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NINTENDO CO., LTD.

NINTENDO CO., LTD. Patent applications
Patent application numberTitlePublished
20120135810COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESS METHOD - In order to achieve the above objective, a game apparatus determines whether there has been an input to each of an A button and a B button. It is determined whether there has been an input to the other of the A button and the B button before a predetermined time period elapses after a determination that there has been an input to one of the A button and the B button, that is, whether a simultaneous operation has been performed. Then, it is determined whether one of: a first timing which is a timing of the input to the one of the A button and the B button; and a second timing which is a timing of the input to the other of the A button and the B button is within a simultaneous operation period. When a result of the determination is affirmative, and it is determined that the simultaneous operation has been performed, it is determined that the simultaneous operation has been performed at a correct timing.05-31-2012
20120135803GAME DEVICE UTILIZING STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY, METHOD OF PROVIDING GAME, RECORDING MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM, AND GAME SYSTEM - An exemplary embodiment provides game device that stereoscopically displays a game image by utilizing parallax. The game device includes a display portion capable of providing stereoscopic display, an image pick-up portion, an object setting unit for setting a position of display of an object with respect to the display portion and arranging the object at a corresponding position in a virtual space, a display control unit for setting parallax based on the position of display of the object in a direction of depth of the display portion for causing the display portion to stereoscopically display the object, an indicated position calculation unit for calculating a relative position of an indicator with respect to the image pick-up portion based on an image of the indicator, and a game processing unit for performing game processing based on relation between the position of display of the object and the calculated relative position.05-31-2012
20120133676STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - At least one virtual object for which a predetermined color is set is placed in a virtual world. In a captured image captured by a real camera, at least one pixel corresponding to the predetermined color is detected, using color information including at least one selected from the group including RGB values, a hue, a saturation, and a brightness of each pixel of the captured image. When the pixel corresponding to the predetermined color has been detected, a predetermined process is performed on the virtual object for which the predetermined color is set. An image of the virtual world where at least the virtual object is placed is displayed on a display device.05-31-2012
20120133642HAND-HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A hand-held electronic device includes an upper housing and a lower housing which are foldable. An upper LCD capable of displaying an image which is stereoscopically visible with naked eyes is provided on an inner side surface of the upper housing. In addition, a 3D adjustment switch for adjusting a parallax of a stereoscopic image is provided on the upper housing.05-31-2012
20120133641HAND-HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An upper LCD capable of displaying an image which is stereoscopically visible with naked eyes is provided on an upper housing of a hand-held electronic device. A 3D adjustment switch for adjusting a parallax of a stereoscopic image is provided on the upper housing. When a slider of the 3D adjustment switch is within a predetermined range between an uppermost position and a position slightly above a lowermost position, the stereoscopic effect of the stereoscopic image is adjusted based on the position of the slider. When the slider of the 3D adjustment switch is at the lowermost position, a planar image corresponding to the stereoscopic image is displayed on the upper LCD.05-31-2012
20120133582STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A position indicated on a predetermined plane is calculated based on a first operation signal output from a pointing device, and it is determined whether or not the indicated position has moved from out of a predetermined area on the plane into the predetermined area. When a result of the determination is positive in a state where a second operation signal is used for information processing, operation signals used for the information processing are switched from the second operation signal to the first operation signal.05-31-2012
20120129602COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN MUSIC PERFORMANCE PROGRAM, MUSIC PERFORMANCE APPARATUS, MUSIC PERFORMANCE METHOD, AND MUSIC PERFORMANCE SYSTEM - A game apparatus repeatedly calculates a gravity center position based on load values detected by respective load sensors of a load controller. The game apparatus sequentially reproduces each of measures of a musical piece by reproducing a next measure when the gravity center position moves beyond a reference line. In this case, the game apparatus changes a reproduction sound volume in accordance with the gravity center position and a speed at which the gravity center moves.05-24-2012
20120127158COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - For each layer, a scaling rate of an object image or a background image belonging to each of the layers is calculated based on a distance from a predetermined reference point in a virtual three-dimensional space to each of the layers. In addition, for each of the layers, a movement velocity of each of the layers when conducting a parallax scrolling is calculated based on a distance from the predetermined reference point in the virtual three-dimensional space to each of the layers. Furthermore, an image in each of the layers is scaled up or down based on the calculated scaling rate, and each of the layers are moved in a predetermined direction at the calculated movement velocity.05-24-2012
20120124491SYSTEM INCLUDING MULTIPLE DISPLAY SCREENS - An example system includes a first display screen and a touch-sensitive, second display screen physically separate from the first display screen. A processor is configured to generate respective images for both the first and second display screens. The processor is further configured to interchange images on the first and second display screens in response to a gesture supplied to the touch-sensitive, second display screen.05-17-2012
