Abstract: Disclosed are an antialiasing method and an image processing apparatus using the same, capable of high-quality image display without any significant reduction in processing speed and without any significant increase in the apparatus scale. Pixel data contains information on a subpixel mask indicative of region which a polygon occupies within a pixel. Based on data sets consisting of the subpixel masks and color data contained in the pixel data, display colors are determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: When program data is distributed to users across an open network, such as the Internet, a licensing agreement concluded between a server for the program data and a manager is maintained and the unauthorized copying of program data is prevented. Therefore, to fulfill such the situation, a program data distribution system includes an open network; a file server, connected to the open network, for distributing encrypted program data; a key server, connected to the open network, for distributing a decryption key used to decode the encrypted program data; and a terminal, connected to the open network, for processing program data, the terminal employing the decryption key distributed by the key server to decode the encrypted program data obtained from the file server.

Abstract: A computer graphic system wherein image element data can be processed efficiently at a high speed, and images of higher quality are produced at a lower cost than conventional. An image processor for dividing a screen into regions (fragments) of predetermined sizes and processing data on every divided region (fragment), wherein pieces of information on image constituting elements are rearranged in a direction vertical to a scanning line (ST1), the pieces of information on the image constituting elements are rearranged in a direction parallel to the scanning line (ST2), and image processing for opaque polygons, polygons with transparent pixels, and semitransparent polygons is performed in the order of mention on the basis of the rearranged pieces of information (ST3 to ST6).

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by first performing the necessary rendering in the frame period, then during the remaining time of that frame period, rewriting the texture data in the texture buffer memory. The image rendering process for each frame is performed first, then after the rendering process has been completed for the frame, if there is remaining time, that time is used to rewrite the texture data. Therefore, the rendering process is not interrupted, the displayed image is not interrupted or frozen, and it is possible to rewrite the texture data in the small-capacity texture buffer memory and make it possible to use virtually a lot of texture data to render one scene.

Abstract: An information-processing unit is provided, which is connected to an external unit through a connection cable, comprising a connector with multiple contact pins, and a recognition means for sensing a specific contact pin of the multiple contact pins in the connector and recognizing the type of connection cable to be accommodated in the connector. A connector is provided, comprising an upper surface member, rear wall and lower surface member with an open portion formed at the front into which a plug is inserted, as well as a plate member in parallel from the rear wall to the lower surface member, and a contact pin on the upper surface of the plate member, in the vicinity of the lower surface member, and a standing wall at the end of the plate member on the upper surface side of the plate member.

Abstract: A small screen which enables a player to easily grasp the situation of a game field as well as the positional relationship between the game objects is displayed on a game screen in a game device.

Abstract: An IC card system for a game machine using an IC card includes a game token input device for inputting a game token onto the IC card based on the amount of money deposited. The IC card system also includes a game device that decreases the number of game tokens stored on the IC card when the IC card is used with the game device. The IC system also includes a totaling device that determines the number of tokens inputted by the game token input device and the number of tokens used by the game devices, at a particular location.

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: A game execution method and game equipment are disclosed. A central processing unit is provided to control the execution of a game program. Information related to a player is employed among a plurality of application programs to control displayed images of a character etc. according to the player's behavior or property. During the execution of the first application program, a player data corresponding to player's input operation is stored into a memory. The player data is then updated according to a player's input operation while the second application program different from the first program is being executed. Also, the player data having been updated by the first program may be updated corresponding to a player's further input operation during the execution of the first program.

Abstract: A method for generating polygon data from NURBS (non-uniform rational B-spline) data representing a parametric surface and an image display apparatus using that method are disclosed. In the method for generating polygon data, NURBS object data are coordinate-converted to coordinates having the viewing point as the origin, in correspondence with the advance of a program. Furthermore, the level of detail wherewith the object is drawn on the display is determined, the number of divisions into polygons when converting NURBS object data to objects configured by polygons is found, according to the determined level of detail wherewith objects are drawn, and vertices of polygons converted to according to that number of divisions are computed.

Abstract: A game device comprises operational input means 30, 40 for inputting operational signals supplied by operation of game players, game control means 10 for controlling a game, based on the operational signals of the operational input means 30, 40, and game display means 20 for displaying the game controlled by the game control means 10, the operational signals of the operational input means 40 being displayed by the game display means 20. The game player can confirm game operations they made. As a result, the game player can relatively readily see their game operations they made without stress given to them.

