JP3292661B2 - Three-dimensional simulation apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional simulation apparatus and method for performing a simulation operation for moving a moving object in a three-dimensional object space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A player moving body moves in an object space which is a virtual three-dimensional space, and synthesizes a view image from a given viewpoint position.
2. Description of the Related Art A three-dimensional simulation apparatus is known, and is popular as a player who can experience a so-called virtual reality.

Conventionally, as such a three-dimensional simulation apparatus, a flying game, a driving game, and the like using a fighter have been known.

[0004] In these conventional flying games and drive games, hit checking with terrain objects has not been a problem. In other words, when the player can freely move three-dimensionally, as in the case of flying in the air in a flying game, only the movement calculation based on the movement of the airplane is sufficient, and in the case of a drive game moving on a flat course Needed only a two-dimensional hit check on a plane with another car.

[0005] However, recently, various three-dimensional simulation devices such as skiing, snowboarding, jet skiing, and driving games running on courses with undulations and ruggedness have been developed.

In this type of three-dimensional simulation apparatus, in order to allow a player to experience a more realistic virtual reality, it is necessary to reflect the ups and downs of the ground and the water surface and the size of the unevenness in the game. However, in order to accurately reflect the ups and downs of the ground or the water surface or the size of the unevenness in the game, it is necessary to check the contact with the road surface or the like, so that the amount of calculation increases.

Therefore, in order to perform the contact check without deteriorating the real-time property within the limit of the processing capacity of the CPU, a rough contact check must be performed.
This caused the reality to be impaired.

[0008] Further, if a course rich in undulations and irregularities of large and small is set, the amount of calculation required to check contact with a road surface or the like increases by that amount, so that complicated course setting cannot be performed. 3 for a thrilling virtual experience
This has made it difficult to provide a three-dimensional simulation apparatus.

Therefore, it is an important issue how to check the contact with a course that is rich in undulations and irregularities of large and small sizes without increasing the amount of calculation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to increase the amount of calculation by checking contact with a surface that is rich in undulations and large and small irregularities. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional simulation apparatus and method that can be performed without inducing.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a simulation apparatus for performing a simulation operation for moving a moving object in a three-dimensional object space, the Y-coordinate of the three-dimensional object space. Map information storage means for storing information relating to the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of a Y coordinate calculation map formed as a combination of a plurality of polygons to represent a boundary in a direction; and each polygon of the Y coordinate calculation map For each time, the coefficient of the equation of the plane including each polygon is stored in association with the polygon and the plane coefficient storage means, and the X coordinate and Z coordinate of the position of the moving body and the map information storage means are stored. Polygon selection means for selecting a corresponding polygon based on the information; and reading out a coefficient of an equation of a plane containing the polygon based on the selected polygon, X position of the coefficients of the formula and the movable body
Y coordinate calculation means for calculating the Y coordinate of a corresponding point on the Y coordinate calculation map based on the coordinates and the Z coordinates.

According to the present invention, there is provided a Y coordinate calculation map formed as a combination of a plurality of polygons,
For each polygon, the coefficient of the equation of the plane of each polygon is stored in advance. Therefore, by substituting the X-coordinate and Z-coordinate of each position into the equation of the corresponding plane and solving the equation, the Y-coordinate can be obtained by a simple linear equation operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of calculation when checking contact with a surface having a lot of undulations and large and small irregularities.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect, the Y coordinate calculation map is formed along a map forming an object space.

Here, the map forming the object space represents the setting of the stage in the object space, and represents, for example, the shape and arrangement of a road surface, a snow surface, a sea surface, or clouds.

According to the present invention, since the Y coordinate calculation map is created along the map forming the object space, the Y coordinate on the map forming the object space can be calculated by a simple calculation. .

Therefore, the height of the surface or the like of the map forming the displayed object space can be accurately calculated, and the contact check and the like can be accurately performed, so that it is possible to provide a highly realistic simulation apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, in any one of the first and second aspects, the Y coordinate calculation map is formed as a combination of polygons or polygons corresponding to curved surfaces constituting a map object. I do.

Here, the map object is
A display unit set by dividing, combining, or singly dividing a tangible object constituting a map so as to have a tangible spread advantageous for display calculation.

According to the present invention, the polygons of the Y coordinate calculation map are formed corresponding to the polygons or curved surfaces forming the map object. Therefore, information on the X and Z coordinates of the Y coordinate calculation map stored in the map information storage means and data on the coefficients of the plane equation can be easily set from the vertex data of the polygon or the curved surface.

Further, according to the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the Y coordinate calculation map is formed along a course on which the moving body moves, and represents a Y coordinate of a course surface. And

By setting the course by applying the present invention, it is possible to set a complicated course rich in undulations and large and small irregularities.

