JP4445707B2 - Virtual camera viewpoint movement control method and 3D video game apparatus in 3D video game - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention creates a pseudo three-dimensional image from the viewpoint of a monitor that displays an image provided at a predetermined height position of a game machine housing, a game control unit that controls the progress of the game, and a pseudo camera. The present invention relates to a technology related to a 3D video game apparatus including a display control unit for displaying on a screen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, in a role-playing game in which a player character, enemy characters, etc. are displayed on a monitor screen, the player's foot movement is detected and the player character in the monitor screen is moved in accordance with the detected movement. Has been proposed. In addition, a pseudo three-dimensional car race image is displayed on the monitor screen arranged in front of the player seated on the car seat, and the camera viewpoint is set in advance according to the player's upper and lower body leaning posture and forward bending posture. There has been proposed a viewpoint changing technique in which the position is changed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  The latter viewpoint changing technique is based on the movement of the upper body of the player seated on the seat, that is, a smooth image change can be brought about even by changing within a preset viewpoint. The inclination to the image is reflected in the rotation of the image.
[0004]
  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in a 3D video game that can actively present an image from a viewpoint intended by the player by causing the viewpoint of the pseudo camera to follow the player's free movement. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pseudo camera viewpoint movement control method and a video game apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention of claim 1 creates a three-dimensional image from the viewpoint of a monitor that displays an image provided at a predetermined height position of the game machine housing, a game control unit that controls the progress of the game, and a pseudo camera, In a 3D video game apparatus comprising a display control unit for displaying on the monitor, the height and the horizontal position of the player's head located in the play area in front of the monitor are remotely detected. A head detecting means including a distance measuring sensor; and a viewpoint changing means for moving the viewpoint of the pseudo camera following the detected change direction and amount of the head position. The ballistic trajectory of the bullets fired from the character is sequentially calculated, and when the distance between the calculated bullet trajectory and the viewpoint of the pseudo camera becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold, the bullet hits the player. Run the hit effect process to produce a preparative, the game control unit, the bulletWhen the player does not hit the player, the calculation result of the distance between the bullet and the viewpoint, which are sequentially calculated by the trajectory, becomes smaller than the second threshold value different from the first threshold value.The wind noise is output from the speaker.
[0006]
  Claims6The present invention creates a three-dimensional image from a viewpoint of a monitor that displays an image provided at a predetermined height position of a game machine housing, a game control unit that controls the progress of the game, and a pseudo camera, A pseudo-camera viewpoint movement control method in a 3D video game comprising a display control unit for displaying, wherein a height and a horizontal position of a player's head located in a play area in front of the monitor are determined. The pseudo camera is configured to obtain the position of the head by repeatedly performing a detecting operation by a head detecting means including a distance measuring sensor to be detected remotely, and to follow the direction and amount of change of the obtained head position. The viewpoint control means moves the viewpoint, and the game control unit sequentially calculates the trajectory of the bullets fired from the enemy character, and the distance between the calculated bullet trajectory and the viewpoint of the pseudo camera When it becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold value, it performs a hit effect process to direct that the bullet hits the player, the game control unit, the bulletWhen the player does not hit the player, the calculation result of the distance between the bullet and the viewpoint, which are sequentially calculated by the trajectory, becomes smaller than the second threshold value different from the first threshold value.The wind noise is output from the speaker.
[0007]
  According to such a configuration, the space on the head of the player located in the play area on the front of the monitor screen isHeight and horizontal positionThe position information of the head is obtained by repeatedly performing the operation of detecting the pseudo-camera so as to follow the obtained head position, that is, to follow the obtained head position change direction and change amount. And the pseudo three-dimensional image is drawn on the monitor.Therefore, it is possible to detect the head position without hindering the movement of the player.
[0008]
  Claim2The described invention includes an operation unit that can be externally operated, and the game control unit reflects the operation content from the operation unit in the progress of the game. According to this configuration, the operation is performed in association with the movement of the viewpoint. It is possible to make the game progress interesting by performing operations on the club.
[0009]
  Claim3In the described invention, the distance measuring sensor is arranged at two locations in the horizontal direction of the monitor centering on the propagation medium transmitter and transmitted from the propagation medium transmitter. First and second propagation medium receivers that respectively receive the propagation media reflected by the head of the first and second propagation medium receivers, the head detecting means from the transmission point of the propagation medium to the first and second propagation medium receivers And a head position determining means for determining the position of the player's head from the elapsed time until reception. According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the position of the player's head using the propagation speed of the propagation medium in space using one propagation medium transmitter and two propagation medium receivers. As the propagation medium, ultrasonic waves, sound waves, light, particularly infrared light, and the like are applied.
[0010]
  Claim4In the described invention, the distance measuring sensor detects a three-dimensional position of the head, and at least three sensors are arranged at different positions on a horizontal plane with one propagation medium transmitter and the propagation medium transmitter as a center. Each propagation medium receiver configured to receive the propagation medium transmitted from the propagation medium transmitter and reflected from the head of the player, and received by each propagation medium receiver from the transmission point of the propagation medium. Head position determining means for determining the position of the player's head in the three-dimensional space from the elapsed time up to. According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the position of the player's head in the three-dimensional space using one propagation medium transmitter and three or more propagation medium receivers.
