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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus connected to a
message communication system in which a plurality of user terminals are
interconnected, and messages are exchanged among the plurality of user
terminals. The communication apparatus is utilized in the form of such a
user terminal.
Recently, there has been developed a message communication system referred
to as a so-called chat system in which messages are exchanged between user
terminals through a so-called personal computer communication and the
like.
FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of a message communication system
comprising so-called servers and clients.
A plurality of user terminals, or a plurality of client computers
100.sub.-- 1, 100.sub.-- 2, . . . , 100.sub.-- n are connected through a
communication network 200 to a host computer 300 which serves as a server,
so as to exchange messages among the client computers 100.sub.-- 1,
100.sub.-- 2, . . . , 100.sub.-- n via the host computer 300.
In such a message communication system, there is known a system comprising
a common virtual world when the system is viewed as a whole, and the
client computers 100.sub.-- 1, 100.sub.-- 2, . . . , 100.sub.-- n having
their own symbols referred to as so-called avatars, in which the client
computer, who intends to have a message exchange or communication,
displays an its display screen the virtual world and avatars or symbols of
the clients entered the virtual world just as if a plurality of clients,
who are of interest in communication, enter the virtual world and have
conversations.
FIG. 17 is an illustration showing exemplarily a display image of a client
computer in which the virtual world and symbols as mentioned above are
displayed.
In a virtual world display area 111 of a display screen 110 illustrated in
FIG. 17, four persons (symbols of four clients) are displayed, and the
total five persons including one's own self enter the same scene (virtual
space) in the virtual world. A message exchange is performed among these
five persons (five client computers). In a message display area 112 of the
display screen 110, there are displayed messages exchanged among those
five persons entered (five client computers). A click of scroll buttons
113a and 113b with the use of a mouse (not illustrated) makes it possible
to scroll the display content in the message display area 112.
In a case where a virtual space is displayed on a display screen, a
two-dimensional image, which can be displayed on the display screen, is
plotted on the basis of graphic data representative of a three-dimensional
figure. In this case, when the two-dimensional image is plotted, there is
raised a problem that the virtual space is seen from what viewpoint
position and in what eyes direction. According to the explanation made
referred to FIG. 17, it is assumed that the images shown in FIG. 17 have
been plotted on the basis of a viewpoint element (viewpoint position and
eyes direction) of the symbol of one's own self.
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a client
computer adapted to perform a plotting in accordance with the viewpoint
element of the symbol of one's own self.
In FIG. 18, an viewpoint element determining means 11 determines a
viewpoint element of the symbol of one's own self, that is, viewpoint
position and eyes direction, on the basis of a symbol element 1
representative of a coordinate position in a virtual space of the symbol
of one's own self (oneself client), a direction which the symbol looks
toward, and the like.
A two-dimensional image producing means 12 produces two-dimensional images
in case of looking based on the viewpoint element of the symbol of one's
own self a virtual space in which the symbol of one's own self is located.
The client computer shown in FIG. 18 is provided with an image display unit
14 having a display screen 14a on which images are displayed. A plotting
means 13 plots on the display screen 14a of the image display unit 14 the
two-dimensional images produced by the two-dimensional image producing
means 12.
In the client computer, thus, the two-dimensional images as shown in FIG.
17 are displayed on the display screen 14a.
In this manner, when the two-dimensional images are displayed on the basis
of the viewpoint element of the symbol of one's own self, images looking
through eyes of the symbol of one's own self are displayed. Consequently,
there will be obtained the reality as if one's own self enters the virtual
space. However, the symbol of one's own self is not displayed on the
two-dimensional images. According to the recent system, there is provided
a delicate constitution such that symbols can make various performances,
for example, changing their expression in several ways and raising their
hands, by client's operation. However, there is a problem such that even
if expression and performance of the symbol of one's own self are changed
by the operation of oneself client, one's own self cannot confirm the
expression and performance of one's own symbol on the display screen of
oneself client.
In order to solve such a problem, it is considered that two-dimensional
image based on a viewpoint element different from that of the symbol of
one's own self, for example, such a two-dimensional image that one's own
self sees from the seats a movie in which one's own self appears on the
scene, is produced and displayed on a display screen. In this case, while
oneself client can confirm the expression and performance of one's own
symbol on the display screen of oneself client, it will be difficult for
oneself client to have an impression such that one's own self enters the
virtual world.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present
invention to provide a communication apparatus, which is adapted to be
used in the form of the above-mentioned client, having a plotting system
well matched with respect to a point such that two-dimensional images in
the virtual space are plotted on the basis of what viewpoint element.
