JPH11143607A - Searching method for virtual space by using helicopter steering metapore - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit a user to easily grasp the operation of a virtual camera in a method for searching the video of a three-dimensional virtual space with the sight of the virtual camera. SOLUTION: The video of the three-dimensional virtual space, which is displayed on a screen, is searched by the sight of the virtual camera by using an information processor. The operation of the virtual camera deciding the viewpoint the video in the three-dimensional virtual space, which is displayed as a main video 10, is interfaced by the metapore system of a helicopter driver through a joy stick so that it can be adjusted. The plural auxiliary windows 20-70 where virtual helicopters whose two-dimensional movement can be adjusted by the joy stick are displayed on the lower end part of the screen of the main video 10. The virtual helicopter displayed on the other auxiliary window is cooperatively operated with the virtual helicopter displayed on the auxiliary window selected by the joy stick and they are two-dimensionally operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for searching a three-dimensional virtual space displayed on a screen by using a helicopter-operated metaphor using an information processing apparatus. In particular, in a method of searching for an image of a three-dimensional virtual space with the vision of a virtual camera, after interfacing the operation of the virtual camera with a helicopter pilot's metapore method via an input device such as a joystick, The present invention relates to a method for searching a virtual space using a helicopter control metapore for searching for a virtual space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a search for a virtual space results from an operation of a virtual camera, and the motion of the virtual camera for searching such a virtual space has six degrees of freedom.

[0003] However, input devices such as a mouse, a joystick, a trackball, and a game pad that are mainly used by us are two-dimensional devices, and the motion of a virtual camera corresponding to the motion of the input device at a certain moment. Since the motion is a two-dimensional motion, the motion of the virtual camera having six degrees of freedom should be expressed as a combination of the two-dimensional motions.

Therefore, many browsers for searching virtual space use various search modes in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, but the standard used for setting many modes is not clear. Was.

For example, there is a mode called "walk" as a mode most frequently used, and this mode is composed of a forward and backward movement and a left and right rotation of the camera. It corresponds to the forward and backward movement and the left and right movement of the mouse. In this case, since there is no consistent relationship between the motion of the input device and the motion of the camera, there is a problem that so-called kinesthetic correspondence is reduced, and operations that can be performed in each mode can be performed in other modes. Is designed to be chaotic.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for searching for an image in a three-dimensional virtual space by a virtual camera in order to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages. The purpose is to make it easy to grasp the operation.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of searching for an image of a three-dimensional virtual space displayed on a screen by a virtual camera using an information processing apparatus. The operation of the virtual camera that determines the viewpoint of the image of the three-dimensional virtual space displayed as the main image on the display device can be adjusted by a helicopter pilot's metapore method via the input device of the information processing device. A plurality of auxiliary windows in which a virtual helicopter capable of adjusting a two-dimensional movement by the input device is displayed at the lower end of the screen of the main image, and the auxiliary window selected by the input device is displayed. The virtual helicopter displayed in each of the other auxiliary windows is linked to the virtual helicopter displayed in Exercised, by interlocking the virtual camera in the virtual helicopter to search the image of the 3-dimensional virtual space.

Here, the plurality of auxiliary windows are:
For example, the virtual helicopter moves horizontally, vertically, turns, rotates in a vertical plane, rotates in a horizontal plane, and
6 are six two-dimensional motion planes for displaying rotations about arbitrary center points, respectively.

At this time, the six auxiliary windows are:
A first auxiliary window for adjusting front-rear, left-right movement with respect to a horizontal plane of the three-dimensional virtual space, indicating that the virtual helicopter moves forward, backward, left and right, and indicating that the virtual helicopter moves up, down, left, right. A second auxiliary window for adjusting vertical and horizontal movements with respect to a vertical plane of the three-dimensional virtual space, and indicating that the virtual helicopter rotates vertically and horizontally to adjust the rotation from the three-dimensional virtual space. A third auxiliary window for performing, the virtual helicopter to rotate left and right about the vertical axis,
A fourth auxiliary window for adjusting the vertical and horizontal rotation of the three-dimensional virtual space by indicating that the virtual helicopter rotates vertically about the left and right axis, and a left and right rotation of the virtual helicopter about the front and rear axis. A fifth auxiliary window for adjusting the front-rear and left-right rotation of the three-dimensional virtual space, indicating that the virtual helicopter is rotated back and forth about the left and right axes, and the virtual helicopter is concentric about an arbitrary center point A sixth auxiliary window for adjusting the rotational movement on the concentric sphere about an arbitrary center point of the three-dimensional virtual space, indicating that the sphere rotates forward, backward, left and right on the sphere. Good.

