JP3638669B2 - Image composition method and game device - Google Patents

Description

１フィールド期間に回転させる角度の上限値は、回転体が逆方向回転して見える場合の回転角度よりも小さくなるように設定することが望ましい。従って上記で説明した回転体の場合（１８０度回転した場合の画像が回転前の画像と略同一となるように形成された回転体の場合）には、上限値を４５度付近（１８０度の１／４）に設定することが望ましい。また上限値は、回転体の画像が順方向に最高速回転して見える場合の回転角度以下となるように設定することが更に好ましい。このようにすれば、例えばレーシングカーゲームを例にとれば、車速が例えば最高速の時にホイールも最高速で回転して見え、より現実世界に近い画像を提供できるからである。従って、この意味においても、上記の回転体では上限値を４５度付近とすることが望ましい。
【００３２】
図７には、図１のホイール４０の拡大図が示される。図７から明らかなように、表示物であるホイール４０は、所定ピッチ角度例えば７２度回転した場合の画像が回転前の画像と略同一となるように形成されている。言い換えれば回転中心軸から等距離に７２度の角度で表示部（スポーク４２）が配置されている。従って、上限値は７２度の１／４の角度、即ち１８度付近に設定することが望ましい。しかしながら図７に示すホイール４０では、例えば外周にあるリングに付される模様、ホイールの真ん中付近に付される模様等は７２度回転しても同一の画像とはならず、この意味において７２度回転後と回転前の画像とは厳密には同一でない。また人間の視線の動き等の視覚系の作用も複雑であり、図２〜図６で示したような単純なモデルで説明できないものもある。このため、図７に示す形状・模様のホイール４０を回転させた場合、実際には、１フィールド期間の回転角度が２０度付近で最高速の順方向回転となり、２０度〜２３度の間ではフリッカーが見え、２３度付近で逆回転が開始されるように観察された。そこで、本実施例においては、タイヤ３０及びホイール４０の回転角度の上限値を２０度に設定している。このように上限値は、回転体の形状・大きさ、付される模様、フィールド期間の長さ等に依存して変動する。従って、回転体を実際に回転させて、観察結果等に基づいて上限値を設定することが望ましい。
【００３３】
図８には、表示物が繰り返し体である場合の上限値設定の例が示される。この繰り返し体は、例えば所定方向Ｅの方向に、所定ピッチ距離Ｌ移動した場合の画像が移動前の画像と略同一になるように形成される。言い換えれば、Ｅの方向にＬの距離で模様４６（表示部）を配置することで形成されている。そして本実施例では、プレーヤ等の操作に基づいて繰り返し体の移動速度が変化した場合に、１フィールド期間に繰り返し体を移動させる距離の上限値を例えばＭＤとしている。図８では、上限値ＭＤは距離Ｌの１／４程度となっている。上限値は、繰り返し体の画像が逆方向移動して見える場合の移動距離よりも小さくなるように設定することが望ましく、繰り返し体の画像が順方向に最高速移動して見える場合の移動距離以下となるように設定することが更に望ましい。
【００３４】
なお、繰り返し体の表示部４６を配置する距離Ｌに下限値を設定しても良い。即ち、レーシングカー等が最高速度で走行した場合等には、繰り返し体の移動速度が上限に達する。この時に、繰り返し体が順方向移動して見えるように、あるいは、最高速で移動して見えるように、上記下限値を設定する。
【００３５】
同様に回転体の場合も、スポーク４２（表示部）を配置する角度に下限値を設定しても良い。即ち、レーシングカー等が最高速度で走行した場合等には、回転体の回転速度が上限に達する。この時に、回転体が順方向回転して見えるように、あるいは、最高速で回転して見えるように、上記下限値を設定する。
【００３６】
次に本実施例の画像合成方法を適用したゲーム装置の例について説明する。以下では、３次元ゲーム装置に本発明を適用した例を説明するが、本発明は、広く２次元ゲーム装置にも適用できるものである。
【００３７】
図９に示すように、この３次元ゲーム装置（３次元シミュレータ装置）では、複数の独立したゲーム装置１−１、１−２、１−３、１−４がデータ伝送ラインを介して互いに接続されている。これにより、プレーヤの操縦するプレーヤレーシングカーが、相手プレーヤの操縦するレーシングカーや、コンピュータにより操縦されるコンピューターカ−と順位を競い合うというレーシングカーゲームを実現できる。
【００３８】
ここで、独立したゲーム装置１−１、１ー２、１−３、１−４というのは、各ゲーム装置が各々独立にシングルプレーヤゲームを行うことができるように形成されていることを意味する。もちろん、データ伝送ラインを介し、相手プレーヤとの間で、同一のゲーム空間内においてマルチプレーヤ型ゲームを行うという構成とすることもできる。
【００３９】
図９に示すように、この各ゲーム装置は、実際のレーシングカーの運転席と同様に形成されている。そしてプレーヤは、シート１８に着座し、ディスプレイ１０に映し出されたゲーム画面を見ながら、操作部１２に設けられたハンドル１４、アクセル１５、シフトレバー１６等を操作して架空のレーシングカーを運転してゲームを行う。
【００４０】
なお、図９の３次元ゲーム装置は、マルチプレーヤ型ゲーム構成となっているが、本発明はこれに限らず１人プレーヤ構成の場合にも当然に適用できる。
【００４１】
図１０には、本実施例における仮想３次元空間の一例が示される。仮想３次元空間には、３次元的に形成されたコース２０が配置されている。そして、コース２０の周辺には、ビル６０、アーチ６２、スタンド６４、崖６６、壁６８、トンネル７０、木７２、ブリッジ７４等の表示物（オブジェクト）が配置されている。プレーヤはこれらのコース等が映し出されたディスプレイ１０を見ながらレーシングカーを操作する。そして、スタートポイント７６からスタートして、コース２０を周回し、所定回数コースを周回するとゴールとなり、プレーヤの順位が決定される。
【００４２】
図１１には３次元ゲーム装置のブロック図の例が示される。図１１に示すように、この３次元ゲーム装置は、プレーヤが操作信号を入力する操作部１２、仮想３次元空間演算部１００、画像合成部２００、ディスプレイ１０を含む。
【００４３】
操作部１２には、レーシングカーゲームを例にとれば、レーシングカーを運転するためのハンドル１４、アクセル１５等が接続され、これによりプレーヤの操作信号が入力される。
【００４４】
仮想３次元空間演算部１００では、図１０に示す仮想３次元空間における複数の表示物、例えばコース２０、ビル６０、アーチ６２、スタンド６４、崖６６、プレーヤレーシングカー、相手レーシングカー、コンピューターカー等の位置あるいは位置及び方向を設定する演算が行われる。この演算は、ゲームプログラム、操作部１２からの操作信号、あらかじめ設定記憶されているマップ情報等に基づいて行われる。