[0011]
  Claim5The distance measuring sensor includes a plurality of propagation medium transmitters / receivers arranged above and at least in a one-dimensional direction on a horizontal plane above the play area, and arranged downward. Is provided with a head position determining means for determining the position and height of the player head in the one-dimensional direction from the elapsed time from transmission to reception among the propagation medium transceivers. The position and height of the player head in the original direction, that is, the head position on the vertical plane can be determined. As the propagation medium, ultrasonic waves, sound waves, light, particularly infrared light, and the like are applied.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a pseudo three-dimensional (3D) video game apparatus according to the present invention. The game apparatus includes a game machine main body 10, an operation housing unit 20 that is integrally or detachably or individually provided at a front portion thereof, and a head detection unit 30. A play area 20 is a play area where the player is positioned and plays a game.
[0013]
  The game machine main body 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped console box for displaying a game image at a height position such that the head is substantially at the center of the front surface, preferably in the normal posture state of the player during the game. A monitor 11 having a predetermined size is provided. As the monitor 11, in addition to a CRT, LCD, plasma display, a liquid crystal projector or the like can be employed. Speakers 12 and 12 for producing a sound effect are provided on the upper part of the game machine body 10, preferably on the left and right sides, and a panel or the like indicating a game name or the like is provided therebetween. A circuit board on which a control unit necessary for controlling the game operation is mounted is provided inside. In addition, a rectangular frame member 13 extending in the shape of an eave is provided on the upper side, and a support arm is provided between an appropriate position of the left and right frame pieces and the side surface of the operation housing unit 20. 13a is provided. A predetermined number, for example, three for each of the three primary colors, are disposed on the front frame piece portion of the frame member 13 for the illumination.
[0014]
  The frame member 13 functions as a support structure for the head detection unit 30, and the head detection unit 30 is provided above the play area, that is, above the player. The head detection unit 30 is a frame piece on the front side of the frame member 13, and an ultrasonic transmitter 31 that transmits a sound wave and an ultrasonic wave as a propagation medium at a central portion in the left-right direction is used as the propagation medium at a symmetrical position thereof. Ultrasonic receivers 32 and 33 for receiving the ultrasonic waves are provided. As the propagation medium, light, particularly infrared light, may be used. Each of the ultrasonic transmitter 31 and the receivers 32 and 33 is composed of a piezoelectric element or the like. The ultrasonic transmitter 31 has a directivity width enough to cover the play area, and has a predetermined width, for example, every 1/60 seconds or at a time cycle that can track the displacement of the player's head with a required resolution. The ultrasonic pulse is transmitted. The ultrasonic receivers 32 and 33 have the same structure, and have a directivity width sufficient to receive the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 31 and reflected by the player's head located in the play area. Is. In the structure part of the head detecting unit 30, a sensor driving unit 34 for supplying a driving signal (periodic excitation pulse signal) to the ultrasonic transmitter 31 as shown in FIG. A position calculation unit 35 is provided that is connected to the two ultrasonic receivers 32 and 33 and executes position calculation in the space of the player's head, which will be described later. The sensor driving unit 34 and the position calculating unit 35 may be provided in the game machine main body 10.
[0015]
  The operation housing unit 20 is set to a height lower than that of the monitor 11, and a speaker 21 that produces a sound effect is provided at the center of the upper surface part slightly inclined toward the front, that is, at a position closer to the player side than the speaker 12. In addition, a gun unit 22 having a gun as a game controller is provided at a suitable position in the vicinity thereof via a cord 23 that also serves as a transmission line for control signals and the like. When not in use, the gun unit 22 is stored in the storage box 20a as shown in the figure, and when used, that is, during a game, the gun unit 22 is held by a player and used for shooting operations of enemy characters displayed on a monitor screen as will be described later. The In addition, a start switch 24, a coin insertion slot 25, and the like are provided on the front surface of the operation casing. A coin switch 25a (see FIG. 2) for detecting the presence or absence of inserted coins is provided in the middle of the coin passageway communicating with the coin insertion slot 25.
[0016]
  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the 3D video game apparatus. A game control unit 100, a drawing control unit 110, and a sound control unit 120 are mounted on a circuit board in the game machine body 10.
[0017]
  Note that this game is, for example, a battle game, and assumes a shooting battle between one or more enemy characters possessing a gun displayed on the monitor screen and the player. The enemy character displayed on the monitor screen is controlled by the game control unit 100 so as to shoot at the viewpoint of the pseudo camera. On the other hand, the player changes the enemy character on the monitor 11 while changing the attack from the enemy character. In contrast, this is a game in which a gun unit 22 is used for shooting.
[0018]
  The game control unit 100 includes, for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 101 for controlling the game progress process, and is connected to a ROM 102 as a recording medium incorporating a game program such as a shootout that is the main game. In addition to the head detection unit 30, necessary units are connected. In addition, the recording medium may be a ROM cassette, an optical disk, a flexible disk, or the like.
[0019]
  The drawing processing unit 110 calculates the coordinate position and the like of each character (enemy character, various structures and other object characters arranged in the game space) viewed from the viewpoint of the pseudo camera in the pseudo three-dimensional space, A light source calculation process, a calculation for converting the calculated coordinate position in the pseudo three-dimensional space to a coordinate position in the two-dimensional space, and a process of positioning the polygons constituting the image to be drawn in the display area of the RAM 111; A texture mapping process is performed for each polygon. The position information transmitted from the head detection unit 30 is used as the viewpoint information of the pseudo camera in the calculation of the character coordinate position, as will be described later. Therefore, the viewpoint of the pseudo camera substantially matches the eyes of the player, and the character corresponding to the player is not displayed on the monitor 11 screen.
[0020]
  The sound control unit 120 reads sound source data set on the game program in accordance with the game scene from the sound source data storage unit 121 and outputs sound from one of the speakers 12 and 21. The sound source data includes BGM, various production sounds, shooting sounds as sound effects related to shooting, hitting hit sounds, wind noises when breaking off, and obstacles displayed in front of the viewpoint. There are prepared landing sounds. The sound source data is stored, for example, in the form of PCM data. After being read out, the sound source data is subjected to D / A conversion processing, filter processing, and amplification processing, and is output to the speakers 12 and 21 as sound.