To attain the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention,
there is provided a first communication apparatus, adapted to be used as a
user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a
plurality of user terminals (clients) are interconnected, the plurality of
user terminals sharing virtual spaces and symbols each defined for an
associated one of the user terminals and appended with an associated
viewpoint element consisting of a viewpoint position and a view point
direction in the virtual space, and messages are exchanged among the
plurality of user terminals while an image of the virtual space in which
the symbols are arranged is displayed in the respective user terminals,
said communication apparatus comprising:
an image display unit having a display screen for displaying images;
viewpoint element input means for inputting a viewpoint element to produce
an image representative of the virtual space to be displayed on the
display screen of said image display unit;
image producing means for producing an image representative of the virtual
space in case of looking at a viewpoint direction constituting the
viewpoint element inputted by said viewpoint element input means from a
viewpoint position constituting the viewpoint element; and
plotting means for plotting the image produced by said image producing
means on the display screen of said image display unit.
According to the first communication apparatus of the present invention,
there is provided the viewpoint element input means for inputting a
viewpoint element. When it is desired for an operator to have an
expression such that one's own self enters the virtual world, the
viewpoint element is inputted through the viewpoint element input means in
such a manner that a two-dimensional image based on the viewpoint element
of a symbol of one's own self is produced. And when it is desired for the
operator to confirm expressions and movements of one's own symbol, a
viewpoint element other than the viewpoint element involved in the symbol
of one's own self, for example, a viewpoint direction looking at one's own
symbol from a viewpoint position in front of the symbol of one's own self
is inputted through the viewpoint element input means. In this manner, it
is possible to perform such a confirmation.
It is acceptable that the viewpoint element input means is provided with a
handler for optionally designating a viewpoint position and a viewpoint
direction, for example, a mouse and a track ball, alternatively, the
viewpoint element input means is provided with a plurality of push buttons
or the like each corresponding to the associated one of a plurality of
viewpoint elements, for example, a viewpoint element of one's own symbol,
a viewpoint element looking at one's own symbol from the front, and the
like.
To attain the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention,
there is provided a second communication apparatus, adapted to be used as
a user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a
plurality of user terminals (clients) are interconnected, the plurality of
user terminals sharing virtual spaces and symbols each defined for an
associated one of the user terminals and appended with an associated
viewpoint element consisting of a viewpoint position and a view point
direction in the virtual space, and messages are exchanged among the
plurality of user terminals while an image of the virtual space in which
the symbols are arranged is displayed in the respective user terminals,
said communication apparatus comprising:
an image display unit having a display screen for displaying images;
viewpoint element automatic determining means for sequentially altering a
viewpoint element to produce an image representative of the virtual space
to be displayed on the display screen of said image display unit;
image producing means for producing an image representative of the virtual
space in case of looking at a viewpoint direction constituting the
viewpoint element inputted by said viewpoint element automatic determining
means from a viewpoint position constituting the viewpoint element; and
plotting means for plotting the image produced by said image producing
means on the display screen of said image display unit.
According to the second communication apparatus of the present invention,
there is provided the viewpoint element automatic determining means for
sequentially altering a viewpoint element. This feature makes it possible
to obtain sequentially, for example, an opportunity to confirm expressions
and movements of one's own symbol and an opportunity to have an impression
such that one's own self enters in the virtual world.
To attain the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention,
there is provided a third communication apparatus, adapted to be used as a
user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a
plurality of user terminals (clients) are interconnected, the plurality of
user terminals sharing virtual spaces and symbols each defined for an
associated one of the user terminals and appended with an associated
viewpoint element consisting of a viewpoint position and a view point
direction in the virtual space, and messages are exchanged among the
plurality of user terminals while an image of the virtual space in which
the symbols are arranged is displayed in the respective user terminals,
said communication apparatus comprising:
an image display unit having a display screen for displaying images;
image producing means for producing a plurality of images representative of
the virtual spaces each based on an associated one of a plurality of
viewpoint elements; and
plotting means for plotting a plurality of images produced by said image
producing means on the display screen of said image display unit.
