JP5701637B2 - Program and image generation system - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, an image generation system that realizes stereoscopic viewing is known (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, in a binocular stereoscopic image generation system, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are generated. Then, using a stereoscopic eyeglass or an optical element such as a parallax barrier or lenticular, the player's left eye can see only the left eye image, and the right eye can see only the right eye image. Thus, stereoscopic viewing is realized.

JP 2004-126902 A

  The stereoscopic image generation system can reproduce a depth space that appears to be retracted to the back side of the screen and a pop-up space that appears to protrude to the front side of the screen. It is the jump-out space that makes you feel more visually. Therefore, it is desirable to effectively utilize this pop-out space and perform an effective pop-out effect.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a program, an information storage medium, and an image generation system capable of performing a more effective stereoscopic effect. It is to provide.

(1) The program according to the present invention is:
A movement control unit that performs control to move the object in the object space;
Causing the computer to function as an image generating unit that generates a stereoscopic image of the object;
The movement control unit
When the object is located in a first area closer to the projection plane than the projection plane in the object space, the object is located in a second area behind the projection plane from the viewpoint. Compared with the case of performing the control to reduce the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit,
The projection plane relates to a program that is a plane that eliminates parallax of an image of an object located on the projection plane.

  The present invention also relates to an information storage medium that can be read by a computer and stores a program for causing the computer to function as each of the above-described units. The present invention also relates to an image generation system including the above-described units.

  According to the present invention, when the object is located in the first area, it is possible to perform a more effective stereoscopic effect by performing control to reduce the amount of movement of the object.

(2) In the program, information storage medium, and image generation system according to the present invention,
The movement control unit
Control that reduces the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit when the object moving from the second area toward the first area passes through the projection plane. You may make it perform.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a more effective stereoscopic effect.

(3) In the program, information storage medium, and image generation system according to the present invention,
The movement control unit
An image generated by the image generation unit when it is determined whether or not the object moving from the second area toward the first area is in contact with the projection surface. Control may be performed to reduce the amount of movement of the object inside.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a more effective stereoscopic effect.

(4) The program according to the present invention is:
A movement control unit that performs control to move the object in the object space;
Causing the computer to function as an image generating unit that generates a stereoscopic image of the object;
The movement control unit
The present invention relates to a program for performing control to reduce the amount of movement of the object in an image generated by the image generation unit based on a parallax angle with respect to the object.

  The present invention also relates to an information storage medium that can be read by a computer and stores a program for causing the computer to function as each of the above-described units. The present invention also relates to an image generation system including the above-described units.

  According to the present invention, by performing control to reduce the amount of movement of an object based on the parallax angle with respect to the object, a more effective stereoscopic effect can be produced.

(5) In the program, information storage medium, and image generation system according to the present invention,
The movement control unit
When the parallax angle for the object is a negative value, the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit is smaller than when the parallax angle for the object is a positive value. Control may be performed.

  According to the present invention, when the parallax angle with respect to the object becomes a negative value, it is possible to perform a more effective stereoscopic effect by performing control to reduce the amount of movement of the object.

(6) In the program, the information storage medium, and the image generation system according to the present invention,
The movement control unit
By changing at least one of the speed and acceleration of the object and the parameters used for the physical calculation of the object, control is performed to reduce the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit. May be.

(7) In the program, the information storage medium, and the image generation system according to the present invention,
The movement control unit
Control may be performed such that the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit is reduced by reducing the number of movement calculations per unit time of the object.

(8) In the program and information storage medium according to the present invention,
When the object is located in a third area on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the reference plane in the object space, the computer further functions as a blur processing unit that performs blur processing to blur the object,
The reference plane may be a plane positioned on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the projection plane.

In the image generation system according to the present invention,
A blur processing unit that performs a blur process to blur the object when the object is located in a third area on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint of the reference plane in the object space;
The reference plane may be a plane positioned on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the projection plane.

  According to the present invention, when an object is located in the third area, a stereoscopic projection effect that can reduce the burden on the player's eyes can be performed by performing processing for blurring the object. it can.

The figure which shows an example of the functional block diagram of the image generation system of this embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the method of producing | generating the image for stereoscopic vision. The figure which shows an example of a game image. The figure for demonstrating the speed control and blurring process of an object. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams for explaining object speed control. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining object blurring processing. The figure for demonstrating the parallax angle of an object. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the parallax angle of an object. The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process of this embodiment. The flowchart figure which shows the flow of the process of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. In addition, this embodiment demonstrated below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

1. Functional Block Diagram FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the image generation system (image generation apparatus) according to the first embodiment. Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (each unit) in FIG. 1 are omitted.

  The operation unit 160 is for a player to input operation information (operation data), and outputs user operation information to the processing unit 100. The function of the operation unit 160 includes hardware such as a button, a direction key (cross key), a control stick (analog key) capable of inputting a direction, a lever, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel display, a controller incorporating an acceleration sensor, a tilt sensor, and the like. It can be realized by hardware.

  The storage unit 170 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 196, and the like, and its function can be realized by a RAM (VRAM) or the like. The storage unit 170 of the present embodiment includes a main storage unit 172 used as a work area, a drawing buffer 174 that stores final display images and the like, and an object data storage unit that stores model data of objects. 176, a texture storage unit 178 that stores textures for each object data, and a Z buffer 179 that stores Z values during object image generation processing. Note that some of these may be omitted.

