracted (that is, 10 ° is added). By these corrections, the posture of the character shown in FIG. 4D is a posture in which the back is stretched and the chest is stretched, and the character is reproduced as if a fat person is walking.

  In the correction based on the sex parameter, correction for changing each element of the rotation data of the hip joint a, the trunk joint b, and the collarbones d and h and correction for adjusting the opening method of the elbow and knee are performed. As described above, the parameter value of the sex parameter is preset in the player character data (see FIG. 4) as a fixed value. Correction is performed using the parameter value.

Specifically, if the rotation data of the hip joint a of the reference motion data is (θx, θy, θz) and the gender parameter is W, the corrected rotation data (θx ′, θy ′, θz ′) is as follows ( 6) Calculated by the equation.

θx ′ = θx
θy ′ = θy · (1 + 0.3 · W)
θz ′ = θz · (1 + 0.5 · W) (6)

  For example, when the gender parameter W is “0.5”, θy ′ = 1.15 · θy, the Y-axis rotation angle becomes 115%, and the character increases his waist by 15% from the normal case. Rotate around. Also, θz ′ = 1.25 · θz, the Z-axis rotation angle is 125%, and the character is in a state of rotating the waist around the Z-axis by 25% more than usual. Similarly, the Y-axis rotation angle and the Z-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the trunk joint b are also corrected (a specific calculation formula is omitted), and the rotation of the trunk is also emphasized. Further, each element of the rotation data of the clavicles d and h is also corrected (specific calculation formulas are omitted), and the shoulder movement is emphasized. On the other hand, when the gender parameter W is “−0.5”, θy ′ = 0.85 · θy, θz ′ = 0.75 · θz, and the Y-axis rotation angle and the Z-axis rotation angle are suppressed. Similarly, the Y-axis rotation angle and the Z-axis rotation angle of the rotation data of the trunk joint b are also corrected, and the rotation of the trunk is suppressed. Also, each element of the rotation data of the collarbones d and h is corrected, and the movement of the shoulder is also suppressed. When the gender parameter W is “0”, no correction is performed (the same data is obtained after correction).

  Further, according to the sex parameter W, correction for adjusting the opening of the elbow and knee is also performed. The larger the gender parameter W is, the more the elbow and knee are opened. For elbow correction, the positions of the elbow joints f and j are determined first, and the rotation data of the wrist joints g and k and the shoulder joints e and i are automatically corrected by using inverse kinematics technology. Done. Similarly, for the knee correction, the positions of the knee joints m and p are determined first, and the rotation data of the ankle joints n and q and the hip joints 1 and o are automatically calculated by using inverse kinematics technology. Done in

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a one-frame image of a demonstration video in which a character walks with a shield in his left hand (in the figure, only the character is displayed, and the shield and equipment are displayed. Not shown.) FIG. 4A shows the action of a character having no characteristics, and shows the case where the gender parameter W is “0”. The arrow at the lower right of FIG. 6A indicates the direction of each axis in the local coordinate system of the character, and the front direction from the back of the page is the positive direction of the Z axis. FIG. 5B shows the walking motion of the female character, and shows the case where the gender parameter W is “1”.

  In the character shown in FIG. 5B, the Y-axis rotation angle of the hip joint a is 130% (= 1 + 0.3 · 1) and the Z-axis rotation angle is 150 in comparison with the character shown in FIG. % (= 1 + 0.5 · 1), and the rotation of the waist around the Y and Z axes is emphasized. Also, the rotation of the torso about the Y and Z axes is emphasized, and the movement of the shoulder is also emphasized. Furthermore, it is corrected so that the way of opening the elbows and knees is reduced. With these corrections, the character motion shown in FIG. 5B becomes feminine and is reproduced as if a woman is walking.

  FIG. 5C shows the walking action of the male character, and shows the case where the gender parameter W is “−1”.

  The character shown in FIG. 10C has a Y-axis rotation angle of the hip joint a of 70% (= 1 + 0.3 · (−1)) and the Z-axis rotation as compared with the character shown in FIG. The angle is 50% (= 1 + 0.5 · (−1)), and the rotation of the waist around the Y and Z axes is suppressed. Further, the rotation of the trunk around the Y axis and the Z axis is also suppressed, and the movement of the shoulder is also suppressed. Furthermore, it has been corrected so that the elbows and knees can be opened more widely. With these corrections, the character's movement shown in FIG. 5C becomes masculine and is reproduced as if the man is walking.

  The corrections based on the feature parameters are independent of each other, and all corrections are performed on the reference motion data. For example, in the case of the player character data shown in FIG. 4, correction when the gender parameter W is “0.5”, correction when the back parameter S is “0.5”, and the fatigue parameter T is “0.5”. Each case correction is performed in duplicate.

  Correction based on other features is also performed based on the corresponding feature parameters and preset arithmetic expressions. Other features include personality brightness (darkness), age, arrogance (humility), high morale, fullness of morale, level of uplift, and level of physical strength. Feature parameters and arithmetic expressions corresponding to each feature are set in advance (see FIG. 7).