【００４５】
そして画像合成部２００では、仮想３次元空間演算部１００からの演算結果に基づいて仮想３次元空間において見える視界画像を合成する演算が行われる。そして、合成された視界画像はディスプレイ１０より出力される。
【００４６】
次に仮想３次元空間演算部１００、画像合成部２００の一例について詳細に説明する。仮想３次元空間演算部１００は、処理部１０２、仮想３次元空間設定部１０４、移動情報演算部１０６、表示物情報記憶部１０８を含む。
【００４７】
処理部１０２では装置全体の制御が行われる。また処理部１０２内に設けられた記憶部には所定のゲームプログラムが記憶されている。仮想３次元空間演算部１００は、このゲームプログラム及び操作部１２からの操作信号にしたがって仮想３次元空間設定の演算を行う。
【００４８】
移動情報演算部１０６では、操作部１２からの操作信号及び処理部１０２からの指示等にしたがって、レーシングカー等の移動情報が演算される。
【００４９】
表示物情報記憶部１０８には、表示物の位置情報、方向情報及びオブジェクトナンバーが記憶されている（以下、これらの記憶された位置情報・方向情報及びオブジェクトナンバーを表示物情報と呼ぶ）。図１２には、表示物情報記憶部１０８に記憶される表示物情報の一例が示され、図１３には、これらの表示物情報に含まれる位置情報、方向情報（Ｘ_m、Ｙ_m、Ｚ_m、θ_m、φ_m、ρ_m）とワールド（絶対）座標系（Ｘ_w、Ｙ_w、Ｚ_w）との関係が示される。なお表示物は図１３に示すようにポリゴンの集合により表されている。
【００５０】
表示物情報記憶部１０８に記憶されている表示物情報は、仮想３次元空間設定部１０４により読み出される。この場合、表示物情報記憶部１０８には、当該フィールド（フレーム）の１つ前のフィールドにおける表示物情報が記憶されている。そして仮想３次元空間設定部１０４では、読み出された表示物情報と、移動情報演算部１０６で演算された移動情報とに基づいて、当該フィールドにおける表示物情報（位置情報、方向情報）が求められる。なお、静止物体についてはこのような移動情報はなく、表示物情報は変化しないのでこのような処理は必要ない。またマップ設定部１１０は、仮想３次元空間上におけるマップ設定を行うものである。
【００５１】
さて本実施例では、仮想３次元空間設定部１０４が上限値設定部１２０を含む。例えば前回のフィールドにおけるレーシングカーの表示物情報がＸR_n-1、ＹR_n-1、ＺR_n-1、θR_n-1、φR_n-1、ρR_n-1であったとする。そして１フィールド期間におけるレーシングカーの移動情報（移動量）が、移動情報演算部１０６により△ＸR、△ＹR、△ＺR、△θR、△φR、△ρRと演算されたとする。すると、
ＸR_n＝ＸR_n-1＋△ＸR
ＹR_n＝ＹR_n-1＋△ＹR
ＺR_n＝ＺR_n-1＋△ＺR
θR_n＝θR_n-1＋△θR
φR_n＝φR_n-1＋△φR
ρR_n＝ρR_n-1＋△ρR
となる。図１４に示すように、レーシングカーにはローカル座標系（Ｘ_L、Ｙ_L、Ｚ_L）が設定されている。そしてタイヤ３０の位置情報はローカル座標系で（Ｘ_L1、Ｙ_L1、Ｚ_L1）と指定されており、タイヤ３０の方向情報はＸ_L軸周りの傾き角度α_L1で指定されている。図１４の例では、タイヤ３０のローカル座標系での座標は固定されており、Ｘ_L軸周りにのみ回転可能となっている。ここでＸ_L軸周りの傾き角度α_L1は次のように求められる。即ち、プレーヤのアクセルの踏み具合等により、まずエンジンパワーが求められる。そして、このエンジンパワーと、転がり・滑り摩擦抵抗と、ギア比とから、タイヤの回転角速度△α_L1が求められる。回転角速度△α_L1が求められると、その時点、その時点での傾き角度α_L1が求められる。ここでレーシングカーの表示物情報（ワールド座標系での位置・方向情報）ＸR_n、ＹR_n、ＺR_n、θR_n、φR_n、ρR_nは、上式により既に求められている。従ってタイヤ３０の表示物情報ＸT_n、ＹT_n、ＺT_n、θT_n、φT_n、ρT_nは、上記のようにして求められた傾き角度α_L1に基づいて演算することができる。
【００５２】
本実施例では、上限値設定部１２０により上記回転角速度△α_L1に上限値を設定している。即ちプレーヤのアクセル操作等により、タイヤの回転速度が増加した場合において、タイヤ（ホイール）が逆方向回転して見える回転速度よりも小さくなるように、あるいは順方向に最高速回転して見える回転速度以下となるように、回転角速度△α_L1の上限値を設定している。これにより、１フィールド期間での回転角度△α_L1fが、上限値よりも大きくならないことが保証され、図１に示すゲーム画面において、より現実世界に近いタイヤ回転をシミュレートできることになる。
【００５３】
最後に、画像合成部２００の構成及び動作を説明する。画像合成部２００に含まれる３次元演算部２１０では、仮想３次元空間演算部１００により設定された仮想３次元空間の設定情報にしたがって、各種の座標変換処理、３次元演算処理が行われる。即ち、まず図１５において、レーシングカー、コース等を表す表示物３００、３３３、３３４の画像情報を、ローカル座標系からワールド座標系（Ｘ_W、Ｙ_W、Ｚ_W）へと座標変換する処理が行われ、その後、これらの座標変換された画像情報を、プレーヤ３０２の視点を基準とした視点座標系（Ｘ_v、Ｙ_v、Ｚ_v）へ座標変換する処理が行われる。次に、いわゆるクリッピング処理が行われ、その後、スクリーン座標系（Ｘ_S、Ｙ_S）への透視投影変換処理が行われる。最後に、必要であれば（Ｚバッファ手法等を使用しない場合）、ソーティング処理が行われる。
【００５４】
本実施例においては、位置情報、方向情報、オブジェクトナンバーを含む表示物情報は、仮想３次元空間演算部１００から３次元演算部２１０に入力される。そして、この転送されたオブジェクトナンバーをアドレスとして、画像情報記憶部２１２から対応するオブジェクトの画像情報が読み出される。画像情報記憶部２１２には、レーシングカー、タイヤ等の画像情報がポリゴンの集合の情報として記憶されている。
【００５５】
画像形成部２２８は、３次元演算部２１０から与えられたポリゴンの各頂点の画像情報に基づいてポリゴン内の各ピクセル（ドット）の画像情報を求めるものである。求められた画像情報はＲＧＢデータ等に変換された後、ディスプレイ１０に出力される。
【００５６】
なお、本発明は上記実施例に限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨の範囲内で種々の変形実施が可能である。
【００５７】
例えば上記実施例では、表示画面更新周期が１／６０秒である場合を例にとり説明したが、本発明における表示画面更新周期はこれに限られるものではなく、１／６０秒よりも大きい、あるいは小さい場合にも適用できる。
【００５８】