[0021]
  In relation to the voice control unit 120, the CPU 101 includes a function unit that executes a trajectory calculation process. This function unit is used to target the player from the enemy character displayed on the monitor screen by controlling the shooting process of the CPU 101. The bullet trajectory in the shooting is calculated sequentially from the information of the shooting position and shooting direction, and the drawing control unit 110 performs processing for drawing the bullets sequentially on the monitor screen based on this sequential calculation result (or only the effect image at the time of shooting) In this mode, bullets may not be drawn. In addition, as will be described later, the audio control unit 120 has a function unit that selectively switches the speakers 12 and 21 according to the calculated distance between the bullet trajectory and the viewpoint of the pseudo camera to perform sound generation processing.
[0022]
  In this game, the CPU 101 has a function of determining whether or not a sniper from an enemy character hits the player. This determination is based on an obstacle between the enemy character and the viewpoint position of the pseudo camera. Whether it exists or whether it is far away, etc., and the probability of hitting is set randomly, and the probability is changed appropriately according to the progress of the game, etc., and the hit probability is changed by the player's life gauge. You may be made to do. Further, the CPU 101 has a function of reducing the life gauge by a predetermined amount when the player is hit, and a function of determining whether or not the life gauge has decreased to zero.
[0023]
  Here, the structure and operation of the gun unit 22 will be described. In the present embodiment, a known structure and operation principle of the gun unit 22 are employed. That is, the gun unit 22 has the same external shape as that of the gun, detects the operation of pulling the trigger urged by the urging means to the initial position side by interlocking with the movement of the movable piece of the switch, Is guided to the game control unit 100 via the code 23. The gun unit 22 incorporates a light receiving sensor so as to have a narrow directivity at the muzzle. When the shooting instruction signal is guided to the game control unit 100, the CPU 101 functioning as the shooting position detection unit of the game control unit 100 interrupts the drawing process on the monitor 11, for example, H (horizontal) for only one frame, A bright spot is swept in the V (vertical) direction, and the time from when the light receiving sensor in the gun unit receives the bright spot to the time when the sweep is received is counted. Since the sweep time for one frame is known from the employed sweep method, the gun unit 22 is calculated at the calculated coordinate position by calculating back the coordinate position of the bright spot on the monitor 11 screen from this time measurement time. It is treated as if it was directed, that is, fired. Alternatively, an infrared CCD camera is mounted in the muzzle, while one or two infrared point light sources are arranged at a fixed position near the monitor 11, and the image captured by the CCD camera when the trigger is pulled is included. A system in which the direction in which the camera is directed, that is, the position to which the gun unit 22 is directed, may be detected based on the imaging coordinates of the point light source.
[0024]
  Then, the CPU 101 sequentially executes the ballistic calculation in the game space on the monitor 11 screen with respect to the bullets shot from the player, and preferably displays the bullets in the screen each time the calculation is performed, thereby displaying the enemy displayed on the screen. It is determined whether or not the character has been hit. Judgment as to whether or not the hit has been made is made based on the coincidence or substantial coincidence of the results of successive ballistic calculations and the position coordinates of the enemy character.
[0025]
  Next, the detection principle in the position calculation unit 35 of the head detection unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Widely directional ultrasonic pulses transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter 31 are reflected by the lower player's body, and some of them are received by the ultrasonic receivers 32 and 33. Since the head is positioned at the highest position in the normal play operation of the player, it can be said that both pulse signals received by the ultrasonic receivers 32 and 33 are reflected waves reflected from the player's head. The position calculator 35 measures the time from the time of transmission to the time of rise of the pulse signal received by the ultrasonic receivers 32 and 33, and distance data obtained by converting both times from the airborne sound velocity, The geometric calculation processing is executed using the distance and height information of the ultrasonic transmitter 31 and the receiver 32 and the transmitter 31 and the receiver 33, and the position of the player head in the height direction and the horizontal direction is determined. calculate. That is, the time measured on the ultrasonic receiver 32 side determines an elliptical sphere with the ultrasonic transmitter 31 and the receiver 32 as a focal point. Similarly, the time measured on the ultrasonic receiver 33 side determines another elliptical sphere having the ultrasonic transmitter 31 and the receiver 33 as the focal points. Since the position of the ultrasonic transmitter 31 is the same, the intersection that is the lowest point of the two elliptic spheres can be calculated (intersection calculation processing 351), and the ultrasonic transmitter 31 and the receiver 32 can be calculated. , 33 can be used to determine the position in the height direction and the horizontal direction in the space (position determination processing 352). In order to simplify the calculation, the player's head may be assumed to be directly below the ultrasonic transmitter 31 and the receivers 32 and 33, that is, the intersection may be calculated only by ellipse calculation. Further, a mode in which a relationship between both time keeping time (that is, both distance data) and the position of the head is calculated in advance and stored in the form of a table (LUT) may be used. The position calculation unit 35 transmits the height position and the horizontal position in the space of the player's head obtained in this way to the game control unit 100 as the viewpoint information of the pseudo camera. Accordingly, in accordance with the player's head position, in other words, the viewpoint of the pseudo camera is changed and moved so as to follow the change amount and change direction of the head position.
