JP4033477B2 - Image generating apparatus and information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation apparatus and an information storage medium that can synthesize a view field image in a given viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction in an object space.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a game device that displays a game screen on a display and plays a chasing game between an own device operated by a player and an enemy character on a given game field. This game device is intended to clear a given game clear condition within a time limit while not being caught by an enemy character, and is popular as a game because of its speed.

  However, in this game apparatus, the game field in which the player's own machine and enemy characters move is two-dimensional, so that there is a problem that the visual effect given to the player and the dynamic feeling of the game play are lacking. There is also a problem that the player lacks ingenuity for prompting replay and is easily bored by the player.

As a technique for prompting the player to replay, for example, a technique of displaying a two-dimensional picture that delights the eyes of the player every time the game clear condition is satisfied can be considered. However, with this method, since the picture displayed as the player's game clear privilege is two-dimensional, there is a problem that the impact on the player is weak and the player is easily bored. In particular, in the case of a two-dimensional picture, there is a problem that an image that is visible no matter what position the player's viewpoint is at, and lacks realism.
JP-A-7-262411

  The present invention has been made to solve the technical problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation apparatus and information that are excellent in visual effects and can encourage a player to continue playing the game. It is to provide a storage medium.

(1) An image generation apparatus according to the present invention includes:
In the object space, a moving body computing means for performing a computation for moving the moving body based on operation information from the operating means;
Viewpoint setting means for setting the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera following the movement of the moving body;
Means for synthesizing a view field image viewed from a virtual camera in the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction;
Including
The viewpoint setting means includes
Inertia is imparted to the virtual camera.

(2) In the present invention, the viewpoint setting means includes:
You may comprise so that the process which gives the inertia to the moving direction of the said mobile body may be performed to the said virtual camera.

(3) In the present invention,
The viewpoint setting means includes
The viewpoint position of the virtual camera is set behind the moving body. When the moving body is high speed, the viewpoint is separated from the moving body, and when the moving body is low speed, the inertial position is set to be close to the moving body. You may comprise so that the process which gives may be performed.

(4) In the present invention,
The viewpoint setting means includes
The viewpoint position of the virtual camera is made to follow the moving body at a position shifted from directly above the moving body in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the moving body, and the moving body moving direction between the moving body and the viewpoint position is changed. The distance may be set so that inertia is applied to the viewpoint position so that the distance is increased when the moving body is high speed and close when the moving body is low speed.

(5) In the present invention,
The viewpoint setting means includes
The viewpoint position of the virtual camera is made to follow the moving body at a position shifted from directly above the moving body in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the moving body, and the moving body height direction between the moving body and the viewpoint position is You may comprise so that the process which gives an inertia to the said viewpoint position may be performed so that distance may be changed based on the movement of the said mobile body in the height direction.

(6) The present invention
An information storage medium storing a program for synthesizing a view field image,
The program is
Means for performing an operation of moving the moving body based on operation information from the operation means in the object space;
Viewpoint setting means for setting the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera following the movement of the moving body;
Causing the computer to function as a means for synthesizing a view field image viewed from the virtual camera at the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction;
The viewpoint setting means includes
A process of giving inertia to the virtual camera is performed.

(7) In the information storage medium of the present invention,
The viewpoint setting means includes
You may comprise so that the process which gives the inertia to the moving direction of the said mobile body may be performed to the said virtual camera.

(8) In the information storage medium of the present invention,
The viewpoint setting means includes
The viewpoint position of the virtual camera is set behind the moving body. When the moving body is high speed, the viewpoint is separated from the moving body, and when the moving body is low speed, the inertial position is set to be close to the moving body. You may comprise so that the process which gives may be performed.

(9) In the information storage medium of the present invention,
The viewpoint setting means includes
The viewpoint position of the virtual camera is made to follow the moving body at a position shifted from directly above the moving body in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the moving body, and the moving body moving direction between the moving body and the viewpoint position is changed. The distance may be set so that inertia is applied to the viewpoint position so that the distance is increased when the moving body is high speed and close when the moving body is low speed.

(10) In the information storage medium of the present invention,
The viewpoint setting means includes
The viewpoint position of the virtual camera is made to follow the moving body at a position shifted from directly above the moving body in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the moving body, and the moving body height direction between the moving body and the viewpoint position is You may comprise so that the process which gives an inertia to the said viewpoint position may be performed so that distance may be changed based on the movement of the said mobile body in the height direction.

  The three-dimensional game device according to the present embodiment performs an operation for moving a moving body on the cover object provided to cover at least one three-dimensional object arranged in the object space based on operation information from the operation means. A moving body computing means for performing the above, an image information changing means for changing at least the image information of the cover object in the specific area when the area for dividing the cover object is specified by the movement of the moving body, And means for synthesizing a visual field image in a visual line direction and a viewpoint position at which at least a part of an image change in the specific region can be seen following the movement of the moving body in the surroundings.