  The information storage medium 180 (computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, and the like, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, and magnetic tape. Alternatively, it can be realized by a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present embodiment based on a program (data) stored in the information storage medium 180. The information storage medium 180 can store a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the processing unit 100 according to the present embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute the processing of each unit).

  The display unit 190 outputs an image (an image obtained by viewing the object space from a given viewpoint) generated according to the present embodiment, and the function can be realized by a CRT, LCD, touch panel display, or the like.

  The display unit 190 of the present embodiment displays a stereoscopic image. For example, in the naked eye method, the display unit 190 includes optical elements such as a parallax barrier and a lenticular on the front or back of an LCD composed of a finite number of pixels. For example, in the case of a two-lens system using a vertical barrier or a vertical lenticular, a display area for displaying one (one frame) image for the left eye and one image for the right eye are displayed on the display unit 190. Display areas for the left eye are alternately arranged in a strip shape as a left eye strip image display area and a right eye strip image display area. When a parallax barrier is placed, the left eye strip image displayed in the left eye strip image display area for the player's left eye and the right eye strip image display area for the right eye are displayed from the gap. Only the strip image for the right eye to be displayed is visible. When the lenticular is arranged, the left eye strip image displayed in the left eye strip image display area is displayed on the left eye of the player and the right eye is displayed on the right eye due to the photorefractive effect of the lens corresponding to each strip aggregate image. Only the right eye strip image displayed in the right eye strip image display area is visible. Further, in the polarizing glasses method, polarizing filters having different polarization directions (for example, a polarizing filter that transmits left circularly polarized light and a polarizing filter that transmits right circularly polarized light) are alternately arranged on the odd and even lines of the display unit 190. The left-eye image and the right-eye image are alternately displayed on the odd-numbered line and the even-numbered line of the display unit 190, and this is displayed on the polarizing glasses (for example, the polarizing filter that transmits the left circularly polarized light to the left eye, Stereoscopic viewing is realized by viewing with glasses with a polarizing filter that transmits polarized light. In the page flip method, the left-eye image and the right-eye image are alternately displayed on the display unit 190 every predetermined time (for example, every 1/120 seconds). In conjunction with the switching of the display, the left and right liquid crystal shutters of the glasses with the liquid crystal shutter are alternately opened and closed to realize stereoscopic viewing.

  The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with other image generation systems and servers, and the function can be realized by hardware such as various processors or a communication ASIC, a program, or the like.

  Note that a program or data for causing a computer to function as each unit of the present embodiment stored in the information storage medium or storage unit of the server is received via the network, and the received program or data is received by the information storage medium 180. Or may be stored in the storage unit 170. The case where the game system is functioned by receiving the program or data as described above is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The processing unit 100 (processor) performs processing such as game processing, image generation processing, and sound generation processing based on operation data from the operation unit 160, data and programs received via the communication unit 196, and the like. Here, as the game process, a process for starting a game when a game start condition is satisfied, a process for advancing the game, a process for calculating a game result, or a game is ended when a game end condition is satisfied. There is processing. The processing unit 100 performs various processes using the main storage unit 172 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), and programs.

  The processing unit 100 includes an object space setting unit 110, a movement / motion processing unit 112, a virtual camera control unit 118, an image generation unit 120, and a sound generation unit 130.

  The object space setting unit 110 includes various objects (polygons, free-form surfaces or subdivision surfaces) representing display objects such as characters (player characters, non-player characters), buildings, stadiums, cars, trees, pillars, walls, maps (terrain). The object is configured to place and set in the object space. For example, the position and rotation angle (synonymous with the direction and direction of the object in the world coordinate system, for example, rotation when rotating clockwise when viewed from the positive direction of each axis of the X, Y, and Z axes in the world coordinate system. The angle is determined, and the object is arranged at the position (X, Y, Z) at the rotation angle (rotation angle about the X, Y, Z axis).

  The movement / motion processing unit 112 (movement control unit) performs movement / motion calculation (movement / motion simulation) of an object (such as a character). That is, an object is moved in the object space (game space) based on operation data input by the player through the operation unit 160, a program (movement / motion algorithm), various data (motion data), a physical law, etc. Performs processing to move the object (motion, animation). Specifically, object movement information (position, rotation angle, speed, or acceleration) and motion information (position or rotation angle of each part constituting the object) are stored in one frame (1/60 seconds or 1/30). The simulation process is sequentially performed every second). A frame is a unit of time for performing object movement / motion processing (simulation processing) and image generation processing. The movement / motion processing unit 112 also includes movement information and motion information of an object (an object corresponding to another player) received via the communication unit 196 from another image generation system (game device) connected via a network. Based on the above, the process of updating the movement information and motion information of the object may be performed. Further, the movement / motion processing unit 112 may perform movement / motion calculation of the object based on operation data received from another game device via the communication unit 196.

