WO2005013203A1

WO2005013203A1 - Image processor, image processing method and information storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2005013203A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/003963
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hidenori Komatsumoto
Original assignee: Konami Corporation
Priority date: 2003-07-31
Filing date: 2004-03-23
Publication date: 2005-02-10
Also published as: TW200503809A; JP2005050070A; TWI235678B

Abstract

An image processor in which brightness on the surface of an object can be controlled suitably depending on the position of the object. The image processor comprises a means for acquiring the positional coordinates of a game character object (56) in an object space (58), a means for storing lightness correction data corresponding to a plurality of specified reference positional coordinates set in the object space (58), a means for selecting one or a plurality elements of lightness correction data based on the positional coordinates acquired by the positional coordinate acquiring means and the plurality of specified set reference positional coordinates, a means for calculating the lightness correction amount of the game character object (56) based on the selected lightness correction data, and a means for displaying an image concerning the game character object (56) at a lightness based on the calculated correction amount.

Description

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and information storage medium

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an information storage medium, and more particularly to a technique for suitably controlling the brightness of an object surface. Background art

In 3D computer graphics, in order to display an object in real time, a light source is set in the object space, and the brightness of the object surface with respect to the light emitted from the light source. For example, it is necessary to calculate in detail based on the positional relationship between the object and each light source. The process of calculating the brightness of the object surface and giving the color to the object surface accordingly is called shading.

In the seeding process, the ambient (environmental) component of the light reflected by the object surface is treated as being related to a large number of direct and indirect light, and is a fixed value that does not depend on the position of the object. Is used, or a fixed value is used depending on the position of the object.

If a fixed value that does not depend on the position of the object is used as the ambient component, there is a problem of lack of reality. On the other hand, if the ambient component is determined according to the position of the object, there is a problem that the brightness of the object surface changes suddenly when the position of the object changes. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and information capable of suitably controlling the brightness of the object surface according to the position of the object. The purpose is to provide a storage medium. Disclosure of the invention

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that controls the brightness of an object arranged in an object space, and that is provided in the object space of the object. Position coordinate acquisition means for acquiring position coordinates, brightness correction data storage means for storing brightness correction data respectively corresponding to predetermined reference position coordinates set in the object space, and the position coordinate acquisition means The lightness correction data selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of the lightness correction data based on the position coordinates acquired by the plurality of predetermined reference position coordinates, and the lightness correction data to be selected A lightness correction amount calculating means for calculating a correction amount for the lightness of the object based on the lightness based on the calculated correction amount; And an object image display means for displaying an image relating to the tail.

The image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for controlling the brightness of an object arranged in an object space, and acquires the position coordinates of the object in the object space. Based on the acquisition step, the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquisition step, and a plurality of predetermined reference position coordinates set in the object space, the plurality of predetermined reference position coordinates set Select one or more of the corresponding brightness correction data A lightness correction data selection step, a lightness correction amount calculation step for calculating a correction amount for the lightness of the object based on the selected lightness correction data, and the lightness based on the calculated correction amount. And an object image display step for displaying an image related to the image.

In addition, an information storage medium storing the program according to the present invention is an image processing device that controls the brightness of an object arranged in the object space. For example, an arcade game machine, a home game machine, An information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function, such as a mobile game machine, a personal computer, a mobile information terminal, a mobile phone, a game server, or a home server, wherein the program is the object of the object Position coordinate acquisition means for acquiring position coordinates in the object space, brightness correction data storage means for storing brightness correction data respectively corresponding to predetermined reference position coordinates set in the object space, and acquisition of the position coordinates Based on the position coordinates acquired by the means and the predetermined reference position coordinates set in plural. Brightness correction data selection means for selecting one or more of the brightness correction data, brightness correction amount calculation means for calculating a correction amount for the brightness of the object based on the selected brightness correction data, and And a command for causing the computer to function as an object image display means for displaying an image related to the object at a brightness based on the correction amount.

According to the present invention, one or a plurality of brightness correction data is selected based on the position coordinates of the object and the predetermined reference position coordinates, and the brightness of the object is selected based on the selected brightness correction data. Since the correction amount is calculated, the object is changed when the object position changes. The object can be suitably displayed without causing the problem that the brightness of the surface of the project changes suddenly.

In one aspect of the present invention, the lightness correction amount calculation means acquires the selected lightness correction data by the predetermined reference position coordinates corresponding to the lightness correction data and the position coordinate acquisition means. The correction amount is calculated by combining at a ratio based on the position coordinates. This ensures that the brightness of the object surface does not change suddenly.

