JP5180258B2 - GAME DEVICE, GAME CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device, a game control method, and a program suitable for appropriately linking opening / closing of a player's eyes and display on a screen.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a role playing game in which a player clears a game while moving a plurality of stages by operating one or a plurality of characters is known. In such a game, it is common for a player to operate a character using a controller provided in the game device (for example, Patent Document 1). Further, in such a game, when the stage is switched during the progress of the game, it generally takes time to read data of the next stage. While the stage is switched, an image unrelated to the progress of the game such as “Now Loading” is displayed on the screen, and the player is often bored while reading the data.

JP 2001-314645 A

  In the game as described above, there is a demand for enhancing interest by using not only the controller but also, for example, the opening and closing of the eyes of the player as an input. There is also a desire to prevent the player from being bored during the game by not showing anything that the player is not interested in.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a game device, a game control method, and a program suitable for appropriately linking the opening / closing of the eyes of the player and the display on the screen. And

  A game device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a detection unit, a selection unit, a drawing unit, and a display unit, and is configured as follows.

  The detection unit detects the open / closed state of the player's eyes.

  For example, the detection unit is a camera capable of recognizing a face, and detects opening / closing of the eyes of a player who operates the game device from a captured image.

  The selection unit selects one of a plurality of drawing forms when the detection unit detects that the eyes are closed for a predetermined time or more.

Here, the drawing form is a form of an image displayed on a monitor screen connected to the game device, and the appearance of the virtual space can be changed by changing the drawing form. There are a plurality of drawing modes, such as the brightness of the image and the color assigned to the virtual space.
In addition, if the eyes are closed for a predetermined time or longer, the eyes are closed, not the blinking, but the player intentionally closes the eyes.
For example, the selection unit selects the brightness of the image from a plurality of drawing forms when the detection unit detects that the eyes are closed for a predetermined time or more. At this time, the selection unit designates a value indicating the brightness of the image.

  The drawing unit draws an image of the virtual space based on the selected drawing form.

  For example, when the brightness of the image is selected as the drawing form, the drawing unit draws an image in the virtual space based on the brightness value of the image specified by the selection unit.

  The display unit displays the drawn image on the screen.

  That is, the display unit displays the drawn image on a monitor screen connected to the game device.

  According to the present invention, the state of the virtual space seen by the player can be changed by appropriately linking the opening and closing of the player's eyes and the display on the screen.

  Note that the drawing form may include setting of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual space, and the drawing unit may draw an image representing a state of viewing the virtual space from the viewpoint position to the line-of-sight direction.

  For example, the viewpoint position is the position of the virtual camera arranged in the virtual space, and the line-of-sight direction is the shooting direction of the virtual camera. When the selection unit selects the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction as a drawing form, a state from the viewpoint position to the line-of-sight direction is displayed on the monitor screen.

  According to the present invention, the player can change the position in the virtual space by controlling the opening and closing of his / her eyes.

  The drawing form may include setting of an image filter, and the drawing unit may draw an image subjected to the image filter.

  Here, the image filter is a filter that converts the brightness, color, and the like of the image. For example, when the selection unit selects an image filter that converts brightness as a drawing form, an image drawn with brightness different from that of the original image is generated.

  According to the present invention, the player can change the appearance of the image displayed on the screen by controlling the opening and closing of his / her eyes.

  In addition, the drawing form may include setting the speed of time passage in the virtual space, and the drawing unit may draw the image at the speed.

  Here, the speed of passage of time in the virtual space indicates the progress speed of the game. For example, when the selection unit selects the speed of passage of time as the drawing mode, the game progresses at a speed faster than the progress speed of the game before closing the eyes.

  According to the present invention, the player can change the progress speed of the game by controlling the opening and closing of his eyes.

  In addition, the game device of the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of data for expressing the virtual space, and a reading unit that reads any data from the storage unit. If the condition for transitioning from one data to the next data is satisfied, and the state where the eyes are closed is detected for a predetermined time or more by the detection unit, the reading unit may start reading the next data .

For example, data for each stage or scene of the game is stored in the storage unit, and the drawing unit draws an image representing the virtual space based on the data.
Also, for example, the transition condition is to clear the stage currently being played. When the player clears the stage and closes the predetermined time, the reading unit starts reading data of the next stage.

  According to the present invention, the player can control the progress of the game by controlling the opening and closing of his eyes.

