JP4642118B2 - Image generation system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation system and an information storage medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image generation system that generates an image that can be seen from a given viewpoint in an object space that is a virtual three-dimensional space is known, and is popular as being able to experience so-called virtual reality. Taking an image generation system that can enjoy a gun game as an example, a player (operator) uses a gun-type controller (shooting device) imitating a gun or the like to display enemy characters (screened on the screen). Enjoy 3D games by shooting target objects such as objects.

  In such an image generation system, it is an important technical problem to generate a more realistic image in order to improve the player's virtual reality. Therefore, it is desirable that the motion of the enemy character can be expressed realistically. In conventional image generation systems, motion data of an enemy character is expressed by selecting motion data prepared in advance and reproducing the motion based on the selected motion data.

However, the method of reproducing the motion based on the motion data as described above has the following problems.
(1) Even if an enemy character is shot, since the enemy character always performs only the same movement, the expression of motion becomes monotonous.
(2) When an enemy character is chased, the motion playback started by the first shot (bullet) hit is interrupted by the second shot hit, and the enemy character's motion is not good. Become natural.
(3) In order to increase the motion variation of the enemy character, it is necessary to increase the motion data in proportion thereto. However, since the capacity of a memory for storing motion data is limited, there is a limit to the increase in motion variations.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation system and an information storage medium capable of realizing a more realistic, high variety degree and natural motion expression with a small amount of data. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image generation system for generating an image, wherein when an Nth part of an object composed of a plurality of parts is hit, physicality based on hit information is obtained. The Nth part is moved by the simulation and the hit information is sequentially transmitted to the (N + 1) th part, the (N + 2) th part, the (N + 3) th part,..., And the N + 1th part is obtained by the physical simulation based on the transmitted hit information. It is characterized by comprising means for generating an object motion by sequentially moving the (N + 2) th part, the (N + 3) th part,..., And a means for generating an image including an image of the object in which the motion is generated. . The information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer, and includes information (program or data) for realizing (executing) the above means. The program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer, and includes a processing routine for realizing (executing) the above means.

  According to the present invention, when the Nth part of the object is hit, the Nth part moves (rotates or moves) by physical simulation (including pseudo physical simulation) based on the hit information. . Also, hit information is sequentially transmitted to the (N + 1) th, (N + 2) th portion, etc., and the (N + 1) th, (N + 2) th portion, etc. move based on the transmitted hit information. According to the present invention, since the motion of the object is generated in this way, the object performs a different motion depending on, for example, the hit position and the hit direction. As a result, real and diverse motion expressions can be realized.

  In the image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention, the hit information is a force vector directed in the hit direction, and each part is moved by a rotational moment obtained from the force vector. In this way, real and diverse motion expressions can be realized by a simple process of moving each part with a force vector and transmitting the force vector to each part.

  The image generation system, information storage medium, and program according to the present invention are characterized by sequentially attenuating the magnitude of a force vector to be transmitted when the force vector is transmitted to each part. In this way, the portion closer to the hit position moves more greatly, and a realistic motion change can be realized with a simple process.

  In addition, the image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that a rotational resistance force corresponding to the angular velocity of each part is applied to each part. In this way, it is possible to prevent a situation where the angular velocity of each part becomes excessive and the generated motion becomes unnatural.

  The image generation system, information storage medium, and program according to the present invention are characterized in that a restoring force for returning an object to a given posture is applied to each part. In this way, for example, it is possible to express an object that is not easily defeated even when hits are made consecutively.

  The image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention switch from the process of reproducing the object motion based on the motion data to the process of generating the object motion by physical simulation when the object is hit. It is characterized by.

  In addition, the image generation system, information storage medium, and program according to the present invention change from processing that generates object motion by physical simulation to processing that reproduces object motion based on motion data when a given condition is met. It is characterized by switching.

  Further, the present invention is an image generation system for generating an image, and means for reproducing the motion of an object composed of a plurality of parts based on motion data, means for generating the motion of the object by physical simulation, And means for switching from processing for reproducing the motion of the object based on the motion data to processing for generating the motion of the object by physical simulation when the object is hit. The information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer, and includes information (program or data) for realizing (executing) the above means. The program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer, and includes a processing routine for realizing (executing) the above means.

  According to the present invention, for example, before an object is hit, the object moves by motion reproduction, and when the object is hit, the object moves by motion generation. Therefore, before the hit, the movement of the object, which is difficult to realize by motion generation, can be easily realized by using the motion reproduction. On the other hand, after a hit, various motions of an object that requires a large amount of motion data depending on the motion playback can be realized with a small amount of data using motion generation.

  Further, the present invention is an image generation system for generating an image, and means for reproducing the motion of an object composed of a plurality of parts based on motion data, means for generating the motion of the object by physical simulation, Means for switching from processing for generating object motion by physical simulation to processing for reproducing object motion based on motion data when a given condition is satisfied. The information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer, and includes information (program or data) for realizing (executing) the above means. The program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer, and includes a processing routine for realizing (executing) the above means.

