JP2009151608A - Image formation method and image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation method forming a three-dimensional image displaying a two-dimensional image of an avatar image or the like on three-dimensional virtual space. <P>SOLUTION: In the image formation method, the three-dimensional image to be displayed on the three-dimensional virtual space is formed from the two-dimensional image, and it includes a first step of converting the two-dimensional image displayed on a plane coordinate system into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space, and a second step of plurally overlapping two-dimensional images in converted states, and forming the three-dimensional image having a thickness in an overlapping direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation method for generating a 3D image displayed on a 3D virtual space from a 2D image such as an avatar image, and an image display method for stereoscopically displaying the 2D image on the 3D virtual space. .

  Avatar is a character (or generic name of the service) that is a user's own character displayed in a virtual space provided by a website on the Internet, etc., and is a community service such as chat, bulletin board, e-mail, etc. Is provided by.

  Normally, an avatar is provided as a two-dimensional avatar (two-dimensional image) generated by overlaying decoration objects such as clothes and items on an avatar body object. Services that move freely and communicate with other avatars (other users) have appeared.

  As a method of displaying an avatar as a character that moves in such a three-dimensional virtual space, the conversion process of the two-dimensional avatar image corresponding to the three-dimensional virtual space is not performed, and the two-dimensional avatar image is directly converted into the three-dimensional virtual space. There is a way to display.

  However, if a two-dimensional avatar image that is a planar image is displayed as it is in the three-dimensional virtual space, the user feels uncomfortable with respect to movement in the three-dimensional virtual space due to the difference between the coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space and the planar coordinate system. Will be given. Therefore, for example, a plurality of three-dimensional images corresponding to each viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space are generated and stored in advance, and the three-dimensional corresponding to each viewpoint in the moving direction of the avatar moving in the three-dimensional virtual space. There is a technique for displaying an image. Thus, by preparing a dedicated three-dimensional image for displaying a three-dimensional virtual space, it is possible to enhance communication services in the three-dimensional virtual space using an avatar.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, four three-dimensional images corresponding to the three-dimensional coordinate system (X, Y, Z) of the three-dimensional virtual space are generated in advance for display of the three-dimensional virtual space, and the user's Each three-dimensional image corresponding to the moving direction according to the operation is displayed.

  Furthermore, as another method, for example, a 3D graphic avatar based on modeling and rendering is generated using a 3D graphic engine such as Microsoft's DIRECTX (registered trademark), and the avatar is three-dimensionally created in a virtual space. There is also a way to display.

  However, the conventional method for displaying an avatar three-dimensionally in a three-dimensional virtual space has the following problems.

  First, when holding a plurality of three-dimensional images of different viewpoints dedicated to display in the three-dimensional virtual space, as shown in FIG. You have to start from scratch. That is, the three-dimensional image between the viewpoints has no common display image, and a dedicated three-dimensional image must be generated for each virtual space (coordinate system), each viewpoint position, and each avatar. It is necessary to generate and hold these dedicated three-dimensional images for each user. Therefore, each part of the avatar body (arms and body) and clothes are different for each user due to the characteristics of the avatar, and since the user can arbitrarily change these parts and clothes, for example, parts, clothes, A 3D image corresponding to each viewpoint must be created for each decoration item, and the burden of creating an image for displaying in the 3D virtual space and the storage capacity of the image data increase.

  Second, when a 3D graphic engine such as DIRECTTX (registered trademark) is used to display an avatar in a three-dimensional manner, the user needs to have a high-performance graphic tool. In addition, since the 3D graphic tool has a high usage rate of the CPU and the memory, the display depends on the processing capability of the user's computer terminal and cannot provide a smooth and stable service.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation method for generating a three-dimensional image displayed on a three-dimensional virtual space from a two-dimensional image such as an avatar image.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image display method for stereoscopically displaying a two-dimensional image in a three-dimensional virtual space.

  An image generation method as one aspect of the present invention is an image generation method for generating a three-dimensional image displayed in a three-dimensional virtual space from a two-dimensional image, and the two-dimensional image displayed in a plane coordinate system is A first step of converting the coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space; a second step of generating a three-dimensional image having a thickness in the superimposed direction by superimposing a plurality of the converted two-dimensional images; , Including.