20120122582COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An object of the present invention is to provide, for example, a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein an information processing program executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus for correcting data outputted from an input device. The information processing program causes the computer to function as: input data acquisition means for acquiring, as object data, input data outputted from the input device; and first input data updating means for sequentially updating the object data, when the input data becomes equal to or greater than an upper limit defined by allowed range of input operation on the input device, until the updated object data indicates a predetermined value which is greater than the upper limit value.05-17-2012
20120120094COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN RECEPTION STATUS DISPLAY PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND RECEPTION STATUS DISPLAY METHOD - An exemplary reception status display apparatus receives a series of data transmitted thereto, and displays, in a stepwise manner, a corresponding image, which is an image corresponding to the series of data, in a predetermined region in a screen, in accordance with a progression of reception of the series of data. Furthermore, during the reception of the series of data, the exemplary reception status display apparatus continuously generates, outside the predetermined region, movement objects each having a color selected from component colors of the corresponding image and moves each movement object toward the predetermined region.05-17-2012
20120120088STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - At least one pixel having specific range color information in color information including at least one selected from the group including RGB values, a hue, a saturation, and a brightness is detected in a captured image captured by a real camera. When the pixel having the specific range color information has been detected, at least one of a shape, a position, and a display form of an object to be placed in a virtual world is changed on the basis of the color information of the pixel. Then, an image of the virtual world where at least the set object is placed is displayed on a display device.05-17-2012
20120119992INPUT SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND SPECIFIED POSITION CALCULATION METHOD - An example input system calculates a specified position on a screen of a display device, the position being specified by an operating device. The input system includes an attitude calculation section, an identification section, and a specified position calculation section. The attitude calculation section calculates an attitude of the operating device. The identification section identifies one of a plurality of display devices toward which the operating device is directed, based on the attitude of the operating device. The specified position calculation section calculates a specified position in accordance with the attitude of the operating device as a position on a screen of the display device identified by the identification section.05-17-2012
20120116551DATA MANAGEMENT APPARATUS AND DATA DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - Ghost data used for reproducing a game process executed by user operations are transmitted from game apparatuses to a data management apparatus. The data management apparatus stores the received ghost data, according to a definition of a database in which score sections are defined based on a value represented by score data, and a maximum registration allowable number of users for which the ghost data are registered is defined for each of the score sections, or is defined so as to be the same among the score sections. The data management apparatus transmits, when a ghost data distribution request is received, the ghost data for at least one user for which the ghost data is registered so as to be associated with one of the score sections, the scores section being associated with the score data included in the ghost data distribution request, to the one of the game apparatuses.05-10-2012
20120115602GAME SYSTEM, GAME DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM, AND GAME PROCESS METHOD - An example game system includes a game device, a controller, and a terminal device which is a portable display device. The terminal device displays an image representing a ball placed in a virtual game space. The game device calculates the attitude of the controller to move a club in the game space based on the attitude, and moves the ball in response to the club striking the ball. An image of the game space including at least the ball after being moved is displayed on a display device separate from the portable display device.05-10-2012
20120115595GAME SYSTEM, GAME DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM, AND GAME PROCESS METHOD - An example game system includes a game device, a controller device, and a portable display device. The game device calculates an attitude of the controller device, and controls an attitude of a club in a virtual game space based on the attitude of the controller device. An image of the game space including the club is displayed on a predetermined display device separate from the portable display device. An image representing a ball placed in the game space is displayed on the portable display device. Moreover, an image representing a tip of the club is displayed on the portable display device, together with the image representing the ball, when a predetermined axis of the controller device extends toward the portable display device.05-10-2012
20120113228IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A hand-held image display apparatus includes a touch panel, a stereoscopic display apparatus, a first imaging section, and a second imaging section. The hand-held image display apparatus detects a marker from a real world image shot by at least one of the first imaging section and the second imaging section, and determines the relative positions of a virtual object and a pair of virtual cameras with respect to each other in a virtual space, based on the result of the detection. Then, the hand-held image display apparatus superimposes virtual space images drawn based on the first virtual camera and the second virtual camera, onto the real world images shot by the first imaging section and the second imaging section, and displays images that are stereoscopically visible by naked eyes, on the stereoscopic display apparatus.05-10-2012
