Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating shadows. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a two-dimensional image representing an icon and a two-dimensional image representing a light source, applying an affine transformation to a transparency channel of the image representing the icon, the affine transformation projecting pixels of the transparency channel into three-dimensional space, and generating a field of pixels representing a shadow cast by the icon by computing a portion of the light source that is visible to pixels of the field by subtracting rows of a matrix that represents the affine transformation from rows of a matrix that represents the transparency channel of the light source image, and computing brightness of each of the generated pixels of the field based at least partly on the computed portion of the visible light source.

Abstract: A program generation device (11) for generating a control program for causing a display device (30) to display an image in different display sizes comprises: a determination unit (116) that determines a conversion image size based on the different display sizes of the image; a conversion unit (117) that converts an item of image data representing the image into an item of image data having an image size equal to the conversion image size; and a generation unit (118) that generates a control program for causing the display device to display the image in different display sizes by using the item of image data converted by the conversion unit.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for temporally aligning a plurality of cardiac image sequences. The method includes performing a locally linear embedding algorithm on a first set of cardiac image sequences and on a second set of cardiac image sequences. A graphical representation is created for the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences. A determination is made whether the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences were generated from a similar point of view. If a similar point of view is found, the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation are aligned using a minimization function. If a similar point of view is not found, the graphs are aligned with a template and then aligned with each other using the minimization function.

Abstract: A deformation information transformation OK/NG discrimination unit determines whether or not it is possible to achieve a transformation equivalent to three-dimensional deformation information by only two-dimensional affine transformation. If it is possible to achieve this transformation, a two-dimensional bitmap generation unit generates a processed two-dimensional graphics image by applying the two-dimensional affine transformation equivalent to the transformation indicated by the three-dimensional deformation information to a two-dimensional graphics image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reframing an image according to at least one predefined reframing method to obtain a reframed image for which the format ratio is equal to a target format ratio. The method comprises the following steps for: analyzing the image, selecting the predefined reframing method in a set of at least two reframing methods according to the result of the analysis step, and reframing said image using the selected reframing method. The invention also relates to a device for reframing an image.

Abstract: The present invention provides computerized systems and methods for providing electronically presented interactive area representation, such as a map, and information associated therewith. A user can select text, imagery, or other information presented on the map and associated with one or more items or locations, causing presentation of information relating to the associated one or more items or locations, such as appropriate contact information or a hyperlink to an appropriate Web site. Additionally or alternatively, a user can input or select, based on a query or otherwise, information relating to one or more items or locations associated with text, imagery, or other information presented on the map, causing presentation of an indication of one or more locations of the associated text, imagery, or other information on the map. A magnifier feature allowing internal navigation within the map can be provided. Additionally, animated images can appear to move over the map.

Abstract: Provided is a stereoscopic image system. The stereoscopic image system includes a display device radiating linearly polarized light, glasses including left and right oculars each including a first polarizer disposed between the display device and the eyes of a user, a second polarizer disposed between the first polarizer and the eyes of the user, and a polarization plane rotator disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer, and a quarter wave plate disposed between the display device and the first polarizer. Accordingly, even when the glasses are rotated around a normal line to surfaces of the left and right oculars, a change in the brightness of a stereoscopic image can be reduced.

Abstract: A position of a predetermined object or design is sequentially detected from images. Then, an amount of movement of the predetermined object or design is calculated on the basis of: a position, in a first image, of the predetermined object or design detected from the first image; and a position, in a second image, of the predetermined object or design detected from the second image acquired before the first image. Then, when the amount of movement is less than a first threshold, the position, in the first image, of the predetermined object or design detected from the first image is corrected to a position internally dividing, in a predetermined ratio, line segments connecting: the position, in the first image, of the predetermined object or design detected from the first image; to the position, in the second image, of the predetermined object or design detected from the second image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an orientation sensor that detects orientation representing the direction in which the imaging apparatus is oriented; a controller that produces data formed of a captured image and attribute information associated with the captured image and records the data in a recording section; and the recording section that stores a captured image and attribute information, wherein the controller successively records an entry in a memory, the entry relating orientation information calculated by successively receiving a value detected with the orientation sensor to a time stamp representing the time at which the detected value is inputted from the orientation sensor, extracts a plurality of entries having time stamps close to the time at which the image was captured from the entries recorded in the memory, and calculates orientation information representing the direction in which the image was captured by using the plurality of pieces of orientation information in the extracted entries.