According to the third communication apparatus of the present invention,
there are displayed on the display screen a plurality of images based on a
plurality of viewpoint elements. This feature makes it possible to look at
one virtual space from mutually different plural angles.
To attain the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention,
there is provided a fourth communication apparatus, adapted to be used as
a user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a
plurality of user terminals (clients) are interconnected, the plurality of
user terminals sharing virtual spaces and symbols each defined for an
associated one of the user terminals and appended with an associated
viewpoint element consisting of a viewpoint position and a view point
direction in the virtual space, and messages are exchanged among the
plurality of user terminals while an image of the virtual space in which
the symbols are arranged is displayed in the respective user terminals,
said communication apparatus comprising:
an image display unit having a display screen for displaying images;
image producing means for producing an image representative of the virtual
space in case of looking at a viewpoint direction constituting a viewpoint
element of a symbol defined on a communication apparatus of one's own self
from a viewpoint position constituting the viewpoint element; and
plotting means for plotting both the image produced by said image producing
means and the symbol defined on the communication apparatus of one's own
self on the display screen of said image display unit.
According to the fourth communication apparatus of the present invention,
while a viewpoint element in plotting the virtual space is, similar to the
conventional one, the viewpoint element of the symbol of one's own self,
the symbol of one's own self is displayed in combination with the image of
the virtual space. This feature makes it possible for an operator to have
an impression such that one's own self enters the virtual world, and also
to confirm expressions and movements of the symbol of one's own self.
To attain the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention,
there is provided a fifth communication apparatus, adapted to be used as a
user terminal, connected to a message communication system in which a
plurality of user terminals (clients) are interconnected, the plurality of
user terminals sharing virtual spaces and symbols each defined for an
associated one of the user terminals and appended with an associated
viewpoint element consisting of a viewpoint position and a view point
direction in the virtual space, and messages are exchanged among the
plurality of user terminals while an image of the virtual space in which
the symbols are arranged is displayed in the respective user terminals,
said communication apparatus comprising:
an image display unit having a display screen for displaying images;
image producing means for producing an image representative of the virtual
space in case of looking at a viewpoint direction constituting a viewpoint
element applied to anyone of symbols arranged in the virtual space except
for a symbol defined on a communication apparatus of one's own self from a
viewpoint position constituting the viewpoint element; and
plotting means for plotting the image produced by said image producing
means on the display screen of said image display unit.
In the fifth communication apparatus of the present invention, it is
preferable that said plotting means plots on the display screen of said
image display unit both the image produced by said image producing means
and the symbol having the viewpoint element involved in producing of said
image produced by said image producing means.
As one technique adopting a viewpoint element different from the viewpoint
element of the symbol of one's own self, according to the fifth
communication apparatus of the present invention, there is utilized a
viewpoint element of another symbol except for the symbol of one's own
self.
In such case, it happens that a symbol of another person using the
viewpoint element mentioned above is not displayed on the display screen.
In view of this matter, according to the fifth communication apparatus of
the present invention, the symbol of the another person is displayed in
combination with the image of the virtual space. This feature makes it
possible to confirm expressions and movements of the symbol of the another
person.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the first
communication apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the function of the
first communication apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the second
communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the function of the
second communication apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the third
communication apparatus according to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the function of the
third communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a diagram used for the explanation of images produced by the
third communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the fourth
communication apparatus according to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the function of the
fourth communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the fifth
communication apparatus according to still another embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a
modification of the fifth communication apparatus according to still
another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a
communication apparatus as a combined system of the first, second, third
and fifth communication apparatuses of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the function of the
communication apparatus shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a
communication apparatus as a combined system of the first, second, third,
fourth and fifth communication apparatuses of the present invention, the
communication apparatus having a function of displaying two-dimensional
images in the virtual space and images of symbols as well on a parallel
basis;
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the function of the
communication apparatus shown in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of a message communication system
comprising so-called servers and clients;
FIG. 17 is an illustration showing exemplarily a display image of a client
computer in which the virtual world and symbols as mentioned above are
displayed; and
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a client
computer adapted to perform a plotting in accordance with the viewpoint
element of the symbol of one's own self.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, there will be described embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the first
communication apparatus according to one embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the
function of the first communication apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a viewpoint element input
means 15 for inputting viewpoint elements. The viewpoint element input
means 15 is provided with a handler, for example, a mouse and the like.