[0026]
  4A to 4D are diagrams showing an example of a change in viewpoint of the monitor display image when the player's head moves in the vertical direction, and FIG. 5 is an image diagram for explaining the play situation of the player. . (A)-(d) is a figure corresponding to the passage of time, and the player gradually rises from the middle waist position (see FIG. 5) in front of the game machine body 10 as shown by the arrow, and takes a posture that is almost upright. That is, four scenes when the player's head (eye) is displaced from below to above are shown. In (a), there is an obstruction B like a desk just in front of the viewpoint, and the player creates a situation hidden behind this obstruction B, and the enemy character AC1 holding a gun over it Only part of the head is visible. From this state, the screen in which the player slightly lifts his / her head is (b), producing a situation in which only the player's eyes coincide with the upper surface of the obstacle B, and the chest of the enemy character AC1 is reached. The heads of two additional enemy characters AC2 and AC3 can be newly seen behind them. Next, (c) shows a screen in which the player further extends his back and lifts his head, and the player's eye level is slightly exposed from the upper surface Bs of the obstacle B, and the three players The upper body of the enemy characters AC1 to AC3 is visible, and the upper surface Bs of the obstacle B is also slightly visible. The screen in a state where the player stands upright is (d), producing a situation where the player's neck is exposed from the obstacle B, and the upper surface Bs is further visible. As the player's eyes rise, it can be seen that the top surface of the obstacle is sequentially lowered as shown in (a) to (d).
[0027]
  6A to 6D are diagrams showing an example of a change in viewpoint of the monitor display image when the player's head moves in the left-right direction, and FIG. 7 is an image diagram for explaining the play situation of the player. . (A) to (d) are diagrams corresponding to the passage of time, and the player moves in the direction indicated by the arrow from the right side (see FIG. 7) of the game machine body 10 to the left side, that is, the player's head (eye). ) Shows four scenes when the position is displaced from right to left. In (a), there is an obstacle B such as a door or a wall on the right side just before the viewpoint, and the player creates a situation hidden behind the obstacle B, and an enemy character with a gun in the other side. A part of the arm of AC1 is visible. From this state, the screen with the player moving his head slightly to the left is (b), and only the player's eyes are slightly exposed from the left end of the obstacle B, and the enemy character AC1 The face and chest are visible. Next, the screen with the player moving his head further to the left is (c), and the player's head is slightly exposed from the left end of the obstacle B, and the upper body of the enemy character AC1 is A part of another enemy character AC2 can be newly seen behind it. A screen with the upper body exposed as if the player jumped to the left from the obstacle is (d). In addition to the two enemy characters AC1 and AC2, another enemy character AC3 is also visible.
[0028]
  Further, since the head detection unit 30 can detect the vertical and horizontal positions of the player's head, when the player's head moves with components in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, The viewpoint can be moved in an oblique direction.
[0029]
  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a game progress process executed by the CPU 101. When the power is turned on, this flow starts. First, a demonstration screen is displayed on the monitor 11 (step ST1). When the coin switch 25a detects the insertion of a predetermined coin (YES in step ST2), a start screen is displayed (step ST3), and a game main body process as a shooting game is executed (step ST4). In a mode in which the game is constructed from a predetermined number of stages, whether or not the predetermined condition is satisfied in the middle of each stage is displayed in the upper area of the monitor 11 screen or the like under the control of the CPU 101 functioning as a life gauge management means, for example. It is determined whether or not the life gauge has fallen below a predetermined value, for example, 0, and all the enemy characters appearing on the stage can be shot before the life gauge becomes 0. If cleared, it is determined whether or not the next stage is the final stage (step ST5). Conversely, when the life gauge becomes 0 during the game, the game is switched to the game over screen at that time, and the game is forcibly ended.
[0030]
  On the other hand, if the cleared stage is the final stage, an ending demo screen that produces an award is displayed (step ST6), and a score is displayed as necessary to move to the game over screen (step ST7). ), This game is finished.
[0031]
  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the “game main body process” in step ST4. In the game main body process, first, it is determined whether or not the game time set for each stage has expired by a built-in timer, and if it is within the time, it is determined whether or not there is a remaining life gauge ( Steps ST11 and ST12). If both are denied, the process proceeds to step ST7. On the other hand, if there is a remaining in the life gauge, an I / O input process, that is, a process for receiving information on the head position of the player, that is, information on the position of the eye of the player is performed from the head detection unit 30 (step ST13).
[0032]
  Next, it is determined whether it is a subjective viewpoint or an objective viewpoint (step ST14). In this game, the CPU 101 and the timer functioning as the main / objective viewpoint switching means grasp the overall situation of the game space, that is, where the player is in the game space only for the first certain time of each stage, In order to recognize, a wide range is drawn in a state where the pseudo camera is pulled so as to include the player character, and during this time, it is processed as an objective viewpoint. On the other hand, when the drawing process with the objective viewpoint is completed, the subjective viewpoint with the player's eyes as a reference is switched. In step ST14, if it is an objective viewpoint, the game image is drawn from a viewpoint that does not depend on the information obtained by the I / O input processing (step ST15), and when a shootout is performed, an interrupt for voice control is performed. Is generated, and each sound sound related to shooting is output from the speaker 12 (or both the speakers 12 and 21) (step ST16).
[0033]
  On the other hand, if the process shifts to the subjective viewpoint, the game image is drawn from the subjective viewpoint based on the information obtained by the I / O input process (step ST17). Alternatively, each sound sound related to shooting is shared and output from the speaker 21 (step ST18). When the audio processing in steps ST16 and ST18 is completed, it is determined whether or not the present stage has been completed. If not, the process proceeds to step ST11 and the processes in steps ST11 to ST18 are repeated. Return to step ST6 and exit this flow.
