JPH08137380A - Three dimensional simulator device and picture synthesis method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a three dimensional simulation device and a picture synthesis method in which high quality pseudo-three dimensional image is formed in real time even though display objects are concentrated in the vicinity of the point of view of a player. CONSTITUTION: An object picture information storage section 212 stores plural kinds of object picture information in which the displays of moving parts are different. In a first selection means 120, plural order number ranges are set and an object picture information which has detailed displays of the moving sections is selected as the order number range, to which the order number of display objects belong, becomes smaller. In a second selection means 122, plural distance ranges are set and object picture information having detailed displays of moving parts is selected as the distance range, at which a display object is located, becomes smaller. The assignment of object picture information against the display objects by the means 122 is updated based on the selection result by the means 120.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional simulator device capable of simulating a virtual three-dimensional space and an image synthesizing method used for the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of three-dimensional simulators have been known for use in, for example, three-dimensional games or flight simulators for airplanes and various vehicles.
Such a three-dimensional simulator device is shown in FIG.
The image information about the three-dimensional object 300 shown in is stored in the device in advance. The three-dimensional object 300 represents a display object such as a landscape that the player (viewer) 302 can see through the screen 306. Then, the image information of the three-dimensional object 300, which is the display object, is subjected to perspective projection conversion on the screen 306 so that the pseudo 3
A three-dimensional image (projection image) 308 is displayed on the screen 306. In this device, when the player 302 performs operations such as rotation and translation on the operation panel 304, predetermined three-dimensional arithmetic processing is performed based on this operation signal. Specifically, first, the player 302 receives an operation signal.
A calculation process is performed to determine how the viewpoint position, the line-of-sight direction, the position, direction, etc. of the moving body on which the player 302 rides. Next, a calculation process is performed to find what the image of the three-dimensional object 300 looks like on the screen 306 according to the change in the viewpoint position, the line-of-sight direction, and the like. Then, the above arithmetic processing is performed in real time following the operation of the player 302. As a result, the player 302 can see in real time, as a pseudo three-dimensional image, a change in the viewpoint position of the player, a change in the line-of-sight direction, or the position of the moving body on which the player rides, a change in the scenery, etc., in a pseudo-three-dimensional image. You will be able to experience a virtual three-dimensional space.

FIG. 16B shows an example of a display image formed by the above three-dimensional simulator device.

[0004]

In such a three-dimensional simulator device, a display object such as a racing car is represented as a three-dimensional object which is a set of a plurality of polygons. In this case, the more polygons of the object representing the display object, the more accurately the display object can be expressed.
The image quality can be improved.

Particularly, a display object such as a racing car has a movable object such as a tire. Therefore, if the tire is configured to be able to move up and down with respect to the racing car body depending on the influence of the road surface, cornering, etc., a higher quality image can be obtained.

Therefore, the three-dimensional object of the racing car, the body part object representing the vehicle body,
A method is also conceivable in which the moving part parts objects representing the moving parts such as the wheels and the suspension are decomposed and stored. By doing so, it is possible to control the operation of each movable part object independently of the main body part object, and as a result, it is possible to display a racing car or the like in which the tires move up and down depending on the road surface condition. it can.

However, if such a method is adopted for all display objects, the quality of the image is improved, but the amount of data to be processed becomes enormous.

In such a three-dimensional simulator apparatus that requires real-time image synthesis processing, the amount of data that can be processed within a predetermined time is limited. Therefore, when the amount of data to be processed becomes enormous, it becomes impossible to process the data, for example, the movement of the self-viewpoint becomes extremely slow, the image becomes disjointed like a disassembled photograph, and many undisplayed objects occur. Occurs.

As one of the methods for solving such a problem, for example, as image data of a three-dimensional object,
A method may be considered in which a plurality of types of object image data having different degrees of detail of the movable part are prepared and the object to be used is selected according to the distance from the viewpoint position of the player. In other words, for display objects with a short distance,
This is a method of using the three-dimensional object image data with a detailed representation of the movable part and the easily displayed three-dimensional object image data for a distant display object.

However, even when this method is used, there are the following problems.

For example, in a racing car game,
This is a case where a plurality of racing cars and the like approach the periphery of the player car operated by the player, and a plurality of racing cars are densely displayed on the game screen viewed by the player. In this case, since the distance between the player's viewpoint position and the plurality of racing cars is very close, according to the above method, all of these racing cars are detailed three-dimensional objects (objects with high detail) that represent moving parts.
The calculation for obtaining the display position of the movable part such as the tire is required. For this reason, the amount of data to be processed becomes extremely large within the time (field), which causes a problem such as the generation of an object that is not displayed as described above.