  According to the present embodiment, the moving body moves on the cover object covering the three-dimensional object based on the operation information from the operation means, and, for example, a region desired by the player is specified by this movement. Then, the image information in this specific area is changed. In this case, it is desirable to change the image information so that the image of the three-dimensional object covered by the cover object in the specific area can be seen. The viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction for synthesizing the view field image are set so as to follow the movement of the moving body and to see at least a part of the image change in the specific region. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the player can see the image of the cover object that changes one after another by operating the moving body or the image of the three-dimensional object covered by the cover object. You can enjoy the situation and get an excellent visual effect. In addition, since the player can enjoy the game by moving the moving body on the cover object that is a three-dimensionally formed game field, the thrill and dynamic feeling felt by the player can be greatly improved.

  The three-dimensional game device according to the present embodiment moves the moving body based on the operation information from the operation means on the cover object provided to cover at least one three-dimensional object arranged in the object space. An image that changes at least the image information of the cover object in the specific area when a moving area calculating means that performs calculation and a moving area of the moving object intersect to specify a closed area with the movement locus as an edge It includes information changing means and means for synthesizing a view field image in a given viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction in the object space.

  According to the present embodiment, the region is specified by the movement trajectories of the moving body intersecting, and the image information of the cover object in this specific region is changed. When a 3D object is covered with a cover object, for example, if a cover object having no edge is used, the 3D object cannot be seen from any viewpoint position at the start of the game. According to the present embodiment, even when a cover object having no edge is used as described above, it is possible to easily specify a region.

  In the present embodiment, the image information changing means switches between displaying and hiding at least one polygon or curved surface in the specific area when the cover object is composed of a plurality of polygons or curved surfaces. It is characterized by.

  According to the present embodiment, the image information is changed by switching between display and non-display of the polygon or curved surface constituting the cover object. When the polygon or the like of the cover object is hidden, an image of the three-dimensional object in the portion hidden by the polygon or the like can be viewed, and an excellent visual effect can be obtained.

  In addition, the present embodiment is characterized in that the image information changing means switches between opaque and transparent or changes the translucency for at least a part of the cover object in the specific area.

  According to the present embodiment, a part of the cover object is switched from opaque to transparent, or the translucency is changed. As a result, the player can view the image of the three-dimensional object at that portion. In particular, if the translucency is changed stepwise so that the image of the three-dimensional object can be seen gradually, the visual effect can be further improved.

  Further, the three-dimensional game device according to the present embodiment includes a moving object calculation unit that performs an operation of moving the moving object based on operation information from the operation unit on at least one three-dimensional object arranged in the object space. Image information changing means for changing at least image information of the three-dimensional object in the specific region when the region for dividing the three-dimensional object is specified by the movement of the moving body; and the movement around the three-dimensional object And means for synthesizing a field-of-view image in a visual line direction and a viewpoint position at which at least a part of an image change in the specific region can be seen following the movement of the body.

  According to the present embodiment, the moving body moves on the three-dimensional object based on the operation information from the operation means, and the image information in the area specified by this movement is changed. Further, since the viewpoint position and the like follow the movement of the moving body, the player can enjoy a three-dimensional image of the three-dimensional object that changes one after another by operating the moving body. In addition, since the player can enjoy the game by moving the moving body on the three-dimensional object that is a three-dimensionally formed game field, the thrill and dynamic feeling felt by the player can be greatly improved.

  Further, the three-dimensional game device according to the present embodiment includes a moving object calculation unit that performs an operation of moving the moving object based on operation information from the operation unit on at least one three-dimensional object arranged in the object space. An image information changing means for changing at least image information of a three-dimensional object in the specific region when a moving region of the moving body intersects and a closed region having the moving locus as an edge is specified; And a means for synthesizing a field-of-view image in a given viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction.

  According to the present embodiment, the region is specified by the movement trajectories of the moving body intersecting, and the image information of the three-dimensional object in the specific region is changed. According to the present embodiment, for example, when the surface of a three-dimensional object is a game field, a region can be easily specified.

  Further, the present embodiment is characterized in that the image information changing means changes a texture mapped to at least a part of the specific area.

  According to the present embodiment, by changing the texture to be mapped, it is possible to obtain a visual effect equivalent to, for example, a method of hiding a polygon of a cover object that covers a three-dimensional object. The texture can be changed by changing the texture coordinates for designating the texture or by redrawing the texture itself.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the moving object calculating means performs an operation of moving the moving object on the edge of the polygon when the cover object or the three-dimensional object is formed of a polygon. This is performed based on position information.