  In particular, the movement / motion processing unit 112 according to the present embodiment is configured so that, when an object is located in a first area on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint of the projection plane in the object space, the object is viewed from the viewpoint of the projection plane. As compared with the case where the object is located in the second area on the back side, the control is performed so that the movement amount of each frame of the object (every image generation) in the image generated by the image generation unit is reduced. Here, the projection plane is a plane where the parallax of the image of the object located on the projection plane is eliminated.

  In addition, the movement / motion processing unit 112 is configured to display an image in the image generated by the image generation unit when the object moving from the second area toward the first area passes through the projection plane. Control may be performed to reduce the amount of movement of the object.

  In addition, the movement / motion processing unit 112 determines whether the object moving from the second area toward the first area is in contact with the projection surface. Further, control may be performed so that the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit is reduced.

  In addition, the movement / motion processing unit 112 performs control to reduce the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit based on the parallax angle with respect to the object (parallax angle of the image of the object). You may do it.

  In addition, the movement / motion processing unit 112 may generate an image generated by the image generation unit when the parallax angle with respect to the object has a negative value, compared to when the parallax angle with respect to the object has a positive value. Control may be performed to reduce the amount of movement of the object inside.

  Further, the movement / motion processing unit 112 determines whether or not the object is located in the first area based on the parallax angle with respect to the object (or moves from the second area toward the first area). An image generated by the image generation unit when it is determined that the object has passed through the projection plane and is located in the first area (or has passed through the projection plane). Control may be performed to reduce the amount of movement of the object inside.

  Further, the movement / motion processing unit 112 changes at least one of the parameters used for the speed, acceleration, and physics of the object to change the object in the image generated by the image generation unit. You may make it perform control which decreases a movement amount.

  Further, the movement / motion processing unit 112 may perform control to reduce the amount of movement of the object in the image generated by the image generation unit by reducing the number of movement calculations per unit time of the object. Good. For example, the object movement calculation may be performed once every N frames (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), thereby controlling the amount of movement of the object.

  The virtual camera control unit 118 performs a virtual camera (viewpoint) control process for generating an image that can be seen from a given (arbitrary) viewpoint in the object space. Specifically, based on operation data or a program (movement / motion algorithm) input by the player through the operation unit 160, the position (X, Y, Z) of the virtual camera in the world coordinate system or the direction of the optical axis (for example, , X, Y, and Z axes, a rotation angle when rotating clockwise as viewed from the positive direction, and the like. In short, processing for controlling the viewpoint position, the orientation of the virtual camera, and the angle of view is performed.

When a stereoscopic image is displayed by the binocular stereoscopic method, the virtual camera control unit 118 controls the position, orientation, and angle of view of the left-eye virtual camera and the right-eye virtual camera. The virtual camera control unit 118 also controls a reference virtual camera (center camera) serving as a reference for setting the left-eye virtual camera and the right-eye virtual camera, and the position, orientation, and left eye of the reference virtual camera. The positions and orientations of the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras may be controlled based on distance information between the left and right-eye virtual cameras.
A drawing process is performed based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating an image and outputting it to the display unit 190.

  When generating a so-called three-dimensional image, first, object data (model data) including vertex data (vertex position coordinates, texture coordinates, color data, normal vector, α value, etc.) of each vertex of the object is input. Based on the vertex data included in the input object data, vertex processing (shading by a vertex shader) is performed. When performing the vertex processing, vertex generation processing (tessellation, curved surface division, polygon division) for re-dividing the polygon may be performed as necessary.

  In the vertex processing, according to the vertex processing program (vertex shader program, first shader program), vertex movement processing, coordinate transformation, for example, world coordinate transformation, visual field transformation (camera coordinate transformation), clipping processing, projective transformation (perspective transformation) , Projection conversion), viewport conversion (screen coordinate conversion), light source calculation, and other geometric processing are performed, and based on the processing results, the vertex data given to the vertex group constituting the object is changed (updated, adjusted). To do. Object data after the geometry processing (position coordinates of object vertices, texture coordinates, color data (luminance data), normal vector, α value, etc.) is stored in the object data storage unit 176.

  Then, rasterization (scan conversion) is performed based on the vertex data after the vertex processing, and the surface of the polygon (primitive) is associated with the pixel. Subsequent to rasterization, pixel processing (shading or fragment processing by a pixel shader) for drawing pixels (fragments forming a display screen) constituting an image is performed.

  In pixel processing, according to a pixel processing program (pixel shader program, second shader program), various processes such as texture reading (texture mapping), color data setting / change, translucent composition, anti-aliasing, etc. are performed, and an image is processed. The final drawing color of the constituent pixels is determined, and the drawing color of the perspective-transformed object is output (drawn) to a drawing buffer 174 (a buffer capable of storing image information in units of pixels; VRAM). That is, in pixel processing, per-pixel processing for setting or changing image information (color, normal, luminance, α value, etc.) in units of pixels is performed. Thereby, an image that can be seen from the virtual camera (given viewpoint) in the object space is generated.

  The drawing unit 120 performs texture mapping, hidden surface removal processing, α blending, and the like when drawing the object.

  Texture mapping is a process for mapping a texture (texel value) stored in the texture storage unit 178 of the storage unit 170 to an object. Specifically, the texture (surface properties such as color (RGB) and α value) is read from the texture storage unit 178 of the storage unit 170 using the texture coordinates set (given) at the vertex of the object. Then, a texture that is a two-dimensional image is mapped to an object. In this case, processing for associating pixels with texels, bilinear interpolation or the like is performed as texel interpolation.