  According to the present invention, before a given condition is established, the object moves by motion generation, and when the given condition is established, the object moves by motion reproduction. In this way, it becomes possible to easily cope with a situation in which a motion of an object that is difficult to realize depending on motion generation occurs.

  Further, the image generation system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention are provided when at least one of a case where a given time has passed since the object was hit and a case where the parameter of the object has a given value. It is characterized in that the process of generating the object motion by physical simulation is switched to the process of reproducing the object motion based on the motion data. However, a given condition in the present invention is not limited to such a condition that a given time has passed and a condition that a parameter has a given value.

  The image generation system, information storage medium, and program according to the present invention are characterized by causing an object to perform a connecting motion that connects a motion generated by a physical simulation and a motion reproduced based on the motion data. In this way, the motion can be changed smoothly and naturally when switching between motion generation and motion playback.

It is a figure which shows the structural example at the time of applying this embodiment to an arcade game system. It is an example of the block diagram of the image generation system of this embodiment. It is a figure shown about the example of the enemy character (object) comprised by a some site | part. It is a figure for demonstrating the motion generation method at the time of a hit in this embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating examples of motion generated according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 6A and 6B are also diagrams illustrating examples of motion generated by the present embodiment. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a technique for transmitting the magnitude of the hit force vector to the parent part while attenuating the magnitude, and a technique for applying a rotational resistance force according to the angular velocity to each part. It is. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of returning an enemy character to a default attitude | position. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining a method of switching between motion generation and motion playback. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a technique for reproducing (or generating) a joint motion. It is a figure for demonstrating motion interpolation. It is a flowchart shown about the detailed example of the process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart shown about the detailed example of the process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart shown about the detailed example of the process of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the hardware which can implement | achieve this embodiment. FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating examples of various forms of systems to which the present embodiment is applied.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a gun game (shooting game) using a gun-type controller will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various games.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows a configuration example when the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system.

  The player 500 has a gun-type controller (shooting device in a broad sense) 502 that is made by imitating a real machine gun. Then, a gun game is enjoyed by shooting with a target object such as an enemy character (object in a broad sense) displayed on the screen 504.

  In particular, when the gun-type controller 502 of this embodiment pulls a trigger, virtual shots (bullets) are automatically fired at high speed. Therefore, it is possible to give the player a virtual reality as if it were shooting a real machine gun.

  The shot hit position (landing position) may be detected by providing an optical sensor in the gun-type controller 502 and detecting the scanning light of the screen using this optical sensor. (Laser light) may be emitted, and the irradiation position of this light may be detected by using a CCD camera or the like.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a block diagram of the present embodiment. In this figure, the present embodiment may include at least the processing unit 100 (or may include the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 140, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 140, and the information storage medium 150), and other blocks. (For example, the operation unit 130, the image generation unit 160, the display unit 162, the sound generation unit 170, the sound output unit 172, the communication unit 174, the I / F unit 176, the memory card 180, etc.) are optional components. Can do.

  Here, the processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction instruction to each block in the system, and game calculation, and functions thereof are a CPU (CISC type, RISC type), DSP. Alternatively, it can be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (gate array or the like) or a given program (game program).

  The operation unit 130 is for the player to input operation data, and the function can be realized by hardware such as the gun-type controller 502, lever, button, and the like in FIG.

  The storage unit 140 serves as a work area such as the processing unit 100, the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, the communication unit 174, and the I / F unit 176, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.

  An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 150 stores information such as programs and data, and functions thereof are an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, and a hard disk. It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic tape or a semiconductor memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (this embodiment) based on information stored in the information storage medium 150. That is, the information storage medium 150 stores various information (programs, data) for realizing (executing) the means (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100) of the present invention (this embodiment).

  Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 150 is transferred to the storage unit 140 when the system is powered on. Information stored in the information storage medium 150 includes program code, image information, sound information, shape information of display objects, table data, list data, player information, and processing of the present invention. It includes at least one of information for instructing, information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction, and the like.

  The image generation unit 160 generates various images in accordance with instructions from the processing unit 100 and outputs them to the display unit 162. The function of the image generation unit 160 is hardware such as an image generation ASIC, CPU, or DSP, It can be realized by a given program (image generation program) and image information.

  The sound generation unit 170 generates various sounds in accordance with instructions from the processing unit 100 and outputs them to the sound output unit 172. The function of the sound generation unit 170 is a hardware such as a sound generation ASIC, CPU, or DSP. Alternatively, it can be realized by a given program (sound generation program) and sound information (waveform data, etc.).

  The communication unit 174 performs various controls for communicating with an external device (for example, a host device or other image generation system), and functions as a hardware such as a communication ASIC or a CPU. Alternatively, it can be realized by a given program (communication program).