  In addition, although the arithmetic expression for correction | amendment with respect to the reference | standard motion data of a walk operation was demonstrated above, the reference | standard of other operation | movement (For example, the operation | movement which runs, the operation | movement which jumps, the operation | movement which attacks an opponent, the operation which prevents an attack, etc.) An arithmetic expression for correcting the motion data is also set for each character feature (see FIG. 7). In the case of similar operations (for example, walking and running), a common arithmetic expression may be used. In addition, in the case of correction based on features related to the body shape (such as the back of a cat), appropriate correction can often be performed using a common arithmetic expression regardless of the type of motion. However, in the case of correction based on features such as fatigue and gender, if correction is performed using a common arithmetic expression, an unnatural operation may occur depending on the operation. Therefore, it is necessary to use different arithmetic expressions for each operation.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a process (hereinafter referred to as “skeleton data generation process”) that is performed by, for example, the control unit 111 of the game apparatus 1 to generate skeleton data for reproducing the motion of the player character. It is a flowchart of.

  The skeleton data generation process is performed for each frame. First, the data of the corresponding frame of the reference motion data corresponding to the operation to be executed (for example, in the case of the process of frame 1 of motion 1 shown in FIG. 6, position data α1, rotation data a1, and rotation data b1 to q1). The player character data (see FIG. 4) is read from the RAM 111c by the CPU 111a and input to the drawing processing unit 112 (S1).

  Next, based on the feature data of the player character data, the position data α1, the rotation data a1, and the rotation data b1 to q1 are corrected (S2). At this time, arithmetic expressions corresponding to the motion and each characteristic parameter are read with reference to arithmetic expression data (see FIG. 7). For example, in the above example, the calculation formula 1W corresponding to the motion 1 and the gender parameter is read and corrected based on the gender parameter, the calculation formula 1S is read and corrected based on the back parameter, and the calculation formula 1T Is read out and corrected based on the fatigue parameter. Next, skeleton data is generated from the corrected data and the player character data (S3).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of skeleton data.

  The skeleton data includes position data (position data) of each joint and data (link data) indicating a joint that is a parent. The data of the joint a (base point) includes only position data. The position data of the joint a is the position coordinate of the joint a in the local coordinate system of the player character, and the position data of the joint a of the reference motion data is set.

  The data of the joints b to q includes position data and link data. The position data of the joints b to q is data indicating a relative position with respect to the position of the parent joint in the local coordinate system, and the position data of the joints b to q of the player character data and the corrected motion data. It is calculated from the rotation data of the joints b to q using the forward kinematics technique. The link data of the joints b to q of the skeleton data uses the link data of the joints b to q of the player character data.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the coordinate conversion of the skeleton data generated in step S3 is performed (S4), and the skeleton data generation process ends. The coordinate conversion is to convert position data in the local coordinate system into position data in the world coordinate system. As a result, skeleton data that is data in the local coordinate system is converted into data in the world coordinate system. The world coordinate system is a fixed coordinate system set on the three-dimensional virtual game space, and is used to represent the position and orientation on the three-dimensional virtual game space. In the coordinate conversion in step S4, the “current position data” and “current direction data” of the player character are used.

  “Current position data” and “current direction data” are respectively the position and orientation of the player character in the world coordinate system (more precisely, the position of the origin of the local coordinate system and the orientation of the local coordinate system set for the player character). ) And is recorded in the RAM 111c. “Current position data” and “current direction data” are updated when the player character moves in the three-dimensional virtual game space. For example, when the player character moves while walking, a walking motion is executed based on the local coordinate system based on the “current position data” and the “current direction data”. “Current position data” and “current direction data” are updated based on the position and orientation of the player character in the world coordinate system when the walking motion ends (when the last frame is processed). While the player character is walking and moving, the execution of the walking motion and the update of the “current position data” and “current direction data” are repeated.

  In the reproduction of the motion of a character having the same skeleton model (see FIGS. 2 and 3) as the player character such as an enemy character, skeleton data generation processing is performed in the same manner as described above. That is, the reference motion data (see FIG. 6) is corrected according to the characteristics of the character, and skeleton data is generated using the corrected motion data to perform coordinate conversion.

  The drawing processing unit 112 finally uses the skeleton data (skeleton data of each character) converted into the data of the world coordinate system, the image data converted into the data of the world coordinate system, etc. Create data for. The game image data created for each frame is output to the monitor 13 as a video signal, and a video of the action of the player character is displayed on the monitor 13.

