JP3583994B2 - Entertainment device, storage medium, and object display method - Google Patents

Description

▲３▼：上記▲１▼において、距離Ｋは、操作内容受付部８０１で新たに算出された操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど短くなるように（すなわち、カメラ追跡点６０４が操作対象オブジェクト６０１に近づくように）設定する。たとえば、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度がＡのときのＫをｋとし、以下の式を満たすように設定する。
【００８２】
Ｋ＝ｋ−ａ（Ｂ−Ａ）
ここで、Ｂは操作内容受付部８０１で新たに算出された操作対象オブジェクトの移動速度、ａは所定の係数である。係数ａは、上記▲２▼に示した所定値Ｍとの関係において、以下の条件を満たすように設定する。
【００８３】
すなわち、カメラ追跡点６０４は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど操作対象オブジェクト６０１に近づくけれども、カメラ設置点６０６は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど、操作対象オブジェクト６０１から遠ざかるように、つまり、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向に対してより後方へ移動するように、係数ａと所定値Ｍを設定する。
【００８４】
なお、初期状態（ゲーム開始時）において、カメラ設置点６０６は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１との相対的な位置関係で固定的に定まる所定位置に設定するようにすればよい。
【００８５】
（２）カメラの向き（カメラ視線方向）
図７〜図９に示すように、カメラ配置部８０５は、カメラ設置点６０６に設置された仮想的なカメラ６０９が、カメラ参照点６０７を向くように、カメラ視線方向６１０を設定する。カメラ配置部８０５は、カメラ参照点６０７を、下記の条件▲１▼−▲２▼を満たす位置に設定する。
【００８６】
▲１▼：オブジェクト位置算出部８０２で新たに算出された操作対象オブジェクトの位置６０２を通過する、操作内容受付部８０１で新たに算出された操作対象オブジェクトの移動方向に沿った線６０３上の、位置６０２より距離Ｊだけ前方の位置に、カメラ参照点６０７を設定する。
【００８７】
▲２▼：上記▲１▼において、距離Ｊは、操作内容受付部８０１で新たに算出された操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど長くなるように（すなわち、カメラ参照点６０７が操作対象オブジェクト６０１から遠ざかるように）設定する。たとえば、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度がＡのときのＪをｊとし、以下の式を満たすように設定する。
【００８８】
Ｊ＝ｊ＋ｂ（Ｂ−Ａ）
ここで、Ｂは操作内容受付部８０１で新たに算出された操作対象オブジェクトの移動速度、ｂは所定の係数である。
【００８９】
（３）カメラの向き（カメラ視線方向を軸としたカメラの傾き）
図９に示すように、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が線６０３を軸として左右に傾いている場合（すなわち、操作内容受付部８０１で操作対象オブジェクト６０１が表す飛行機を左右に傾かせる操作内容を受け付けた場合）には、その傾きに応じて、仮想的なカメラ６０８を、カメラ視線方向６１０を軸として回動させる。そして、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が線６０３を軸として回転した場合は、仮想的なカメラ６０８を、カメラ視線方向６１０を軸として回転させる。
【００９０】
図１０、１１は、本実施形態において、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の動きに対し、仮想的なカメラ６０８がどのように振舞うかを説明するための図である。
【００９１】
ここで、図１０は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が速度一定で直進状態から右回り旋回状態へ移行した場合における、操作対象オブジェクト６０１と仮想的なカメラ６０８の関係を示しており、図１１は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が直進状態において移動速度を徐々に増加させた場合における、操作対象オブジェクト６０１と仮想的なカメラ６０８の関係を示している。なお、両図とも、操作対象オブジェクト６０１と仮想的なカメラ６０８を、真上（Ｚ軸の無限遠方）から見下ろした様子を示しており、これらの図では、３次元世界中に配置された地図構成要素の図示を省略している。
【００９２】
図１２は、図１０に示すようにして配置された仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影した場合に得られる映像の一例を示した図である。ここで、図１２（ａ）は、図１０において、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ａ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、図１２（ｂ）は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ｂ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、そして、図１２（ｃ）は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ｃ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、それぞれ示している。また、図１２（ｄ）は、図１０において、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ｄ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、図１２（ｅ）は操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ｅ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、それぞれ示している。
【００９３】
図１３は、図１１に示すようにして配置された仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影した場合に得られる映像の一例を示した図である。ここで、図１３（ａ）は、図１１において、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ａ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、図１３（ｂ）は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ｂ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、そして、図１３（ｃ）は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が（ｃ）の位置にあるときに仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影される映像を、それぞれ示している。
【００９４】
図１０および図１２から明らかなように、上記の（１）−（３）に満たす条件を満足するように仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置と向きを設定することにより、カメラ設置点６０６には、前回算出されたカメラ設置点６０６’が考慮されるため、仮想的なカメラ６０９は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の動きに対し、少し遅れて操作対象オブジェクト６０１の後ろを追従するように振舞う。また、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が、移動方向を軸として回動した（左右に傾いた）場合、仮想的なカメラ６０９も、それに応じて、カメラ視線方向６１０を軸として回動する。
【００９５】
また、図１１および図１３から明らかなように、上記の（１）−（３）に満たす条件を満足するように仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置と向きを設定することにより、仮想的なカメラ６０９は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど、操作対象オブジェクト６０１から遠ざかる方向に移動することになる。また、カメラ視線方向６１０は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の前方に向けられる。
【００９６】
図６に戻って説明を続ける。
【００９７】
画像生成部８０６は、３次元地図作成部８０３およびオブジェクト配置部８０４により地形および操作対象オブジェクトが配置された３次元世界を、カメラ配置部８０５にて配置位置および視線方向が設定された仮想的なカメラで撮影することで得られる２次元画像を生成する。具体的には、仮想的なカメラの配置位置を視点とし、当該カメラの向きを視線方向として、かつ、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向を軸とした左右に傾きに応じて、仮想的なカメラ６０９を、カメラ視線方向６１０を軸として回動させて、仮想的なカメラスクリーン上に、３次元世界中にある操作対象オブジェクトや地図構成物を投影する処理（レンダリング）を行うことで２次元画像を生成する。
【００９８】
表示制御部８０７は、画像生成部８０６で生成された２次元画像をビデオ信号に変換し、本エンタテインメント装置１に接続された表示装置に出力する。
【００９９】
なお、画像生成部８０６や表示制御部８０７は、図４において、たとえば、ＣＰＵ５１がＧＴＥ６１およびＧＰＵ６２を利用することで実現される。
次に、エンタテインメント装置１上に構築される、フライトシミュレーションゲームを実現するためのソフトウエア構成の動作について説明する。
【０１００】
図１４は、エンタテインメント装置１上に構築される、フライトシミュレーションゲームを実現するためのソフトウエア構成の動作を説明するためのフロー図である。
【０１０１】
まず、操作内容受付部８０１は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度を算出する（ステップＳ１００１）。具体的には、操作装置２０の、スロットルの役割を持たせたボタンの検知信号を検知することで、前回移動速度を算出してからのスロットルのオン・オフ時間を測定する。そして、前回算出した移動速度に、測定したスロットルオンの時間と予め定められた加速度より求まる速度を加算し、および／または、測定したスロットルオフの時間と予め定められた減速度より求まる速度を減算し、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度を算出する。
【０１０２】
次に、操作内容受付部８０１は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向を算出する（ステップＳ１００２〜Ｓ１００４）。
【０１０３】
具体的には、操作装置２０の、操縦かんの役割を持たせた操作軸３１ａ、３２ａに加えられた操作により、操作装置２０から出力される信号が示すＸ−Ｙ座標上の座標値が、所定範囲内にあるか否かを調べる（ステップＳ１００２）。たとえば、図３に示す例では、Ｘ−Ｙ座標上の座標値がＸ座標値≧２４０、Ｙ座標値≦１５の範囲、あるいは、Ｘ座標値≦１５、Ｙ座標値≦１５の範囲にあるか否かを調べる。
【０１０４】
所定範囲内にある場合は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１に所定の動作を行わせるものとし、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向が、当該動作を行うために要求される方向となるように決定する（ステップＳ１００３）。たとえば、図３に示す例では、Ｘ−Ｙ座標上の座標値がＸ座標値≧２４０、Ｙ座標値≦１５の場合は、操作対象オブジェクトに右回りの急旋回飛行を行わせるものと判断し、前回算出した操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向から、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が表す飛行機を右に４５度傾かせ、当該飛行機の機首を４５度挙げたものとし、当該操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向を算出する。Ｘ座標値≦１５、Ｙ座標値≦１５の場合は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１に左回りの急旋回飛行を行わせるものと判断し、前回算出した操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向から、前記飛行機を左に４５度傾かせ、前記飛行機の機首を４５度挙げたものとし、当該操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向を決定する。
【０１０５】
一方、所定範囲内にない場合は、操作軸３１ａ、３２ａに加えられた操作により、操作装置２０から出力される信号が示すＸ−Ｙ座標上の座標値に応じて、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が表す飛行機の左右の傾き、および、当該飛行機の機首の上下を決定する。そして、前記飛行機を、前回算出した操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向から、前記決定した角度だけ上下左右させたものとし、当該操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向を決定する（ステップＳ１００４）。
【０１０６】
次に、オブジェクト位置算出部８０２は、仮想的な３次元世界中における操作対象オブジェクト６０１の位置と姿勢を算出する（ステップＳ１００５）。
【０１０７】
具体的には、前回算出した操作対象オブジェクトの位置および姿勢と、操作内容受付部８０１で算出された操作対象オブジェクト６０１の最新の移動速度から、現時点での操作対象オブジェクト６０１の位置を算出する。また、操作内容受付部８０１で決定された操作対象オブジェクト６０１の最新の移動方向にしたがって、現時点での操作対象オブジェクト６０１の姿勢を算出する。
【０１０８】
次に、３次元地図作成部８０３は、地図更新の必要があるか否かを調べる（ステップＳ１００６）。たとえば、ステップＳ１００５における操作対象オブジェクト６０１の位置の算出処理がＮ回行われる毎に地図を更新する場合は、カウンタを設け、カウント値がＮに達したか否かを調べる。Ｎに達した場合は、更新の必要ありと判断し、カウント値をリセットして、ステップＳ１００７に進む。一方、カウント値がＮに達していない場合は、カウント値を１つインクリメントして、ステップＳ１００８に進む。
【０１０９】
ステップＳ１００７では、３次元地図地図作成部８０３は、ステップＳ１００５において、オブジェクト位置算出部８０２により算出された操作対象オブジェクトの位置周辺に配置される地図構成要素を地図ＤＢ５０３から読み出し、３次元世界中に配置する。これにより、操作対象オブジェクトの位置周辺に展開される地形を展開する。
【０１１０】
