Abstract: An interactive gaming device capable of perceiving user movement includes a controller connected to a display for providing user interaction with a game being played on the gaming device. The controller is further connected to a user input consisting of a light emitter and a light detector. The input may include a plurality of light emitters for emitting light at a plurality of locations and a single light detector for detecting light, or a single light emitter for emitting light, and a plurality of light detectors for detecting light at a plurality of locations, or a plurality of light emitters for emitting light at a plurality of locations, and a plurality of light detectors each being positioned in proximity to one of the plurality of light emitters for detecting light at a plurality of locations, or a game piece having a light emitter for emitting light, and a plurality of light detectors for detecting light at a plurality of locations.

Abstract: An image processing device and game apparatus is provided. The image processing device displays movement of a display object based on the control of an operator to realize natural movement, and impart variation to a movement. The image processing device may add predetermined change factors to a display object movement in a prescribed situation or cause a prescribed special movement. The game apparatus allows an operator to control a display object. The game apparatus determined when the display object is within a prescribed area and may display the display object in a particular display configuration.

Abstract: A game object is displayed based on a parameter correlated to an object, and upon recognition of a predetermined voice, the parameter is properly altered in response to the recognized voice. This allows control of an object using voice as well as using an operating means such as a controller, to thereby enhance pleasure of operating the object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pointing stick device for use with a computer. The pointing stick device has a base plate having an aperture, a stick having a lower portion, at least one strain gauge attached on the lower portion, and a binding compound filling the space between the lower portion of the stick and the aperture of the base plate. The lower portion of the stick is tapered. The binding compound covers the strain gauges and fixes the lower portion of the stick vertically in the aperture of the base plate. When the stick is vertically depressed, the strain gauge installed on the lower portion of the stick senses the vertical downward pressure from reaction forces transmitted through the binding compound and generates the corresponding sensing signals.

Abstract: An actuating device for a game machine is disclosed in which the hand or fingers do not fatigue on prolonged use, thereby imparting an optimum feel for the user. The actuating device has a main body unit and first and second grips projecting from one side of the main body unit at opposite ends thereof. Vibration-imparting units are enclosed within the first and second grips. First and second actuating units are mounted at opposite ends of the main body unit. The first and second actuating units include plural thrusting actuators which protrude from the upper surface of the main body unit. Third and fourth actuating units are arranged on the proximal ends of the first and second grips so as to confront one another. The third and fourth actuating units include rotation actuators and signal input elements actuated by the rotation actuators.

Abstract: This invention concerns an external operation device and makes it possible to conduct communication at a faster rate than previously. The operation means is connected to the operation object via an optical fiber and by converting the electrical signals of the transmission object to optical signals during communication and transmitting said optical signals via optical fibers, even if the frequency is high, no electromagnetic-wave noise is generated as happens when the operation means is connected to the operation object via electrically conductive wires. Thus there is no need to limit the frequency of the optical signals, that is, the communication speed, and therefore communication can be done at a faster rate than previously.

Abstract: An entertainment system has an entertainment apparatus for executing various programs, a manual controller for entering manual control requests from a user into the entertainment apparatus, a monitor for displaying images outputted from the entertainment apparatus, and a speaker for outputting sounds outputted from the entertainment apparatus. The manual controller has motors for imparting vibrations to the user in response to an external request. The entertainment system also has a vibration/sound setting unit for setting up a length of a bar displayed on the monitor according to a control input from the manual controller, setting up a magnitude of vibrations to be generated by the motors depending on the length of the bar, and setting up a type and/or a pitch of sound to be outputted to the speaker depending on the length of the bar.

Abstract: An analog joystick for a game machine controller is provided that is disposed as a pendulum that depends downwardly from the operating device housing so that inclination of the housing from its prescribed home orientation effects the contact conventionally afforded by digital manipulation. In a preferred embodiment, a length of the joystick and/or a weighted portion of the joystick can be adjusted or replaced so as to alter an inclination sensitivity of the operating device.