  According to the present embodiment, for example, based on the position information of the first vertex and the position information of the second vertex of the polygon, the position information of the moving body that moves between these vertices is obtained, whereby the first information is obtained. It is possible to perform an operation of moving the moving body on the edge connecting the vertex of the second and the second vertex. In particular, since the vertex position information of the polygon is also used in the polygon display processing, according to the present embodiment, the vertex position information used in the display processing can be effectively used.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of the present embodiment. Here, the operation unit 12 is for a player to input operation information by operating, for example, a lever or a button (see 1102 and 1104 in FIG. 18A). The operation information obtained by the operation unit 12 is used. Is output to the processing unit 100. The processing unit 100 performs an operation for setting an object space in which a plurality of objects representing display objects are arranged based on the operation information, a given program, and the like. And a memory. The image synthesizing unit 200 performs an operation for synthesizing a view field image at a given viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction in the set object space. In terms of hardware, for example, an image synthesizing IC or CPU, Consists of memory. When texture mapping is performed at this time, image synthesis is performed using texture information stored in the texture information storage unit 210. The obtained view field image is displayed on the display unit 10.

  2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B show an example of the game screen (view image) obtained by the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, in an object space (virtual three-dimensional space), a three-dimensional object 40 representing a cow, a cover object 42 provided to cover the three-dimensional object 40 and serving as a game field, a background An object (not shown) or the like representing is arranged. Such object placement processing in the object space is performed by the object space setting unit 140 of FIG. Then, based on the operation information input by the player using the operation unit 12, the mobile body 44 as the own device moves on the cover object 42 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the moving body 46 that is an enemy character is also moving on the cover object 42. The calculation for moving these moving objects is performed in the moving object calculation unit 110 in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the image information of the cover object in the specific area is changed when the area that divides the cover object is specified by the movement of the moving object. The change of the image information is performed by the image information changing unit 120 in FIG. In particular, in the present embodiment, the image information of the cover object in the specific area is changed when the closed area having the movement locus as an edge is specified by the movement locus of the moving body intersecting. Specifically, for example, in FIG. 2B, an area 36 in which one polygon is arranged is specified by the movement of the moving body 44, and the polygon arranged in this area 36 is hidden. Information changes have been made. In this case, the moving body 44 moves on the edge of the polygon arranged in the region 36, and the region 36 is specified by intersecting the movement locus. By changing the image information of the region 36 and hiding the polygons in this region, the player can view an image of the portion (cow skin) hidden by the cover object 42 in the image of the three-dimensional object 40. Can be seen.

  In particular, in this embodiment, as apparent from the change in the game screen from FIG. 2B to FIG. 3A, the movement of the moving body 44 follows the cover object 42 and the image in the specific area is displayed. A visual field image in the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction where the change can be seen is synthesized. In this case, the viewpoint setting unit 130 in FIG. 1 performs the process of setting the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction where the view field image is synthesized. In this embodiment, the player can see an image in which the viewpoint position or the like follows the movement of the moving body and changes in a specific area. For this reason, for example, the player can successively watch the portion of the image of the three-dimensional object 40 that is hidden by the cover object 42 from various angles. An excellent visual effect can be obtained.

  The moving body 44 hides the polygons constituting the cover object 42 one after another so as not to be caught by the moving body 46 that is an enemy character. Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, when all the polygons constituting the cover object 42 are hidden, one game stage is finished and the process proceeds to the next game stage.

  In FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, one three-dimensional object 40 is covered by the cover object 42, but two or more three-dimensional objects are covered by the cover object. You may do it. For example, in FIGS. 4A and 4B, two three-dimensional objects 40 and 41 are covered with a cover object 42 simulating a milk pack, and the player operates the moving body 44 and arranges it inside. Until the three-dimensional objects 40 and 41 are completely visible, play is performed in which the polygons constituting the cover object 42 are sequentially hidden.

  In particular, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the three-dimensional objects 40 and 41 are completely covered with the cover object 42, the cover object 42 having no edge is used. In such a case, a method of specifying a region having the movement locus as an edge by crossing the movement locus of the moving body is particularly effective for specifying the region.

  Next, a detailed example of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the screen shown in FIG. 5A is displayed before the game of each game stage starts. In this screen, identification images of three-dimensional objects to be played in each game stage are displayed on the panels A to M and the like. For example, the panel A displays a simplified version of the three-dimensional object 40 representing the cow in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, a plurality of segments are set between the game start and the game ending, and a plurality of game stages are arranged in each segment. For example, stages A to C, D to F, and G to J are arranged in the segments 1, 2, and 3. These stages A to J correspond to the panels A to J in FIG. The player first plays one game stage from the game stages A to C in the segment 1 randomly or by arbitrary selection. For example, if the player clears the game stage A, the game moves to the segment 2 without playing the other game stages B and C in the segment 1. The player then plays one game stage from the game stages D to F in the segment 2 by random or arbitrary selection.

