Abstract: There is provided a computer game apparatus for executing a game in which a character moves through virtual space displayed on a predetermined display by a operation of a operating unit, comprising: a memory storing a game program having movement modes of the character in accordance with distance between the character and another character within the virtual space; and a controller executing the game program and controlling the movements of the character according to the movements modes. By way of example, a first movement mode of the character when the distance between the two characters is within a predetermined distance is set in the game program, and this first movement mode is, for instance, one of the characters moving at high speed in an arc around the other character with a predetermined angle.

Abstract: Serial transmission data is divided into an odd-numbered bit sequence and an even-numbered bit sequence. Each bit of the odd-numbered bit sequence data is distributed respectively between pulses of a first pulse sequence signal having a constant interval, thereby forming a first pulse sequence signal (SDCKA). Each bit of the even-numbered bit sequence data is distributed respectively between pulses of a second pulse sequence signal having a constant interval, thereby forming a second pulse sequence signal (SDCKB). The respective time axes are adjusted such that the clock component of the first pulse sequence signal is located in the data section of the second pulse sequence signal, and the clock component of the second pulse sequence signal is located in the data section of the first pulse sequence signal. Data is transmitted using these adjusted first and second pulse sequence signals (SDCKA, SDCKB).

Abstract: A vehicle body (6) provided with a seat portion (7) and footstools (8) is positioned on a fixed frame (2), which is positioned in a horizontal direction facing opposite a screen (1a) of a display (1), extending in a direction running at a right angle to the screen. In order to provide an operating device for a motorcycle simulation apparatus that provides a realistic feeling of operation, a handlebar (4) is secured on to a mobile frame (3) which is mounted in such a manner that it can slide freely in the left and right direction relative to the fixed frame, and the vehicle body is structured in such a manner that it can be caused to pivot freely in the left and right direction relative to the mobile frame by a pivoting mechanism (10) which includes a supporting shaft (5). The pivoting range of the vehicle body is regulated by a position regulating mechanism (30).

Abstract: A game display method displays a driving game which permits characters to be present in a city and can prevent cruel images of collisions with characters. Characters in a dangerous area are intentionally moved away from a motorbike B. Those H1, H2 of the characters behind the motorbike B as viewed in a moving direction of the motorbike B are intentionally moved away from a current position 01 of the motorbike B, a position of the center of the motorbike B. Those H3, H4, H5 of the characters in front of the motorbike B as viewed in the moving direction of the motorbike B are intentionally moved toward the back of the motorbike B, i.e., directions normal to a straight line interconnecting the position 01 of the center of the motorbike B and the characters H3, H4, H5. The characters H3, H4, who are forward left of the motorbike B, are moved left, and the character Hr, who is forward right, is moved right.

Abstract: In video game device 1, two game players opposed to each other across a monitor screen 3 compete a game. Game images are displayed on the monitor screen 3, properly positioned with respect to the respective game players. A logo is displayed in a game image. The logo is rotated to be displayed properly with respect to the respective game players and horizontally properly positioned. Thus game images can be recognized by the respective game players opposed to each other, and the logo display can be more effective.

Abstract: In a video game on which plural players operate different characters, a method for displaying and controlling a character makes players not lose their interest to continue a video game even when a difference according to the player's technique is generated. The method for displaying and controlling the plural characters, includes the steps of judging a condition operated by a player for one of the first and second characters to be displayed according to a game program, and controlling a displayed position for the one of the first and second characters according to the judging result; and loosing the condition of the judgement for the one of the first and second characters when a virtual distance between the first and second characters is more than a predetermined value according to the game program.

Abstract: A video game machine, which comprises a CPU for executing a program and a memory in which, based on the control provided by the CPU consonant with the execution of the program, are stored data that are read from the program and concern a plurality of characters to be displayed on a display device, provides a pseudo-sense of reality, as though a character projected on a display were a living entity. In such a video game machine, inheritance probabilities are defined for individual portions, of the data concerning a plurality of characters, that constitute the characters, and under a predesignated condition available during the execution of the program, a portion constituting one character, of portions constituting two characters, is maintained at a predetermined inheritance probability that has been defined, and data for new characters are prepared.

Abstract: A memory device in which a plurality of data can be read out by giving one address and a plurality of data can be read out without adding more address lines is provided, and therefore, the circuit integration is not degraded. The memory device includes: m memory array banks, each including row and column address decoders; a first circuit for receiving one address and generating m row addresses and n column addresses by shifting the one address by a predetermined value for each of the m row and n column addresses; and a second circuit for inputting each of the generated m row and n column addresses to the corresponding row and column address decoders of the m memory array banks.

Abstract: Videogame systems and methods are provided to enhance the capability of the videogame system controller and data storage to provide graphic character element storage and processing. A display list technology utilizes an intentionally generated, location-specific vertical interrupt to implement a routine to modify or to alter existing graphical character elements. A second technique involves the definition of a small portion of the graphics map which is displayed differently than the balance of the graphics map because the stored priority bit is expressed in the defined area, but suppressed and replaced in all other areas. The third technique employs a virtual character element library to map the character elements appearing on the display, and recognizes available space within the video random access memory character element storage to provide a dynamic memory space.