According to the present invention, at least one of the position and the direction of the moving body is based on a Y coordinate on a Y coordinate calculation map corresponding to the position of the moving body. Is included.

According to the present invention, even when the moving body does not move along the Y coordinate calculation map, the moving position and the like can be determined based on the boundary in the Y coordinate direction set by the Y coordinate calculation map. Can be modified.

Therefore, for example, when a map for calculating a Y coordinate is set along a terrain object, the movement position reflecting the terrain can be corrected, and a simulation apparatus with a high degree of reality can be provided.

According to the present invention, in any one of claims 1 to 5, attribute information storage means for storing attribute information of each polygon of the Y coordinate calculation map in association with the polygon, Means for changing a moving state of the moving body based on the attribute information of the selected polygon.

Here, the attribute information means, for example, road surface information of a course. Therefore, in the attribute information, for example,
By storing information that affects the movement of a moving object such as exposed rocks, no entry, ice burn, and deep snow, a game effect corresponding to the information can be performed with a simple configuration. Further, there is an effect that the height and road surface information can be collectively managed.

In the present invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the map for calculating the Y-coordinate includes a moving course of the moving object, wherein the first to n-th rectangular areas are arranged in a line along the course direction. Are divided so as to be arrayed, and each of the divided rectangular areas is further divided into a plurality of polygons and set.
The polygon selecting means, based on the position of the moving body, a first selecting means for selecting a rectangular area corresponding to the moving body, from the polygon included in the rectangular area selected by the first selecting means, Second selecting means for selecting a polygon corresponding to the moving body based on the position of the moving body.

In this way, in relation to the first to n-th rectangular areas along the course direction, management of the position of the moving object, management of the situation of complicated road surface setting, position management inside and outside the course, and other information. Can manage.

According to the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the polygon is a triangle.

In the present invention, each polygon has a coefficient of a plane equation including the polygon. Here, a plane including three points is always uniquely determined, but four or more points are not necessarily on the same plane. Therefore, if the Y coordinate calculation map is set as a combination of triangles, there is no need to consider whether the vertices of the polygon are on the same plane.

Further, since the triangle itself may be a free shape, it is possible to create a map expressing complicated terrain and the like.

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a state where the moving body 310 moves along a flat road surface and an uneven road surface. As shown in FIG.
When 0 moves along a flat road surface, when calculating the moving position of the moving body 310, only the horizontal moving position needs to be calculated, and checking the contact with the road surface is not a problem. However, as shown in FIG.
When moving along an uneven road surface, the moving body 3
When obtaining the 10 movement positions, it is necessary to calculate the Y coordinate, which is a component of the movement position in the vertical direction, while considering contact with the road surface.

When the moving position of the moving body 310 moving on a road surface having large and small irregularities and undulations is obtained, the Y coordinate must be detected by reflecting the large and small irregularities and undulations. Will increase. In the present embodiment, the following configuration is employed to detect the Y coordinate of the moving position of the moving body reflecting large and small irregularities and undulations without increasing the amount of calculation.

First, the principle of calculating the Y coordinate of the road surface necessary for checking the contact with the road surface will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3. FIG.

FIG. 2A is a map 320 for calculating a Y coordinate,
FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a planar projection diagram 330 of the Y coordinate calculation map 320. The Y coordinate calculation map 320 shown in FIG. 3A is configured by combining a plurality of freely-shaped triangles in order to detect the Y coordinate at each position. Here, if the Y-coordinate calculation map 320 is created reflecting, for example, large and small irregularities and undulations such as a road surface, the Y-coordinate calculation map 320 is used to determine the Y coordinate of each position on the road surface. Can be done.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when a position point P ′ on the XZ plane is given, FIG.
A point P (X,
The Y coordinate of (Y, Z) can be obtained as follows. Since the point P is a point on the triangle constituting the Y coordinate calculation map 320, the triangle on which the point P exists must first be detected. This is because each of the triangles has a free shape, and the inclination of the surface varies, so that it is necessary to calculate based on individual information.

Since the Y coordinate calculation map 320 is basically configured not to overlap in the Y axis direction,
When the X coordinate and the Z coordinate are determined, the corresponding triangle is also uniquely determined. Therefore, the corresponding triangle can be determined based on the information on the X and Z coordinates of the vertices of each triangle constituting the Y coordinate calculation map 320 and the X and Z coordinates of the point P.

If necessary, the Y-coordinate calculation map 320 may be overlapped at a predetermined position in the Y-axis direction. May be selected.

When the corresponding triangle is determined in this way, the Y on the triangle is determined based on the individual information for each triangle.
Coordinates are obtained. In the present embodiment, coefficients of a plane equation including each triangle are used as such individual information for each triangle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a triangle S and a plane H including the triangle S.