Abstract: An image generation device and an information storage medium that make it possible to increase the virtual realism and dramatic effect of a shooting, game in an efficient manner. A plurality of objects such as target objects are set within an object space, and a hit check is performed on shots from 1P and 2P players and the target objects. First and second viewpoints for the 1P and 2P players are controlled and images as seen from those first and second viewpoints are output to first and second display screens, respectively. Although the viewpoints of the 1P and 2P players are the same in the prior art, they can be made different in this game. The first and second viewpoints move along first and second movement paths, and the first and second viewpoints are controlled in such a manner that the first and second movement paths diverge when a given circumstance occurs.

Abstract: A portable game apparatus includes a housing. This housing is provided with an LCD and an insertion hole. A cartridge incorporating a program ROM is inserted in the insertion hole. A CPU in the housing processes a game program to display game scenes on the LCD. The cartridge further incorporates an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor detects a movement and tilt of the housing. When the housing is positioned at an angle easy to play, if an operation key is operated, neutral position data is stored to an internal RAM. During game play, an output of the acceleration sensor is corrected by the neutral position data so that the CPU controls game scene display according to a corrected output of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: An image processing device, which displays on a display means the movement of a display object based on the control of an operator, realizes natural movement, and imparts variation to a movement, by either adding predetermined change factors to a display object movement in a prescribed situation, or causing a prescribed special movement. A game apparatus, comprising cursor moving means for moving a game space cursor in accordance with the control of an operator; display object displaying means for displaying a display object in a display configuration corresponding to the above-mentioned cursor position; impact determining means for determining whether or not the above-mentioned cursor is in an impact determining area provided in the game space; and display configuration changing means for displaying the above-mentioned display object in a specific display configuration when it has been determined in accordance with the impact determining means that the above-mentioned cursor is in an impact determining area.

Abstract: A joystick composed of a stator formed by an outer cage forming an inner cubic compartment containing an inner cube oriented with its wall spaced from and substantially parallel corresponding wall of the compartment. Opposed magnets are position in cooperating relationship on opposed walls of the compartment and cube and define a gap therebetween. A floater formed by a plurality of flat actuating coils, one positioned in each gap and each thinner than the width of the gap in which it is received. Preferably the ratio of coil thickness to gap width is at least 1:3. Preferably an optical position sensor is used to monitor the relative position of the flotor and stator and is composed of at least one linear light position sensor mounted on one of the stator and flotor and a plurality of planar light beams arranged at an angle to each other on the other of the stator and flotor and directed to the linear light position sensor(s) so that the light beams traverse the linear light position sensor(s).

Abstract: An input device includes a board whereon a player stands with both feet, and supporting mechanisms for supporting the board such that it can oscillate. The input device supplies oscillatory information when the player causes the board to oscillate with respect to the game machine. In the supporting mechanism, the central axis of oscillation is positioned on the lower portion of, or below, the board. The center of rotation of swinging movement in the supporting mechanism is positioned below the board.

Abstract: A game play apparatus housing supports a joystick post and a plurality of game play input buttons. A miniature surfboard is supported on the upper end of the joystick post. A microprocessor game play circuit and sound circuit together with a controller is supported within the interior of the housing. A simulated shark head is pivotally supported upon the upper end of the housing and forms an upper jaw. A drive mechanism utilizing a reversible motor responds to the controller circuit to either oscillate the head and upper jaw through a narrow range of motion or, alternatively, allow a rapid downward closure of the upper jaw upon the toy surfboard to provide a game play finale.

Abstract: An input device with an elongated handle that can be twisted. A twisting support is coupled to the handle, the twisting support allowing the handle to twist about its axis. A lock is provided for locking the handle at user discretion so that it will not twist about its axis.

Abstract: A device for generating conditioned electrical signals in response to forces applied to the device. The device includes a shaft attached to a substrate. Several strain sensitive resistors are mounted on the substrate around the shaft for generating an electrical signal representative of a magnitude and direction of force applied to the shaft by a user. Several apertures are in the substrate, each aperture is located between a pair of strain sensitive resistors. The apertures concentrate the stress on the resistors. A signal conditioning device is mounted to the substrate and is electrically connected to the resistors for conditioning the electrical signal. The signal conditioning device receives the electrical signal in an analog form and provides a conditioned signal as an output in a digital form. The device is mounted to a keyboard base. An alternative embodiment is shown using a cavity instead of apertures in the substrate.

Abstract: In a controller, a control member includes a stick portion to be manipulated with the hand, and a spherical portion, which are integrally formed. The control member is provided with a coil spring for urging the spherical portion, and a magnetic attracting member for attracting the control member opposite from the urging direction. When the control member is urged by the urging means, the spherical portion is held by a friction member so as to increase the load on the control member. In contrast, when the control member is attracted by the magnetic attracting member, the spherical portion is separated from the friction member so as to decrease the load on the control member.

Abstract: A video game implementing a fishing game employs a fishing line operated by a fisher character under the control of a game player. A take-up amount computing unit performs a cumulative processing to add a predetermined amount of take-up of the fishing line, each time an operation determining unit determines that the state of a take-up button has been changed from off to on state or that the state of tilt of a stick controller has been changed. Therefore, the fishing line is taken up at a high speed when the take-up button is struck at a high frequency or when the stick controller is rotationally operated at a high speed.

Abstract: In the input device, which inputs signals to a game machine using a computer, one or more operating members are provided on each of plural outer surfaces of housing members, a filmy substrate having flexibility is bent in conformity with the insides of the plural surfaces of the housing member, contact portions adapted to perform ON-OFF operation in response to operations of the operating members are formed respectively on the bent surfaces of the substrate, and when the operating members are operated, signals corresponding respectively to operations of the operating members are inputted to the game machine.

Abstract: A force feedback interface including a haptic accelerator that relieves the computational burden associated with force feedback generation from a force feedback processor. The force feedback processor is preferably a device microprocessor included in the interface device and separate from a controlling host computer for determining forces to be output. The haptic accelerator quickly determines velocity and/or acceleration information describing motion of a user manipulatable object from raw position data received from sensors of the interface device and representing the position of the user object. The velocity and/or acceleration data is used by the force feedback processor in the determination of forces to be output on the user object.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention an actuation device is provided which includes a support frame first, second, third, and fourth linkages, a user interface component, and a first rotation actuator. Each linkage has first and second spaced apart portions. The first portions of the first and second linkages are secured to the support frame for pivotal movement about first and second spaced apart axes, respectively, and for rotational movement about a common first rotation axis transverse to the first and second pivot axes. The first portions of the third and fourth linkages are secured to the second portions of the first and second linkages for pivotal movement about third and fourth pivot axes, respectively. The second portions of the third and fourth linkages are secured to one another for pivotal movement about a fifth pivot axis. The user interface component is secured to the second portion of one of the third linkage and the fourth linkage.

Abstract: A manual operating device including a joystick lever tiltably supported by a bearing provided on a support plate, a control unit for controlling and detecting tilt displacement of the control lever, and a stimulation-imparting mechanism provided in the joystick lever for vibrating the joystick lever to impart stimulation. This simple arrangement of the manual operating device enables not only that an action command made by an operator due to the operation of the joystick lever is imparted to characters displayed on a screen but also that a stimulation corresponding to contents of images displayed on the screen is imparted from the control unit to the operator. A game apparatus using the manual operating device, a game method and a computer readable medium are also disclosed.

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 game machine comprises a housing, a lever pivotally supported on the housing and a control unit. The lever comprises a rod portion having a handle portion integrally formed at the front section and a sensor actuating portion integrally formed at the rear section. The game machine comprises a resiliently urging member for resiliently urging the rod portion toward a neutral position from first and second positions. The game machine further comprises first and second optical sensors positioned to have the lights intercepted by the sensor actuating portion of the lever when the rod portion of the lever is moved to the first and second positions, respectively. The control unit is operable to selectively perform predetermined first and second operations in accordance with signals outputted from the first and second optical sensors, respectively.

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 method for determining a position of a joystick in data communication with a processor and having an initial state that includes steps of varying the initial state in response to a signal from the processor; returning the joystick to the initial state after a duration of time, with the duration of time being dependent upon the position amongst a plurality of positions. A plurality of poll operations of the joystick are executed to sense the returning step. Each of the polling operations results in a data signal being transferred from the joystick indicating the state of the same, with consecutive poll operations being separated by a predetermined segment of time, defining a first interval and consecutive data signals operations being separated by a time period, defining a second interval. The second interval is increased to be greater than the first interval, the duration of time is measured by determining a number of data signals received by the processor between the varying step and the returning step.