The present invention has been made in order to achieve the technical problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to display a large number of display objects near a viewer's viewpoint. Another object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional simulator device and an image synthesizing method capable of forming a high-quality pseudo three-dimensional image in real time.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a virtual three-dimensional space calculating means for calculating a virtual three-dimensional space and three-dimensional object image information representing a display object. An image synthesizing unit that includes a prestored object image information storage unit, reads three-dimensional object image information from the object image information storage unit, and synthesizes a pseudo three-dimensional image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position. And a display unit for displaying the pseudo three-dimensional image, and the object image information storage unit stores a plurality of types of object image information having different degrees of detail in a predetermined display mode switching target display object. The stored and detailed representation of object image information is a combination of parts objects that represent multiple parts that make up the display object. The virtual three-dimensional space computing means is set as a set, and when the selecting means for selecting the object image information read from the object image information storing means and the reading of the detailed object image information are selected, each part is selected. Display data calculation means for calculating expression data of the object, wherein the selection means determines a plurality of sequence number ranges based on sequence numbers given to the display objects in the order of decreasing distance from the viewpoint position. In this case, the closer the sequence number range to which the sequence number assigned to the display object belongs, the closer the distance from the viewpoint position to the sequence number range, the more detailed the object image information of the plurality of types of object image information. It is characterized by including first selecting means for selecting from the inside.

As described above, according to the present invention, the object image information storage means stores a plurality of types of object image information having different degrees of detail in the expression for a predetermined display mode switching target display object. In particular, of the plurality of types of object image information, the detailed representation of the object image information is set as a combination of part objects that represent a plurality of parts that make up the display object.

Further, according to the present invention, the display object is provided with a sequence number in the order closer to the viewpoint, and a plurality of sequence number ranges, for example, the first, second and third sequence numbers are based on this sequence number. The range is decided. Here, the first sequence number range includes sequence numbers assigned to display objects near the viewpoint position, and the third sequence number range includes sequence numbers assigned to distant display objects. . Then, for example, if the sequence number of the display object belongs to the first sequence number range, the most detailed representation of the object image information, and if it belongs to the second sequence number range, the medium representation of the object image information, If it belongs to the third sequence number range, the simplest representation of the object image information is selected to display the image of the display object.

At the same time, when the detailed representation of the object image information is selected as the object image information, the representation data of the part object representing a plurality of parts constituting the display object is calculated at the same time.

Thus, not only the distance between the viewer's viewpoint position and the display object, but also the number of display objects closely gathered from the viewer's viewpoint position is taken into consideration. It is possible to perform selection and calculation of expression data for each part object that represents a plurality of parts that form a display object.

In this case, the object image information storage means stores a plurality of types of object image information of a predetermined display mode switching target display object having different degrees of detail of the expression of the movable part, and the object of the detailed expression is stored. Image information is the body part object of the display object,
It is formed as a combination with a movable part object, and the display data calculation means can be formed to calculate the position data of each part object as the expression data.

Further, according to the method of the present invention, in the image synthesizing method for synthesizing a pseudo three-dimensional image in which a virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position, a predetermined display mode switching target display object is displayed on the movable part. Storing a plurality of kinds of object image information having different degrees of detail, and storing the detailed object image information as a combination of a body part object of a display object and a movable part object, In the case where a plurality of sequence number ranges are determined based on the sequence numbers given to the display object in the order of closer distance from the viewpoint position, the sequence number range to which the sequence number given to the display object belongs is from the viewpoint position. The closer the distance is to the order number range, the more detailed the object image information is in the plurality of types of object image information. As well as selected, if detailed object image information for representation of the movable portion is selected, the step of calculating the position data of the part object,
Arranging an object of the object image information in the virtual three-dimensional space, and synthesizing a pseudo three-dimensional image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the viewpoint position.

As described above, for a predetermined display mode switching object, a plurality of types of object image information having different degrees of detail of the movable portion are stored, and the detailed object image information is displayed. By expressing it as a combination of the body part object of the object and the movable part object, it is possible to display a highly realistic image in which the tires move up and down according to the road surface, such as a racing car.

Further, the object image information of the detailed expression is formed so as to include an effect object representing an effect part of a display object, and the display data calculation means is formed to calculate expression data of the effect part object. You can also

By doing so, for example, by setting a backfire blown out from the muffler as a production object as a production part of a display object, the backfire is displayed on the screen only at a specific timing. It is possible to display various images.

As a result, it becomes possible to synthesize a pseudo three-dimensional image having a high effect. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, when a plurality of distance ranges are determined based on the distance between the viewpoint position and the display object, the selecting means determines the distance range where the display object is located. A second selection means for selecting detailed object image information from the plurality of types of object image information, the closer to the person's viewpoint position, the display of the object image information by the selection of the second selection means. It is characterized in that the allocation to the object is changed based on the selection result by the first selecting means.