また本発明が適用される回転体としてはタイヤ、ホイール以外にもあらゆるものを考えることができる。例えば飛行機、ヘリコプターにおけるプロペラ、回転する宇宙船等である。同様に本発明が適用される繰り返し体としてはガードレール、道路上のライン以外にもあらゆるものを考えることができる。例えば線路の枕木、トンネルの内側等に付される繰り返し模様、宇宙船に付される繰り返し模様等である。
【００５９】
また本発明は、３次元ゲーム装置のみならず２次元ゲーム装置にも適用でき、また３次元ゲーム装置に適用する場合にも、その構成は図１１に示されるものに限定されない。また仮想３次元空間演算部、画像合成部（３次元演算部、画像形成部）等において行われる演算処理は、専用の画像処理デバイスを用いて処理してもよいし、汎用のマイクロコンピュータ、ＤＳＰ等を利用してソフトウェア的に処理してもよい。
【００６０】
また、本実施例をゲーム装置に適用する場合、レーシングカーゲームのみならず、あらゆる種類のゲームに適用でき、例えば宇宙船ゲーム、ロボット対戦ゲーム、戦車ゲーム、戦闘機ゲーム、ロールプレイングゲーム等にも適用できる。
【００６１】
また、本発明は、業務用のゲーム装置のみならず、例えば家庭用のゲーム装置にも適用できる。図１６には家庭用のゲーム装置に本発明を適用した場合のブロック図の一例が示される。このゲーム装置は、本体装置１０００、操作部１０１２、ゲームプログラム等が記憶される記憶媒体（ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ゲームカセット、メモリカード等）１３０６を含み、生成された画像及び音声をテレビモニタ１０１０等に出力してゲームを楽しむものである。本体装置１０００は、仮想３次元空間演算部の機能等を有するＣＰＵ１１００、画像合成部１２００、音声合成部１３００、作業用のＲＡＭ１３０２、データをバックアップするためのバックアップメモリ（メモリカード等）１３０４を含む。そして表示物の位置情報の演算等は例えばＣＰＵ１１００により行われ、視界画像の合成等は画像合成部１２００により行われる。また上限値設定部１１２０は、例えばＣＰＵ１１００に含まれ、この上限値設定部１１２０により回転角度、移動距離の上限値が設定される。この上限値設定部１１２０の演算処理は、記憶媒体１３０６に含まれるゲームプログラム等により実行される。
【００６２】
また本発明は、いわゆるマルチメディア端末、あるいは多数のプレーヤが参加する大型アトラクション型のゲーム装置にも適用できる。
【００６３】
更に、本発明は、ヘッドマウントディスプレイ（ＨＭＤ）を用いた画像合成方法、ゲーム装置にも適用できる。
【００６４】
【発明の効果】
動画像合成においては、表示画面の更新が所定時間毎に行われるという制約がある。このような制約の下で、回転体、繰り返し体の表示を現実の世界によく類似するように表現しようとすると、回転体が逆方向回転したり、繰り返し体が逆方向移動したり、フリッカが発生したり等の種々の問題が生じる。本発明によれば、速度の上限値、あるいはピッチの下限値の設定を行うことにより、これらの問題を解決している。特に、３次元ゲーム装置等においては、例えばタイヤ等の表示を行う場合に、プレーヤのアクセルの踏み具合等に基づいてタイヤを実際に回転させるシミュレーションを行い、この回転するタイヤの画像を合成している。このような場合においても、本発明によれば、現実世界の現象によく類似した高品質の画像を提供できることになる。
【００６５】
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本実施例により合成された画像の一例である。
【図２】回転体の画像認識について説明するための図である。
【図３】回転角度が３０度、４５度の場合に見える回転体画像を示す図である。
【図４】回転角度が６０度、９０度の場合に見える回転体画像を示す図である。
【図５】回転角度が１２０度、１３５度の場合に見える回転体画像を示す図である。
【図６】回転角度が１５０度、１８０度の場合に見える回転体画像を示す図である。
【図７】ホイールの拡大図である。
【図８】表示物が繰り返し体である場合の上限値設定について説明する図である。
【図９】３次元ゲーム装置の外観図である。
【図１０】仮想３次元空間について説明するための図である。
【図１１】３次元ゲーム装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１２】表示物情報について説明するための図である。
【図１３】表示物情報について説明するための図である。
【図１４】レーシングカーに設定されたローカル座標系について説明する図である。
【図１５】３次元演算処理について説明するための図である。
【図１６】本発明を家庭用ゲーム装置に適用した場合のブロック図の一例である。
【符号の説明】
１０ ディスプレイ
１２ 操作部
２０ コース
２２ ガードレール（繰り返し体）
２４ ライン（繰り返し体）
３０ タイヤ（回転体）
４０ ホイール（回転体）
５１ プレーヤーカー
５３ コンピューターカー
５４ 相手レーシングカー
４２ スポーク（表示部）
４６ 模様（表示部）
１００ 仮想３次元空間演算部
１０２ 処理部
１０４ 仮想３次元空間設定部
１０６ 移動情報演算部
１０８ 表示物情報記憶部
１１０ マップ設定部
１２０ 上限値設定部
２００ 画像合成部
２１０ ３次元演算部
２１２ 画像情報記憶部
２２８ 画像形成部[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an image composition method and a game device for composing moving images by updating a display screen every predetermined time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a game device or the like, moving images are synthesized by updating the display screen every predetermined time (hereinafter, a case where the predetermined time is a field period will be mainly described). That is, by displaying images sampled on the time axis continuously every predetermined field period, the natural movement of the display object displayed on the display screen is reproduced.