Abstract: An inventive system and method for touch free operation of a device is presented. The system can comprise a depth sensor for detecting a movement, motion software to receive the detected movement from the depth sensor, deduce a gesture based on the detected movement, and filter the gesture to accept an applicable gesture, and client software to receive the applicable gesture at a client computer for performing a task in accordance with client logic based on the applicable gesture. The client can be a mapping device and the task can be one of various mapping operations. The system can also comprise hardware for making the detected movement an applicable gesture. The system can also comprise voice recognition providing voice input for enabling the client to perform the task based on the voice input in conjunction with the applicable gesture. The applicable gesture can be a movement authorized using facial recognition.

Abstract: A system and method for rotating a source image by a first non-zero angle is provided. The method includes: defining a template for the source image, the template representing a rotation of the source image about an axis of the source image by second angle, where the second angle is the negative of the first non-zero angle; determining overlap between the template and the source image; separating the template into a plurality of strips covering at least the area of overlap; and for each strip: indentifying an initial pixel in the source image within the strip and storing the image data of the initial pixel; storing the image data of all remaining pixels within both the strip and the overlap in a database format in which the all remaining pixels is defined by a Y and X offset from the initial pixel.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that transforms offline maps into interactive online maps. In the system, geo-coordinate relationships are determined between geo-coordinates on a source map and geo-coordinates on an online reference map. An image of the source map is transformed to form an image of a modified source map having geo-coordinates that substantially align with corresponding geo-coordinates on the reference map. Modified source tiles are formed with the image of the modified source map and displayed on a portion of the reference map.

Abstract: An image search method that is robust and fast (with computational complexity of logarithmic order relative to the number of models). The image search method including: extracting a plurality of specific regions possessing such a property that a shape can be normalized regardless of an affine transformation thereof, as affine-invariant regions from one or more learning images; calculating, with respect to a reference affine-invariant region, other neighboring affine-invariant regions as a set; deforming the neighboring affine-invariant regions by a transformation to normalize the shape of the reference affine-invariant region; and outputting the deformed shapes of the neighboring affine-invariant regions, together with combination of the reference affine-invariant region and the neighboring affine-invariant regions.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer-readable storage medium for flattening 3D patches of a 3D graphics model. For each vertex in each polygon of a plurality of polygons of a 3D patch from a 3D graphics model, a vector is determined from a seed point of the 3D patch to the vertex. An axis in a plane of the polygon that includes the seed point and is perpendicular to the vector is determined, and the vector rotated around the axis until the vector is in the plane of the polygon to generate a corresponding 2D vertex at the endpoint of the rotated vector in the plane. The determining a vector, determining an axis, and rotating the vector for each vertex in each polygon of the 3D patch generates a 2D patch of co-planar polygons corresponding to the polygons of the 3D patch, which is stored for use in a computer graphics application.

Abstract: Methods and systems for correcting skew in digital images are disclosed according to embodiments of the invention. Embodiments may include receiving the endpoints of the skew-line, calculating the sine and cosine of the skew-angle from the endpoints and rotating the image using the sine and cosine of the skew-angle. Embodiments of the invention may also include various ways for a user to provide a skew-line and/or endpoints.

Abstract: Medical imaging often involves the collective use of information presented in multiple images of an individual, such as images generated through different imaging modalities (X-ray, CT, PET, etc.) The use of a composite of these images may involve image registration to adjust for the variable position and orientation discrepancies of the individual during imaging. However, registration may be complicated by soft tissue deformation between images, and implementations (particularly pure software implementations) of the mathematical models used in image registration may be computationally complex and may require up to several hours. Hardware architectures are presented that apply the mathematical techniques in an accelerated manner, thereby providing near-realtime image registration that may be of particular use for the short timeframe requirements of surgical environments.