When a menu screen shown in part (A) of FIG. 2 is opened on the display
screen 14a and an icon of "option" is clicked through the mouse operation,
a "camera set" appears as one of the sub-menus of the "option". Then, an
icon of "camera set" is clicked. As a result, a camera set of screen
appears as shown in part (B) of FIG. 2. The camera set of screen is a
screen for setting up position and direction (or viewpoint elements) of a
camera for projecting a virtual space onto the display screen. The
viewpoint elements are entered by means of sequentially inputting on a
numerical basis positions and directions of directions x, y and z through
a keyboard.
A direction (dx, dy, dz) of a camera represents that the camera looks
toward the point defined by (dx, dy, dz). According to the example shown
in part (B) of FIG. 2, the position (x, y, z)=(0, 0, 0) and the direction
(dx, dy, dz)=(1, 0, 1). This means that the camera is set up to the origin
of the virtual space and is turned toward a direction looking at the point
of (x, z)=(1, 1) on an x-z plane from the set up position.
A two-dimensional image producing means 12 shown in FIG. 1 produces
two-dimensional images of the virtual space in accordance with the
viewpoint elements thus entered.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the second
communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the
function of the second communication apparatus shown in FIG. 3.
The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 3 has a viewpoint element
automatic determining means 16. As shown in FIG. 4, assuming that there
are provided camera position (x, y, z)=(sin.theta., 1, cos.theta.) and the
camera direction (dx, dy, dz)=(1, 0, 1), the viewpoint element automatic
determining means 16 moves the camera in a direction such that .theta.
increases .pi./180 by .pi./180 every one second. In other words, the
viewpoint element automatic determining means 16 moves the camera to turn
for 360.degree. every six minutes on an x-y plane at y=1, while always
turning eyes of the camera toward a direction looking at the y-axis. In
this manner, according to the viewpoint element automatic determining
means 16, the viewpoint elements are automatically sequentially altered in
accordance with a predetermined program. A two-dimensional image producing
means 12 shown in FIG. 3 produces two-dimensional images in the virtual
space in accordance with the updated viewpoint elements, whenever the
viewpoint elements are updated.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the third
communication apparatus according to still another embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view useful for understanding
the function of the third communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7
is a diagram used for the explanation of images produced by the third
communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5 has a plural viewpoint elements
determining means 17 for determining a plurality of viewpoint elements.
The plural viewpoint elements determining means 17 determines viewpoint
elements involved in looking forward the front, the left side and the
right side of the symbol of one's own self, respectively, as shown in FIG.
6, in accordance with the viewpoint element of oneself symbol. A
two-dimensional image producing means 12 shown in FIG. 5 produces three
pieces of two-dimensional images based on these three viewpoint elements,
respectively, as shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the fourth
communication apparatus according to still another embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view useful for understanding
the function of the fourth communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8.
The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8 has a symbol image determining
means 18 for determining a symbol image, and a symbol plotting means 19,
in addition to the respective blocks constituting the conventional
communication apparatus shown in FIG. 18.
The symbol image determining means 18 determines a symbol image, as will be
described later, in accordance with a symbol element representative of
one's own symbol. The symbol plotting means 19 plots an image of one's own
symbol on a display screen 14a in accordance with the determination by the
symbol image determining means 18. On the display screen 14a, as shown in
part (A) of FIG. 9, there are displayed both an image of the virtual space
plotted by a plotting means 13 and an image of one's own symbol plotted by
the symbol plotting means 19, by way of example, in such a way that they
are placed in a vertical line.
The symbol image determining means 18 is provided with a handler such as a
mouse and the like. A symbol image is altered in accordance with an
operation through the handler. For example, when one's own symbol is
displayed in part (A) of FIG. 9, a menu screen indicative of movements of
one's own symbol is displayed as shown in part (B) of FIG. 9. In this
condition, if the icon of, for example, "raise one's right hand" is
clicked, the symbol image determining means 18 makes such a determination
that one's own symbol raising her right hand is displayed. Thus, the
symbol plotting means 19 plots one's own symbol raising her right hand, as
shown in part (C) of FIG. 9, in accordance with the determination by the
symbol image determining means 18.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of the fifth
communication apparatus according to still another embodiment of the
present invention.