  For example, in a game in which the game stage has a two-branch structure, the player must repeat the first game stage many times in order to reach the game ending. On the other hand, according to the game stage configuration of the present embodiment, it is possible to move to the next segment without playing all the game stages included in one segment. Therefore, the player can play the final stage game stage and watch the game ending without taking much time and the number of times of playing, and can greatly improve the fun of the game. In addition, the player can enjoy different game developments when the game is re-played again after completing a round from the game start to the game ending. In other words, the player starts the game again from the beginning because he wants to play another game stage that has not been played, thereby prompting the player to replay.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a game screen displayed after the game stage is selected. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a cover object 42 serving as a game field is provided so as to cover the three-dimensional object 40. The cover object 42 is formed of a plurality of polygons, and the moving body 44 that is the own machine and the moving bodies 46 to 54 that are enemy characters move on the field frames that are the edges of these polygons. On the game screen, a timer display 56 showing the remaining time limit is displayed.

  In this embodiment, even when the player does not tilt the lever of the operation unit 12 (1102 in FIG. 18A), the moving body 44 of the own device moves forward at a constant speed. The moving body 44 accelerates when the lever is tilted upward, and decelerates when the lever is tilted downward. In FIG. 7A, when the lever is tilted to the left before the intersection (polygon vertex) 60 of the field frame (polygon edge) 58, it proceeds in the direction of arrow 61, and when it is tilted to the right, it proceeds in the direction of arrow 62. In other cases, the process proceeds in the direction of arrow 63. When the player presses a button (1104 in FIG. 18A) on the operation unit 12, a marker 64 is displayed at the position of the moving body 44 when the button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 7B. If the button is kept pressed as it is, a line 66 is drawn between the marker 64 and the moving body 44. As shown in FIG. 7C, this line 66 extends as long as the button is kept pressed.

  In FIG. 7D, the enemy moving bodies 46 and 47 have a specific movement according to a given algorithm. However, as shown in FIG. 7E, when the mobile body 44 of the own device contacts the drawing line 66, the mobile body 44 is chased along the line 66 at a high speed as shown in FIG. The moving body 44 explodes when it comes into contact with the enemy. And when the remaining machine runs out or the time limit runs out, the game is over.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the line 66 that is the movement locus of the moving body 44 intersects and a closed area with the line 66 as an edge is specified, and the player releases the button, the area 68 is Hidden polygons are hidden. As a result, the player can see the image of the three-dimensional object 40 (see FIG. 6) in the area 68 hidden by the polygons arranged in the area 68. It should be noted that the enemy moving bodies 46 and 47 on the area 68 and the line 66 disappear when the player releases the button.

  In this embodiment, when the line 66 is drawn as shown in FIG. 8B, the polygons arranged in the areas 69 and 70 are not displayed. When the line 66 is drawn as shown in FIG. 8C, the polygon 71 is switched from display to non-display, and the polygons 72, 73, and 74 are switched from non-display to display. Further, in FIG. 8D, it is considered that the polygon 76 is doubly surrounded by the line 66, and the display state is maintained. That is, the area surrounded by the line 66 a plurality of times is switched between display and non-display for that number of times.

  The image information changing unit 120 only needs to change the image in at least the specific area. For example, if there are more polygons arranged in the area other than the specific area than polygons arranged in the specific area, Display or non-display of polygons in areas other than the areas may be switched.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, a bypass 59 may be provided in the field frame 58. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the bypass 59 may be used to go back and forth between the two three-dimensional objects 40 and 41. Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, in order to enhance the effect, the polygons that are not displayed may be scattered apart.

Next, an example of a method for moving the moving object on the cover object will be described. In this embodiment, when the cover object is formed of polygons, the calculation for moving the moving body on the edges of the polygons is performed based on the vertex position information of the polygons. Therefore, in this embodiment, first, a vertex relation list as shown in FIG. This vertex relation list has a storage area for each of the vertices of the polygon constituting the cover object. Each storage area has a vertex index for referring to the vertex, and the vertex in the world (absolute) coordinate system. The position information, the indices of the vertices at the bottom, left, top, and right of the vertex are stored. Taking the vertex V7 of the polygon 78 constituting the cover object 42 shown in FIG. 10B as an example, the vertex relationship list includes the index V7 of the vertex V7, position information (X _V7 , Y _V7 , Z _V7 ), vertex The indices V2, V6, V12, and V8 of vertices on the lower side, the left side, the upper side, and the right side of V7 are stored. Such a vertex relation list can be easily created based on a vertex position list (see FIG. 11B) which is one of object information.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, consider a case where the moving body 44 is moving toward the vertex V7. At this time, the moving body computing unit 110 in FIG. 1 detects in which direction the lever is tilted when the moving body 44 reaches V7 or a given time before the arrival. At this time, whether or not the moving body 44 has reached V7 is determined based on the position information of the vertices V2 and V7 stored in the storage area of the vertices V2 and V7 in the vertex relation list. For example, if the lever is tilted to the left at the time of detection, the mobile object computation unit 110 reads the index of the vertex next to the left from the storage area of the vertex V7 in the vertex relationship list. In this case, since the vertex index on the left side is V6, the moving object computation unit 110 next reads the position information of the vertex V6 from the storage area of the vertex V6 in the vertex relation list. Based on the position information of the vertices V6 and V7, a trajectory to be moved by the moving body 44 is obtained, and an operation for moving the moving body 44 every minute period (for example, every 1/60 seconds) on the trajectory is performed. Then, position information in the world coordinate system of the moving body 44 moving on the trajectory is sequentially output to the object space setting unit 140. The object space setting unit 140 performs processing for setting a plurality of objects including the moving body 44 in the object space based on the position information and the like. The image composition unit 200 performs image composition based on the setting information. In this way, an image of the moving body 44 that moves on the field frame that is the edge of the polygon can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when the lever is tilted to the right when reaching the vertex V7 or before a given time, the storage area of the vertex V8 is read, and the lever is not tilted to the left or right. Reads out the storage area of the vertex V12 and performs the same processing as described above. In addition, the process of moving the enemy moving body can be realized in the same manner as in the case of the own aircraft.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the moving body is moved on the edge of the polygon using the vertex position information of the polygon. Therefore, the moving body is moved on the cover object with a simple process and a small amount of data. It becomes possible. In particular, the vertex relationship list in FIG. 10A can be easily created from the vertex position list of the cover object (see FIG. 11B), and there is an advantage that data can be shared between these lists.