  In addition, during a period until the reading unit completes reading of the next data, if the detection unit does not detect the state where the eyes are opened, the drawing unit displays the virtual space represented by the read data. An image may be drawn.

  For example, it is assumed that an image written “Now Loading” is displayed on the screen while data of the next stage is being read. If the player keeps closing his eyes while the data is being read, the virtual space of the next stage is displayed on the screen after the data reading is completed.

  According to the present invention, the player does not show anything uninteresting to the player by preventing the player from proceeding to the next stage unless the eyes are closed while the next stage data is being read. Can be.

  In addition, during a period until the reading unit completes reading of the next data, when the detection unit detects that the eyes are open, the reading unit may stop reading the data.

  For example, if the player opens his eyes while data of the next stage is being read, the data reading is stopped and the virtual space of the stage before the reading is started is displayed on the screen. .

  According to the present invention, if the player opens his eyes while the next stage data is being read, the player is forced to close his eyes by preventing the player from proceeding to the next stage. Can be.

  The game control method which concerns on the 2nd viewpoint of this invention is a game control method which a game device provided with a detection part, a selection part, a drawing part, and a display part performs, Comprising: A detection process and a selection process And a drawing process and a display process, which are configured as follows.

  In the detection step, the detection unit detects the open / closed state of the player's eyes.

  In the selection step, the selection unit selects one of a plurality of drawing forms when the detection unit detects that the eyes are closed for a predetermined time or more.

  In the drawing step, the drawing unit draws an image of the virtual space based on the selected drawing form.

  In the display step, the display unit displays the drawn image on the screen.

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

  The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording 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 recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device, a game control method, and a program suitable for appropriately linking the opening / closing of the eyes of the player and the display on the screen.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the outline composition of the typical information processor with which the game device concerning the embodiment of the present invention is realized. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a game device according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a game image. It is a figure which shows the viewpoint position and visual line direction arrange | positioned in virtual space. It is a figure which shows the enemy character which moves in virtual space. It is a figure which shows an example of a game image. It is a figure which shows an example of a game image. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a game control process performed by each unit of the game apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a drawing form selection process performed by a selection unit of the game device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the game device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a game image. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a game control process performed by each unit of the game apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  The game device of the present invention controls display of the virtual space based on opening and closing of the eyes of the player. There are a plurality of methods for controlling the display of the virtual space, and a game apparatus that employs each method will be described as Embodiment 1 or 2.

The game device according to the first embodiment employs a technique of changing the drawing form of the virtual space based on opening and closing of the eyes.
The game device according to the second embodiment employs a technique for controlling the progress of the game based on the opening and closing of the eyes in the technique of the first embodiment.

  First, a typical information processing apparatus in which the game apparatus of these embodiments is realized will be described. In the following, in order to facilitate understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using an information processing device for games will be described, but the embodiment described below is for explanation, It is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 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 100 that performs the functions of the game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention by executing a program. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, an interface 104, a controller 105, an external memory 106, and an image processing unit 107. A DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) drive 108, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 109, an audio processing unit 110, and a camera 111.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100, is connected to each component, and exchanges control signals and data. Further, the CPU 101 uses arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division, logical sum, logical product, etc. using an ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) (not shown) for a storage area called a register (not shown) that can be accessed at high speed. , Logic operations such as logical negation, bit operations such as bit sum, bit product, bit inversion, bit shift, and bit rotation can be performed. In addition, the CPU 101 itself is configured so that saturation operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division for multimedia processing, vector operations such as trigonometric functions, etc. can be performed at a high speed, and those provided with a coprocessor. There is.

  The ROM 102 stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program stored in the DVD-ROM is read to the RAM 103 and the CPU 101 starts execution. The The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and chat communication. Further, the CPU 101 provides a variable area in the RAM 103 and performs an operation by directly operating the ALU on the value stored in the variable, or temporarily stores the value stored in the RAM 103 in the register. Processing is performed on the register, and the result of the operation is written back to the memory.

  The controller 105 is connected via the interface 104. The controller 105 receives an operation input performed when the player executes the game.

  The external memory 106 is detachably connected via the interface 104. The external memory 106 stores rewritable data indicating game play status (past results, etc.), game progress data, chat communication log (record) data in the case of a network match, and the like. The The player can store these data in the external memory 106 as appropriate by inputting an instruction via the controller 105.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the CPU 101 or the image processing unit 107, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information stored in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to a monitor connected to the image processing unit 107. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  The DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 stores a program for realizing the game and image data and sound data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 108 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  Further, the image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed.