  In the image generation method, the first step geometrically transforms the two-dimensional image according to a predetermined viewpoint of the three-dimensional coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space, and the second step comprises a transformation. Generating a plurality of two-dimensional images in the processed state, and generating a three-dimensional image having a thickness in the direction by superimposing a plurality of the two-dimensional images in the direction of the viewpoint. Can do.

  An image display method according to another aspect of the present invention is an image display method for displaying a two-dimensional image three-dimensionally in a three-dimensional virtual space. A three-dimensional image having a thickness in the superimposed direction, which is generated by converting a plurality of two-dimensional images in the converted state into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space, A plurality of first steps generated according to a plurality of viewpoints, a three-dimensional image of the viewpoint corresponding to a direction or a moving direction in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the extracted three-dimensional image in the three-dimensional virtual space; And a second step of displaying.

  An avatar providing system according to still another aspect of the present invention is an avatar providing system including an avatar providing server that provides an avatar to a user of a user terminal connected through a network, and the avatar providing server includes: When the storage means for storing the two-dimensional avatar image of each user displayed in the plane coordinate system and the avatar display request in the three-dimensional virtual space from the user terminal are received, the three-dimensional virtual space is Virtual space providing means for providing, and the user terminal converts the two-dimensional avatar image into the coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space, and a plurality of the converted two-dimensional avatar images. The three-dimensional avatar image having a thickness in the superimposed direction generated by superimposing the images on a plurality of viewpoints in the three-dimensional virtual space. And a plurality of image generating means for generating the same, and extracting the 3D avatar image of the viewpoint corresponding to the direction or moving direction in the 3D virtual space, and displaying the extracted 3D avatar image in the 3D virtual space. Display control means.

  According to the image generation method of the present invention, a three-dimensional image is generated using a two-dimensional image in a plane coordinate system. For this reason, it is not necessary to create and maintain a separate three-dimensional image for displaying a three-dimensional virtual space, thereby reducing the work load.

  In addition, according to the image display method of the present invention, since a 3D image displayed on the virtual space is generated using a 2D image in a plane coordinate system, the 2D image is converted into a 3D virtual image with a minimum of processing. It is possible to display in three dimensions in space.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an avatar providing system to which an image generation method and an image display method of the present invention are applied. The avatar providing system according to the present embodiment performs an authentication process for an avatar providing server 100, a plurality of user terminals 300 connectable to the system via a network N such as the Internet, and a user who receives an avatar service provided by the system. The authentication server 200 to perform and the user information DB 400 are included. The user terminal 300 is a terminal device having a communication function and an arithmetic function, such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and a mobile communication terminal device such as a mobile phone.

  The avatar providing server 100 provides a user with a diary, a blog, an electronic bulletin board, a chat, an e-mail, and the like via a web page, and provides an avatar service in addition to or independently from these services.

  And in the avatar provision system of this embodiment, as a function accompanying an avatar, a 3D virtual space that can be shared by a plurality of users is provided, and the user's own avatar arranged in the 3D virtual space is displayed. Provide a 3D virtual space communication function that can be arbitrarily moved and communicate with other avatars (other users) through chat or the like.

  In addition, this system can also provide services other than an avatar, for example, a game service (game server), The aspect can also be comprised as a part of online game system. In addition, each server including the avatar providing server 100 and the authentication server 200 applies an individual server responsible for each function. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one server, for example, the avatar providing server 100 includes the authentication server 200. It is also possible to configure so that the avatar providing server 100 performs a user authentication process using information stored in the user information DB 400 by incorporating a function.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the avatar providing server 100 according to the present embodiment. The communication control unit 110 performs communication control with a plurality of user terminals 300 and communication control with the authentication server 200 via the network N, and the avatar. It includes a control unit (CPU) 120 that controls the entire providing server 100, an avatar control unit 130 that controls an avatar provided to each user, and an avatar storage unit 140 that stores avatar information for each user ID.

  The avatar control unit 130 provides a two-dimensional virtual space on the Internet, appears in the two-dimensional virtual space as a user's own alternation, and is arranged on the avatar and the virtual space according to an operation instruction from the user terminal 300. Control the avatar object that is played. The avatar object arranged in the two-dimensional virtual space together with the avatar is an avatar item (display item) in the two-dimensional virtual space such as a hairstyle, clothes, accessories, shoes, and the like added to the user's own avatar. Yes, the avatar control unit 130 controls the avatar operation on the two-dimensional virtual space in which the avatar item is mounted and equipped on the avatar. Actual processing for attaching an object to an avatar is performed by superimposing an avatar object image on an avatar image.

