Abstract: A virtual image generation apparatus comprising shape data memory for storing shape data pertaining to obstacles and the like, position data specifier for specifying position data for the subjects, overlap determiner for determining, on the basis of shape data and position data, whether or not physical objects located between a visual point and a subject should overlap and be visible from the visual point, and image generator for generating virtual images wherein physical objects are processed by prescribed show-through processing (mesh processing, translucent processing, or the like) when it is determined that an overlapping state exists. Accurate overlap determinations can be made using a vector that extends from the visual point towards an object and a vector that extends from an obstacle towards the object, and mesh processing or other show-through processing used to produce a suitable display of the subject obscured by a physical object.

Abstract: A method for compressing and decompressing moving picture information wherein a key signal is correctly reproduced and coding is efficiently carried out, and a video signal processing system for implementing the method. At the time of coding a video signal, conversion is carried out for make large a distance between an ordinary digitized video signal and a key signal indicative of whether an image indicates background or foreground for data compression. At the time of decoding the coded video signal, the video signal and key signal of the decompressed image are separated based on a predetermined threshold and reverse conversion opposite to the coding mode is carried out. Since the coding is carried out with the ordinary video signal separated from the key signal, the video signal and the key signal can be separated by a suitable threshold from the compressed and then decompressed image and thus the video signal and key signal can be correctly reproduced.

Abstract: A plurality of video game units are connected in a ring configuration by means of a communications line. Each of the plurality of video game units comprises: a memory for storing a program for implementing competitive games, whereby a contest is conducted on a display screen by controlling the actions of two characters; control means for controlling the implementation of the program stored in the memory; input means for inputting first data controlling the actions of one of the two characters; and a communications interface circuit for receiving second data controlling the actions of the other of the two characters from one video game unit of a plurality of video game units, and transmitting the first data input via the input means to the one video game unit. The control means controls the display of the two characters on the display screens on the basis of the first data and the second data in accordance with the implementation of said program.

Abstract: Provides a fishing game device capable of sensing operation of a fishing rod imparting action to a lure, affording more realistic simulation of tugging by the fish.

Abstract: According to the image processing method, when the number of shadow polygons existing between a depth position of pixels of ordinary polygons subject to shadowing and an infinite position is counted and that number is an odd number, those pixels are unconditionally judged to be positioned inside a region of shadow volume. Therefore, regions to undergo shadowing can be efficiently detected by judging whether the number is an odd number or an even number at all pixel positions.

Abstract: A game device is provided, whereby, when a character operated by a player is displayed making an intrusion or entry in a fighting or participatory type of game, the character making the intrusion or entry can be displayed in a manner which avoids creating an unnatural effect. The game device includes control means wherein the control means acquires the co-ordinate position of a character displayed on the display screen receiving an intrusion by another character, when an intrusion request for a character is detected; and causes the character being controlled by the player to be displayed as making an appearance as an intruding character from a specific location corresponding to a co-ordinate position having a particular relationship with respect to the co-ordinate position of the character receiving the intrusion, from amongst the stored and held plurality of specific locations.

Abstract: There is provided an image display method for displaying an object constituted by a plurality of polygons comprising the steps of: providing coordinate data for each vertex included in a plurarity of polygons; and expressing data of a vertex in common to a plurarity of polygons by the coordinate data of the common vertex and position data for designating a position of the coordinate data of the common vertex.

Abstract: A table is used in forming spotlight characteristics that impart illumination effects to polygon images displayed by an image processing system, and the number of light sources that can be used in an image scene is increased above the number of light sources that can be used simultaneously. In order to realize this, a method of forming spotlight effect characteristics attached to pixels configuring polygons is proposed wherein a plurality of characteristic values corresponding to a prescribed spotlight characteristic curve is held in a table, and said spotlight characteristic curve is formed from characteristic values read out from the table and from interpolated values found by interpolating between adjacent characteristic values. Inner products are found between spot light axis vectors and light vectors extending toward pixels, these values of inner products so found are used as addresses, and characteristic values are read out from appropriate addresses of the table.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, which can efficiently execute a hidden-surface process, a blending process on translucent polygons and a shading process by a light source all in a rendering process.

Abstract: In a conventional shooting game machine, it lacked the versatility and appeal of a screen due to the movements of the viewpoint and enemies on the screen being uniform. The present invention comprises an image generating means, which selects one from a plurality of enemies moving within the game space and generates images of this enemy captured from a viewpoint within an imaginary three-dimensional space, an image generating means which implements the processing of attacking the enemies according to the operation of a gun unit, and a viewpoint moving processing means which, together with making said viewpoint follow the enemy, detects the situation of said enemy and implements the controlling of the viewpoint movement.