  In addition, when the virtual space is configured in three dimensions, polygon information that is arranged in the three-dimensional space and to which various texture information is added is rendered by the Z buffer method, and a predetermined viewpoint position is used. It is also possible to perform a high-speed execution of a calculation that obtains a rendering image obtained by looking down at a polygon arranged in the virtual space in the direction of a predetermined line of sight.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor cooperate to draw a character string as a two-dimensional image in the frame memory or draw it on the surface of each polygon according to the font information that defines the character shape. It is.

  The NIC 109 is used to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and is based on the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). Or analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, cable for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line A modem or the like, and an interface (not shown) that mediates between them and the CPU 101 are configured.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from a speaker (not shown) connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 101, sound effects and music data to be generated during the progress of the game are generated, and sound corresponding to this is output from the speaker.

  When the sound data recorded on the DVD-ROM is MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) data, the sound processing unit 110 refers to the sound source data included in the sound data and converts the MIDI data into PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data. Convert. If the compressed audio data is in ADPCM (Adaptive Differential PCM) format or Ogg Vorbis format, it is expanded and converted to PCM data. The PCM data can be output by performing D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency and outputting it to a speaker.

  The camera 111 is connected via the interface 104. The camera 111 captures the player's face and converts the captured image into an electrical signal. The camera 111 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, a CMOS (Complimentary MOS) sensor, and the like.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108, and the like. You may comprise.

  The information processing apparatus 100 described above corresponds to a so-called “consumer video game apparatus”, but the present invention can be realized as long as it performs image processing to display a virtual space. Therefore, the present invention can be realized on various computers such as a mobile phone, a portable game device, a karaoke apparatus, and a general business computer.

  For example, a general computer includes an CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a DVD-ROM drive, and an NIC as in the information processing apparatus 100, and an image processing unit having a simpler function than the information processing apparatus 100. In addition to having a hard disk as an external storage device, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, and the like can be used. Further, not the controller 105 but a keyboard or a mouse is used as an input device.

  Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the game apparatus according to the first or second embodiment realized in the information processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. A game according to the first or second embodiment is executed by attaching a DVD-ROM storing a game program and data to the DVD-ROM drive 108 and turning on the power of the information processing apparatus 100. A device is realized.

(Embodiment 1)
The game device according to the first embodiment employs a technique of changing the drawing form of the virtual space based on opening and closing of the eyes.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game device 200 according to the first embodiment includes a detection unit 201, a selection unit 202, a drawing unit 203, and a display unit 204, and is configured as follows.

The detection unit 201 captures the face of the player 301 and detects the open / closed state of the eyes of the player 301 from the captured face image. For example, the image of the player 301 photographed by the camera is binarized to obtain a monochrome image. At this time, a threshold value is set so that feature areas such as eyes and mouth are expressed in black. The detection unit 201 continuously detects the eye region, and considers that the eye is closed when the region changes to white.
Therefore, the CPU 101 and the camera 111 function as the detection unit 201 in cooperation.

When the detection unit 201 detects that the eyes are closed for a predetermined time or more, the selection unit 202 selects one of a plurality of drawing forms. In the present embodiment, when the state where the eyes are closed continues for a predetermined time or more, the state where the eyes are closed is not blinking but is regarded as a state where the player intentionally closes the eyes. Then, using the closing of the predetermined time as a trigger, the selection unit 202 selects a drawing form. Here, the drawing form indicates the form of an image displayed on the screen 302, and is, for example, brightness or color. That is, there are a plurality of drawing forms. The appearance of the virtual space can be changed by changing the drawing form. Specific examples will be described later. In addition, the selection unit 202 may select any one of a plurality of drawing forms, for example, select randomly, or select according to a game program.
Therefore, the CPU 101 functions as the selection unit 202.

In the present embodiment, the drawing form indicates the speed of time passage in the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction, the image filter, and the virtual space.
The “viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction” are the position of the virtual camera arranged in the virtual space and the shooting direction of the virtual camera. The state from the viewpoint position in the line-of-sight direction is displayed on the monitor screen 302.
The “image filter” is a filter that converts the brightness of the image, the color to be given to the enemy character, and the like. The image filter also includes a filter that gives a visual effect as if the player is looking at a dark virtual space using an infrared camera.
The “speed of time passage in the virtual space” indicates the progress speed of the game.