In general, a plane including three points that are not on the same straight line is uniquely determined. Therefore, the three vertices V _{1 of} the triangle S,
The plane including V ₂ and V ₃ is also uniquely determined. If a point on a triangle is a point on a plane including the triangle, the coordinates of the point P satisfy the equation of the plane of the plane H including the triangle S.

The equation of the plane is generally expressed by a linear expression including three variables X, Y, and Z as follows.

X / e + Y / f + Z / g = h (1) In the present embodiment, in order to calculate the Y coordinate, the equation (1) is modified and used as follows.

Y = aX + bZ + c (2) a = −f / eb = −f / gc = h In other words, in the present embodiment, the plane deformed as in equation (2) is used. It is configured to store the coefficients a, b, and c of the equation in association with each triangle. In addition,
The values of the coefficients a, b, and c are stored in the Y coordinate calculation map 320.
Are obtained by substituting the coordinates of the three vertices of each triangle constituting equation (2) into equation (2), and storing them.

In this embodiment, when the corresponding triangle is determined, the coefficients a, b and c of the plane equation stored in relation to the triangle are read out, and the coefficients a, b and c and the point P The Y coordinate is calculated by solving the equation (2) using the X coordinate and the Z coordinate.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a contact check Y-coordinate calculation processing section 90 for calculating a Y coordinate using a Y-coordinate calculation map. The contact check Y coordinate calculation processing unit 90 is configured to input the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the position where the Y coordinate is to be detected, and to output the calculated Y coordinate. It includes a Y coordinate calculation unit 120, a map information storage unit 130, and a plane coefficient storage unit 140.

The map information storage section 130 stores information relating to the X and Z coordinates of the vertices of each triangle forming the plane projection view 330 of the Y coordinate calculation map 320 in FIG. 2B.

The plane coefficient storage unit 140 stores the coefficients of the equations of the plane including the triangles constituting the Y coordinate calculation map 320 in association with each triangle.

The polygon selection unit 110 selects a corresponding triangle based on the input X coordinate, Z coordinate, and information stored in the map information storage unit 130. That is, in FIG. 2 (B), the plane projection diagram 330 can be regarded as the information stored in the map information storage unit 130, the input X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the point P ′, and the input X coordinate and Z coordinate. The polygon selection unit 110 selects the triangle S ′ including the point P ′ based on the information of the triangle P ′. S 'is Y
This is a projection of the triangle S that forms the coordinate calculation map 320, and has a one-to-one correspondence with S.

The Y-coordinate calculation unit 120 stores the plane coefficient storage unit 1
The Y coordinate is calculated by reading the coefficient of the equation of the plane including the selected triangle S from 40 and substituting the coefficient and the input X coordinate and Z coordinate into the above equation (2).

Next, a detailed example of this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 5A and 5B show external views when the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. This game device 10
Is for simulating the operation of the snowboard, and the player gets on the step 22 imitating the actual snowboard and performs the game operation while watching the game screen displayed on the display unit 30. Do. A bar 42 is attached to the housing 40, and the player holds the body by grasping the bar 42 and
2 swings left and right around the front end. In response to the swing, a state in which the virtual player moves on the snow surface is displayed on the display unit. FIG.
(A) (B) is a figure showing an example of a game screen displayed on the display unit.

In the present game apparatus, the manner in which the virtual player on the screen travels on the snow surface on the snowboard based on the operation of the player's snowboard is calculated, and is displayed on the display unit 30 based on the calculation result. The movement of the virtual player includes step operations of the player, gravity in the virtual three-dimensional space,
It is determined by factors such as terrain and snow surface conditions, and sometimes runs along the snow surface and sometimes jumps. Since the position, direction, and the like of such a virtual player at the time of movement are closely affected by the topography of the snow surface and the state of contact with the snow surface, it is necessary to check the contact with the snow surface.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following configuration is used to check contact with the snow surface having the above-mentioned undulations and large and small irregularities without increasing the amount of calculation. .

FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of game device 10 of the present embodiment. The game device 10 includes an operation unit 2
0, a processing unit 100, an image synthesizing unit 80, and a display unit 30. Since the game device 10 is a game for simulating a snowboard, the step 22 is performed by the operation unit 2.
It corresponds to 0. In this example, the processing unit 100 includes a polygon selection unit 110, a Y coordinate calculation unit 120, a map information storage unit 1
30, plane coefficient storage unit 140, moving object information calculation unit 15
0, object space setting unit 160, space information storage unit 1
70, a road surface information storage unit 180.

The polygon selection unit 110, the Y coordinate calculation unit 120, the map information storage unit 130, and the plane coefficient storage unit 140, which are assigned the same numbers as those in the block diagram of FIG. Have. The game device 10
The information about the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the Y coordinate calculation map 320 of the course of the snow surface on which the virtual player moves is stored in the map information storage section 130 of the virtual player. The plane coefficient storage section 140 stores the Y coordinate. Coefficients of a plane equation including each triangle constituting the operation map 320 (hereinafter, referred to as triangle plane coefficients) are stored in association with each triangle.