Abstract: A method of detecting an occurrence of an event of an event type during an animation, in which the animation comprises, for each of a plurality of object parts of an object, data defining the respective movement of that object part at each of a sequence of time-points for the animation, the method comprising: indicating the event type, wherein the event type specifies: one or more of the object parts; and a sequence of two or more event phases that occur during an event of that event type such that, for each event phase, the respective movements of the one or more specified object parts during that event phase are each constrained according to a constraint type associated with that event phase; and detecting an occurrence of an event of the event type by detecting a section of the animation during which the respective movements defined by the animation for the specified one or more object parts are constrained in accordance with the sequence of two or more event phases.

Abstract: Techniques for registration of multiple measurement modes of a body include receiving first and second data from different modes. Each includes measured values with coordinate values. For two mechanically aligned modes, any non-rigid registration is performed. For some modes, the non-rigid registration includes a coarse transformation and multiple fine scale transformations. The coarse transformation maximizes a coarse similarity measure. The second data is sub-divided into contiguous sub-regions. Fine transformations are determined between the sub-regions and corresponding portions of the first data to maximize a fine similarity measure. Sub-dividing and determining fine transformations repeats until stop conditions are satisfied. Transformations between the last-divided sub-regions are interpolated.

Abstract: A medical image viewing system comprises an image data processor. The image data processor automatically identifies movement of a particular object within a first image of a sequence of images, relative to the corresponding particular object in a different reference image in the sequence of images. The image data processor automatically determines a transform to apply to data representing the first image to keep the particular object appearing substantially stationary in the first image relative to the corresponding particular object in the reference image, in response to the identified movement. The image data processor stores data, representing the determined transform and associating the determined transform with the first image. A user interface applies the transform acquired from storage to data representing the first image to present the first image in a display showing the particular object substantially stationary relative to the reference image, in response to a user command.

Abstract: Techniques for registration of multiple measurement modes of a body include receiving first and second data from different modes. Each includes measured values with coordinate values. For two mechanically aligned modes, any non-rigid registration is performed. For some modes, the non-rigid registration includes a coarse transformation and multiple fine scale transformations. The coarse transformation maximizes a coarse similarity measure. The second data is sub-divided into contiguous sub-regions. Fine transformations are determined between the sub-regions and corresponding portions of the first data to maximize a fine similarity measure. Sub-dividing and determining fine transformations repeats until stop conditions are satisfied. Transformations between the last-divided sub-regions are interpolated.

Abstract: Techniques for registration of multiple measurement modes of a body include receiving first and second data from different modes. Each includes measured values with coordinate values. For two mechanically aligned modes, any non-rigid registration is performed. For some modes, the non-rigid registration includes a coarse transformation and multiple fine scale transformations. The coarse transformation maximizes a coarse similarity measure. The second data is sub-divided into contiguous sub-regions. Fine transformations are determined between the sub-regions and corresponding portions of the first data to maximize a fine similarity measure. Sub-dividing and determining fine transformations repeats until stop conditions are satisfied. Transformations between the last-divided sub-regions are interpolated.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and media bearing instructions for matching movements of objects are described. In one example, the method can include determining a position of a first point in a first coordinate system, converting the position of the first point from the first coordinate system to a second coordinate system, performing a transformation on a second point in the second coordinate system, wherein the second point is initialized to a starting position in the second coordinate system, determining an ending position of the second point in the second coordinate system based on the transformation, converting the ending position of the second point in the second coordinate system to the first coordinate system, and associating the ending position of the second point in the first coordinate system to the first point in the first coordinate system, wherein the associating causes a transformation of the first point to match the transformation performed on the second point.

Abstract: A method of stitching converging path segments to aesthetically label Y-intersections, path bifurcations or splits in roads or the like entails determining which pair of adjacent path segments subtend the largest angle. The path segments subtending the largest angle are reconstructed (stitched together) and a single instance of the label is then rendered along the reconstructed path. Although this stitching can be performed on the client device, pre-stitching server-side is even more efficient in terms of economizing over-the-air bandwidth and onboard processing resources.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for facilitating visualization of a tubular structure. Digitized image data of the tubular structure is received and processed to determine a centerline. A first transformation operation is performed on a first set of coordinates representing the tubular structure to generate a transformed tubular structure with a straight centerline. A second transformation operation is then performed locally on a second set of coordinates representing at least one fold of the transformed tubular structure to generate a transformed fold, which is perpendicular to the centerline.