In one aspect of the present invention, the lightness correction data selection means associates a plurality of predetermined lightness correction areas set in the object space with the predetermined reference position coordinates that specify the areas. Area information storing means for storing the area, area determining means for determining the predetermined brightness correction area including the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquiring means, and the predetermined brightness correction area to be determined. Brightness correction data reading means for reading lightness correction data corresponding to the specified reference position coordinates to be specified from the lightness correction data storage means. In this way, it is possible to reliably select brightness correction data strongly related to the object. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an object space.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game device (image processing device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows the shadow block.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an area information table (region information storage means). The

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a lightness correction data table (lightness correction data storage means).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing image processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing brightness correction processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an area determination process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining calculation processing in brightness correction processing and area determination processing. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <A game device according to an embodiment of the present invention places objects such as game character objects in an object space (virtual three-dimensional space). Then, this space is viewed from a given viewpoint on the monitor. In addition, the game device is configured to realize a soccer game, and an object representing a soccer player or a soccer field is arranged in the object space.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an object space constructed on a storage means (memory) by a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. A soccer field object 50 is set on the XY plane in the world coordinate system (XY, Z), and a game character object 56 is placed on the soccer field object 50. Game character Kuta object 56 is an object for which the user uses the controller to indicate position, posture, action, etc. It may be an object that

Soccer field objects 5 0, goals on both sides 5

4 L, 5 4 R are provided, soccer field object

A shadow block 5 2 L is set on the goal 5 4 L side at 50, and a shadow block 52 R is set on the goal 5 4 R side. That is, the soccer field including the soccer field object 50 is assumed to be dome-shaped (with a roof), and these shadow blocks 5 2 L and 5 2 R appear in the soccer field object 50. This corresponds to the area where shadows appear due to this roof. Objects such as game character object 5 6 located in shadow blocks 5 2 L and 5 2 R are reduced in brightness compared to objects outside the block.

FIG. 2 shows a display of the game character object 5 6 viewed from the viewpoint set in the object space 58 when the game character object 56 is located in the shadow block 52 R An example of an image (object image) is shown. This image is displayed on a monitor included in the game device. As shown in the figure, the brightness of the game character object 56 located in the shadow block 52 R or the shadow block 52 L is reduced in the display image on the monitor.

Here, the configuration of the game apparatus that realizes the above brightness control will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Game device shown in FIG. 10 is one of the embodiments of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. A consumer game machine 1 1 connected to the monitor 1 8 and the speaker 2 2 is connected to a DVD-ROM that is an information storage medium. 2 Configured by mounting 5. Here, DVD-ROM 25 is used to supply game programs and game data to the home game machine 1 1, but any other information storage medium such as CD-ROM or ROM card is used. Alternatively, a game program or game data may be supplied to the consumer game machine 11 from a remote location via a communication network such as the Internet. Hereinafter, the image processing apparatus, the image processing method, and the information storage medium according to the present invention will be described through the description of the game apparatus 10.

In the home game machine 11, a microprocessor 14, an image processing unit 16, a main memory 26, and an input / output processing unit 30 are connected via a bus 12 2 so that mutual data communication is possible. Connected to the output processing unit 30 are a controller 3 2, an audio processing unit 20, and a DVD-ROM playback unit 24. Each component of the consumer game machine 1 1 other than the controller 3 2 is housed in a housing. For example, a household television receiver is used for the monitor 18, and its built-in speaker is used for the speaker 22, for example.

The microprocessor 14 controls each part of the consumer game machine 11 1 based on an operating system stored in a ROM (not shown) or a game program read from the DVD-ROM 25 5. It is a signal transmission means that exchanges dresses and data at each part of the home game machine 1 1. The main memory 26 is composed of a storage means such as a RAM, and the game program and game data read from the DVD-ROM 25 are written as necessary. Filled-and _c the image processing unit 1 6 which is also used as a working of the microprocessor 1 4 is configured to include a V RAM, VR AM receives image data sent from a microphone Lop port processor 1 4 The game screen is drawn on top, and the content is converted into a video signal and output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing. That is, the image processing unit 16 receives the vertex coordinates (X, Υ, Z), vertex color information (R, G, B), texture coordinates (VX, VY) of each polygon in the viewpoint coordinate system from the microphone mouth processor 14. ) And alpha value (semi-transparent composition ratio). Then, using such information, the color information, Z value (depth information), alpha value, etc. of each pixel constituting the display image are drawn in the VRAM. This display image is output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing. Here, the brightness of the game character object 56 is corrected by correcting each value of the vertex color information (R, G, B).