  Note that information for realizing the processing of the present invention (this embodiment) may be distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 150 via the network and the communication unit 174. Use of such an information storage medium of the host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Further, part or all of the functions of the processing unit 100 may be realized by the functions of the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 174. Alternatively, part or all of the functions of the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 174 may be realized by the function of the processing unit 100.

  The I / F unit 176 serves as an interface for exchanging information with a memory card 180 (in a broad sense, a portable information storage device including a portable game machine) according to an instruction from the processing unit 100. This function can be realized by a slot for inserting a memory card, a controller IC for data writing / reading, and the like. In the case where information exchange with the memory card 180 is realized using radio waves such as infrared rays, the function of the I / F unit 176 can be realized by hardware such as a semiconductor laser and an infrared sensor.

  The processing unit 100 includes a game calculation unit 110.

  Here, the game calculation unit 110 accepts coins (costs), sets various modes, progresses the game, sets the selection screen, and positions and rotation angles (X, Y or Z-axis rotation angle), viewpoint position and line-of-sight angle determination process, object motion playback or generation process, object placement process in object space, hit check process, game results (results, results) Various game calculation processes such as a calculation process, a process for a plurality of players to play in a common game space, or a game over process, operation data from the operation unit 130, data from the memory card 180, game program, etc. Based on.

  The game calculation unit 110 includes a hit check unit 112, a motion playback unit 114, a motion generation unit 116, and a switching unit 122.

  Here, the hit check unit 112 performs hit check processing for checking whether or not the shot shot by the player hits the object using the gun-type controller. In order to reduce the processing load, it is desirable to perform hit check processing using a simple object with a simplified object shape.

  The motion playback unit 114 performs processing for playing back the motion of an object (such as an enemy character) based on the motion data stored in the motion data storage unit 142. That is, the motion data storage unit 142 stores motion data including position data and angle data of each part (part) in each reference motion of the object. The motion reproducing unit 114 reads out the motion data, and reproduces the motion of the object by moving each part of the object based on the motion data.

  The motion generation unit 116 performs processing for generating an object motion by physical simulation (simulation using physical calculation. The physical calculation may be pseudo physical calculation). In other words, in this embodiment, the motion of an object (such as an enemy character) at the time of a hit (shot) is generated in real time by physical simulation instead of motion playback based on motion data. By generating a motion by physical simulation in this way, it is possible to realize a realistic motion expression with a high degree of variety compared to motion playback based on motion data while suppressing the amount of data used.

  The motion generation unit 116 includes a hit-time motion generation unit 118 and a lower body motion generation unit 120.

  Here, the hit motion generation unit 118 performs processing for generating an object motion at the time of hit. More specifically, when the Nth part of the object is hit, the Nth part is moved and the adjacent N + 1th part is moved by physical simulation based on hit information (such as a force vector pointing in the hit direction). The hit information is sequentially transmitted (propagated) to the (N + 2) th, (N + 3) th portion, etc. (for example, the magnitude is sequentially attenuated). Then, these N + 1, N + 2, N + 3, etc. parts are moved by physical simulation based on the transmitted hit information. If the motion of the object is generated in this way, the realistic motion of the object when the shots are continuously hit by high-speed continuous shooting can be expressed with a small processing load.

  In addition, the lower body motion generation unit 120 generates a motion of the lower body of the object using a special algorithm in order to realistically express the motion of the object at the time of hit. More specifically, the object is moved so that it falls down with the grounded first part (for example, the left foot) as a fulcrum. Then, the movement target position of the second part that is not grounded (for example, the right foot) at a position that restricts the object from falling (for example, a position that is point-symmetric with the first part with respect to the position at which the virtual center of gravity is projected onto the grounding surface). Is set, and the second part is moved to this movement target position. If the motion of the object is generated in this way, it is possible to express the motion of the object so that it does not fall easily.

  For example, when the object is hit, the switching unit 122 performs processing to switch from motion playback to motion generation. Alternatively, when a given condition is satisfied (when a given time has elapsed since the hit or when the physical strength parameter becomes zero), a process of switching from motion generation to motion playback is performed. In this way, the motion of the object can be represented by motion playback in a scene that is difficult to represent by motion generation, and the motion of the object can be represented by motion generation in a scene that requires a high variety of motion with a small amount of data. It becomes like this.

  Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or not only the single player mode but also a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play. The system may also be provided.

  Further, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Alternatively, it may be generated using a plurality of terminals.

2. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the enemy character (object) 10 has a plurality of parts (right hand 12, right forearm 14, upper right arm 16, chest 18, waist 20, left hand 22). Left forearm 24, left upper arm 26, head 30, right foot 32, right shin 34, right crotch 36, left foot 42, left shin 44, and left crotch 46). Note that the positions and rotation angles (directions) of these parts (parts) can be expressed as the positions of joints J0 to J13 and the rotation angles of bones (arcs) A0 to A18 constituting the skeleton model. However, these bones and joints are virtual and are not objects that are actually displayed.

