JP4244357B2 - Parameter processing apparatus, parameter processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention realizes a parameter processing device, a parameter processing method, and a computer that are suitable for presenting a player with an easy-to-understand indication of the direction in which a character of interest exists when displaying environmental parameters in a virtual space. Regarding the program.

Conventionally, a technique for presenting environmental parameters in a virtual space to a user in an easy-to-understand manner has been proposed. Such a technique is disclosed in the following documents, for example.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-063877

  In [Patent Document 1], an image of a golf course and an image of a ball are displayed on the display surface of a television monitor, and are based on the operation of the controller and terrain information such as the height of each part of the golf course. In the golf game in which the ball is moved, a guide consisting of a plurality of lines is displayed on the golf course, and the brightness and length of the lines constituting the guide are determined based on the height of the corresponding part of the golf course. In this way, a technology is disclosed that guides the terrain information that cannot be expressed only by an image of a golf course to a game player in an easy-to-understand manner.

  On the other hand, in various computer games, a player character operated by a player and an enemy character that battles with the player character may be arranged in a virtual space. The enemy character may be operated by a computer according to a predetermined algorithm, or may be operated by an instruction of a player of another game device connected via a computer communication network.

  In games where characters play against each other, there is often a lock-on function that means automatic tracking of the opponent, but the "enemy character on which the player character is locked on" or "the enemy on which the player character is locked on" “Character” is highly important for players. There is a great demand not only for this example but for various attention characters of high importance that the player should be able to easily show the direction in which the attention character is located in the virtual space.

  On the other hand, there is also a demand for presenting in an easy-to-understand manner what values the various environmental parameters in the virtual space take around the observation point of the player character and the viewing position of the screen display.

  There is also a desire to make the screen display as simple as possible so that the presentation of such information is not complicated for the player.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and is a parameter processing device and parameter processing suitable for presenting to a player in an easy-to-understand manner the direction in which a character of interest exists when displaying environmental parameters in a virtual space. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a program for realizing the method on a computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

  A parameter processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit, a calculation unit, a repetition unit, and a display unit, and is configured as follows.

  That is, the storage unit stores the current position and reference direction of the observation point arranged in the virtual space, and the current position of the attention character arranged in the virtual space, and associates the environmental parameter value with the angle. Add and remember.

  Typically, as an element of a subscript that includes the angle in an array whose subscript is what number is obtained when 0 to 360 degrees are divided by a predetermined step size, the environmental parameter value of the angle Remember. This angle corresponds to the angle formed with the reference direction of the observation point. As the reference direction, various directions such as the direction of the line of sight of the three-dimensional graphics display, the direction of a specific direction such as north in the virtual space, and the direction of the destination in the current scene of the game may be adopted. it can.

  On the other hand, the calculation unit calculates an environmental parameter value in the virtual space observed from the current position of the stored observation point in a direction shifted from the stored reference direction by a given angle.

  In other words, the calculation unit receives the angle and outputs the environmental parameter value. For specific calculation of the environmental parameter value, various information stored in the storage unit may be referred to.

  Further, for each of a plurality of predetermined observation angles, the repetition unit stores the environmental parameter value calculated by giving the observation angle to the calculation unit in the storage unit in association with the observation angle. Update.

  For example, when the observation angle is 0 degree, 5 degrees, 10 degrees,..., 355 degrees in increments of 5 degrees, an array having 72 elements is prepared in the storage unit, and the environment for the angle θ degrees is prepared. The parameter value is stored in the θ / 5th element of the array. In each element, the latest environmental parameter value calculated for the angle is stored.

  On the other hand, the display unit displays a graph associating the environmental parameter value stored in association with the storage unit with the angle.

  As the shape of the graph, various graphs such as an orthogonal graph in which the horizontal axis is an angle and the vertical axis is an environmental parameter value with respect to the angle, or a polar coordinate graph in which the environmental parameter value is a radius with respect to the angle are adopted. Can do.

Here, the repeating unit has an angle difference between the observation angle and an angle formed by the direction from the current position of the stored observation point to the current position of the character of interest stored and the stored reference direction. Whether it is within the threshold range of
(A) When it is within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation unit at a predetermined high frequency,
(B) If not within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation unit at a predetermined low frequency lower than the predetermined high frequency.

  That is, the environmental parameter value is frequently updated in the vicinity of the angle where the attention character exists, and the frequency of the environmental parameter value being updated is low for the angle that is not.

  On the other hand, the display unit updates the screen display of the graph at a display update frequency equal to or higher than the predetermined high frequency.

  That is, the display of the graph is also updated at a frequency that is equal to or higher than the frequency at which the environmental parameter value is updated. Therefore, the player can know the distribution of environmental parameter values by looking at only one graph display, and at the same time, the attention character exists in the direction of the angle of the region where the diagram is frequently updated. You can know.