[0003]
In order to accurately reproduce a moving image, it is desirable that the field period (or frame period) is as short as possible. However, if the field period is shortened, the number of elephants (number of display screens) that must be processed per second increases and the processing load on the apparatus increases. For this reason, the length of the field period is limited due to restrictions of hardware resources such as game devices.
[0004]
On the other hand, if the field period is long, the natural movement of the display object cannot be reproduced this time. For example, the speed at which the viewer can smoothly follow the line of sight with respect to the display object is said to be in the range of 20 degrees / second to 30 degrees / second in view angle (the speed at which the eyeball can follow is 5 degrees). / Second or less). Even if the movement of the display object can be reproduced, the quality of the obtained image cannot be improved if flicker occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to set the field period to such a length that the flicker is not so noticeable.
[0005]
For the reasons described above, 1/24 seconds are employed for movies and the like, and 1/30 seconds and 1/60 seconds are employed for televisions and game devices, etc. for the above reasons.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a game device or the like, there are cases where it is desired to express the rotation of a rotating body such as a tire wheel, or to represent a repeated body such as a guardrail, a line on a road, or a sleeper on a railroad track. In particular, in recent years, three-dimensional game devices (three-dimensional simulators) capable of so-called virtual reality (virtual reality) experiences have attracted attention, and in such three-dimensional game devices, precision in details that closely resembles the real world. Image expression is desired. Taking a racing car game device as an example, it is as follows. For example, when the vehicle speed of a racing car increases due to an accelerator operation or the like, in the real world, the rotational speed of tires and wheels increases accordingly. Therefore, in order to more appropriately reproduce the situation in the real world, it is necessary to provide images of tires and wheels that appear to increase in rotational speed as the player operates the accelerator.
[0007]
However, as described above, in a game device or the like, there is a restriction that the length of the field period is limited to 1/60 seconds, for example. Therefore, for example, when the player depresses the accelerator greatly, if the number of rotations of the tires and wheels is increased as they are, there arises a problem that the tires and wheels appear to rotate in reverse. Such a problem also arises in the display of repetitive bodies such as guardrails, road lines, railroad sleepers, etc., in which the same pattern is repeated at a predetermined pitch distance.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the technical problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image of a rotating body and a repetitive body whose rotational speed, moving speed, and the like are changed by a player's operation or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image composition method and a game device that can more appropriately express the above.
[0009]
[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is an image composition method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a rotating body formed so that an image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle is substantially the same as an image before rotation,
When the rotation speed of the rotating body changes based on the operation of the player, another player, or a computer, an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch angle is set to the rotation angle of the rotating body for each predetermined time. Features.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 9 is a game device for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen constituted by a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a rotating body formed so that an image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle is substantially the same as an image before rotation,
Means for setting an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch angle to the rotation angle of the rotating body for each predetermined time when the rotation speed of the rotating body changes based on an operation of the player, another player or a computer; It is characterized by including.
[0011]
According to the first or ninth aspect of the invention, the rotation speed of the rotating body is changed by the operation of the player or the like. Taking a racing car game as an example, the rotation speed of tires and wheels, which are rotating bodies, increases when the player steps on the accelerator. At this time, in the present invention, an upper limit value is set for the angle at which the tire and the wheel are rotated every predetermined time (for example, one field period) so that the rotation angle does not become larger than the upper limit value. As a result, for example, a situation in which the rotating body rotates in the reverse direction or flickers can be effectively prevented.
[0012]
The invention of claim 2 is an image synthesis method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen constituted by a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a rotating body formed so that an image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle is substantially the same as an image before rotation,
A lower limit value is set to the predetermined pitch angle in accordance with an upper limit value of the rotation speed of the rotating body that rotates based on an operation of the player, another player, or a computer.
[0013]
According to the invention of claim 2, the speed of the racing car or the like increases based on the operation of the player or the like, and the rotational speed of the wheel or the like that is the rotating body reaches the upper limit value. Also in this case, the lower limit value of the predetermined pitch angle of the rotating body is set to, for example, a value larger than the rotating angle for each predetermined time when the upper limit value is reached. It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of such a situation.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first or second aspects, the rotating body is formed by repeatedly arranging the display unit at the predetermined pitch angle at an equal distance from the rotation center axis. And
[0015]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, taking the case where the rotating body is a wheel in a racing car game as an example, the display portions such as spokes constituting the wheel are arranged at equal intervals from the central axis. Thus, a rotating body (wheel or the like) formed so that the image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle is substantially the same as the image before rotation is expressed.
[0016]
The invention of claim 4 is an image synthesis method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a repetitive body formed so that an image when moved a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is substantially the same as the image before the movement,
When the moving speed of the repetitive body changes based on the operation of the player, another player, or a computer, an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch distance is set for the moving distance of the repetitive body every predetermined time. Features.
[0017]
The invention of claim 10 is a game apparatus for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects at predetermined time intervals.
The display object includes a repetitive body formed so that an image when moved a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is substantially the same as the image before the movement,
Means for setting an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch distance for the moving distance of the repetitive body every predetermined time when the moving speed of the repetitive body changes based on an operation of the player, another player or a computer; It is characterized by including.
[0018]
According to the invention of claim 4 or 10, when a racing car game or a train driving game is taken as an example, a repetitive body such as a guardrail, a line on a road, or a railroad sleeper is moved every predetermined time (for example, one field period). An upper limit value is set for the distance to be moved so that the moving distance does not become larger than the upper limit value. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent, for example, the reverse movement of the repetitive body and the occurrence of flicker.
[0019]
The invention of claim 5 is an image synthesis method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a repetitive body formed so that an image when moved a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is substantially the same as the image before the movement,
A lower limit value is set for the predetermined pitch distance according to an upper limit value of the moving speed of the repetitive body that moves based on an operation of the player, another player, or a computer.