[0010] The present invention may be provided, for example, as a recording medium storing a program for causing an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer to execute the present invention.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a window showing a virtual space searched according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first auxiliary window according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second auxiliary window according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of an auxiliary window. 4 is a configuration diagram of a third auxiliary window according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a fourth auxiliary window according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of a fifth auxiliary window according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a sixth auxiliary window according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an information processing device for realizing the present invention.

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
It is provided as a program stored in a storage medium such as a D-ROM. That is, in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, the program is loaded onto a memory from a storage medium and executed by the CPU, thereby realizing the virtual space search method using the helicopter control metapore of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a window showing a virtual space searched for performing the method of the present invention is a main image (10) which is an image of a three-dimensional virtual space to be searched.
And six auxiliary windows (20 to 70) at the lower end of the main image (10) for displaying a virtual helicopter capable of adjusting a two-dimensional movement with a joystick. The viewpoint of the main image (the viewpoint of the virtual camera) is linked to the movement of the virtual helicopter, that is, the viewpoint of the main image can be adjusted by a helicopter pilot's metapore method via a joystick. Interfaced to

At this time, the six auxiliary windows indicate that the virtual helicopter is moved back and forth and left and right, and are used to adjust the front and rear and right and left movements with respect to the horizontal plane of the three-dimensional virtual space. A first auxiliary window (20) and a second auxiliary window (30) for indicating that the virtual helicopter is moved up and down and left and right, and for adjusting the up and down and left and right movements with respect to a vertical plane of the three-dimensional virtual space; A third auxiliary window (40) for adjusting the turn in the three-dimensional virtual space, indicating that the virtual helicopter turns left and right and back and forth, and turning the virtual helicopter right and left about a vertical axis; A fourth auxiliary window (50) for adjusting vertical and horizontal rotation movement of the three-dimensional virtual space, indicating that the three-dimensional virtual space is rotated vertically.
Shows that the virtual helicopter is rotated right and left around the front and rear axis, and is rotated back and forth around the left and right axis,
A fifth auxiliary window (60) for adjusting front-back, left-right rotation of the three-dimensional virtual space, and showing that the virtual helicopter is rotated up-down, left-right on a concentric sphere about an arbitrary center point, Sixth for adjusting rotational movement on a concentric sphere about an arbitrary center point of the three-dimensional virtual space
Includes the process of dividing into auxiliary windows (70).

Referring to FIG. 2, the first auxiliary window 20 includes a mesh plane indicating a horizontal plane of a 3D virtual space image by horizontal lines and vertical lines, and a helicopter penetrating the mesh plane. If the helicopter cannot move up or down the mesh plane, and can move back and forth along the plane, and the user operates the joystick to move the helicopter back and forth and left and right, The mesh plane was moved in the opposite direction so that helicopter movement could be indicated.

That is, when the joystick is moved while selecting the first auxiliary window (20) in the window showing the virtual space, the helicopter moves back and forth and left and right without changing the direction of the helicopter.

At this time, the operation of the helicopter on the mesh plane has two degrees of freedom, which coincides with the degree of freedom of the joystick. That is, when the joystick is tilted forward, the helicopter moves forward, and when tilted to the left, the helicopter moves to the left.

When the helicopter moves, the plane is moved in the opposite direction so that the operation of the helicopter can be immediately grasped. However, since this is the most basic function, it is used. Can easily predict the location of the helicopter they are on,
Easy to use.