  In addition, the avatar control unit 130 provides a three-dimensional virtual space that can be shared by a plurality of users different from the virtual space in which only the normal user's own avatar is displayed, and the user in the three-dimensional virtual space Perform control based on the operation.

  The avatar provided to the user is stored in the avatar storage unit 140 as avatar information in which an item code of an avatar item attached to the avatar is associated with a user ID given to each user. The For example, for each avatar item ID, an avatar item table storing an item name and an attribute indicating which part (component) of the avatar is to be worn, and a plurality of one user ID An avatar information table storing avatar information associated with an avatar item ID is stored, and when the user logs in to the avatar service, the avatar information, the avatar item ID, and the like are obtained from these tables based on the user ID. The two-dimensional avatar image can be generated and displayed by superimposing the avatar image and the avatar object image.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of the user terminal 300 of the user. As shown in the figure, a user terminal 300 according to the present embodiment includes a communication control unit 310 that performs communication control with an avatar providing system via a network N, and a control unit (CPU) that controls the entire user terminal 300. 320, an image generation unit 330 that generates a 3D avatar image for stereoscopically displaying a 2D avatar image in a 3D virtual space, a display using the 3D avatar image generated by the image generation unit 330, and the like. A display control unit 340 that performs display control, a memory 350 that is a main storage device such as a RAM to which a three-dimensional image generated by the image generation unit 330 is loaded, an external interface 360, an operation input unit 370 (a keyboard, a mouse, Controller), a display interface 380, and a display unit 390 (display display).

  The user terminal 300 is installed with a content playback tool such as a WEB browser or Flash (registered trademark) for displaying a WEB page provided by the avatar providing server 100. The virtual space and the avatar of this embodiment are The information is provided to the user terminal 300 through the WEB browser or Flash. In other words, the virtual space and the avatar can be provided through the flash screen in a state where the virtual space and the avatar are incorporated in the WEB page as the flash content and independently of the WEB page.

  The image generation unit 330 generates a 3D avatar image for stereoscopically displaying the 2D avatar image of the user provided from the avatar providing server 100 in the 3D virtual space.

  4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the three-dimensional image generation method of the present embodiment. As described above, the avatar provided to the user terminal 300 from the avatar providing server 100 is a two-dimensional avatar image. Therefore, in this embodiment, a three-dimensional avatar image for three-dimensional display on a three-dimensional virtual space is generated from one two-dimensional avatar image.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image generation method according to the present embodiment is a three-dimensional coordinate in a three-dimensional virtual space in which the avatar providing server 100 provides a two-dimensional avatar image configured in a plane coordinate system of X ₂ Y ₂ coordinates. Geometrically transformed into the system (X ₃ , Y ₃ , Z ₃ ). Specifically, the X ₂ Y ₂ coordinates of the two-dimensional avatar image are coordinate-converted to three-dimensional coordinates X ₃ and Y ₃ . In the example of FIG. 4, the two-dimensional avatar image is coordinate-transformed into the three-dimensional coordinate system X ₃ Y ₃ in the three-dimensional virtual space, and a two-dimensional avatar image that is tilted with respect to the planar coordinate system X ₂ Y ₂ is generated. The This coordinate transformation can be realized by applying affine transformation, which is an existing image processing technique, and detailed description of the coordinate transformation processing is omitted.

Then, a two-dimensional avatar image in a state inclined been converted into 3-dimensional coordinate system multiple replicates, by superposing each of the two-dimensional avatar image duplicating, has a thickness d in the Z ₃ directions of the three-dimensional coordinate system A three-dimensional avatar image is generated. Note that the number of two-dimensional avatar images in an inclined state to be copied can be arbitrarily set.

  In the image generation method according to the present embodiment, a plurality of three-dimensional avatar images corresponding to a plurality of arbitrary viewpoints in the three-dimensional virtual space can be generated. In other words, avatars placed in the 3D virtual space can freely move in the space and communicate with other avatars, so that 3D avatar images corresponding to a plurality of predetermined viewpoints in the 3D virtual space are generated. To do. In other words, a three-dimensional avatar image for each of a plurality of viewpoints corresponding to the direction or moving direction of the three-dimensional virtual space is generated.