The polygon selector 110 calculates a Y coordinate corresponding to the predicted position based on the X and Z coordinates of the predicted movement position of the snowboard on which the virtual player is riding calculated by the moving object information calculation unit 150. The triangle of the service map 320 is selected. A specific example of the triangle selection process will be described later.

The Y-coordinate calculation unit 120 includes the polygon selection unit 11
Based on the triangle selected by 0, the coefficient of the equation of the plane including the selected triangle is read from the plane coefficient storage unit 140, and the Y coordinate is calculated as in the case of FIG.

The road surface information storage unit 180 stores road surface information of the snow surface corresponding to the triangle in association with each triangle constituting the Y coordinate calculation map 320. The road surface information is stored when the rock is exposed, no entry is allowed,
Information such as ice burn and deep snow. Road surface information storage unit 1
An identification number corresponding to the information is stored in each of the reference numbers 80, and functions as an attribute information storage unit.

The moving body information calculation section 150 is provided with information on the position and direction of a virtual player and a snowboard (hereinafter referred to as a board) on which the virtual player is mounted, based on operation information from the operation section 20 and information on the terrain and road surface of the snow surface. Is calculated.
In the present game device, the frame is updated every 1/60 second, so the moving body information calculation unit 150 calculates the position and direction information of the virtual player and the board for each frame.

More specifically, first, the board speeds (V _x , V _y , V _z ) and the expected movement are based on the operation information from the operation unit 20, the previous position and speed, and other factors such as snow surface resistance and air resistance. The position (X, Y, Z) is calculated. Then, the Y-coordinate (Y _s ) of the snow surface at the expected movement position (X, Y, Z) of the board is received from the Y-coordinate calculation unit 120, and the processing is reflected on the movement position and speed of the board and the virtual player. I have. A detailed example of this processing will be described later.

The moving body information calculation section 150 reads out the corresponding road surface information from the road surface information storage section 180 based on the polygon selected by the polygon selection section 110, and reads the speeds (V _x , V _x) of the board and the virtual player. _y , _Vz ) and the expected movement position (X, Y, Z).

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the space information stored in the space information storage section 170. As shown in FIG. 8, an object number OBi for specifying an object to be displayed and position information (Xm, Y
m, Zm) and direction information (θm, φm, ρm) are stored. However, if it is only necessary to specify at least one of the position information and the direction information, only one of them needs to be stored.

The object space setting section 160 corresponds to these stored in the space information storage section 170 based on the positions and directions of the virtual player and the board calculated by the moving body information calculation section 150 for each frame. Update the position information and direction information of the object. Then, based on the position and direction information of the virtual player calculated by the moving body information calculation unit 150, viewpoint information for performing image synthesis is set, and the position of each object stored in the space information storage unit 170 together with the viewpoint information is set. And the direction to the image synthesizing unit 8
Output to 0.

The image synthesizing section 80 synthesizes a view image following the movement of the virtual player based on the viewpoint information received from the object space setting section 160 and the position and direction of each object, and displays the synthesized image on the display section 30.

Next, the details of the process in which the polygon selection unit 110 selects a polygon based on the board position information calculated by the moving object information calculation unit 150 and the information stored in the map information storage unit 130 will be described. First, the configuration of the Y coordinate calculation map as a premise thereof will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a polygon diagram of a course portion of the terrain on the snow surface on which the virtual player moves. The course part is the right end of the course 420 in FIG.
This is a portion where the virtual player may move between and the left end 430 of the course. In this game device, the virtual three-dimensional space is constituted by polygon objects,
As shown in FIG. 7, by combining triangular polygons, a topography on a snow surface having undulations, large and small irregularities, and the like is formed. Since the Y coordinate calculation map is used for checking contact between such a snow surface and the board on which the virtual player is mounted, the polygons forming the Y coordinate calculation map are replaced with the polygons forming the snow surface. It is formed correspondingly. Therefore, FIG. 7 can be regarded as an image diagram of the Y coordinate calculation map.

How the course portion of the snow surface shown in FIG. 7 is designed will be described. FIG. 9 shows a part of a diagram in which polygons constituting a terrain object are projected on a plane. In the present game device, a plurality of rectangular areas 350 are arranged in a line along the course direction, and each rectangular area 350 is further constituted by arranging a plurality of square blocks in a line in the width direction of the course. The block is configured to set a course by combining two triangular polygons. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the course 340 is formed such that a plurality of rectangular areas 350-1, 350-2, 350-3,... Are arranged in a line along the traveling direction 360. -1, 370-2, 370-3...