Abstract: An input device capable of being connected to a computing device includes a housing having transducer electronics capable of manipulating an electrical signal to indicate movement of a portion of a user. At least one but fewer than four conductors are connected to the transducer electronics, and are each capable of carrying an electrical signal related to the input device. Each of the conductors is coupled to a connector that is capable of being coupled to the computer.

Abstract: An improved mechanical linkage may be used in devices such as a non-powered PC gaming steering wheel controller. In one embodiment, the linkage is part of a steering wheel assembly. The assembly provides a steering wheel shaft having a flange extending radially from the shaft. A first coil spring and a second coil spring are attached to the flange to return the flange and the steering wheel shaft to a neutral position. The coil springs typically are mounted between a base of the steering wheel assembly and the flange portion of the shaft. The flange is sized to facilitate rotation of the steering wheel shaft without causing the coil springs to bend about the shaft. The coil spring preferably has an elongate portion that is offset from the centerline of the coil spring. This offset distance preferably allows the shaft to rotate to at least 120° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its neutral position without causing the elongate portion of the spring to bend.

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes an external ROM. This external ROM is previously memorized with player object data, basic shadow object data and light object data. A direction in which a shadow is thrown is determined according to the player object data and the light object data, to thereby determine a length of each leg of the player object. Based on the length of the leg and the height of the light, a length of the shadow is determined. Based on the height of each leg, a depth of the shadow is determined. A shape of a displaying shadow object is determined from a state of a ground object to which the shadow is thrown.

Abstract: An operating device for use with an image processing apparatus which displays an image on a display screen and controls the image includes a hand-holdable housing having a shape capable of being grasped by a left hand and a right hand. A first operating device and a second operating device are formed on the housing. One of the first operating device and the second operating device is operable for use as a first moving direction designation input device which designates a moving direction of the image and the other of the first operating device and the second operating device is operable for use as an action designation input device which designates other actions of the image.

Abstract: An optical gun for use in combination with computer game and computer simulation systems is provided. The optical gun includes a pistol shaped chassis, a USB computer control circuit, an optical sensor, a set of manual buttons, a trigger, a thumbpad, an optical wheel and a hardware accelerator. A game player grasps the pistol shaped chassis with one hand around a hand grip, while supporting a barrel section with a second hand. The optical wheel is located on the barrel and is manipulated by the player's second hand. The player points the barrel at a video screen of a game system. A pull of the trigger indicates that the player has fired a simulated round within a simulation context. Turns of the optical wheel indicate movement of the game player's virtual location within a simulated game space or volume. The player may press against the thumbpad or actuate one of the buttons to communicate movement within the game scenario, or to transmit other instructions to the computer simulation system.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a haptic interface system, also known as a force feedback system, comprises a motor for supplying actuating energy and a magnetically-controllable device that transfers the actuating energy into force feedback sensations. The magnetically-controllable device contains a magnetically-controllable medium beneficially providing variable resistance forces in proportion to the strength of an applied magnetic field. The system further comprises a computer system having a processor that runs an interactive program or event, a video display for displaying the interactive program or event, and a haptic interface device in operable contact with an operator for controlling inputs to the interactive program.

Abstract: A design interface tool for designing force sensations for use with a host computer and force feedback interface device. A force feedback device is connected to a host computer that displays the interface tool. The user selects a type of force sensation and designs and defines physical characteristics of the selected force sensation using the interface tool. A graphical representation of the characterized force sensation is displayed, which provides a visual demonstration of a feel of the characterized force sensation. The force sensation is output to a user manipulatable object of a force feedback device to be felt by the user, where the graphical representation is updated in conjunction with the output of the force sensation. The user can also associate a sound with the force sensation, such that the sound is output in conjunction with the output of the force sensation. The user can iteratively modify force sensation characteristics and feel the results, as well as synchronize force sensations with sounds.