According to the present invention, a plurality of distance ranges, for example, the first, second and third distance ranges are determined based on the distance between the viewpoint position of the viewer and the display object. Here, the first distance range is a distance range close to the viewer's viewpoint position,
The distance range of is a far distance range. Then, an object image of high precision when the position of the display object belongs to the first distance range, medium precision when the position of the display object belongs to the second distance range, and low precision when the position of the display object belongs to the third distance range. Information is selected as object image information for representing the display object. In the present invention, first, the object image information is assigned by selection based on the distance range, and then the assignment is changed according to the selection result based on the sequence number range. As a result, for example, when the display objects are close to each other in the vicinity of the viewer's viewpoint, the allocation of the object image information to the display objects can be optimized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the selecting means sets the distance at which the display object is located when a plurality of distance ranges are determined based on the distance between the viewpoint position and the display object. The object image according to the selection of the first selecting unit includes a second selecting unit that selects object image information of detailed expression from the plurality of types of object image information as the range is closer to the viewer's viewpoint position. The allocation of the information to the display object is changed based on the selection result by the second selecting means.

As described above, according to the invention of claim 5, the object image information is first assigned to the display object by selection based on the sequence number, and then the assignment is changed according to the selection result based on the distance range. It will be possible. By doing so, similarly to the invention of claim 4, when the display objects are close to each other in the vicinity of the viewpoint of the viewer, the allocation of the object image information to the display unit can be optimized.

[0027]

【Example】

1. Outline of Game First, an example of a three-dimensional game realized by the present three-dimensional simulator device will be briefly described.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the present three-dimensional simulator device. In the three-dimensional simulator device of FIG. 2, a plurality of independent simulator devices (game devices) 1-1,
1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 are connected to each other via a data transmission line. This makes it possible to realize a racing car game in which a player car operated by a player competes with a racing car operated by an opponent player or a computer car operated by a computer.

Here, an independent simulator device 1-
1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 mean that each simulator device is formed to be able to independently play a single player game. Of course, it is also possible to have a configuration in which a multi-player type game is played in the same game space with an opponent player via a data transmission line.

As shown in FIG. 2, each simulator device is formed similarly to the driver's seat of an actual racing car. Then, the player sits on the seat 18 and looks at the game screen (pseudo three-dimensional image of the scenery seen from the driver's seat of the racing car) displayed on the display 10 while looking at the steering wheel 14 and the accelerator 1 provided on the operation unit 12.
5. Operate an imaginary racing car by operating the shift lever 16 and the like to play a game.

The three-dimensional simulator device shown in FIG.
Although the game has a multi-player type game configuration, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be naturally applied to a single-player configuration.

FIG. 3 shows the virtual 3 in this three-dimensional game.
An example of a dimensional space is shown. In this way, the three-dimensionally formed courses 20 are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space in this three-dimensional game. Then, around the course 20, there are a building 60, an arch 62, a stand 64, and a cliff 6.
Three-dimensional objects such as 6, walls 68, tunnels 70, trees 72, bridges 74 are arranged. The player operates the racing car while looking at the display 10 showing these courses and the like. Then, starting from the start point 76, orbiting the course 20 and orbiting the course a predetermined number of times, it becomes a goal and the player's ranking is determined.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show examples of game screens displayed on the display 10 in the present three-dimensional game. The player operates the player car 51 while watching this game screen, and competes with the opponent racing car 52, the computer car 53, and the like.

Now, referring to FIG. 4, the player car 51
Since the tire 30, the suspension 32, the gauges 34, and the like of the (own vehicle) are very close to the player's viewpoint position, the number of polygons is high and the detail is high.
Is represented by a three-dimensional object.

Further, since the opponent racing car 52 is also close to the player car, it is also expressed by a three-dimensional object with high detail.

On the other hand, the computer car 53 is represented by a three-dimensional object with a medium number of polygons having a long distance from the player car and a medium number of polygons, or a three-dimensional object with a low number of polygons and a low detail. Further, the image of the side mirror 38 on the main screen 36 is displayed with the scene reduced compared to the main screen, and the details are expressed in a lower level than the main screen.