ステップＳ１００８では、オブジェクト配置部８０４は、ステップＳ１００７において、３次元地図地図作成部８０３により地形が展開された３次元世界中において、オブジェクトＤＡ５０２によりその３次元形状など特定される操作対象オブジェクト６０１を、ステップＳ１００５において、オブジェクト位置算出部８０２により算出した操作対象オブジェクトの位置に配置する。この際、操作対象オブジェクトの姿勢が、ステップＳ１００５において、オブジェクト位置算出部８０２により算出した操作対象オブジェクトの姿勢となるように、操作対象オブジェクトを配置する。
【０１１１】
次に、カメラ配置部８０５は、先に図７〜図１３を用いて説明した要領にしたがい、ステップＳ１００７、Ｓ１００８において、３次元地図地図作成部８０３およびオブジェクト配置部８０４により、地形および操作対象オブジェクト６０１が配置された３次元世界から、２次元画像を生成するために用いられる、仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置と向きを設定する処理を行う（ステップＳ１００９）。
【０１１２】
上記のようにして、３次元世界中に操作対象オブジェクト６０１および操作対象オブジェクト６０１周辺の地形が配置され、この３次元世界中に配置された操作対象オブジェクト６０１および操作対象オブジェクト６０１周辺の地形を撮影する仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置と向きが設定されると、画像生成部８０６は、この仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置を視点とし、当該カメラ６０９の向きを視線方向として、かつ、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向を軸とした左右に傾きに応じて、仮想的なカメラ６０９を、カメラ視線方向６１０を軸として回動させて、この３次元世界中に配置された操作対象オブジェクト６０１および操作対象オブジェクト６０１を、仮想的なカメラスクリーン上に投影するレンダリング処理を行う。これにより、２次元画像を生成する（ステップＳ１０１０）。
【０１１３】
それから、表示制御部８０７は、ステップＳ１０１０において、画像生成部８０６により生成された２次元画像をビデオ信号に変換し、本エンタテインメント装置１に接続された表示装置に出力する（ステップＳ１０１１）。
【０１１４】
上述した図１４に示すフローを繰り返し行うことにより、本エンタテインメント装置１は、操作装置２０を介して受け付けたプレイヤの操作内容にしたがい仮想的な３次元世界中を移動する操作対象オブジェクト６０１を、仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影することで得られる動画像を、本エンタテインメント装置１に接続された表示装置の表示画面上に表示する。
【０１１５】
以上、本発明の実施形態について説明した。
【０１１６】
本実施形態によれば、仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置であるカメラ設置点６０６に、前回算出されたカメラ設置点６０６’が考慮されるため、仮想的なカメラ６０９は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の動きに対し、少し遅れて操作対象オブジェクト６０１の後ろを追従するように振舞う。また、操作対象オブジェクト６０１が移動方向を軸として回動した場合には、仮想的なカメラ６０９も、それに応じて、カメラ視線方向を軸として回動する。
【０１１７】
このため、プレイヤは、操作装置２０を用いて操作する操作対象オブジェクト６０１の仮想的な３次元世界中における振る舞いを、表示画面を通して把握することが容易となる。したがって、フライトシミュレーションゲームの臨場感が増し、娯楽性が向上する。
【０１１８】
また、本実施形態によれば、仮想的なカメラ６０９は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど、操作対象オブジェクト６０１から遠ざかる方向に移動することになる。
【０１１９】
このため、プレイヤが、操作装置２０を用いて操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度を上げた場合、移動速度の増加分に応じて、仮想的なカメラ６０９に収められる（つまり表示装置の表示画面に表示される）オブジェクト周囲の映像が広くなる。したがって、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度を上げたときに、極端に操作が難くなることを防ぐことができる。
【０１２０】
なお、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度は、当該オブジェクト６０１の当該オブジェクト周囲に配置された地形に対する相対速度として、表示装置の表示画面に表示される動画像に反映されるため、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度の増加分に応じて、仮想的なカメラ６０９に収められるオブジェクト周囲の映像が広くなっても、動画像から得られるスピード感は失われない。
【０１２１】
さらに、本実施形態では、仮想的なカメラ６０９のカメラ視線方向６１０は、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度が大きくなるほど、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の前方に向けられる。
【０１２２】
このため、プレイヤが、操作装置２０を用いて操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度を上げた場合、移動速度の増加分に応じて、仮想的なカメラ６０９に収められるオブジェクト周囲の映像がより遠方にまで広がる。したがって、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動速度を上げたときに、極端に操作が難くなることをさらに効率よく防ぐことができる。
【０１２３】
くわえて、本実施形態では、操作対象オブジェクト６０９が表す飛行機の左右の傾きや機首の上下を、操作装置２０の操作軸３１ａ、３２ａに加えられた操作により、操作装置２０から出力されたＸ−Ｙ座標上の座標値に応じて決定している。そして、前記Ｘ−Ｙ座標値が所定の範囲にある場合、操作対象オブジェクト６０１、所定の動作（たとえば、急旋回などの、現実の世界において操縦が困難と思われる動作）を行わせるものと判断させ、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の移動方向が、当該動作を行うために要求される方向となるように決定している。
【０１２４】
このようにすることで、操作装置２０の操作軸３１ａ、３２ａに、操縦かんと同じ機能をそのまま持たせる場合に比べ、操作対象オブジェクト６０１の操作を簡単にすることができる。したがって、不慣れなプレイヤにとっても、十分にフライトシミュレーションゲームを楽しむことができる。
【０１２５】
なお、本発明は、上記の実施形態に限定されるものではなく、その要旨の範囲内で様々な変形が可能である。
【０１２６】
上記の実施形態では、仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置であるカメラ設置点６０６に、前回算出されたカメラ設置点６０６’が考慮されるように設定している。しかしながら、本発明はこれに限定されない。カメラ設置点６０６は、少なくとも１つ前に算出されたカメラ設置点を考慮して設定するものであればよい。
【０１２７】
たとえば、１つ前に算出されたカメラ設置点６０６’およびカメラ追跡点６０４間の距離Ｌを所定値Ｍで割ることで得られる距離Ｌ／Ｍだけ、前記カメラ設置点６０６’およびカメラ追跡点６０４間の中間点からカメラ追跡点６０４へ近づく位置に、カメラ設置点６０６を設定するようにしてもよい。
【０１２８】
あるいは、１つ前に算出されたカメラ設置点６０６’と２つ前に算出されたカメラ設置点６０６”との中間点およびカメラ追跡点６０４間の距離Ｌを所定値Ｍで割ることで得られる距離Ｌ／Ｍだけ、前記中間点からカメラ追跡点６０４へ近づく位置に、カメラ設置点６０６を設定するようにしてもよい。
【０１２９】
また、上記の実施形態では、本エンタテインメント装置１を用いてフライトシミュレーションゲームを行う場合を例にとり説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されない。たとえば、本エンタテインメント装置１を用いて、ドライブシミュレーションゲームなどの、操作装置２０を介して受け付けたプレイヤの操作内容にしたがい仮想的な３次元世界中の操作対象オブジェクトの移動させることが可能な、様々なテレビゲームを行う場合に適用可能である。
【０１３０】
なお、本エンタテインメント装置１を用いてドライブシミュレーションゲームを行う場合、操作軸３１ａ、３２ａに加えられた操作により操作装置２０から出力された信号が示すＸ−Ｙ座標上の座標値が所定の範囲にある場合、操作内容受付部８０１は、操作対象オブジェクトに急回転などの、現実の世界において、操縦が困難と思われる動作を行わせるものと判断させ、操作対象オブジェクトの移動方向が、当該動作を行うために要求される方向となるように決定すればよい。
【０１３１】
また、本発明における、仮想的なカメラ６０９の配置位置や向きの設定方法は、テレビゲームのみならず、仮想的な３次元世界中を移動する表示オブジェクトを仮想的なカメラで撮影することで動画像を生成する装置に広く適用可能である。
【０１３２】
また、エンタテインメント装置１の外観およびハードウエア構成は、図１、図２および図４に示したものに限定されない。エンタテインメント装置１は、たとえば、ＣＰＵと、メモリと、ハードディスク装置などの外部記憶装置と、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭやＤＶＤ−ＲＯＭなどの可搬性を有する記憶媒体からデータを読み取る読取装置と、キーボードやマウスなどの入力装置と、ディスプレイなどの表示装置と、インターネットなどのネットワークを介して通信を行うためのデータ通信装置と、上述した各装置間のデータ送受を司るインターフェースといった、一般的な電子計算機の構成を有するものであってもよい。
【０１３３】
また、エンタテインメント装置１上に、図６に示すソフトウエア構成を構築するためのプログラムや、３次元世界中に配置する地図構成要素および操作対象オブジェクトの３次元形状などを特定するための各種データは、読取装置を介して、可搬性を有する記憶媒体から読み出され、メモリや外部記憶装置に記憶されるようにしてもよいし、あるいは、データ通信装置を介して、ネットワークからダウンロードされ、メモリや外部記憶装置に記憶されるようにしてもよい。
【０１３４】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明によれば、仮想的な３次元世界中を移動するオブジェクトを仮想的なカメラで撮影することで得られる動画像を、表示装置の表示画面上に表示するエンタテインメント装置において、表示装置の表示画面に表示された動画像から、３次元世界中におけるオブジェクトの振る舞いをより把握できるようにすることができる。
【０１３５】
特に、フライトシミュレーションやドライブシミュレーションなどの、操作者が操作装置を用いて仮想的な３次元世界中を移動するオブジェクトを操作することのできるエンタテイメント装置において、操作者は、自身が操作したオブジェクトの仮想的な３次元世界中における振る舞いを、表示画面を通して把握することが容易となる。これにより、臨場感が増し、娯楽性が向上する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施形態が適用されたエンタテインメント装置１および操作装置２０の外観例を示した図である。
【図２】図１に示す操作装置２０を示した図である。
【図３】図２に示す操作装置２０の操作軸３１ａ、３２ａを用いて入力できる値を説明するための図である。
【図４】図１に示すエンタテインメント装置１のハードウエア構成例を示す図である。
【図５】エンタテインメント装置１のディスク装着部３に装着される光ディスク８５のデータ構成を説明するための図である。
【図６】図４に示すエンタテインメント装置１上に構築される、フライトシミュレーションゲームを実現するためのソフトウエア構成を示した図である。
【図７】図６に示すカメラ配置部８０５によって３次元世界中に配置される仮想的なカメラ６０８と操作対象オブジェクト６０１との位置関係を説明するための図である。
【図８】図６に示すカメラ配置部８０５によって３次元世界中に配置される仮想的なカメラ６０８と操作対象オブジェクト６０１との位置関係を説明するための図である。
【図９】図６に示すカメラ配置部８０５によって３次元世界中に配置される仮想的なカメラ６０８と操作対象オブジェクト６０１との位置関係を説明するための図である。
【図１０】操作対象オブジェクト６０１の動きに対し、図６に示すカメラ配置部８０５によって３次元世界中に配置される仮想的なカメラ６０８がどのように振舞うかを説明するための図である。
【図１１】操作対象オブジェクト６０１の動きに対し、図６に示すカメラ配置部８０５によって３次元世界中に配置される仮想的なカメラ６０８がどのように振舞うかを説明するための図である。
【図１２】図１０に示すようにして配置された仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影した場合に得られる映像の一例を示した図である。
【図１３】図１１に示すようにして配置された仮想的なカメラ６０９で撮影した場合に得られる映像の一例を示した図である。
【図１４】図６に示した、エンタテインメント装置１上に構築されるフライトシミュレーションゲームを実現するためのソフトウエア構成の動作を説明するためのフロー図である。
【図１５】従来のフライトシミュレーションゲームを行うエンタテイメント装置におけるオブジェクト（飛行機を表すオブジェクト）９０１と仮想的なカメラ９０２との位置関係を説明するための図である。
【図１６】図１５に示すようにして配置された仮想的なカメラ９０２からオブジェクト９０１を撮影した場合に得られる映像を示した図である。
【符号の説明】
１…エンタテインメント装置
２…本体
３…ディスク装着部
４…リセットスイッチ
５…電源スイッチ
６…ディスク操作スイッチ
７Ａ，７Ｂ…スロット部
８Ａ，８Ｂ…メモリカード挿入部
１２…操作装置接続部
２０…操作装置
２１，２２…操作部
２３Ｌ…Ｌボタン
２３Ｒ…Ｒボタン
２４…スタートボタン
２５…選択ボタン
２６…メモリカード
３１，３２…アナログ操作部
３１ａ，３２ａ…操作軸
３３…モード選択スイッチ
３４…表示部
５０…制御系
５１…中央処理装置（ＣＰＵ：Ｃｅｎｔｒａｌ Ｐｒｏｓｅｓｓｉｎｇ Ｕｎｉｔ）
５２…周辺装置制御部
５３…メインメモリ
５４…ＲＯＭ
６０…グラフィックシステム
６１…ジオメトリトランスファエンジン（ＧＴＥ：Ｇｅｏｍｅｔｒｙ Ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒ Ｅｎｇｉｎｅ）
６２…画像処理装置（ＧＰＵ：Ｇｒａｐｈｉｃ Ｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｉｎｇ Ｕｎｉｔ）
６３…フレームバッファ
６４…画像デコーダ
７０…サウンドシステム
７１…音声処理装置（ＳＰＵ：Ｓｏｕｎｄ Ｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｉｎｇ Ｕｎｉｔ）
７２…サウンドバッファ
７３…スピーカ
８０…光ディスク制御部
８１…光ディスク装置
８２…デコーダ
８３…バッファ
８４…サブＣＰＵ
９０…通信制御部
９１…通信制御機
１００…携帯用電子機器
５０１…アプリケーションプログラム
５０２…オブジェクトデータ
５０３…地図データベース
６０１…操作対象オブジェクト
６０９…仮想的なカメラ
８０１…操作内容受付部
８０２…オブジェクト位置算出部