  According to this embodiment, the reference motion data created so as to reproduce the motion of a character having no characteristics is corrected according to the characteristics of the character. The motion of the character is reproduced using the corrected motion data. The motion data of each operation is corrected so that the feature is expressed based on an arithmetic expression set according to the operation and the feature. Thereby, the motion reflecting each characteristic of the character is reproduced. The degree of reflection of each feature is adjusted according to the parameter value of the feature parameter. By adjusting the degree of each feature in various ways, it is possible to easily increase variations in character movement. In addition, since only the reference motion data for reproducing the motion of a character having no features needs to be produced, the work burden on the game creator can be reduced and the development cost can be reduced. Further, since the amount of reference motion data does not increase even if the operation variation increases, an increase in the storage area of the RAM for storing motion data can be suppressed.

  In addition, although the said embodiment demonstrated the operation | movement of the character to which the body type is being fixed, this invention is applicable also to the game which can edit the body type of a character. In this case, the predetermined characteristic parameter may be changed according to the change in the body shape. For example, the back parameter may be increased according to the height of the character. Further, the feature parameter may be directly editable by the player without being linked to the change in the body shape. For example, when the game is played for the first time, the player may edit each characteristic parameter of the player character and set characteristics such as gender and posture. Further, instead of editing the player character, the player may be able to select a favorite character from a plurality of characters having different characteristics (for example, a male character and a female character). Also in this case, since the reference motion data is corrected according to the characteristics of the selected character, it is possible to reproduce the motion according to the characteristics of the character. As for characters other than the player character, the player may be able to directly edit each characteristic parameter, or the player may be able to select a favorite character.

  The present invention can also be applied to characters other than humanoids. For example, in the case of a quadruped animal character such as a horse, reference motion data corresponding to the skeleton model of the character is created, and the reference motion data may be corrected according to the feature.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a player character, an enemy character, and the like has been described. However, the present invention may be applied only to a specific character. For example, it may be applied only to the player character, or may be applied only to a specific enemy character.

  Although the action game has been described as an example in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to games of various genres such as sports games, RPG (role playing games), shooting games, fighting games, and adventure games. Further, the present invention is a game in which a character operated by a plurality of players or a character controlled by a CPU forms a team and cooperates with an enemy character, or a character operated by another player as an enemy character. It can also be applied to such games.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the game is executed on the home game device has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a case where a game is executed on, for example, an arcade game device, a portable game device, and a personal computer equipped with game software.

  Although the case where the present invention is applied to a game program has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention may be applied to a program other than a game. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a program for activating a character in a virtual reality space or a program such as a simulator. The present invention can be applied to any program that displays an action of a character or the like based on motion data.

  The present invention can also be applied to a tool for creating a game. For example, the character value used for the game may be determined by changing the parameter value of the characteristic parameter to confirm the action of the character. Moreover, you may make it use the motion data after correct | amending according to the characteristic as motion data of a specific character.

  Further, the present invention can be applied to a plurality of types (different titles) of games. For example, for a single player character of each game, the motion may be reproduced using the same reference motion data. Thereby, for example, it is not necessary to create motion data of a predetermined motion every time in each of various games, and the burden of game development work can be reduced.

  The program according to the present invention and the image processing apparatus including the program recording unit that records the program are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configuration of the image processing apparatus including the program according to the present invention and the program recording unit that records the program can be variously modified.

1 Game device 11 Main body (image processing device)
111 control unit 111a CPU (information reading means, motion data generation means, character control means)
111b ROM
111c RAM (storage unit, program recording unit)
112 Drawing processing unit 113 Audio processing unit 114 Disk drive unit 115 Memory card connection unit 116 I / O interface unit 117 Communication processing unit 118 Signal transmission / reception unit 12 Operation controller 13 Monitor (display device)
14 disk 15 memory card 16 network adapter 2 network line

Claims (7)

A program executed by a computer of an image processing device that displays an image of a character having a connection structure with a plurality of joints on a display device,
The computer,
Character data for specifying the distance between the joints, reference motion data for specifying the relative positional relationship between the joints to perform a predetermined action, and at least one type of parameter relating to the character Information reading means for reading the value from the storage unit;
Motion data generating means for generating motion data corresponding to the character using the reference motion data;
Character control means for causing the character to perform a predetermined action using the motion data corresponding to the character and the character data;
To function,
The motion data generation means generates motion data corresponding to the character by correcting the reference motion data based on a parameter value related to the character.
A program characterized by that. The character is a plurality of characters having the same connection structure,
The information reading means reads character data and parameter values corresponding to each character and the reference motion data,
The motion data generating means generates motion data corresponding to each character,
The character control means causes each character to perform a predetermined action using motion data and character data corresponding to each character.
The program according to claim 1. The reference motion data includes a rotation angle of each joint,
The motion data generating means corrects a rotation angle of a predetermined joint included in the reference motion data;
The program according to claim 1 or 2. The reference motion data includes information on the position of the character,
The motion data generating means corrects the position information;
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The information reading means reads parameter values for specifying a plurality of predetermined feature levels,
The motion data generation means performs correction based on a corresponding parameter value for each of the predetermined features.
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further causing the computer to function as parameter value changing means for changing the parameter value in accordance with a player's operation. A program recording unit that records the program according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A computer for executing the program recorded in the program recording unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: