Virtual image generation apparatus and method

Abstract

A virtual image generation apparatus comprising shape data memory for storing shape data pertaining to obstacles and the like, position data specifier for specifying position data for the subjects, overlap determiner for determining, on the basis of shape data and position data, whether or not physical objects located between a visual point and a subject should overlap and be visible from the visual point, and image generator for generating virtual images wherein physical objects are processed by prescribed show-through processing (mesh processing, translucent processing, or the like) when it is determined that an overlapping state exists. Accurate overlap determinations can be made using a vector that extends from the visual point towards an object and a vector that extends from an obstacle towards the object, and mesh processing or other show-through processing used to produce a suitable display of the subject obscured by a physical object.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a virtual image generation technique for use in game units, simulators, and the like, and particularly to a technique for generating images calculating and processing data in a three-dimensional space by projecting the generated three-dimensional data onto a two-dimensional plane from a view point so as to generate image data to be displayed on the monitor screen and the obtained data is converted to two-dimensional data.BACKGROUND ART[0002]In recent years, game units and simulators equipped with on-board virtual image generation apparatuses which make it possible to display images of objects that move through three-dimensional natural virtual space in response to manual control by a game player such as in a; combat have been developed. Such virtual image generation apparatuses are usually equipped with a virtual image generation apparatus main unit that houses a computer unit for executing stored programs, an input device for se...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]Usually, when a physical object comes in front of a subject observed from the visual point, the subject is obscured by the physical object with the result that the subject image is not sufficiently visible to the viewer of the virtual image. Faced with a state wherein a subject can be obscured by a physical object, the present invention makes a determination that an overlapping state exists and processes this physical object with show-through treatment, whereby both the obstacle and the subject images remain sufficiently visible to the viewer. As a result, the player can control the subject while staying aware of the presence of obstacles, and the look of the game does not suffer.

[0027]In a further aspect of the invention, show-through processing may be accomplished by replacing pixels in accordance with a prescribed pattern for display, thereby generating a virtual image in which both the physical object and the subject may be discerned. In particular, displaying a prescribed pattern by alternating physical object display pixels and aforementioned background display pixels in the manner disclosed gives a virtual image display which includes the subject without diminishing the quality of the physical object, and in which the background lying behind the physical object is clearly displayed.

Problems solved by technology

However, since the position relationship between the visual point of the virtual image and the player's object is fixed during movement, obstacles sometimes block the line of sight which extends towards the player's object.

In such cases, the player's object is obscured by the obstacle, making it difficult for the player to see the movements of the object and making it difficult to control the object.

The loss of ability to control the player's object diminishes the excitement of the game, making the game uninteresting.

Thus, the player can no longer determine how best to control the subject R′ which is the object of control.

However, adopting methods such as (1) produces a new problem in that, while the player's object is visible, obstacles are not visible.

Adopting methods such as (2) makes it possible to see obstacles, but since obstacles are displayed with wire frames even when the subject R is not hidden by obstacles O, the look of the game suffers.

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