The drawing unit 203 draws an image in the virtual space based on the drawing form selected by the selection unit 202.
Therefore, the CPU 101 and the image processing unit 107 cooperate to function as the drawing unit 203.

Hereinafter, a specific example of an image in the virtual space drawn by the drawing unit 203 will be described.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a game image of a game executed on the game device 200. This game is a game in which the player defeats a plurality of enemy characters 401 appearing in the virtual space.
In addition, FIG. 4 shows candidates of viewpoint positions and line-of-sight directions arranged in the virtual space. FIG. 4 is a view of the virtual space where the enemy character 401 is arranged as viewed from above the enemy character 401. The screen 302 displays the state of the virtual space viewed from any viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction. At present, it is assumed that the state from the viewpoint position 411 and the line-of-sight direction 421 (FIG. 3A) is displayed on the screen 302.

  It is assumed that the selection unit 202 has selected the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction as the drawing form. In this case, the selection unit 202 selects one of the viewpoints from the set of candidate viewpoint positions and line-of-sight directions (viewpoint position 411 and line-of-sight direction 421, viewpoint position 412 and line-of-sight direction 422, viewpoint position 413 and line-of-sight direction 423). Select a set of position and gaze direction. The method by which the selection unit 202 selects the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction is arbitrary. For example, the selection unit 202 may randomly select a set of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction from the candidates, or the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight so as to move counterclockwise around the enemy character 401 from the current viewpoint position. A direction may be selected. Further, the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction may be selected independently.

  Assuming that the viewpoint position 412 and the line-of-sight direction 422 are designated by the selection unit 202, the drawing unit 203 is a virtual space representing a state from the designated viewpoint position 412 and the line-of-sight direction 422 as shown in FIG. Draw an image. If the selection unit 202 specifies the viewpoint position 413 and the line-of-sight direction 423, the drawing unit 203 draws an image in the virtual space as shown in FIG.

Thus, the player can change the position in the virtual space by controlling the opening and closing of his / her eyes.
Each viewpoint position may be associated with a different character. In this case, when the eyes are closed for a predetermined time and then the eyes are opened, the position in the virtual space and the character operated by the player are changed, and the player can operate a character different from the character operated before closing the eyes. it can.

  Assume that the selection unit 202 selects an image filter as a drawing form. In this case, the selection unit 202 gives a visual effect as seen using an infrared camera in a dark virtual space, a “filter that converts brightness”, a “filter that converts a color to be applied to the enemy character 401”, One or more image filters are selected from a plurality of image filters such as “filter”.

  It is assumed that the selection unit 202 has selected a filter for converting brightness. The selection unit 202 obtains the brightness of the virtual space after applying the image filter according to a predetermined method. For example, it is assumed that as a predetermined method, a method is adopted in which half the value of the currently set brightness value is used as the brightness after image filtering. Further, brightness is expressed by a value of 1 to 10, and it is assumed that the larger the value is, the brighter the screen is. If the brightness value of the image currently displayed on the screen 302 (FIG. 3A) is set to “6”, the selection unit 202 calculates the brightness value as “3”. If the brightness value of the image in FIG. 6A is “3”, the drawing unit 203 displays the image of the virtual space having the brightness value obtained by the selection unit 202 (FIG. 6A). Draw.

  Further, it is assumed that the selection unit 202 has selected a filter that converts the color to be given to the enemy character 401. The selection unit 202 obtains the color of the enemy character 401 after applying the image filter according to a predetermined method. For example, it is assumed that a method of giving a color that increases the contrast between the color of the enemy character 401 and the background color is adopted as the predetermined method. If the enemy character 401 and the background color included in the image currently displayed on the screen 302 (FIG. 3A) are “yellow”, the selection unit 202 is “purple” which is a complementary color of “yellow”. "Is obtained as a color to be given to the enemy character 401. The drawing unit 203 renders an image of the virtual space (FIG. 6B) by giving the enemy character 401 “purple” having a high contrast with the background “yellow” designated by the selection unit 202.

  Further, it is assumed that the selection unit 202 selects a filter that gives a visual effect as seen with an infrared camera in a dark virtual space. The selection unit 202 designates black except for a partial area of the image, and designates the partial area so as to have an appropriate color so that the state of the virtual space can be visually recognized. Then, the drawing unit 203 draws a virtual space image as shown in FIG. 6C based on the designation of the selection unit 202.

  Thus, the player can change the appearance of the image displayed on the screen by controlling the opening and closing of his / her eyes.