Specifically, the viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space is set to 16 directions, and 16 three-dimensional avatar images corresponding to the respective viewpoint positions are generated. First, a viewpoint in 16 directions is determined in advance with respect to the three-dimensional coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space provided to the user, and then the X ₂ Y ₂ coordinates of the two-dimensional avatar image are changed to X ₃ , Y of the three-dimensional coordinates. When the coordinate is converted to ₃ , it is geometrically converted into three-dimensional coordinates X ₃ ′ and Y ₃ ′ according to each viewpoint. As shown in FIG. 6, a total of 16 viewpoint positions of viewpoints 3a-1 to 3a-8 and 3b-1 to 3b-8 are determined, and a two-dimensional avatar image is converted for each viewpoint position in the three-dimensional virtual space. To do. A three-dimensional coordinate system adapted to each viewpoint by rotating a two-dimensional avatar image coordinate-converted into a three-dimensional coordinate system X ₃ Y ₃ in the three-dimensional virtual space around X _{3 with} respect to each viewpoint direction. It is also possible to perform a conversion process of a two-dimensional avatar image into In other words, the process of converting a two-dimensional avatar images for each viewpoint position of the three-dimensional virtual space in this embodiment, a two-dimensional avatar images to rotate together in the X ₃ around the respective viewpoints in the three-dimensional virtual space It can be understood as a coordinate conversion process for tilting at a predetermined angle.

  Thus, for example, the geometrically transformed 16 2 corresponding to each of the 16 viewpoints 3a-1 to 3a-8 and 3b-1 to 3b-8 by affine transformation on a three-dimensional space using a rotation matrix. A dimensional avatar image can be generated. Then, through the process of duplicating and superimposing in the direction of each viewpoint, the three-dimensional avatar images 3a-1 to 3a-8 and 3b-1 to 3b-8 corresponding to 16 viewpoints are generated.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, in order to clarify the direction of the avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space, the three-dimensional avatar image at the viewpoint corresponding to the back surface of the avatar is subjected to shadow processing. In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, the three-dimensional avatar images 3 a-5 to 3 a-8 and 3 b-1 to 3 b-4 are subjected to shadow processing corresponding to the back surface of the avatar. This shading process is performed on the two-dimensional avatar image converted into the three-dimensional coordinate system in accordance with each viewpoint or the generated three-dimensional avatar image. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the three-dimensional avatar images 3a-1 to 3a-4 and the three-dimensional avatar images 3b-1 to 3b-4 are in a correspondence relationship. In this case, after generating the three-dimensional avatar images 3a-1 to 3a-4, these three-dimensional avatar images are duplicated, and the three-dimensional avatar image 3b-1 is subjected to shadow processing on the duplicated three-dimensional avatar image. It is also possible to generate ˜3b-4. The three-dimensional avatar images 3a-5 to 3a-8 and the three-dimensional avatar images 3b-5 to 3b-8 are also in a correspondence relationship and can be generated in the same manner.

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, when the viewpoint of the three-dimensional virtual space is associated with the moving direction of the avatar, for example, when the two-dimensional avatar image changes or moves in the direction of the viewpoint 3b-6, the three-dimensional avatar image 3b. -6 is displayed. Further, when the direction is changed or moved in the direction of the viewpoint 3a-7, the three-dimensional avatar image 3a-7 subjected to the shading process is displayed.

  The display control unit 340 performs display control for displaying a plurality of three-dimensional avatar images generated by the image generation unit 330 according to the direction or moving direction of the avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space. In particular, in the present embodiment, the image generation unit 330 loads the generated three-dimensional avatar image into the memory 350, and the display control component 340 includes a three-dimensional virtual space from among the plurality of three-dimensional avatar images loaded into the memory 350. A three-dimensional avatar image that matches the direction or moving direction of the avatar is extracted and displayed in the three-dimensional virtual space.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the image generation method of the present embodiment. When the user selects the three-dimensional virtual space communication function, the image generation unit 330 of the user terminal 300 displays the two-dimensional avatar image of the user on the avatar providing server 100 or the user terminal 300. If it is stored, it is obtained from a storage unit (not shown) (3 step S701). In step S <b> 701, the viewpoint information of the three-dimensional virtual space provided from the avatar providing server 100 is received from the avatar providing server 100.