８０３…３次元地図作成部
８０４…オブジェクト配置部
８０５…カメラ配置部
８０６…画像生成部
８０７…表示制御部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention creates a moving image obtained by photographing a virtual three-dimensional object moving with a virtual camera in accordance with a user's operation content received via an operating device, and a display device It is related with the technique displayed on the display screen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, entertainment devices such as video game machines that can perform flight simulation, drive simulation, and the like using three-dimensional graphic animation have become widespread.
[0003]
In this type of entertainment apparatus, an operator can operate an object representing an airplane, a car, or the like using an operation apparatus connected to the apparatus, and move the virtual three-dimensional world. The entertainment device generates a moving image obtained by photographing an object moving around the three-dimensional world with a virtual camera, and displays the moving image on a display screen of a display device connected to the device.
[0004]
By the way, in the entertainment apparatus which can perform the conventional flight simulation, drive simulation, etc., the virtual camera is set to a position that is uniquely (fixed) determined by the relative positional relationship with the object.
[0005]
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between an object (an object representing an airplane) 901 and a virtual camera 902 in this type of conventional entertainment apparatus. Here, FIG. 15A shows a state in which the object 901 and the virtual camera 902 arranged in the three-dimensional world are looked down from directly above (infinitely far from the Z axis), and FIG. ) Shows a state where an object 901 and a virtual camera 902 arranged in the three-dimensional world are viewed from the side (infinitely far from the X axis). In these drawings, illustration of map components arranged in the three-dimensional world is omitted.
[0006]
As shown in the figure, in an entertainment device capable of performing a conventional flight simulation or drive simulation, for example, a predetermined distance L from the object 901 on a line 903 passing through the object 901 along the moving direction of the object 901. A virtual camera 902 is installed at a position (camera installation point A) above a predetermined distance H from a position behind the object 901 or at a position of the object 901 (camera installation point B). The line-of-sight direction of the camera is set so as to face an arbitrary point on the front line 903.
[0007]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an image obtained when the object 901 is photographed from the virtual camera 902 arranged as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 16A shows an example of an image obtained by the camera 902 when the virtual camera 902 in FIG. 15 is set to the camera installation point A, and FIG. FIG. 15 shows an example of an image obtained by the camera 902 when the virtual camera 902 is set at the camera installation point B.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in an entertainment device capable of performing conventional flight simulation, drive simulation, etc., the virtual camera is set to a position that is uniquely (fixed) determined by the relative positional relationship with the object. Therefore, the following problems arise.
[0009]
That is, regardless of the flight / running state of the object (straight or turning), the display position and posture of the object are always the same, and this state is the movement of the terrain displayed around the object. Will appear. For this reason, the operation content of the operator received via the operating device cannot be reflected on the display position and orientation of the object on the display screen, and the enjoyment of operating the object cannot be fully enjoyed.
[0010]
Therefore, the present invention provides an entertainment apparatus for displaying a moving image obtained by photographing an object moving in a virtual three-dimensional world with a virtual camera on a display screen of the display apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to better understand the behavior of an object in the three-dimensional world from a moving image displayed on a screen.
[0011]
Further, in an entertainment device such as a flight simulation and a drive simulation in which an operator can operate an object moving around a virtual three-dimensional world using the operation device, the enjoyment of operating the object can be sufficiently enjoyed. The challenge is to make it. Specifically, the contents of the operation performed on the object performed by the operator are reflected on the object on the display screen.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention creates and displays a moving image obtained by shooting a virtual three-dimensional object (for example, an object representing an airplane or a car) moving around the world with a virtual camera. In the entertainment device for displaying on the display screen of the device, the position and movement direction of the object in the three-dimensional world are sequentially calculated, and every time the position and movement direction of the object are calculated, the object in the three-dimensional world is calculated. The installation position of the virtual camera is determined in consideration of the installation position of the virtual camera calculated at least one before.
[0013]
For example, the camera tracking point passes through a newly calculated object position and is on a line parallel to the newly calculated object movement direction, at a position that is a predetermined value H above the position behind the object position by a distance K from the position K. , And a position approaching the camera tracking point from the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one previous time (for example, the distance between the camera tracking point and the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one previous time) L is a distance L / M obtained by dividing by a predetermined value M, and the virtual camera is positioned at a position closer to the camera tracking point from the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one time ago. Set the installation position.
[0014]
In this way, the past virtual camera placement position is taken into consideration for the virtual camera placement position, so the virtual camera follows the back of the object with a slight delay relative to the movement of the object. Behave like. For this reason, it becomes easy to grasp the behavior of the object in the virtual three-dimensional world through the display screen. Therefore, when the operator operates the object using the operation device connected to the entertainment device of the present invention, the operator displays the behavior of the object operated by himself / herself in the virtual three-dimensional world on the display screen. It becomes easy to grasp through. In addition, a sense of reality is increased and entertainment is improved.