20120113004COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - Displayed region size data indicating a size of a screen of a display device, or a size of a region in which an image of a virtual space is displayed on the screen, is obtained. Distance data indicating a distance between a user and the display device is obtained. A position and an angle of view of the virtual camera in the virtual space are set based on the displayed region size data and the distance data.05-10-2012
20120108341GAME CONTROLLER, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM, AND GAME APPARATUS - A game controller includes at least four load sensors for detecting a load applied on a support board on which player's legs are ridden, and the game controller transmits a load value detected as manipulation data by the four load sensors to a game machine. The game machine determines a necessary quantity of load values, and the game machine computes the necessary quantity of load values based on the detected load value from the game controller. Then, game processing is performed based on the necessary quantity of computed load values.05-03-2012
20120108340CONTROLLER DEVICE AND CONTROLLER SYSTEM - A controller system includes a terminal device 05-03-2012
20120108329CONTROLLER DEVICE AND CONTROLLER SYSTEM - A terminal device 05-03-2012
20120108328HANDHELD INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND HANDHELD GAME APPARATUS - A game apparatus includes a stereoscopic image display device configured to display a stereoscopic image, which is stereoscopically visible by the naked eye, and a planar image display device configured to display a planar image. A touch panel is provided on a screen of the planar image display device. An image of a silhouette of an object in a virtual space is displayed on the planar image display device. The game apparatus causes the object in the virtual space to move according to a touch operation performed on the image of the silhouette displayed on the screen of the planar image display device, and stereoscopically displays the object on the stereoscopic image display device.05-03-2012
20120108272POSITION DETECTING SYSTEM AND POSITION DETECTING PROGRAM - A plurality of positional information transmitters 05-03-2012
20120106042DEVICE SUPPORT SYSTEM AND SUPPORT DEVICE - A terminal device 05-03-2012
20120106041CONTROLLER DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE - A terminal device 05-03-2012
20120102246COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An information processing apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium having stored an information processing program therein, an information processing method, and an information processing system, which can share, with another apparatus, information regarding data which should not be provided to a user, are provided. The number of times of reporting of data including a contents, which should not be provided to the user, from each game apparatus 04-26-2012
20120102028COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A computer-readable storage medium having stored an information processing program therein, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system, which can efficiently prevent output of inappropriate contents to a recipient. Data including a content is assigned creation information indicating information related to a time when the content is created. Identification information for identifying a content which is inappropriate to be outputted to a user, among contents included in the data received from another information processing apparatus, is previously registered. A content identified on the basis of the previously registered identification information is set so as not to be outputted, whereby only a content which is not set so as not to be outputted can be outputted to the user.04-26-2012
20120094773STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON GAME PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A face image is acquired during a predetermined game or before a start of the predetermined game, and a first character object is created, the first character object including the face image. Then, in the predetermined game, a game related to the first character object is advanced in accordance with an operation of a player. At least when a success in the game related to the first character object has been determined, the face image is saved in a storage area in an accumulating manner.04-19-2012
20120094760GAME APPARATUS AND GAME PROGRAM - The game apparatus obtains angular velocity data and acceleration data from an input device equipped with at least an angular velocity sensor and an acceleration sensor, and determines whether or not a ball has been thrown in accordance with the angular velocity data. When it is determined that ball-throwing is fulfilled, the game apparatus calculates the intensity of swinging the input device and a curve amount. The game apparatus applies a force and a curve to a ball in accordance with the calculated intensity of swinging and the curve amount, and performs a process of causing the ball to move and curve in a predetermined direction.04-19-2012
20120094754STORAGE MEDIUM RECORDING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An example image processing method for rendering an object arranged in a virtual space, the method being implemented by a computer executing: acquiring a captured image of a subject captured by an imaging device; determining an imaging direction of a virtual camera arranged in the virtual space, such that the imaging direction is changed in conjunction with motion of the imaging device; specifying, in information for performing predetermined image processing on the captured image, a particular piece of information determined according to the imaging direction of the virtual camera determined in the determining; an image processing of performing the predetermined image processing on the captured image acquired in the acquiring, by using the piece of information specified in the specifying; and causing a display device to display the captured image subjected to the predetermined image processing in the image processing.04-19-2012
20120092367COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM OF SYNTHESIZING IMAGES - A real world image captured by a real camera such as an outside right imaging unit 04-19-2012
20120092342COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM OF GENERATING DISPLAY IMAGE - There is generated a display image of a state in which a three-dimensional virtual space, including a first model and a second model to which a predetermined texture is pasted, is imaged by a virtual camera, and the generated image is displayed on a display device. In the generated display image, there is rendered, at a front surface of the first model, a silhouette model which is a silhouette model that is present at a position corresponding to the second model present behind the first model with respect to a view direction of the virtual camera in the virtual space, and to which a silhouette image of the second model is pasted.04-19-2012