  As the hidden surface removal processing, hidden surface removal processing by a Z buffer method (depth comparison method, Z test) using a Z buffer 179 (depth buffer) in which a Z value (depth information) of a drawing pixel is stored may be performed. it can. That is, when drawing pixels corresponding to the primitive of the object are drawn, the Z value stored in the Z buffer 179 is referred to. Then, the Z value of the referenced Z buffer 179 is compared with the Z value at the drawing pixel of the primitive, and the Z value at the drawing pixel is the front side when viewed from the virtual camera (for example, a small Z value). If it is, the drawing process of the drawing pixel is performed and the Z value of the Z buffer 179 is updated to a new Z value.

  α blending (α synthesis) is a translucent synthesis process (usually α blending, addition α blending, subtraction α blending, or the like) based on an α value (A value). For example, in normal α blending, a process for obtaining a color obtained by combining two colors by performing linear interpolation with the α value as the strength of synthesis is performed. The α value is information that can be stored in association with each pixel (texel, dot), and is, for example, plus alpha information other than color information indicating the luminance of each RGB color component. The α value can be used as mask information, translucency (equivalent to transparency and opacity), bump information, and the like.

  In particular, the image generation unit 120 of this embodiment outputs a stereoscopic image to the display unit 190. For example, if the stereoscopic method is a twin-lens system, the image generation unit 120 includes a left-eye image generation unit 124 and a right-eye image generation unit 126. The left-eye image generating unit 124 generates a left-eye image that is an image seen from the left-eye virtual camera in the object space, and the right-eye image generating unit 126 is from the right-eye virtual camera in the object space. A right-eye image that is a visible image is generated. Specifically, the left-eye image generation unit 124 generates a left-eye image by perspectively projecting and drawing an object on the projection plane in the object space from the viewpoint of the left-eye virtual camera. The eye image generation unit 126 generates a right eye image by perspectively projecting and drawing an object on the projection plane from the viewpoint of the right eye virtual camera.

  The image generation unit 120 includes a blur processing unit 122. The blur processing unit 122 performs blur processing to blur the object when the object is located in a third area on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint of the reference plane in the object space. Here, the reference plane is a plane positioned on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the projection plane.

  In addition, the blur processing unit 122 may perform depth of field processing, motion blur processing, blink processing, or translucent processing as the blur processing. In other words, any process may be employed as long as the blurring process makes the object image unclear.

  Further, the blurring processing unit 122 performs the blurring process when the object moving from the back side area to the third area as viewed from the viewpoint of the reference plane passes through the reference plane. You may do it.

  Further, the blurring processing unit 122 determines whether or not the object moving from the back side area toward the third area when viewed from the viewpoint of the reference plane is in contact with the reference plane. If it is determined, the blurring process may be performed.

  Further, the blur processing unit 122 may perform the blur processing based on the parallax angle with respect to the object.

  Further, the blurring processing unit 122 determines whether the object is located in the third area based on the parallax angle of the image of the object (or from the back area from the viewpoint of the reference plane). When the object moving toward the area 3 passes through the reference plane), and when it is determined that the object moves in the third area (or passes through the reference plane) Blur processing may be performed.

  The sound generation unit 130 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, or sounds, and outputs the game sounds to the sound output unit 192.

  The sound generation unit 130 may generate a sound whose sound image localization changes according to the position of the object. For example, if the object is located in the first area and the object appears to jump out of the screen, the sound image localization corresponding to the object is set to a position in front of the screen. If the object is located in the second area and the object appears to be retracted from the screen, the sound image localization corresponding to the object is set to the position behind the screen. Also good. Further, the position of the sound image localization may be moved in conjunction with the movement of the object. That is, when the control for reducing the speed of the object is performed, the control for reducing the moving speed of the sound image localization of the sound corresponding to the object may be performed.

  Note that the image generation system according to the present embodiment may be controlled so that the game can be played in a single player mode in which only one player can play or in a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play. For example, when controlling in the multiplayer mode, game processing may be performed by transmitting / receiving data to / from another image generation system (game device) via a network. Processing may be performed based on operation information from the operation unit.

  Further, the image generation system of the present embodiment may be configured as a server system. The server system can be composed of one or a plurality of servers (authentication server, game processing server, communication server, billing server, database server, etc.). In this case, the server system uses the operation information transmitted from one or more terminal devices (for example, a stationary game device, a portable game device, a mobile phone capable of executing a program, etc.) connected via the network. Various processes are performed based on this to generate image generation data for generating a stereoscopic image, and transmit the generated image generation data to each terminal device. Here, the image generation data is data for displaying a stereoscopic image generated by the method of the present embodiment on each terminal device, and may be image data itself, or each terminal device may be used for stereoscopic viewing. It may be various data (object data, game process result data, etc.) used to generate an image.

2. Next, the method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

2-1. Method for Generating Stereoscopic Image First, a method for generating a stereoscopic image will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in the binocular stereoscopic method, the left-eye virtual camera VCL and the right-eye virtual camera VCR that are separated by a distance corresponding to the width of both eyes of the player are set in the object space. Then, a left-eye view volume VVL is set corresponding to the left-eye virtual camera VCL, and a right-eye view volume VVR is set corresponding to the right-eye virtual camera VCR.