Abstract: Techniques for registration of multiple measurement modes of a body include receiving first and second data from different modes. Each includes measured values with coordinate values. For two mechanically aligned modes, any nonrigid registration is performed. For some modes, the nonrigid registration includes a coarse transformation and multiple fine scale transformations. The coarse transformation maximizes a coarse similarity measure. The second data is subdivided into contiguous subregions. Fine transformations are determined between the subregions and corresponding portions of the first data to maximize a fine similarity measure. Subdividing and determining fine transformations repeats until stop conditions are satisfied. Transformations between the last divided subregions are interpolated.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for estimating changes in an object represented by first and second multidimensional datasets. The first dataset is a reference dataset and the second dataset is an altered dataset. Discrete data samples of the first dataset are processed to form a piecewise continuous representation thereof. An error function is computed for comparisons between discrete data samples in the second dataset and the piecewise continuous representation of the first dataset. An alteration of the second dataset relative to the first dataset that minimizes the error function is determined.

Abstract: A method for superimposing optical information in a scanning microscope includes determining a transformation matrix, and superimposing first optical information of a CCD image and second optical information of at least one piece of second image information using the transformation matrix.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a variational framework for detail-preserving skinned mesh manipulation or deformation. The skinned mesh deformation occurs by optimizing skeleton position and vertex weights of a skeletal skinned mesh in an integrated manner. The process allows creating new poses and animations by specifying a few desired constraints for the skeletal skinned mesh in an interactive deformation platform. This process adjusts the skeletal position and solves for a deformed skinned mesh simultaneously with an algorithm in conjunction with the constraints. The algorithm includes a cascading optimization procedure. The mesh puppetry displays skinned mesh manipulation in real-time. The user interface will enable interactive design in creating new poses and animations for a skeletal skinned mesh, enabling direct manipulation of the skeletal skinned mesh to create natural, life-like poses, and providing automatic balancing and most-rigid constraints to create a puppet-like animation.

Abstract: An image description data processing method is provided for execution in an apparatus including a holding unit configured to hold image description data described in an image description language including one of a page description language and a structured language. The method includes acquiring first image description data from the holding unit; extracting a description of a first rendering command from the acquired first image description data; calculating the description of the first rendering command to replace the description of the first rendering command with a description of a second rendering command; and storing second image description data containing the description of the second rendering command in the holding unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for viewing digital images is provided. A digital image may be viewed using a digital image system that employs a virtual loupe. A virtual loupe comprises a lens region and a target region. The lens region and the target region may each be a bounded area displayed on a display. A user may position the target region over a digital image displayed on the display to cause a depiction of visual information associated with the target region to be displayed in the lens region. The user can configure the virtual loupe to display visual information in the lens region at different levels of magnification. The lens may automatically move and change in orientation with respect to the target region as the target region moves on the display to ensure that the display of the lens region on the display is always unobscured.

Abstract: An image output apparatus for automatically laying out a number of captured images in a composition without uncomfortable feeling and outputting the same is provided. The image output apparatus includes: an object orientation identification section for identifying the orientation of an object in an image; an image layout section for laying out the image within an output region based on the object orientation identified by the object orientation identification section; and an image output section for outputting the image laid out within the output region by the image layout section.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus in which, when processing speed is deemed important, as when performing frame-advance playback or a scrolling display, a low-resolution display is presented using an image reduced to a size smaller than the display size. When frame-advance playback or scrolling is halted, a high-resolution image is displayed by presenting a display using an image reduced to the size of the display. As a result, the apparatus is extremely user friendly.

Abstract: A method and method and apparatus for data re-arrangement includes the steps of receiving output pixel coordinates (X, Y) and obtaining an input pixel offset value (?S, ?T), wherein the output pixel coordinate represents a location for a two dimensional matrix. The input pixel offset value is obtained in reference to initial input pixel coordinates (S, T) which may be received with the output pixel coordinates or calculated based on the input and/or output pixel coordinates. The input pixel offset value may be any type of representation that provides for a delta value, for example, (?S, ?T) may represent a shift representation for the offset within a matrix array. The method and apparatus for data re-arrangement further includes retrieving an input pixel based on the initial input pixel coordinates and the offset value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for viewing digital images is provided. A digital image may be viewed using a digital image system that employs a virtual loupe. A virtual loupe comprises a lens region and a target region. A user may position the target region over a portion of a screen, which may correspond to a digital image, to cause a depiction of visual information associated with the portion of the screen identified by target region to be displayed in the lens region. The user can configure the virtual loupe to display visual information in the lens region at different levels of magnification. The lens may automatically move and change in orientation with respect to the target region as the target region moves on the display to ensure that the display of the lens region on the display is always unobscured.