[0020]
According to the invention of claim 5, the speed of the racing car or the like is increased based on the operation of the player or the like, and the moving speed of the guard rail or the like that is a repetitive body reaches the upper limit value. Also in this case, the lower limit value of the predetermined pitch distance of the repetitive body is set to a value that is, for example, larger than the moving distance per predetermined time when the upper limit value is reached, so that the moving body moves backward and flickers. It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of such a situation.
[0021]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the fourth or fifth aspects, the repetitive body is formed by repeatedly arranging display portions at the predetermined pitch distance in the predetermined direction.
[0022]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the repeated body is a guard rail or the like in a racing car game, for example, display portions such as patterns attached to the guard rail or the like are arranged at a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction. As a result, a repetitive body (such as a guardrail) formed so that the image when moved by a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is substantially the same as the image before the movement is expressed.
[0023]
In addition, the invention of claim 7 is smaller than the rotation angle or the moving distance when the image of the rotating body or the repetitive body appears to rotate in the reverse direction or move in the reverse direction in any one of claims 1 to 6. The upper limit value is set so as to be, or the lower limit value is set so as to be larger than the predetermined pitch angle or the predetermined pitch distance when it appears to rotate in the reverse direction or move in the reverse direction.
[0024]
According to the invention of claim 7, the upper limit value and the lower limit value are set to values such that the rotating body rotates in the reverse direction and the repeating body does not move in the reverse direction. This prevents the rotating body and the repetitive body from rotating and moving in the reverse direction, and can provide a high-quality image that closely resembles the real world.
[0025]
The invention according to claim 8 is the rotation angle or the movement distance when the image of the rotating body or the repeated body appears to be rotated at the highest speed or moved at the highest speed in the forward direction. The upper limit value is set to be equal to or below, or the lower limit value is set to be equal to or greater than the predetermined pitch angle or the predetermined pitch distance when it appears to rotate at the highest speed or move at the highest speed in the forward direction. Features.
[0026]
According to the invention of claim 8, the upper limit value and the lower limit value are set to values at which the rotating body appears to rotate at the highest speed and the repeated body moves at the highest speed. As a result, when the rotating body and the repetitive body rotate and move at the highest speed by the player's operation, etc., images of the rotating body and the moving body that appear to rotate and move at the highest speed can be displayed. Quality images can be provided.
[0027]
【Example】
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
FIG. 1 shows an example of an image synthesized by this embodiment. This is an example of a screen displayed on a display or the like when the present embodiment is applied to a racing car game apparatus. The player himself / herself operates the steering wheel, accelerator, etc., provided on the game apparatus to run the player car 51 on the course. On the other hand, the opponent racing car 52 and the computer car 53 are operated by other players and computers and run on the course. Here, for example, consider a case where another player steps on the accelerator and the speed of the opponent racing car increases. At this time, in the real world, the rotational speed of the tire 30 should appear to increase due to the accelerator operation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, processing for increasing the rotation speed of the tire 30 is performed in order to appropriately reproduce this situation. Here, the tire 30 is provided with a wheel 40 as shown in FIG. For this reason, when the tire 30 rotates, the wheel 40 also appears to rotate, so that the player can recognize the rotation of the tire. However, when the rotation speed of the tire 30 is obtained based on the accelerator operation signal and the tire 30 is faithfully rotated at the obtained rotation speed, the wheel 40 is reversed when the rotation speed of the tire 30 exceeds a certain value. Problems such as rotation appear. As will be described later, this problem is caused by the display screen being updated every predetermined field period in this type of game device. Therefore, in this embodiment, an upper limit value is set for the rotation angle in a predetermined field period of the tire 30 and the wheel 40 (rotating body), thereby solving the above problem.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 1, guard rails 22 and lines 24 are displayed on this display screen. Since the repetitive bodies such as the guard rail 22 and the line 24 are provided with a repetitive pattern or the like, the image when moved by a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is the same as the image before the movement. In the real world, when the player car 51 travels forward, the guardrail 22 and the line 24 should appear to flow backward. However, as described above, in this type of game device, the display screen is updated every predetermined field period, which causes problems such as the guard rail 22 and the line 24 appearing to flow forward. . Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, a lower limit value is provided for the pitch of the repetitive pattern (predetermined pitch distance) so that the above-described problem does not occur even when the vehicle speed of the player car 51 is the maximum speed.
[0030]
Next, the principle of the present invention will be briefly described. For example, consider a rotating body formed so that an image when rotated 180 degrees is substantially the same as an image before rotation. As such a rotating body, a propeller in a helicopter game can be considered. When this rotating body is rotated, for example, by 30 degrees in one field period, images as shown in A, B, C, and D of FIG. 2 are successively displayed on the display. At this time, in this embodiment, 1 field = 1/60 seconds, but the human visual system generally cannot recognize images displayed at intervals of 1/60 seconds, and at 1/30 seconds. Recognizing the displayed image is the limit. Accordingly, the images of A and B in FIG. 2 appear to overlap with human eyes and are recognized as images as shown in E of FIG. Similarly, the images C and D in FIG. 2 also appear to overlap and are recognized as an image as shown in F in FIG. As a result, when the rotation angle in one field period is 30 degrees and 45 degrees, an image recognized by human eyes is as shown in FIG. Similarly, the case of 60 degrees and 90 degrees is as shown in FIG. 4, the case of 120 degrees and 135 degrees is as shown in FIG. 5, the case of 150 degrees and 180 degrees is as shown in FIG.
[0031]
When the rotation angle in one field period is 30 degrees, the rotating body appears to rotate in the forward direction as shown in FIG. As the rotation angle increases, the rotating body appears to rotate in the forward direction at a higher speed and reaches the maximum speed at 45 degrees (actually, the maximum speed is reached at an angle slightly smaller than 45 degrees). Next, when the rotation angle is further increased, the rotating body appears to rotate in the opposite direction. For example, when the rotation angle shown in FIG. 4 is 60 degrees, the rotating body appears to rotate in the opposite direction. This is because, in the human eye, G in FIG. 4 appears to have moved to I, which is not H, but closer to H. When the rotation angle is further increased, the rotation of the rotating body in the reverse direction becomes low speed, and when the rotation angle is 90 degrees, it appears to stand still as shown in FIG. Next, when the rotation angle further increases, as shown in the case of 120 degrees in FIG. 5, the rotating body rotates in the forward direction, and the forward rotation becomes faster as the rotation angle increases. And it becomes the fastest at around 135 degrees. If the rotation angle is further increased, the rotation angle is reversed as shown in the case of 150 degrees in FIG. The above is summarized as follows.