The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 10 has an another user's symbol
obtaining means 20 for obtaining an element (another user's symbol element
2) of another user's symbol other than the symbol of one's own self to
determine a viewpoint element. The another user's symbol obtaining means
20 obtains the viewpoint elements of the symbols of the clients, from the
communication apparatuses (client computers) of other users connected
through the communication network 200 and the host computer 300 as shown
in FIG. 16, via the host computer 300. A viewpoint element determining
means 11 extracts the viewpoint element of another user on the basis of
another user's symbol element 2 thus obtained by the another user's symbol
obtaining means 20. A two-dimensional image producing means 12 shown in
FIG. 10 produces two-dimensional images of the virtual space looking from
the viewpoint element of another user.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a
modification of the fifth communication apparatus according to still
another embodiment of the present invention.
The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 11 has a symbol image determining
means 18 and a symbol plotting means 19, which are similar to those in the
communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the respective
blocks constituting the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 10.
Specifically, according to the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 11,
there are displayed on the display screen 14a both two-dimensional images
of the virtual space looking from the viewpoint element of another user
and an image of the symbol of another user, for example, in a similar
arrangement to that shown in part (A) of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a
communication apparatus as a combined system of the first, second, third
and fifth communication apparatuses of the present invention. FIG. 13 is
an explanatory view useful for understanding the function of the
communication apparatus shown in FIG. 12.
The communication apparatus shown in FIG. 12 has the viewpoint element
input means 15 as an aspect of the first communication apparatus shown in
FIG. 1, the viewpoint element automatic determining means 16 as an aspect
of the second communication apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the plural
viewpoint elements determining means 17 as an aspect of the third
communication apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the another user's symbol
obtaining means 20 as an aspect of the fifth communication apparatus shown
in FIG. 10, and a viewpoint element selecting means 21. The communication
apparatus shown in FIG. 12 is arranged so as to be able to select
optionally characteristic two-dimensional images formed by the respective
aspects of the communication apparatuses.
The viewpoint element selecting means 21 is provided with, for example, a
mouse. In a case where two-dimensional images of the virtual space looking
from the viewpoint element of one's own symbol are displayed on the
display screen of the communication apparatus of one's own self as shown
in part (A) of FIG. 13 for example, while two-dimensional images of the
virtual space looking from the viewpoint element of the symbol of user A,
who is one of other users, are displayed on the display screen of the
communication apparatus of user A, a "camera menu" of screen as shown in
part (B) of FIG. 13 is displayed on the display screen of the
communication apparatus of one's own self through an operation of the
mouse. In this condition, if a "symbol of user A" of icon is clicked, the
two-dimensional images of the virtual space looking from the viewpoint
element of the symbol of user A, which are the same as those appearing on
the display screen of the communication apparatus of user A, are displayed
also on the display screen of the communication apparatus of one's own
self.
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a functional structure of a
communication apparatus as a combined system of the first, second, third,
fourth and fifth communication apparatuses of the present invention, the
communication apparatus having a function of displaying two-dimensional
images in the virtual space and images of symbols as well on a parallel
basis. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view useful for understanding the
function of the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 14.
A viewpoint element selecting means 21 constituting the communication
apparatus shown in FIG. 14 is provided with, for example, a mouse. In a
case where a menu screen shown in part (A) of FIG. 15 is opened on a
display screen 14a. In this condition, if a "one's own symbol" of icon is
clicked, there is displayed on the display screen 14a, as shown in part
(B) of FIG. 15, two-dimensional images of the virtual space looking from
the viewpoint element of one's own symbol and an image of one's own symbol
in such a manner that they are arranged in a vertical line. Next, as shown
in part (C) of FIG. 15, the menu screen is opened again. In this
condition, if a "symbol of user A" of icon is clicked, there is displayed
on the display screen 14a, as shown in part (D) of FIG. 15,
two-dimensional images of the virtual space looking from the viewpoint
element of the symbol of user A and an image of the symbol of user A in
such a manner that they are arranged in a vertical line.
It is acceptable to construct the communication apparatus according to the
present invention in the form of a combined system as shown in the
embodiments of FIGS. 12 and 14.
As mentioned above, according to the present invention, it is possible to
implement a communication apparatus capable of providing an excellent
operational environment in which a degree of freedom in plotting of the
virtual space is increased.
While the present invention has been described with reference to the
particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by those
embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that
those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
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