  Next, image information changing processing by the image information changing unit 120 will be described. In the present embodiment, the image information changing unit 120 performs a process of switching between display and non-display of polygons in a specific area of the cover object.

FIG. 11A shows an example of the cover object 42. In this example, the cover object 42 is composed of 12 polygons. In order to display the cover object 42, the object space setting unit 140 creates a vertex position list shown in FIG. 11B and a polygon information list shown in FIG. Output. The same applies to objects other than the cover object. Here, as shown in FIG. 11B, the vertex position list has a storage area for each of the polygon vertices constituting the object, and each storage area has an index for referring to the vertex, and the vertex. Stores position information in the world coordinate system. Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, the polygon information list has a storage area for each of the polygons constituting the object, and each storage area has identification information for the polygon and an index of the vertex constituting the polygon. Is stored, polygon information including coordinates in the texture space of the texture to be mapped to the polygon, translucency set for the polygon, and the like. Taking the polygon P0 as an example, the vertex index arrangement information is V0-V1-V7-V6, and the polygon P0 is constructed by referring to the vertex position list of FIG. 11B based on this information. The position information of the vertex to be performed can be specified. The texture coordinates of the polygon P0 are (U _{0 (P0)} , V _{0 (P0)} ) to (U _{3 (P0)} , V _{3 (P0)} ), and the texture mapping unit 202 in the image composition unit 200 is The texture mapping specified by (U _{0 (P 0)} , V _{0 (P 0)} ) to (U _{3 (P 0)} , V _{3 (P 0)} ) is read from the texture information storage unit 210, thereby texture mapping to the polygon P 0. Is done. Further, the translucency of the polygon P0 is TP0, and the translucent operation unit 204 in the image composition unit 200 performs a given translucent operation using this TP0 to make the polygon P0 translucent. Can do. The translucent calculation is realized, for example, by performing a process of blending the color of the target polygon and the color of the display object located behind the polygon.

  When performing luminance calculation processing such as Gouraud shading, vertex normal vector information or vertex luminance information (or an index thereof) may be included in the polygon information.

  The process of switching the polygons in the specific area of the cover object from display to non-display can be realized by deleting the storage area of the polygons to be hidden from the polygon information list in FIG. For example, when the moving body moves over the edge of the polygon P1 and the polygon P1 is specified and determined not to be displayed, the portion of the storage area of the polygon P1 is deleted from the polygon information list of FIG. To do. By doing so, the image composition of the polygon P1 by the image composition unit 200 is omitted, and the polygon P1 can be hidden.

  Next, setting of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction will be described. In this embodiment, the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction are set so that the movement of the moving body follows the cover object and at least a part of the image change in the area specified by the movement of the moving body can be seen. This setting is performed by the viewpoint setting unit 130 in FIG. 1 based on the position information of the moving object obtained by the moving object calculating unit 110. In FIG. 12A, the viewpoint position 82 is the position of the virtual camera 80, and the line-of-sight direction 84 is the direction in which the virtual camera 80 faces. The display unit 10 displays a field-of-view image at the viewpoint position 82 and the line-of-sight direction 84 (see FIG. 2B). However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that inertia acts on the movement of the virtual camera 80, and the viewpoint position 82 shown in FIG. 12A is a target viewpoint position when this inertia action is ignored. As shown in FIG. 12 (A), this target viewpoint position is set to a position shifted by a certain distance L in the direction opposite to the traveling direction from directly above the moving body 44 of the own device.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the virtual camera 80 moves while maintaining a constant altitude with the moving body 44 of the own device. This altitude is the target viewpoint height. Further, it is assumed that inertia also acts on the movement of the virtual camera 80 in the height direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the moving body 44 moves in a game field having a difference in altitude, the virtual camera 80 zooms as shown in F of FIG. 12B.