  According to the present invention, the environmental parameter values in the virtual space are displayed in an easy-to-view graph, and at the same time, the direction in which the character of interest exists is indicated by the region where the graph is frequently updated, so that two types of information are presented to the player in an easily understandable manner Will be able to.

  In the parameter processing device of the present invention, the storage unit further stores a contribution parameter value at each point in the virtual space, and the calculation unit moves in a direction shifted from the stored reference direction by the given angle. The maximum, minimum, average, or integrated value of the contribution parameter values stored for each point existing on the route that advances by the predetermined observation distance from the current position of the stored observation point is the environmental parameter value. It can be constituted as follows.

  As the contribution parameter value, for example, various amounts such as altitude, temperature, brightness, volume, character population density, slipperiness of the ground, and inclination of the ground can be applied.

  Such a contribution parameter value often wants to know the maximum value, minimum value, average value, or integrated value within the observation distance that can be seen in the virtual space.

  The present invention relates to a preferred embodiment of the above invention, and these quantities can be presented to the player in an easily understandable manner.

  The parameter processing apparatus of the present invention can be configured as follows.

  That is, the storage unit further stores the current position of the non-attention character arranged in the virtual space, the generation type, the generation time, and the generation location of the event that occurred in the virtual space in association with each other.

  In other words, there are an attention character and a non-attention character as characters. In addition, a history of events that occur in the virtual space is stored in the storage unit. An upper limit is set on the number of events stored in the history, and when this number is exceeded, it is typically deleted or overwritten from the oldest occurrence time.

  On the other hand, for each of the attention character and the non-attention character for which the current position is stored, the repetition unit sets the event type associated in advance with the type of operation performed by the character as the generation type, and the time when the operation was performed And the position of the character as the place of occurrence and stored in the storage unit in association with each other and updated.

  For example, when the sound emitted by a character is considered as an environmental parameter, an event of “sharp sound” occurs for the action “Character fires a gun”, and the action “Character falls” For example, an event of “dull sound” occurs.

In addition, the calculation unit for each stored event,
(P) an angle difference between the observation angle and an angle formed by the direction from the current position of the stored observation point to the stored event occurrence location and the stored reference direction;
(Q) the elapsed time from the time of occurrence of the event to the present,
(R) the distance from the place where the event occurred to the current position of the observation point;
The contribution parameter value based on is calculated, and the value obtained by integrating the calculated contribution parameter value is set as the environment parameter value. The contribution parameter value decreases as the angle difference increases, decreases as the elapsed time increases, and decreases as the distance increases.

  In the above example, the contribution parameter (volume) increases in the direction in which the sound is generated, the contribution parameter (volume) decreases as time passes, and the contribution parameter (volume) decreases as the distance increases. Equivalent to.

  According to the present invention, by calculating the environmental parameter based on the event corresponding to the action adopted by the character, a clue for guessing the action of the character can be presented to the player.

  Further, in the parameter processing device of the present invention, the repetition unit determines a correction value by a random number generated every time the observation speed is given to the calculation unit, and the determined correction value is calculated as the calculated environmental parameter value. In addition to the calculated environmental parameter value, the modified environmental parameter value is associated with the observation angle, stored in the storage unit, and updated. .

  There are errors in the measured values in the real world, and by simulating such errors, the player feels the virtual space more realistic. Therefore, such an error is simulated by correcting the environmental parameter with a correction value based on a random number.

  According to the present invention, simulation can be performed as if an error has occurred in a graph display when displaying environmental parameters, and a virtual space that can be felt more realistically can be provided to the player. .

  In the parameter processing device of the present invention, the display unit further displays an image of the virtual space viewed from the stored observation point in the stored reference direction, and the display unit displays the environment parameter with respect to the angle. The graph can be configured to be displayed on the screen using polar coordinates whose value is a radius.

  The present invention relates to a preferred embodiment of the above invention, and the state of the virtual space is displayed in three-dimensional graphics by perspective projection with the observation point as the viewpoint and the reference direction as the line-of-sight direction, while the graph is a so-called graph. The direction in which polar coordinates are displayed in a star graph shape and the polar coordinate angle is 0 degree is a direction corresponding to the line-of-sight direction.

  According to the present invention, the player can easily know the reference direction of the observation point from the state of the virtual space displayed on the screen, and the deviation from the reference direction and the environmental parameter can be obtained from the polar coordinate display graph. Correspondingly, the environmental parameters can be easily obtained.

  A parameter processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed by a parameter processing apparatus including a storage unit, a calculation unit, a repetition unit, and a display unit, and is configured as follows.

  That is, the storage unit stores the current position and reference direction of the observation point arranged in the virtual space, and the current position of the attention character arranged in the virtual space, and the environmental parameter value and the angle are stored. Correspondingly stored.

  On the other hand, in the calculation step, the calculation unit calculates the environmental parameter value in the virtual space observed from the current position of the stored observation point for a direction deviated from the stored reference direction by a given angle. .