20120088580DISPLAY DEVICE, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME PROCESS METHOD - A game system includes a home-console type game device, a controller device, and a portable display device. The portable display device includes an infrared light-emitting portion capable of emitting infrared light. The controller device wirelessly transmits to the game device operation data including data representing a detection result by an image-capturing section, data representing a detection result by an inertia sensor, and data representing an operation performed on an operation button. The game device receives the operation data from the controller device, and performs a game process based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device successively compresses a first game image, which is successively generated based on the game process, to generate compressed image data. The compressed image data is successively wirelessly transmitted to the portable display device. The portable display device successively receives the compressed image data from the game device, successively expands the compressed image data to obtain the game image, and successively displays the game image.04-12-2012
20120086650COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - First movement control means moves, relative to a display area of a display device, a plurality of selection objects having at least one part thereof displayed on the display area, based on an output signal outputted from an input device. Among the plurality of selection objects, when an end-located selection object reaches a predetermined position on the display area as a result of the first movement control means moving the plurality of selection objects, second movement control means moves, relative to the display area, at least one selection object displayed on the display area among the plurality of selection objects, in a direction different from a direction in which the plurality of selection objects have been moved by the first movement control means.04-12-2012
20120083340STORAGE MEDIUM, GAME APPARATUS, GAME SYSTEM AND GAME CONTROLLING METHOD - An example game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU reproduces a BGM according to BGM data. When a ball object and an item object are shot at a predetermined timing, and a player object catches or receives the ball object at a point of impact, a part of melody of a main theme of the BGM is output. In a case that each player object catches or receives a ball object of the same color as that assigned to the own player object, a correct melody is output, but in a case that it catches or receives a ball object of a different color, a melody being different in pitch is output. Alternatively, in a case that the ball object cannot be caught or received, no melody is output.04-05-2012
20120081568STORAGE MEDIUM RECORDING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE - An information processing device, which acquires a face image of a person to be imaged that is captured by an imaging device, executes: a determination step of determining whether a distance between a face of the person to be imaged and the imaging device is within a predetermined range; and a display step of, if the distance between the face of the person to be imaged and the imaging device is determined to be within the predetermined range in the determination step, displaying, on a display device, a target position for alignment of at least one feature point contained in the face image of the person to be imaged, together with the face image of the person to be imaged repeatedly captured by the imaging device.04-05-2012
20120079426COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - A game apparatus obtains a real world image (03-29-2012
20120079039INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An information processing apparatus includes: application execution means for executing an application program; metadata storage means for storing metadata corresponding to the application program; input means for receiving a message input by a user based on an operation of the user; selection means for selecting the metadata stored by the metadata storage means, in accordance with an operation of the user; transmission means for transmitting the message received by the input means and the metadata selected by the selection means to another information processing apparatus; reception means for receiving a message and metadata corresponding to an application program from said another information processing apparatus; and information output means for outputting the message and the metadata received by the reception means.03-29-2012
20120078756INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - Provided are application execution means for executing one or more application programs, and metadata accumulation and storage means for accumulating and storing, into a metadata storage section, metadata corresponding to the one or more application programs when the application programs have been executed or become executable. The application execution means executes the one or more application programs which use the metadata stored in the metadata storage section.03-29-2012
20120077601STORAGE MEDIUM STORING SAVE CONTROLLING PROGRAM, GAME APPARATUS AND SAVE CONTROLLING METHOD - An example game apparatus stores a state of a game during execution as execution state information in a memory, and stores a captured image of the game screen by bringing it into correspondence with the execution state information in the memory. Furthermore, during execution of the game, the captured image is displayed on a lower LCD while the game screen is displayed on an upper LCD. In a state that the game screen and the captured image are thus displayed, a selecting operation from a user is accepted. Then, by using the execution state information which is brought into correspondence with the captured image selected in response to a selecting operation, the state of the game is restored.03-29-2012
20120077585VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Example systems and methods relate to a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a scrolling-type game world displayed on a display screen. A first predetermined input supplied by one of the players to the respective input device protects the one player's game character from harm in the game world and the protected game character moves based on the scrolling/non-scrolling state of the game world in accordance with the movement of one or more unprotected characters. The protecting of the one player's game character is stopped in response to one or more protecting stopping conditions, whereby the game character is again controllable by the one player in response to inputs to the respective input device.03-29-2012