[0015]
In the above example, the distance K may be set so as to decrease as the moving speed of the object increases. In this way, a sense of reality is further increased and entertainment is improved. However, in this case, although the camera tracking point approaches the object as the moving speed of the object increases, the camera installation point moves away from the object as the moving speed of the object increases, that is, relative to the moving direction of the object. It is preferable to set the distance K so as to move further backward.
[0016]
In the real world, when driving a car or maneuvering an airplane, increasing the moving speed usually requires attention to the surroundings over a wider range and far away. By doing so, similarly to this, when the operator increases the moving speed of the object using the operating device, the object is stored in the virtual camera according to the increase in the moving speed (that is, The image around the object (displayed on the display screen of the display device) becomes wider. Therefore, the operability when the moving speed of the object is increased can be improved.
[0017]
Further, in the present invention, a camera reference point is set at a position that is a distance J ahead of the position of the object on a line that passes through the position of the newly calculated object and is parallel to the movement direction of the newly calculated object. The line-of-sight direction may be set so that the virtual camera faces the camera reference point. The distance J may be set so as to increase as the moving speed of the object in the three-dimensional world increases.
[0018]
In this way, when the moving speed of the object is increased using the operating device, the object that is stored in the virtual camera (that is, displayed on the display screen of the display device) according to the increase in the moving speed. The surrounding image spreads farther away. Therefore, the operability when the moving speed of the object is increased can be improved.
[0019]
Furthermore, in the present invention, the virtual camera may be rotated about the line-of-sight direction as an axis according to the rotation about the moving direction of the object. In this way, a sense of reality is further increased and entertainment is improved.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0021]
First, a hardware configuration of an entertainment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0022]
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of an entertainment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023]
This entertainment device reads out a game program stored on, for example, a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM optical disc and executes it in accordance with an instruction from an operator (player). The execution of the game mainly refers to an operation target object (for example, an airplane or a car) displayed on a display screen of a display device (such as a television) connected to the entertainment device in accordance with an instruction from the player. Moving the object) and controlling the display of the moving image and the sound in accordance with the movement of the object.
[0024]
As shown in the drawing, the main body 2 of the entertainment apparatus 1 is mounted with an optical disc such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, which is a recording medium for supplying application programs such as video games and multimedia data, at the center. A disc mounting unit 3, a reset switch 4 for resetting the game, a power switch 5, a disc operating switch 6 for operating the mounting of the optical disc, and, for example, two slot portions 7A and 7B. Yes.
[0025]
Two operating devices 20 can be connected to the slot portions 7A and 7B, and two players can play a battle game, a competition game, or the like. The slot portions 7A and 7B may be equipped with a memory card device 26 capable of saving (storing) or reading out game data, and a portable electronic device 100 capable of playing a game separately from the main body 2. it can.
[0026]
The operation device 20 includes first and second operation units 21 and 22, an L button 23 </ b> L, an R button 23 </ b> R, a start button 24, and a selection button 25, and an analog operation unit capable of performing an analog operation. 31 and 32, a mode selection switch 33 for selecting an operation mode of the operation units 31 and 32, and a display unit 34 for displaying the selected operation mode.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 2, the analog operation units 31 and 32 are operation shafts configured to be tiltable about the fulcrum a and rotatable in a tilted state with respect to the predetermined axis b passing through the predetermined fulcrum a. 31a and 32a. The controller device 20 detects the inclination of the operation axes 31a and 32a with respect to the axis b and the direction of the inclination, and outputs a signal corresponding to the coordinate value on the XY coordinate determined from these. As shown in FIG. 3, the coordinate values in the Y (vertical) direction are expressed by 256-level values from “0” to “255” according to the vertical inclination of the operation axes 31a and 32a. The value in the (horizontal) direction is expressed by 256-level values from “0” to “255” according to the inclination in the left-right direction of the operation axes 31 a and 32 a.
[0028]
Next, FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the entertainment apparatus 1.
[0029]
As shown in the figure, the entertainment apparatus 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU: CentRal Processing Unit) 51 and a control system 50 including peripheral devices thereof, and an image processing unit (GPU: Graphic Processing Unit) that performs drawing in a frame buffer 63. ) 62 and the like, a sound system 70 including a sound processing unit (SPU) 71 that generates audio signals such as musical sounds and sound effects, and application programs and multimedia data are recorded. A memory card 26 or a portable electronic device for storing a signal from the optical disk control unit 80 for controlling the optical disk and a controller 20 for receiving an instruction from a player, a game setting, and the like. A communication control unit 90 for controlling input and output of data from the vessel 100, and a bus BUS or the like above units are connected.
[0030]
The control system 50 includes a CPU 51, a peripheral device control unit 52 that performs interrupt control, direct memory access (DMA) control, and the like, and a main memory (main memory) that includes a random access memory (RAM). Storage unit) 53, and a read only memory (ROM) 54 that stores a program such as a so-called operating system that manages the main memory 53, the graphic system 60, the sound system 70, and the like. .
[0031]
The CPU 51 controls the entire entertainment apparatus 1 by executing an operating system recorded in the ROM 54, and is composed of, for example, a RISC-CPU.
[0032]
In the entertainment apparatus 1, when the power is turned on, the CPU 51 of the control system 50 executes the operating system stored in the ROM 54. As a result, the CPU 51 controls the graphic system 60, the sound system 70, and the like.
[0033]
When the operating system is executed, the CPU 51 initializes the entire entertainment device 1 such as operation check, and then controls the optical disc control unit 80 to execute an application program such as a game recorded on the optical disc. Execute. By executing a program such as this game, the CPU 51 controls the graphic system 60, the sound system 70, etc. according to the input from the player, and controls the display of images and the generation of sound effects / musical sounds.
[0034]
The graphic system 60 also includes a geometry transfer engine (GTE) 61 that performs processing such as coordinate transformation, a GPU 62 that performs drawing in accordance with a drawing instruction from the CPU 51, and a frame that stores an image drawn by the GPU 62. A buffer 63 and an image decoder 64 that decodes image data coded and encoded by orthogonal transform such as discrete cosine transform are provided.
[0035]
The GTE 61 includes, for example, a parallel operation mechanism that executes a plurality of operations in parallel, and performs a matrix or vector operation such as coordinate transformation. Specifically, the GTE 61 forms a virtual three-dimensional object by a set of triangular polygons when an application program such as a game recorded on an optical disk uses so-called 3D graphics. Then, various calculations for generating an image obtained by photographing the three-dimensional object with a virtual camera, that is, perspective transformation in the case of rendering (the vertex of each polygon constituting the three-dimensional object is virtually Coordinate value when projected onto a simple camera screen).
[0036]
Next, the GPU 62 renders a three-dimensional object on the frame buffer 63 and creates an image using the GTE 61 as necessary in accordance with a command from the CPU 51. Then, a video signal representing the created image is output. Note that a Z-buffer method, a scan line method, a ray tracing method, or the like is used as a hidden line and hidden surface removal method used for rendering. As shading methods for shading, flat shading, Gouraud shading, ray tracing methods, etc. are used. Also, texture mapping or the like is used as a method for expressing the surface material or pattern of the surface of the three-dimensional object.
[0037]
Next, the frame buffer 63 is formed of a so-called dual port RAM, and can perform rendering of the GPU 62 or transfer from the main memory and reading for display at the same time. Further, the frame buffer 63 is provided with a texture area in which textures used for the texture mapping and the like are stored, in addition to an image area to be read for rendering and display.
[0038]
Next, the image decoder 64 decodes still image or moving image image data stored in the main memory 53 under the control of the CPU 51 and stores the decoded image data in the main memory 53. The reproduced image data is stored in the frame buffer 63 via the GPU 62 so that it can be used as the background of the image rendered by the GPU 62 described above.
[0039]
Next, the sound system 70 includes an SPU 71 that outputs audio signals such as musical sounds and sound effects based on an instruction from the CPU 51, and a sound buffer 72 in which waveform data and the like are recorded by the SPU 71.
[0040]
The SPU 71 reproduces an audio signal such as a sound effect by reproducing an ADPCM decoding function for reproducing sound data subjected to adaptive predictive coding (ADPCM: Adaptive Differential PCM) and waveform data stored in the sound buffer 72. And a reproducing function for outputting and modulating a waveform data stored in the sound buffer 72 for reproducing. By providing such a function, the sound system 70 is used as a so-called sampling sound source that generates audio signals such as musical sounds and sound effects based on the waveform data stored in the sound buffer 72 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 51. It is configured to be able to.
[0041]
Next, the optical disk control unit 80 reproduces the program, data, etc. recorded on the optical disk, and the program, data, etc. recorded with, for example, an error correction code (ECC) added thereto. A decoder 82 for decoding and a buffer 83 for speeding up reading of data from the optical disk by temporarily storing data from the optical disk device 81 are provided. A sub CPU 84 is connected to the decoder 82.
[0042]
The audio data recorded on the optical disc read by the optical disk device 81 includes so-called PCM data obtained by analog / digital conversion of an audio signal in addition to the above-mentioned ADPCM data. The ADPCM data is decoded by the decoder 82, picked up by the SPU 71 described above, subjected to processing such as digital / analog conversion by the SPU 71, and then from an audio device such as an audio device connected to the entertainment apparatus 1. Output as musical sound, sound effect, etc. Further, after the PCM data is subjected to processing such as digital / analog conversion by the SPU 71, it is similarly output as a musical sound / sound effect from the acoustic device.
[0043]
Next, the communication control unit 90 includes a communication controller 91 that controls communication with the CPU 51 via the bus BUS. The communication controller 91 is connected to an operation device connection unit 12 to which an operation device 20 for inputting an instruction from a player is connected, and a memory card 26 or a portable electronic device 100 as an auxiliary storage device for storing game setting data and the like. Are connected to memory card insertion portions 8A and 8B.