  Further, in the repetition process, the repetition unit stores the environment parameter value calculated by giving the observation angle to the calculation unit for each of a plurality of predetermined observation angles in association with the observation angle. Store it in the update section.

  Further, in the display step, the display unit displays a graph associating the environmental parameter value and the angle stored in association with the storage unit on the screen.

On the other hand, in the repetition process, an angle difference between the observation angle and an angle formed by the direction from the current position of the stored observation point to the current position of the stored character of interest and the stored reference direction is a predetermined value. Determine whether it is within the threshold range,
(A) If it is within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation step at a predetermined high frequency,
(B) If not within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation step at a predetermined low frequency lower than the predetermined high frequency.

  Further, in the display step, the screen display of the graph is updated at a display update frequency equal to or higher than the predetermined high frequency.

  A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as the parameter processing device and to cause the computer to execute the parameter processing method.

  The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information storage medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.

  The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information storage medium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when displaying the environmental parameter in virtual space, the parameter processing apparatus suitable for showing to a player the direction in which an attention character exists clearly, a parameter processing method, and these are performed with a computer. A program to be realized can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using a game information processing device will be described. However, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and the present invention is described. It does not limit the range. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a typical information processing apparatus that performs the function of the parameter processing apparatus of the present invention by executing a program. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 104, an input device 105, an image processing unit 106, a liquid crystal display 107, An audio processing unit 108, a speaker 109, and a cassette reader 110 are provided.

  The CPU 102 controls each unit of the information processing apparatus 101. The storage area of the RAM 103, the storage area of the ROM 104, and the storage area of the ROM cassette 111 inserted in the cassette reader 110 are all mapped to one memory space managed by the CPU 102. If the address to which the storage area is mapped is read, the information stored in each can be acquired. In addition, writing to the storage area of the RAM 103 is also possible.

  In addition, when the CPU 102 issues various instructions to the image processing unit 106 and the audio processing unit 108, and in addition to acquiring information from the input device 105, a register serving as a window is also provided in the memory space. It is possible to give an instruction by writing data representing a command at a predetermined address, and information can be acquired by reading data from the predetermined address.

  When the information processing apparatus 101 is turned on, the CPU 102 executes a program that starts from an address to which the storage area of the ROM cassette 111 inserted in the cassette reader 110 is mapped. The RAM 103 is used for various purposes as a temporary storage area. The ROM 104 stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) routine provided by the information processing apparatus 101 and can be appropriately called from a program in the ROM cassette 111.

  The input device 105 reflects the input from a button for receiving an instruction input indicating a direction and a button for receiving an instruction input for distinguishing various operations in a register mapped in the memory space, and is pasted on the surface of the liquid crystal display 107. Whether or not the touch panel is pressed and the coordinates when the touch panel is pressed are also accepted.

  The liquid crystal display 107 is managed by the image processing unit 106. A storage area for storing tiles mapped in the memory space and a storage area for storing object attribute memory are used. The CPU 102 writes a value generated by calculation or transfers image information from the ROM cassette 111 inserted in the cassette reader 110 to the RAM 103 once, and then refers to the transfer destination address of the RAM 103 for image processing. By giving an instruction to the unit 106, a sprite image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 107.

  In addition, a frame buffer that manages an image displayed on the liquid crystal display 107 in units of pixels can also be used. When a certain color in the liquid crystal display 107 is to be displayed at a certain position, it corresponds to the position in the frame buffer. When a numerical value corresponding to the color is written in the place to be displayed, a bitmap image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 107 at an appropriate timing.

  For example, in the case of a 16-bit color display 320 × 200 dot liquid crystal display 107, the color for one pixel is represented by 2 bytes. Therefore, an array having 320 × 200 elements (2 bytes each) is prepared in the RAM 103 as a frame buffer, and the elements of the array are associated with the pixels of the liquid crystal display 107 on a one-to-one basis. A 16-bit value representing a color is written in the element of the array, and the image processing unit 106 is made to reflect the contents of the frame buffer on the liquid crystal display 107 at an appropriate timing (for example, in a cycle in which a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs) Control.

  In these image processing, fragment image information of a certain size is prepared as sprite image or font information, and one or a plurality of these pieces are collected to collect one character, one character, or a background having a common attribute. A partial image can be generated.

  Generally, the number of liquid crystal displays 107 is one or more. In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of liquid crystal displays, and one (upper in the figure) liquid crystal display 107 is dedicated for display, and the other (lower in the figure) has a touch panel attached thereto.

  Accordingly, a coordinate value representing the position of the corresponding liquid crystal display 107 is input by pressing the touch panel with the touch pen. That is, the touch panel and the liquid crystal display 107 are integrated to function as a touch screen.