  In this embodiment, the parts constituting the enemy character have a parent-child (hierarchical) structure (actually, the joint has a parent-child structure). That is, the parents of the hands 12 and 22 are the forearms 14 and 24, the parents of the forearms 14 and 24 are the upper arms 16 and 26, the parents of the upper arms 16 and 26 are the chest 18, and the parent of the chest 18 is the waist 20. Become. The parent of the head 30 is the chest 18. The parents of the legs 32 and 42 are the shins 34 and 44, the parents of the shins 34 and 44 are the crotch 36 and 46, and the parents of the crotch 36 and 46 are the waist 20.

  The motion data storage unit stores the positions and rotation angles of these parts (joints and bones) as motion data. For example, it is assumed that the walking motion is composed of reference motions MP0, MP1, MP2,... MPN. Then, the position and rotation angle of each part in each of these reference motions MP0, MP1, MP2,... MPN are stored in advance as motion data. Then, by sequentially reading out the motion data of the reference motion as time elapses, for example, reading the position and rotation angle of each part of the reference motion MP0 and then reading the position and rotation angle of each part of the reference motion MP1. , Motion playback is realized.

  The motion data stored in the motion data storage unit is generally acquired by motion capture or created by a designer. The position and rotation angle of the part (joint and bone) are represented by the position of the parent part, the relative position with respect to the rotation angle, and the relative rotation angle.

  The first feature of the present embodiment is that a motion of an enemy character (object) at the time of hit is generated using a physical simulation.

  For example, in FIG. 4, when a player's shot (bullet) hits the forearm 14 of the enemy character, first, the forearm 14 is moved (rotated or moved) based on the hit force vector FH0 (hit information in a broad sense). Further, this hit force vector FH0 is sequentially transmitted (propagated) as FH1, FH2, FH3 and FH4 to the upper arm 16, chest 18 and waist 20 which are the parent parts. Then, the upper arm 16, the chest 18, and the waist 20 are moved by the transmitted hit force vectors FH1 to FH4. In this embodiment, in this way, the motion of the enemy character at the time of hit is generated in real time.

  More specifically, the hit force vector FH0 is a vector whose direction is in the hit direction (shot trajectory direction), and whose magnitude represents the hit power. Then, the rotational moment is obtained by taking the outer product of the vector HV connecting the joint J1 and the hit position (landing position) HP and the hit force vector FH0.

  Next, the angular acceleration of the forearm 14 is calculated based on this rotational moment and the virtual mass of the forearm 14. Based on the calculated angular acceleration, the angular velocity of the forearm 14 is calculated, and the forearm 14 rotates at this angular velocity as indicated by R0.

  The magnitude of the hit force vector FH0 (hit information) is attenuated and transmitted to the upper arm 16, which is the parent part, as FH1. More specifically, the FH1 acts on the joint J1, and the upper arm 16 rotates as indicated by R1 by the rotational moment generated by the FH1.

  Next, FH2 transmitted to the chest 18 acts on the joint J2, and the chest 18 rotates as indicated by R2 by the rotational moment by the FH2.

  Next, FH3 transmitted to the waist 20 acts on the joint J3, and the waist 20 rotates as indicated by R3 by the rotational moment by the FH3. Further, FH4 transmitted to the waist 20 acts on the representative point RP, and the waist 20 moves as indicated by MT0 by this FH4. When the waist 20 moves in the direction of MT0, other parts other than the waist 20 also move in the direction of MT0. However, also in this case, the relative positional relationship between the waist 20 and other parts does not change.

  Examples of motion generated by this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B. This motion is an example of a motion generated when a shot hits the head of the enemy character 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A to 6B, according to the present embodiment, a realistic motion of the enemy character 10 at the time of hitting can be generated. The generated motion differs depending on the hit position, hit direction, and hit power, and the number of motion variations can be greatly increased compared to the motion playback method based on motion data. .

  That is, in the motion reproduction method, it is necessary to prepare several types of motion data corresponding to the hit positions separately in advance. For example, the motion data for when the forearm is hit as shown in FIG. 4 and the motion data for when the head is hit as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) to 6 (B) must be prepared separately. There is. In addition, even when the same head is hit, the motion data for when the head is hit from the front direction, the motion data for when the head is hit from the right direction, and the data for when the head is hit from the rear direction It is necessary to prepare motion data and motion data for when the head is hit from the left.

  However, the memory capacity for storing motion data is finite. Therefore, in the motion reproduction method, there is a limit to the increase in motion variations.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to generate various different motions according to the hit position, the hit direction, the magnitude of the hit force, etc. without preparing the motion data as described above. For example, the reaction of the enemy character changes finely according to the hit position of the shot. Therefore, real and various motion expressions can be realized with a small amount of data.

  In the motion reproduction method, when a head hit motion as shown in FIGS. 5 (A) to 6 (B) is reproduced, for example, if the forearm is hit, The playback of the motion is interrupted and the movement of the enemy character becomes unnatural.