FIG. 11 shows a rectangular area 350 and a block 3
It is the figure which showed the relationship of 80. As shown in the figure, the rectangular area 350 is divided into horizontal lines 390 so that a plurality of rectangular blocks 380-1, 380-2, 380-3... Are arranged in a line along the horizontal width of the course. -1, 390-2, 390-3... Then, the block 380 is further divided by a diagonal line 400 into two triangular polygons.

In this way, the rectangular area 350 along the course direction can be used as a judgment area for position management of the moving object.

In the present game device, the polygons created by such division are made to correspond to the respective triangles constituting the Y-coordinate calculation map of the course, so that the polygons at each position on the snowy course as shown in FIG. A map for calculating a Y coordinate is set for calculating the Y coordinate.

The map information storage unit 130 stores information on the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the Y coordinate calculation map set in this way, in other words, the information held by the plane projection view of the Y coordinate calculation map. Memorized, polygon selection unit 1
30 selects a corresponding triangle based on the information.
Next, the principle of the process in which the polygon selection unit 130 selects a corresponding triangle will be described.

First, the rectangular area 350 to which the virtual player belongs is determined from the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the virtual player by detecting to which line of the plurality of lines 370 the virtual player has passed. In order to detect such a line passage, information on each line and
It has information on up to which line the vehicle last passed.

The detection of the passage of the line is specifically performed as follows. First, the origin of the world coordinate system is moved in parallel to the center point of each rectangular area 350, and local coordinate systems x and z (because the detection is performed two-dimensionally) are set. FIG. 10 shows a line 37 in the local coordinate system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between 0-1 and a position P1 of a virtual player. θ1 represents the rotation angle of the line 370-1 in the local coordinate system, and corresponds to information on each line.

Whether the position P1 of the virtual player has passed the line 370-1 depends on whether the position P1 of the virtual player is
It can be determined by detecting which side of the line 370-1 is located. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the line 370-1 is rotated by θ1 to form a line 370′-1 in the same direction as the x-axis, and similarly, the position P1 of the virtual player is rotated by θ1 to obtain P1 ′. Then, it can be determined whether or not the line P1 has passed the line 370-1 by detecting in which quadrant of the local coordinate system the P1 is located. That is, in FIG. 10, when the point P1 ′ is located in the second quadrant or the third quadrant, it has not passed through the line 370-1 yet, and when it is located in the first quadrant or the fourth quadrant, the line 370 -1 is judged to have passed.

The judgment of the passage of the line is made for the line next to the line which passed the previous time. In this case, the previous line 370-0 has passed and the current line 370
-1 to detect if it has passed,
If you determine that you have not passed line 370-1,
It can be determined that the user is currently in the rectangular area 350-1 surrounded by the line 370-1 and the line 370-1. When it is determined that the vehicle has passed the line 370-1, the same check is performed for the next line, and it is determined that the vehicle is in a rectangular area surrounded by a line that has passed and a line that has not passed.

Next, it is detected in which block the position P1 of the virtual player is located. In this case, the P
1 and a line 390-1 in the width direction of each block 380,
By determining the positional relationship with 390-2, it is detected which block 380 is located.

Then, the position P1 of the virtual player
And the diagonal line 400 of the block 380 to determine which triangle is located.

As described above, the polygon selection unit 110 sets the position P1 of the virtual player and the course 340 to the rectangular area 350.
Line 370 and rectangular area 350 are divided into blocks 3
A line 390 in the width direction that divides into 80, and a block 3
The triangle in which the virtual player is located is selected by determining the positional relationship between the virtual player 80 and a diagonal line 400 that divides the triangle into triangles.

Accordingly, the information on the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the Y coordinate calculation map stored in the map information storage unit 130 includes the following information, such as θ1 regarding the line 370-1.
Information about the line 370, the line 390 in the horizontal width direction, and the diagonal line 400 is included.

Next, an example of a process in which the moving body information calculating section 150 corrects the moving position and direction of the board and the virtual player based on the Y coordinate of the snow surface calculated by the Y coordinate calculating section 120 will be described.

FIG. 12 shows that when the virtual player is moving along the snow surface (in such a case, it is assumed that the ground mode is set), the position and direction of the board and the virtual player depend on the terrain of the snow surface. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process for determining whether the correction is made. The position of the virtual player is represented by the waist position of the virtual player.

The moving object information calculation section 150 of the present game apparatus performs the processing shown in the flowchart for each frame (updated every 1/60 second in the present game apparatus), thereby obtaining the snow surface. The position and direction of the board and the virtual player that accurately reflect the topographical conditions of the game are calculated.