[0034]
  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the “interrupt process” for the sniper from the enemy character in the “speech process based on the viewpoint position” in step ST18. In the figure, interrupt processing for audio output processing is started by firing by an enemy character, and whether the distance in the game space between the sound generation target and the viewpoint of the pseudo camera is smaller than a preset perspective determination threshold value. It is determined whether or not (step ST21). In the above description, the sound generation target refers to a bullet fired from an enemy character or the obstacle when the bullet hits an obstacle in front of the viewpoint. That is, when a bullet from an enemy character hits an obstacle in front, if the distance to the obstacle is smaller (closer) than the threshold, a landing sound is output from the speaker 21 (step ST22). If it is larger than the threshold value (if far away), a landing sound is output from the speaker 12 (step ST23).
[0035]
  Further, based on the result of the calculation of the distance between the bullet position and the viewpoint position based on the sequential ballistic calculation results, the voice control unit 120 determines that the shot bullet has passed close to the viewpoint position so that it can be regarded as hitting the player. At this time, as a hit process to the player (for example, an effect such as temporarily vibrating the screen as a hit effect process and reducing the life gauge by a predetermined value), a speaker The hit sound is output from 21 (step ST22). Further, when the obstacle in front of the viewpoint is not hit and the player is not hit, the speaker calculates at the timing when the calculation result of the distance between the bullet and the viewpoint calculated sequentially is smaller than the threshold value. A wind noise is output from the terminal 21 (step ST22). Although other sound effects related to shooting are output from the speaker 12, for example, shooting sound from a player may be output from the speaker 21. As described above, when the sound generation target is far from the viewpoint, the sound is output from the speaker 12 far from the player, and conversely, when close to the viewpoint, the sound is output from the speaker 21 closer to the player. Therefore, it becomes possible to provide a game that is more acoustically realistic.
[0036]
  When the processing for a certain sound output is finished, whether or not the sound output processing for all sound objects is then finished, that is, any performance event (landing on an obstacle ahead of time, landing on a player) It is determined whether or not there has been a hit or a miss that passes immediately beside (step ST24). If no production event has occurred, the process proceeds to step ST21, and if it has occurred, the sound output process for the bullet is performed. Returns as complete. Note that the number of speakers 21 is not limited to one, and may be provided on the left and right. In this case, depending on whether the player's head is located on the left or right in the play area, the left and right speakers are switched to output sound, or the volume ratio is adjusted to adjust the sound ratio, in addition to changing the sound direction. Further acoustic presence may be created by switching or the like.
[0037]
  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the 3D video game apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a block diagram for performing a player head detection operation. The game apparatus is substantially the same in terms of function, except for the configuration of the head detection unit 30, although there are some differences in appearance from those shown in FIG.
[0038]
  In the second embodiment, the head detecting unit 130 is, for example, a CCD camera 131 serving as an imaging unit disposed directly below the monitor 11 and at a central position in the left-right direction, and background removal disposed across the play area. In addition to the member 132, the processing function unit includes a silhouette video extraction unit 133, a human body silhouette feature data memory 134 storing human body silhouette feature data, and a position determination processing unit 135. The CCD camera 131 is oriented so that the play area side becomes the imaging area.
[0039]
  The background removing member 132 has a rectangular support 132a uprighted so as to surround the play area, and an upper horizontal connecting arm 132b connected to the game machine main body 10 so as to maintain the upright posture of the support 132a. And a screen 132c having a predetermined color, for example, a blue single color or a two-color stripe pattern design, which is affixed to the upper half of the support 132a. The screen 132c has a shape large enough to cover the range in which the head is displaced in the normal game posture of the player, preferably a quadrangle, and the head is between the bent posture and the upright posture of the player. It is arranged at a height that can be covered. The screen 132c may be translucent, and in this way, the audience behind the screen 132c can also see the movement of the player and the monitor 11 image.
[0040]
  The angle of view of the CCD camera 131 is set so that the screen 132c is the field of view, and background objects on the back side of the screen 132c (for example, various objects (such as other game machines) and people in the game field) are in the captured image. Preferably, color imaging means in which RGB color filters are arranged on the front surface of the CCD element is preferable. The CCD camera 131 executes an imaging operation toward the screen 132c at a predetermined cycle, for example, every 1/60 seconds or at a time cycle that can track the position displacement of the player's head with a required resolution. The image memory 131a is stored under address management. The silhouette video extraction unit 133 deletes a blue image (in the case of a monochrome camera, an image of a patternless region) from the image data including the player and the screen 132c behind the player captured in the image memory 131a. The human body silhouette is extracted by executing. This extraction process can be performed by simply processing the blue area as a no-data area. Further, in an aspect in which the screen 132c is a stripe design, a process for removing the basic pattern area may be performed.
[0041]
  The position determination unit 135 extracts the head from the human body silhouette from the human body silhouette obtained by the silhouette video extraction unit 133 and the human body silhouette feature data in the human body silhouette feature data memory 134 using a pattern recognition technique or the like. The position of the eye, for example, the center position of the head region, is obtained by calculation, and the position is determined by regarding this position as the position of the eye. The obtained position information is transmitted to the game control unit 100, and thereafter used as viewpoint information as in the case of the first embodiment.
[0042]
  In addition to the head detection units 30 and 130 in the first and second embodiments, the present invention can employ the following modes.
[0043]
  (1) With respect to the CCD camera of the head detecting unit 130 in the second embodiment, an infrared camera is provided in front of the CCD imaging surface to form an infrared camera, and the screen 132c is covered in the vicinity thereof. An infrared light source that irradiates infrared light may be provided, and a material that absorbs infrared light may be applied to the surface of the screen 132c. According to this configuration, since the reflected light does not return from the screen 132c in the infrared camera, the imaging area of the screen 132c has a low brightness, and thus the brightness difference from the reflection area from the player can be emphasized. Becomes easy. On the other hand, a material obtained by applying a material that reflects infrared light to the surface of the screen 132c may be used. According to this configuration, since the infrared camera reflects light strongly from the screen 132c, the imaging area of the screen 132c has high brightness, and thus the brightness difference from the reflection area from the player can be emphasized. Becomes easy.