  Further, it is assumed that the selection unit 202 has selected the speed of time passage in the virtual space as the drawing form. In this case, the selection unit 202 obtains the speed of elapse of time set after closing the predetermined time according to a predetermined method. For example, as a predetermined method, a method is adopted in which a value that is twice the currently set time passage speed value is used as a new time passage speed value. Moreover, the speed of time passage is represented by a value of 1 to 10, and it is assumed that the time passage in the virtual space becomes faster as the value increases. Assuming that the speed of passage of time is currently set to “5”, the selection unit 202 obtains the value of the speed of passage of time as “10”. The drawing unit 203 draws an image representing the virtual space so that the time in the virtual space elapses at the designated speed value “10”.

FIG. 5 shows the position when the enemy character 401 moves with time. FIG. 5 is a view of the virtual space where the enemy character 401 is arranged as viewed from above the enemy character 401. It is assumed that the distance 501 and the distance 502 have the same length. If the speed of passage of time “5” is set before the player closes his eyes, the enemy character 401 moves to the position 402 in one second.
On the other hand, when the speed of passage of time “10” is set, the enemy character 401 moves to the position 403 in one second. That is, since the speed of time elapses, the enemy character 401 has a distance (distance 501+) that is double the distance (distance 501) that the enemy character 401 moves when the time elapse speed “5” is set. Move the distance 502). When the speed of passage of time “5” is set, the drawing unit 203 changes the position of the enemy character 401 from the position shown in FIG. 7A (position of the enemy character 401 in FIG. 5) per second to FIG. Drawing is performed so as to move to the position shown in b) (position 402 in FIG. 5). When the player closes his eyes for a predetermined time and then opens his eyes, the drawing unit 203 moves the enemy character 401 from the position shown in FIG. 7A to the position shown in FIG. Drawing is performed so as to move to (position 403 in FIG. 5).

  Generally, the number of enemy characters that appear in one stage is almost constant. Therefore, setting the speed of time passage to a double value means that the moving speed of the enemy character moving in the virtual space is doubled, and the time interval at which the enemy character appears is halved. In this case, since the player is required to respond to the enemy character more quickly, the difficulty level of the game is increased. Thus, the player can change the progress speed of the game by controlling the opening and closing of his / her eyes.

The display unit 204 displays the image drawn by the drawing unit 203 on the screen 302.
Accordingly, the CPU 101 and the image processing unit 107 cooperate to function as the display unit 204.

  Hereinafter, operations performed by each unit of the game apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. When the game apparatus 200 is powered on, the CPU 101 starts a game control process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The detection unit 201 captures the face of the player 301 and detects the open / closed state of the eyes of the player 301 from the captured face image (step S101). For example, the detection unit 201 detects an eye position from a face image obtained by photographing the face of the player 301, and performs binarization processing on the image of the eye position. Then, the detection unit 201 determines that the eyes are closed if a black region indicating a black eye is not detected.

  Next, the detection unit 201 determines whether or not the eyes are closed for a predetermined time (step S102). When the detection unit 201 determines that the state where the eyes are closed continues for a predetermined time (step S102; Yes), the selection unit 202 starts a drawing form selection process (step S103, FIG. 9). On the other hand, when the detection unit 201 determines that the state where the eyes are closed does not continue for a predetermined time (step S102; No), the process returns to step S101. For example, when the predetermined time is 5 seconds, the player 301 closes the eyes for 5 seconds or more, and when the state is detected by the detection unit 201 for 5 seconds, the selection unit 202 starts the drawing form selection process. On the other hand, if the player 301 closes his eyes but opens his eyes before the closed state is detected for 5 seconds, the image of the virtual space displayed on the screen does not change and continues to be detected. The state of opening / closing of the eyes is detected by the unit 201.

  When it is detected that the eyes are closed for a predetermined time, the selection unit 202 determines whether or not the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction are selected as a drawing form (step S201). When the selection unit 202 selects the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction as a drawing form (step S201; Yes), the currently set viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction are changed (step S202), and the drawing form selection process ends. On the other hand, when the selection unit 202 does not select the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction as the drawing form (step S201; No), the selection unit 202 determines whether to select an image filter (step S203).