  The information processing apparatus 101 is used as a typical portable game apparatus, but the technology of the present invention performs input and output using a mouse, keyboard, and CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The present invention can also be applied to various applications that operate on a general-purpose computer, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the parameter processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  A parameter processing apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment includes a storage unit 202, a calculation unit 203, a repetition unit 204, and a display unit 205.

Here, the storage unit 202 stores the following information.
(A) Current position and reference direction of observation points arranged in the virtual space. Typically, the observation point is at the position of the viewpoint when the state of the virtual space is displayed in 3D graphics or the position of the player character, and the reference direction is the state of the virtual space displayed in 3D graphics. The direction of the line of sight, the direction of a specific direction in the virtual space (for example, the north direction or the south direction, etc.), the direction of the destination in the current scene of the game, and the like can be employed.

  (B) The current position of the enemy character placed in the virtual space. There are two types of enemy characters, an attention character and a non-attention character, and information for distinguishing these characters is also stored in the storage unit 202. For example, in a game in which a player character and an enemy character play against each other, “an enemy character whose player character is locked on” or “an enemy character whose player character is locked on” can be adopted as the attention character. Therefore, the number of characters of interest is not limited to one, and may be zero or plural.

  (C) Contribution parameters at each point in the virtual space. For example, it is a constant value such as map information related to the terrain such as height, inclination, slipperiness, etc. of each point in the virtual space. It is also possible to divide the ground of the virtual space in a grid shape, prepare a two-dimensional array corresponding to this grid, and store the contribution parameters for each grid as elements. Based on the contribution parameters, environmental parameters can be calculated.

  (D) A history of events that occurred in the virtual space. Information such as an event occurrence type, an occurrence position, and an occurrence time (represented by an elapsed time since the game was started) is stored. Based on this information, environmental parameters can be calculated. It can be adopted that the character takes a specific action as the cause of the event. When an upper limit is set for the number of event histories to be stored, the information of each event is stored in each element of the array of the number, and the information may be deleted or overwritten in the order of occurrence time.

  (E) A parameter array that stores an angle and an environmental parameter value for the angle. For example, if the observation angle is 0 degree, 10 degrees, 20 degrees,..., 350 degrees in increments of 10 degrees, an array having 36 elements is prepared in the storage unit 202, and the angle θ degrees The environmental parameter value is stored in the θ / 10 (truncated fractional) element of the array. In each element, the latest environmental parameter value calculated for the angle is stored. In the following description, this step size is taken as an example, but an arbitrary value can be adopted as the step size, and the following numerical values can be appropriately changed according to the step size.

  Therefore, the RAM 103 and the ROM cassette 111 function as the storage unit 202.

  In the following, we will first consider “sound generation” as an event based on the action taken by the enemy character, and “environment sound volume at the observation point” as the environmental parameter value. And This “sound volume” may be a simulation of real speech, or may be considered as a numerical value of “kill” or “presence” generated by an enemy character.

  In the present embodiment, two stages of a high frequency period H and a low frequency period L are provided as the frequency for calculating the environmental parameter. The time length of N vertical synchronization interrupts corresponds to N / H times of high frequency cycles and N / L times of low frequency cycles. Therefore, positive integer constants are adopted as H and L, and these constants are determined so that N ≧ N / H> N / L, that is, N ≦ H <L.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the parameter processing method executed by the parameter processing apparatus of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

When this process is started, the CPU 102 performs various initializations on the RAM 103 (step S301), and performs various processes for advancing the game for a unit time (step S302). A typical time as a unit time is a vertical synchronization interrupt cycle, and various processing can be considered as follows.
(1) The action of the player character is determined or the current position of the player character is updated based on the player's instruction input.
(2) By executing a program or library based on an algorithm prepared in advance, the action of the enemy character is determined or the current position of the enemy character is updated.
(3) The action of the enemy character is determined based on an instruction input from another player, or the current position of the enemy character is updated.
(4) Based on the action of the player character and the action of the enemy character, the player character and the enemy character are battled, and the result is reflected in the state of each character.
(5) Update the current time t. In this embodiment, the current time is expressed by a counter indicating how many times the vertical synchronization interrupt has occurred since the game was started.

  Next, the CPU 102 repeats the following processing for each enemy character whose current position is stored in the storage unit 202 (steps S303 to S303).

  That is, if there is an event associated in advance with the type of action taken by the enemy character (step S304), if there is an event (step S304; Yes), the type of event, the current time, and the position of the enemy character are determined. The event occurrence type, occurrence time, and occurrence location are added to the event history in the storage unit 202 (step S305).

  As the type of event, the volume of sound generated by the action taken by the enemy character and the sharpness (directivity, diffraction) of the sound can be adopted. The type of event will be described later.

  When the process from step S303 is repeated for all enemy characters (step S306), the following process is repeated for each of the observation angles θ = 0, 10, 20, 30,..., 350 (step S307). This is because 10 degrees is adopted as the step size, and when other step sizes are adopted, the observation angle θ is changed in order from 0 to 360 (not including 360 itself) accordingly. Repeat the following process. In the present embodiment, the observation angle θ is considered as an angle in a direction of turning clockwise around the observation point when viewed from above the virtual space.