Then, based on the viewpoint information, the two-dimensional avatar image geometrically displayed in the planar coordinate system in accordance with the viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space is coordinate-transformed into the three-dimensional coordinate system (step S702), and the three-dimensional coordinate system multiple duplicate the two-dimensional avatar image converted (step S703), a plurality of 2-dimensional avatar image duplicating superposed in the direction of the viewpoint (step S704), the thickness d in the Z ₃ directions of the three-dimensional coordinate system Is generated (step S705). The three-dimensional avatar image generation processing from step S702 to S705 is generated for each viewpoint based on the viewpoint information of the three-dimensional virtual space (step S706), and a plurality of three-dimensional avatar images at each viewpoint are stored in the memory by the control unit 320. 350 is loaded.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the image display method of the present embodiment. The display control unit 340 detects avatar operation information in the three-dimensional virtual space provided from the avatar providing server 100. For example, by detecting the designation operation of the position of the mouse pointer or the position after the movement, the direction or moving direction of the avatar can be determined from the detected position of the mouse pointer and the position where the current avatar is displayed. (Step S801). The display control unit 340 determines a viewpoint corresponding to the determined direction or movement direction, or a viewpoint closest to the determined direction or movement direction, and the memory 350 extracts a three-dimensional avatar image corresponding to the viewpoint ( Step S802). Then, the display control unit 340 performs control to display the extracted three-dimensional avatar image in the three-dimensional virtual space and movement control of the three-dimensional avatar image in the three-dimensional virtual space (step S803).

  For example, when the position of the mouse pointer is located at the viewpoint 3a-3 with respect to the currently displayed position, the display control unit 340 generates the three-dimensional avatar image 3a generated corresponding to the viewpoint 3a-3. -3 is extracted and displayed in the three-dimensional virtual space. Further, when the moving direction of the avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space changes continuously, a change in the moving direction can be detected and a three-dimensional avatar image of the viewpoint corresponding to the changed moving direction can be displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the avatar providing system to which the image generation method and the image display method of the present embodiment are applied.

  As shown in the figure, the user who receives the avatar service connects to the avatar providing server 100 via the network N from the user terminal 300. The user inputs the user ID and password from the login screen provided by the avatar providing server, and the avatar providing server 100 transmits the received user ID and password to the authentication server 200, and the authentication result is sent from the authentication server 200. Receive (steps S301 and S101).

  When the login authentication is completed normally, the avatar providing server 100 transmits a WEB screen for providing the avatar service to the user terminal 300 and causes the user terminal 300 to display the web screen. The user selects the 3D virtual space community service displayed on the WEB screen, and when a plurality of 3D virtual spaces (community rooms) are provided, one of the plurality of 3D virtual spaces is selected. A three-dimensional virtual space (community virtual space) is selected (step S302). In response to the selection operation of the three-dimensional virtual space, the image generation unit 330 acquires the two-dimensional avatar image provided by the avatar providing server 100 (step S303), and based on the viewpoint information of the selected three-dimensional virtual space. A plurality of three-dimensional avatar images are generated (step S304).

  The generated three-dimensional avatar image is loaded into the memory 350 (step S305), and the avatar providing server 100 confirms that the three-dimensional avatar image is loaded into the memory 350, and then the three-dimensional virtual image selected by the user. A space is provided to the user terminal 300 (step 102).

  Next, the display control unit 340 performs display control using the three-dimensional avatar image loaded in the memory 350 when the three-dimensional virtual space is provided or the image generation process of the image generation unit 330 is terminated. The display control unit 340 detects the user's avatar operation in the three-dimensional virtual space, and determines the direction or moving direction of the avatar (step S306). The display control unit 340 determines a viewpoint corresponding to the determined orientation or movement direction, or a viewpoint closest to the determined direction or movement direction, and the memory 350 extracts a three-dimensional avatar image corresponding to the viewpoint ( Step S307). Then, the display control unit 340 performs control for displaying the extracted 3D avatar image in the 3D virtual space and movement control of the 3D avatar image in the 3D virtual space (step S308).

