IP Library Granted Patent US 7,248,260
Granted Patent B2
US 7,248,260 · App. 10/419,869 · Granted Jul 24, 2007

Image generation system, program, information storage medium and image generation method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,248,260
App. No.
10/419,869
Granted
Jul 24, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An α-value αP 1 corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image and an α-nonuniformity setting α-value a UP which is a nonuniform α-value in a virtual plane are synthesized into an α-value αP 2 . The color ICP of the original image and the fog color CP are synthesized into a fog image, based on the α-value αP2. A plurality of α-nonuniformity setting α-values provided for the virtual planes different in nonuniformity pattern are synthesized. The nonuniformity patterns are changed depending on the virtual camera information and time information. An α-value used to synthesize the α-nonuniformity setting α-values is set based on a Z-value of each pixel in the original image. A Z-value of each pixel in the original image is used as an index number of a lookup table and the index color texture mapping is applied to a virtual object to convert the Z-value into an α-value.

Claims (59)

1. An image generation system which generates an image visible from a virtual camera in an object space, the image generation system comprising:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section synthesizes a plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values provided for a plurality of X-Y planes into the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value to be synthesized with the first alpha value, the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values being different in the nonuniformity pattern;

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section reduces a synthesis rate of an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value for the nearest X-Y plane among the plurality of X-Y planes when a virtual distance from the virtual camera to the nearest X-Y plane is shorter than a given distance;

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section reduces a synthesis rate of an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value for the farthest X-Y plane among the plurality of X-Y planes when a virtual distance from the virtual camera to the farthest X-Y plane is larger than a given distance; and

wherein the image visible from the virtual camera in the object space is generated based on the color synthesized by the color synthesis section.

2. An image generation system which generates an image visible from a virtual camera in an object space, the image generation system comprising:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section changes a nonuniformity pattern in the X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, based on at least one of virtual camera information and time information;

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section enlarges a nonuniformity pattern of the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value in the X-Y plane when a virtual distance from the virtual camera to the X-Y plane decreases; and

wherein the image visible from the virtual camera in the object space is generated based on the color synthesized by the color synthesis section.

3. An image generation system which generates an image visible from a virtual camera in an object space, the image generation system comprising:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section changes a nonuniformity pattern in the X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, based on at least one of virtual camera information and time information;

wherein, when the virtual camera moves in a first direction which is parallel to a screen, the alpha-value synthesis section moves a nonuniformity pattern of the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value in the X-Y plane in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction; and

wherein the image visible from the virtual camera in the object space is generated based on the color synthesized by the color synthesis section.

4. An image generation system which generates an image visible from a virtual camera in an object space, the image generation system comprising:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section changes a nonuniformity pattern in the X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, based on at least one of virtual camera information and time information;

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section applies nonuniformity pattern texture mapping to a virtual object to generate the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, and changes texture coordinates of the virtual object depending on at least one of the virtual camera information and the time information; and

wherein the image visible from the virtual camera in the object space is generated based on the color synthesized by the color synthesis section.

5. An image generation system which generates an image visible from a virtual camera in an object space, the image generation system comprising:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section synthesizes a plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values provided for a plurality of X-Y planes into the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value to be synthesized with the first alpha value, the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values being different in the nonuniformity pattern;

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section sets an alpha-value used to synthesize the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values, based on a Z-value of each pixel in the original image;

wherein, when comparison of Z-values of pixels in the original image and a virtual Z-value of an X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value to be synthesized with the first alpha value indicates that the pixels in the original image are nearer to the virtual camera than the X-Y plane, the alpha-value synthesis section sets an alpha value used to synthesize the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values into an alpha value which invalidates synthesis of the alpha-nonuninformity setting alpha-values; and

wherein the image visible from the virtual camera in the object space is generated based on the color synthesized by the color synthesis section.

6. A computer readable storage medium storing a program which generates an image visible from a given viewpoint in an object space, the program causing a computer to function as:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section synthesizes a plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values provided for a plurality of X-Y planes into the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value to be synthesized with the first alpha value, the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values being different in nonuniformity pattern; and wherein:

the alpha-value synthesis section reduces a synthesis rate of an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value for the nearest X-Y plane among the plurality of X-Y planes when a virtual distance from the virtual camera to the nearest X-Y plane is shorter than a given distance; and

the alpha-value synthesis section reduces a synthesis rate of an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value for the farthest X-Y plane among the plurality of X-Y planes when a virtual distance from the virtual camera to the farthest X-Y plane is larger than a given distance.

7. A computer readable storage medium storing a program which generates an image visible from a given viewpoint in an object space, the program causing a computer to function as:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section changes a nonuniformity pattern in the X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, based on at least one of virtual camera information and time information; and

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section enlarges a nonuniformity pattern of the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value in the X-Y plane when a virtual distance from the virtual camera to the X-Y plane decreases.

8. A computer readable storage medium storing a program which generates an image visible from a given viewpoint in an object space, the program causing a computer to function as:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section changes a nonuniformity pattern in the X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, based on at least one of virtual camera information and time information; and

wherein, when the virtual camera moves in a first direction which is parallel to a screen, the alpha-value synthesis section moves a nonuniformity pattern of the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value in the X-Y plane in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

9. A computer readable storage medium storing a program which generates an image visible from a given viewpoint in an object space, the program causing a computer to function as:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section changes a nonuniformity pattern in the X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, based on at least one of virtual camera information and time information; and

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section applies nonuniformity pattern texture mapping to a virtual object to generate the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value, and changes texture coordinates of the virtual object depending on at least one of the virtual camera information and the time information.

10. A computer readable storage medium storing a program which generates an image visible from a given viewpoint in an object space, the program causing a computer to function as:

an alpha-value synthesis section which synthesizes a first alpha value and an alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value into a second alpha value, the first alpha value corresponding to a Z-value of each pixel in an original image, and the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value of each pixel being nonuniform in an X-Y plane; and

a color synthesis section which synthesizes a color of each pixel in the original image and a given color, based on the second alpha value,

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section synthesizes a plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values provided for a plurality of X-Y planes into the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value to be synthesized with the first alpha value, the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values being different in nonuniformity pattern; and

wherein the alpha-value synthesis section sets an alpha-value used to synthesize the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values, based on a Z-value of each pixel in the original image; and

wherein, when comparison of Z-values of pixels in the original image and a virtual Z-value of an X-Y plane corresponding to the alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-value to be synthesized with the first alpha value indicates that the pixels in the original image are nearer to the virtual camera than the X-Y plane, the alpha-value synthesis section sets an alpha value used to synthesize the plurality of alpha-nonuniformity setting alpha-values into an alpha value which invalidates synthesis of the alpha-nonuninformity setting alpha-values.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 29, 2014
From: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
To: BANDAI NAMCO GAMES INC.
Reel/Frame 033061/0930 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 15, 2007
From: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
To: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
Reel/Frame 020206/0292 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Sep 10, 2007
From: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
To: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC
Reel/Frame 019834/0562 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 15, 2006
From: NAMCO LIMITED/NAMCO LTD.
To: NAMCO BANDAI GAMES INC.
Reel/Frame 017996/0786 →