  That is, the calculation unit 203 repeats the following processing for each of the attention characters whose current position is stored in the storage unit 202 (steps S308 to S308).

  That is, the angle φ formed by the direction from the current position of the observation point toward the current position of the target character and the reference direction is calculated (step S309). Then, it is determined whether or not the angle difference between φ and θ is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value α, that is, whether or not | φ−θ | ≦ α (step S310).

  If | φ−θ | ≦ α (step S310; Yes), it is checked whether (t × N) mod H is equal to 0 with respect to the current time t (step S311). Here, a mod b means a remainder obtained by dividing a by b. If so (step S311; Yes), the process proceeds to step S321 to exit the loop starting from step S307. Otherwise (step S311; No), the loop starting from step S308 is repeated (step S313).

  On the other hand, if | φ−θ | ≦ α is not satisfied (step S310; No), it is checked whether (t × N) mod L is equal to 0 with respect to the current time t (step S312). If so (step S312; Yes), the process proceeds to step S321 to exit the loop starting from step S307. Otherwise (step S312; No), the process proceeds to step S313, and the loop starting from step S308 is repeated.

  When the loop of step S308 to step S313 is exited halfway, environmental parameter values in the virtual space that are assumed to be observed from the position of the observation point are calculated in a direction shifted by θ degrees from the reference direction (step S321). A specific method for calculating the environmental parameter value will be described later.

By considering how to exit the loop from step S308 to step S313,
(1) If θ is in the vicinity of α in the direction φ where the character of interest exists, environmental parameter values are frequently calculated in the time period of “vertical synchronization interrupt period × N / H”,
(2) If θ is not in the vicinity of α in the direction φ in which the target character exists, the environmental parameter value is calculated at a low frequency in the time period of “vertical synchronization interrupt period × N / L”.

  The calculated environmental parameter value is stored in the θ / 10th element of the parameter array (step S322), and the loop starting from step S307 is repeated (step S323).

  Also, when the loop from step S308 to step S313 is executed to the end, the process proceeds to step S323, and the loop starting from step S307 is repeated.

  Therefore, the CPU 102 functions as the calculation unit 203 and the repetition unit 204 in cooperation with the RAM 103 and the ROM cassette 111 as necessary.

  By performing the above processing, the parameter array is updated with high frequency in the vicinity of the angle in the direction in which the target character exists, and is updated with low frequency in the other directions.

  Next, the CPU 101 generates an image representing the state in the virtual space in the RAM 103 (step S331). This image may be a three-dimensional graphics image that shows the virtual space viewed from the observation point as the viewpoint and the reference direction as the line of sight, or displays the virtual world as a map in the form of a plan view or bird's-eye view But it ’s okay.

  Next, a graph image for associating environmental parameter values for each observation angle stored in the parameter array is generated in the RAM 103 (step S332).

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between an example of a generated graph image and a virtual space. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In this figure (a), an orthogonal graph employing an angle on the horizontal axis and an environmental parameter value on the vertical axis is employed as the graph image. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the angle is set in increments of 10 degrees, a line graph in which 36 environmental parameter values are arranged is obtained. Further, from the center to the right, a graph of θ from 0 degrees to 180 degrees is displayed, and from the left to the center, a graph of θ from 180 degrees to 360 degrees (0 degrees) is displayed. 0 is displayed in the center. This presents the distribution of environmental parameters in an easy-to-understand manner to the user by setting the reference direction to the center.

  In this figure (b), as a graph image, a polar coordinate graph that employs an angle as a rotation angle and an environment parameter value as a radius is adopted. In this embodiment, 36 environment parameter values surround the center of the polar coordinate. It becomes a star graph arranged in.

  In the present embodiment, since the observation angle θ is considered as an angle in a clockwise direction around the observation point when viewed from above the virtual space, it is desirable to set the rotation angle in the same direction in the polar coordinate graph. Further, if the rotation angle corresponding to θ = 0 is set upward, it is easy for the player to grasp the intuitive graph.

  This figure (c) has shown the mode that the positional relationship of an observation point, a reference | standard direction, and the direction in which an attention character is seen from the virtual space.

  The angle from the reference direction 503 toward the target character 551 around the observation point 501 is 75 degrees in the example shown in FIG. Assuming that the threshold α is 5 degrees, a range of 70 degrees to 80 degrees is a range in which the shape of the graph is updated frequently.

  In this figure (a) and this figure (b), in order to make it easy to understand, the graph of the area where the shape of the graph is frequently updated is made a bold white line, but in the actual display, The position of the line of the graph frequently changes in the area and next to the area.

  As described above, since the direction in which the attention character is present is clearly indicated by the part where the graph shape is frequently updated, it is not necessary to prepare a special cursor, mark, icon, or the like indicating the direction in which the attention character is present.