  The left-eye and right-eye view volumes VVL and VVR are determined by the left, right, and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR. This is the frustum region. The projection plane SP is a plane corresponding to the screen of the display unit 190, the positions and orientations of the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR corresponding to the viewpoint position of the player, the viewpoint position of the player, and the display unit 190. It is set based on the positional relationship with the screen. In FIG. 2, NPL and FPL are the near clip plane and the far clip plane of the left eye view volume VVL, respectively. NPR and FPR are the near clip plane and the far clip plane of the right eye view volume VVR, respectively. is there.

  An image for the left eye, which is an image that can be seen from the left-eye virtual camera VCL, is generated by perspectively projecting an object existing in the left-eye view volume VVL onto the projection plane SP and drawing it. Similarly, an image for the right eye, which is an image that can be viewed from the virtual camera for right eye VCR, is generated by perspectively projecting an object that exists in the view volume for right eye VVR onto the projection plane SP and drawing it.

  Here, when the object is located on the projection plane SP, the drawing position of the object in the left-eye image and the drawing position of the object in the right-eye image match, and the parallax of the object image disappears. In this case, it appears to the player that the object exists on the screen of the display unit 190. The object is a first area (an area sandwiched between the projection plane SP and the near clip planes NPL and NPR) as viewed from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR with respect to the projection plane SP. When positioned in the area AR1, as shown in FIG. 8A, the drawing position of the object OBL in the left-eye image is shifted to the right with respect to the drawing position of the object OBR in the right-eye image. From the player, it seems that the object is projected to the near side of the screen of the display unit 190. The object is a second area (an area sandwiched between the projection plane SP and the far clip planes FPL and FPR) as viewed from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR with respect to the projection plane SP. When located in the area AR2, as shown in FIG. 8B, the drawing position of the object OBL in the left-eye image is shifted to the left with respect to the drawing position of the object OBR in the right-eye image. From the player, it appears that the object is retracted further back than the screen of the display unit 190.

  In the present embodiment, when the object is located in the first area AR1 that reproduces the pop-out space that appears to protrude to the near side of the screen, compared to the case where the object is located in the second area AR2, Control for reducing the amount of movement of the object in the image (for example, control for reducing the speed of the object) is performed. In this way, a more effective stereoscopic effect can be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the reference plane RP is placed at a position closer to the front side (position between the projection plane SP and the near clip planes NPL and NPR) than the projection plane SP as viewed from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR. A third area AR3 that is an area on the near side of the left and right eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR (area sandwiched between the reference plane RP and the near clip planes NPL and NPR) from the reference plane RP. When an object is located at the position, blur processing is performed on the object. In this way, it is possible to perform a stereoscopic projection effect that can reduce the burden on the eyes of the player.

2-2. Outline of Game This embodiment relates to stereoscopic image generation processing for a racing game. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game image GI generated in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the player runs the automobile PC (player character) on the course CS by operating the operation unit 160 while viewing the game image GI when the automobile PC running on the course CS is viewed from behind. Thus, a game for competing with another automobile EC (a player character of another player or NPC (non-player character)) can be played.

  In the game image GI, a particle object PO representing a spark generated by contact between automobiles or contact between an automobile PC and a wall is drawn. In the game image GI, a destructible object DO, which is an object representing a pole, a guardrail, a sign, or the like scattered on the course CS and can be skipped by the traveling vehicle PC, is drawn. The particle object PO and the destructible object DO are drawn so as to move from the rear side of the screen (the traveling direction side of the automobile PC) toward the front side of the screen and appear to pop out toward the front side of the screen. In the present embodiment, such a particle object PO and a destructible object DO are subjected to control for slowing down and blurring processing.

2-3. Object Speed Control FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining speed control and blurring processing for the destructive object DO.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the virtual camera VC (left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL, VCR) is arranged behind the automobile PC and moves following the running of the automobile PC. Further, the automobile PC is arranged in the second area AR2, and a destructible object DO representing a pole is arranged on the course CS on which the automobile PC runs.

  When the automobile PC collides with the destructible object DO, the destructible object DO starts moving in the direction from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 (the −Z axis direction, the direction toward the virtual camera VC). . Then, when the moving destructible object DO passes through the projection plane SP and reaches the first area AR1, the control for reducing the speed of the destructible object DO (the control for reducing the movement amount of the destructible object DO in the image). Example) is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the destructible object DO that moves is located in the first area AR1, the movement amount Δd per unit time (for example, one frame) is represented by the destructible object DO in the second area. Control is performed to make it smaller than the amount of movement Δd when it is positioned at AR2.

  Here, whether or not the moving destructible object DO has passed the projection plane SP can be determined based on the coordinate value of the destructible object DO and the coordinate value of the projection plane SP. Further, when it is determined that the destructible object DO moving from the second area AR2 to the first area AR has contacted the projection surface SP (hit check) and determines that it has contacted You may make it perform control which makes speed slow.