[0044]
  Further, a screen in which the regions of the infrared reflecting material and the region of the absorbing material are alternately configured like a stripe pattern may be used. In this way, as in the case of the sprite pattern symbol of the second embodiment, the human body silhouette Extraction becomes easy.
[0045]
  (2) FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the head detection unit. The head detection unit 230 includes the infrared camera 231 as described in (1) above and the face or head of the player. And a goggle or head adherend 236 provided with an infrared light emitting member 236a for emitting infrared light, which is formed in a predetermined number, for example, three dots, on the front side thereof. In addition, the processing unit includes an image memory 231a, an image analysis unit 237, a unique pattern feature data memory 238, and a position determination processing unit 239. When the infrared camera 231 captures an image of the player, three bright spots 236b are obtained as image data on the image memory 231a, and an image pattern composed of these three points is converted into data in the unique pattern feature data memory 238 by the image analysis unit 238. The storage location, that is, the address in the image memory 231a is specified by collation. The position determining unit 239 calculates the position of the player's eyes based on a preset formula using the three-point address information, and transmits the calculated position to the game control unit 100. Note that the number of infrared light emitting members 236a is set to three, but at least one is substantially detectable, and in particular, if two or more are present, the inclination of the head or face can be detected simultaneously. There is an advantage that the position of the eyes of the player can be determined more accurately.
[0046]
  A predetermined number of reflecting mirrors for reflecting infrared rays are provided on the adherend 236 in place of the infrared light emitting member 236a, and infrared light emitting means having a wide irradiation width is provided on the game machine body 10 side, and the infrared camera 231 reflects the reflection light. The configuration may be such that the reflected light from the mirror can be imaged, and this also provides the same effect as described above. In this case, the adherend 236 can be reduced in size and weight because the adherend 236 does not require a power source or driving means for emitting infrared light.
[0047]
  (3) FIG. 14 shows still another embodiment of the head detection unit, in which FIG. 14 (a) is a block diagram and FIG. 14 (b) is a diagram for explaining position determination.
[0048]
  The head detecting unit 330 includes a distance measuring sensor unit 331 including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 331a,... Arranged at a predetermined pitch in the left-right direction above the play area, and a position detection process in the processing unit. 332, a peak point detection unit 333, and a position determination processing unit 334. As is well known, the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 331a includes a piezoelectric element, an excitation unit for exciting the piezoelectric element with a pulse signal to transmit an ultrasonic pulse, a receiving unit for receiving a reflected wave, and a signal input / output. It is configured to include at least a circuit for switching the direction. The distance measuring sensor unit 331 may be a reflective light (preferably infrared) sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. Each of the ultrasonic transducers 331a of the distance measuring sensor unit 331 is configured to have a directivity width directly below such that the head of the player in the play area can be detected by any (preferably a plurality). Or it is attached at intervals narrower than the width of the normal head.
[0049]
  The ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 331a may transmit ultrasonic waves at the same time. However, in order to prevent mutual interference with adjacent ones, at least every other ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 331a in order at high speed. Detection may be performed by alternately transmitting waves to each other. However, in a narrow-directional ultrasonic beam, the shortest distance measurement data is received by the transmitted ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 331a, so that it is received by the adjacent ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 331a. However, there is no particular problem in identifying the ultrasonic transducer 331a that has obtained the shortest data.
[0050]
  As shown in FIG. 14, the return wave reflected by the player's head is received by the same ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 331a, and the position detector 332 uses sound speed information from the time from each transmission time to the reception time. By calculating the distance converted in this way, the relationship between the pitch dimension and distance data of the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 331a (shown graphically in the graph 332a) is obtained. The peak point detection unit 333 detects the peak point height position Pe and the left-right direction position Xp from the pitch dimension and distance data as shown in FIG. Since the waveform in the height direction is a mountain shape as shown in FIG. 14B, by providing the position detection unit 332 with a function of creating continuous data using a model function prepared in advance, The peak point detection unit 333 can detect even when the peak point is between the ultrasonic transducers 331a. The position determination processing unit 334 can determine the height position of the player's eyes by subtracting a predetermined value from the detected height position Pe of the player's head, and the horizontal position is determined by the arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers 331a. It can be determined from the pitch. Information on the height position and the horizontal position of the player's eyes obtained in this way is transmitted to the game control unit 100.
[0051]
  (4) FIG. 15 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the head detection unit. The head detection unit 430 includes a pressure-sensitive sheet member 431 laid in the play area, detects the position of both feet of the player, and determines the head position using these information and other information described later. It is.
[0052]
  The pressure-sensitive sheet member 431 has a long sensor portion in the front-rear direction and a width that is at least narrower than the width of the player's foot, preferably a sufficiently narrow pitch (in the figure, for convenience of explanation or for drawing purposes, the pitch is reduced. It has a structure arranged in parallel. For the pressure-sensitive sheet member 431, a known material can be used. For example, a long pressure-sensitive conductive ink 431 b, for example, conductive particles, is provided on each of the opposing surfaces of the two flexible film bases 431 a. After printing at a corresponding position what is made of a thermoplastic resin in which non-conductive particles are dispersed and mixed, both the film base materials 431a are bonded together. In addition, each pressure-sensitive conductive ink 431b is drawn out of the film in a state in which a lead wire (a thermoplastic resin in which conductive particles such as silver are dispersed and mixed) is covered with insulation, and one film base material 431a. A predetermined voltage is applied to the lead wire, and a circuit for detecting the voltage is connected to the lead wire of the other film base 431a so that each lead wire can be recognized. The contact surfaces of the pressure-sensitive conductive inks 431b of the two film base materials 431a in the state of being bonded are in a state where minute irregularities (due to printing or the presence of fine particles) are formed, and to the film base material 431a surface. The voltage appearing on the other lead wire side due to the change in the substantial contact area between the ink surfaces due to the pressurization of the ink, that is, the resistance change at the contact surface, can be detected in an analog manner.