  Then, a display image in which the former is superimposed on the latter is generated in the RAM 103 (step S333), and the process waits until a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs (step S334). During the standby, various other processes can be executed in a coroutine manner.

  When a vertical synchronization interrupt occurs, the CPU 101 instructs the image processing unit 106 to display the image generated in step S333 on the liquid crystal display 107 (step S335), and returns to step S302.

  Therefore, the CPU 101 functions as the display unit 205 in cooperation with the RAM 103, the image processing unit 106, and the liquid crystal display 107.

  By performing such processing, the graph display update cycle is “vertical synchronization interrupt cycle × N / N = vertical synchronization interrupt cycle”, and the image display is updated at a frequency higher than the above “high frequency”. Will be. That is, the display of the graph is also updated at a frequency that is equal to or higher than the frequency at which the environmental parameter value is updated.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of graph image display that is sequentially updated. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing how the polar coordinate graph (upper right portion thereof) shown in FIG. 4B is deformed each time it is updated, and FIGS. , Arranged in time order.

  In this figure (a)-(f), the graph showing an environmental parameter value is shown by bold type, and the auxiliary line for making an understanding easy is shown by the dotted line or the dashed-dotted line. Here, the dotted line indicates the direction of every 10 degrees of the polar coordinates, and the alternate long and short dash line indicates the position of the graph in (a) of this figure in (b) to (f) of this figure.

  Immediately after the display is updated for all the environmental parameter values (immediately after the display is updated at a low frequency), it is displayed in this figure (a) and this figure (f), and this figure (a) and this figure (f) are displayed. In comparison (when comparing the thick line and the alternate long and short dash line in this figure (f)), the environmental parameter value in each direction changes.

  On the other hand, FIGS. (B) to (e) represent immediately after the display update with high frequency, and since the direction in which the attention character is present is the direction of 75 degrees, the threshold value α is set to 5 degrees and 70 degrees. Environmental parameter values in the range of ˜80 degrees are updated frequently.

  Therefore, as shown in the figure, in the star graph using polar coordinates, when the environmental parameter value (radius) in the range of 70 degrees to 80 degrees is changed, the range of 60 degrees to 90 degrees including the adjacent place is changed. The shape of the broken line will change.

  Therefore, the player can know the distribution of environmental parameter values by looking at only one graph display, and the attention character exists in the direction of the angle where the diagram changes frequently. At the same time.

  At this time, since a new mark or icon for indicating the direction in which the character of interest exists is unnecessary, the screen display can be simplified and the degree of freedom of decoration can be increased.

  According to this embodiment, the environmental parameter values in the virtual space are displayed in a graph so that the player can easily understand the two types of information by indicating the direction in which the character of interest exists by the region where the graph is frequently updated. Will be able to.

  Below, the specific calculation method of an environmental parameter value is demonstrated in detail.

(Environmental parameters based on character behavior)
In calculating the environmental parameters based on the character's behavior, the event history prepared in the storage unit 202 is referred to.

  Then, a contribution parameter for the observation angle θ is calculated for each event, and the sum of the contribution parameters is set as an environmental parameter value for the observation angle θ.

  As mentioned above, when the volume of the sound emitted by the character is considered as an environmental parameter, an event of “sharp sound” occurs for the action of “the character causes a gun hammer” and “the character falls Can be associated with an operation such as the occurrence of an event of “dull sound”.

  By adopting the following calculation method, it is possible to change the contribution parameter value depending on the type of event.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the observation point, the reference direction, the observation angle, and the event occurrence place as seen from above the virtual space. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The distance R between the observation point 501 and the event occurrence location 502 can be calculated from information stored in the storage unit 202. The direction 504 of the observation angle θ is a direction rotated clockwise from the reference direction 503 by θ, and an event occurrence location 502 exists in a direction rotated clockwise from the reference direction 503 around the observation point 501 by ψ. .

When it is considered that a phenomenon caused by the occurrence of an event propagates while spreading in the virtual world, it is natural to think that the contribution parameter value satisfies the following properties.
(P) When the angle difference | θ−ψ | between the observation angle θ and the angle ψ formed by the direction from the observation point 501 to the event occurrence location 502 and the reference direction 503 increases, the contribution parameter value decreases.
(Q) As the elapsed time tT from the event occurrence time T to the current time t increases, the contribution parameter value decreases.
(R) As the distance R between the event occurrence location 502 and the observation point 501 increases, the contribution parameter value decreases.