  For example, it is assumed that the viewpoint position 411 and the line-of-sight direction 421 shown in FIG. 4 are currently set for the virtual space, and the selection unit 202 selects the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction as the drawing form. In this case, the selection unit 202 selects the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction from a set of the viewpoint position 411 and the line-of-sight direction 421, the viewpoint position 412 and the line-of-sight direction 422, the viewpoint position 413 and the line-of-sight direction 423 by a predetermined method. . Then, the selection unit 202 sends information on the selected viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction to the drawing unit 203.

  When the selection unit 202 selects an image filter as a drawing form (step S203; Yes), the currently set image filter is changed (step S204), and the drawing form selection process is terminated. On the other hand, when the selection unit 202 does not select the image filter as the drawing form (step S203; No), the selection unit 202 determines whether to select the speed of time passage in the virtual space (step S205). .

  For example, it is assumed that the currently set brightness value is “6” and the image drawn with the brightness value “6” is the virtual space shown in FIG. If the selection unit 202 selects the brightness of the image filter as a drawing form, the selection unit 202 obtains a value that is half of the currently set brightness value as the brightness after applying the image filter. The value “3” is sent to the drawing unit 203.

  When the selection unit 202 selects the time lapse speed in the virtual space as the drawing form (step S205; Yes), the currently set speed of time lapse is changed (step S206). On the other hand, when the selection unit 202 does not select the speed of time passage in the virtual space as the drawing mode (step S205; No), the selection unit 202 ends the drawing mode selection process.

  For example, it is assumed that the currently set time passage speed value is “5”. Assuming that the selection unit 202 selects the speed of passage of time as a drawing form, the selection unit 202 opens the half of the currently set speed of passage of time after closing the predetermined time. The time elapsed speed value “10” is obtained as a later time elapsed speed value and sent to the drawing unit 203.

  When the drawing form selection process (step S103, FIG. 9) ends, the drawing unit 203 draws an image of the virtual space based on the designated drawing form (step S104).

  For example, in the drawing form selection process, when the selection unit 202 selects the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction as the drawing form (step S201; Yes), and the viewpoint position 412 and the line-of-sight direction 422 are designated, the drawing unit 203 displays The image of (b) is drawn. When the selection unit 202 selects the image filter as a drawing form (step S203; Yes) and the brightness value is designated as “3”, the drawing unit 203 draws the image of FIG. . Alternatively, when the selection unit 202 selects the speed of passage of time in the virtual space as a drawing form (step S205; Yes) and the value of the speed of passage of time is designated as “10”, the drawing unit 203 The character 401 is drawn so as to move from the position shown in FIG. 7A to the position shown in FIG. 7C per second.

  Then, the display unit 204 displays the image drawn by the drawing unit 203 on the monitor screen 302 connected to the game apparatus 200 (step S105).

  According to this embodiment, the state of the virtual space seen by the player can be changed by appropriately linking the opening and closing of the player's eyes and the display on the screen.

(Embodiment 2)
The game device according to the second embodiment employs a technique for controlling the progress of the game based on the opening and closing of the eyes in the technique of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the game device 200 according to the second embodiment includes a detection unit 201, a selection unit 202, a drawing unit 203, a display unit 204, a storage unit 205, and a reading unit 206. The configuration is as follows. Note that the detection unit 201, the selection unit 202, the drawing unit 203, and the display unit 204 of this embodiment have the same functions as those of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the storage unit 205 and the reading unit 206 having different functions will be described.

The storage unit 205 stores a plurality of data 205a for expressing the virtual space. For example, data 205a is stored for each game stage or each scene.
Therefore, the RAM 102 functions as the storage unit 205.

The reading unit 206 reads one of the data 205 a stored in the storage unit 205. The reading unit 206 reads the next data when the condition for shifting from the currently read data to the next data is satisfied and the detection unit 201 detects that the eyes are closed for a predetermined time or more. Start. Here, the transition conditions are, for example, defeating all enemy characters prepared in one stage or arriving at a place that is the goal of the stage. When the reading unit 206 is reading the next data, when the detection unit 201 does not detect an open state, that is, while the reading unit 206 is reading the next data, the player 301 When the eyes are not opened, the drawing unit 203 draws an image of the virtual space represented by the read data. On the other hand, when the detection unit 201 detects that the eyes are opened while the reading unit 206 is reading the next data, that is, while the reading unit 206 is reading the next data, the player 301 When the eyes are opened, the reading unit 206 stops reading data. Then, the drawing unit 206 draws an image based on the data used for drawing the virtual space before starting the reading.
Therefore, the CPU 101 functions as the reading unit 206.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, it is assumed that the player defeats the enemy character 401 and clears “stage 1”. Thereafter, when the detection unit 201 detects that the player has closed his eyes for a predetermined time or longer, the CPU 101 displays the message 404 in FIG. 11B on the screen 302, and the reading unit 206 reads “Stage” 2 "data is read out. Note that the image of FIG. 11B is displayed while the player closes his eyes, so the image will not be seen unless the player opens his eyes during reading. When the reading of the data of “Stage 2” is completed, the drawing unit 203 draws, for example, an image of the virtual space (FIG. 11C) in which a new enemy character 405 appears based on the data.