  The control for reducing the speed of the destructible object DO is realized by reducing at least one of the speed and acceleration of the destructible object DO (that is, shortening the length of the speed vector of the destructible object DO). can do. When the movement control is performed by physical calculation, the parameters (for example, initial speed, acceleration, mass, air resistance, friction coefficient) used in the physical calculation of the destructible object DO are changed to change the destructible object DO. You may make it perform control which makes speed slow. For example, by increasing the mass of the destructible object DO, the speed in the horizontal direction (Z-axis direction) can be reduced.

  Further, the speed of the destructible object DO may be reduced by reducing the number of times of the movement calculation per unit time of the destructible object DO. For example, the movement calculation of the destructible object DO is performed every frame when the destructible object DO is located in the second area AR2, and when the destructible object DO is located in the first area AR1, N frames ( N is a positive integer), and the amount of movement of the destructible object DO in the image may be reduced. For example, the apparent speed of the destructible object DO can be halved by performing the movement calculation of the destructible object DO once every two frames.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the destructible object DO may be moved at a constant speed, and control may be performed to reduce only the speed when passing through the projection plane SP. As shown, the destructible object DO may be moved with a positive acceleration, and control may be performed to reduce the speed and acceleration when passing through the projection plane SP. Since there are almost no objects that perform uniform motion in the real world, as shown in FIG. 5A, as shown in FIG. 5B, rather than moving the destructible object DO at constant speed, When the destructible object DO is moved with acceleration, it appears to move more naturally for the player.

  Similar speed control is performed for the particle object PO shown in FIG. That is, when a generation source of particles is set in the second area AR2, and an event such as contact between automobiles or contact between the automobile PC and a wall or the like occurs, from the generation area, the first to the first area AR2 A plurality of particle objects PO moving in the direction toward the area AR1 are generated. Then, control is performed to slow down the speed of the particle object PO located in the first area AR1 through the projection plane SP.

  As described above, when an object moving from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 passes through the projection plane SP, a control for reducing the speed of the object is performed to perform a normal movement calculation. As compared with the above, it is possible to lengthen the time during which the object stays in the first area AR1 (pop-out space). That is, it is possible to extend the time during which it appears that the moving object is popping out to the near side of the screen, and to perform a more effective stereoscopic pop-out effect.

2-4. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the destructible object DO moving from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 passes through the reference plane SP and the third area AR3. When reaching, a blurring process for blurring the destructible object DO is performed. In FIG. 4, the destructible object DO on which the blurring process is performed is indicated by a dotted line.

  Here, whether or not the moving destructible object DO has passed the reference plane RP can be determined based on the coordinate value of the destructible object DO and the coordinate value of the reference plane RP. Further, when it is determined that the destructible object DO moving from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR is in contact with the reference plane RP (hit check), and is determined to be in contact Blur processing may be performed.

  The blur processing of the destructible object DO can be realized by depth-of-field processing, motion blur processing, blink processing, translucent processing, and the like. For example, a region on the back side when viewed from the virtual camera VC with respect to the reference plane RP is set as a focused region, and a third area AR3 on the near side with respect to the reference surface RP is set as a non-focused region, A blurring filter (blur filter) or the like may be used to blur the object image (pixel having a Z value corresponding to the third area AR3) located in the third area AR3. Further, the destructible object DO located in the third area AR3 may be blurred by motion blur processing. For example, a motion blur process may be performed in which the process of drawing and compositing the image of the destructible object DO is advanced by a minute time Δt from the time t one frame before, or the motion for stretching each vertex of the destructible object DO Blur processing may be performed. Moreover, you may perform the blink process (flashing process) which repeats display / non-display of the destructible object DO located in the 3rd area AR3 for every predetermined period. Moreover, you may perform the translucent process which changes and draws the alpha value of each vertex of the destructible object DO located in the 3rd area AR3.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the blurring amount (including transparency) in the blurring process may be increased rapidly in the third area AR3, or gradually increased in accordance with the distance from the reference plane RP. You may make it do.

  Note that the same blur is performed on the particle object PO shown in FIG. That is, when the particle object PO moving in the direction from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 passes through the reference plane RP and is positioned in the third area AR3, a blurring process for blurring the particle object PO is performed. Do.

  As described above, when the object is located in the first area AR1, the object appears to jump out from the screen. However, when the object is located near the near clip plane NP in the first area AR1 (when the amount of popping out of the object is large), the player cannot view the object as a stereoscopic image and simply There is a possibility that the image will be seen as a blurred image, and there is a risk of placing a burden on the eyes of the player.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a blurring process for setting a third area AR3 in front of the reference plane RP in the first area AR1 when viewed from the virtual camera VC and blurring an object located in the third area AR3. It is carried out. In this way, it is possible to create a state close to the actual image that can be seen by the player, such that an object that is close to the player's eye looks out of focus and blurs. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the player's eyes while allowing the player to perceive the image as a stereoscopic image having no image. For example, in the game image GI shown in FIG. 3, if the focus of the player's eyes is on the automobile PC that appears to be retracted from the screen, the object (destructible object) located in the third area AR3 that appears to protrude the most. DO and particle object PO) should be blurred because they are out of focus. Therefore, by performing blurring processing on the object located in the third area AR3, it is possible to create a state close to the actual video that can be seen by the player.