  Thus, the image generation method of this embodiment generates a three-dimensional avatar image to be displayed in a three-dimensional virtual space using a two-dimensional avatar image provided as a planar image. That is, a plurality of three-dimensional images are generated from one two-dimensional image, and each of the plurality of three-dimensional images is generated from one common two-dimensional image. It is not necessary to create a separate 3D avatar image for displaying a 3D virtual space as in the conventional case, and the avatar providing server 100 does not need to separately hold a 3D avatar in addition to the 2D avatar. The work burden on the side is reduced.

  Furthermore, the three-dimensional avatar image of the present embodiment is generated by overlapping a plurality of two-dimensional avatar images. For this reason, since the data capacity per one three-dimensional avatar image is smaller than a dedicated three-dimensional avatar created separately, the burden of image generation processing is reduced.

  In the image display method of the present embodiment, by utilizing this image generation method, it is possible to display a two-dimensional image three-dimensionally in a three-dimensional virtual space with minimal processing. That is, since the 3D avatar image of the present embodiment uses the 2D avatar image as it is, it is possible to generate the 3D avatar image with a small amount of processing without drawing the 3D avatar image from scratch. Since each of the generated three-dimensional avatar images has a small data capacity, display control can be performed in a state of being loaded in the memory 350.

  Accordingly, it is possible to quickly display an avatar in a three-dimensional virtual space, and it is possible to provide a three-dimensional virtual space community service that is highly responsive to user operations, and DIRECTX (registered trademark). Therefore, it is possible to provide a smooth and stable avatar service that reduces the processing load on the user terminal 300.

  As a modified example (first modified example) of the avatar providing system, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the image generation process of the present embodiment can be performed on the avatar providing server 100 side. As shown in the figure, the image generation processing from step S1001 to step S1002 (corresponding to steps S303 to S304 in FIG. 9) is performed by the avatar providing server 100, and the generated three-dimensional avatar image is transmitted to the user terminal 300. (Step S1003). Since other processes are the same as those in FIG. 9, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted. In the example of FIG. 10, the image generation unit 330 is provided in the avatar providing server 100.

  As another modification (second modification), rather than generating a plurality of three-dimensional avatar images in advance and loading them into the memory 350, the direction or moving direction of the avatar in the three-dimensional virtual space is detected. In this case, it is also possible to configure to generate a three-dimensional avatar image of the corresponding viewpoint each time.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the display control unit 340 does not perform display control using the three-dimensional avatar image loaded in the memory 350 but detects and determines the user's avatar operation in the three-dimensional virtual space. The viewpoint corresponding to the orientation or movement direction of the avatar or the viewpoint closest to the determined orientation or movement direction is determined, and a three-dimensional avatar image corresponding to the viewpoint is generated from the two-dimensional avatar image (step S1101). Then, the display control unit 340 performs control to display the generated three-dimensional avatar image in the three-dimensional virtual space and movement control of the three-dimensional avatar image in the three-dimensional virtual space (step S1102).

  In the modification shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, since a plurality of three-dimensional avatar images are generated from one common two-dimensional avatar image as described above, the image processing burden is reduced, and the three-dimensional avatar image is also generated. This is a modification realized because the data capacity per one is small.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, an avatar has been described as an example. That is, when a character or game object generated with a two-dimensional image is displayed in a three-dimensional virtual space, it is possible to generate and display a three-dimensional image from the two-dimensional image. For example, a two-dimensional image such as a game character or merchandise such as online sales can be displayed three-dimensionally in a three-dimensional virtual space.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the three-dimensional avatar image of each viewpoint corresponding to the moving direction at the time of avatar moving on the three-dimensional virtual space is produced | generated. For this reason, normally, a two-dimensional avatar image is arranged in a two-dimensional virtual space and displayed to a user. However, when the virtual space in which the two-dimensional avatar image is displayed is a three-dimensional virtual space, the image of the present invention. By applying the generation method and the image display method, it is also possible to realize the rotation display of the avatar without movement, that is, the display control in which the avatar direction is changed.

  In addition, the image generation method and the image display method of the present invention can be applied even if the three-dimensional virtual space of the above embodiment is a space having a coordinate system of a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. In this case, XY in the plane coordinate system of the two-dimensional image and XY in the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system are the same coordinate system, but the two-dimensional image is converted into a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and the converted two-dimensional image A plurality of images can be superimposed, and a three-dimensional image having a thickness in the superimposed direction can be generated.