It is desirable to set the upper limit value of the angle rotated during one field period so as to be smaller than the rotation angle when the rotating body appears to rotate in the reverse direction. Therefore, in the case of the rotating body described above (in the case of a rotating body formed so that the image when rotated 180 degrees is substantially the same as the image before rotation), the upper limit value is around 45 degrees (180 degrees It is desirable to set to 1/4). The upper limit value is more preferably set to be equal to or less than the rotation angle when the image of the rotating body appears to rotate at the highest speed in the forward direction. In this case, for example, taking a racing car game as an example, when the vehicle speed is, for example, the highest speed, the wheel appears to rotate at the highest speed, and an image closer to the real world can be provided. Therefore, also in this sense, it is desirable that the upper limit value be around 45 degrees in the above rotating body.
[0032]
FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of the wheel 40 of FIG. As is apparent from FIG. 7, the wheel 40 as a display object is formed so that the image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle, for example, 72 degrees, is substantially the same as the image before rotation. In other words, the display section (spoke 42) is arranged at an angle of 72 degrees at an equal distance from the rotation center axis. Therefore, it is desirable to set the upper limit value at an angle of 1/4 of 72 degrees, that is, around 18 degrees. However, in the wheel 40 shown in FIG. 7, for example, the pattern attached to the ring on the outer periphery, the pattern attached near the center of the wheel, and the like do not become the same image even when rotated by 72 degrees. The image after rotation and the image before rotation are not exactly the same. Moreover, the action of the visual system such as the movement of the human gaze is complicated, and there are some that cannot be explained by a simple model as shown in FIGS. For this reason, when the wheel 40 having the shape / pattern shown in FIG. 7 is rotated, the rotation angle in one field period is the fastest forward rotation in the vicinity of 20 degrees, and between 20 degrees and 23 degrees. Flicker was visible and it was observed that reverse rotation started around 23 degrees. Therefore, in this embodiment, the upper limit value of the rotation angle of the tire 30 and the wheel 40 is set to 20 degrees. Thus, the upper limit value varies depending on the shape and size of the rotating body, the pattern to be attached, the length of the field period, and the like. Therefore, it is desirable to set the upper limit value based on the observation result by actually rotating the rotating body.
[0033]
FIG. 8 shows an example of setting an upper limit value when the display object is a repetitive body. This repeated body is formed so that, for example, the image when moved by the predetermined pitch distance L in the direction of the predetermined direction E is substantially the same as the image before the movement. In other words, the pattern 46 (display unit) is formed in the direction E by a distance L. In the present embodiment, when the moving speed of the repetitive body changes based on the operation of the player or the like, the upper limit value of the distance that the repetitive body is moved in one field period is, for example, MD. In FIG. 8, the upper limit MD is about ¼ of the distance L. The upper limit is preferably set to be smaller than the moving distance when the image of the repetitive body appears to move in the reverse direction, and is less than the moving distance when the image of the repetitive body appears to move at the highest speed in the forward direction. It is further desirable to set so that.
[0034]
Note that a lower limit may be set for the distance L at which the display unit 46 of the repetitive body is arranged. That is, when a racing car or the like travels at the maximum speed, the moving speed of the body repeatedly reaches the upper limit. At this time, the lower limit value is set so that the repetitive body appears to move forward or at the highest speed.
[0035]
Similarly, in the case of a rotating body, a lower limit value may be set for the angle at which the spoke 42 (display unit) is disposed. That is, when the racing car or the like travels at the maximum speed, the rotational speed of the rotating body reaches the upper limit. At this time, the lower limit value is set so that the rotating body appears to rotate in the forward direction or appears to rotate at the highest speed.
[0036]
Next, an example of a game device to which the image composition method of this embodiment is applied will be described. Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to a three-dimensional game apparatus will be described, but the present invention can be widely applied to a two-dimensional game apparatus.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 9, in this three-dimensional game apparatus (three-dimensional simulator apparatus), a plurality of independent game apparatuses 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 are connected to each other via a data transmission line. Has been. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a racing car game in which a player racing car operated by a player competes with a racing car operated by an opponent player or a computer car operated by a computer.
[0038]
Here, the independent game devices 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4 mean that each game device is formed to be able to independently play a single player game. To do. Of course, a multiplayer game can be played in the same game space with the opponent player via the data transmission line.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 9, each game device is formed in the same manner as an actual driver seat of a racing car. Then, the player sits on the seat 18 and operates the handle 14, the accelerator 15, the shift lever 16 and the like provided on the operation unit 12 while driving the imaginary racing car while watching the game screen displayed on the display 10. Play a game.
[0040]
9 has a multiplayer game configuration, the present invention is not limited to this, and can naturally be applied to a single player configuration.
[0041]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a virtual three-dimensional space in the present embodiment. A course 20 formed in a three-dimensional manner is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. Around the course 20, display objects (objects) such as a building 60, an arch 62, a stand 64, a cliff 66, a wall 68, a tunnel 70, a tree 72, a bridge 74, and the like are arranged. The player operates the racing car while viewing the display 10 on which these courses and the like are projected. Then, starting from the start point 76, going around the course 20, and going around the course a predetermined number of times, it becomes a goal and the player's ranking is determined.
[0042]
FIG. 11 shows an example of a block diagram of a three-dimensional game device. As shown in FIG. 11, the three-dimensional game apparatus includes an operation unit 12, a virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100, an image composition unit 200, and a display 10 through which a player inputs operation signals.
[0043]
For example, in the case of a racing car game, the operation unit 12 is connected with a handle 14, an accelerator 15, and the like for driving the racing car.
[0044]
In the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100, a plurality of display objects in the virtual three-dimensional space shown in FIG. 10, for example, course 20, building 60, arch 62, stand 64, cliff 66, player racing car, opponent racing car, computer car, etc. The calculation for setting the position or the position and direction of is performed. This calculation is performed based on a game program, an operation signal from the operation unit 12, map information set and stored in advance, and the like.
[0045]
Then, the image synthesis unit 200 performs a calculation for synthesizing the view field image that is visible in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the calculation result from the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100. The synthesized view image is output from the display 10.
[0046]
Next, an example of the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100 and the image composition unit 200 will be described in detail. The virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100 includes a processing unit 102, a virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 104, a movement information calculation unit 106, and a display object information storage unit 108.