20120077582Computer-Readable Storage Medium Having Program Stored Therein, Apparatus, System, and Method, for Performing Game Processing - A storage medium has stored therein a game program that in game processing, controls a correlation between a player object and a non-player object through a virtual surface that is set on the basis of a marker for generating a superimposed image by combining a real world image and a virtual world image. The game program causes a computer of an apparatus, which includes a display device for providing the superimposed image to a user and an imaging section for taking an image of the marker, to operate as predetermined means.03-29-2012
20120077557GAME APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, GAME SYSTEM AND GAME CONTROLLING METHOD - A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes game processing of a golf game, and displays a guide path of a circle a part of which is erased in a hitting operation. When the player performs a sliding operation in a clockwise direction so as to trace the guide path, and then inverts the sliding operation in a counterclockwise direction, the player character performs a swing motion according thereto. As to each of backswing, downswing and follow-through, precision, a speed, smoothness of the sliding operation are determined, and in accordance with the results, the movement of a ball is controlled.03-29-2012
20120075503COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE GENERATION PROGRAM, CAPTURING APPARATUS, CAPTURING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE GENERATION METHOD - In an exemplary capturing apparatus, a first captured image captured by a capturing section is acquired. Then, it is determined whether or not a face image is included in the first captured image. When it is determined that a face image is included, any one type of image processing is selected from a plurality of types of image processing including a type of image processing using the face image, and the selected type of image processing is performed on the first captured image.03-29-2012
20120075501STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A storage medium having stored an information processing program therein, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system, which enable highly entertaining display in accordance with a user which performs an operation input, are provided. A characteristic of the face of a user currently using a game apparatus 03-29-2012
20120075496COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE GENERATION PROGRAM, CAPTURING APPARATUS, CAPTURING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE GENERATION METHOD - In an exemplary capturing apparatus, a captured image is acquired in real time. A first face area is detected from a plurality of face areas included in the captured image thus acquired, and a first face image corresponding to the first face area is acquired. Then, a face combination image is generated by replacing at least a part of a second face area with the first face image.03-29-2012
20120075484COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A real camera image of a real space that is captured by a real camera is obtained. Color information about a plurality of sampling points in the real camera image is obtained. Next, an average color is calculated based on the obtained color information about the plurality of sampling points. Based on the calculated average color, parameters relating to the color and brightness of a light source set in a virtual space are set. A virtual object image is generated by capturing, with a virtual camera, an image of a virtual object existing in the virtual space, which virtual object is illuminated by the light source whose parameters have been set. Then, a superimposed image, in which the virtual object image is superimposed on the real camera image, is generated and displayed on a display device.03-29-2012
20120075430COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A marker present in a real space is detected from each of a real image for a left eye and a real image for a right eye. The position and the orientation of each of imaging sections relative to the marker are calculated. A left virtual camera and a right virtual camera are set in accordance with the positions and the orientations of the imaging sections. A virtual model having a planar shape is placed in a marker coordinate system, and areas in the real image for a left eye and the real image for a right eye that correspond to the virtual model are set as a left texture area and a right texture area, respectively. Each of images included in a left texture area and a right texture area is applied, as a texture, to a deformation object into which the virtual model is deformed.03-29-2012
20120075429COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, AND STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - A game apparatus 03-29-2012
20120075424COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - When an image of a marker existing in a real space is taken by using an outer camera, an image of a plurality of virtual characters which is taken by a virtual camera is displayed on an upper LCD so as to be superimposed on a taken real image of the real space. The virtual characters are located in a marker coordinate system based on the marker, and when a button operation is performed by a user on a game apparatus, the position and the orientation of each virtual character are changed. Then, when a button operation indicating a photographing instruction is provided by the user, an image being displayed is stored in a storage means.03-29-2012
20120075352STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A part of a content 03-29-2012
20120075351STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A part of a content 03-29-2012
20120075350STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing apparatus has upper and lower LCDs different in width and an inputter such as a touch panel, or the like. A computer of the information processing apparatus displays, out of information being made up of plurality of pages, information of a predetermined page on the upper and lower LCDs so as to be fit into the width of the lower LCD, and displays, when there is a previous or next page previous or next to the predetermined page, a part of the previous or next page at blank potions on both sides of the upper LCD. Then, in response to an input from the inputter, the information of the page displayed on the upper and lower LCDs is switched to the information corresponding to the previous or next page displayed at the blank potions on the upper LCD.03-29-2012