If you want to adjust the speed of the helicopter quickly, just move the joystick a little more outward. If you want to change the direction of movement while maintaining the high speed, move the joystick. Move the direction back and forth and left and right while maintaining it outside. On the other hand, when the speed is to be adjusted to be slow, the direction is changed with the joystick inward.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second auxiliary window (30) shows a vertical plane of a three-dimensional virtual space image by a mesh plane showing horizontal and vertical lines and a helicopter penetrating the mesh plane. The helicopter cannot move in front of or behind the plane, and can move up and down and left and right along the plane.When the joystick is operated to move the helicopter up and down and left and right, the mesh plane moves in the opposite direction. In this way, helicopter operation can be shown.

That is, in the window showing the virtual space, when the auxiliary window (30) is selected and the joystick is moved, the helicopter moves up and down and left and right without changing the direction of the helicopter.

At this time, moving the joystick forward raises the helicopter, and moving the joystick right moves the helicopter right.

Other exercise conditions are the same as those of the first auxiliary window (20).

Referring to FIG. 4, the third auxiliary window 40 can change the altitude on a mesh plane indicating a horizontal plane and a vertical line of a three-dimensional virtual space image, and the mesh plane. Showing the helicopter located as
The helicopter is turned up and down and left and right, and when the helicopter is turned up and down and left and right by operating the joystick, the mesh plane is moved in the opposite direction to show the operation of the helicopter.

Therefore, if the stick is moved while the third auxiliary window (40) is selected, the helicopter turns left and right and up and down. This turning is the most typical operation of all airplanes. I often use this function.

At this time, the mesh plane is used. However, unlike the first auxiliary window (20), the plane of the mesh does not penetrate the helicopter because the altitude of the helicopter may change during the turn. The helicopter was positioned on that plane. Arrows were used to visually indicate the directions in which movement was possible, and the turning motion was immediately shown as the movement of the mesh plane with respect to the helicopter.

The turning function can be realized by simultaneously performing the forward movement and the rotation. That is, each time the robot moves once, it rotates in a desired direction and then moves forward. It moves. The reason that such a turning function is provided in spite of the fact that it is a combination of other functions is that the function is often used. To make the player feel the reality as if he were exploring a virtual space.

However, at this time, the function of turning while moving backward was not included, but this is a complicated movement that rotates while moving forward, so it is difficult to predict what will be seen next. Turning backwards is more complicated than that, and is rarely used, if at all.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a fourth auxiliary window according to the present invention. Referring to FIG.
The auxiliary window (50) is provided with a helicopter in the traveling direction of the helicopter, shows on the screen a virtual stick that moves in the same direction as the joystick, and moves the nose of the virtual stick up, down, left and right by the joystick, Make the helicopter rotate up, down, left and right at that position. That is, a function of rotating the camera up, down, left and right without changing the position of the camera based on the center of gravity of the camera is provided.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the viewpoint of the observer is viewed from above the helicopter, and the direction of the virtual joystick is directed upward, which is the same as the direction of the actual joystick. It can now be identified with the actual joystick operation. Then, write a circle horizontally and vertically around the helicopter so that you can feel the direction of the helicopter's operation and that the operation is performed from the position inside the circle, attach a virtual stick to the nose of the helicopter, Equating the stick with the actual joystick, when moving the joystick, the virtual stick moves in the same direction, making the helicopter on this stick also move in the same direction, matching the actual joystick movement By showing the operation of the stick and the operation of the helicopter, the user can easily match his own operation with the operation of the helicopter.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the construction of a fifth auxiliary window according to the present invention. Referring to the drawings, the fifth auxiliary window (60) is installed perpendicularly to a helicopter and a traveling direction of the helicopter. A virtual stick moving in the same direction as the joystick is shown on the screen, and the joystick is used to move the nose of the virtual stick back and forth and left and right, so that the helicopter rotates from that position back and forth and left and right. At this time, a virtual stick is attached above the helicopter, and the direction in which the virtual stick can be moved is displayed, so that the virtual stick can be tilted left and right so that it can be understood that the helicopter tilts left and right.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a sixth auxiliary window according to the present invention. Referring to the drawings, the second auxiliary window (70) has two orbits centered on an arbitrary observation object and , Facing the observation object from its orbit,
A helicopter in which a virtual stick that moves in the same direction as the joystick is installed is shown in a rear part, and the nose of the virtual stick is moved by the external input device so that the helicopter moves on the orbit.