[0047]
The processing unit 102 controls the entire apparatus. A predetermined game program is stored in the storage unit provided in the processing unit 102. The virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100 calculates a virtual three-dimensional space setting according to the game program and the operation signal from the operation unit 12.
[0048]
In the movement information calculation unit 106, movement information of a racing car or the like is calculated according to an operation signal from the operation unit 12, an instruction from the processing unit 102, and the like.
[0049]
The display object information storage unit 108 stores the position information, direction information, and object number of the display object (hereinafter, the stored position information / direction information and object number are referred to as display object information). FIG. 12 shows an example of display object information stored in the display object information storage unit 108, and FIG. 13 shows position information and direction information (X _m , Y _m , Z _m , Θ _m , Φ _m , Ρ _m ) And the world (absolute) coordinate system (X _w , Y _w , Z _w ) Is shown. The display object is represented by a set of polygons as shown in FIG.
[0050]
The display object information stored in the display object information storage unit 108 is read by the virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 104. In this case, the display object information storage unit 108 stores display object information in a field immediately before the field (frame). Then, the virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 104 obtains display object information (position information and direction information) in the field based on the read display object information and the movement information calculated by the movement information calculation unit 106. It is done. Note that there is no such movement information for a stationary object, and display object information does not change, so such processing is not necessary. The map setting unit 110 performs map setting in a virtual three-dimensional space.
[0051]
In this embodiment, the virtual three-dimensional space setting unit 104 includes an upper limit setting unit 120. For example, the display information of the racing car in the previous field is XR _n-1 , YR _n-1 , ZR _n-1 , ΘR _n-1 , ΦR _n-1 , ΡR _n-1 Suppose that It is assumed that the movement information (movement amount) of the racing car in one field period is calculated as ΔXR, ΔYR, ΔZR, ΔθR, ΔφR, ΔρR by the movement information calculation unit 106. Then
XR _n = XR _n-1 + △ XR
YR _n = YR _n-1 + △ YR
ZR _n = ZR _n-1 + △ ZR
θR _n = ΘR _n-1 + △ θR
φR _n = ΦR _n-1 + △ φR
ρR _n = ΡR _n-1 + △ ρR
It becomes. As shown in FIG. 14, the racing car has a local coordinate system (X _L , Y _L , Z _L ) Is set. The position information of the tire 30 is expressed in the local coordinate system (X _L1 , Y _L1 , Z _L1 ) And the direction information of the tire 30 is X _L Inclination angle α around the axis _L1 It is specified by. In the example of FIG. 14, the coordinates of the tire 30 in the local coordinate system are fixed, and X _L It can only rotate around the axis. Where X _L Inclination angle α around the axis _L1 Is obtained as follows. In other words, the engine power is first determined according to the degree of depression of the accelerator of the player. From the engine power, rolling / sliding frictional resistance, and gear ratio, the tire rotational angular speed Δα _L1 Is required. Rotational angular velocity △ α _L1 Is obtained at that time, the inclination angle α at that time _L1 Is required. Here, display information of the racing car (position / direction information in the world coordinate system) XR _n , YR _n , ZR _n , ΘR _n , ΦR _n , ΡR _n Is already determined by the above equation. Therefore, the display object information XT of the tire 30 _n , YT _n , ZT _n , ΘT _n , ΦT _n , ΡT _n Is the tilt angle α obtained as described above. _L1 Can be calculated based on
[0052]
In this embodiment, the upper limit value setting unit 120 causes the rotational angular velocity Δα. _L1 An upper limit is set for. In other words, when the tire rotation speed increases due to the accelerator operation of the player, the rotation speed at which the tire (wheel) appears to be smaller than the rotation speed at which the tire (wheel) appears to rotate in the reverse direction or at the highest speed in the forward direction. Rotational angular velocity △ α so that _L1 The upper limit value is set. Thus, the rotation angle Δα in one field period _L1f However, it is ensured that it does not become larger than the upper limit value, and the tire rotation closer to the real world can be simulated on the game screen shown in FIG.
[0053]
Finally, the configuration and operation of the image composition unit 200 will be described. In the three-dimensional calculation unit 210 included in the image composition unit 200, various coordinate conversion processes and three-dimensional calculation processes are performed in accordance with the virtual three-dimensional space setting information set by the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100. That is, first, in FIG. 15, the image information of the display objects 300, 333, and 334 representing a racing car, a course, etc. is transferred from the local coordinate system to the world coordinate system (X _W , Y _W , Z _W ) Is then performed, and then the coordinate-converted image information is converted into a viewpoint coordinate system (X _v , Y _v , Z _v ) To perform coordinate conversion. Next, so-called clipping processing is performed, and then the screen coordinate system (X _S , Y _S ) Perspective projection conversion processing is performed. Finally, if necessary (when the Z buffer method or the like is not used), a sorting process is performed.
[0054]
In the present embodiment, display object information including position information, direction information, and object number is input from the virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit 100 to the three-dimensional calculation unit 210. Then, the image information of the corresponding object is read from the image information storage unit 212 using the transferred object number as an address. The image information storage unit 212 stores image information such as racing cars and tires as polygon set information.
[0055]
The image forming unit 228 obtains image information of each pixel (dot) in the polygon based on the image information of each vertex of the polygon given from the three-dimensional calculation unit 210. The obtained image information is converted into RGB data or the like and then output to the display 10.
[0056]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention.
[0057]
For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the display screen update cycle is 1/60 seconds has been described as an example. However, the display screen update cycle in the present invention is not limited to this, and is greater than 1/60 seconds, or It can also be applied to small cases.
[0058]
In addition to the tires and wheels, all kinds of rotating bodies to which the present invention is applied can be considered. For example, an airplane, a propeller in a helicopter, and a rotating spacecraft. Similarly, as the repetitive body to which the present invention is applied, anything other than a guard rail and a line on a road can be considered. For example, a railroad sleeper, a repeating pattern applied to the inside of a tunnel, a repeating pattern applied to a spacecraft, and the like.
[0059]
Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a three-dimensional game apparatus but also to a two-dimensional game apparatus, and when applied to a three-dimensional game apparatus, the configuration is not limited to that shown in FIG. The arithmetic processing performed in the virtual three-dimensional space arithmetic unit, the image composition unit (three-dimensional arithmetic unit, image forming unit), etc. may be processed using a dedicated image processing device, or a general-purpose microcomputer, DSP Etc. may be processed by software.