20120075294INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS INCLUDING PLURALITY OF DISPLAY PORTIONS AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An exemplary apparatus at least partially displays a first object group on a first display portion, selects at least one first object from the first object group in response to an operation of a direction operation portion, changes a selected position in an order of alignment in a second object group in response to an operation of a first or second operation portion, displays at least one object included in the second object group and corresponding to the selected position on a second display portion, adds a new object corresponding to the selected first object at a position corresponding to the selected position in the second object group in response to an operation of a third operation portion, and displays at least one object included in the second object group on the second display portion.03-29-2012
20120075285STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image taken by a real camera is repeatedly obtained, and position and orientation information determined in accordance with a position and an orientation of a real camera in a real space is repeatedly calculated. A virtual object or a letter to be additionally displayed on the taken image is set as an additional display object, and based on a result of recognition of a sound inputted into a sound input device, at least one selected from the group consisting of a display position, an orientation, and a display form of the additional display object is set. A combined image repeatedly generated by superimposing on the taken image the set additional display object with reference to a position in the taken image in accordance with the position and orientation information is displayed on a display device.03-29-2012
20120075267INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF ASSOCIATING DATA WITH EACH OTHER, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM - An exemplary embodiment provides an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a display portion having first and second display regions, a first display control unit for displaying a first object showing first data in the first display region, a second display control unit for displaying a second object showing second data in the second display region, an acceptance portion for accepting a series of position indication operations in the second display region, and an association control unit for selecting the second object based on a position indicated by the series of position indication operations within the second display region accepted by the acceptance portion and performing processing for associating the first data with the second data corresponding to the selected second object based on subsequent variation in the indicated position.03-29-2012
20120075208INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - A game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and a CPU displays a game screen on the LCDs according to a game program and layout data. On the second LCD, a touch panel is provided. On the second LCD, a plurality of objects are displayed. When a help mode key is touched, a “?” cursor is displayed near each of objects for which a description message is prepared (target object), and if any “?” cursor is touched, a detailed explanation of the target object indicated by the “?” cursor is displayed on the first LCD as a description message.03-29-2012
20120072870COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - When displaying an object group consisting of a plurality of objects on a display device and when the plurality of objects are to be aligned and arranged in a first direction, arrangement positions of each of the objects are set in the first direction, and arrangement positions in a second direction, which is different from the first direction, for each of the objects whose arrangement position is set in the first direction are set in accordance with a predetermined rule such that each of the arrangement positions in the second direction is different from that of at least another object. Then, each of the plurality of objects is arranged and displayed on the display device, based on the arrangement positions in the first direction and the second direction.03-22-2012
20120072866INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A game apparatus as an information processing apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes a program as to a memo application and another application different from the memo application. When the program of the memo application is executed during execution of the other application, a screen of an execution result of the program of the other application is captured, and the captured image is displayed on a stereoscopic LCD. On the other hand, a memo creating screen is displayed on a lower LCD.03-22-2012
20120072863COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - When a scroll target consisting of an object or a group of objects is scrolled and displayed in a display area representing one part or the whole of a display screen, a uniform-velocity scrolling parameter representing a scroll amount for which the scroll target is scrolled at a uniform velocity is calculated in accordance with a scrolling operation by a user, and a scrolling including at least a uniform-velocity scrolling is executed for the scroll amount determined based on the uniform-velocity scrolling parameter.03-22-2012
20120072857COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD AND DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM - One or more objects and one or more icons corresponding to the one more objects, respectively, are simultaneously displayed on a screen of an upper LCD and a screen of a lower LCD, respectively. On the screen of the lower LCD, the one or more icons are placed in a plurality of placement areas and displayed. On the screen of the upper LCD, an object of the one or more objects, which corresponds to a respective icon of the one or more icons displayed on the screen of the lower LCD, is placed for display at a predetermined position with which the placement area in which the icon is placed is associated, in the virtual space.03-22-2012