First, the moving speeds (V _x , V _y , V _z ) of the board in the three axial directions are obtained from the current state (step 1).
0). Specifically, the slope of the snow surface under the virtual player's feet,
Air resistance by the speed, obtains a snow resistance, movement speed calculated in the previous frame _{(V x, V y, V} z) are determined by adding to. The moving speed (V _x , V _y , V _z ) is 1
/ 60 seconds.

Next, the board movement speed (V _x , V _y , V _z ) calculated in step 10 is added to the board position (X, Y, Z) calculated in the previous frame, and the expected board movement position ( X, Y, Z) are obtained (step 20).

The process of calculating the Y coordinate (Y _s ) on the snow surface corresponding to the expected movement position (X, Y, Z) of the board (step 30) is performed by the Y coordinate calculator 120 as described above. .

The moving body information calculation section 150 receives the Y coordinate (Y _s ) on the snow surface calculated by the Y coordinate calculation section 120 and checks the contact with the board. That is, the Y coordinate (Y) of the expected movement position of the board is compared with the Y coordinate (Y _s ) on the snow surface to determine whether the board is sinking into the snow surface (step 40).

If not, it is determined whether the virtual player is flying based on predetermined conditions (step 50).

If it is not flying, the distance H between the board and the virtual player is changed to be longer based on a predetermined method (step 60). This is for causing the virtual player to take a posture in which the knees are extended. Note that the distance H (the height from the boat to the waist) of the board and the waist of the virtual player means the length of a perpendicular line dropped from the waist to the board, and is based on the positional relationship between the board and the expected position. It is configured to make corrections. Note that the reference value during the standard running is H ₀ , which is used in the processing of step 80 described later. Also,
In this case, since the virtual player is moving along the snow surface, the height of the board is corrected to the height of the snow surface (step 70).

[0090] secondly, the processing for reflecting the distance H of the current board and hips to the speed V _y of the board of the current frame (step 80), calculates the waist coordinates of the virtual player from the coordinates and H of the board (step 90).

If it is flying, the mode is set to the jump mode (step 100), and the process proceeds to step 90.

If the player is immersed, the distance H between the board and the virtual player is changed to be shorter based on a predetermined method (step 110). This is for causing the player to take a posture in which the knees are bent and crouched.
In this case, since the virtual player is moving along the snow surface, the height of the board is corrected to the height of the snow surface (step 120). The processing for reflecting the distance H of the current board and hips to the speed V _y of the board of the current frame performed (step 130), go to processing in Step 90.

FIG. 13 shows a case where the virtual player is jumping (in such a case, the jump mode is set).
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of how the positions and directions of the board and the virtual player are corrected according to the terrain of the snow surface. The moving body information calculation unit 150 calculates the grounding state of the board and the virtual player by performing the processing shown in the flowchart for each frame.

First, the moving speeds (V _x , V _y , V _z ) of the board in the three axial directions are obtained from the current state (step 21).
0). Specifically, the moving speed calculated air resistance and gravity acceleration by the speed in the previous frame _{(V x, V y, V} z) are determined by adding to.

Next, the board moving speed (V _x , V _y , V _z ) calculated in step 210 is added to the board position (X, Y, Z) calculated in the previous frame, and the expected board moving position ( X, Y, Z) are obtained (step 220).

The process of calculating the Y coordinate (Y _s ) on the snow surface corresponding to the expected movement position (X, Y, Z) of the board (step 230) is performed by the Y coordinate calculator 120 as described above. .

The moving body information calculation section 150 receives the Y coordinate (Y _s ) on the snow surface calculated by the Y coordinate calculation section 120 and checks contact with the board. That is, the Y coordinate (Y) of the expected movement position of the board is compared with the Y coordinate (Y _s ) on the snow surface to determine whether or not the board is sinking into the snow surface for checking the ground contact (step 24).
0).

If the player is immersed, the distance H between the board and the virtual player is changed to be shorter based on a predetermined method (step 250). This is to make the player take a posture as if it has landed. In this case, since the virtual player has landed on the snow surface, the height of the board is corrected to the height of the snow surface (step 260), and the ground mode is set (step 270).

By the way, a gate 440 as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is arranged on the course of the game device, and the rule is to go around a predetermined side of the gate 440. . That is, in the case of FIGS. 14A and 14B, since the arrow indicating the left side is displayed at the gate 440, the virtual player must pass through the left side of the gate 440. In order to detect such a gate passage, in the present embodiment, one passage detection object having a passage detection plane set on one side of the gate and a non-passage detection plane set on the other side is prepared. The object is placed in various directions on the course according to the position of the gate. Then, by checking the collision between the passing detection object and the virtual player, the detection of the passage or non-passage of the gate is performed.