  On the other hand, according to this embodiment, even if the forearm is hit after the head is hit, a situation in which the motion is interrupted in the middle does not occur. Therefore, the movement of the enemy character at the time of hitting can be made smooth and continuous.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the gun-type controller 502 possessed by the player 500 is capable of shooting shots at high speed like a machine gun, so that many shots can be made against enemy characters. A situation occurs in which hits continuously. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the enemy character is not extinguished only by hitting one shot. Therefore, it is necessary to express the motion of the enemy character so that the movement changes finely according to the hit position and the hit direction each time the shot is hit and the shot is hit.

  If the motion reproduction technique is used to realize such a motion expression at the time of high-speed continuous fire, the amount of necessary motion data becomes excessive. For this reason, such a motion expression cannot be substantially realized by the motion reproduction method. On the other hand, according to the motion generation method described with reference to FIG. 4, such motion expression can be easily realized.

  In the present embodiment, hit force vectors are employed as hit information for moving each part. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, for example, the rotational moment LN × FHN is obtained from the hit force vector FHN, and the Nth part is moved (rotated) by the obtained rotational moment. Then, hit force vectors FHN + 1 and FHN + 2 are sequentially transmitted to the adjacent N + 1th and N + 2 parts, and the N + 1th and N + 2 parts are moved by these hit force vectors. More specifically, in frame K, FHN acts on the Nth site, in frame K + 1, FHN + 1 acts on the N + 1 site, and in frame K + 2, FHN + 2 acts on the N + 2 site.

  In this way, the movement of each part of the enemy character due to the impact of the hit force vector can be realistically expressed with a simple process of sequentially transmitting the hit force vector to the adjacent part.

  In this case, in this embodiment, when the hit force vector is sequentially transmitted to each part, the magnitude of the hit force vector to be transmitted is sequentially attenuated (attenuation rate is about 90%, for example). That is, the magnitude of the hit force vector is attenuated such that | FHN |> | FHN + 1 |> | FHN + 2 |. By doing this, the part closer to the hit position moves more greatly, so that a realistic motion change closer to the real world event can be realized with a simple process of simply reducing the magnitude of the hit force vector Become.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the rotational resistance according to the angular velocity of each site | part is made to act on each site | part.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, a rotational resistance force FRN corresponding to the magnitude of the angular velocity ωN of the Nth part is applied to the Nth part. Further, a rotational resistance force FRN + 1 corresponding to the magnitude of the angular velocity ωN + 1 of the (N + 1) th portion is applied to the (N + 1) th portion in the direction opposite to the rotation. Further, a rotational resistance force FRN + 2 corresponding to the magnitude of the angular velocity ωN + 2 of the N + 2 part is applied to the N + 2 part in the direction opposite to the rotation.

  By applying such a rotational resistance force, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which the angular velocity of each part changes abruptly and unnatural motion occurs.

  In this embodiment, the restoring force for returning the enemy character to a given posture is applied to each part.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the posture of the enemy character is changed by the hit force vector FH, the enemy character is returned to the default posture indicated by the dotted line.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the posture of the enemy character is extremely collapsed by hitting many shots by high-speed continuous fire. This is because even if the shots are hit consecutively, the enemy character gradually returns to the original default posture by the restoring force every time it hits. Thereby, even if many shots are hit, it becomes possible to express an enemy character that is not easily defeated, and an enemy character suitable for a machine gun game can be made to appear in the game.

  The process of returning the enemy character to the default posture can be realized by holding the default rotation angle of each part in the storage unit and performing the process of returning the angle of each part to the default angle.

  The second feature of the present embodiment is that, when an enemy character is hit, switching from motion playback based on motion data to motion generation by physical simulation.

  For example, as indicated by E1 in FIG. 9A, before the enemy character is hit, the motion of the enemy character is expressed by motion reproduction. That is, the movement of the enemy character that moves to a predetermined place, hides behind the object, or appears in front of the player is expressed by motion reproduction based on the motion data.

  On the other hand, as shown in E2, when an enemy character is hit, the motion playback is switched to the motion generation. That is, for example, the motion of the enemy character at the time of the hit is expressed by the motion generation method described with reference to FIG.

  The influence of the game operation of the player is not so much on the movement of the enemy character before the hit. Therefore, the movement of the enemy character can be sufficiently expressed only by the motion reproduction based on the motion data. In addition, if it is attempted to generate a motion that is hidden behind the object or appears in front of the player by motion generation, the processing becomes complicated and the processing load increases.

  On the other hand, the player's game operation has a strong influence on the movement of the enemy character at the time of a hit. In other words, it is up to the player to determine which enemy character the player shoots from which direction, and cannot be predicted at all before the game. For this reason, at the time of a hit, it is necessary to finely change the movement of the enemy character in accordance with the game operation (shooting operation) of the player. Therefore, it is preferable to express the movement of the enemy character by generating a motion as described in FIG. 4 rather than reproducing the motion. In addition, the movement at the time of hit is more suitable for motion generation based on a physical simulation than the movement that hides behind the object or appears in front of the player.