  In this embodiment, the speed of the moving body 44 is low when the lever is tilted down, high when the lever is tilted up, and medium when no action is taken (moves downward when the lever is tilted down). Or move up when you defeat it and stop when you do nothing). Depending on whether the moving body 44 is low speed, medium speed, or high speed, as shown in FIG. 12C, the distance L between the position just above the moving body and the target viewpoint position (see also FIG. 12A). Change. The camera 80 is left behind with respect to the moving body 44 that moves at a high speed, and in the case of a low speed, a view field image from a position close to directly above is synthesized.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction for combining the view field images follow the movement of the moving body. Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the viewpoint position is set at a position where at least a part of the image change (in this example, display or non-display of polygons) in the region 36 specified by the movement of the moving body 44 can be seen. The line-of-sight direction is set. Accordingly, the player can operate the moving body 44 by his / her own operation to specify the area desired by the player and enjoy the change of the image in the specified area. In the example of FIG. 2B, since the polygon in the region 36 is not displayed, it can be enjoyed that the portion of the three-dimensional object hidden by the polygon in the region 36 is seen. In addition, regardless of the position on the cover object 42 that is formed three-dimensionally, the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction follow the movement of the moving body 44. As a result, the player can enjoy the appearance that the portion of the three-dimensional object 40 covered by the cover object 42 gradually appears, and the image that can be seen at this time becomes a three-dimensional image. It can be improved.

  As described above, as an example of changing the image information in the specific area, the method of hiding the polygon in the area specified by the movement of the moving body has been described. In this method, as shown in FIG. 13A, among the polygons (or curved surfaces) constituting the cover object 42 covering the three-dimensional object 40, the polygons 86 arranged in the specific area are extinguished. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to see the image of the three-dimensional object of the part hidden by the polygon 86 in the specific area. As described above, the display / non-display switching of the polygon 86 is performed by the image information changing unit 120 in FIG. 1 deleting or generating the polygon information of the polygon 86 from the polygon information list in FIG. This can be achieved.

  However, various other image information changing methods can be considered.

  For example, in the image information changing method shown in FIG. 13B, the translucency of the polygon 86 arranged in a specific area among the polygons (or curved surfaces) constituting the cover object is changed (it may be made transparent). ). Even in this case, the image of the three-dimensional object 40 in the portion hidden by the polygon 86 can be seen. In particular, according to this method, a visual effect better than that of FIG. 13A can be obtained by gradually changing the translucency from opaque to transparent. The change of the translucency can be realized by the image information changing unit 120 changing the translucency included in the polygon information of the polygon 86 in the polygon information list of FIG.

  Further, in the image information changing method shown in FIG. 13C, the texture coordinates for designating the texture to be mapped to the polygon (or curved surface) 86 in the specific area and constituting the cover object 42 are changed from the texture coordinates for designating the texture 87. The texture 88 is changed to the texture coordinates that specify it. Here, the texture 88 is a transparent or translucent texture. By mapping the transparent or translucent texture 88 to the polygon 86 in this way, a portion hidden by the polygon 86 to which the opaque texture 87 is mapped. The image of the three-dimensional object 40 can be viewed. Note that it is not necessary to make all of the texture 88 transparent or translucent, and only part of it may be transparent or translucent. The texture to be mapped to the polygon is changed by, for example, storing texture coordinates (UV coordinates on the texture plane, texture information in the texture information storage unit 210) included in the polygon information of the polygon 86 in the polygon information list of FIG. Address) is changed by the image information changing unit 120.

  In the image information changing method shown in FIG. 13D, the texture itself mapped to a part or all of the cover object 42 is redrawn from the texture 89 to the texture 90. The texture 90 is generated by redrawing the texture 89 and making the region 91 transparent or translucent. By mapping this texture 90 to the cover object 42, an image of the three-dimensional object 40 at a portion corresponding to the region 91 can be seen. The redrawing of the texture to be mapped to the cover object 42 can be realized by the image information changing unit 120 redrawing the contents of the texture information stored in the texture information storage unit 210 configured by a RAM or the like. That is, the texture stored at the texture coordinate position assigned to the cover object 42 is redrawn from the texture 89 to the texture 90. According to this method, unlike in FIGS. 13A to 13C, it is not always necessary to change image information for each polygon. For this reason, for example, it is possible to easily move the moving body not only on the edge of the polygon but also to an arbitrary position on the cover object 42 and change the image information in the area specified by the movement.

  In the above description, the image information of the cover object covering the three-dimensional object is changed. However, such a cover object may not be provided, and the image information of the three-dimensional object itself may be changed.