The input / output processing unit 30 is an interface for relaying data communication between each of the controller 3 2, the audio processing unit 20, and the DVD-ROM playback unit 24, and the microprocessors 14 and. is there. Controller 3 2 is an input means for the player to operate the game. The input / output processing unit 30 scans the operation states of the various buttons of the controller 32 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds), and sends operation signals representing the scan results to the microprocessor via the bus 12. 1 Pass to 4. The microprocessor 14 determines the player's game operation based on the operation signal. The sound processing unit 20 is configured to include a sound buffer, and reproduces data such as music and game sound effects read from the DVD—ROM 25 and stored in the sound buffer to reproduce the speaker 2 2. Output from. D VD—R OM playback unit 2 4 follows the instructions from the microprocessor 1 4 DVD—R OM 2 5 The game program and game data recorded in the above are read.

Hereinafter, an object space 58 is constructed in the main memory 26 using the game apparatus 10 having such a configuration, and the state of the same space viewed from a given viewpoint is shown in the shadow blocks 5 2 L and 5 2 R. A technique for displaying the object such as the game character object 56 located at the position on the monitor 18 while reducing the brightness will be described. Here, a technique for realizing a soccer game using the game device 10 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a 3D computer graphics such as a robot battle game, various sports games, a fly simulator, etc. Applicable to all fields.

First, in the game device 10, the shadow blocks 5 2 L and 5 2 R are composed of a plurality of areas. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing four areas constituting one shadow block 5 2 R. Shadow block 5 2 L is configured in the same manner as shadow block 5 2 R. As shown in the figure, reference position coordinates A to E that serve as a reference when determining the brightness of an object such as a game character object 56 are set around and inside the shadow block 52 R. Yes. An end ID is set for each area of the triangle specified by the three selected from the reference position coordinates A to E. Here, A1 is assigned as the area ID to the triangular area with the reference position coordinates A, B, and E as vertices. A 2 is assigned as the area ID to the triangular area with the reference position coordinates B, C, and E as vertices. A 3 is assigned as the area ID to the triangular area with the reference position coordinates C, D and E as vertices. A4 is assigned as the area ID for the triangular area with the reference position coordinates A, E, and D as vertices. Figure 5 is stored on DVD—ROM 2 5 and main memory 2 as needed. 6 is a diagram showing an area information table stored in FIG. The area information table shown in the figure includes an area ID assigned as described above, identification information (A to E) for identifying a reference position that is a vertex of each area identified by the area ID, and It is stored in association with each other.

The data stored in the DVD-ROM 25 and stored in the main memory 26 as needed includes the brightness correction data table shown in FIG. The brightness correction data table shown in the figure includes identification information (A to E) for identifying each reference position, coordinates of the reference position (reference position coordinates), brightness correction data corresponding to the reference position coordinates, Are stored in association with each other. It should be noted that here all the reference position coordinates are set to the soccer field 50, and since both Z coordinates are zero, only the X and Y coordinates of the reference position coordinates are used for the brightness correction data table. To remember. In addition, the brightness correction data is stored in each polygon constituting the object when drawing an object such as the game character object 56 located at the reference position coordinate corresponding to the brightness correction data. This data represents the correction amount for correcting the vertex color information (R, G, B).

For example, when the brightness correction data consists of three components such as Δ G, Δ Β) (where Δ Ι, Δ G, Δ Β are negative), the image processing unit 16 is positioned at the reference position coordinates. When supplying vertex color information for each polygon constituting the game character object 5 6 to be supplied, if vertex color information is supplied as (R + AR, G + Δ G, Β + Δ 、), The display brightness of the game character object 5 6 can be lowered. Similarly, when the brightness correction data consists of three components such as (r, g, b) (where r, g, and b are values between 0 and 1) When the vertex color information relating to each polygon constituting the game character object 5 6 located at the reference position coordinates is supplied to the part 16, the vertex color information (RX r, GX g, BX If it is supplied as b), the display brightness of the game character object 56 can be lowered.

Hereinafter, information processing by the game apparatus 10 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing image processing by the game apparatus 10. The image processing shown in the figure is executed every predetermined time (for example, every 1/60 seconds). In addition to the processing shown in the figure, a process for outputting sound is performed every predetermined time (for example, 1 Z The game device 10 is executed every 60 seconds. The processing shown in the figure is realized by the microprocessor 14 executing the game program stored in the DVD-ROM 25 (the same applies to FIGS. 8 and 9).