Abstract: An image output apparatus capable of realizing asynchronous data access by a host controller in response to an image data transfer request from the host controller, by adding a minimum amount of circuitry to the image output apparatus without using an external data buffer. The image output apparatus includes: a storage device for storing image data; a display circuit for sequentially reading the image data from the storage device and converting the image data into image data capable of being displayed; a timing controller for controlling the operation timing of the display circuit; and an output circuit for changing an operation mode of the timing controller in response to a data transfer request from the host controller and allowing the image data corresponding in amount to the data transfer request to be outputted asynchronously.

Abstract: A control-key device is provided for use as a controller for a video game including a direction specifying key mounted on a housing which an operator manipulates to control the play of a video game, where the surface of said direction specifying key comprises a combination of concave portions to facilitate use of the direction specifying key. The unit preferably comprises a push button and a housing including a hole through which the push button protrudes. The housing extends along a plane wherein said plane intersects a plane perpendicular to an axis of said push button at a predetermined angle, and said plane of said housing also extending parallel to a plane defined by the surface of said push button.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and an image processing method are proposed for the high speed generation of a model, such as a plane picture in animation, for which an outline is drawn. In the image processing apparatus, for using computer graphics to generate a polygon model in three-dimensional coordinate space, a first model, for which the normal vectors of polygons are directed outward, and a second model, in which the first model is included and for which the normal vectors of polygons are directed inward, are synthesized as a single model. The direction of the normal vector of a polygon is employed in the hidden surface removal process to determine whether the polygon should be displayed. That is, when the normal vector of a polygon includes an element extended in the direction of the viewpoint, the pertinent polygon is displayed; but when the normal vector of a polygon does not include an element extended in the direction opposite to that of the viewpoint, the pertinent polygon is not displayed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of displaying guidance and of setting the operating environment for an application program when the capability of a computer system is different from the operating environment expected by the application program. The image processing apparatus comprises: a CD-ROM drive 8 for loading an application program; a main processing unit 2 for forming graphic signals by executing the application program; and a display 3 for displaying the graphic signals. The main processing unit comprises: a determining unit 211 for determining whether or not the main processing unit 2 has provided the operating environment expected by the application program; a display control unit 212 for displaying guidance on the display 3 based on the results of the determination of the determining unit 211; and a setting unit 213 for allowing the operating environment of the application program to be set by the main processing unit 2.

Abstract: A data compressing method which can efficiently compress image data containing color data is provided. A compressed data expanding method which can expand the compressed data at high speed is provided. Image data containing color data are compressed into image data including: address fields code A, code B, code C which hold addresses of color RAMs storing color information corresponding to the color data; classification fields which, when the color RAMs are classified into prescribed categories A, B, C, hold classification information of the categories including the color data; and run length fields RL which hold numbers of successive repetitions of color data. To expand the compressed image data, the classification fields are decoded to determine the categories in which the color data are included.

Abstract: Security is ensured by judging agreement with a specific indication, such as a trademark, whose identity is socially recognizable to effectively expel counterfeits from the market. A game machine in which a CD-ROM 17 is mounted on a game machine 10 to play a game based on program information stored in the CD-ROM 17 comprises a recognition sensor 22 reading a trademark indication region 20 on the exterior surface of the CD-ROM 17, and a judging unit judging whether a specific trademark .TM. is displayed in a trademark indication region, the game based on the program information being prevented from starting or if started stopped when the specific trademark .TM. is not displayed.

Abstract: An information display system having a housing with a location for receiving a document such as a book is provided. A location detection circuit is mounted on the housing adjacent the document and can determine any subjective selection of a location on the document. The document can have a plurality of indicia. When such indicia is selected, a control circuit can retrieve the information from a read only memory and appropriately display the information in an audible or visual manner.

Abstract: A game image display method displays display objects in a virtual three dimensional space on a display screen. A three dimensional space coordinate system 200 fixed to a reference plane 200, and a three dimensional view point coordinate system 300 to follow a movement of a view point 500, and a two dimensional projection coordinate system 400 defined in relationship with the view point coordinate system 300 are set. Display objects 202-208 belonging to the space coordinate system 200, and display objects 302-304 belonging to the view point coordinate system 300 are projected on the projection coordinate system 400 to display the display objects. A two dimensional judgement coordinate system 350 corresponding to the projection coordinate system 400 is set in the view point coordinate system 300 to judge a collision between the display objects 202-208, 302-304, based on positions of the display objects 202-208, 302-304 projected on the judgement coordinate system 350.

Abstract: A tilting member has a force bearing portion to which operating force is applied, and a supported surface. A supporting member has a supporting projection with which the supported surface of the tilting member may come in contact. When the operating force is applied to the tilting member, the tilting member tilts with respect to the supporting member. The supporting member supports the tilting member at a supporting point where the supporting projection of the supporting member is in contact with the supported surface of the tilting member, about which supporting point the tilting member tilts. The tilting of the tilting member, with respect to the supporting member, establishes a predetermined electrical contact.