Abstract: A modular video game controller device that can be adapted to operate with any of a number of various video game platforms such as a PC-based system or any of the commercially-available dedicated game consoles. The video game controller system of the present invention thus comprises a base unit such as a steering wheel and a plurality of game playing switches for use by the game player, a video game playing platform such as a PC-based platform or a dedicated console, and a video game controller interface adapter for interconnecting the base unit and the video game playing platform in accordance with the specific electrical and physical characteristics of the video game playing platform. A variety of interface adapters are contemplated, each of which interfaces in a standard manner to the base unit, and which interfaces in a dedicated manner to the particular video game playing platform for which it has been designed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing safe and low-cost force feedback peripherals for consumer applications. A device microprocessor local to an interface device is coupled to the host by a first interface bus. The microprocessor receives host commands from the host computer on the first interface bus, such as an RS-232 interface, and commands an actuator to apply a force to a user object, such as a joystick, in response to host commands. A sensor detects positions of the user object and outputs signals to the host on a second interface bus, such as a PC game port bus, separate from the first bus. In a “recoil” embodiment, a user initiates force feedback by pressing a button on the joystick, which sends an activation signal to the actuator. In other recoil embodiments, the host computer can transmit one or more enable signals and/or activation signals to the actuator to enable or command forces.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method enabling a participant to control the multi-dimensional kinetics of their avatar in a virtual environment. The participant accomplishes this control by selectably transitioning among various movements (“motion states”) from which are derived avatar motions and motion-related positions. The participant's motion states not only comprise interaction data and are correlated to avatar motion, but also are associated with selected, minimal actual motion in the participant's physical surroundings. The apparatus comprises a mount, a motion base and a support: the mount interfaces with the participant, enabling the participant to have a selected range of motion; the motion base is disposed relative to the mount so as to enable contact with the participant and, associated with such contact, provides for detection of the motion states; and the support couples the mount and the motion base so as to provide the relative disposition thereof.

Abstract: A game machine is provided with a controller control circuit including a data transfer control circuit. When the data in a first external RAM attached to a first controller is transferred to a second external RAM attached to a second controller, the data transfer control circuit transmits a predetermined command to the first controller. The data stored in the first external RAM is memorize through a data transfer control circuit. The data transfer control circuit then transmits a predetermined command to the second controller. In response thereto, the data stored in the internal RAM is transmitted to the second controller to be stored in the second external RAM.

Abstract: The adjustment of hitting power or the like by pushing or continuous pushing of a simple ON/OFF switch by a user is provided by a computer which is able to execute a program that performs processing by taking as instructions an output from a controller which has a pressure-sensitive unit and a processing unit which applies force that acts on objects on a screen of the computer, depending on the output of the controller.

Abstract: A method and computer to provide control of vibrations of a controller used in video game machines provided with the controller. The method uses a computer having two or more controllers each of which has a pressure-sensitive unit and a vibration unit. Based on the output value from the pressure-sensitive unit of one of the controllers, vibration is caused in the vibration unit of the other controller, and based on the output value from the pressure-sensitive unit of the other controller, vibration is caused in the vibration unit of the first one of the controllers.

Abstract: A computer readable program product stores a program for processing of cursor display, which enables fine adjustment of the cursor position in the strike zone and batting zone, and improves the operability. The state of a joystick is expressed by tilt data (x), and the value of the tilt data is entered into a function Fh(x) to find a displacement from a reference position O of a strike zone to a target position of movement of the cursor. The amount of change of the value of the function Fh(x) when the value of the tilt data changes from 5/6 to 1 is made smaller than the amount of change of the value of the function Fh(x) when the value of the tilt data changes from 0 to 1/6. The amount of change of the target position of movement corresponding to the amount of change of the joystick is made smaller the larger the tilt angle of the joystick. As a result, fine adjustment of the target position of movement is facilitated the larger the tilt angle becomes.

Abstract: A one or multiple axis digital joystick using incremental optical encoding with mechanical means for magnifying motion of the encoded medium to achieve higher resolution than otherwise attainable with the same optoelectronic components. Excellent linearity between shaft rotation and digital output results from elimination of backlash and preservation of rotary-only motion in the mechanical linkage between shaft and encoder disc. All electronic functions are implemented in a low-cost internal microcomputer that interfaces in serial or parallel mode with many system computers or microcomputers without additional circuitry. The microcomputer converts the incrementally encoded signals from the optoelectronic devices into absolute shaft-position information in a fail-safe manner. The joystick can be operated very rapidly without error because the encoded pulses to be counted are applied to microcomputer inputs that store the occurrence of each pulse until the microcomputer can process them.

