Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a backup memory management system capable of indicating any misuse of data in a backup memory and imposing an appropriate sanction. The backup memory management device comprises a data saving system 10. When the generated and renewed parameter data is stored into the backup memory 3, the data saving system 10 determines whether or not parameter data already stored in the backup memory 3 is proper data, and if the parameter data is determined as proper data, the generated and renewed parameter data is written over the parameter data saved in the backup memory 3, and if the parameter data is determined as improper data, executes predetermined special processing. Special processing means processing such as imposing a penalty in the course of a game.

Abstract: Games are processed in a more realistic and immediate manner during image processing for soccer games and the like. Specifically, the movements of characters more accurately simulate those of actual opponents, resulting in greater game realism. The invention is an image processing device for imaging and displaying the behavior of characters modeled on opponents in virtual three-dimensional space. It is determined (S21 to S24) whether or not there exists a certain situation in which the relation to the game contents (in the centering area, for example) or the positional relation (such as distance) between characters and a target (such as opponent characters or the ball) having a relation through the game to said characters matches certain conditions, and the eyes of the characters are directed to the target (S25, S26, S28, etc.) when it is determined that the certain situation exists. The invention is especially suitable for soccer games.

Abstract: A game device displays on a display monitor scenes of a vehicle moving in response to manipulations by the player. The display monitor further displays a plurality of goal determining elements. A goal point and a time limit to reach the goal point are set when one of the goal determining elements is picked up. Time is counted from when the goal point and the time limit are set. The game device determines an amount of time for the vehicle to reach the goal point and a score that the player has achieved.

Abstract: An image generating device for forming a behind object prepared with polygon data as a part of the background of a virtual three-dimensional space and generating images of the movement of a character object prepared with polygon data in this virtual three-dimensional space. A visual field seen from a viewpoint is operated, and behind objects OTa, OTb, and OTc positioned within this visual field and observable from the viewpoint are specified. Moreover, judged is whether it is the specific condition wherein the character object OTch is within the visual field and positioned in the space closer to the viewpoint side than the specified behind object. The character object OTch is incorporated as the object of display only when it is judged as being this specific condition.

Abstract: An image processing device for realizing more realistic pictures of explosions in video game devices as well as other devices. Objects displaying such pictures of explosions are formed of spherical polygons (R1, R2, R3, . . . ) and planar polygons (S1, S2, S3, . . . ). Pictures of explosions are realized by alternately arranging these spherical polygons and planar polygons with the lapse in time. Preferably, pictures of polygons are realized by arranging the spherical polygons in layers on the boundary of the planar polygons.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing unit for a shooting game in which suitable images can be displayed according to a given situation, and in which more exciting and easy-to-manipulate images are displayed. Coordinate values for objects in three-dimensional virtual space are established on the basis of prerecorded object shape data, view point positions are established on the basis of distances x1 and x2 from predetermined objects defined in three-dimensional virtual space (for example, the positions are lower when the distance is shorter, and higher when the distance is longer), the coordinate values established as described above are received, and the coordinate values are converted to a visual field coordinate system as seen from the view points established in the manner described above.

Abstract: To provide an image processing device, image processing method, and data processing method for a game device providing novel game features. In a multiple-player game device 1 comprising mutually coupled input mechanisms 31, it is possible for a game to be played by fewer people than the aforementioned number of players, by using a portion of the input mechanisms 31, the coupling of the input mechanisms other than the input mechanisms used by the fewer number of players being disengaged in cases where a game is played by a fewer number of players.

Abstract: The present invention provides a picture processing device capable of realizing the detailed shape and pattern of a display object which is far away from a viewpoint and which attracts a game player's attention. For example, a display object (or player) in a soccer game is composed of a small number of polygons to be displayed on a CRT-type display, etc. when the display object is far away from the viewpoint (or camera position). However, even if the player is at a far position, the player will attract the game player's attention when a ball is passed to the player. If the number of polygons composing the player is small in such a situation, the game player will gain an unnatural impression. For example, assuming that a ball rolls to a certain player and this player obtains priority, a priority mark will be displayed above the player's head. Then, it is determined whether or not the player with the priority mark is close to a certain viewpoint.

Abstract: Provides a game machine with exceptional interactivity capable of ascertaining players' psychological states from player's voices and actions. It is a game device for executing a prescribed game program in response to information input by players. Comprises a device for recognizing voices or actions made by players, and a processing board for ascertaining the condition of recognized voices and actions, and, for a given voice or given action, modifying the game device response processing operations to the voice or action in response to the condition of the voice or action.

Abstract: To provide a device capable of providing input force by striking to an object while providing object movement that is not based on a mechanical structure. Image signals from a data processing board 15 are supplied to a display 9. An image that is to be struck or another essential image is thus displayed on the display 9. The player uses an input device 2 in the form of a hammer to strike the object displayed on the display 9. An operating signal Ss is thus output from a vibration switch 22 in the input device 2. The operating signal Ss is supplied to the data processing board 15. Based on the operating signal Ss, the entire image on the display 9 is brightened for the prescribed time by the data processing board 15. At this time, the photodetector signals detected by a photodetector substrate 23 in the input device 2 are supplied to the processing board 15.