Next, an example of the hardware configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the three-dimensional simulator shown in FIG.
2, RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound synthesis I
C1008, Image synthesis IC 1010, I / O port 10
12 and 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received therebetween. A display 1018 is connected to the image synthesis IC 1010,
A speaker 1020 is connected to the sound synthesis IC 1008,
A control device 1022 is connected to the I / O port 1012, and a communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014.
Is connected.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores a game program, image information for expressing a display object, and the like, and uses a CD-ROM, a game cassette, an IC card, an MO, an FD, a memory, and the like. Can be For example, a home-use game device uses a CD-ROM and a game cassette as an information storage medium for storing a game program and the like, and a business-use game device uses a memory such as a ROM.

The control device 1022 is equivalent to a game controller, and is a device for inputting the result of a determination made by a player in accordance with the progress of a game to the main body of the device.

According to the game program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the signal input by the control apparatus 1022, etc.
000 controls the entire apparatus and performs various data processing. RA
M1004 is a storage unit used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000, and includes an information storage medium 1006 and an RO.
The given content of M1002, the calculation result of CPU 1000, and the like are stored. A data structure having a logical configuration such as spatial information (FIG. 8), map information, plane coefficient, road surface information, and the like is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.

Further, this type of game apparatus has a sound synthesis IC.
1008 and an image synthesis IC 1010 are provided so that a suitable output of a game sound or a game screen can be performed. The sound synthesis IC 1008 is an information storage medium 1006 or R
This is an integrated circuit that synthesizes game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on information stored in the OM 1002, and the synthesized game sounds are output by a speaker 1020. Further, the image synthesis IC 1010 includes a RAM 10
04, an integrated circuit that synthesizes pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. Note that a so-called head-mounted display (HMD) can also be used as the display 1018.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various kinds of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another game device to send and receive given information according to the game program. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as a game program via a communication line.

1 to 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 9 to FIG.
The various processes described in FIG. 14 are realized by an information storage medium 1006 storing a game program for performing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13, a CPU 1000 operating according to the game program, an image combining IC 1010, and the like. Is done. The processing performed by the image synthesis IC 1010, the sound synthesis IC 1008, and the like may be performed by software using the CPU 1000, a general-purpose DSP, or the like.

When this embodiment is applied to an arcade game device, as shown in FIG.
6, a CPU, an image synthesis IC, a sound synthesis IC, and the like are mounted on the IC board 1106. Then, the Y coordinate calculation map, the plane coefficients of the polygons constituting the Y coordinate calculation map, information for selecting the corresponding polygon, and the Y coordinate of the point corresponding to the board on the Y coordinate calculation map Is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the IC substrate 1106. Hereinafter, such information is referred to as stored information. The stored information includes at least one of a program code, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, player information, and the like for performing the various processes described above.

FIG. 16A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game machine. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while looking at the game screen displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, which is an information storage medium that is
It is stored in cards 1208, 1209 and the like.

FIG. 16B shows a host device 1300,
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including the host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected via a communication line 1302 will be described. In this case, the storage information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. Terminal 1304-1-1
When 304-n has a CPU, an image synthesis IC, and a sound synthesis IC and can synthesize a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 can synthesize the game image and the game sound. Are delivered to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. on the other hand,
If the synthesis cannot be performed in a standalone manner, the host device 1
300 synthesizes a game image and a game sound, and
The data is transmitted to 304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

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

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the polygons constituting the Y coordinate calculation map are triangles has been described as an example, but polygons other than triangles may be used. That is, the reason why the triangle is preferable is that since the triangle is always on the same plane, the Y coordinate calculation map can be set without having to consider whether the vertices of the polygon are on the same plane. Therefore, if the vertices of the polygon are on the same plane, the shape is not limited to a triangle.

Further, when the setting is such that the polygon may be slightly twisted, the configuration may be such that the coefficient of the equation of the plane about the plane approximating the twisted polygon is set. For example, in the case of an object composed of a free-form surface, since each surface is not a plane in the first place, when setting a map for Y coordinate calculation, a configuration is adopted in which coefficients of a plane equation including vertices of each surface are taken. Is also good.

Further, in the present embodiment, the contact check with the snow surface using the Y coordinate calculation map has been described as an example. However, the contact check with the road surface or the sea surface may be performed, and the check may be performed in the air. A contact check in a case where airflow or the like affects movement may be performed.

The information on the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the Y coordinate calculation map stored in the map information storage unit 130 and the method of selecting the polygon selection unit 110 are not limited to the above embodiment. The coefficients of the equation of the plane stored in the storage unit 140 may be in any form generated by a modification of the equation.

Further, in the present embodiment, a snowboard running game has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the present invention can be applied to various games such as a drive game, skiing, motorboat, surfboard, water ski running game, flying game, and a fighting game played on uneven terrain.

The present invention also relates to a game device for business use, a game device for home use, a simulator device for pilot training,
Large attraction equipment with many players participating,
It can be applied to various things.