FIG. 5 shows a game screen when the computer car 53 slows down and approaches the player car. In this case, it is necessary for the computer car 53 to be represented by a three-dimensional object with high detail, like the opponent racing car 52. However, when a plurality of racing cars approach each other in this way, if they are all represented by a high-detail three-dimensional object, one field, for example (1
The amount of data to be processed (the number of polygons) will be enormous within / 60) seconds. For example, a high detail racing car object is composed of 200 to 400 polygons. Therefore, if all racing cars with a short distance are represented by racing car objects with high detail, the number of polygons to be processed in one field increases by this number (200 to 400) each time the racing car approaches, and A situation such as a decline will occur.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent this, in addition to the method of selectively using three-dimensional objects of high, middle, and low details depending on the distance, these three-dimensional objects are also determined by the sequence number attached to the display object. It uses the method of using properly. For example, in FIG. 5, the player car 51 (own vehicle) has the sequence number 1 and the opponent racing car 52.
The sequence number 2 on the computer car and the computer car 53 the sequence number 3
Is attached. This sequence number is given in order from the player's viewpoint position. Then, the racing cars with sequence numbers 1 and 2 are represented by high-dimensional three-dimensional objects, and the racing cars with sequence numbers 3 and later are represented by medium-detailed (or low-detail) three-dimensional objects. To do. As a result, the computer car 53 is represented by a three-dimensional object with medium details, and it is possible to prevent an enormous amount of processing data and a deterioration in image quality due to a plurality of racing cars approaching the player car. It

Further, according to the present embodiment, the high detail racing car three-dimensional object displayed in a conspicuous position is a body part three-dimensional object 48A-1 representing the vehicle body, as shown in FIG. It is configured as a combination with a plurality of movable part parts three-dimensional objects 48A-2 and 48A-3 that respectively represent a plurality of movable parts such as wheels and a suspension. Then, the display position data of each three-dimensional object representing the movable part (data representing the relative position and direction with respect to the body part object) is calculated for each frame. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, it is possible to display a racing car in which tires and suspensions are vertically vibrated in a small vibration in accordance with the unevenness of the road surface.

On the other hand, the middle and low detail racing car three-dimensional objects are shown in FIG.
As shown in (C), the movement of the movable parts is omitted, and the movable parts such as tires and suspensions are integrated with the vehicle body parts into a three-dimensional object 48B, 48C.
Is configured as As a result, since it is not necessary to calculate the display position data of each of the movable parts, from this aspect as well, a plurality of racing cars approach the player cars, resulting in an enormous amount of data to be processed and deterioration in image quality. Can be prevented.

2. Description of Entire Device FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a three-dimensional simulator device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG.
The dimensional simulator device includes an operation unit 12 for a player to input an operation signal, and a virtual three-dimensional space operation unit 1 for performing an operation for setting a virtual three-dimensional space according to a predetermined game program.
00, an image combining unit 200 that forms a pseudo three-dimensional image at the player's viewpoint position, and a display 10 that outputs the pseudo three-dimensional image.

For example, when the present three-dimensional simulator device is applied to a racing car game,
A steering wheel 14, an accelerator 15, etc. for driving a racing car are connected, and an operation signal is input thereby.

In the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100, a plurality of display objects in the virtual three-dimensional space shown in FIG. 3, for example, the course 20, the building 60, the arch 62, the stand 64, the cliff 6 are displayed.
6. A calculation for setting the position or position and direction of the player car, opponent racing car, computer car, etc. is performed. This calculation is based on the operation signal from the operation unit 12,
It is performed based on map information or the like that is set and stored in advance.

Then, the image synthesizing unit 200 performs a computation for synthesizing a view image from an arbitrary viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the computation result from the virtual three-dimensional space computing unit 100. Then, the combined view image is output from the display 10.

In the present embodiment, the virtual three-dimensional space computing section 100 has the first and second selecting means 120, 12.
A selection means 110 having 2 and a display data calculation means 13
0, and the image composition unit 200 includes an object image information storage unit 212.

The object image information storage section 212 stores object image information for representing a display object. Taking a racing car object as an example, a plurality of types of object image information having different degrees of detail of the moving parts, that is, image information of high, middle, and low detail racing car objects are stored (FIG. 13).
(See (A) to (C)).

Here, for example, in FIG.
As shown in (C), the image information of the middle and low detail racing car objects is formed as one three-dimensional object 48A, 48B as a whole, and is designed so that the calculation of the position data of the movable part is unnecessary. ing.

On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the image information 48A of the high detail racing car object is formed as a combination of a plurality of three-dimensional objects. That is, it is formed as a combination of the three-dimensional object 48A-1 of the vehicle body part, the plurality of suspension part objects 48A-2 and the tire part object 48A-3, which are movable parts, and the display position of each part can be set independently. Is designed to be. As a result, it is possible to display a racing car in which tires and suspensions are running in small vertical vibrations in accordance with the unevenness of the road surface.

Based on the selection results of the first and second selecting means 120 and 122, the selecting means 110 corresponds to the racing car and the object image information storage section 21.
The object image information to be read from 2 is determined.

Here, the second selection means 122 selects the object image information in which the representation of the movable portion is more detailed as the distance range to which the racing car belongs is closer to the viewpoint position. For example, in FIG. 4, high detail object image information is selected for the player car 51 and opponent racing car 52, and medium detail object image information is selected for the computer car 53. On the other hand, in FIG. 5, since the computer car 53 is approaching, high-detail object image information is selected for all of the player car 51, the opponent racing car 52, and the computer car 53.