[0044]
The operation device 20 connected to the operation device connection unit 12 controls communication of the states of the buttons and the operation unit by synchronous communication in accordance with instructions from the communication controller 91 in order to input instructions from the player. To the machine 91. Then, the communication controller 91 transmits the state of each button and operation unit of the operation device 20 to the CPU 51.
[0045]
Thereby, an instruction from the player is input to the CPU 51, and the CPU 51 performs processing in accordance with the instruction from the player based on the game program being executed. Specifically, in cooperation with the other parts of the control system 70 and the graphic system 60, an image including the operation target object is generated and displayed on the display screen of the display device. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the player input to the operation device 20, images with different display positions and postures of the operation target objects (and their backgrounds are changed as necessary) are sequentially generated and displayed on the display screen of the display device. By displaying, a moving image is generated so that the operation target object is operated according to the operation content of the player input to the operation device 20. Further, as necessary, the sound and music output from the sound device are controlled in cooperation with the sound system 70.
[0046]
Here, between the main memory 53, the GPU 62, the image decoder 64, the decoder 82, and the like, it is necessary to transfer image data at high speed when reading a program, displaying an image, drawing, or the like. Therefore, in the entertainment apparatus 1, as described above, data is directly transferred between the main memory 53, the GPU 62, the image decoder 64, the decoder 82, and the like under the control of the peripheral device control unit 52 without using the CPU 51. So-called DMA transfer can be performed. As a result, the load on the CPU 51 due to data transfer can be reduced, and high-speed data transfer can be performed.
[0047]
Further, when it is necessary to store the setting data of the game being executed, the CPU 51 transmits the stored data to the communication controller 91, and the communication controller 91 inserts the data from the CPU 51 into the memory card. The data is written in the memory card 26 or the portable electronic device 100 mounted in the slot of the section 8A or 8B.
[0048]
Here, the communication controller 91 has a built-in protection circuit for preventing electrical destruction. The memory card 26 and the portable electronic device 100 are separated from the bus BUS and can be attached and detached while the apparatus main body is turned on. Accordingly, when the memory capacity of the memory card 26 or the portable electronic device 100 is insufficient, a new memory card or the like can be inserted without shutting off the power supply of the apparatus main body. For this reason, without losing game data that needs to be backed up, a new memory card can be inserted and necessary data can be written into the new memory card.
[0049]
The parallel I / O interface (PIO) 96 and the serial I / O interface (SIO) 97 are interfaces for connecting the memory card 26 and the portable electronic device 100 to the entertainment device 1.
[0050]
The hardware configuration of the entertainment device 1 has been described above.
[0051]
Next, the flight simulation game realized by the CPU 51 executing the application program read from the optical disk mounted on the disk mounting unit 3 in the entertainment device 1 having the above configuration will be described.
[0052]
Here, the flight simulation game is a game in which a player operates an operation target object representing an airplane using the operation device 20 connected to the entertainment device 1 to move around a virtual three-dimensional world. This is a game where you can virtually experience the flight of an airplane. The entertainment device 1 generates a CG animation image obtained by photographing the operation target object moving around the three-dimensional world with a virtual camera, and displays it on a display screen of a display device connected to the entertainment device 1. To do.
[0053]
First, the data structure of the optical disc will be described.
[0054]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the data configuration of the optical disk 85 mounted on the disk mounting unit 3.
[0055]
As shown in the figure, the optical disc 85 stores an application program (PG) 501 for realizing a flight simulation game, and various data including object data (DA) 502 and a map database (DB) 503.
[0056]
The object DA502 stores various information necessary for specifying the three-dimensional shape, texture, and the like of an operation target object (an object representing an airplane) operated by the player using the operation device 20 in the flight simulation game. Yes. The map DB 503 stores information on various map components that specify the virtual three-dimensional terrain around the world to which the operation target object moves in the flight simulation game.
[0057]
Next, a software configuration for realizing a flight simulation game constructed on the entertainment device 1 will be described.
[0058]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a software configuration for realizing a flight simulation game constructed on the entertainment device 1. Each component shown in this figure is read out from the optical disk 85 mounted on the disk mounting unit 3 by the optical disk control unit 80, and the application PG 501 loaded on the main memory 53 is executed by the CPU 51. Embodied as a process.
[0059]
In FIG. 6, the operation content receiving unit 801 determines the moving speed and moving direction of the operation target object that moves in the virtual three-dimensional world according to the instruction of the player input to the operating device 20. This process is performed periodically.
[0060]
Here, as for the movement speed of the operation target object, for example, any one of the first and second operation units 21 and 22, the L button 23 </ b> L and the R button 23 </ b> R of the operation device 20 has the same function as the throttle. To decide.
[0061]
That is, when the detection signal of the button having the same function as the throttle is output from the operation device 20, it is determined that the throttle is on, and when the detection signal of the button is not output, it is determined that the throttle is off. When it is determined that the throttle is on, the speed determined from the previously determined movement speed of the operation target object and the throttle-on continuation time after determining the acceleration according to the predetermined throttle-on and the previous movement speed. Is added to determine the moving speed of the operation target object. On the other hand, if it is determined that the throttle is off, the previously determined movement speed of the operation target object is obtained from a predetermined deceleration according to the throttle off and the throttle off duration after the previous movement speed is determined. The moving speed of the operation target object is determined by subtracting the speed.
[0062]
Further, the moving direction of the operation target object is determined by, for example, giving the operation shafts 31 a and 32 a of the operation device 20 the same function as the control stick.
[0063]
That is, the operation of the airplane represented by the operation target object according to the value of the X coordinate component of the signal corresponding to the coordinate value on the XY coordinate output from the operation device 20 by the operation applied to the operation axes 31a and 32a. The left / right inclination is determined, and the nose of the nose of the airplane is determined according to the value of the Y coordinate component.
[0064]
Specifically, in FIG. 3, when the value of the X coordinate component is 128 to 255, the larger the value is, the larger the airplane is tilted to the right, and when the value of the X coordinate component is 0 to 126, the value is It is assumed that the smaller the airplane is, the more the airplane tilts to the left. When the value of the X coordinate component is 127, it is assumed that there is no inclination of the airplane left and right. When the value of the Y coordinate component is 128 to 255, the aircraft nose is increased as the value is larger. When the value of the Y coordinate component is 0 to 126, the aircraft nose is increased as the value is smaller. It shall be greatly lowered. When the value of the Y coordinate component is 127, it is assumed that the nose of the airplane nose is up and down.
[0065]
Then, the operation content receiving unit 801 is specified by a signal corresponding to the coordinate value on the XY coordinates output from the operation device 20, from the left / right inclination of the airplane represented by the operation target object and the top / bottom of the nose. A change in the movement direction relative to the movement direction of the operation target object determined last time is obtained and added to the movement direction of the operation target object determined last time. Thereby, the moving direction of the operation target object is determined.
[0066]
By the way, in the real world, a very advanced maneuver is required for the action of shifting the airplane to a complete turning flight state using a maneuver. For this reason, if the operation shafts 31a and 32a of the operation device 20 have the same function as the control stick as they are, it may be difficult for an unfamiliar player to operate the operation target object and enjoy the flight simulation game sufficiently. unknown.
[0067]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the coordinate value on the XY coordinate indicated by the signal output from the operation device 20 by the operation applied to the operation axes 31a and 32a in the operation target receiving unit 801 is within a predetermined range. In some cases, the operation content accepting unit 801 determines that the operation target object is to perform a predetermined action (an action that seems difficult to control in the real world). Then, the movement direction of the operation target object is determined to be a direction required for performing the operation. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the operation content receiving unit 801 performs a sudden clockwise turn to the operation target object when the coordinate value on the XY coordinate is X coordinate value ≧ 240 and Y coordinate value ≦ 15. When the X coordinate value ≦ 15 and the Y coordinate value ≦ 15, it is determined that the object to be operated is to make a sudden counterclockwise flight. Then, the moving direction of the operation target object is determined as a direction required for performing the flight.
[0068]
For example, when it is determined that a sharp turn flight in the upper right corner is to be performed, the airplane represented by the operation target object is tilted 45 degrees to the right, the nose of the airplane is raised 45 degrees, and the previously determined operation target object The moving direction of the operation target object is determined from the moving direction. If it is determined that the aircraft will make a counterclockwise sharp turn flight, the airplane is tilted 45 degrees to the left and the nose of the airplane is raised 45 degrees, and the operation is performed from the previously determined movement direction of the operation target object. Determine the direction of movement of the target object.
[0069]
Next, in FIG. 6, the object position calculation unit 802 periodically performs processing for calculating the position and orientation of the operation target object in the virtual three-dimensional world.
[0070]
Specifically, the current position of the operation target object is calculated from the previously calculated position and orientation of the operation target object and the latest movement speed of the operation target object determined by the operation content receiving unit 801. Also, the current attitude of the operation target object is calculated according to the latest movement direction of the operation target object determined by the operation content receiving unit 801.
[0071]
The three-dimensional map creation unit 803 directly reads map components arranged around the position of the operation target object calculated by the object position calculation unit 802 from the map DB 503 stored in the optical disc 85 or reads from the optical disc 85. The data is read out from the map DB 503 once stored in the main memory 53 or the like, and arranged around the world in three dimensions. Thereby, the terrain developed around the position of the operation target object is generated.
[0072]
Note that the terrain generation processing in the three-dimensional map creation unit 803 is not necessarily performed every time the position of the operation target object is calculated by the object position calculation unit 802. For example, it may be performed each time the object position calculation unit 802 calculates the position of the operation target object a plurality of times. In this case, a range in which the operation target object can be moved by a plurality of operation target object position calculation processes in the object position calculation unit 802 (this can be estimated from a preset maximum moving speed of the operation target object or the like). ), The map components arranged around the range may be read from the map DB 503 and arranged in the three-dimensional world.
