Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The video game system and methodology features a unique player controller. A player controlled character may be controlled in a multitude of different ways utilizing the combination of the joystick and/or cross-switch and/or control keys and a wide range of animation effects are generated.

Abstract: Three-dimensional image display game system and method for use with a display for displaying an object in a three-dimensional space, including an operation controlling device including an operating member having a base end rotatably supported and a free end operable by an operator. The operation controlling device includes an inclination amount data output detector which detects an inclination amount of the operating member to output inclination amount data. The system further includes direction determining circuitry operable to determine a direction that corresponds to an inclination direction of the operating member based on the inclination amount data, and moving object direction determining circuitry which determines a moving direction of the object in three-dimensional space based upon the direction determined by the direction determining circuitry and a point of view angle at which the object is being viewed by the operator in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A ROM cartridge 20 and a disk drive 30 are detachably attached to slots 103 and 104 of an information processing unit 10. A magnetic disk 40 is detachably attached to a slot 302 of the disk drive 30. A semiconductor storage device storing a game program and data is provided inside of the ROM cartridge 20. The information processing unit 10 detects whether the ROM cartridge 20 is attached to the slot 103 and whether the disk drive 30 is attached to the slot 104. Then the information processing unit 10 performs predetermined information processing on a basis of program data stored in the ROM cartridge 20 or the disk drive 30 when detecting that the ROM cartridge 20 or the disk drive 30 is attached to the slot 103 or 104, and starts information processing on the basis of the program data stored in the ROM cartridge 20 when detecting that both of the ROM cartridge 20 and the disk drive 30 are attached to the slots 103 and 104.

Abstract: A game system utilizes a first game machine and a second game machine. The backup data obtained through playing a first game on the first game machine is memorized in a first game cartridge. The first game cartridge is attached to an extension adapter, and the extension adapter is in turn mounted on a controller for the second game machine. Accordingly, the backup data of the first game machine is taken into the second game machine. The second game machine is attached with a second game cartridge. The second machine executes a second game by processing the backup data according to a second game program set up in the second game cartridge.

Abstract: A controller pack includes a case and a lid detachably attached to the case, and the controller pack is detachably attached to an opening portion of a controller. A vibration source is fixed to the lid. When a specific CPU address and data are outputted from terminals, an electric power of a battery is applied to the vibration source by a driver circuit, and therefore, the vibration source generates a vibration. The vibration generated by the vibration source is conveyed from the lid to the controller, and then, to hands of a player grasping the controller.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The player controller processing subsystem is used for both controlling player controller input/output processing and for performing game authenticating security checks continuously during game play. The peripheral interface includes a micro-processor for controlling various peripheral interface functions, a read/write random access memory, a boot ROM, a coprocessor command channel interface, a player controller channel interface, etc.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The video game methodology involves game level organization features, camera perspective or point of view control features, and a wide array of animation and character control features. The system changes the "camera" angle (i.e., the displayed point of view in the three-dimensional world) automatically based upon various conditions and in response to actuation of a plurality of distinct controller keys/buttons/switches, e.g., four "C" buttons in the exemplary embodiment.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The video game methodology involves game level organization features, camera perspective or point of view control features, and a wide array of animation and character control features. The system changes the "camera" angle (i.e., the displayed point of view in the three-dimensional world) automatically based upon various conditions and in response to actuation of a plurality of distinct controller keys/buttons/switches, e.g., four "C" buttons in the exemplary embodiment.

Abstract: A ROM cartridge 20 and a disk drive 30 are detachably attached to slots 103 and 104 of an information processing unit 10. A magnetic disk 40 is detachably attached to a slot 302 of the disk drive 30. A semiconductor storage device storing a game program and data is provided inside of the ROM cartridge 20. The information processing unit 10 detects whether the ROM cartridge 20 is attached to the slot 103 and whether the disk drive 30 is attached to the slot 104. Then the information processing unit 10 performs predetermined information processing on a basis of program data stored in the ROM cartridge 20 or the disk drive 30 when detecting that the ROM cartridge 20 or the disk drive 30 is attached to the slot 103 or 104, and starts information processing on the basis of the program data stored in the ROM cartridge 20 when detecting that both of the ROM cartridge 20 and the disk drive 30 are attached to the slots 103 and 104.

Abstract: A game system utilizes a first game machine and a second game machine. The backup data obtained through playing a first game on the first game machine is memorized in a first game cartridge. The first game cartridge is attached to an extension adapter, and the extension adapter is in turn mounted on a controller for the second game machine. Accordingly, the backup data of the first game machine is taken into the second game machine. The second game machine is attached with a second game cartridge. The second machine executes a second game by processing the backup data according to a second game program set up in the second game cartridge.