  Further, when the object is located in the third area AR3, control for increasing the speed of the object and control for changing the moving direction of the object to a direction in which the object goes out of the view volume are performed. Also good. Even in this case, the time during which the object stays in the third area AR3 can be shortened, and the burden on the eyes of the player can be reduced.

  Further, the third area AR3 is divided into a third area located on the back side when viewed from the virtual camera VC and a fourth area located on the near side, and the object is located in the third area. In addition, blur processing for blurring the object may be performed, and when the object is located in the fourth area, control for increasing the speed of the object or control for changing the moving direction of the object may be performed. At this time, when the object passes through the surface separating the third area and the fourth area or when it is determined that the object has contacted, control for increasing the speed of the object or control for changing the moving direction of the object May be performed.

2-5. Processing based on the parallax angle of the object Note that the speed control and blurring processing of the object may be performed based on the parallax angle of the object (destructible object DO or particle object PO).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the convergence angle when viewing the projection plane SP (corresponding to the screen of the display unit 190) from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR (corresponding to the viewpoint of the player) is α, If the convergence angle when viewing the object from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR is β, the parallax angle θ of the object can be expressed as θ = α−β. Therefore, when the object is located in the first area AR (for example, when located in A in the figure), since α <β, the parallax angle θ of the object is a negative value, and the object is in the second area When located in the area AR (for example, located in B in the figure), α> β, so the parallax angle θ of the object is a positive value.

  Therefore, the object parallax angle θ that moves in the direction from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 is calculated, and when the parallax angle θ changes from a positive value to a negative value, the speed of the object is decreased. You may make it perform control to perform.

Further, the parallax angle θ of the object moving in the direction from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 is θ _R (θ _R <0) when the object is positioned on the reference plane RP. May satisfy the condition of θ <θ _R or θ ≦ θ _R , it may be determined that the object is located in the third area R3 and blur processing for blurring the object may be performed.

Also, the parallax angle θ of the object can be obtained based on the drawing position of the object in the left-eye image and the drawing position of the object in the right-eye image. That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the drawing position of the object OBL in the left-eye image is shifted to the right with respect to the drawing position of the object OBR in the right-eye image, the object is the first It can be determined that the object is located in the area AR1, and it can be determined that the parallax angle θ of the object is a negative value. For example, a reference marker for detecting the drawing position is set in the object, and the object is determined by the positional relationship between the drawing position of the reference marker MKL in the left-eye image and the drawing position of the reference marker MKR in the right-eye image. It may be determined whether or not the parallax angle θ is a negative value. Further, the parallax angle θ of the object is obtained based on the distance d and the positional relationship between the drawing position of the reference marker MKL in the left-eye image and the drawing position of the reference marker MKR in the right-eye image, and the obtained parallax angle It may be determined whether θ satisfies θ <θ _R or θ ≦ θ _R.

3. Processing Next, an example of processing of the image generation system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for reducing the amount of movement of an object in an image by changing the speed and acceleration of the object.

  First, the processing unit 100 sets the projection plane SP and the reference plane RP based on the positions and orientations of the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR (step S10). Thereby, a first area AR1 on the near side of the projection plane SP and a third area AR3 on the near side of the reference plane SP are set.

Next, the movement / motion processing unit 112 (movement control unit) passes an object (destructible object DO or particle object PO) moving from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 through the projection plane SP. Whether or not (step S12). If it is determined that the object has passed through the projection plane SP (Y in step S12), processing for reducing the speed and acceleration of the object is performed (step S14). For example, a process of subtracting ΔV and ΔA, respectively, from the acceleration A of the object and the velocity V ₀ of the object one frame before is performed as follows.

V ₀ ← V ₀ −ΔV
A ← A−ΔA
Next, the movement / motion processing unit 112 performs a movement calculation for calculating the position and orientation of the object (step S16). For example, if the position of the object one frame before is P ₀ , the object speed V and the object position P are
V = V ₀ + AΔt (1)
P = P ₀ + VΔt (2)
Calculate by Here, Δt is a unit time, and is a time of one frame (for example, 1/60 seconds). If it is determined that the object has not passed the projection plane SP (including the case where the object has already passed the projection plane SP and the speed subtraction process has been performed) (N in step S12), the speed of the object The movement calculation in step S16 is performed without subtracting the acceleration.

  Next, the movement / motion processing unit 112 determines whether or not the object is located in the third area AR3 (step S18).

  If it is determined that the object is not located in the third area AR3 (N in step S18), the left-eye image generation unit 124 and the right-eye image generation unit 126 perspectively project the object onto the projection plane SP. The left-eye image and the right-eye image that are visible from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR are generated (step S20).

  If it is determined that the object is located in the third area AR3 (Y in step S18), the blur processing unit 122, the left-eye image generation unit 124, and the right-eye image generation unit 126 blur the object. By performing perspective projection and drawing the object on the projection plane SP while performing the process, the left-eye image and the right-eye image that can be seen from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR are generated (step S22). ).

Next, the processing unit 100 determines whether or not to continue the processing (step S24). When the processing is continued, the processing unit 100 returns to the processing of step S10 and repeats the processing after step S10 for each frame.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for reducing the amount of movement of an object in an image by changing the speed and acceleration of the object.