[0073]
The object placement unit 804 defines an object to be operated, which is specified by the object DA502 stored in the optical disc 85, such as its three-dimensional shape, in the three-dimensional world where the terrain is developed by the three-dimensional map creation unit 803. It is arranged at the position of the latest operation target object calculated in 802. At this time, the operation target object is arranged so that the posture of the operation target object becomes the latest posture of the operation target object calculated by the object position calculation unit 802.
[0074]
Note that the three-dimensional map creation unit 803 and the object placement unit 804 are realized by the CPU 51 using the GTE 61 in FIG. 4, for example.
[0075]
The camera placement unit 805 is a virtual camera placement position (used to generate a 2D image from the 3D world in which the topography and the operation target object are placed by the 3D map creation unit 803 and the object placement unit 804 ( That is, a process of setting a viewpoint) and a direction (that is, a viewing direction and a camera tilt with the viewing direction as an axis) is performed. This process is performed each time the position and orientation of the operation target object are calculated by the object position calculation unit 802. Hereinafter, an example of a specific setting process of the virtual camera placement position and orientation in the camera placement unit 805 will be described.
[0076]
7 to 9 are diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the operation target object 601 and the virtual camera 608 in the present embodiment.
[0077]
Here, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the object 601 and the virtual camera 609 arranged in the three-dimensional world are looked down from directly above (infinitely far from the Z axis), and FIG. 8 shows the three-dimensional world. It shows a state where an object 601 and a virtual camera 609 arranged inside are viewed from the side (infinitely far from the X axis). FIG. 9 shows a state in which an object 601 and a virtual camera 609 arranged in the three-dimensional world are viewed from the side (infinitely far from the Y axis). In these drawings, illustration of map components arranged in the three-dimensional world is omitted.
[0078]
(1) Virtual camera placement position (camera installation point)
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the camera placement unit 805 sets the camera placement point 606 that is the placement position of the virtual camera 609 to a position that satisfies the following conditions (1) to (3).
[0079]
(1): On a line 603 along the moving direction of the operation target object 601 newly calculated by the operation content receiving unit 801 that passes the position 602 of the operation target object 601 newly calculated by the object position calculation unit 802 The camera tracking point 604 is set at a position that is a predetermined value H higher than the position 602 behind the position 602.
[0080]
{Circle over (2)}: The camera tracking point from the previously calculated camera installation point 606 ′ by the distance L / M obtained by dividing the distance L between the camera tracking point 604 and the previously calculated camera installation point 606 ′ by the predetermined value M. A camera installation point 606 is set at a position approaching 604. Therefore, the camera installation point 606, the previously calculated camera installation point 606 ′, and the camera tracking point 604 satisfy the following relationship.
[0081]

{Circle around (3)} In the above {circle around (1)}, the distance K is shortened as the moving speed of the operation target object 601 newly calculated by the operation content receiving unit 801 increases (that is, the camera tracking point 604 is the operation target object). Set to approach 601). For example, when the moving speed of the operation target object 601 is A, K is set to k and the following equation is set.
[0082]
K = ka (BA)
Here, B is the moving speed of the operation target object newly calculated by the operation content receiving unit 801, and a is a predetermined coefficient. The coefficient a is set so as to satisfy the following condition in relation to the predetermined value M shown in (2) above.
[0083]
That is, the camera tracking point 604 approaches the operation target object 601 as the movement speed of the operation target object 601 increases. However, the camera installation point 606 moves away from the operation target object 601 as the movement speed of the operation target object 601 increases. In other words, the coefficient a and the predetermined value M are set so that the operation target object 601 moves backward with respect to the moving direction.
[0084]
In the initial state (when the game is started), the camera installation point 606 may be set to a predetermined position that is fixedly determined by the relative positional relationship with the operation target object 601.
[0085]
(2) Camera direction (camera gaze direction)
As illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the camera placement unit 805 sets the camera viewing direction 610 so that the virtual camera 609 installed at the camera installation point 606 faces the camera reference point 607. The camera placement unit 805 sets the camera reference point 607 to a position that satisfies the following conditions (1)-(2).
[0086]
(1): A line 603 on the line 603 along the moving direction of the operation target object newly calculated by the operation content receiving unit 801 that passes through the position 602 of the operation target object newly calculated by the object position calculation unit 802. A camera reference point 607 is set at a position ahead of the position 602 by a distance J.
[0087]
{Circle around (2)} In the above {circle around (1)}, the distance J becomes longer as the movement speed of the operation target object 601 newly calculated by the operation content receiving unit 801 increases (that is, the camera reference point 607 becomes the operation target object). Set to move away from 601). For example, when the moving speed of the operation target object 601 is A, J is set to j, and the following equation is set.
[0088]
J = j + b (BA)
Here, B is the movement speed of the operation target object newly calculated by the operation content receiving unit 801, and b is a predetermined coefficient.
[0089]
(3) Camera orientation (camera tilt with respect to camera viewing direction)
As shown in FIG. 9, when the operation target object 601 is tilted to the left and right with the line 603 as an axis (that is, when the operation content receiving unit 801 receives the operation content for tilting the airplane represented by the operation target object 601 to the left and right) ), The virtual camera 608 is rotated about the camera line-of-sight direction 610 according to the inclination. When the operation target object 601 rotates around the line 603, the virtual camera 608 is rotated around the camera viewing direction 610.
[0090]
10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining how the virtual camera 608 behaves with respect to the movement of the operation target object 601 in the present embodiment.
[0091]
Here, FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the operation target object 601 and the virtual camera 608 when the operation target object 601 shifts from the straight traveling state to the clockwise turning state at a constant speed, and FIG. A relationship between the operation target object 601 and the virtual camera 608 in the case where the movement speed is gradually increased while the target object 601 is in the straight traveling state is shown. Both figures show a state where the operation target object 601 and the virtual camera 608 are looked down from directly above (infinitely far from the Z axis). In these figures, maps arranged in the three-dimensional world are shown. Illustration of components is omitted.
[0092]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained when the image is taken by the virtual camera 609 arranged as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 12A shows an image taken by the virtual camera 609 when the operation target object 601 is at the position of FIG. 10A in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12B shows the operation target object. An image captured by the virtual camera 609 when the position 601 is at the position (b), and FIG. 12C is a view of the virtual camera when the operation target object 601 is at the position (c). Images taken at 609 are respectively shown. FIG. 12D shows an image captured by the virtual camera 609 when the operation target object 601 is at the position (d) in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12E shows the operation target object 601. The images captured by the virtual camera 609 when in the position (e) are respectively shown.
[0093]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image obtained when the image is captured by the virtual camera 609 arranged as illustrated in FIG. Here, FIG. 13A shows an image captured by the virtual camera 609 when the operation target object 601 is at the position of FIG. 11A in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B shows the operation target object. An image captured by the virtual camera 609 when the position 601 is at the position (b), and FIG. 13C is a view of the virtual camera when the operation target object 601 is at the position (c). Images taken at 609 are respectively shown.
[0094]
As is clear from FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, by setting the placement position and orientation of the virtual camera 609 so as to satisfy the conditions satisfying the above (1) to (3), the camera installation point 606 Since the previously calculated camera installation point 606 ′ is taken into consideration, the virtual camera 609 behaves so as to follow the back of the operation target object 601 with a slight delay with respect to the movement of the operation target object 601. In addition, when the operation target object 601 is rotated about the moving direction (tilt left and right), the virtual camera 609 is also rotated about the camera viewing direction 610 accordingly.
[0095]
As is clear from FIGS. 11 and 13, by setting the position and orientation of the virtual camera 609 so as to satisfy the conditions satisfying the above (1)-(3), the virtual camera 609 moves in a direction away from the operation target object 601 as the movement speed of the operation target object 601 increases. Further, the camera line-of-sight direction 610 is directed to the front of the operation target object 601 as the movement speed of the operation target object 601 increases.
[0096]
Returning to FIG. 6, the description will be continued.
[0097]
The image generation unit 806 is a virtual one in which the arrangement position and the line-of-sight direction are set by the camera arrangement unit 805 in the three-dimensional world where the terrain and the operation target object are arranged by the three-dimensional map creation unit 803 and the object arrangement unit 804. A two-dimensional image obtained by photographing with a camera is generated. Specifically, the virtual camera 609 is set in accordance with the left-right tilt with the virtual camera arrangement position as the viewpoint, the camera direction as the line-of-sight direction, and the movement direction of the operation target object 601 as the axis. Is rotated around the camera line-of-sight direction 610, and a process (rendering) is performed to project an operation target object or a map constituent in the three-dimensional world on a virtual camera screen. Generate.
[0098]
The display control unit 807 converts the two-dimensional image generated by the image generation unit 806 into a video signal and outputs it to a display device connected to the entertainment apparatus 1.
[0099]
In addition, the image generation part 806 and the display control part 807 are implement | achieved when CPU51 uses GTE61 and GPU62 in FIG. 4, for example.
Next, the operation of the software configuration for realizing the flight simulation game constructed on the entertainment device 1 will be described.
[0100]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the software configuration for realizing the flight simulation game constructed on the entertainment device 1.
[0101]
First, the operation content receiving unit 801 calculates the moving speed of the operation target object 601 (step S1001). Specifically, the on / off time of the throttle after the previous movement speed is calculated is measured by detecting the detection signal of the button having the role of the throttle of the operating device 20. Then, add the speed obtained from the measured throttle-on time and a predetermined acceleration to the previously calculated movement speed and / or subtract the speed obtained from the measured throttle-off time and a predetermined deceleration. Then, the moving speed of the operation target object 601 is calculated.
[0102]
Next, the operation content receiving unit 801 calculates the movement direction of the operation target object 601 (steps S1002 to S1004).
[0103]
Specifically, the coordinate value on the XY coordinate indicated by the signal output from the operating device 20 by the operation applied to the operating shafts 31a and 32a having the function of the control stick of the operating device 20 is as follows. It is checked whether it is within the predetermined range (step S1002). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, whether the coordinate value on the XY coordinate is in the range of X coordinate value ≧ 240 and Y coordinate value ≦ 15, or the range of X coordinate value ≦ 15 and Y coordinate value ≦ 15. Check for no.