That is, the movement of the stick when the sixth auxiliary window (70) is selected is a function which can be used when observing a certain object of special interest. Is to rotate.

Such a function is as follows. First, the position of the camera is moved from the observation object to the camera by moving the position of the observation object and the camera. Is what you want.

To this end, FIG. 7 is visualized with two trajectories and a helicopter looking at an object on the trajectory, so that the user can easily see that the helicopter will move on said trajectory. Can be expected. In addition, in this function, a virtual stick is used to enhance the user's understanding. In this case, the virtual stick is attached to the back of the helicopter. The reason is,
This is because when the joystick is tilted to the left, it rotates to the left around the observation target, and when the joystick is tilted to the right, it rotates to the right around the observation target. Also, to make it easier to identify a virtual stick with an actual joystick, the window point of view was determined so that the virtual stick points upward in the window.

In the present invention, the viewpoint of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional virtual space on the main screen is determined in conjunction with the virtual helicopter. Therefore, the user can search the three-dimensional virtual space by moving the virtual helicopter using the joystick.

In the above description, the input device is
Although an example using a joystick has been described, other input devices such as a trackball and a game pad can be used instead of the joystick.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, if the helicopter pilot's metapore is used to search the virtual space, the helicopter can be used for stepping flight, sideways and backward flight, which is not possessed by a general airplane, and It has functions such as takeoff and landing, so it is more free to operate on a general airplane, and the user knows in detail about helicopter movement, so when and what kind of operation should be performed Because it is easy to understand, it is possible to search the virtual space much more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a window showing a virtual space searched according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a first auxiliary window according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a second auxiliary window according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a third auxiliary window according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a fourth auxiliary window according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a fifth auxiliary window according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a sixth auxiliary window according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an information processing apparatus for realizing the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main image 20 1st auxiliary window 30 2nd auxiliary window 40 3rd auxiliary window 50 4th auxiliary window 60 5th auxiliary window 70 6th auxiliary window