As a function of such attenuation type (non-increasing type), using a positive coefficient k, (0) f _{0, k} (x) = 1 (x ≦ k);
f _{0, k} (x) = 0 (k ≦ x)
(1) f _{1, k} (x) = k / (x + k)
(2) f _{2, k} (x) = k ² / (x + k) ²
(3) f _{3, k} (x) = exp (-kx)
(4) f _{4, k} (x) = 1-kx (0 ≦ x ≦ 1 / k);
f _{4, k} (x) = 0 (1 / k ≦ x)
(5) f _{5, k} (x) = 1-kx ² (0 ≦ x ² ≦ 1 / k);
f _{5, k} (x) = 0 (1 / k ≦ x ² )
(6) ……
Etc. can be considered.

Then
(1) The coefficient for the basic loudness of the event is A
(2) The coefficients for the angle difference | θ-ψ |
(3) The coefficients for the elapsed time tT are i, q
(4) The coefficient for the distance R is j, s
And the contribution parameter is
A × f _{h, p} (| θ-ψ |) × f _{i, q} (tT) × f _{j, s} (R)
It can be calculated as follows.

  Therefore, the association with the action of the enemy character is based on the nature of the action, and can be selected from a combination of various specific values of the coefficients A, h, p, i, q, j, and s. The event generation type stored in the event history may be expressed by a combination of the coefficients A, h, p, i, q, j, and s.

  According to this calculation method, by calculating the environmental parameter based on the event corresponding to the action adopted by the character, a clue for guessing the action of the character can be presented to the player.

(Environmental parameters based on information such as topography)
The environmental parameter to be displayed in the graph can be calculated based on the contribution parameter value set for each point in the virtual space.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the relationship between the observation point, the observation angle, and the point associated with the contribution parameter value to be considered is viewed from above the virtual space.

  As shown in the figure, the ground of the virtual space is divided into cells 601, and a contribution parameter value is assigned to each cell 601.

  The grid 601 through which the path 602 that travels by the observation distance S in the observation angle direction 504 rotated clockwise from the reference direction 503 by θ around the observation point 501 is displayed in gray in this drawing.

In this method, any one of (1) maximum value (2) minimum value (3) average value (4) integrated value of contribution parameter value stored in gray cell 601 through which path 602 passes is measured with respect to observation angle θ. It is an environmental parameter value.

  Whether or not the path 602 passes through the cell 601 can be easily determined by, for example, Bresenham's algorithm.

  In this embodiment, by applying various amounts such as altitude, temperature, brightness, volume, character population density, slipperiness of the ground, inclination of the ground, and the like as the contribution parameter values, It can be presented to the player in an easy-to-understand manner.

(Correction by random number of environmental parameters)
This method is a method of correcting the environmental parameter value X obtained by the above method based on a pseudo random number.

The pseudo random number is generated when the observation angle θ is selected. For example, when a uniform random number Y between 0 and 1 is obtained as the pseudo random number, using appropriate constants W and Z,
(1) X × (Y-0.5) / W
(2) (Y-0.5) / W
(3) X × (YZ) / W
(4) (YZ) / W
Etc. are used as correction values, and the correction values are added to the above-mentioned environmental parameter value X for correction, and the corrected environmental parameter value is stored in the storage unit 202.

  There are errors in the measured values in the real world, and by simulating such errors, the player feels the virtual space more realistic. Therefore, such an error is simulated by correcting the environmental parameter with a correction value based on a random number.

  According to this method, it is possible to simulate as if an error has occurred in the graph display when displaying environmental parameters, and to provide a player with a virtual space that feels more realistic. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, when displaying environmental parameters in the virtual space, a parameter processing device, a parameter processing method, and A program for realizing these by a computer can be provided.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary structure of the typical information processing apparatus which performs the function of the parameter processing apparatus of this invention by running a program. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the parameter processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the parameter processing method performed with the parameter processing apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the example of the graph image produced | generated, and virtual space. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the graph image display updated sequentially. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between an observation point, a reference | standard direction, an observation angle, and the occurrence place of an event seen from the sky in virtual space. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the relationship between an observation point, an observation angle, and the point matched with the contribution parameter value to consider was seen from the sky.

Explanation of symbols

101 Information processing apparatus 102 CPU
103 RAM
104 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 105 Input device 106 Image processing part 107 Liquid crystal display 108 Audio | voice processing part 109 Speaker 110 Cassette reader 111 ROM cassette 201 Parameter processing apparatus 202 Storage part 203 Calculation part 204 Repetition part 205 Display part 501 Observation point 502 Event generation place 503 Reference direction 504 Direction of observation angle 551 Character of interest 601 Grid 602 Route

Claims (7)

