Virtual Camera Transmittance Adjustment for Obstructed Views

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing systems for virtual spaces often obstruct desired objects when changing the imaging direction of a virtual camera, preventing them from appearing in the captured image.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes a virtual camera setting section to set the imaging direction and an image generation section to adjust the transmittance of objects within the virtual space based on the camera's direction, allowing objects behind obstacles to be visible by changing the transmittance from 0% to 100% or making them transparent/invisible accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the imaging direction of the virtual camera is changed to view objects in the virtual space, then the user can observe different objects and perspectives, but objects located behind front objects become obstructed and invisible in the captured image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing perspectiveVSAvoidvisibility of obstructed objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies transparency changes (analogous to optical property changes) to predetermined objects in the virtual space. By dynamically adjusting the transmittance of these objects based on the virtual camera's imaging direction, the system allows users to view objects that would otherwise be obstructed, while maintaining the visual appearance of the scene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The transmittance of predetermined objects is made dynamic rather than static. The system automatically adjusts the transparency level based on the imaging direction of the virtual camera, enabling the scene to adapt to different viewing angles and ensure that important objects remain visible regardless of camera orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the transmittance of predetermined objects is changed to make them transparent to reveal objects behind them, then visibility of obstructed objects is improved, but the visual realism and occlusion effects are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of obstructed objectsVSAvoidvisual realism

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies transparency changes selectively only to predetermined objects that are determined to be obstructing important views, rather than making all objects transparent. This localized approach maintains visual realism for non-obstructing objects while revealing obstructed objects where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the transmittance parameter of predetermined objects based on the imaging direction of the virtual camera. By adjusting this parameter according to viewing angle and obstruction detection, the system balances between revealing hidden objects and maintaining visual realism in the rendered scene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11007428B2Information processing system, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

A video game apparatus for generating a captured image of a virtual camera set in a virtual space includes a virtual camera setting section configured to set an imaging direction of the virtual camera, a captured image generation section configured to change a transmittance of a transmittance variable object within the virtual space based on an imaging direction of the virtual camera, and generate a captured image of the virtual camera, and a display panel configured to display the captured image generated by the captured image generation section.