Abstract: A method for multimodal image registration includes providing a pair of images acquired from differing imaging modalities, defining an intensity correction function that corrects the intensities of a first image in terms of the intensities of the second image, defining a registration transformation function that registers the second image with the first image, wherein said intensity correction function and transformation function are functions of a plurality of parameters, obtaining corrections to the plurality of parameters by minimizing an energy functional of a square difference of the intensity corrected first image and the registration transformed second image, and updating the intensity correction function and the registration transformation function based on the corrected plurality of parameters.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for performing registration applications are provided. An exemplary system includes a central processing unit (CPU) for transferring a plurality of images to a graphics processing unit (GPU); wherein the GPU performs a registration application on the plurality of images to produce a registration result, and wherein the GPU returns the registration result to the CPU. An exemplary method includes the steps of transferring a plurality of images from a central processing unit (CPU) to a graphics processing unit (GPU); performing a registration application on the plurality of images using the GPU; transferring the result of the step of performing from the GPU to CPU.

Abstract: A method of scaling and rotating an image includes generating a scaled and rotated pixel grid from a transformation operation applied to an input pixel grid. The input pixel grid comprises a plurality of pixels representing an original image, and the transformation may implement the simultaneous scaling and rotation of the input pixel grid. The respective values of a plurality of output pixels in the scaled and rotated pixel grid are then determined by interpolation.

Abstract: A spatial transformation methodology provides a new image interpolation scheme, or analyzes an already existing one. Examples of spatial operations include but are not limited to, demosaicing, edge enhancement or sharpening, linear filtering, and non-linear filtering. A demosaicing operation is described herein, although the scheme is applied generally to spatial transformation operations. The spatial transformation methodology includes detailed expressions for the noise covariance after a spatial operation is performed for each of the three color channels, red, green, and blue. A color filter array is in the form of a Bayer pattern and demosaicing is performed using a 4-neighbor bilinear interpolation. Using lattice theory, the spatial transformation methodology predicts noise covariance after demosaicing in terms of the input noise covariance and an autocorrelation function of the image is determined for a given selectable number of shifts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for viewing one or more images using a floating controller is provided. A collection of digital images may be managed using a digital image system that displays images using a floating controller. While a pointer is over the floating controller, the floating controller is continuously displayed, but when the pointer is moved off the floating controller, a period of time during which no user input of any type is tracked. If, while the pointer is off the toolbar, an idle period exceeds a predetermined threshold duration, then the floating controller is hidden. A set of images of a bounded sequence of images may be displayed on the floating controller. A visual indication that indicates whether a particular image in the set of images is either the first or last image in the bounded sequence may be displayed on each image of the set of images.

Abstract: A method (400) is disclosed for estimating an affine relation between a first image and a second image. The first and second images each have at least 4 non-parallel lines therein. The method (400) starts by identifying (406) sets of intersection points of the lines appearing in each of the images. The method (400) then determines (412) whether a relation between intersection points exists. If the relation exists then the first and second images are affine related and the affine distortion may be inverted (418).

Abstract: An image signal processing device is provided, which has therein a memory to store a first correction parameter to convert a specific region of display image of a display panel, a first coefficient generating section to generate a first coefficient for each pixel in a display panel based on the first correction parameter, a first correction value generating section to generate a first correction value for each pixel based on an input image signal, a first multiplier to multiply the first coefficient by the first correction value for each pixel and output a first multiplied value, and a first adder to add or subtract for each pixel the first multiplied value to or from the input image signal.