20120071242COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, HANDHELD TERMINAL APPARATUS, SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A game apparatus automatically receives piece information from another game apparatus by short-range wireless communication. The game apparatus obtains step count data based on an amount of movement of the game apparatus (i.e., a step count of a user of the game apparatus). The game apparatus uses piece information obtained by the short-range wireless communication, thereby performing a predetermined process of an application (i.e., a process of incorporating a piece image into a collection image), or uses step count data (i.e., an owned coin count resulting from conversion of the step count data) instead of piece information obtained by the short-range wireless communication, thereby performing the predetermined process of the application (i.e., the process of incorporating a piece image into a collection image).03-22-2012
20120068980STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - Captured image acquisition means acquires a captured image captured by a real camera. Color detection means, in the captured image acquired by the captured image acquisition means, detects at least one pixel having specific range color information in color information including at least one selected from the group including RGB values, a hue, a saturation, and a brightness. Image generation means, on the basis of the specific range color information of the at least one pixel detected by the color detection means, generates an image of an object to be placed in a virtual world. Image display control means displays the image generated by the image generation means on a display device.03-22-2012
20120066644COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - Based on an output signal outputted from an input device, a plurality of selection objects having at least a part thereof displayed on a display area of a display device are moved relative to the display area. Among the moved plurality of selection objects, when an end-located selection object reaches a predetermined position of the display area, at least one of the plurality of selection objects displayed on the display area are transformed and displayed.03-15-2012
20120066627COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - First, a plurality of selection objects having at least one part thereof displayed on a display area of a display device are moved relative to the display area, based on an output signal outputted from an input device. Then, when an end-located selection object among the moved plurality of selection objects reaches a predetermined position of the display area, displayed on the display area is an object having a shape identical or similar to one part of the plurality of selection objects displayed on the display area.03-15-2012
20120066621COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - First, a plurality of selection objects having at least one part thereof displayed on a display area of a display device are moved relative to the display area, based on an output signal outputted from an input device. Then, when an end-located selection object among the moved plurality of selection objects reaches a predetermined position of the display area, an object that is different from the plurality of selection objects is displayed on the display area. The object moves relative to the display area based on an output signal outputted from the input device.03-15-2012
20120066334INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING AN INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A game system includes game apparatuses and a server. The one game apparatus has a first memory storing a software program being made up of a program and save data, the other game apparatus has a second memory capable of additionally storing a software program, and the server has a third memory storing a program. The one game apparatus transmits the save data in the first memory to the other game apparatus by utilizing a local communication, and the server transmits the program in the third memory to the other game apparatus by utilizing Wi-Fi communications. The other game apparatus receives the save data and then the program, and additionally stores them in the second memory as a software program.03-15-2012
20120046767INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method that that are capable of always obtaining information even while any application is not being executed, and effectively using the obtained information. To achieve this, a state of the environment in a place where the information processing apparatus is present is detected; detection data indicating the state of the environment detected by the detection section is stored; an operation mode is switched at least between a normal mode in which power is being supplied to the application execution section and the predetermined application can be executed, and a power saving mode in which at least supply of power to the application execution section is restricted and the predetermined application cannot be executed; and at least in the power saving mode, a state of the environment is detected, and detection data indicating the state of the environment detected is stored in the first storage section at predetermined time intervals.02-23-2012
20120046106GAME SYSTEM, GAME DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM, AND GAME PROCESS METHOD - A game system includes a game device, and a hand-held device having a predetermined input surface. The hand-held device transmits operation data which includes touch data representing a player input position on the predetermined input surface and movement data whose value changes in accordance with movement of the hand-held device. The game device controls an attitude of a control surface placed in a three-dimensional game space based on the movement data. The game device calculates a control direction in the game space based on the attitude of the control surface and the touch data, and performs a game process based on the control direction. The first game image representing the game space is output to and displayed on a display device which is separate from the hand-held device.02-23-2012
20120044177POSITION CALCULATION SYSTEM, POSITION CALCULATION DEVICE, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING POSITION CALCULATION PROGRAM, AND POSITION CALCULATION METHOD - An example position calculation system calculates a position in a three-dimensional virtual space based on an operation on a controller device. In the position calculation system, the position in the virtual space is calculated based on an attitude of the controller device and an input position on a predetermined input surface of the controller device. More specifically, the position calculation system may calculate, as the position in the virtual space, a position on a surface which is determined in accordance with the attitude of the controller device in the virtual space, based on the input position.02-23-2012