  In addition to the above-described hardware configurations, each server in the above embodiment includes operation input means such as a keyboard, mouse, and scanner, display means such as a liquid crystal display, output means such as a printer and a speaker, a main storage device (memory ), An auxiliary storage device (such as a hard disk) or the like, and these means can also be provided in the user terminal. Control of each means is performed by a control means (CPU) that controls the server or the entire computer (not shown).

  The image generation method and the image display method of the present invention are realized as a program for causing a computer to function, and are provided to a user terminal in a state recorded on a computer-readable recording medium or through a network such as the Internet. Computer-readable recording media include optical disks such as CD-ROM, phase change optical disks such as DVD-ROM, magneto-optical disks such as MO (Magnet Optical) and MD (Mini Disk), floppy (registered trademark) disks, Examples include magnetic disks such as removable hard disks, memory cards such as compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, SD memory cards, and memory sticks.

  In addition, although specific embodiment was described in detailed description of this invention, it can change variously within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but should be determined based on the description of the scope of claims and equivalents thereof.

It is a block diagram of the avatar provision system in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the avatar providing server in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the user terminal in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the image generation method in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the three-dimensional image produced | generated by the image production | generation method of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the correspondence of each 3D image of FIG. 5, and each some viewpoint of 3D virtual space. It is the flowchart which showed the processing flow of the image generation method in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the processing flow of the image display method in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the processing flow of the avatar provision system to which the image generation method and image display method in 1st Embodiment of this invention were applied. It is the flowchart which showed the 1st modification of the processing flow of the avatar provision system to which the image generation method and image display method of FIG. 9 were applied. It is the flowchart which showed the 2nd modification of the processing flow of the avatar provision system to which the image generation method and image display method of FIG. 9 were applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the conventional image generation method and image display method.

Explanation of symbols

100 Avatar providing server 110 Communication control unit 120 Control unit (CPU)
130 avatar control unit 140 avatar storage unit 200 authentication server 300 user terminal 310 communication control unit 320 control unit (CPU)
330 Image Generation Unit 340 Display Control Unit 350 Memory 360 External Interface 370 Operation Input Unit 380 Display Interface 390 Display Unit 400 User Information DB

Claims (14)

