Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an object such as a billboard in a virtual world is provided. An input history of a user's operation for moving a character in the virtual world is obtained. The movement track of the character in the virtual world is also obtained. The position and direction of the billboard are changed according to the input history and the movement track so that the billboard is visible to the user. For instance, on a street where the user is expected to move at a high speed, the direction of the billboard is changed so that its display surface can face the front of the character and the billboard is displayed in a position far away from the user's viewing position.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus obtains a first image and display timing information of the first image via a first channel, and a second image via a second channel different from the first channel. The information processing apparatus includes a main CPU for processing the obtained second image in accordance with the contents of the first image, and a CRTC for outputting the obtained first image, the processed second image and the display timing information to a predetermined display unit to display a combined image obtained by combining the first and second images on the display unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of obtaining a novel image. An image input unit acquires frames constituting a moving image, and stores them into an image buffer. A processing execution unit reads frames to be reproduced from the image buffer as reproduction targets. An image conversion unit applies image processing to the frames to be reproduced. An image output unit outputs the frames to a monitor. A buffer adjusting unit stores the reproduced frames into the image buffer as past frames, and drops some of the frames at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: This invention provides a digital filter which permits input data to be little canceled. Based on an input signal, a coefficient is calculated through delay units 10, 11, coefficient multiplier units 20, 21, 22, adder units 30, 31, 32 and an offset constant unit 40, and the thus obtained coefficient is multiplied by the input signal through coefficient multiplier unit 23.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the architecture and use of a computer system optimized for the efficient modeling of graphics. The computer system has a primary processor and a graphics processor. The primary processor has two vector processor units within it, one which is closely connected to central processor unit. Simultaneously performing complex modeling calculations on the first vector processor and CPU, and geometry transformation calculations on the second vector processor, allows for efficient modeling of graphics. Furthermore, the graphics processor is optimized to rapidly switch between data flows from the two vector processors. In addition, the graphics processor is able to render many pixels simultaneously, and has a local memory on the graphics processor chip that acts as a frame buffer, texture buffer, and z buffer. This allows a high fill rate to the frame buffer.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first function block which controls rendering and a second function block which controls operation modes of the first function block. The rendering is finally performed in a display unit. The second function block shifts the operation mode to a power-saving mode in the first function block when the first function block completes generation of a screen to be rendered before completion of a unit rendering period, namely, a frame period. In the event of start of next unit rendering period, the second function block, on the other hand, shifts the power-saving mode back to a normal mode in the first function block, based on a vertical synchronizing signal indicative of the start of next unit rendering period.

Abstract: A surface computer includes an address generator for generating an address for adjusting surface region data concerning at least a storage region and a concurrent computer, provided at a subsequent stage of the address generator, having a plurality of unit computers.

Abstract: To distribute data for an information processing device, and if an improper electronic device connection is made, to inform the user of this fact and have him make the correct connection. If a correct connection is made, image part 61 is displayed on a display device, such as a television receiver. When an incorrect electronic device connection is made, data part 62 is displayed on the screen of the image display device together with image part 61. Option data area 62a of data part 62 notifies the user by a caption that an improper connection has been made. Data for the information processing device to perform various processing is recorded in basic data area 62b. Data consisting of image part 61 and data part 62 is thus input to the image processing device, and if correct connections are made, then in accordance with the data of basic data area 62b, the data that is input is processed so that only image part 61 is displayed on the image display device.

Abstract: To make it possible to accurately track a prescribed part. a low-resolution overall image is taken in from an input image, and a medium-resolution image, whose center is the head part, is extracted from it. When it is possible to extract a medium-resolution image in the middle of which is the head part, an even higher-resolution image is extracted, in the middle of which is the two-eyes part.

Abstract: An image processor is provided which utilizes images taken by an imaging device, e.g., a digital camera, as an input interface to enter commands, etc. Such image processor includes a memory operable to store an image from a series of real time images of a location captured by an imaging device over time, the stored image at least partially including a target that is subject to movement from one point in the time to another point in the time. The image processor further includes a detector operable to detect the target and a movement component thereof by detecting features of the captured images at different points in the time, and includes an image generator operable to generate an object image representing a predetermined object so that a color of a predetermined portion of the object image varies according to the detected movement component of the target.