In the present embodiment, paying attention to the above points, as shown by E2 in FIG. 9A, the mode is switched from motion reproduction to motion generation when an enemy character hits.
As a result, the enemy character can be moved by an appropriate process according to the situation.

  The third feature of the present embodiment is that, when a given condition is satisfied, switching from motion generation based on physical simulation to motion playback based on motion data.

  For example, in E3 of FIG. 9A, since a given time TM has elapsed after the hit, the mode is switched from motion generation to motion playback.

  That is, when the shot hits the enemy character continuously in a short time as in E4, the enemy character is moved by the motion generation as described in FIG. This makes it possible to represent an enemy character whose movement changes finely according to the hit position and hit direction each time a shot is hit.

  On the other hand, when a given time TM elapses after the shot hit as in E3, it is considered that the enemy character is no longer fired anymore. Therefore, in this case, motion playback based on motion data is performed. By doing so, it becomes possible to express the movement of the enemy character such as moving to another place or hiding behind the object after being attacked by the player.

  Further, at E5 in FIG. 9B, the enemy character's physical strength parameter is 0 (given value), so the motion generation is switched to the motion reproduction. That is, in this case, a motion that completely falls the enemy character is reproduced, and the enemy character disappears.

  Thus, when the physical strength parameter becomes 0, the fate of the enemy character is already determined to be extinguished, and there is no room for the influence of the game operation of the player. Therefore, in this case, the movement of the enemy character is expressed not by motion generation but by motion playback. In this way, it is possible to cause the enemy character to fall down realistically based on the motion data prepared in advance, and the game effect can be enhanced.

  When switching between motion generation and motion reproduction, it is desirable to reproduce (or generate) a connection motion that connects a motion generated by a physical simulation and a motion reproduced based on the motion data.

  For example, in FIG. 10A, F1 is a switching point between motion generation and motion reproduction. Therefore, in this case, a connection motion that connects the last generated motion MGM and the first motion MP0 to be played back is played back (or generated).

  In FIG. 10B, F2 is a switching point between motion generation and motion playback. Therefore, in this case, a connection motion that connects the last generated motion MGN and the first motion MP0 to be played back is played back (or generated).

  In this way, it is possible to smoothly connect the motions at any point of motion generation, and the image quality and realism of the generated image can be improved.

  Note that it is desirable to reproduce the joint motion by motion interpolation as shown in FIG. That is, the motions M0 and M1 are interpolated by, for example, the calculation formula M2 = α × M0 + (1−α) × M1 while changing the weighting coefficient α from 0 to 1, to obtain the motion M2 (in practice, Interpolate the position and rotation angle using the above formula). In this case, MGM and MGN in FIGS. 10A and 10B become M0 in FIG. 11, MP0 becomes M1, and the obtained joint motion becomes M2.

3. Processing of the present embodiment Next, detailed detailed examples of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart regarding the switching process between motion reproduction and motion generation.

  First, motion playback based on motion data is performed (step S1). For example, the movement of an enemy character such as moving to a predetermined place, hiding in a shadow, or appearing in front of a player is realized by motion reproduction.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a shot from the player has been hit (step S2). If no hit has been made, the process returns to step S1 to continue motion playback. On the other hand, if there is a hit, it is determined whether the physical strength parameter is 0 (step S3). If the physical strength parameter is not 0, the process proceeds to a motion generation process by physical simulation as indicated by E2 in FIG. 9A (step S4).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a given time has elapsed after the hit (step S5). If not, it is determined whether or not a shot from the player has been hit (step S6). If it hits, it is determined in step S3 whether or not the physical strength parameter is 0. If not, the motion generation process in step S4 is continued. On the other hand, if there is no hit, the motion generation process in step S4 is continued without performing the physical strength parameter determination process in step S3.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the given time has elapsed, as described with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, processing for reproducing (or generating) the joint motion is performed (step S7). Then, as indicated by E3 in FIG. 9A, the process is switched to the motion reproduction process.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the physical strength parameter is 0, the connecting motion to the falling motion is reproduced (or generated) (step S8). Then, as indicated by E5 in FIG. 9B, the process shifts to a fall motion reproduction process (step S9), and the enemy character disappears (step S10).

  13 and 14 are flowcharts relating to the motion generation process at the time of hit.

  First, it is determined whether the part to be processed is a hit part or a part to which a hit force vector is transmitted (step T1). If it is not such a part, the process proceeds to step T5. On the other hand, if it is such a part, as described in FIG. 4, the hit position HP and the hit force vector FH0 at that part are obtained (step T2). Note that the determination in step T1 is made based on a hit flag that is turned on when a hit or a hit force vector is transmitted.

  Next, as described with reference to FIG. 7A, the hit force vector is transmitted to the parent site while the magnitude thereof is attenuated (step T3). Note that the hit flag is set to ON for the portion to which the hit force vector is transmitted.