An image generation method for generating a three-dimensional image displayed on a three-dimensional virtual space from a two-dimensional image,
A first step of converting a two-dimensional image displayed in a plane coordinate system into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space;
A second step of superposing a plurality of the two-dimensional images in the converted state and generating a three-dimensional image having a thickness in the superposed direction;
An image generation method comprising: The first step includes
Transforming the two-dimensional image geometrically in accordance with a predetermined viewpoint of a three-dimensional coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space;
The second step includes
Generating a plurality of two-dimensional images in a converted state;
The image generating method according to claim 1, further comprising: superposing a plurality of the two-dimensional images in the direction of the viewpoint to generate the three-dimensional image having a thickness in the direction. The first step geometrically transforms one two-dimensional image according to each of a plurality of viewpoints of the coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space,
The second step generates a plurality of the three-dimensional images having thicknesses in the directions of the respective viewpoints by superimposing a plurality of the converted two-dimensional images in the directions of the corresponding viewpoints. The image generation method according to claim 1. An image generation program for generating a three-dimensional image displayed on a three-dimensional virtual space from a two-dimensional image,
A function of converting a two-dimensional image displayed in a plane coordinate system into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space;
A function of superimposing a plurality of the two-dimensional images in the converted state and generating a three-dimensional image having a thickness in the superimposed direction;
An image generation program for realizing An image generation device that generates a three-dimensional image displayed on a three-dimensional virtual space from a two-dimensional image,
Conversion means for converting a two-dimensional image displayed in a plane coordinate system into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space;
An image generation apparatus comprising: an image generation unit configured to superimpose a plurality of the converted two-dimensional images and generate a three-dimensional image having a thickness in the superimposed direction. An image display method for stereoscopically displaying a two-dimensional image in a three-dimensional virtual space,
A thickness in the superimposed direction generated by converting a two-dimensional image displayed in a planar coordinate system into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space and superposing a plurality of the two-dimensional images in the converted state. A first step of generating a plurality of three-dimensional images according to a plurality of viewpoints of the three-dimensional virtual space;
A second step of extracting a three-dimensional image of the viewpoint corresponding to a direction or a moving direction in the three-dimensional virtual space, and displaying the extracted three-dimensional image in the three-dimensional virtual space;
An image display method comprising: Loading the plurality of generated three-dimensional images into a memory;
The image display method according to claim 6, wherein the second step extracts a three-dimensional image corresponding to the direction or the moving direction from the plurality of three-dimensional images loaded in the memory. An image display program for stereoscopically displaying a two-dimensional image in a three-dimensional virtual space,
A thickness in the superimposed direction generated by converting a two-dimensional image displayed in a planar coordinate system into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space and superposing a plurality of the two-dimensional images in the converted state. A function of generating a plurality of three-dimensional images according to a plurality of viewpoints of the three-dimensional virtual space;
A function of extracting a three-dimensional image of the viewpoint corresponding to a direction or a moving direction in the three-dimensional virtual space, and displaying the extracted three-dimensional image in the three-dimensional virtual space;
An image display program for realizing An image display device that stereoscopically displays a two-dimensional image in a three-dimensional virtual space,
3 having a thickness in the direction generated by converting a two-dimensional image displayed in a plane coordinate system into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space and superimposing a plurality of the two-dimensional images in the converted state. Image generating means for generating a plurality of three-dimensional images according to a plurality of viewpoints of the three-dimensional virtual space;
Display control means for extracting a three-dimensional image of the viewpoint corresponding to a direction or a moving direction in the three-dimensional virtual space, and displaying the extracted three-dimensional image in the three-dimensional virtual space. Image display device. An image display method for stereoscopically displaying a two-dimensional image displayed in a plane coordinate system in a three-dimensional virtual space,
A first step of determining a direction or a moving direction when the two-dimensional image is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space;
A second step of geometrically transforming the two-dimensional image in accordance with a predetermined viewpoint of the coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space corresponding to the determined direction or moving direction;
A third step of generating a three-dimensional image having a thickness in the direction by superimposing a plurality of the converted two-dimensional images in the direction of the viewpoint;
A fourth step of displaying the generated three-dimensional image in the three-dimensional virtual space;
An image display method comprising: An avatar providing system including an avatar providing server that provides an avatar to a user of a user terminal connected through a network,
The avatar providing server is
Storage means for storing a two-dimensional avatar image of each user displayed in a plane coordinate system;
Virtual space providing means for providing a three-dimensional virtual space when receiving an avatar display request in the three-dimensional virtual space from the user terminal;
The user terminal is
A three-dimensional image having a thickness in the superimposed direction generated by converting the two-dimensional avatar image into a coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space and overlapping a plurality of the converted two-dimensional avatar images. Image generating means for generating a plurality of avatar images according to a plurality of viewpoints of the three-dimensional virtual space;
Display control means for extracting the 3D avatar image of the viewpoint corresponding to a direction or a moving direction in the 3D virtual space, and displaying the extracted 3D avatar image in the 3D virtual space;
An image display system comprising: An avatar providing system including an avatar providing server that provides an avatar to a user of a user terminal connected through a network,
The avatar providing server is
Storage means for storing a two-dimensional avatar image of each user displayed in a plane coordinate system;
3D virtual space providing means for providing a 3D virtual space when receiving an avatar display request in the 3D virtual space from the user terminal;
A three-dimensional avatar image having a thickness in the superimposed direction generated by superimposing a plurality of the two-dimensional avatar images converted into the coordinate system of the three-dimensional virtual space, Image generating means for generating a plurality of images according to the viewpoint,
The user terminal is
The 3D avatar image of the viewpoint corresponding to the direction or the moving direction in the 3D virtual space is extracted from the plurality of 3D avatar images transmitted from the avatar providing server, and the extracted 3D avatar image is Display control means for displaying in the three-dimensional virtual space;
An image display system comprising:   The image generation means performs shadow processing on the converted two-dimensional avatar image or the generated three-dimensional avatar image when generating the three-dimensional avatar image of the viewpoint corresponding to the back side of the avatar. The image display system according to claim 11 or 12,   A computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to claim 4 or 8.

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