Abstract: A video/computer game machine maps external images onto animated game players in a game program. An image of a person's face may be mapped onto the head of an animated game player. The person may then play the game using the animated game player having a face that appears to be that of the person. Similarly, images of other persons can be mapped on other animated game players that appear in the video game program. Improved realism of video games is obtained by enabling individuals to create animated game players that have features, e.g., a facial image, of the individual or that were selected and imported by the individual.

Abstract: A system for sharing information between separately executable programs is provided. The data sharing system includes a control unit (11) having a processor (12) and a memory (16) coupled to the processor (12). The memory (16) stores information pertaining to a first program that was previously executed by the processor (12). The data sharing system also includes a data storage medium (14) that stores a second program executable by the processor (12). When executed by the processor, the second program retrieves information pertaining to the first program from the memory and utilizes the information pertaining to the first program with the execution of the second program.

Abstract: A video/computer game machine is disclosed that maps external images onto animated game players in a game program. An image of a person's face may be mapped onto the head of an animated game player. The person may then play the game using the animated game player having a face that appears to be that of the person. Similarly, images of other persons can be mapped on other animated game players that appear in the video game program. Accordingly, the invention improves the realism of video games by enabling individuals to create animated game players that have features, e.g., a facial image, of the individual or that were selected and imported by the individual.

Abstract: A moving video image jigsaw puzzle game is provided that varies the level of difficulty in the game and that provides assistance to game players in solving a moving video image jigsaw puzzle. The moving video image jigsaw puzzle game is primarily implemented by a moving puzzle program (18). The moving puzzle program (18) generates a representative version of a moving puzzle image to be solved by a game player. This representative image is displayed on a display (14) along with puzzle pieces, each of which represents a portion of the full-color moving puzzle image. The representative image is used as a reference to reassemble the puzzle pieces to recreate the moving video image.