Three-dimensional image processing system with enhanced character control

Patent 6244959 Issued on June 12, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 20, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

D316879

D317946

D357712

D363092

D375326

3666900

3729129

3827313

System with joystick to control velocity vector of a display cursor
Patent #: 4148014
Issued on: 04/03/1979
Inventor: Burson

Digital joystick control
Patent #: 4161726
Issued on: 07/17/1979
Inventor: Burson , et al.

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Inventors

Assignee

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Application

No. 08/859528 filed on 05/20/1997

US Classes:

463/31, Visual (e.g., enhanced graphics, etc.)345/419, Three-dimension345/473, Animation345/474, Motion planning or control463/7In a game requiring an element of a participant`s physical skill or ability (e.g., hand-eye coordination, reflex, etc.)

Examiners

Primary: O'Neill, Michael

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.

International Classes

A63F 13/06 (20060101)
A63F 13/10 (20060101)
A63F 13/02 (20060101)
G06F 3/033 (20060101)
G06T 15/10 (20060101)
G05G 9/00 (20060101)
G05G 9/047 (20060101)

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. The controlled character's pace may be varied between walking by slight controller joystick movement or running through a greater angular displacement of the joystick, while at the same time controlling the direction of the character's movement over 360 degrees in the three-dimensional world. A player controlled character's movement is also controlled as a function of the surface topography on which he stands. For example, a character's moving speed changes depending upon whether the character is standing on a horizontal upwardly or downwardly inclined plane. Speed changes also are controlled as a function of a surface's coefficient of friction, e.g. a surface having little traction, such as -ice or snow, or a surface having more traction, such as grass.

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