In the first selecting means 120, the smaller the range of the sequence number to which the sequence number assigned to the racing car belongs, the more detailed the object image information representing the movable portion is selected. For example, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, high detail object image information for the player car (sequence number 1) and the opponent racing car 52 (sequence number 2), and for the computer car 53 (sequence number 3). Medium detail object image information is selected.

In this embodiment, the allocation of the object image information by the selection by the second selecting means 122 is changed based on the selection result by the first selecting means 120. For example, in FIG. 5, the high-detailed object image information is assigned to the computer car 53 by the selection of the second selection means 122, but the assignment is changed by the selection result of the first selection means 120, and the computer car 53 is changed. Object image information of medium detail is assigned to 53. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, when the opponent car 52 is close to the player car and the computer car 53 is suddenly approaching (when the racing cars are close to the player car), one field Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the number of polygons to be processed becomes enormous and the amount of calculation of the display position data of the movable part becomes enormous.

The display data calculation means 130, when the object image information of high detail is selected by the selection means 110, a plurality of three-dimensional objects constituting this image information, particularly a plurality of suspension parts representing movable part parts. The display position data of the object 48A-2 and the tire part object 48A-3 are calculated for each part.

In FIG. 6, the virtual three-dimensional space operation unit 100,
A block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the image composition unit 200 is shown. However, the configurations of the virtual three-dimensional space calculating means and the image synthesizing means in the present invention are not limited to those shown in FIG.

3. Description of Virtual Three-Dimensional Space Operation Unit As shown in FIG. 6, the virtual three-dimensional space operation unit 100 includes a processing unit 102, a virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 104, a movement information operation unit 106, a display object information storage unit 108, A sequence number detail table 112 and a distance detail table 114 are included.

Here, the processing unit 102 controls the entire three-dimensional simulator apparatus. In addition, the processing unit 102
A predetermined game program is stored in the storage unit provided inside. The virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100 calculates the virtual three-dimensional space according to the game program and the operation signal from the operation unit 12. The movement information calculation unit 106 calculates the movement information of the racing car according to the operation signal from the operation unit 12, the instruction from the processing unit 102, and the like.

The display object information storage unit 108 has a storage area corresponding to the number of display objects forming the virtual three-dimensional space. In each area, the position information / direction information of the display object and the display to be displayed at this position. Object type information and detail values (precision information) are stored (hereinafter, the stored position information / direction information, display object type information, and detail values are referred to as display object information). FIG. 7 shows an example of the display object information stored in the display object information storage unit 108.
Finally, from the display object type information and the detail value stored in the display object information storage unit 108, information (object number) designating an object for representing the display object is obtained.

The display object information stored in the display object information storage unit 108 is read by the virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 104. In this case, the display object information storage unit 108 stores the display object information in the frame immediately preceding the frame. Then, in the virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 104, the read display object information and the movement information calculation unit 106.
Display position data (position information, direction information, etc.) of the display object in the frame based on the movement information calculated in
Is required. It should be noted that such processing is not necessary for stationary objects, since such movement information does not exist and display object information does not change.

In this way, the virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 1
In 04, the display object information of all the display objects forming the virtual three-dimensional space in the frame is set. It should be noted that the map setting unit 109 is for selecting and setting only the map necessary for display when displaying a map divided in the virtual three-dimensional space.

Now, in this embodiment, the sequence number detail table 112 included in the virtual three-dimensional space operation unit 100.
(See FIGS. 11A and 11B) and the distance detail table 114 (see FIG. 12),
Medium and low detail object image information (Fig. 13
(See (A) to (C)).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of allocation processing in this embodiment. First, in step S1, a process of converting the coordinate values of the representative points of the racing car into the viewpoint coordinate system is performed. For example, when the racing cars a to i (a is a player car) are arranged as shown in FIG. 9, the coordinate values of the representative points of the racing cars b to i are set to the origin of the position of the player car a. Processing for converting to the viewpoint coordinate system is performed.

Next, as shown in step S2, clipping processing is performed according to the visual field range and the depth range. For example, in FIG. 9, clipping processing is performed by the visual field range determined by P and Q, and the depth range determined by R.
Racing cars h and i located outside the area surrounded by R
Are excluded from the subsequent processing.