As shown in the figure, the game apparatus 10 first performs environmental processing (S 1 0 1). In the environment processing, the position and orientation of all static objects and dynamic objects in the object space 58 are calculated. Static objects, such as soccer field objects 50 and spectator seat objects (not shown), do not change position as the game progresses. On the other hand, the dynamic object, like the game character object 56, changes its position and posture as the game progresses. The position and orientation of the dynamic object change according to the operation signal input from the game program 32.

Environmental processing also calculates the viewpoint, line-of-sight direction, and field-of-view range. Here, the viewpoint is, for example, the soccer fee from the near side in Fig. 1. Suppose that the object is placed so that it looks at the position of interest on the object. The attention position may be determined based on the current position of the game character object 56 related to the pole object (not shown). In environmental processing, only objects located within the field of view are selected, and only those objects are targeted for subsequent game processing to reduce the weight of information processing.

Next, the microprocessor 14 performs geometry processing (S 1 0 2). In geometry processing, from the world coordinate system (see Fig. 1) to the viewpoint coordinate system (coordinate system with the viewpoint as the origin, the front of the viewpoint in the Z direction, the horizontal direction in the X direction, and the vertical method in the Y direction) Perform coordinate transformation. In addition, the vertex color information of each polygon constituting the object is corrected based on the light source information (color and position of the light source). In addition, a clipping process is also performed. At this time, another brightness correction process (see Fig. 8) is also applied to the objects located in the shadow blocks 52 L and 52 R. Thereafter, the microprocessor 14 sends the vertex coordinates, vertex color information, texture coordinates, and alpha values of each polygon belonging to the field of view range to the image processing unit 16, and the image processing unit 16 based on the information. A display image is formed in a buffer provided on the VRAM (S 1 0 3).

The game image formed in the buffer is extracted at a predetermined timing and displayed on the monitor 18.

Fig. 8 shows the brightness that is executed when it is determined that there is an object 1 located in the shadow block 5 2 L or 5 2 R in the geometry processing shown in S 10 02 in Fig. 7. It is a flowchart which shows a correction process. Here, a case will be described in which the brightness correction process shown in FIG. 6 is performed on the game character project 56.

As shown in the figure, in this process, first, the player game character The current position coordinates of the Kuta object 56 and the reference set at the periphery or inside of the block where the player game character object 56 is located, of the shadow block 52 L or 52 R Based on the position coordinates, the area where the game character object 56 is located is determined (S 2 0 1). For example, if the game character object 56 is located in the shadow block 52 R shown in FIG. 4, the game character object 56 is more specifically the areas A 1 to A. It is determined which area out of 4 is located.

Next, the brightness correction data corresponding to each reference position for specifying the area determined in S 2 0 1 is read from the brightness correction data table (see FIG. 6) (S 2 0 2). Then, the brightness correction data table read out in this way is added proportionately based on the current position of the game character object 56 and each reference position coordinate that identifies the area determined in S 2 0 1. Then, the lightness of the actual game character object 56, that is, the correction amount for the vertex color information is calculated (S203). After that, using the calculated correction amount, the vertex color information of each polygon constituting the game character object 5 6 is corrected so as to reduce the brightness (S 2 0 4).

Here, the process indicated by S 2 0 1 in FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing this process (area determination process). As shown in the figure, in this process, it is first determined in which shadow block the game character object 56 is located (S 3 0 1). Then, for each area in the shadow block where the game character object 56 is located, it is checked whether or not the game character object 56 is located in the area, and the game character object 56 is located. Identify the area that is located (S 3 0 2 to S 3 0 4). In other words, in the process of S 3 0 2, the reference position coordinates, which are the vertex coordinates of each of the shadow blocks 5 2 L and 5 2 R, are represented by V as shown in FIG. Indexes from ₃ to V3 are assigned so that they are clockwise when viewed from the Z direction in the world coordinate system. Then, assuming that the position coordinate of the game character object 56 in the world coordinate system is P, in the processing of S 300, for each area, the Z component of the outer product of vector _{2 and} vector, vector V The Z component of the outer product of ₂ V _{3 and} vector V ₂ P, and the Z component of the outer product of vector V g V and vector V ₃ P are calculated. If all are negative, it is determined that the game character object 56 is located in the area, and the area determination process is terminated. If there is at least one positive one, the processing of S 3 0 2 and S 3 0 3 is executed for the next area (S 3 0 4). In this way, the area where the game character object 56 is located is specified.

