IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,882,342
Granted Patent B2
US 6,882,342 · App. 10/157,714 · Granted Apr 19, 2005

Image processing method, image processing program, and image processing apparatus

Assignee: Konami Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,882,342
App. No.
10/157,714
Granted
Apr 19, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

In an image processing method to form a predetermined image with an image processing unit having a frame-buffer and z-buffer corresponded to the frame-buffer, a main-model and a sub-model containing at least one part of the main model are arranged at a predetermined position in a virtual 3-dimensional space. The sub-model is rendered in the frame-buffer in a write-protected state to the z-buffer, after that, the main-model is rendered in the frame-buffer in a released write-protected state to the z-buffer and updating a memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information that the main model has.

Claims (32)

1. An image processing method for forming a predetermined image with an image processing unit having a frame-buffer and a z-buffer corresponded to the frame-buffer, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

arranging a main-model and a sub-model containing at least one part of the main-model at a predetermined position in a virtual three dimensional space;

rendering the sub-model into the frame-buffer under a state wherein the z-buffer is entirely write-protected; and

rendering the main-model into the frame-buffer under a state wherein the write-protect of the z-buffer is released and updating a memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information of the main-model.

2. The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the step of:

rendering a background, to be arranged behind the main-model and the sub-model in the virtual three dimensional space in view of a predetermined view point, into the frame-buffer, and

updating the memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information of the background prior to the rendering of the sub-model.

3. The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-model is constituted by a size which can give an outline having predetermined width to a periphery of the main-model.

4. The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the sub-model is an un-similar figure of the main-model.

5. The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one part of the main-model extends off the sub-model.

6. An image processing program for forming a predetermined image with a computer having a frame-buffer and a z-buffer corresponded to the

frame-buffer, wherein the program is executable and constructed to make the computer execute the procedures of:

arranging a main-model and a sub-model containing at least one part of the main-model at a predetermined position in a virtual 3-dimensional space;

rendering the sub-model into the frame-buffer under a state wherein the z-buffer is entirely write-protected; and

rendering the main-model into the frame-buffer under a state wherein the write-protect of the z-buffer is released and updating a memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information of the main-model.

7. The image processing program according to claim 6 , wherein the program is constructed to make a computer execute the procedures of:

rendering a background, to be arranged behind the main-model and the sub-model in the virtual three dimensional space in view of a predetermined view point, into the frame-buffer; and

updating the memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information of the background prior to the rendering of the sub-model.

8. The image processing program according to claim 6 , wherein the sub-model is constituted by a size which can give an outline having a predetermined width to a periphery of the main-model.

9. The image processing program according to claim 6 , wherein the sub-model is an un-similar figure of the main-model.

10. The image processing method according to claim 6 , wherein at least one part of the main-model extends off the sub-model.

11. An image processing apparatus for forming a predetermined image, comprising:

a video memory having a frame-buffer and a z-buffer corresponded to the frame-buffer,

a device for arranging a main-model and a sub-model containing at least one part of the main-model at a predetermined position in a virtual three dimensional space;

a device for rendering the sub-model into the frame-buffer under a state wherein the z-buffer is entirely write-protected; and

a device for rendering the main-model into the frame-buffer under a state wherein the write-protect of the z-buffer is released and updating a memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information of the main-model.

12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the apparatus comprises:

a device for rendering a background, to be arranged behind the main-model and the sub-model in the virtual three dimensional space in view of a predetermined view point, into the frame-buffer; and

a device for updating the memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information of the background prior to the rendering of the sub-model.

13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the sub-model is constituted by a size which can give an outline having predetermined width to a periphery of the main-model.

14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the sub-model is an un-similar figure of the main-model.

15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein at least one part of the main-model extends off the sub-model.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2008
From: KONAMI CORPORATION
To: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 020599/0966 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2002
From: SUZUKI, ATSUSHI; NAKAMURA, TAKASHI
To: KONAMI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 012956/0637 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2001-162171 · May 30, 2001 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20020180730A1 · Dec 5, 2002