Next, as shown in step S3, the second detail value is read from the distance detail table 114 based on the distance in the depth direction, that is, the distance in the Zv direction in FIG. 9, and the second detail value is read. Is stored in the detail value storage area of the display object information storage unit 108. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the distance detail table 114 stores the detail value (second detail value) set based on the range of the distance from the viewpoint position of the player. For example, the detail value “1” is for the distance range of 0 m ≦ L <30 m, and the detail value “2” is 90 m ≦ L for the distance range of 30 m ≦ L <90 m.
The detail value "3" is stored for the distance range of. These detail values "1", "2", and "3" specify the object image information of high, middle, and low details shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, respectively. With these detail values, it is possible to specify a three-dimensional object having a different polygon number as an object representing a display object.

Then, for example, in FIG. 9, since the racing cars a, e, and f belong to the distance range 0 ≦ L <30, the second
"1" is read out from the distance detail table 114 as the detail value D2 of the player car (the detail value of the player car is always "1"). Similarly, D2 = 2 is read for the racing cars g and b, and D2 = 3 is read for the racing cars c and d. And
The read second detail value is the display object information storage unit 1.
It is stored in the detail value storage area 08.

That is, in FIG. 7, Da = 1, Db = 2,
Dc = 3, Dd = 3.

When it is determined that the above processing has been performed for all racing cars (step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the sorting process is performed based on the distance Zv in the depth direction. That is, in the example of FIG. 9, the display object information is rearranged in the order of racing cars e, f, g, b, c, d. In this case, the sorting process is not performed on the player car a and always has the highest priority.

Next, as shown in step S6, the first detail value is sequentially read from the sequence number detail table 112. Here, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the sequence number detail table 112 stores the detail value (first detail value) corresponding to the range of sequence numbers given to the racing car. ing. For example, in the sequence number detail table for the main screen of FIG. 11A, the detail value for the range of sequence numbers 1 and 2 (first and second racing cars. The first is the player car) 1 ", the detail value" 2 "is stored in the range of the sequence numbers 3 and 4, and the detail value" 3 "is stored in the range of the sequence number 5 or more. In addition, FIG.
In the side mirror sequence number detail table of (B), the detail value for the range of sequence numbers 1 and 2 "
2 ", the detail value" 3 "is stored in the range of the sequence number 3 or more. It is not necessary to draw an image with high precision on the side mirror, etc. Therefore, in this embodiment, the side mirror is used. The sequence number detail table for use does not store detail values that specify high-detail three-dimensional object image information.

Thus, the sequence number detail table 1
When the first detail value D1 is read in order from 12, D1
The first detail values are read in the order of = 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3.

Then, as shown in step S7, these first detail values D1 and the sorted display object information are read (in FIG. 9, racing cars e, f,
The magnitude is compared with the second detail value D2 (read in the order g, b, c, d). Then, if the first detail value D1 is larger, that is, if the detail value set based on the sequence number is larger, as shown in step S8, the first detail value D1
1 is stored in the detail value storage area of the display object information storage unit 108, and the detail value is changed. This allows
For example, in the case of FIG. 9, the detail value of the racing car f has been changed from “1” to “2”, and the detail value of the racing car b has been changed from “2” to “3”. Object image information having a small number is assigned. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the number of processed polygons is enormous and the image quality is deteriorated due to the crowded racing cars near the player car.

On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 10, for example, in the racing cars c, d, and e, the first and second detail values D
Although 1 and D2 are different, the detail value changing process is not performed because of the relationship of D1 <D2. Therefore, the detail value of the racing car c is “2”, the detail value of the racing cars d and e is “3”, and an appropriate detail value according to the distance from the player's viewpoint position is assigned to the racing car. become. That is, if the detail value is assigned only by the sequence number detail table 112, the detail value of the racing car c becomes "1" and the detail value of the racing cars d and e becomes "2". By doing this, you will draw a racing car at a long distance with high precision,
Processing is wasted. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, in such a case, since the detail value based on the distance detail table 114 is assigned to the display object,
The useless processing as described above does not occur.

In the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100, after the detail value of the display object is determined as described above, the three-dimensional object representing the display object is designated based on this detail value and the display object type information. A process for obtaining information, that is, an object number is performed (steps S9, 1).
0). At this time, the display position data such as the position and direction of each movable part object of the racing car having the detail value 1 is also calculated as a part of the display object information. Then, the obtained object number and display object information are output to the image combining unit 200. For example, if the detail value is "1" and the type of display object is a racing car, a high detail racing car object is used, "2" is medium detail, and "3" is low. An operation is performed in which the object number is determined to specify the detail racing car object.

4. Description of Image Synthesizing Unit In the image synthesizing unit 200, a pseudo three-dimensional image seen from an arbitrary viewpoint position of the player in the virtual three-dimensional space is image-synthesized. Therefore, the image composition unit 200 includes an image supply unit 210 and an image formation unit 228 as shown in FIG. 6, and the image supply unit 210 includes an object image information storage unit 212.

