Virtual Object Arrangement with Minimum Distance Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing game technologies fail to naturally represent objects in a virtual game world by simply arranging game objects randomly or in fixed positions, leading to unnatural player experiences, as they do not consider the likelihood of objects overlapping, which is a key aspect of realistic representation.

Innovation Solution

A game program and method that sets conditions for arranging objects in a virtual game world, including a minimum allowed distance and maximum arrangement trials, to ensure objects are placed in a well-balanced, random manner, considering their overlap likelihood, thereby creating a natural and engaging game environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If game objects are arranged randomly in the virtual game world, then the arrangement reflects real-world randomness, but objects may overlap excessively or be spaced unnaturally, leading to an unnatural player experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandomness of object arrangementVSAvoidspacing between objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the minimum distance parameter between objects based on their sizes. The system calculates appropriate minimum distances considering object radii and arranges objects to maintain these distances, thereby achieving natural randomness while preventing excessive overlap or unnatural spacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If game objects are arranged in fixed positions with considered overlap likelihood, then the arrangement avoids excessive overlap, but the constant arrangement relationship makes player experience feel unnatural

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacing between objectsVSAvoidvariability of object arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the object arrangement dynamic rather than fixed. The system randomly determines arrangement positions within minimum distance constraints, allowing the arrangement to vary while maintaining natural spacing. This creates variability in each game session while preserving realistic object relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple game objects are arranged to represent matters with high overlap likelihood (e.g., fallen leaves), then the representation matches real-world scenarios, but the arrangement becomes complex to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverealism of object representationVSAvoidarrangement management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies complex arrangement management by using a unified parameter-based approach. Instead of handling different object types with different complexity, the system uses a general minimum distance calculation based on object sizes, which automatically adapts to various scenarios including high-overlap situations like fallen leaves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If multiple game objects are arranged to represent matters with low overlap likelihood (e.g., floating weeds), then the representation matches real-world scenarios, but ensuring adequate spacing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverealism of object representationVSAvoidspacing between objects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses spacing difficulties for low-overlap objects by dynamically adjusting the minimum distance parameter based on object sizes. The system calculates appropriate minimum distances that reflect low-overlap scenarios while ensuring adequate spacing is maintained, making it easier to achieve realistic representations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1788500B1Storage medium having game program stored therin, and game apparatus and game processing method therefor
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP1788500B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1788500B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1788500B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An area, in a virtual game world, for arranging a plurality of obj ects and a minimum allowed distance between obj ects to be arranged therein are set. A position of an object is changed for temporarily arranging the object to an arbitrary position in the area set in the virtual game world until arrangement of the object is finalized, and the distance between the temporarily arranged object and an object whose arrangement in the area is completed is calculated. When the calculated distance is equal to or greater than the minimum allowed distance, arrangement of the temporarily arranged object is finalized and a plurality of objects whose arrangement is finalized are displayed on a display screen.