Also, the processing performed by the processing unit, the image synthesizing unit, and the like described in the present embodiment is merely an example in the present embodiment, and the processing in the present invention is not limited to these. .

[0118]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a contact checking Y coordinate calculation processing unit that calculates a Y coordinate using a Y coordinate calculation map.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a map for Y coordinate calculation and a plan projection view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a triangle and a plane including the triangle.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a state in which a moving body travels along a flat road surface and an uneven road surface.

FIG. 5 is an external view in the case where the present embodiment is applied to a game device for business use.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the game device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a polygon diagram of a course portion of a terrain on a snow surface on which a virtual player moves.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining space information stored in a space information storage unit.

FIG. 9 shows a part of a diagram in which polygons constituting a terrain object are projected on a plane.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between a line and a position of a virtual player in a local coordinate system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a relationship between a rectangular area and a block.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of how the positions and directions of the board and the virtual player are corrected when the virtual player is moving along the snow surface.

FIG. 13 shows a case where a virtual player jumps.
It is a flowchart figure which showed the procedure of the process how the position and direction of a board and a virtual player are corrected.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing an example of a game screen displayed on a display unit. FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the present embodiment.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing various types of apparatuses to which the present embodiment is applied. FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 operation unit 80 image synthesis unit 30 display unit 100 processing unit 110 polygon selection unit 120 Y coordinate calculation unit 130 map information storage unit 140 plane coefficient storage unit 150 moving object information calculation unit 160 object space setting unit 170 space information storage unit 180 Road surface information storage

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A simulation device for performing a simulation operation in which a moving object moves in a three-dimensional object space, wherein the simulation device is formed as a combination of a plurality of polygons to represent a boundary in the Y coordinate direction of the three-dimensional object space. Map information storage means for storing information relating to the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the Y coordinate calculation map; and for each polygon of the Y coordinate calculation map, the coefficient of a plane equation including each polygon is calculated by Plane coefficient storage means for storing in association with a polygon, and polygon selection means for selecting a corresponding polygon based on information stored in the X coordinate and Z coordinate of the position of the moving object and the map information storage means, Based on the selected polygon, read out the coefficients of the equation of the plane containing the polygon, and read out the coefficients of the equation of the plane and the X and Z coordinates of the position of the moving object. Based, a Y coordinate calculating means for calculating a Y coordinate of the corresponding point on the Y coordinate calculation map, a three-dimensional simulation apparatus, which comprises. 2. The three-dimensional simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Y coordinate calculation map is formed along a map forming an object space. 3. The three-dimensional simulation according to claim 1, wherein the Y coordinate calculation map is formed as a combination of polygons corresponding to polygons or curved surfaces constituting a map object. apparatus. 4. The three-dimensional map according to claim 1, wherein the Y coordinate calculation map is formed along a course on which the moving body moves, and indicates a Y coordinate of a course surface. Simulation device. 5. The Y coordinate on the Y coordinate calculation map corresponding to the position of the moving body according to claim 1,
A three-dimensional simulation apparatus comprising: means for correcting at least one of a position and a direction of the moving body based on coordinates. 6. The attribute information storage unit according to claim 1, wherein attribute information of each polygon of the Y coordinate calculation map is stored in association with the polygon. A means for changing a moving state of the moving object based on polygon attribute information. 7. The Y-coordinate calculation map according to claim 1, wherein the Y-coordinate calculation map includes a moving course of the moving body along a course direction.
The n-th rectangular area is divided so as to be arranged in a line, and each of the divided rectangular areas is further divided into a plurality of polygons and set. The polygon selection means is based on a position of a moving body. A first selecting means for selecting a rectangular area corresponding to the moving object; and a polygon corresponding to the moving object based on a position of the moving object from a polygon included in the rectangular area selected by the first selecting means. And a second selecting means for selecting a polygon. 8. The three-dimensional simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the polygon is a triangle. 9. A simulation method in which a moving object moves in a three-dimensional object space, wherein a Y coordinate operation formed as a combination of a plurality of polygons to represent a boundary in the Y coordinate direction of the three-dimensional object space. The information on the X coordinate and the Z coordinate of the map for use is stored in the map information storage means. For each polygon of the map for Y coordinate calculation, the coefficient of the equation of the plane including each polygon is stored in the map. association is stored in the planar coefficient storage means, corresponding polygonal polygons based on the X and Z coordinates and the map information storage means information stored in the position of the movable body
The shape selection means selects, specifies the coefficients of the equation of a plane including the polygon based on the selected polygon, and, based on the coefficients of the equation of the plane and the X and Z coordinates of the position of the moving body, A simulation method, wherein a Y-coordinate calculation means calculates a Y-coordinate of a corresponding point on a Y-coordinate calculation map.