[0104]
If it is within the predetermined range, the operation target object 601 is assumed to perform a predetermined action, and the movement direction of the operation target object 601 is determined to be a direction required for performing the action (step S1003). ). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the coordinate values on the XY coordinates are X coordinate value ≧ 240 and Y coordinate value ≦ 15, it is determined that the operation target object is to make a sudden clockwise turn flight. The plane represented by the operation target object 601 is tilted 45 degrees to the right from the previously calculated movement direction of the operation target object 601, and the nose of the plane is raised 45 degrees. calculate. In the case of X coordinate value ≦ 15 and Y coordinate value ≦ 15, it is determined that the operation target object 601 is to make a sudden counterclockwise flight, and the airplane is moved to the left from the previously calculated movement direction of the operation target object 601. It is assumed that the nose of the airplane is raised 45 degrees and the movement direction of the operation target object 601 is determined.
[0105]
On the other hand, when it is not within the predetermined range, the operation target object 601 represents according to the coordinate value on the XY coordinate indicated by the signal output from the operation device 20 by the operation applied to the operation axes 31a and 32a. Determine the left / right tilt of the airplane and the nose of the airplane's nose. Then, it is assumed that the plane is moved up, down, left, and right by the determined angle from the movement direction of the operation target object 601 calculated last time, and the movement direction of the operation target object 601 is determined (step S1004).
[0106]
Next, the object position calculation unit 802 calculates the position and orientation of the operation target object 601 in the virtual three-dimensional world (step S1005).
[0107]
Specifically, the current position of the operation target object 601 is calculated from the previously calculated position and orientation of the operation target object and the latest movement speed of the operation target object 601 calculated by the operation content receiving unit 801. Also, the current attitude of the operation target object 601 is calculated according to the latest movement direction of the operation target object 601 determined by the operation content receiving unit 801.
[0108]
Next, the 3D map creation unit 803 checks whether or not the map needs to be updated (step S1006). For example, when the map is updated every time the calculation processing of the position of the operation target object 601 in step S1005 is performed N times, a counter is provided to check whether or not the count value has reached N. If N has been reached, it is determined that updating is necessary, the count value is reset, and the process proceeds to step S1007. On the other hand, if the count value has not reached N, the count value is incremented by one and the process proceeds to step S1008.
[0109]
In step S1007, the 3D map map creation unit 803 reads out map components arranged around the position of the operation target object calculated by the object position calculation unit 802 in step S1005 from the map DB 503, and distributes the 3D map all over the world. Deploy. Thereby, the terrain developed around the position of the operation target object is developed.
[0110]
In step S1008, the object placement unit 804 identifies the operation target object 601 specified by the object DA502 and the like in the 3D world where the terrain is developed by the 3D map creation unit 803 in step S1007. In step S1005, the object position calculation unit 802 arranges the operation target object at the position. At this time, the operation target object is arranged so that the posture of the operation target object becomes the posture of the operation target object calculated by the object position calculation unit 802 in step S1005.
[0111]
Next, in accordance with the procedure described above with reference to FIGS. 7 to 13, the camera placement unit 805 uses the 3D map map creation unit 803 and the object placement unit 804 to perform the terrain and the operation target object in steps S <b> 1007 and S <b> 1008. Processing for setting the placement position and orientation of the virtual camera 609 used to generate a two-dimensional image from the three-dimensional world in which the 601 is placed is performed (step S1009).
[0112]
As described above, the operation target object 601 and the terrain around the operation target object 601 are arranged around the three-dimensional world, and the terrain around the operation target object 601 and the operation target object 601 arranged around the three-dimensional world is photographed. When the placement position and orientation of the virtual camera 609 to be set are set, the image generation unit 806 uses the placement position of the virtual camera 609 as the viewpoint, the orientation of the camera 609 as the line-of-sight direction, and the operation target The virtual camera 609 is rotated about the camera line-of-sight direction 610 according to the left / right tilt with the moving direction of the object 601 as an axis, and the operation target object 601 arranged in the three-dimensional world and the operation A rendering process for projecting the target object 601 onto a virtual camera screen is performed. As a result, a two-dimensional image is generated (step S1010).
[0113]
Then, in step S1010, the display control unit 807 converts the two-dimensional image generated by the image generation unit 806 into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to a display device connected to the entertainment apparatus 1 (step S1011).
[0114]
By repeatedly performing the above-described flow shown in FIG. 14, the entertainment apparatus 1 moves the virtual operation target object 601 that moves around the virtual three-dimensional world according to the operation contents of the player received via the operation apparatus 20 to the virtual object. A moving image obtained by photographing with a typical camera 609 is displayed on a display screen of a display device connected to the entertainment apparatus 1.
[0115]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.
[0116]
According to the present embodiment, since the camera installation point 606 ′ calculated last time is taken into consideration for the camera installation point 606 that is the arrangement position of the virtual camera 609, the virtual camera 609 can be used as the operation target object 601. It behaves so as to follow behind the operation target object 601 with a slight delay with respect to the movement. When the operation target object 601 rotates about the moving direction, the virtual camera 609 also rotates about the camera viewing direction accordingly.
[0117]
For this reason, the player can easily understand the behavior of the operation target object 601 operated using the operation device 20 in the virtual three-dimensional world through the display screen. Therefore, the presence of the flight simulation game is increased and the entertainment is improved.
[0118]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the virtual camera 609 moves in a direction away from the operation target object 601 as the movement speed of the operation target object 601 increases.
[0119]
For this reason, when the player increases the moving speed of the operation target object 601 using the operating device 20, it is stored in the virtual camera 609 in accordance with the increased moving speed (that is, displayed on the display screen of the display device). The image around the object becomes wider. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation from becoming extremely difficult when the movement speed of the operation target object 601 is increased.
[0120]
Note that the movement speed of the operation target object 601 is reflected in the moving image displayed on the display screen of the display device as the relative speed of the object 601 with respect to the terrain arranged around the object. Even if the video around the object stored in the virtual camera 609 becomes wider according to the increase in the moving speed, the sense of speed obtained from the moving image is not lost.
[0121]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the camera line-of-sight direction 610 of the virtual camera 609 is directed to the front of the operation target object 601 as the movement speed of the operation target object 601 increases.
[0122]
For this reason, when the player increases the movement speed of the operation target object 601 using the operation device 20, the video around the object stored in the virtual camera 609 is further distant as the movement speed increases. spread. Therefore, when the movement speed of the operation target object 601 is increased, it can be more efficiently prevented that the operation becomes extremely difficult.
[0123]
In addition, in the present embodiment, the left / right inclination of the airplane represented by the operation target object 609 and the up / down of the nose of the aircraft are output from the operation device 20 by operations applied to the operation axes 31a and 32a of the operation device 20. It is determined according to the coordinate value on the -Y coordinate. When the XY coordinate value is within a predetermined range, the operation target object 601 is determined to perform a predetermined action (for example, an action that seems difficult to control in the real world, such as a sudden turn). Thus, the movement direction of the operation target object 601 is determined to be a direction required for performing the operation.
[0124]
By doing in this way, operation of the operation target object 601 can be simplified compared with the case where the operation shafts 31a and 32a of the operation device 20 have the same function as the control stick. Therefore, a flight simulation game can be fully enjoyed even for inexperienced players.
[0125]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the range of the summary.
[0126]
In the above embodiment, the camera installation point 606 ′, which is the placement position of the virtual camera 609, is set so that the previously calculated camera installation point 606 ′ is taken into consideration. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The camera installation point 606 may be set in consideration of at least the camera installation point calculated one time before.
[0127]
For example, the camera installation point 606 ′ and the camera tracking point 604 are obtained by a distance L / M obtained by dividing the distance L between the camera installation point 606 ′ and the camera tracking point 604 calculated immediately before by the predetermined value M. You may make it set the camera installation point 606 in the position which approaches the camera tracking point 604 from the intermediate point in between.
[0128]
Alternatively, it is obtained by dividing the distance L between the intermediate point between the camera setting point 606 ′ calculated one time before and the camera setting point 606 ″ calculated two times before and the camera tracking point 604 by a predetermined value M. The camera installation point 606 may be set at a position approaching the camera tracking point 604 from the intermediate point by a distance L / M.
[0129]
Moreover, although said embodiment demonstrated and demonstrated the case where the flight simulation game was performed using this entertainment apparatus 1, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the entertainment apparatus 1 can be used to move various operation target objects around the virtual three-dimensional world according to the operation contents of the player received via the operation apparatus 20, such as a drive simulation game. This is applicable when playing various video games.
[0130]
When a drive simulation game is performed using the entertainment device 1, the coordinate values on the XY coordinates indicated by signals output from the operation device 20 by operations applied to the operation axes 31a and 32a are within a predetermined range. In some cases, the operation content receiving unit 801 determines that the operation target object is caused to perform an operation that seems to be difficult to control in the real world, such as rapid rotation, and the movement direction of the operation target object indicates the operation. What is necessary is just to determine so that it may become a direction requested | required in order to perform.
[0131]
In addition, according to the present invention, the setting method of the arrangement position and orientation of the virtual camera 609 is not limited to a video game, and a moving image is obtained by shooting a display object that moves in a virtual three-dimensional world with a virtual camera. The present invention can be widely applied to an apparatus for generating an image.
[0132]
Further, the appearance and hardware configuration of the entertainment apparatus 1 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. The entertainment device 1 includes, for example, a CPU, a memory, an external storage device such as a hard disk device, a reading device that reads data from a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, and a keyboard or a mouse. It has a general electronic computer configuration such as an input device, a display device such as a display, a data communication device for performing communication via a network such as the Internet, and an interface for managing data transmission / reception between the devices described above. It may be a thing.