  Next, the rotational moment is calculated based on the hit force vector, and the angular velocity of the part is calculated based on the rotational moment (step T4). For example, in the Nth part of FIG. 7A, the rotational moment LN × FHN is calculated, and the angular velocity of the Nth part is calculated based on this rotational moment.

  Next, as described in FIG. 7B, the rotational resistance force proportional to the angular velocity of the part is calculated, and the angular velocity of the part is changed (decreased) based on the rotational resistance force (step T5). Then, as described in FIG. 8, the restoring force for returning the enemy character to the default posture is calculated, and the angular velocity of the part is changed based on the restoring force (step T6).

  Next, when the part to be processed is the waist, the waist moving speed is calculated based on the hit force vector (step T7). For example, in FIG. 4, the moving speed of the waist 20 (representative point RP) is calculated based on FH4.

  Next, if the part to be processed is the waist, the position and rotation speed are updated based on the calculated moving speed and angular velocity, and if it is other part, based on the calculated angular speed. The rotation angle is updated (step T8). That is, the position and rotation angle of each part in the frame are obtained.

  Finally, it is determined whether or not the processing for all the parts has been completed (step T9). If not, the process returns to step T1.

4). Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the system shown in the figure, a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002, a RAM 1004, an information storage medium 1006, a sound generation IC 1008, an image generation IC 1010, and I / O ports 1012, 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received. A display 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010, a speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008, a control device 1022 is connected to the I / O port 1012, and a communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014. Has been.

  The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing display objects, sound data, and the like. For example, in a home game system, a DVD, a game cassette, a CDROM, or the like is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program or the like. In the arcade game system, a memory such as a ROM is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is a ROM 1002.

  The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of determination made by the player in accordance with the progress of the game to the system main body.

  In accordance with a program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002 (system body initialization information, etc.), a signal input by the control device 1022, the CPU 1000 controls the entire system and performs various data processing. . The RAM 1004 is a storage means used as a work area of the CPU 1000 and stores the given contents of the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002 or the calculation result of the CPU 1000. A data structure having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.

  Furthermore, this type of system is provided with a sound generation IC 1008 and an image generation IC 1010 so that game sounds and game images can be suitably output. The sound generation IC 1008 is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on information stored in the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the RAM 1004, the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. As the display 1018, a so-called head mounted display (HMD) can be used.

  The communication device 1024 exchanges various types of information used inside the image generation system with the outside, and is connected to other image generation systems to send and receive given information according to the game program, It is used to send and receive information such as game programs via a line.

  The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14 include an information storage medium 1006 that stores information such as programs and data, a CPU 1000 that operates based on information from the information storage medium 1006, an image generation IC 1010, or sound generation. This is realized by the IC 1008 or the like. The processing performed by the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the like may be performed by software using the CPU 1000 or a general-purpose DSP.

  When this embodiment is applied to an arcade game system as shown in FIG. 1, a CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted on a built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. Information for executing (implementing) the processing (means of the present invention) of this embodiment is stored in a semiconductor memory 1108 that is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.

  FIG. 16A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in a DVD 1206, a memory card 1208, 1209, or the like, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main system.

  FIG. 16B shows a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304- connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line (small network such as a LAN or wide area network such as the Internet) 1302. An example in which the present embodiment is applied to an image generation system including n will be described. In this case, the stored information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a semiconductor memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300, for example. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n have a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound processing IC and can generate game images and game sounds stand-alone, the host device 1300 receives game images and games. A game program or the like for generating sound is delivered to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, which is transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 16B, the processing of the present invention may be distributed between the host device (server) and the terminal. The storage information for realizing the present invention may be distributed and stored in the information storage medium of the host device (server) and the information storage medium of the terminal.

  The terminal connected to the communication line may be a home game system or an arcade game system. And, when the arcade game system is connected to a communication line, portable information storage that can exchange information with the arcade game system and exchange information with the home game system. It is desirable to use a device (memory card, portable game machine).

  The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims of the present invention, a part of the constituent features of the dependent claims can be omitted. Moreover, the principal part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention can be made dependent on another independent claim.

  In addition, the physical simulation method for moving each part is particularly preferably the method described with reference to FIG. 4 and the like, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made. The hit information is particularly preferably a hit force vector for simplification of processing, but is not limited to this, and may be information for moving at least each part.

  In this embodiment, motion generation and motion playback for enemy characters have been mainly described. However, objects for motion generation and motion playback are not limited to enemy characters, and various objects such as player characters and moving objects can be used. Can think.

  In this embodiment, the case where an object is hit by a shot has been described as an example. However, the hit of an object in the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, hits by a sword, hits by punch or kick, etc. included.

  Further, in the invention for switching between motion generation and motion playback, the motion generation method is not limited to the method described in FIG. 4 or the like, as long as it includes an element of some physical simulation (pseudo physical simulation). Good. In addition to the events described in the present embodiment (such as object hits), various events can be considered as motion generation and motion playback switching events.