[0053]
  The pressure data memory 432 stores voltage values detected from the voltage detection circuits of the individual pressure-sensitive conductive inks 431b, that is, pressure data in association with each other, and the storage contents are shown as an image distribution diagram. The left and right foot position detection unit 433a calculates the position information of each foot in the left and right directions on the pressure-sensitive sheet member 431 by obtaining the center in the region that can be determined as the load received from the left and right feet from the stored content of the pressure data memory 432. Therefore, the calculated position information is stored in each foot position information memory 433b. Further, the left and right foot position detection unit 433a accumulates pressure data in the foot region for each foot, and each foot weight deviation information memory 433c stores each accumulated value as a weight deviation.
[0054]
  The center-of-gravity calculation unit 433d calculates the center-of-gravity position of the load on the pressure-sensitive sheet member 431, that is, the waist position, from the contents stored in the pressure data memory 432, and the calculation result is stored in the center-of-gravity position information memory 433e. The The statistical learning pattern memory 433f stores pattern data for estimating the position of the head from the positions of both feet, the weight, the waist position, etc., based on an ergonomic or empirical viewpoint. It is what. The position determining unit 433g determines the head position of the player based on each foot position information memory 433b, each foot weight bias information memory 433c, the center of gravity position information memory 433e, and the statistical learning pattern memory 433f. The determined head position information is transmitted to the game control unit 100.
[0055]
  Thus, by laying the pressure-sensitive sheet member 431 in the play area, the position of the head in the left-right direction on the pressure-sensitive sheet member 431 can be determined from the position information of both feet of the player. There is no need for special arrangement space and structure for the head detection unit.
[0056]
  (5) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the pressure-sensitive sheet member of the head detection unit. The head detection unit 530 includes a pressure-sensitive sheet member 531 laid in the play area, detects the position of both feet of the player, and determines the head position using these information and other information described later. It is.
[0057]
  The pressure-sensitive sheet member 531 is basically manufactured using the principle (4) and material. That is, as shown in FIG. 16A, pressure-sensitive conductive ink 5312 having a long length in the longitudinal direction is formed and arranged at a predetermined pitch on the back surface of one film base 5311, while FIG. As shown in FIG. 16C, pressure-sensitive conductive inks 5314, which are long in the left-right direction, are arrayed at a predetermined pitch on the back surface of the other film substrate 5313, and the back surfaces of the film base material 5313 are bonded to each other. ), A film substrate 5311 having pressure-sensitive portions in a matrix is manufactured. On the other hand, for example, a predetermined voltage is sequentially applied to the lead wires of each pressure-sensitive conductive ink 5312 of the film base 5311 at a high speed, and the voltage is applied to the lead of each pressure-sensitive conductive ink 5314 of the other film base 5313. A detection circuit is connected. Then, the position of the foot on the pressure-sensitive sheet member 531 can be specified from the voltage application timing to the pressure-sensitive conductive ink 5312 and the pressure-sensitive conductive ink 5314 detected to be pressurized by the voltage detection circuit. , That level can be detected. If such a pressure sensitive sheet member 531 is employed, the position of both feet of the player can be detected two-dimensionally in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, if the position detection unit 433 shown in FIG. 15 is applied, and if the position determination processing unit 433g has a two-dimensional position determination processing function at this time, the pressure-sensitive sheet member 531 is used. The three-dimensional position of the player's head can be determined.
[0058]
  As a result of determining the three-dimensional position of the player's head in this way, the viewpoint in the game space on the monitor 11 screen can be moved in the depth direction.
[0059]
  (6) In addition to the head detecting unit 130 and the head detecting units (1) to (3) in the second embodiment, the pressure sensitive conductive ink is a pressure sensitive sheet member shown in (4). When adding those arranged in parallel, the position of the player head in the depth direction can be specified by the pressure-sensitive sheet member, so that the three-dimensional position of the player head can be specified as a whole.
[0060]
  (7) In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic receivers 32 and 33 are arranged at straight positions on the left and right sides of the ultrasonic transmitter 31, thereby detecting the height position and the horizontal position of the head. However, instead of this, three ultrasonic receivers are arranged at predetermined positions on the horizontal plane of the ultrasonic transmitter, and three ellipsoidal spheres are determined from the measurement time in each ultrasonic receiver, that is, distance information. It is also possible to detect these intersections as the head position. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the position of the head in the three-dimensional space can be detected. It is sufficient that at least three ultrasonic receivers are provided.
[0061]
  (8) Although an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a shooting game has been shown, a game in which a player plays against other characters, for example, a boxing game, may be used in addition to the shooting game. The present invention can also be applied to a hitting game that does not particularly use an operation unit such as a gun unit, for example, hits what is hidden by looking from various directions.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
  Claim 1,6According to the described invention, the position of the head can be detected without hindering the movement of the player, and the image from the viewpoint intended by the player is obtained by causing the viewpoint of the pseudo camera to follow the free movement of the player. The game can be actively presented, the range of game characteristics can be expanded, and an interesting game can be provided.