A storage unit that stores the current position and reference direction of the observation point arranged in the virtual space, the current position of the character of interest arranged in the virtual space, and stores the environment parameter value and the angle in association with each other ,
A calculation unit for calculating an environmental parameter value in the virtual space observed from the current position of the stored observation point for a direction deviated from the stored reference direction by a given angle;
For each of a plurality of predetermined observation angles, an iterative unit that updates an environmental parameter value calculated by giving the observation angle to the calculation unit in association with the observation angle and stores it in the storage unit ,
A display unit for displaying a graph associating the environmental parameter value and the angle stored in association with the storage unit on a screen;
The repeating unit has an angular difference between the observation angle and an angle formed by the stored reference point and the stored reference direction from the current position of the stored observation point to the current position of the stored target character. Determine whether it is within a predetermined threshold range,
(A) If it is within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation unit at a predetermined high frequency,
(B) If not within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation unit at a predetermined low frequency lower than the predetermined high frequency,
The parameter processing apparatus, wherein the display unit updates the screen display of the graph at a display update frequency equal to or higher than the predetermined high frequency. The parameter processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The storage unit further stores a contribution parameter value at each point in the virtual space,
The calculation unit is configured to perform the calculation for each of the points existing on a path that travels a predetermined observation distance from the current position of the stored observation point in a direction deviated from the stored reference direction by the given angle. A parameter processing apparatus characterized in that a maximum value, a minimum value, an average value, or an integrated value of stored contribution parameter values is used as the environmental parameter value. The parameter processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The storage unit further stores the current position of the non-attention character placed in the virtual space, the generation type, the generation time, and the generation location of the event that occurred in the virtual space in association with each other,
For each of the attention character and the non-attention character in which the current position is stored, the repetition unit sets the type of the event associated with the type of the action performed by the character in advance as the generation type, and the time when the operation is performed As the generation time, the position of the character as the generation location, and the corresponding storage and update in the storage unit,
For each of the stored events, the calculation unit
(P) an angle difference between the observation angle and an angle formed by a direction from the current position of the stored observation point to the stored event occurrence place and the stored reference direction;
(Q) the elapsed time from the time of occurrence of the event to the present,
(R) the distance from the place where the event occurred to the current position of the observation point;
The contribution parameter value based on the above is calculated, and the value obtained by integrating the calculated contribution parameter value is set as the environmental parameter value.
The contribution parameter value decreases as the angle difference increases, decreases as the elapsed time increases, and decreases as the distance increases. The parameter processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The repetition unit determines a correction value by a random number generated each time the observation speed is given to the calculation unit, adds the determined correction value to the calculated environmental parameter value, corrects the correction value, A parameter processing device, wherein the modified environmental parameter value is stored in the storage unit and updated in association with the observation angle instead of the calculated environmental parameter value. The parameter processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:
The display unit further displays an image of the virtual space viewed from the stored observation point in the stored reference direction;
The parameter processing apparatus, wherein the display unit displays the graph on a screen with polar coordinates having the environment parameter value as a radius with respect to the angle. A parameter processing method executed by a parameter processing apparatus including a storage unit, a calculation unit, a repetition unit, and a display unit,
The storage unit stores the current position and reference direction of the observation point arranged in the virtual space and the current position of the target character arranged in the virtual space, and the environment parameter value corresponds to the angle. Remembered,
A calculation step in which the calculation unit calculates an environmental parameter value in the virtual space observed from the current position of the stored observation point with respect to a direction deviated from the stored reference direction by a given angle;
For each of a plurality of predetermined observation angles, the repetition unit stores the environmental parameter value calculated by giving the observation angle to the calculation unit in the storage unit in association with the observation angle. Recurring process,
The display unit includes a display step of displaying a graph associating an environmental parameter value and an angle stored in association with the storage unit on a screen,
In the repeating step, an angle difference between the observation angle and an angle formed by the direction from the current position of the stored observation point to the current position of the stored character of interest and the stored reference direction is calculated. Determine whether it is within a predetermined threshold range,
(A) If it is within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation step at a predetermined high frequency;
(B) if not within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation step at a predetermined low frequency lower than the predetermined high frequency;
In the display step, the screen display of the graph is updated at a display update frequency equal to or higher than the predetermined high frequency. Computer
A storage unit that stores the current position and reference direction of the observation point arranged in the virtual space, the current position of the character of interest arranged in the virtual space, and stores the environment parameter value and the angle in association with each other ,
A calculation unit for calculating an environmental parameter value in the virtual space observed from the current position of the stored observation point for a direction deviated from the stored reference direction by a given angle;
For each of a plurality of predetermined observation angles, an iterative unit that updates an environmental parameter value calculated by giving the observation angle to the calculation unit in association with the observation angle and stores it in the storage unit ,
Functioning as a display unit for displaying on a screen a graph associating an environmental parameter value and an angle stored in association with the storage unit;
The repeating unit has an angular difference between the observation angle and an angle formed by the stored reference point and the stored reference direction from the current position of the stored observation point to the current position of the stored target character. Determine whether it is within a predetermined threshold range,
(A) If it is within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation unit at a predetermined high frequency,
(B) If not within the predetermined threshold range, the observation angle is given to the calculation unit at a predetermined low frequency lower than the predetermined high frequency,
The display unit functions to update the screen display of the graph at a display update frequency equal to or higher than the predetermined high frequency.

Images