Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-31
2001-09-25
Vo, Cliff N. (Department: 2671)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C345S427000, C348S036000, C348S169000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295064
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of displaying a video game image while moving its perspective in the direction in which a subject such as an attentional game character moves in the video game image, and a recording medium which stores a control program for displaying a video game image while moving its perspective in the direction in which a subject such as an attentional game character moves in the video game image.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Video game apparatus which display a video game image on a display screen are required to move the perspective of the video game image in the direction in which a subject such as an attentional game character moves in the video game image, in order that the subject will remain displayed within the video game image. In another displayed video game image, a moving attentional game character as if captured by a video camera positioned directly behind the attentional game character is displayed such that the attentional game character is looking forward in the background.
When moving the perspective of a video game image in the direction in which an attentional game character moves, the area displayed in front of the moving attentional game character within the video game image becomes very small, providing little room for maneuver for the game player. For example, if an opponent game character suddenly pops up in the small area in front of the attentional game character, then the game player does not have a sufficient time to avoid the opponent game character.
When a moving attentional game character displayed as if captured by a hypothetical video camera positioned behind the attentional game character is looking forward in the background of a displayed video game image, the game player can clearly see an approaching opponent game character in front of the attentional game character. However, the game player cannot see the attentional game character and its surrounding areas in an objective fashion because of the limited area displayed in front of the attentional game character. When an opponent game character comes in from a lateral side, since the area displayed in front of the moving attentional game character within the video game image is small, the game player finds it difficult to take an appropriate action easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for and a method of displaying a video game image in a manner to allow a game player to see a moving attentional game character and its surrounding areas objectively and also to clearly see an area in front of the moving attentional game character.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium which stores a control program for displaying a video game image in a manner to allow a game player to see a moving attentional game character and its surrounding areas objectively and also to clearly see an area in front of the moving attentional game character.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for displaying a video image to move a perspective of the image in a direction in which an attentional subject moves for displaying the attentional subject in an attentional area in the video image, the apparatus including image display means for displaying the attentional subject in the attentional area in the video image, and control means for moving the perspective of the video image in the direction in which the attentional subject moves in the video image, and moving the perspective of the video image and the attentional area so that the attentional subject will be located in a rear position opposite to the direction in which the attentional subject moves, when the attentional subject is about to move out of the attentional area. The control means may comprises coordinate transforming means for transforming coordinates of the attentional subject in three-dimensional coordinate system into coordinates thereof in a plane field-of-view coordinate system, coordinate holding means for holding coordinates of the attentional subject transformed by the coordinate transforming means before and after the attentional subject moves, image display control means for displaying the attentional subject according to the coordinates transformed by the coordinate transforming means, together with a predetermined image, in the video image, decision means for deciding whether the attentional subject has moved out of the attentional area in the video image, calculating means for calculating a direction in which the attentional subject has moved based on the coordinates held by the coordinate holding means, if the attentional subject has moved out of the attentional area, and image perspective moving means for controlling the image display control means to move the perspective of the video image and the attentional area so that the attentional subject will be located in the rear position opposite to the direction calculated by the calculating means.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for displaying a video image to move a perspective of the image in a direction in which an attentional subject moves for displaying the attentional subject in an attentional area in the video image, the apparatus comprising image display means for displaying the attentional subject in the attentional area in the video image, and control means for moving the perspective of the video image in the direction in which the attentional subject moves in the video image, and moving the perspective of the video image and the attentional area, when a reference point of the attentional area has reached a first position in a reference point movement range, in which the reference point is movable, at the time the attentional subject is about to move out of the attentional area, so that the attentional subject will be located in the attentional area that is moved to a second position in the reference point movement range which is in point-symmetry relation to the first position across a center of the reference point movement range. The control means may comprise coordinate transforming means for transforming coordinates of the attentional subject in a three-dimensional coordinate system into coordinates thereof in a plane field-of-view coordinate system, decision means for deciding whether the attentional subject has moved out of the attentional area in the video image, and image perspective moving means for moving the attentional subject into the attentional area which is moved, when the reference point of the attentional area has reached the first position at the time the attentional subject is about to move out of the attentional area, so that the reference point will be located in the second position which is in point-symmetry relation to the first position across the center of the reference point movement range.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for displaying a video image to move a perspective of the image in a direction in which an attentional subject moves for displaying the attentional subject in an attentional area in the video image, the apparatus comprising image display means for displaying the attentional subject in the attentional area in the video image, and control means for moving the perspective of the video image in the direction in which the attentional subject moves in the video image, and moving the perspective of the video image and the attentional area, when a reference point of the attentional area has reached a boundary position of a reference point movement range, in which the reference point is movable, at the time the attentional subject is about to move out of the attentional area, so that the attentional subject will be located in the attentional area that is moved with the reference point thereof located in a first one of divided radial areas of the reference point movement range other than a sec
Jordan and Hamburg LLP
Konami Co. Ltd.
Vo Cliff N.
LandOfFree
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