[0133]
In addition, on the entertainment device 1, a program for constructing the software configuration shown in FIG. 6, various data for specifying the 3D shape of map components and operation target objects arranged in the 3D world are as follows: The data may be read from a portable storage medium via a reader and stored in a memory or an external storage device, or downloaded from a network via a data communication device, It may be stored in an external storage device.
[0134]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an entertainment device that displays a moving image obtained by photographing an object moving in a virtual three-dimensional world with a virtual camera on a display screen of a display device. The behavior of the object in the three-dimensional world can be more grasped from the moving image displayed on the display screen of the display device.
[0135]
In particular, in an entertainment device such as a flight simulation or a drive simulation in which an operator can operate an object moving around a virtual three-dimensional world using the operation device, the operator can use the virtual object that he / she operated. This makes it easy to grasp the behavior of a typical 3D world through the display screen. Thereby, a sense of reality increases and entertainment is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance example of an entertainment apparatus 1 and an operation apparatus 20 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operating device 20 shown in FIG.
3 is a diagram for explaining values that can be input using operation shafts 31a and 32a of operation device 20 shown in FIG. 2; FIG.
4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the entertainment apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a data configuration of an optical disc 85 mounted on the disc mounting portion 3 of the entertainment apparatus 1;
6 is a diagram showing a software configuration for realizing a flight simulation game constructed on the entertainment apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4. FIG.
7 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a virtual camera 608 arranged in the three-dimensional world and an operation target object 601 by the camera arrangement unit 805 shown in FIG. 6;
8 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a virtual camera 608 arranged in the three-dimensional world and an operation target object 601 by the camera arrangement unit 805 shown in FIG. 6;
9 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a virtual camera 608 arranged in the three-dimensional world and an operation target object 601 by the camera arrangement unit 805 shown in FIG. 6;
10 is a diagram for explaining how a virtual camera 608 arranged in the three-dimensional world behaves by the camera arrangement unit 805 shown in FIG. 6 in response to the movement of an operation target object 601. FIG.
11 is a diagram for explaining how a virtual camera 608 arranged in the three-dimensional world behaves by the camera arrangement unit 805 shown in FIG. 6 in response to the movement of an operation target object 601. FIG.
12 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained when the virtual camera 609 arranged as shown in FIG. 10 is taken. FIG.
13 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained when the image is taken by a virtual camera 609 arranged as shown in FIG.
14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the software configuration for realizing the flight simulation game constructed on the entertainment device 1 shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between an object (an object representing an airplane) 901 and a virtual camera 902 in an entertainment device that performs a conventional flight simulation game.
16 is a diagram showing an image obtained when an object 901 is photographed from a virtual camera 902 arranged as shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Entertainment apparatus 2 ... Main body 3 ... Disk mounting part 4 ... Reset switch 5 ... Power switch 6 ... Disk operation switch 7A, 7B ... Slot part 8A, 8B ... Memory card insertion part 12 ... Operation apparatus connection part 20 ... Operation apparatus 21 , 22 ... operation unit 23L ... L button 23R ... R button 24 ... start button 25 ... selection button 26 ... memory card 31, 32 ... analog operation unit 31a, 32a ... operation axis 33 ... mode selection switch 34 ... display unit 50 ... control System 51 ... Central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit)
52 ... Peripheral device controller 53 ... Main memory 54 ... ROM
60 ... Graphic system 61 ... Geometry transfer engine (GTE)
62. Image processing device (GPU: Graphic Processing Unit)
63 ... Frame buffer 64 ... Image decoder 70 ... Sound system 71 ... Sound processing unit (SPU)
72 ... Sound buffer 73 ... Speaker 80 ... Optical disk controller 81 ... Optical disk device 82 ... Decoder 83 ... Buffer 84 ... Sub CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 90 ... Communication control part 91 ... Communication controller 100 ... Portable electronic device 501 ... Application program 502 ... Object data 503 ... Map database 601 ... Operation object 609 ... Virtual camera 801 ... Operation content reception part 802 ... Object position calculation Unit 803 ... 3D map creation unit 804 ... Object placement unit 805 ... Camera placement unit 806 ... Image generation unit 807 ... Display control unit

Claims (14)

A moving image obtained by photographing a virtual three-dimensional object with a virtual camera according to the operation contents of the operator received via the operation device is displayed on the display screen of the display device. An entertainment device,
Object position calculating means for sequentially calculating the position and moving direction of the object in the three-dimensional world;
Each time the position and moving direction of the object are calculated by the object position calculation means, the installation position of the virtual camera calculated at least one time before the installation position of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional world. Camera setting means for determining in consideration of the position ,
The camera setting means includes
A predetermined value H from the position behind the position of the object by a distance K on a line parallel to the newly calculated movement direction of the object, passing through the position of the object newly calculated by the object position calculation means. Means for setting a camera tracking point at an upper position;
An entertainment apparatus , wherein the virtual camera installation position is set at a position approaching the camera tracking point from the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one time ago . The entertainment device according to claim 1 ,
The camera setting means includes
The virtual calculated at least one previous distance L / M obtained by dividing the distance L between the camera tracking point and the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one previous by a predetermined value M An entertainment apparatus, wherein the virtual camera installation position is set to a position approaching the camera tracking point from a typical camera installation position. An entertainment device according to claim 2 ,
The camera setting means includes
The entertainment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance K is set so as to decrease as the moving speed of the object in the three-dimensional world increases. The entertainment device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The camera setting means includes
A camera reference point that passes through the position of the object newly calculated by the object position calculation means and is on the line parallel to the newly calculated movement direction of the object by a distance J from the position of the object. Further has means for setting
An entertainment apparatus, characterized in that the visual line direction of the virtual camera is set so that the virtual camera faces the camera reference point. The entertainment device according to claim 4 ,
The camera setting means includes
The entertainment apparatus, wherein the distance J is set so as to increase as the moving speed of the object in the three-dimensional world increases. An entertainment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The camera setting means includes
An entertainment apparatus, wherein the virtual camera is rotated about the sight line direction of the camera according to the rotation about the moving direction of the object. A storage medium storing a program to be read and executed by an electronic computer,
The program is read and executed by the electronic computer,
A moving image obtained by photographing an object moving in a virtual three-dimensional world with a virtual camera in accordance with an operation content of an operator received through an operation device connected to the electronic computer, Means for displaying on the display screen of the display device connected to the electronic computer is constructed on the electronic computer,
The means for displaying is
Object position calculating means for sequentially calculating the position and moving direction of the object in the three-dimensional world;
Each time the position and moving direction of the object are calculated by the object position calculation means, the installation position of the virtual camera calculated at least one time before the installation position of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional world. Camera setting means for determining in consideration of the position ,
The camera setting means includes
A predetermined value H from the position behind the position of the object by a distance K on a line parallel to the newly calculated movement direction of the object, passing through the position of the object newly calculated by the object position calculation means. Means for setting a camera tracking point at an upper position;
A storage medium , wherein the virtual camera installation position is set at a position approaching the camera tracking point from the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one time ago . The storage medium according to claim 7 ,
The camera setting means includes
The virtual calculated at least one previous distance L / M obtained by dividing the distance L between the camera tracking point and the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one previous by a predetermined value M A storage medium characterized in that the virtual camera installation position is set to a position approaching the camera tracking point from a typical camera installation position. The storage medium according to claim 8 ,
The camera setting means includes
The storage medium, wherein the distance K is set so as to decrease as the moving speed of the object in the three-dimensional world increases. A storage medium according to any one of claims 7 to 9 ,
The camera setting means includes
A camera reference point that passes through the position of the object newly calculated by the object position calculation means and is on the line parallel to the newly calculated movement direction of the object by a distance J from the position of the object. Further has means for setting
A storage medium characterized by setting a viewing direction of the virtual camera so that the virtual camera faces the camera reference point. The storage medium according to claim 10 ,
The camera setting means includes
The storage medium, wherein the distance J is set so as to increase as the moving speed of the object in the three-dimensional world increases. A storage medium according to any one of claims 7 to 11 ,
The camera setting means includes
A storage medium, wherein the virtual camera is rotated about the sight line direction of the camera according to the rotation about the moving direction of the object. An object display method for displaying, on a display screen of a display device, a moving image obtained by photographing an object moving around a virtual three-dimensional world with a virtual camera,
Sequentially calculating the position and moving direction of the object in the three-dimensional world;
Each time the position and moving direction of the object are calculated, the installation position of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional world is determined in consideration of the installation position of the virtual camera calculated at least one time ago. And a step of
The determining step includes:
A predetermined value H from a position behind the position of the object by a distance K on a line parallel to the newly calculated movement direction of the object through the position of the object newly calculated in the sequential calculation step. Set the camera tracking point in the upper position,
An object display method , wherein the virtual camera installation position is determined at a position approaching the camera tracking point from the virtual camera installation position calculated at least one previous time . A program that is read and executed by an electronic computer,
The program is stored in a storage device and read and executed by the electronic computer.
A moving image obtained by photographing an object moving in a virtual three-dimensional world with a virtual camera in accordance with an operation content of an operator received through an operation device connected to the electronic computer, Means for displaying on the display screen of the display device connected to the electronic computer is constructed on the electronic computer,
The means for displaying is
Object position calculating means for sequentially calculating the position and moving direction of the object in the three-dimensional world;
Each time the position and moving direction of the object are calculated by the object position calculation means, the installation position of the virtual camera calculated at least one time before the installation position of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional world. Camera setting means for determining in consideration of the position ,
The camera setting means includes
A predetermined value H from the position behind the position of the object by a distance K on a line parallel to the newly calculated movement direction of the object, passing through the position of the object newly calculated by the object position calculation means. Means for setting a camera tracking point at an upper position;
A program characterized in that the installation position of the virtual camera is set at a position approaching the camera tracking point from the installation position of the virtual camera calculated at least one time ago .

Images