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: The present invention conducts rendering processing according to a prescribed priority relating to each polygon attribute. For example, rendering for semi-transparent polygons is conducted after rendering for opaque polygons. By this means, it is possible to carry out rendering for semi-transparent polygons reliably. Furthermore, rendering for polygons containing transparent portions is conducted after rendering for polygons not containing transparent portions. By this means, it is possible to reduce rendering processing for polygons containing transparent portions, as far as possible. Moreover, rendering processing is carried out for all background polygons together. Thereby, it is possible to carry out suitable depth cue processing for polygons positioned in the far distance of the screen.

Abstract: In a match game, game characters to be operated by game players are displayed on divided ones of a display screen at a prescribed point of time in the match game so that the respective game players make respective inputs. When the input operations of the game players are completed, motions of the game characters based on the inputs by the game players are displayed on the rejoined display screen. In a match game players can intuitionally decide operations they will make. The display method for game displays can make displays which are indicative enough to know situations of a match game.

Abstract: A ski game machine executes a game program in response to a control signal given by rotating imitation skis by a player to display an object of a skier corresponding to the player on a display device. The ski game machine comprises: a ski rotation detector for generating the control signal by detecting direction and degree of a rotation of the imitation ski; a control unit for obtaining position data showing a current position of the skier on a ski course according to data of ski course and the control signal, generating polygon data showing a trace of the skis of the skier according to the position data, storing the polygon data while the skier is skiing on the ski course, and generating display data of the trace to display on the display device according to the stored polygon data of the trace; 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: An information processing device 10 comprises a ROM 12 which stores a reference code indicative of a predetermined area, a site code forming unit 14 which forms a site code of a measuring point, based on position measuring data “a” given by a global positioning system, and a comparison unit which compares the reference code stored in the ROM 12 with the site code formed by the site code forming unit 14 and outputs an actuation signal based on comparison result. A game device including the information processing device 10 can control a game corresponding to an area, based on a site code indicative of a current position, a measuring point.

Abstract: An image processing method and device corrects an empty dot between Polygons on a video screen at high speed without unnecessarily deforming a shape of the Polygons. Three latches 10, 12, 14 are provided, and a pattern detecting and correcting circuit 30 is inserted between the latches 12, 14. Data of a dot is inputted from the latch 10 and shifted to the right in synchronization with clocks. The pattern detecting and correcting circuit 30 checks a pattern of presence of image data of the continuous four dots along a scan line, based on fill data of the dot data D1, D2, D3, D4, and corrects the inputted dot data D3 to dot data D3′ as required to output the corrected dot data D3′ to the latch 14.

Abstract: The tablet unit 10 comprises a receiving antenna which is brought near a prescribed position on the tablet when the tablet unit is connected to the electronic device 12 and receives the scan signal supplied to the antenna line; operating means 38 which has coordinate values on the tablet assigned to and inputs instruction information by operation of an operator; instruction signal generating means for generating an instruction signal delayed with respect to the scan signal received by the receiving antenna by a prescribed time which is based on the coordinate values assigned to the operating means 38 when the operating means 38 is operated by the operator; and transmitting means 74 which is brought near a touch pen 50 when the tablet unit is connected to the electronic device 12 and transmits the instruction signal generated by the instruction signal generating means to the touch pen 50.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device comprising a rendering processing section for generating color data for pixels which are to be displayed from polygon data including at least a polygon ID, positional co-ordinates data and parameters for generating color data attributed thereto. The image processing device includes a polygon buffer memory for storing color data for pixels in a flame. The rendering processing section includes a first processing section (242, 243, 244, 245) for generating Z values of pixels in respective polygons in the frame and for storing Z values for pixels to be displayed on the screen and the polygon ID corresponding thereto in a Z value buffer memory. The rendering processing section includes a second processing section (246, 247, 248) for generating color data from the parameters attributed to the polygon IDs stored in the Z buffer memory for each pixels in the frame and for storing the color data in the frame buffer memory.

Abstract: A game apparatus and a method of replaying a game display a moving entity which moves in a given area on a display screen. The game apparatus has a memory for storing, for a predetermined period of time, absolute coordinates in the predetermined area of a moving entity which moves in the predetermined area in response to a control signal entered by an operator while a game is in progress, and a display data generating unit or reading the absolute coordinates from the memory in response to a replay request from the operator and processing the absolute coordinates into display data depending on processing information supplied from an input unit by the operator.