  First, the processing unit 100 sets 0 to the variable N (step S30). Next, the processing unit 100 sets the projection plane SP and the reference plane RP based on the positions and orientations of the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR (step S32).

  Next, the movement / motion processing unit 112 (movement control unit) moves objects (destructible objects DO and particle objects PO) moving from the second area AR2 toward the first area AR1 in the first area AR1. It is determined whether or not it is located (step S34).

  When it is determined that the object is not located in the first area AR1 (N in step S34), the movement / motion processing unit 112 moves to calculate the position and orientation of the object according to equations (1) and (2). Perform the operation.

If it is determined that the object is located in the first area AR1 (N in step S34), the processing unit 100 adds 1 to the variable N (step S38), and the value of the variable N is a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not the value N _max has been reached (step S40). If not, the movement calculation process in step S36 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S44. On the other hand, if it is determined that the value of the variable N has reached the predetermined value _Nmax , the variable N is set to 0 (step S42), and the process proceeds to the movement calculation process of step S36. In this way, after the object passes through the projection plane SP, the movement calculation of the object can be performed once every N _max frames.

  Next, the movement / motion processing unit 112 determines whether or not the object is located in the third area AR3 (step S44).

  If it is determined that the object is not located in the third area AR3 (N in step S44), the left-eye image generation unit 124 and the right-eye image generation unit 126 perspectively project the object onto the projection plane SP. The left-eye image and the right-eye image that can be seen from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR are generated (step S46).

  If it is determined that the object is located in the third area AR3 (Y in step S44), the blur processing unit 122, the left-eye image generation unit 124, and the right-eye image generation unit 126 blur the object. By performing perspective projection and drawing the object on the projection plane SP while performing the process, the left-eye image and the right-eye image that can be seen from the left-eye and right-eye virtual cameras VCL and VCR are generated (step S48). ).

  Next, the processing unit 100 determines whether or not to continue the processing (step S50). When the processing is continued, the processing unit 100 returns to the processing of step S30 and repeats the processing after step S30 for each frame.

  The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, terms cited as broad or synonymous terms in the description in the specification or drawings can be replaced with broad or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

100 processing unit, 110 object space setting unit, 112 movement / arithmetic processing unit (movement control unit), 118 virtual camera control unit, 120 image generation unit, 122 blur processing unit, 124 left eye image generation unit, 126 right eye Image generation unit, 130 sound generation unit, 160 operation unit, 170 storage unit, 180 information storage medium, 190 display unit, 192, sound output unit, 196 communication unit

Claims (9)

A movement control unit that performs control to move the first object and the second object in the object space;
A viewpoint control unit that is arranged behind the moving direction of the first object and controls the left and right viewpoints that move following the first object;
Causing a computer to function as an image generating unit that generates stereoscopic images of the first and second objects based on an image seen from the viewpoint ;
The movement control unit
The second object is moved from a second area on the back side when viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the projection plane in the object space toward a first area on the near side when viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the projection plane. , when said second object is positioned in the first area, the second object is compared when located in the second area, the second object in the image generated by the image generating unit Control to reduce the movement amount of
The program according to claim 1, wherein the projection plane is a plane in which parallax of an image of an object located on the projection plane is eliminated. In claim 1,
The movement control unit
The second object to move toward the first area from the second area, when passing through the projection plane, the moving amount of the second object in the image generated by the image generating unit A program characterized by performing less control. In claim 1 or 2,
The movement control unit
It is generated by the image generation unit when it is determined whether the second object moving from the second area toward the first area is in contact with the projection surface, and is determined to be in contact. A program for performing control to reduce the movement amount of the second object in an image. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The movement control unit
A program for determining whether or not the second object is located in the first area based on a parallax angle with respect to the second object. In claim 4,
The movement control unit
When the parallax angle to the second object is a negative value, the parallax angle to the second object in comparison with the case of a positive value, the second object in the image generated by the image generating unit A program characterized by performing control to reduce the amount of movement. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The movement control unit
Speed of the second object, acceleration, and by changing at least one of the parameters used in the physics of the second object, the moving amount of the second object in the image generated by the image generating unit A program characterized by performing less control. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The movement control unit
Wherein by reducing the movement number of operations per unit time of the second object, a program and performs control of the amount of movement of the second object in the image generated by the image generation unit is reduced. In any one of claims 1 to 7,
The second object is, when located in the third area of the front side of the reference surface as seen from the viewpoint of the object space, a further computer as blurring unit that performs blurring processing for blurring the second object Make it work
The reference surface is a program characterized in that than the projection surface is a surface located on the front side as viewed from the viewpoint. A movement control unit that performs control to move the first object and the second object in the object space;
A viewpoint control unit that is arranged behind the moving direction of the first object and controls the left and right viewpoints that move following the first object;
An image generation unit that generates a stereoscopic image of the first and second objects based on an image seen from the viewpoint ;
The movement control unit
The second object is moved from a second area on the back side when viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the projection plane in the object space toward a first area on the near side when viewed from the viewpoint with respect to the projection plane. , when said second object is positioned in the first area, the second object is compared when located in the second area, the second object in the image generated by the image generating unit Control to reduce the movement amount of
The image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the projection plane is a plane where parallax of an image of an object located on the projection plane is eliminated.

Images