  When the reading unit 206 reads “Stage 2” data and the player 301 opens his / her eyes and the state is detected by the detecting unit 201, the reading unit 206 reads “Stage 2” data. Cancel. Then, the drawing unit 203 displays an image as shown in FIG. 11A based on the data of “Stage 1”. That is, the game does not move to “stage 2” but stays in “stage 1”. At this time, the player sees the image of FIG. 11B for a moment, but when it is detected that the player has opened his eyes, the image of the virtual space of “Stage 1” is immediately displayed on the screen. . In addition, when it comes to staying at "Stage 1", the image displayed on the screen is not limited to the image immediately before the start of reading as shown in FIG. You may make it return.

In addition, while the reading unit 206 is reading the next data, the data reading state may be notified by voice. For example, it is notified by voice as needed how many seconds it takes for the reading of data of “Stage 2” to be completed.
Further, the enemy character may attack while the player closes his eyes and the reading unit 206 reads the next data. In this case, since the player 301 must react to the attack of the enemy character, the player 301 is forced to return to the original stage or scene. In this way, by making the enemy character attack while the eyes are closed, the interest of the game can be improved.

  Hereinafter, operations performed by each unit of the game apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. When the game apparatus 200 is powered on, the CPU 101 starts a game control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 12, steps having the same step numbers as in FIG. 8 perform the same processing as the processing in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the detection unit 201 determines that the state in which the eyes are closed continues for a predetermined time (step S102; Yes), the reading unit 206 satisfies the transition condition from the currently read data to the next data. It is determined whether it has been performed (step S301). When the reading unit 206 determines that the transition condition is satisfied (step S301; Yes), the reading unit 206 starts reading the next data (step S302). On the other hand, when the reading unit 206 determines that the transition condition is not satisfied (step S301; No), the selection unit 202 starts a drawing form selection process (step S103, FIG. 9).

  For example, when the player 301 defeats all enemy characters prepared in “Stage 1” and clears “Stage 1”, and the player 301 has closed his eyes for a predetermined time or more, the reading unit 206 Start reading “Stage 2” data. On the other hand, when the player 301 has not cleared “Stage 1”, the selection unit 202 selects a drawing form.

  Then, the reading unit 206 determines whether or not the data reading is finished (step S303). When the reading unit 206 determines that the data reading has ended (step S303; Yes), the drawing unit 203 draws an image based on the read data (step S104). On the other hand, when the reading unit 206 determines that the data reading has not ended (step S303; No), the detection unit 201 determines whether the eyes of the player 301 have been opened (step S304).

  For example, when the reading unit 206 finishes reading the data of “Stage 2”, the drawing unit 203 draws an image representing the virtual space of “Stage 2” based on the data of “Stage 2”. On the other hand, when the reading unit 206 has not finished reading “Stage 2” data, the detection unit 201 determines whether or not the eyes of the player 301 have been opened during the reading of “Stage 2” data.

  When the detection unit 201 determines that the eyes of the player 301 have been opened (step S304; Yes), the reading unit 206 stops reading data that is currently being read (step S305). The drawing unit 203 draws an image based on the original data (step S104). On the other hand, when the detection unit 201 determines that the eyes of the player 301 are not opened (step S304; No), the process returns to step S303, and the reading unit 206 has finished reading data while continuing to read data. Judge whether or not.

  For example, when the detection unit 201 detects that the eyes of the player 301 are opened while reading “Stage 2” data, the reading unit 206 stops reading “Stage 2”. The rendering unit 203 renders an image based on the data of “Stage 1”. On the other hand, when the detection unit 201 does not detect that the eyes of the player 301 are opened during the reading of the “Stage 2” data, the reading unit 206 continues to read the “Stage 2” data.

  According to this embodiment, the player can control the progress of the game by controlling the opening and closing of his eyes.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device, a game control method, and a program suitable for appropriately linking the opening / closing of the eyes of the player and the display on the screen.