[0063]
  Claim2According to the described invention, the operation of the operation unit can be performed in association with the movement of the viewpoint, so that the game progress can be made interesting.
[0064]
  Claim3According to the described invention, the position of the player's head can be detected using one propagation medium transmitter and two propagation medium receivers.
[0065]
  Claim4According to the described invention, the position of the player head in the three-dimensional space can be detected using one propagation medium transmitter and three or more propagation medium receivers.
[0066]
  Claim5According to the described invention, the position and height of the player's head in the one-dimensional direction, that is, the head position on the vertical plane can be determined.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a pseudo three-dimensional (3D) video game apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a 3D video game device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detection principle in a position calculation unit of a head detection unit.
FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating an example of a change in viewpoint of a monitor display image when the player's head moves in the vertical direction.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a play situation of a player.
FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams illustrating an example of a viewpoint change of a monitor display image when the player's head moves in the left-right direction.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a play situation of a player.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a game progress process executed by a CPU.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of “game main body processing” in step ST4.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing voice processing for a sniper from an enemy character in “voice processing based on viewpoint position” in step ST18.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the 3D video game apparatus according to the present invention.
12 is a block diagram for performing a player head detection operation shown in FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the head detection unit.
FIGS. 14A and 14B show still another embodiment of the head detection unit. FIG. 14A is a block diagram, and FIG. 14B is a diagram for explaining position determination.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the head detection unit.
FIG. 16 is a view showing another embodiment of the pressure-sensitive sheet member of the head detection unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Game device
  10 Game console
  100 Game control unit
  101 CPU
  110 Drawing controller
  120 Voice control unit
  11 Monitor
  12, 21 Speaker
  20 Operation case
  22 Gun unit (control unit)
  30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530 Head detection unit
  31 Ultrasonic transmitter
  32, 33 Ultrasonic receiver
  34 Sensor drive unit
  35 Position calculator
  131 CCD camera
  132c screen
  231 Infrared camera
  236 adherend
  236a Infrared light emitting member
  331 Distance sensor
  431 Pressure-sensitive sheet member
  433 Position detection unit
  433d Center of gravity calculation unit
  433a Left and right foot position calculation unit

Claims (6)

Display control for displaying an image provided at a predetermined height position of the game machine housing, a game control unit for controlling the progress of the game, and a three-dimensional image from the viewpoint of the pseudo camera, and displaying on the monitor A 3D video game device comprising:
A head detecting means comprising a distance measuring sensor for remotely detecting a height and a horizontal position of the player's head located in the play area in front of the monitor;
Viewpoint changing means for moving the viewpoint of the pseudo camera following the change direction and the change amount of the detected position of the head,
The game control unit sequentially calculates the trajectory of bullets fired from an enemy character, and when the distance between the calculated trajectory of bullets and the viewpoint of the pseudo camera becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold, Executes a hit direction process that directs that a bullet hits the player,
When the bullet does not hit the player , the game control unit calculates the distance between the bullet and the viewpoint, which are sequentially calculated in the trajectory, at a timing when the calculation result becomes smaller than a second threshold different from the first threshold. A 3D video game apparatus, wherein wind noise is output from a speaker. An external operable operation unit, 3D video game device of the game controller according to claim 1, wherein reflecting the operation content from the operation unit to the game progress. The distance measuring sensor is disposed at two locations in the horizontal direction of the monitor centering on the propagation medium transmitter and transmitted from the propagation medium transmitter and reflected by the player's head. A first propagation medium receiver and a second propagation medium receiver for receiving the transmitted propagation medium,
The head detecting means includes head position determining means for determining a position of the player's head from an elapsed time from transmission time of the propagation medium to reception by the first and second propagation medium receivers. The 3D video game device according to claim 1 or 2 . The distance measuring sensor detects a three-dimensional position of the head, and includes one propagation medium transmitter,
Each propagation medium receiver centered on the propagation medium transmitter and disposed at different positions on a horizontal plane, each receiving a propagation medium transmitted from the propagation medium transmitter and reflected by the head of the player; With
The propagation medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the time elapsed before receiving with a head position determining means for determining a position on the three-dimensional space of the head of the player from transmission time In each propagation medium receivers 3D video game device. The distance measuring sensor includes a plurality of propagation medium transceivers arranged above the play area and at least in a one-dimensional direction on a horizontal plane and arranged downward.
The head detection unit according to claim 1 or 2 including a head position determining means for determining the position and height of the player head in the one-dimensional direction from the elapsed time from transmission to reception of the propagation medium transceiver The 3D video game device described. Display control for displaying an image provided at a predetermined height position of the game machine housing, a game control unit for controlling the progress of the game, and a three-dimensional image from the viewpoint of the pseudo camera, and displaying on the monitor A pseudo camera viewpoint movement control method in a 3D video game comprising:
Repetitively performing a detection operation by a head detecting means including a distance measuring sensor for remotely detecting a height and a horizontal position of a player's head located in a play area in front of the monitor. To determine the position of the head by moving the viewpoint of the pseudo camera with the viewpoint changing means so as to follow the direction and amount of change of the calculated head position,
The game control unit sequentially calculates the trajectory of bullets fired from an enemy character, and when the distance between the calculated trajectory of bullets and the viewpoint of the pseudo camera becomes smaller than a predetermined first threshold, Executes a hit direction process that directs that a bullet hits the player,
When the game control unit does not hit the player with the bullet, the calculation result of the distance between the bullet and the viewpoint, which is sequentially calculated in the trajectory, becomes smaller than the second threshold different from the first threshold. A method for controlling movement of a virtual camera viewpoint in a 3D video game, wherein wind noise is output from a speaker.

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