Abstract: Images at a source side and a target side are displayed as a dynamic image that can move in real time by fading out the last scene and fading in a new scene. In the case of changing a viewpoint of a dynamic image to be displayed on a screen, a dynamic image (image depicted from a source camera) depicted from a viewpoint before changing the viewpoint and a dynamic image (image depicted from a target camera) depicted from a viewpoint after having changed the viewpoint are translucently synthesized, and a synthesized image is generated. Thereafter, with respect to the synthesized image, the source camera image (one frame image of the dynamic image) and the target camera image (one frame image of the dynamic image) are reciprocally translucently synthesized while changing the transparencies thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a process comprising the steps of previously recording movie data 212b and 212c in a CD-ROM in correspondence to streams of changes in depiction of a displayed image, detecting what stream a change in depiction is in response to a manual input made by the player, reading out movie data corresponding to the detected stream of changes in depiction from the CD-ROM, and causing a change in the image in display on the basis of the thus read-out movie data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing cell-animation-looking colors as an example of non-photo-realistic rendering in three-dimensional model plot processing. Perspective transformations and light source calculations are carried out for a polygon of the three-dimensional model. Then, the luminosity of each apex of the polygon is calculated. In addition, the color for plotting the polygon is calculated for each of the luminosity ranges defined in advance. Alternatively, the colors for plotting may be calculated and stored in advance. Then, one of the luminosity range is selected from the luminosity ranges defined in advance. If the luminosity range of each pixel inside the polygon lies within the luminosity range selected, the pixel is plotted in the color for plotting corresponding to the luminosity range selected. By repeatedly performing these operations, a cell-animation-looking image is generated.

Abstract: Multiple icons are placed on a first loop-shaped orbit and a second loop-shaped orbit which are set with a certain position in a virtual space as the center thereof. Desired icons from the icons on the first loop-shaped orbit and a second loop-shaped orbit are moved to a first cursor and a second cursor respectively, in response to an operation input by a player. Selection key input by the player inputs a command corresponding to the icons within the cursors to a computer. Thus, the visual recognition of icons is improved over the conventional method of command input by selecting icons, and the number of icon images can be kept to a minimum even in the event that the number of candidates for command selection is great.

Abstract: A player is assisted in selecting an action to be executed by a character on a screen by displaying multiple options, associated with corresponding actions, on the screen. A graphic, in virtual three dimensions, is displayed on the screen to visually depict a preview of a range of effect of an action corresponding to an option selected by an operational input by the player. The position of the graphic may be based on the position of the character at the time the option is selected. The range of effect may be switched to preview another action when the player switches the selected option. The options may be represented by icons and grouped according to the types of corresponding actions.

Abstract: A player can easily select a desired game, and the information about players can be appropriately managed and provided. A user terminal transmits self-introduction information to a room master. The room master adds the self-introduction information from the user terminal to the player table list. Additionally, the self-introduction information is added to update history data, and a count value of the update history counter is incremented. The user terminal adds the current count value of the update history counter and ask the room master for an update history. Upon receipt of the update history requests from multiple user terminals, the room master transmits data to all user terminal members (addressed to the IRC channel) in the room. The data is transmitted sequentially from the update history data associated with the oldest update counter value in the requests to the update history data associated with the latest history counter value of the room master.

Abstract: An item for use in a game can be easily and appropriately dealt. When an item to be purchased is selected from an auction item list on the screen of the user terminal, and when a bid price which can be paid for the item is determined, the current bid price (old bid price) of the highest bidder is read. The read old bid price is compared with the new bid price, and it is determined whether the new bid price is the highest. If it is the highest price, then the player save data is read, and it is determined whether there is enough money to pay the bid price. If there is enough money to pay the bid price, the amount corresponding to the bid price is subtracted from the player save data.

Abstract: A rendering method for generating an image similar to that with normal lighting calculation, without the calculation, when changing the position of a light source etc. in a virtual space; including waiting for an operational input of an operator or other input; changing the position of the light source or other state in accordance with any input; generating an interpolated shadow data set based on the position etc. of the light source at the current position; and drawing an object using the interpolated shadow data set, wherein when generating the interpolated shadow data set, the positional data of the light source etc. is acquired, the shadow data set relating to the positional data of the light source acquired etc. is selected from a plurality of shadow data sets corresponding to pre-set positions of the light source etc.

Abstract: A client displays, on a television monitor, a web page on which a push-button (download button) having a string “DOWNLOAD” is located in accordance with a specification based on tags defined within markup text received from a server. When the download button is pressed by a user, data in the server specified by a URL is received. Then, the received data is stored in a storing area of the client, which is specified by a storing directory path.