The object image information storage section 212 stores object image information of each display object as three-dimensional object data representing the display object as a combination of a plurality of polygons. In particular, in the examples, for each racing car that appears in the racing game,
For example, as shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, a plurality of pieces of object image information having different precisions (number of polygons) are stored.

Which object image information is designated is an object number in the display object information input from the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100 (the object number is obtained from the detail value and the display object type information).
Will be decided by. In the image supply unit 210,
Various coordinate conversion processing and three-dimensional calculation processing are performed based on the display object information from the virtual three-dimensional space calculation section 100 and the object image information read from the object image information storage section 212. That is, first, as shown in FIG. 14, an object 51 representing a racing car, a course, etc.
0, 333, and 334 are subjected to arithmetic processing for arranging the polygons forming the polygon in a virtual three-dimensional space represented by an absolute coordinate (world coordinate) system (XW, YW, ZW). Next, for each of these objects, a process of converting the polygons forming the objects into a viewpoint coordinate system (Xv, Yv, Zv) based on the viewpoint 610 of the player 302 is performed. After that, so-called clipping processing is performed, and then perspective projection conversion processing to the screen coordinate system (XS, YS) is performed. Next, a polygon format conversion process for converting a polygon deformed into a polygon other than a quadrangle by clipping into a quadrilateral polygon is performed, and finally, a sorting process is performed.

The coordinate conversion processing and clipping processing performed here are processing for polygon data, and are different from the coordinate conversion processing and clipping processing for representative points of the display object.

In the image forming section 228, the image supply section 210
The image information of all the dots in the polygon is calculated from the data such as the vertex coordinates of the polygon which has been subjected to the three-dimensional calculation processing in (3). As a result, a pseudo three-dimensional image that can be seen by the player is formed and displayed on the display 10.

Here, as a calculation method of image formation in the image forming section 228, the contour line of the polygon is obtained from the vertex coordinates of the polygon, the contour point pair which is the intersection of this contour line and the scanning line is obtained, and this contour is obtained. A method of filling a line formed by the point pairs with predetermined color data or the like may be used. In addition, the image information of all the dots in each polygon is stored in advance in a ROM or the like as texture information, and the texture coordinates given to each vertex of the polygon are used as an address to read and paste the texture information. A so-called method may be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, first, the precision of the three-dimensional object representing the display object is determined by the second selecting means (or by using the distance detail table),
After that, the case where the precision is changed by the first selecting means (or by using the sequence number detail table) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the precision is determined only by the first selecting means, or the precision is determined by the first selecting means and then changed by the second selecting means. Good.

In the above embodiment, the distance in the depth direction in the viewpoint coordinate system is used to determine the distance range to which the display object belongs, or to determine the sequence number assigned to the display object. Not limited to this, for example, a distance of a straight line connecting the player's viewpoint position and the display object may be used. Further, the viewpoint position of the player may be set not only at the driver's seat of a racing car or the like but also at the rear position of the player car or the like.

In the above embodiment, the object image information representing the display object with the detail value of 1 is formed as a combination of the body part object of the display object and the movable part object. Is not limited to this, and may be formed so as to include, for example, an effect object representing an effect part of a display object.

For example, as the object image information representing a racing car with a detail value of 1, in addition to the parts object of the racing car body and the movable parts objects such as the suspension and the tire which are the movable parts, the effect of the backfire blown out from the muffler is produced. It can also be configured to include objects. In this case,
When the object number of the racing car with the detail value of 1 is output from the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100, the expression data indicating whether or not to display the backfire, which is a production part, is also output at the same time. It is formed. As a result, the muffler of the racing car displays an image such that the backfire is occasionally spit out, and the effect closer to the actual race can be performed.

In the present invention, it is not always necessary to include a plurality of sequence numbers in the sequence number range, and the sequence numbers and the degrees of precision may be in one-to-one correspondence. For example, the first racing car may be expressed as high precision, the second racing car as the next precision, and the third racing car as the next precision.

In the present embodiment, the racing car game has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to all kinds of games, for example, a spaceship game in which a three-dimensional map is formed, It can also be applied to robot battle games, tank games, fighter games, role playing games, and the like.

Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a game machine for business use but also to, for example, a game machine for home use, a flight simulator, a driving simulator used in a driving school, or the like. Further, it can be applied to a large attraction type game machine or simulation machine in which a large number of players participate.

Further, in the present invention, the calculation processing performed by the virtual three-dimensional space calculating means, the image synthesizing means, etc. may be performed by using a dedicated image processing device, or a general-purpose microcomputer, DSP or the like may be used. It may be processed by software.

Furthermore, the calculation processing performed by the virtual three-dimensional space calculating means, the image synthesizing means, etc. is not limited to that described in this embodiment.