  For example, in the image information changing method shown in FIG. 14A, the texture coordinates that specify the texture to be mapped to the polygon (or curved surface) 92 that constitutes the three-dimensional object 40 are changed from the texture coordinates that specify the texture 93 to the texture 94. The texture coordinates have been changed. Here, the texture 93 is the same as the texture mapped to the polygon 86 of the cover object 42 in FIG. The texture 94 represents an image of the three-dimensional object 40 that can be seen when the polygon 86 is made transparent or translucent in FIG. Taking the case of FIG. 2B as an example, the pattern of the cover object 42 becomes the texture 93, and the image of the three-dimensional object 40 that is visible when the polygon in the area 36 is hidden, that is, the cow in the area 36. The texture of the skin becomes the texture 94. By using such a method, the same visual effects can be obtained as when the polygon of the cover object is hidden, the translucency of the polygon is changed, or the texture mapped to the cover object is changed. Can do. The texture to be mapped to the polygon 92 can be changed by the image information changing unit 120 changing the texture coordinates included in the polygon information of the polygon 92 in the polygon information list of FIG.

  In the image information changing method shown in FIG. 14B, the texture itself mapped to a part or all of the three-dimensional object 40 is changed from the texture 96 to the texture 97. The texture 96 and the texture 97 have different images in the region 98. For example, the region 98 is redrawn to be the same as the image of the three-dimensional object 40 that can be seen when the region 91 is made transparent or translucent in FIG. Taking the case of FIG. 2B as an example, the texture in the region 98 is redrawn with a pattern representing cow's skin. By doing so, it is possible to obtain almost the same visual effect as non-display of the polygon of the cover object. The redrawing of the texture to be mapped to the three-dimensional object 40 can be realized by the image information changing unit 120 redrawing the content of the texture information stored in the texture information storage unit 210 configured by a RAM or the like. According to this method, unlike FIG. 14A, it is not always necessary to change image information for each polygon. For this reason, for example, it is possible to easily move the moving body not only on the edge of the polygon but also to an arbitrary position on the three-dimensional object 40 and change the image information in the area specified by the movement.

  Note that the method of changing the image information of the cover object shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D can be applied even when the shape of the three-dimensional object is different from the shape of the cover object (2). A variety of different images can be obtained by combining a plurality of cover objects with one 3D object (3D objects can be shared). (3) Display or non-display of polygons (or curved surfaces) constituting a cover object There is an advantage that image information can be changed only by switching. On the other hand, in the method of changing the image information of the three-dimensional object shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, (1) a cover object is not necessary, so that data capacity can be saved. (2) Transparent and translucent functions are provided. There is an advantage that it can be realized even with a device that does not have.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 15 is a flowchart corresponding to the method of FIGS. First, the player inputs operation information through the operation unit 12, and based on this operation information, a process of moving the moving body on the cover object is performed (steps S1 and S2). When the moving body is moved on the edge of the polygon, the above processing is performed using the vertex position information of the polygon as described with reference to FIGS. Next, it is determined whether or not the area is specified by the movement of the moving body (step S3). For example, in the case of FIGS. 8A to 8D, a closed region having the movement locus as an edge is specified by the movement locus of the moving body intersecting. When the area is specified, the image information of the cover object is changed by various methods as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D (step S4). Then, a view field image in the given viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction, for example, the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction that follows the moving body and at which the image changes can be seen is synthesized (step S5).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart corresponding to the method of FIGS. 14 (A) and 14 (B). The difference from FIG. 15 is that the moving body is moved on the three-dimensional object instead of the cover object in step T2, and the image information of the three-dimensional object, not the cover object, is changed in step T4.

  Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the apparatus shown in the figure, a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002, a RAM 1004, an information storage medium 1006, a sound synthesis IC 1008, an image synthesis IC 1010, and I / O ports 1012, 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received. 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. Has been.

  The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores game programs, image information for representing display objects, and the like, and a CD-ROM, game cassette, IC card, MO, FD, memory, or the like is used. For example, a home game device uses a CD-ROM or game cassette as an information storage medium for storing a game program or the like, and an arcade game device uses a memory such as a ROM.

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

  In accordance with a game program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002 (such as device initialization information), a signal input by the control device 1022, the CPU 1000 controls the entire device and performs various data processing. Do. The RAM 1004 is a storage means used as a work area of the CPU 1000 and stores the given contents of the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002 or the calculation result of the CPU 1000. A data structure having a logical structure such as a vertex relation list (FIG. 10A), a vertex position list (FIG. 11B), a polygon information list (FIG. 11C), etc. is stored in this RAM or information storage. It will be built on the medium.

  Furthermore, this type of apparatus is provided with a sound synthesis IC 1008 and an image synthesis IC 1010 so that game sounds and game screens can be suitably output. The sound synthesis IC 1008 is an integrated circuit that synthesizes game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on information stored in the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002, and the synthesized game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image synthesis IC 1010 is an integrated circuit that synthesizes pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the RAM 1004, the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. As the display 1018, a so-called head mounted display (HMD) can be used.