In addition, in the interpolation process shown in S 2 0 3 of FIG. 8, specifically, the reference position coordinates for identifying the area determined in the process of S 2 0 1 and the current character character object 56 are displayed. Substituting the position coordinates and into the following equation (1), the coefficients a and β are obtained. In this case, each reference position coordinate, which is the vertex coordinate of the area, also has an index of V i to V ₃ that is clockwise when viewed from the Z direction in the world coordinate system, as shown in Fig. 10. It will be granted. P represents the current position coordinates of the game character.

=) 3 (1 Q V1V3 + aViVa Then, by substituting the lightness correction data I i, 1 _2, 1 ₃ respectively corresponding to the reference position coordinates to be the case to vertex coordinates of the coefficients α and β area following equation (2), the game character object 5 6 and calculates the correction amount I _P to pair the lightness. Here, I „represents lightness correction data corresponding to the reference position coordinates to which the index V _n is assigned (n = l to 3). Note that 1 to I ₂ and I 3 I _P are either This is also vector data with three RGB components.

| ρ = ((1-α) ΐ3 + al ₂ } + (1-3) li --- (2)

As described above, the brightness of the game character object 56 can be changed according to the specific position in the shadow block 52L or 52R of the game character object 56. At this time, a plurality of reference position coordinates are set in advance in the shadow block 52L or 52R, and brightness correction data is associated with each reference position coordinate. Then, according to the positional relationship between the current position of the game character object 56 and each reference position coordinate, 1 (for example, when the game character object 56 is at the reference position) or a plurality of reference position coordinates are selected, By interpolating the brightness correction data associated with the selected reference position coordinates, the brightness correction amount of the game character object 56 is calculated. Also, when correcting the brightness correction data, the brightness correction data is synthesized according to the positional relationship between the current position of the game character object 56 and each reference position coordinate. Therefore, even if the game character object 5 6 moves within the shadow block 5 2 L or 5 2 R, the brightness changes suddenly. I can not.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above description, the example in which the present invention is mainly applied to the brightness correction of the game character object 56 has been shown, but the present invention can also be applied to other objects. Further, the present invention can be applied to all three-dimensional computer graphics fields other than the game field. Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, when applied to a computer such as a game machine, one or a plurality of brightness correction data are selected based on the position coordinates of the object, and thereby an image related to the object is selected. Since it is displayed, the object can be displayed appropriately without causing the problem that the brightness of the object surface changes suddenly when the position of the object changes.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An image processing device for controlling the brightness of an object arranged in an object space,

Position coordinate acquisition means for acquiring position coordinates of the object in the object space;

Brightness correction data storage means for storing brightness correction data respectively corresponding to predetermined reference position coordinates set in the object space;

Brightness correction data selection means for selecting one or more brightness correction data based on the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquisition means and the plurality of predetermined reference position coordinates set;

Brightness correction amount calculating means for calculating a correction amount for the brightness of the object based on the selected brightness correction data;

An object image display means for displaying an image relating to the object at a brightness based on the calculated correction amount;

An image processing apparatus comprising:

2. In the image processing apparatus according to claim 1,

The brightness correction amount calculation means is configured to select the brightness correction data selected based on the predetermined reference position coordinates corresponding to the brightness correction data and the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquisition means. Calculate the correction amount by combining at a ratio

An image processing apparatus.

3. The image processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brightness correction data selection means includes:

Area information storage means for storing a plurality of predetermined brightness correction areas set in the object space in association with the predetermined reference position coordinates for specifying the areas;

Area determining means for determining the predetermined brightness correction area including the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquiring means;

Brightness correction data reading means for reading from the brightness correction data storage means brightness correction data corresponding to the predetermined reference position coordinates specifying the predetermined brightness correction region to be determined;

An image processing apparatus comprising:

4. An image processing method for controlling the brightness of an object arranged in the object space,

A position coordinate acquisition step for acquiring position coordinates of the object in the object space;

Based on the position coordinates acquired by the position coordinate acquisition step and a plurality of predetermined reference position coordinates set in the object space, respectively, the plurality of predetermined reference position coordinates set corresponding to the plurality of predetermined reference position coordinates. A brightness correction data selection step for selecting one or more of the brightness correction data; and

A brightness correction amount calculation step for calculating a correction amount for the brightness of the object based on the selected brightness correction data, and an object image display for displaying an image relating to the object with the brightness based on the calculated correction amount Steps,

An image processing method comprising:

5. An information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as an image processing device for controlling the brightness of an object arranged in an object space,

Brightness correction amount calculating means for calculating a correction amount for the brightness of the object based on the selected brightness correction data; and

Object image display means for displaying an image related to the object with brightness based on the calculated correction amount

An information storage medium storing a program characterized by including an instruction for causing the computer to function as the above.