Abstract: An object is to provide a free-entry type of race game apparatus wherewith a player can join at any time. This is a race game that simulates an endurance race in which many vehicles run for a long period of time. The vehicles are continually running on the track (ST 1), from which number a player selects any vehicle at will (ST 3) and joins the race in progress (ST 4, 5). The game is terminated on the basis either of a pass count indicating the number of cars passed (or passed by) (ST 6), or a limiting time (ST 7).

Abstract: The present invention includes a processor, a storage device having compressed texture data, a texture buffer having decompressed texture data. The processor reads the compressed texture data from the storage device and decompresses the texture data. The processor then stores the decompressed texture data in the texture buffer.

Abstract: An image processing unit includes a shape memory in which object shape data are prerecorded, a processing component which establishes coordinate values for objects in a three-dimensional virtual space based on the shape data in the shape memory, a conversion component which receives the coordinate values from the processing component and converts the coordinate values to a visual field coordinate system based on a prescribed view point, a view point establishment component which establishes a position of the view point based on the situation between an object in the three-dimensional virtual space serving as a predetermined reference and being virtually defined in the three-dimensional virtual space without any input by a user, and which sends the position to the conversion component, and an imaging component which adds a predetermined texture to a shape data of the visual field coordinate system converted by the conversion component.

Abstract: A method of expressing, in an easily visible manner, a game proceeded in a plurality of game fields formed hierarchically, in which at least first and second game fields are hierarchically formed in a three-dimensional virtual space. With this method, games proceeding simultaneously and in parallel in upper and lower spaces are displayed in the respective fields as seen from a viewpoint in the space.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a game device that can add much to the production of the game. The invention is a game device for displaying a game image which expresses a virtual three-dimensional space, which is characterized in that it displays the first action scene between the first player character and the first enemy character and the second action scene between the second player character and the second enemy character based on the predetermined camera angle to project the first player character and the first enemy character related to the predetermined command which is given to the first player character by the player.

Abstract: To provide a data processing apparatus wherewith the work volume required to produce game characters is reduced. The image data processing apparatus is an apparatus for placing a plurality of polygons at predetermined positions, based on position information that places a reference polygon on a screen, applying predetermined texture to the polygons, and thus producing game character data. The game character data 200 comprise distance information and placement angle information for a torso polygon 201, a head polygon 202, wrist polygons 203R and 203L, and ankle polygons 204R and 204L. A processor computes the torso polygon based on placement information for the torso polygon 201 on the screen (processing routine 1), and computes the head polygon 202, wrist polygons 203R and 203L, and ankle polygons 204R and 204L from the distance information and angle information (processing routine 2).

Abstract: A game device models images of moving images such as motor-bikes or cars moving through a virtual space. The track along which a first such moving object moving through the virtual space is sampled at a prescribed interval in time in order to generate track data P1–P6, while transit points P1?–P6? are set at prescribed intervals of distance along the track indicated by the track data. A second moving object is moved in such a manner as to pass through these transit points. Accordingly, a course is set that is commensurate with the player's skill level so that the degree of difficulty of the game is not diminished by the degree of experience of the player.

Abstract: A game device, which monitors with a virtual camera a picture of a game being proceeded in a virtual space by a first object controlled by a player and a second object controlled by a computer or an opponent and displays a picture on the screen of a monitor, includes a camera position switch ordering unit for issuing switching orders to switch the position of the virtual camera to a first position which shows the front of the first object and to a second position which shows the front of the first object from the rear of the first object, and a symbol displaying unit for displaying a symbol representing the second object on the monitor screen in correspondence with the switching order to switch the position of the virtual camera to the first position upon the second object existing behind the first object.

Abstract: Smooth, stable and high quality game image is provided by accurately pre-reading background data required for image processing each time. The game device therefore reads background data required for a game that displays a condition of a moving vehicle within a virtual three-dimensional space together with a background in the main memory from a CD-ROM (recording medium) prior to image processing. This device comprises a pre-reading unit for pre-reading background data from a recording medium when reading a start line (reference line) set at a distant position in a specified distance away from the limit line of the visual field direction of display is crossing a new area. A recording medium is a medium that records background data by dividing it into a plurality of areas in advance, and the pre-reading unit comprises a unit for judging on which of the areas the reference line is crossing, and a reading unit for reading in memory the background data of the area judged as being crossed with the reference line.

Abstract: Games are processed in a more realistic and immediate manner during image processing for soccer games and the like. Specifically, the movements of characters more accurately simulate those of actual opponents, resulting in greater game realism. The invention is an image processing device for imaging and displaying the behavior of characters modeled on opponents in virtual three-dimensional space. It is determined (S21 to S24) whether or not there exists a certain situation in which the relation to the game contents (in the centering area, for example) or the positional relation (such as distance) between characters and a target (such as opponent characters or the ball) having a relation through the game to said characters matches certain conditions, and the eyes of the characters are directed to the target (S25, S26, S28, etc.) when it is determined that the certain situation exists. The invention is especially suitable for soccer games.