Abstract: Display control improves performance and operability of information,processing apparatuses. Multi-link data referred to in a BODY part is defined in advance in a HEAD part of a NML document. By parsing the HEAD part, the multi-link data is stored in advance in a client system as a multi-link list. In parsing the BODY part, buttons and the multi-link list stored in the client system are linked to one another by a reference name described on an attribute of a button to be displayed. When a viewer detects a selecting operation of a button, a pop-up menu having link buttons is displayed on the basis of the multi-link list linked to the button without displaying a new page.

Abstract: A game apparatus for display of a game image in which a moving body moves in a virtual space is provided. The game apparatus comprises: a polygon data memory for storing polygon data which define shapes of polygons constituting the moving body; a texture image memory for storing a texture image which indicates a reflected state of ambient light; a position specifying unit for specifying a position of the moving body in the virtual space; and a first image drawing unit for drawing a polygon based on the position of the moving body and the polygon data; a determination unit for determining a part of the texture image stored in the texture image memory based on the specified position of the moving body; and a second image drawing unit for drawing a translucent polygon over the polygon of the moving body, the translucent polygon having pasted thereon the part of the texture determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: Game scenes are flexibly switched to different points of view selected according to character status and game progress, thereby preventing a loss of interest in the game. A specified hit count HPX and threshold value T1 are compared, and if HPX>T1, control data is generated to display image X1 from a particular perspective. If (HPX>T1) is not true, HPX is compared with threshold value T2 (T1>T2>0). If HPX>T2, control data is generated to display image X2 from a particular perspective. If (HPX>T2) is not true, the maximum decrease D possible in the next attack is subtracted from HPX to calculate inferred value HP′, which is then compared with 0. If (HP′≦0) is not true, control data is generated to display image X3 from a particular perspective, but if HP′≦0, control data is generated to display image X4 from a particular perspective.

Abstract: A video game machine monitors whether a cursor is stopped at the same dot position for a certain period of time based on the execution of a window manager. When the cursor stays at the same position, which cell the cursor is in is calculated. The cursor is automatically moved to a distinct place (e.g., the center) indicating the target cell. After moving the cursor, the cursor position stored in driver software is changed to the center of the cell.

Abstract: A message exchange method can realize a chat easily in an interface with users who are on-line using a chat window. First status information of a receiving client that will receive a message is confirmed. Then, when the receiving client is connected to a message server, a sender is asked whether chat should be carried out. A chat window is displayed in accordance with a chat instruction received from the sender, and then, the message is stored in a message log, displayed on the chat window and sent to the receiving client.

Abstract: A composite data set which includes a plurality of data to be read out when a new scene of a video game has started, the respective data names, and an index to be used for reading out the data in a separated manner, is recorded on a plurality of consecutive sectors on a CD-ROM. The composite data set is read into a RAM as a single data unit in a single data reading operation. The individual data of the composite data set are read from the RAM by specifying the respective data names.

Abstract: First, a process of moving an object such as a train is executed. Then, the influential ranges of virtual winds that are correlated with the object in advance are moved with a movement of the object. Based on the moved influential ranges of the virtual winds, it is judged whether each particle object is influenced by the virtual winds. The position of each particle object for which a judgment has been made that it is influenced by a virtual wind is determined in accordance with the direction of the influential virtual wind. Particle objects that have contacted the object are deleted. The object and the position-determined particle objects are drawn in a frame buffer. An image drawn in the frame buffer is displayed on a display screen.

Abstract: A speech can be flexibly selected in accordance with the state of a character and the progress state of a game, so that a loss of interest is prevented. In a battle start processing, a present hit point HP is compared with a threshold value T1 and it is judged whether or not (HP>T1) is satisfied. In the case where (HP>T1) is satisfied, a comfortable rush voice is selected, and in the case where (HP>T1) is not satisfied, the HP is compared with a threshold T2 (T1>T2), and it is judged whether or not (HP<T2) is satisfied. In the case where (HP<T2) is satisfied, a hard battle rush voice is selected. In a battle end processing, the present hit point HP is compared with a threshold value T3, and in the case where (HP>T3) and predetermined conditions are satisfied, a comfortable victory voice is selected.

Abstract: A server properly manages user names which users use in services. Based upon communication with a user terminal, a handle name and a character are selected. The information of the selected character is stored in association with the selected user name. The character profile of the character is stored as information of each associated character. Information relating to the user is also stored, and the information relating to the user is blurred when sent to a user terminal used by another user.

Abstract: To easily determine the presence of a message, a user receiving a harassment message can send a complaint as well as the message itself to a customer support center. The customer support center can confirm whether the harassment message complained about actually was sent. Furthermore, the customer support center determines whether the received harassment message differs from a message log record in a message server system constituting master data.

Abstract: A computer readable program product stores a program of a ball-playing type game which can smoothly express the continuous action of a player before and after a player obtains a ball when throwing the ball in any direction in accordance with operation of the user in the ball-playing game. An input operation of the user is accepted before the fielder receives the ball, a series of motions up to the fielder catching the ball and throwing it is judged in response to any input operation, and the motion is used to change the display up until the catching and throwing before the fielder catches the ball.