  In addition to the gun game, the present invention can be applied to various games (shooting games other than gun games, fighting games, robot fighting games, sports games, competitive games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.). The present invention also relates to various image generation systems such as a business game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which a large number of players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, an image generation system, and a system board for generating game images. Applicable.

10 Enemy character (object)
12, 22 Hand 14, 24 Forearm 16, 26 Upper arm 18 Chest 20 Waist 30 Head 32, 42 Feet 34, 44 Crest 36, 46 Crotch A0-A18 Bone J0-J13 Joint RP Representative point FH, FH0-FH4, FHN-FHN +2 Hit force vector ωN to ωN + 2 Angular velocity FRN to FRN + 2 Rotational resistance force 100 Processing unit 110 Game calculation unit 112 Hit check unit 114 Motion playback unit 116 Motion generation unit 118 Hit-time motion generation unit 120 Lower body motion generation unit 122 Switching unit 130 Operation unit 140 Storage unit 142 Motion data storage unit 150 Information storage medium 160 Image generation unit 162 Display unit 170 Sound generation unit 172 Sound output unit 174 Communication unit 176 I / F unit 180 Memory card

Claims (12)

An image generation system for generating an image,
In the object space, a hit check unit that determines whether or not an object composed of a plurality of parts has been hit,
When the Nth part of the object is hit using the skeleton model composed of the joints and bones of each of the plurality of parts, each of the Nth part and one or more parts adjacent to the Nth part are A motion generation unit that sequentially moves from the Nth part by a physical simulation based on a force vector facing the hit direction, and generates a motion of the object;
An image generation unit that generates an image including an image of the object in which the motion is generated ,
The motion generation unit
Image generation characterized by moving a part by performing at least one of a process of rotating a bone of the part and a process of moving a joint of the part based on a force vector directed in the hit direction sequentially from the Nth part system. An image generation system for generating an image,
In the object space, a hit check unit that determines whether or not an object composed of a plurality of parts has been hit,
When the Nth part of the object is hit, the Nth part and each of one or more parts adjacent to the Nth part are sequentially detected from the Nth part by a physical simulation based on a force vector that faces the hit direction. A motion generation unit that moves and generates motion of the object,
An image generation unit that generates an image including an image of the object in which the motion is generated,
The motion generation unit
An image generation system, wherein a rotational resistance force corresponding to an angular velocity of each part is applied to each part. In claim 1 or 2,
The motion generation unit
An image generation system, wherein each part is sequentially moved by a physical simulation based on the force vector from an Nth part to a part having a representative point of an object. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
The motion generation unit
An image generating system, wherein each part is moved by a rotational moment obtained from the force vector. In any one of Claims 1-4 ,
The motion generation unit
An image generating system characterized by sequentially attenuating the magnitude of the force vector when moving each part. In any one of Claims 1-5,
The motion generation unit
An image generation system, wherein a restoring force for returning an object to a given posture is applied to each part. An information storage medium usable by a computer,
In the object space, a hit check unit that determines whether or not an object composed of a plurality of parts has been hit,
When the Nth part of the object is hit using the skeleton model composed of the joints and bones of each of the plurality of parts, each of the Nth part and one or more parts adjacent to the Nth part are A motion generation unit that sequentially moves from the Nth part by a physical simulation based on a force vector facing the hit direction, and generates a motion of the object;
An information storage medium for storing a program for causing a computer to function as an image generation unit that generates an image including an image of an object for which motion has been generated ,
The motion generation unit
Information storage characterized by moving a part by performing at least one of a process of rotating a bone of the part and a process of moving a joint of the part based on a force vector directed in the hit direction sequentially from the Nth part Medium. An information storage medium usable by a computer,
In the object space, a hit check unit that determines whether or not an object composed of a plurality of parts has been hit,
When the Nth part of the object is hit, the Nth part and each of one or more parts adjacent to the Nth part are sequentially detected from the Nth part by a physical simulation based on a force vector that faces the hit direction. A motion generation unit that moves and generates motion of the object,
An information storage medium for storing a program for causing a computer to function as an image generation unit that generates an image including an image of an object for which motion has been generated,
The motion generation unit
An information storage medium, wherein a rotational resistance force corresponding to the angular velocity of each part is applied to each part. In claim 7 or 8 ,
The motion generation unit
An information storage medium, wherein each part is sequentially moved by a physical simulation based on the force vector from an Nth part to a part having a representative point of an object. In any one of Claims 7-9 ,
The motion generation unit
An information storage medium characterized in that each part is moved by a rotational moment obtained from the force vector. In any one of Claims 7-10 ,
The motion generation unit
An information storage medium characterized by sequentially attenuating the magnitude of the force vector when moving each part. In any one of Claims 7-11,
The motion generation unit
An information storage medium, wherein a restoring force for returning an object to a given posture is applied to each part.