Abstract: An image transformation system and method for transforming a source image having source image pixel data associated with a source pixel array having an origin into a target image having target image pixel data associated with a target pixel array according to an image transformation. The image transformation is applied to the source image pixel data to generate transformed image pixel data. The transformed image pixel data is then compared to the target pixel array and the portion of the transformed image pixel data that fits within the target pixel array is determined. The portion of the source image pixel data that corresponds to the portion of the transformed image pixel data is determined. Finally, the image transformation is applied to the portion of the source image pixel data to generate the target image pixel data.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first transform operation with respect to an image element to transform the image element from an object space, defined by an object coordinate system, to an intermediate space defined by an intermediate coordinate system. A first computational operation is performed with respect to the image element in the intermediate space. A second transform operation is performed with respect to the image element to transform the image element from the intermediate space to a world space, defined by a world coordinate system. A second computational operation is performed with respect to the image element in the world space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus removing redundant data of a simple texture model, using an extended depth image, and an image-based editing method and apparatus. The method involves calculating normal vectors of pixels projected into a three-dimensional (3D) space by using depth images among a plurality of simple texture images, the plurality of simple texture images rendering different aspects of a 3D model; calculating reliabilities of the pixels of each of the simple texture images by using the calculated normal vectors; and comparing the reliabilities of the pixels that originate from different simple texture images but render the same portion of the 3D model and removing the pixels having low reliabilities from the different simple texture images from which they respectively originate.

Abstract: A video node for use in rendering one or more video frames of a video stream. The video node is represented by a compositing tree (2100). The compositing tree (2100) comprises at least one image primitive node (2140) representing one or more video frames (2300) of the video stream. At least one of the video frames (2300) represented by the image primitive node (2140) is composited with at least one further graphical primitive represented by at least one further primitive node (2130) of the compositing tree (2100). The video frame (2300) is composited with the further graphical primitive according to a compositing operation represented by an operation node of the compositing tree (2100) in order to generate a composite image (2303) represented by at least one composite node (2150) of the compositing tree (2100).

Abstract: An examined image is segmented, where a segment thereof may correspond to an area scan image or a line scan image of which the size is defined by considering the performance of the servo mechanism. In the segment, vectors between feature points of the examined image and a standard image are compared, and based on the required tolerance, a Fibonacci search having a predetermined number of iterations is used for matching an optimal corresponding relationship between the examined image and the standard image.

Abstract: An adjustment is made to the size of an original graphic data object in a substantially rectangular original screen to obtain a target graphic data object on a substantially rectangular target screen having a different aspect ratio than that of the original screen. The size of the original graphic data object is proportionally increased to obtain the target graphic data object on the target screen. The size of the target graphic data object on the target screen is non-proportionally increased by the addition of a stretch distance thereto where a line projecting from a resizing point on and perpendicular to an edge of the original screen intersects the original graphic data object.

Abstract: A mapping application relies on a modified affine transformation algorithm to provide near real-time navigation of imagery, track-up capability and integration of segment and picture data. The affine transformation is modified to map a “world space” comprised of a plurality of pixel maps onto a view port. The pixel data for the maps is preferably stored in vertical strips of memory to reduce the likelihood of cache misses. The mapping application is most useful for rendering pixel imagery on a platform with limited processing power, limited memory and small display sizes, e.g., “hand held devices” such as a GPS handset, or Pocket PC.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for global motion estimation, determining a coarse estimation, and refining a coarse estimation. Embodiments of the invention provide a fast and robust global motion estimation algorithm based on two-stage coarse-to-fine refinement strategy, which is capable of measuring large motions. An embodiment of the invention may be applied as a modification of any standard, e.g. MPEG-4 that uses the affine model of motion estimation. Embodiments of the invention may be used in the six parameter affine motion model, and other embodiments of the invention are applicable to the two parameter translation model, the four parameter RST model, and the eight parameter projective model. In a preferred embodiment, a coarse estimation is developed in a translation invariant domain, and then is refined in the spatial domain.

Abstract: As characters move, building are rotated and deformed, then, a powerful expression as if the characters moved lively and freely in three-dimensional space. The game machine stores a first image plane for displaying a ground, a second plane for displaying images of upper surfaces of solid bodies of buildings, a third image plane for displaying the background in the graphic memory. A sprite image to be pasted on side surfaces of the buildings and other solid bodies is stored in the graphic memory. Thereby, realistic image expression is realized by displaying solid bodies with the same height.