Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-24
2004-07-06
Cabeca, John (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C463S033000, C463S035000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06760050
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional sound pattern generator and a method and a medium thereof, and more particularly, to a virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator for progressing a game which mainly depends on the player's auditory sense.
2. Related Art
As a virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator of this kind, there is known a device comprising: an object storing portion for storing three-dimensional object information; a sound source storing portion for storing sound source information; a central processing portion for forming sound signals for generating sound reaching the position of a player character in conformity with the information concerning walls and other objects stored in the storing portions, information on the sound source, and the progress of the game; a speaker for converting the sound signals formed at the central processing portion into audible sounds; display means for displaying a picture of the game; and an operation panel for moving a character displayed on the display means. (For example, Patent Laid-Open Publication for Patent Application No. HEI 4-316168)
According to such virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator, the player hears different sound effects, feeling as if he/she is standing at the same position and facing the same direction as the character which is moved on the display means with an operation panel. Thus, a sense of high virtual reality is provided to the player.
However, in certain conventional virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generators, sounds are reproduced only at the position and in the direction where such sounds are presumed to be heard assuming from the relative location of the character and other objects. Although higher virtual reality is obtained in these devices than in conventional devices, sounds are used only as means for effectively promoting the game as in other conventional devices, and active use of the sounds in the course of the game was not considered.
In view of the limitations encountered in the aforementioned prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator and a method and a medium thereof based on a new idea of making an active use of sounds in the course of a game.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator and a method and medium thereof for progressing the game pursuant to the sound information that is changed by the player, for example, moving the sound source at his/her discretion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, a virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator of the present invention for forming sound patterns within a virtual space comprises: object information storing means for storing physical information on virtual objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and information on materials of the virtual objects; operation means for controlling movement of a player character within the space structured by the virtual objects arranged in the virtual space and controlling shooting directions and sound generation of a sound source object; sound source storing means for storing sound source information of the sound source object; a plurality of sound conversion means for converting sound signals into audible sounds; and sound pattern processing means for variably controlling sound information on the sound source object of the player character in accordance with the position of the sound source object of the player character in the space structured by the virtual objects, information on the virtual objects arranged within the virtual three-dimensional space and information on the materials of the virtual objects, and for forming this sound information into sound signals audible at prescribed positions and in prescribed directions within the three-dimensional space, and providing the sound signals to the sound conversion means.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, a virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator of the present invention for forming sound patterns within a virtual space comprises: object information storing means for storing physical information on virtual objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and information on materials of the virtual objects; operation means for controlling movement of a sound marker within the space structured by the virtual objects arranged in the virtual space and controlling sound generation; sound source storing means for storing sound source information of the soundmarker; a plurality of sound conversion means for converting sound signals into audible sounds; and sound pattern processing means for variably controlling sound information on the sound marker in accordance with the position of the sound marker in the space structured by the virtual objects, information on the virtual objects arranged within the virtual three-dimensional space and information on materials of the virtual objects constituting structures in the virtual three-dimensional space, and for forming the sound information into sound signals audible at prescribed positions and in prescribed directions within the three-dimensional space, and providing the sound signals to the sound conversion means.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, a virtual three-dimensional sound pattern generator of the present invention for forming sound patterns within a virtual space comprises: object information storing means for storing physical information on virtual objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and information on materials of the virtual objects; operation means for controlling movement of a player character and a sound marker within the space structured by the virtual objects arranged in the virtual space and controlling shooting directions of a sound source object or sound generation of the sound source object and the sound marker; sound source storing means for storing sound source information of the sound source object of the character and the sound marker; a plurality of sound conversion means for converting the sound signals into audible sounds; and sound pattern processing means for variably controlling sound information on the sound source object of the character and/or sound marker in accordance with the relative position of the sound source object of the character and the sound marker in the space structured by the virtual objects, information on the virtual objects arranged within the virtual three-dimensional space and information on materials of the virtual objects constituting structures in the virtual three-dimensional space, and for forming the sound information into sound signals audible at prescribed positions and in prescribed directions within the three-dimensional space, and providing the sound signals to the sound conversion means.
The sound pattern processing means of the present invention comprises means of the present invention comprises means for changing the sound information on the sound marker in accordance with the information on materials of the virtual objects upon identification of collision of the marker with the virtual objects during its movement through the space structured by the virtual objects in conformity with the operational command from the operation means.
The sound pattern processing means of the present invention comprises means for forming sound information of the moved sound on the basis of movement of the character within the space structured by the virtual objects.
The sound conversion means of the present invention is capable of reproducing three-dimensional sounds.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, a method of the present invention for generating virtual three-dimensional sound patterns whereby sound patterns are formed within a virtual space, comprises the steps of: controlling movement of a player character within a space structured by virtual objects arranged in the virtual space on the basis
Cabeca John
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
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