[0060]
Further, when this embodiment is applied to a game device, it can be applied not only to a racing car game but also to all kinds of games, for example, a spaceship game, a robot battle game, a tank game, a fighter game, a role playing game, etc. Applicable.
[0061]
Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a business game device but also to a home game device, for example. FIG. 16 shows an example of a block diagram when the present invention is applied to a home game device. This game device includes a main body device 1000, an operation unit 1012, a storage medium (CD-ROM, game cassette, memory card, etc.) 1306 for storing a game program and the like, and the generated image and sound are transmitted to a television monitor 1010 or the like. Output and enjoy the game. The main unit 1000 includes a CPU 1100 having a function of a virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit, an image synthesis unit 1200, a voice synthesis unit 1300, a working RAM 1302, and a backup memory (memory card or the like) 1304 for backing up data. The position information of the display object is calculated by the CPU 1100, for example, and the visual field image is synthesized by the image synthesis unit 1200. The upper limit value setting unit 1120 is included in the CPU 1100, for example, and the upper limit value setting unit 1120 sets upper limit values of the rotation angle and the movement distance. The calculation process of the upper limit setting unit 1120 is executed by a game program or the like included in the storage medium 1306.
[0062]
The present invention can also be applied to a so-called multimedia terminal or a large attraction type game apparatus in which a large number of players participate.
[0063]
Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to an image composition method using a head mounted display (HMD) and a game device.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
In moving image composition, there is a restriction that the display screen is updated every predetermined time. Under these constraints, if you try to express the display of a rotating body and a repeating body so that it resembles the real world, the rotating body will rotate in the reverse direction, the repeated body may move in the reverse direction, and flicker may occur. Various problems occur. According to the present invention, these problems are solved by setting the upper limit value of the speed or the lower limit value of the pitch. In particular, in a three-dimensional game device or the like, for example, when displaying a tire or the like, a simulation is performed to actually rotate the tire based on the degree of depression of the accelerator of the player, and an image of the rotating tire is synthesized. Yes. Even in such a case, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-quality image that closely resembles a phenomenon in the real world.
[0065]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an example of an image synthesized by this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining image recognition of a rotating body.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a rotating body image that can be seen when the rotation angle is 30 degrees and 45 degrees.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a rotating body image that can be seen when the rotation angle is 60 degrees and 90 degrees.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a rotating body image that can be seen when the rotation angle is 120 degrees and 135 degrees.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a rotating body image that can be seen when the rotation angle is 150 degrees and 180 degrees.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a wheel.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating setting of an upper limit value when a display object is a repetitive body.
FIG. 9 is an external view of a three-dimensional game device.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a virtual three-dimensional space.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a three-dimensional game device.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining display object information;
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining display object information;
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a local coordinate system set for a racing car.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a three-dimensional calculation process;
FIG. 16 is an example of a block diagram when the present invention is applied to a consumer game device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 display
12 Operation unit
20 courses
22 Guardrail (repeated body)
24 lines (repeated)
30 tires (rotating body)
40 wheel (rotating body)
51 player car
53 Computer Car
54 opponent racing car
42 Spoke (display section)
46 patterns (display section)
100 Virtual three-dimensional space calculation unit
102 processing unit
104 Virtual 3D space setting unit
106 Movement information calculation unit
108 Display object information storage unit
110 Map setting section
120 Upper limit setting part
200 Image composition part
210 Three-dimensional operation unit
212 Image information storage unit
228 Image forming unit

Claims (10)

An image synthesis method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a rotating body formed so that an image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle is substantially the same as an image before rotation,
When the rotation speed of the rotating body changes based on the operation of the player, another player, or a computer, an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch angle is set to the rotation angle of the rotating body for each predetermined time. A characteristic image composition method. An image synthesis method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a rotating body formed so that an image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle is substantially the same as an image before rotation,
An image composition method, wherein a lower limit value is set to the predetermined pitch angle in accordance with an upper limit value of a rotation speed of the rotating body that rotates based on an operation of the player, another player, or a computer. In either claim 1 or 2,
An image composition method, wherein the rotating body is formed by repeatedly arranging display portions at the predetermined pitch angle at an equal distance from a rotation center axis. An image synthesis method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a repetitive body formed so that an image when moved a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is substantially the same as the image before the movement,
When the moving speed of the repetitive body changes based on the operation of the player, another player, or a computer, an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch distance is set for the moving distance of the repetitive body every predetermined time. A characteristic image composition method. An image synthesis method for synthesizing a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a repetitive body formed so that an image when moved a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is substantially the same as the image before the movement,
An image composition method, wherein a lower limit value is set to the predetermined pitch distance according to an upper limit value of a moving speed of the repetitive body that moves based on an operation of the player, another player, or a computer. In either of claims 4 or 5,
An image composition method, wherein the repetitive body is formed by repeatedly arranging display portions at the predetermined pitch distance in the predetermined direction. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.
Set the upper limit value so as to be smaller than the rotation angle or the moving distance when the image of the rotating body or the repeated body appears to rotate in the reverse direction or move in the reverse direction, or rotate in the reverse direction or move in the reverse direction The lower limit value is set so as to be larger than the predetermined pitch angle or the predetermined pitch distance. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.
Set the upper limit value so that the image of the rotating body or the repetitive body appears to be rotated at the highest speed or moved at the highest speed in the forward direction, or less than the rotation angle or the moving distance, or at the highest speed in the forward direction. An image synthesizing method, wherein the lower limit value is set so as to be equal to or greater than the predetermined pitch angle or the predetermined pitch distance when it appears to rotate or move at the highest speed. A game device that synthesizes a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a rotating body formed so that an image when rotated by a predetermined pitch angle is substantially the same as an image before rotation,
Means for setting an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch angle to the rotation angle of the rotating body for each predetermined time when the rotation speed of the rotating body changes based on an operation of the player, another player or a computer; A game device comprising: A game device that synthesizes a moving image by updating a display screen composed of a plurality of display objects every predetermined time,
The display object includes a repetitive body formed so that an image when moved a predetermined pitch distance in a predetermined direction is substantially the same as the image before the movement,
Means for setting an upper limit value corresponding to the predetermined pitch distance for the moving distance of the repetitive body every predetermined time when the moving speed of the repetitive body changes based on an operation of the player, another player or a computer; A game device comprising:

Images