Abstract: The desktop tremor joystick of the present invention is for games that require additional special effect. The user can experience tremor from the handle or steering wheel during game play. This invention is low cost but provides high entertainment value.

Abstract: A micro-stick in which the movement of the micro-stick is detected inductively. The micro-stick is connected to an actuator element which varies interaction between an electromagnetic element and a number of conductive coils. In one embodiment, the coils are mounted on a printed circuit board mounted beneath the micro-stick. The micro-stick is mounted on a plate having a number of pins extending through the circuit board. On the other side of the circuit board is a flexible metal sheet which is contacted by the pins, and moved away from the coils in a direction in which the micro-stick is tilted. This increased separation of the metal sheet from the coils can then be detected.

Abstract: A hand held gaming and data entry system (100, 100′, 100″) has an ergonomic housing (102) including thumb operated controls (104) which generate a first set of electrical signals, and finger operated controls (106, 106′) which generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently. The first set of electrical signals and second set of electrical signals define all of the lower case alphabetic characters of an alphabet, such being generated without the user having to remove a finger or thumb from a HOME switch operator or switch grouping.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method enabling a participant to control the multi-dimensional kinetics of their avatar in a virtual environment. The participant accomplishes this control by selectably transitioning among various movements (“motion states”) from which are derived avatar motions and motion-related positions. The participant's motion states not only comprise interaction data and are correlated to avatar motion, but also are associated with selected, minimal actual motion in the participant's physical surroundings. The apparatus comprises a mount, a motion base and a support: the mount interfaces with the participant, enabling the participant to have a selected range of motion; the motion base is disposed relative to the mount so as to enable contact with the participant and, associated with such contact, provides for detection of the motion states; and the support couples the mount and the motion base so as to provide the relative disposition thereof.

Abstract: An operating device is, while in use, connected to an image processor which generates image data of an image to be displayed on a monitor on the basis of a program. The operating device is provided with an analog joystick in addition to a plurality of switches, and outputs operation signals by which the image data can be modified according to an operation by an operator. The analog joystick includes a lever having a tip end which is protruded from a housing and inclined in an arbitrary direction including North, South, East and West. There is provided with a guide ring which includes a guide wall having an octagonal outer edge around the lever, and the guide wall guides the lever to eight corners, that is, upper, lower, left, right, right-upper, right-lower, left-upper and left-lower corners.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a display of a data processing system uses first and second wireless position control devices, and a control base unit. The first wireless position control device includes a transducer for transmitting a first signal upon which X-Y position control and/or action control signals generated by the device are imposed. A second wireless position control device includes a transducer for transmitting a second signal upon which X-Y position control and/or other action control signals generated by the second control device are imposed. The first and second signals and second different frequencies. To prevent the control devices from interfering with each other, the control base is associated with the data processing system and includes circuitry for issuing polling signals to the control devices. Only one of the control devices is polled at a particular time. The control base circuitry also receives and decodes the carrier signals to generate decoded display control signals.

Abstract: A hand held ergonomic computer controller is provided including a housing having a lower extent taking the form of a grip and an upper extent with a cross-sectional area greater than that of the lower extent. At least one button is mounted on the housing. Also included is either a trackball or a joystick mounted on the upper extent of the housing.

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes an external ROM. This external ROM is previously memorized with player object data, basic shadow object data and light object data. A direction in which a shadow is thrown is determined according to the player object data and the light object data, to thereby determine a length of each leg of the player object. Based on the length of the leg and the height of the light, a length of the shadow is determined. Based on the height of each leg, a depth of the shadow is determined. A shape of a displaying shadow object is determined from a state of a ground object to which the shadow is thrown.

Abstract: A CPU of a control system controls a signal processor to effect various calculations to move a player's spaceship on a projection display screen, orient the player's spaceship toward a shooting direction, move a camera position at a rear viewpoint toward the player's spaceship, and orient the shooting direction outside of the projection display screen, based on shooting game data including image data, audio data, and program data stored in recording medium. The CPU also controls an image processor to write image data and audio data into a RAM based on the calculated results from the signal processor. The image data thus written in the RAM is displayed on a television monitor and projected onto the projection display screen.