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A method of searching for an image of a three-dimensional virtual space displayed on a screen by a virtual camera using an information processing device, wherein the image is displayed as a main image on a display device of the information processing device. The main image is interfaced so that the operation of the virtual camera that determines the viewpoint of the image of the three-dimensional virtual space to be adjusted can be adjusted in a metapore manner of a helicopter pilot through an input device of the information processing device. 2 at the bottom of the screen
Displaying a plurality of auxiliary windows on which a virtual helicopter capable of adjusting a three-dimensional motion is displayed, wherein the virtual helicopter displayed on the auxiliary window selected by the input device is displayed on each of the other auxiliary windows. A method for searching for a virtual space using a helicopter-operated metapore, wherein a virtual helicopter is linked to perform a two-dimensional motion, and the virtual camera is linked to the virtual helicopter to search for an image of the three-dimensional virtual space. . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of auxiliary windows are used for horizontal movement, vertical movement, turning, rotation in a vertical plane, rotation in a horizontal plane, and rotation with respect to an arbitrary center point of the virtual helicopter. A method for searching a virtual space using a helicopter-operated metapore, characterized in that there are six two-dimensional motion planes to be displayed. 3. The three auxiliary windows according to claim 2, wherein the six auxiliary windows indicate that the virtual helicopter moves forward, backward, left and right, and adjust front, rear, right and left movements with respect to a horizontal plane of the three-dimensional virtual space. A first auxiliary window, a second auxiliary window for indicating that the virtual helicopter moves vertically and horizontally, and adjusting the vertical and horizontal movement with respect to a vertical plane of the three-dimensional virtual space; and the virtual helicopter moves vertically and horizontally. A third auxiliary window for indicating a turn and adjusting the turn from the three-dimensional virtual space; a left-right rotation of the virtual helicopter about a vertical axis, and a vertical rotation about a left-right axis. To indicate that
A fourth auxiliary window for adjusting the front-rear and left-right rotation movement of the three-dimensional virtual space; a left-right rotation about the front-rear axis and a front-rear rotation about the left-right axis. A fifth auxiliary window for adjusting front-rear and left-right rotation of the three-dimensional virtual space; and showing that the virtual helicopter rotates front-rear and right-left on a concentric sphere about an arbitrary center point. A sixth auxiliary window for adjusting a rotational movement on a concentric sphere about an arbitrary center point of the virtual space, and a virtual space search method using a helicopter-controlled metapore. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first auxiliary window includes a mesh horizontal plane indicating horizontal planes of the 3D virtual space image by horizontal lines and vertical lines.
The virtual helicopter, which is movable only forward, backward, left, and right along the mesh horizontal plane, that is, cannot move up and down the mesh horizontal plane, is displayed, and a user operates the input device, When moving the virtual helicopter back and forth and left and right along the horizontal plane, by displaying the mesh horizontal plane in a direction opposite to the direction in which the virtual helicopter moves, to indicate the operation of the virtual helicopter A method for searching a virtual space using a helicopter-controlled metapore, characterized by the following. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the second auxiliary window includes a mesh vertical plane indicating a vertical plane of the 3D virtual space image by horizontal lines and vertical lines.
The virtual helicopter that can move only up, down, left and right along the mesh vertical plane, that is, cannot move before and after the mesh vertical plane, is displayed, and a user operates the input device, When moving the virtual helicopter up, down, left and right along the vertical plane, by displaying the mesh vertical plane in a direction opposite to the direction in which the virtual helicopter moves, to indicate the operation of the virtual helicopter A method for searching a virtual space using a helicopter-controlled metapore, characterized by the following. 6. The third auxiliary window according to claim 3, wherein the third auxiliary window is pivoted up, down, left, and right with respect to the mesh horizontal plane and the mesh horizontal plane disposed on the mesh horizontal plane. When the virtual helicopter is displayed, and the user operates the input device to turn the virtual helicopter up, down, left, and right with respect to the horizontal plane,
By displaying the mesh horizontal plane so as to move in the opposite direction to the direction in which the virtual helicopter moves, to indicate the operation of the virtual helicopter, characterized in that a virtual space using a helicopter control metapore Search method. 7. The virtual auxiliary helicopter according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the fourth auxiliary window is interlocked with an operation of the input device provided in a traveling direction of the virtual helicopter. A moving virtual stick is displayed, and when the user moves the nose of the virtual stick up, down, left and right using the input device, the virtual helicopter is centered on a display position in the fourth auxiliary window. A method for searching for a virtual space using a helicopter-controlled metapore, wherein the virtual space is rotated up, down, left and right. 8. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the virtual auxiliary helicopter and the input device are provided in the fifth auxiliary window in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the virtual helicopter. And a virtual stick that moves in conjunction with the operation of, is displayed, when the user uses the input device to move the nose of the virtual stick back and forth and left and right, the virtual helicopter in the fifth auxiliary window A method for searching a virtual space using a helicopter-controlled metapore, characterized in that the virtual space rotates forward, backward, left, and right about the display position of the object. 9. The trajectory according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the sixth auxiliary window is provided with two orbits existing around an arbitrary observation target and on the orbits. The virtual helicopter and a virtual stick provided in a rear portion of the virtual helicopter toward the observation target and moving in conjunction with the operation of the input device are displayed, and a user operates the input device. A method of searching a virtual space using a helicopter-controlled metapore, wherein the virtual helicopter moves on the trajectory when the nose of the virtual stick is moved. 10. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8 or 9, wherein the input device is a joystick, a trackball,
Alternatively, a search method for a virtual space using a helicopter-controlled metapore, which is a game pad. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3,
A storage medium storing a program for executing the method for searching a virtual space using the helicopter control metapore according to 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10.