Abstract: A prefetch command control apparatus is provided. A protocol slot generation unit, when receiving from a CPU a prefetch command in which a utilization time of data to be prefetched is specified, generates a protocol slot based on the utilization time and registers it in a schedule list storage unit. When receiving a regular access command, the protocol slot generation unit registers a protocol slot in a regular protocol queue storage unit. A cost evaluation unit evaluates an issuance cost of the prefetch command based on a cache retention time of data to be prefetched and evaluates an issuance cost of the regular access command based on a resource occupation cost. A protocol issuance unit decides which command shall be issued, the prefetch command or regular access command, based on the evaluation result of these issuance costs.

Abstract: A portable electronic device and an entertainment system that can give a user a sense of familiarity by generating a proper character using an identification number and by displaying it, for example, on a display means include an identification-number holding section which holds a proper identification number through a bus, which is connected to an interface to connect to a game-machine main body having a program-execution function. Input operation is performed by a player at an input-operation section. At an operation-information generation section, an operation information is generated in response to the input operation at the input-operation section. The RAM provides for use for operation information stores the operation information received from the operation-information generation section. A character-information generation section generates proper character information in accordance with the operation information and gene information when the latter is received through the game-machine main body.

Abstract: The invention is aimed at providing a high-speed processor system capable of performing distributed concurrent processing without requiring modification of conventional programming styles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the architecture and use of a computer system optimized for the efficient modeling of graphics. The computer system has a primary processor and a graphics processor. The primary processor has two vector processor units within it, one which is closely connected to central processor unit. Simultaneously performing complex modeling calculations on the first vector processor and CPU, and geometry transformation calculations on the second vector processor, allows for efficient modeling of graphics. Furthermore, the graphics processor is optimized to rapidly switch between data flow from the two vector processors. In addition, the graphics processor is able to render many pixels simultaneously, and has a local memory on the graphics processor chip that acts as a frame buffer, texture buffer, and z buffer. This allows a high fill rate to the frame buffer.

Abstract: An entertainment device includes a general-purpose signal processor 103 made up of an assembly of component-processors 103A to 103D each of which can operate in parallel under operating environments independent of others component-processors. A management processor 101 controls a cross bar 104 so as to change the operating environments of the respective component-processors 103A to 103D in accordance with a demand for signal processing which is given from a CPU 11, and to change over any one of the component-processors which receives a signal to be processed which is inputted through the cross bar 104 or outputs a processed signal in accordance with the demand for signal processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processor to use images taken by an image pickup device, etc. as an input interface to enter commands, etc. The present invention provides an image processor that includes image capturing means for capturing a mirrored moving image partially including a moving target, image generating means for generating an object image expressing a predetermined object according to the movement of the target included in the mirrored moving image captured by the image capturing means and controlling means for combining the object image generated by this image generating means with the captured mirrored moving image and displaying the combined image on a predetermined display device.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to generate more realistic pattern by mapping a texture to a three-dimensional polygon.

Abstract: A rectangular-parallelopiped space (box space) expresses the moving images by use of a virtual space. A plurality of frames contained in the moving images appear continuously along time axis. The box space is cut through by a desired surface, and an image projected on this cut surface is projected onto a plane parallel in the direction of time axis. Images sequentially projected onto the plane are outputted as new moving images.

Abstract: To distribute data for an information processing device, and if an improper electronic device connection is made, to inform the user of this fact and have him make the correct connection. If a correct connection is made, image part 61 is displayed on a display device, such as a television receiver. When an incorrect electronic device connection is made, data part 62 is displayed on the screen of the image display device together with image part 61. Option data area 62a of data part 62 notifies the user by a caption that an improper connection has been made. Data for the information processing device to perform various processing is recorded in basic data area 62b. Data consisting of image part 61 and data part 62 is thus input to the image processing device, and if correct connections are made, then in accordance with the data of basic data area 62b, the data that is input is processed so that only image part 61 is displayed on the image display device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a normal vector mapping section for dividing a surface of an object into a plurality of divided surfaces and generating a first normal vector pointing to the vertical direction of each of the divided surfaces, a luminance value mapping section for replacing the first normal vector of each divided surface with a luminance value associated with one of a predetermined number of second normal vectors, each associated with a different luminance value, which is most analogous in characteristic to the first normal vector, and a graphic processor for shading each divided surface according to the replaced luminance value.