Abstract: In an electronic device mounting an electronic circuit module on which electronic components are mounted and having a fan that discharges air from inside the electronic device to an outside of a component when the electronic circuit module operates, the electronic device having an exhaust port provided on a side wall of the component, a duct provided so as to contact the exhaust port on an inside of the component, and a fan portion provided on the duct inside the component. Accordingly, the exhaust from the fan portion passes through the duct and is discharged from the exhaust port, with the airflow generated inside the component able to prevent a rise in temperature inside an electronic circuit module such as a personal computer or television game device due to heat generated from the electronic components mounted on an electronic circuit module.

Abstract: A game device comprises operational input means 30, 40 for inputting operational signals supplied by operation of game players, game control means 10 for controlling a game, based on the operational signals of the operational input means 30, 40, and game display means 20 for displaying the game controlled by the game control means 10, the operational signals of the operational input means 40 being displayed by the game display means 20. The game player can confirm game operations they made. As a result, the game player can relatively readily see their game operations they made without stress given to them.

Abstract: A game machine executes a game program in response to a control signal given by rotating imitation mechanism driven by a player to display an object corresponding to the player on a display device. The game machine includes a rotation detector, a control unit, and a display for displaying the ski course with the trace of the skis according to the display data of the trace generated by the control unit.

Abstract: When an event is generated in a game progressing in a first game device, the first game device sends a call signal to a second game device through network. When the second game device receives the call signal, an event is generated in the game progressing in the second game device. In this way, an event is accidentally generated independently from the progress of the game when the game device receives a telephone call signal, in addition to a spontaneous event which is generated according to the progress of the game. Therefore, the user of the game can experience enjoyment which an ordinary game cannot provide, or a thrill which no one can predict will happen. After transmitting/receiving the call signal, the telephone call is cut-off before the game devices enter communication status, so a communication cost is not charged. Since the cost for communication is free, the user can enjoy a communication game at low cost.

Abstract: The information processing system of the present invention is composed of a recording medium 2 and an information processing device 1. The recording medium 2 comprises a first recording region 21 and a second recording region 22. The information processing device 1 either regenerates data recorded in the first recording region 21 of the recording medium 2 or executes a program recorded in the first recording region 21 of the recording medium 2, and comprises recording means for recording specific information of its own into the second recording region 22 of the above-mentioned recording medium 2. The information processing device 1 comprises comparing means 101 for comparing specific information recorded from the recording means with specific information in the second recording region, and processing means 101 for changing the operation of regenerating data of the recording medium or the operation of executing a program in the recording medium 2 in accordance with the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A voice recognition device used as a peripheral device for a game machine including a voice input device, a voice recognition section for recognizing the player's voice by comparing the voice signal output from the voice input device with data from previously defined voice recognition dictionaries and generating control signals relating to the game on the basis of the recognition result. The voice recognition section includes a non-specific speaker voice recognition dictionary which is previously defined for unspecified speakers, and a specific speaker voice recognition dictionary which is defined by the player.

Abstract: When a trigger signal is outputted from a simulated gun 30A to 30D, a trigger image is displayed on image monitor means 20 in response to the trigger signal. In response to a timing signal of the simulated gun 30A to 30D, an indicated position, a value of an image display counter 12 at the time is set in a register 13. Coordinate values of the indicated position of the simulated gun 30A to 30D set in the register 13 is inputted to a game control unit 14 in a horizontal flyback time of a scanning line. The indicated position detection processing for detecting indicated positions indicated on the image monitor means 20 by the simulated guns 30A to 30D is performed at every horizontal scan displaying the video screen. The video screen indicated position detecting method and device is quick in responding to an indication even when a plurality of indicated positions are detected, without increasing costs of the device.

Abstract: In a system having a plurality of CPUs connected to a plurality of corresponding bus bridges which are connected in tandem, one of the plurality of bus bridges is associated with a memory storing boot programs for activating the plurality of CPUs. The CPU connected to the bus bridge associated with the memory gains access to the memory by accessing a predetermined address of the bus bridge. The remaining CPUs gain accesses to the same address as the predetermined address, of the bus bridges to which are connected respective CPUs. The thus accessed bus bridges have accesses to the memory by accessing the same address as the predetermined address, of the other bus bridges adjacent toward the bus bridge associated with the memory.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention conducts update processing of MIPMAP-format texture data within an updateable range, and during drawing processing, it ascertains the level of detail to which texture data has been updated. Thereupon, when conducting texture mapping, texture data of the level of detail for which updating has been completed is used. In this case, if the required texture data has not been updated, then it is substituted by texture data for which updating has been completed. Consequently, even in cases where updating of all texture data is not completed in time, it is possible to prevent significant distortion of the image due to mixing of updated and non-updated texture.