Image display apparatus, image display method, and image display system
AssigneeSony Computer Entertainment Inc.
InventorKeiichiro Toyama
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image display apparatus which realizes a new visual effect is provided. According to a game apparatus 10 of the present invention, images from the viewpoints of a plurality of characters in a virtual space can be switched arbitrarily. A first processing unit 22 is in charge of an image from the viewpoint of a main character, and a second processing unit 24 is in charge of images from the viewpoints of sub characters. When this technology is applied to a game, it is possible to recognize the position of one's own main character and the like from the images from the viewpoints of the sub characters. This makes it possible to realize a new visual effect and enhance gameability.
Claims18
An image display apparatus comprising:
- a first processing unit which displays a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to he operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- a second processing unit which switches an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second moving object out of moving objects other than the first moving object, and displaying the same, wherein
- the second processing unit displays the sub image from the viewpoint of the second moving object which lies in a direction instructed by the user with respect to the first moving object, out of the moving objects other than the first moving object.
An image display apparatus comprising:
- a first processing unit which displays a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- a second processing unit which switches an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second moving object out of moving objects other than the first moving object, and displaying the same;
- a storing unit which stores the second moving object;
- and
- an operation unit for the user to make an image-related operation from, wherein
- if the operation unit is operated while the sub image from the viewpoint of the second moving object is displayed, the storing unit stores the second moving object in association with the state of operation.
An image display apparatus comprising:
- a first processing unit which displays a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- a second processing unit which switches an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second moving object out of moving objects other than the first moving object, and displaying the same, wherein
- when the second processing unit displays the sub image, the second processing unit indicates with a symbol a direction where the first moving object is if there is an obstruction between the second moving object and the first moving object.
An image display apparatus comprising:
- a first processing unit which displays a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- a second processing unit which switches an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second moving object out of moving objects other than the first moving object, and displaying the same, wherein
- when the second processing unit displays the sub image, the second processing unit applies processing to sound corresponding to the sub image or definition of the sub image in accordance with a distance between the first moving object and the second moving object.
An image display method comprising:
- calculating a direction where a second moving object is with respect to a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- displaying an image from a viewpoint of the second moving object if a direction instructed by the user and the direction determined by the calculation coincide with each other.
An image display method comprising:
- a first step of displaying a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- a second step of switching an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second moving object out of moving objects other than the first moving object, and displaying the same, wherein
- the second step includes a step of displaying the sub image from the viewpoint of the second moving object which lies in a direction instructed by the user with respect to the first moving object, out of the moving objects other than the first moving object.
A program for making a computer exercise;
- a first function for displaying a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- a second function for switching an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second moving object out of moving objects other than the first moving object, and displaying the same, wherein
- the second function displays the sub image from the viewpoint of a second moving object which lies in a direction instructed by the user with respect to the first moving object, out of the moving objects other than the first moving object.
A computer-readable recording medium containing a program for making a computer exercise:
- a first function for displaying a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- a second function for switching an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second moving object out of moving objects other than the first moving object, and displaying the same, wherein
- the second function displays the sub image from the viewpoint of a second moving object which lies in a direction instructed by the user with respect to the first moving object, out of the moving objects other than the first moving object.
An image display apparatus comprising:
- a management unit which performs progress management on a game where scenarios progress based on linkage of a plurality of characters;
- a storing unit which stores predetermined order of progression of scenarios in advance;
- and
- a processing unit which displays an image associating a state of progress of the game and the order of progression of scenarios with the plurality of characters.
An image display method comprising:
- performing progress management on a game where scenarios progress based on linkage of a plurality of characters;
- storing predetermined order of progression of scenarios in advance;
- and
- displaying an image associating a state of progress of the game and the order of progression of scenarios with the plurality of characters.
A program for making a computer exercise:
- a function for performing progress management on a game where scenarios progress based on linkage of a plurality of characters;
- a function for storing predetermined order of progression of scenarios in advance;
- and
- a function for displaying an image associating a state of progress of the game and the order of progression of scenarios with the plurality of characters.
A computer-readable recording medium containing a program for making a computer exercise:
- a function for performing progress management on a game where scenarios progress based on linkage of a plurality of characters;
- a function for storing predetermined order of progression of scenarios in advance;
- and
- a function for displaying an image associating a state of progress of the game and the order of progression of scenarios with the plurality of characters.
An image display system comprising a plurality of image display apparatuses connected via a network, movements of moving objects to be operated by users of the respective image display apparatuses in a virtual space being reflected upon images of the other image display apparatuses, the image display apparatuses each including:
- a first processing unit which displays a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by its user in the virtual space;
- and
- a second processing unit which switches an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second object to be operated by another user, and displaying the same, wherein
- the second processing unit displays the sub image from the viewpoint of the second moving object which lies in a direction instructed by the user with respect to the first moving object, out of the moving objects other than the first moving object.
A method of displaying images on a plurality of image display apparatuses connected via a network, the method comprising:
- a first step of displaying a main image from a viewpoint of a first moving object to be operated by a user in a virtual space;
- and
- a second step of switching an image from the main image to a sub image from a viewpoint of a second object to be operated by another user, and displaying the same, wherein
- the second step includes a step of displaying the sub image from the viewpoint of the second moving object which lies in a direction instructed by the user with respect to the first moving object, out of the moving objects other than the first moving object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.