  The communication device 1024 exchanges various types of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to other game devices to send and receive given information according to the game program, and to connect a communication line. It is used for sending and receiving information such as game programs.

  The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B to 14A, 14B are information storages storing game programs for performing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. It is realized by a medium 1006, a CPU 1000 that operates according to the game program, an image composition IC 1010, and the like. Note that 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 or a general-purpose DSP.

  FIG. 18A shows an example in which this embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102 and the button 1104 while watching the game screen displayed on the display 1100. A CPU, an image synthesis IC, a sound synthesis IC, and the like are mounted on an IC substrate 1106 built in the apparatus. Then, information for moving the moving object on the cover object or the three-dimensional object, information for changing the image information of the cover object or the three-dimensional object in the specific area, a given viewpoint position in the object space, a line-of-sight direction ( Information for synthesizing a field-of-view image at a viewpoint position and a line-of-sight direction that can follow the movement of the moving body and can see at least a part of the change in the image is a memory that is an information storage medium on the IC substrate 1106 1108 is stored. Hereinafter, these pieces of information are referred to as stored information. The stored information includes at least one of program code, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, list data, player information, and the like for performing the various processes described above.

  FIG. 18B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game device. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while viewing the game screen displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, IC cards 1208, 1209, etc., which are information storage media detachable from the main unit.

  FIG. 18C shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line 1302. Show. In this case, the stored 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, for example. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n have a CPU, an image synthesis IC, and a sound synthesis IC, and can synthesize game images and game sounds in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 receives game images and games. A game program or the like for synthesizing sound is delivered to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be synthesized stand-alone, the host device 1300 synthesizes a game image and game sound, transmits them to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n, and outputs them at the terminals.

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

  For example, the present invention can be applied not only to a game device for business use but also to various devices such as a home game device, a simulator, and a large attraction device in which a large number of players participate.

  In addition, the processing performed by the processing unit, the image composition unit, and the like described in this embodiment is merely an example in the present embodiment, and the image composition processing in the present invention is not limited to these.

It is an example of the functional block diagram of a present Example. 2A and 2B are examples of the game screen (view image) generated by this embodiment. 3A and 3B are also examples of the game screen generated by the present embodiment. 4A and 4B are also examples of the game screen generated by this embodiment. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a game stage selection method. It is a figure for demonstrating a three-dimensional object, a cover object, and a moving body. FIGS. 7A to 7F are diagrams for explaining the specification of the region by the movement of the moving body and the relationship with the enemy moving body. 8A to 8D are diagrams for explaining the change of the image information in the area specified by the movement of the moving body. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining the bypass, and FIG. 9C is a diagram for explaining an effect method when the polygon is extinguished. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a vertex relation list and a method for moving a moving object on the edge of a polygon. FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining a vertex position list, a polygon information list, and a method for changing display / non-display of polygons, texture coordinates, and translucency. 12A to 12C are diagrams for explaining setting of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction. FIGS. 13A to 13D are diagrams for explaining a method for changing the image information of the cover object. FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining a method for changing image information of a three-dimensional object. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a present Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the hardware which implement | achieves a present Example. 18A, 18B, and 18C are diagrams showing various types of game devices to which the present embodiment is applied.

Explanation of symbols

10 Display unit 12 Operation unit 36 Area (specific area)
40 3D object 42 Cover object 44 Mobile body (own machine)
46 Moving object (enemy)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Processing part 110 Moving body calculating part 120 Image information changing part 130 Viewpoint setting part 140 Object space setting part 200 Image composition part 202 Texture mapping part 204 Translucent calculating part 210 Texture information storage part

Claims (2)

In the object space, a moving body computing means for performing a computation for moving the moving body based on operation information from the operating means;
Viewpoint setting means for setting the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera following the movement of the moving body;
Means for synthesizing a view field image viewed from a virtual camera in the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction;
Including
The viewpoint setting means includes
When the viewpoint position of the virtual camera is set above the moving body, and the moving body moves in a game field having an altitude difference, the timing is delayed from the position change timing in the height direction of the moving body. An image generating apparatus characterized by performing a process of simulating inertia with respect to movement of the moving body in a height direction by controlling the viewpoint position of the virtual camera to be a constant altitude with respect to the moving body. In the object space, a moving body computing means for performing a computation for moving the moving body based on operation information from the operating means;
Viewpoint setting means for setting the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera following the movement of the moving body;
The computer functions as a means for synthesizing a view field image viewed from the virtual camera at the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction,
The viewpoint setting means includes
When the viewpoint position of the virtual camera is set above the moving body, and the moving body moves in a game field having an altitude difference, the timing is delayed from the position change timing in the height direction of the moving body. A program for performing a process of simulating inertia with respect to movement of the moving body in a height direction by controlling the viewpoint position of the virtual camera to be a constant altitude with respect to the moving body.

Images