Further, according to the present invention, the pseudo-synthesized 3
A configuration in which a three-dimensional image is displayed on a display called a head mounted display (HMD) is also included.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Considering not only the distance between the viewer's viewpoint position and the display object, but also the number of display objects close to the viewer's viewpoint position to perform movements and effects of each part of the display object. It is possible to optimize the required calculation amount. This allows
It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the amount of calculation for data processing becomes enormous and the image quality is deteriorated, for example, when the display objects are close to each other near the viewpoint of the viewer.

[0090]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an external appearance of the present three-dimensional simulator device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual three-dimensional space in the present three-dimensional game.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen image-synthesized by the present three-dimensional simulator device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen image-synthesized by the present three-dimensional simulator device.

FIG. 6 is an example of a block diagram of a virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit and an image synthesis unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining display object information stored in a display object information storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of allocation processing according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement of racing cars.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of arrangement of racing cars.

11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of a sequence number detail table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a distance detail table.

13A to 13C are diagrams showing a plurality of types of object image information having different polygon numbers.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a three-dimensional calculation process in this embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an image explanatory view of a racing car in which a movable part such as a tire moves up and down.

FIG. 16 (A) is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the three-dimensional simulator device, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen formed by a three-dimensional simulator device.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 10 display 12 operation unit 100 virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 102 processing unit 104 virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 106 movement information calculation unit 108 display object information storage unit 110 selection means 112 sequence number detail table 114 distance detail table 120 first selecting unit 122 second selecting unit 130 display data calculating unit 200 image combining unit 210 image supplying unit 212 object image information storage unit 228 image forming unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A virtual three-dimensional space calculation means for calculating a virtual three-dimensional space, and an object image information storage unit in which three-dimensional object image information representing a display object is stored in advance. An image combining unit that reads the three-dimensional object image information and combines a pseudo three-dimensional image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position; and a display unit that displays the pseudo three-dimensional image, the object image The information storage means stores a plurality of types of object image information with different degrees of detail of a predetermined display mode switching target display object, and the detailed expression object image information includes a plurality of parts constituting the display object. Is set as a combination of part objects that represent Selecting means for selecting the object image information read from the image information storing means, and display data calculating means for calculating the expression data of each part object when the reading of the detailed object image information is selected. When the plurality of sequence number ranges are determined based on the sequence numbers given to the display object in the order of decreasing distance from the viewpoint position, the selecting means belongs to the sequence number given to the display object. The sequence number range includes a first selecting unit that selects object image information of detailed expression from the plurality of types of object image information as the sequence number range is closer to the viewpoint position. 3D simulator device. 2. The object image information storage means according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of object image information having different degrees of detail of a movable part are stored for a predetermined display mode switching target display object. The object image information of the expression is formed as a combination of the body part object of the display object and the movable part object, and the display data calculation means is formed to calculate the position data of each part object as the expression data. A three-dimensional simulator device characterized in that 3. The object image information of the detailed expression according to claim 1, wherein the object image information of the detailed expression is formed so as to include a rendering object representing a rendering part of a display object, and a display data calculation unit is configured to display the rendering object of the rendering object. A three-dimensional simulator device, characterized in that it is formed to calculate expression data. 4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit positions the display object when a plurality of distance ranges are determined based on a distance between the viewpoint position and the display object. The object further includes a second selecting unit that selects object image information of detailed expression from the plurality of types of object image information as the distance range is closer to the viewer's viewpoint position, and the object selected by the second selecting unit. A three-dimensional simulator device, wherein allocation of image information to a display object is changed based on a selection result by the first selecting means. 5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit positions the display object when a plurality of distance ranges are determined based on a distance between the viewpoint position and the display object. The object further includes a second selection unit that selects object image information of a detailed expression from the plurality of types of object image information as the distance range is closer to the viewer's viewpoint position, and the object selected by the first selection unit. A three-dimensional simulator device, characterized in that allocation of image information to a display object is changed based on a selection result by the second selecting means. 6. An image synthesizing method for synthesizing a pseudo three-dimensional image of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position, wherein the degree of detail of the representation of the movable part is different for a predetermined display mode switching target display object. A plurality of types of object image information are stored, and detailed expression of the object image information is stored as a combination of a body part object of a display object and a movable part object, and in order of decreasing distance from the viewpoint position. When a plurality of sequence number ranges are determined based on the sequence numbers attached to the display object, the sequence number range to which the sequence number attached to the display object belongs is a range of sequence numbers close to the viewpoint position. The object image information of detailed expression is selected from the plurality of types of object image information, and the movable part When the detailed object image information of the expression is selected, the step of calculating the position data of the part object, the object of the object image information is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, and the virtual three-dimensional space is created. And a step of synthesizing a pseudo three-dimensional image viewed from the viewpoint position, the image synthesizing method.