100 Information processing apparatus
101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 interface
105 Controller 106 External memory
107 Image processing unit
108 DVD-ROM drive
109 NIC
110 Speech processing unit
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 111 Camera 200 Game device 201 Detection part 202 Selection part 203 Drawing part 204 Display part 205 Storage part 206 Reading part 301 Player 302 Screen 401,405 Enemy character 402,403 Position 404 Message 411,412, 413 Viewpoint position 421,422,423 Gaze direction 501, 502 Distance

Claims (10)

A detection unit for detecting the open / closed state of the player's eyes;
A selection unit that selects one of a plurality of drawing forms when a state in which the eyes are closed is detected for a predetermined time or more by the detection unit;
A drawing unit for drawing a virtual space image based on the selected drawing form;
A display unit for displaying the drawn image on a screen;
A storage unit storing a plurality of data for expressing the virtual space;
A reading unit for reading any data from the storage unit;
With
When the transition condition from the currently read data to the next data is satisfied and the closed state is detected by the detection unit for a predetermined time or more, the read unit reads the next data Start
In a period until the reading unit completes reading of the next data, the drawing unit is represented by the read data when the detection unit does not detect that the eyes are opened. Draw a virtual space image
Game device comprising a call. The game device according to claim 1,
The drawing form includes setting of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual space,
The game device, wherein the drawing unit draws an image representing a state in which the virtual space is viewed from the viewpoint position in the line-of-sight direction. The game device according to claim 1 or 2,
The drawing form includes image filter settings;
The game device, wherein the drawing unit draws the image subjected to the image filter. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The drawing form includes setting the speed of time passage in the virtual space,
The game device characterized in that the drawing unit draws the image at the speed. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
During the period until the reading unit completes reading of the next data, the reading unit stops reading the data when the detection unit detects that the eyes are open. Game device to play.   A detection unit for detecting the open / closed state of the player's eyes;
  A reading unit that starts reading data different from currently read data from a storage unit in which a plurality of data is stored when a state where the eyes are closed is detected by the detection unit for a predetermined time or more;
  A drawing unit that draws an image represented by the read data when the detection unit does not detect that the eyes are open during the period until the reading unit completes reading the different data. When,
  A game apparatus comprising:   The game device according to claim 6,
  The reading unit starts reading the different data from the storage unit when the condition for shifting to the different data is satisfied and the closed state is detected by the detection unit for a predetermined time or more.
  A game device characterized by that.   The game device according to claim 6 or 7,
  If the detection unit detects that the eyes are open during the period until the reading unit completes reading the different data, the reading unit stops reading the data.
  A game device characterized by that. A game control method executed by a game device including a detection unit, a selection unit, a drawing unit, a display unit, a storage unit storing a plurality of data for expressing a virtual space, and a reading unit. And
A detection step in which the detection unit detects the open / closed state of the player's eyes;
When the selection unit detects a state in which the eyes are closed by the detection unit for a predetermined time or more, a selection step of selecting one of a plurality of drawing forms;
A drawing step of drawing an image of the virtual space on the basis of the drawing mode the drawing unit, which is the selected,
A display step in which the display unit displays the drawn image on a screen;
A reading step in which the reading unit reads any data from the storage unit;
With
When the transition condition from the currently read data to the next data is satisfied and the state where the eyes are closed is detected by the detection unit for a predetermined time or more, in the reading step, the reading unit Start reading the next data,
If the detection unit does not detect that the eyes are open during the period until the reading unit completes the reading of the next data, the drawing unit reads the read data in the drawing process. Draw a virtual space image represented by data
Game control method, wherein a call. A computer including a storage unit in which a plurality of data for expressing a virtual space is stored ,
A detection unit for detecting the open / closed state of the player's eyes;
A selection unit that selects one of a plurality of drawing forms when a state in which the eyes are closed is detected for a predetermined time or more by the detection unit;
It draws an image of the virtual space on the basis of the selected drawing mode,
A display unit for displaying the drawn image on a screen;
A reading unit for reading any data from the storage unit;
Function as
When the transition condition from the currently read data to the next data is satisfied and the closed state is detected by the detection unit for a predetermined time or more, the read unit reads the next data Start
In a period until the reading unit completes reading of the next data, the drawing unit is represented by the read data when the detection unit does not detect that the eyes are opened. Draw a virtual space image
Program for causing to function as.

Images