Abstract: A videographics/video game fabricating system includes a multiprocessor based game processor console which includes a main central processing unit (CPU) which controls editing operations and operating system task execution and a game CPU for executing the model video game which is loaded into a pluggable RAM cartridge. The model video game provides a starting point from which a user can readily create an original video game including desired aspects of the model software. The system permits a user to modify any of the game's moving objects, background screens, music or sound effects. The main CPU and game CPU cooperate in the game execution and editorial process such that an editing screen generated by the main CPU is superimposed on a game screen generated by the program executing CPU. The game processing console includes ports for interconnection with a wide variety of peripheral devices.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The player controller processing subsystem is used for both controlling player controller input/output processing and for performing game authenticating security checks continuously during game play. A peripheral interface macro may be executed to start a read or write transaction with each peripheral device and thereafter transfer the transaction results stored in the random access memory to the game microprocessor main memory. The peripheral interface performs security in addition to input/output functions.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The player controller processing subsystem is used for both controlling player controller input/output processing and for performing game authenticating security checks continuously during game play. The peripheral interface includes a micro-processor for controlling various peripheral interface functions, a read/write random access memory, a boot ROM, a coprocessor command channel interface, a player controller channel interface, etc.

Abstract: A video processing system is described including a video processing device which generates a sequence of video display frames on a display unit under the control of a stored program, and a unique operation controlling device which is connected to the video processing device and which supplies signals in response to an operator's manipulation, to change the video data generated by the video processing device. The video processing device includes a replaceable program memory, first data receiving circuitry, a central processing unit, first data sending circuitry and a video signal generation circuitry. The operation controlling device may include various operation controlling buttons, switches, an operation member, rotor bodies, rotation detection mechanisms, counting circuitry, reset signal generation circuitry, second receiving circuitry, transfer circuitry and second sending circuitry.

Abstract: A video processing system is described including a video processing device which generates a sequence of video display frames on a display unit under the control of a stored program, and a unique operation controlling device which is connected to the video processing device and which supplies signals in response to an operator's manipulation, to change the video data generated by the video processing device. The video processing device includes a replaceable program memory, first data receiving circuitry, a central processing unit, first data sending circuitry and a video signal generation circuitry. The operation controlling device may include various operation controlling buttons, switches, an operation member, rotor bodies, rotation detection mechanisms, counting circuitry, reset signal generation circuitry, second receiving circuitry, transfer circuitry and second sending circuitry.

Abstract: A three-dimension image processing apparatus includes a CPU. When the CPU detects by collision determination that another object, e.g., a wall, is existent between an operable object and a camera, it calculates such a moving angle of the camera that an eye of the camera to the operable object is not obstructed by the other object. The camera is moved in accordance with the moving angle to a position where the operable object and the other object existing in a photographed three-dimensional space are displayed on a display.

Abstract: An image processing system includes an image processor (10) which generates image data of an image to be displayed on a monitor, and an analog joystick (45) which modifies the image data, the image processor generates the image data on the basis of joystick data from the analog joystick. An inclinable range of a lever (474) of the analog joystick is restricted by a guide ring (486), and an inclined amount of the lever is counted by counters (444X, 444Y). The joystick data is output by correcting counter data in a specific area (a central area and/or peripheral area) set at a portion of the inclinable range.

Abstract: An operating device is connected to an image processing apparatus that generates image data to be displayed on a display according to a program. The operating device supplies a signal for varying the image data to be generated by the image processing apparatus. A joystick includes a lever and a disc interlocked therewith, and the rotation of the disc is detected by a photo-interrupter. Pulses from the photo-interrupter are counted by a resettable counter. A reset signal is supplied to the counter when three buttons are simultaneously depressed, when a power supply is turned on, or otherwise when a signal is received from a CPU of the image processing apparatus.

Abstract: A controller pack includes a case and a lid detachably attached to the case, and the controller pack is detachably attached to an opening portion of a controller. A vibration source is fixed to the lid. When a specific CPU address and data are outputted from terminals, an electric power of a battery is applied to the vibration source by a driver circuit, and therefor, the vibration source generates a vibration. The vibration generated by the vibration source is conveyed from the lid to the controller, and then, to hands of a player grasping the controller.

Abstract: A video display apparatus includes a video data generator which generates video data of a plurality of still picture and a moving picture (graphic data) in an overlaid manner on the basis of still picture patterns, still picture character codes, moving picture character codes and etc. programmed in an external storage unit in advance. A microprocessor applies, in accordance with priority data for the still pictures and the moving picture and mode data both programmed in the external storage unit in advance, first priority data to the video data of the still picture characters and second priority data to the video data of the moving picture character, respectively. A priority encoder selects a still picture character or a moving picture character having the highest priority on the basis of the first and second priority data, and applies the number of that character to a decoder. The decoder outputs a gate control signal in accordance with the number.