Game Apparatus Line Polygon Rendering with Transparent Mask Models
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional game systems struggle to create complex character objects with independent movements while maintaining the transparency of the background, leading to uncomfortable player experiences due to loss of line drawing features.
Innovation Solution
A game apparatus that generates contour information for character objects, using line polygon models and transparent mask models to depict characters in a three-dimensional virtual space, allowing for complex line shapes and movements without obscuring the background transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a character having body and feet is generated to represent complex movement, then movement complexity is improved, but background transparency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The character is divided into multiple line models representing different body parts (body, feet, arms, etc.), each with its own contour information. This segmentation allows independent movement of each part while maintaining the overall transparency effect, as each line model is rendered separately with proper Z-buffer management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a Z-direction dimension for line models, creating a transparent polygon model that exists in the Z-dimension between the line models. This additional dimension allows the background to be visible through the character while still representing complex movements, as the transparent polygon acts as a placeholder that doesn't block background visibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If feet are made invisible through the body to represent contour accuracy, then contour accuracy is improved, but background transparency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the visibility and Z-position of line models based on their spatial relationships. The transparent polygon model is dynamically positioned in the Z-dimension to allow background visibility when line models overlap, while still maintaining accurate contour representation of the character's body parts during movement.
3Loss of information
If background transparency is prioritized by making feet visible through the body, then background transparency is improved, but player comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different rendering qualities to different parts of the character. The transparent polygon model is selectively applied to specific body parts (such as the body) while allowing other parts (like feet) to maintain their line drawing appearance. This local differentiation maintains player comfort by preserving the expected visual characteristics of character parts while still achieving background transparency where appropriate.
4Loss of information
If simple line drawings are used to maintain transparency, then background transparency is improved, but character complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where transparent polygon models are positioned within and between multiple line models representing different character parts. This nesting allows complex character representations with multiple body parts to coexist with background transparency, as each nested element manages its own visibility and Z-position independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A game apparatus generates control point data for forming a contour of each part of a character, generates a line model of a body being a line polygon model along the body on the basis of the control point data, then generates a line model of a foot being a line polygon model along a contour of one foot, and arranged at the back of the line model of the body Bd in a Z direction, and generates a mask model of the body being a transparent polygon model arranged at the back of the line model of the body in the Z direction and in front of the line model of the foot in the Z direction, and having the contour along the line of the body. Then, when the respective models are depicted with a Z comparison performed after depicting a background, the mask model of the body, the line model of the foot, the line model of the body are depicted in this order.