20120040759GAME SYSTEM, GAME APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, AND GAME PROCESS METHOD - A game system includes a game apparatus, an operating device, and a hand-held device. The game apparatus performs a game control process based on first operation data representing a first player's operation on the operating device and second operation data representing a second player's operation on the hand-held device. The game apparatus generates a first game image for the first player, which is an image of a virtual game space and represents a result of the game control process, based on a first virtual camera set in the game space. The game apparatus also generates a second game image for the second player, which is an image of the game space, based on a second virtual camera set in the game space. The first game image is displayed on a first display device provided independently of the hand-held device. The second game image is displayed on a second display device of the hand-held device.02-16-2012
20120028717GAME APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING A GAME PROGRAM FOR CONDUCTING DATA COMMUNICATIONS WITH A NETWORK - A game apparatus includes an input-output processor, and by following an instruction from the input-output processor, messages are transmitted and received with other game apparatus 02-02-2012
20120021840TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVED USER INTERFACE HELPING SUPER GUIDES - User interface approaches to providing help to players by playing back previously recorded inputs. Certain exemplary embodiments involve displaying, with the recorded playback, an input device icon to show where the inputs are occurring and/or where the inputs should occur if the player were to make them. Modifications are made to the previously recorded input to improve the user's ability to see what is happening, as well as making the playback seem more consistent, mechanical, and automatic. The help makes the computer application seem like the user interface is operating itself in a way that is easy to follow, rather than giving the impression that a previously recorded user input stream simply is being played back in accordance with the more organic and potentially idiosyncratic behaviors of the recorded person. The modifications may in certain exemplary embodiments include, for example, path smoothing/correction, automatic snapping, delay periods, speed normalization, etc.01-26-2012
20120021703Portable Information System - An example portable information terminal has a used and an unused state and includes a wireless communication module configured to search for a predetermined access point at least when the portable information terminal operates in the unused state and a processor configured to, when the predetermined access point is detected, connect to the predetermined access point and perform a data communication process.01-26-2012
20120019520COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - For generating a destination image (a left-eye image) from an original image and a height map thereof, the height of the height map of the original image is compared with the height of the height map of the destination image, and if a pixel of the original image is higher, the pixel of the original image is copied to a pixel of the destination image. After the pixel of the original image is copied to the pixel of the destination image, the height of the pixel of the original image is decremented. The pixel of the original image is copied in the rightward direction to pixels of the destination image until the height of the pixel of the original image becomes 0 or until a height of the pixel of the destination image becomes lower than that of the pixel of the original image. The same processes are performed on each pixel of the original image, and thereby the left-eye image is generated.01-26-2012
20120015727GAME SYSTEM CAPABLE OF EVALUATING THE CORRELATION OF USER OPERATION ON A GAME MACHINE WITH DISPLAYED OPERATIONAL INFORMATION AND USER OPERATION ON ANOTHER GAME MACHINE - In a game played by a plurality of game machines through teamwork, an evaluation is performed according to the correlation among operation information obtained through communications with each of the game machines. A plurality of game machines communicate with one another to establish timing synchronization. After the game, input timings at which buttons are operated during the game are collected and then evaluated so as to determine an absolute and relative timing coincidence in a predetermined period (unison part). A predetermined number of points are added to its game score based on the evaluation.01-19-2012
20120011256INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing apparatus acquires operation information of a user, and executes an application based on the operation information. While the application is being executed, the information processing apparatus repeatedly searches for other unspecified information processing apparatuses by using a wireless communication function, and establishes a connection with the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses having been searched for. The information processing apparatus executes a communication application to communicate with the connected one or more of the other information processing apparatuses, based on the operation information and on operation information relating to the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses.01-12-2012
20120010733STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREON AND GAME APPARATUS - A moving start coordinate set associated with an object is calculated based on motion data output from a motion sensor for outputting the motion data in accordance with a motion of an input device, and a first difference coordinate set, as a difference between the moving start coordinate set and a reference trajectory, is calculated. A target coordinate set associated with the object is calculated, and a second difference coordinate set, as a difference between the target coordinate set and a reference trajectory, is calculated. A change difference coordinate set changing from the first difference coordinate set to the second difference coordinate set in accordance with time is calculated. The change difference coordinate set is added to the reference trajectory to calculate a correction coordinate set. The object is located at a position corresponding to the correction coordinate set in the virtual game space and displayed on the display device.01-12-2012
20120010001STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM, APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD - A communication game system includes a first computer and at least one second computer. When an operational designation has been performed, the second computer transmits to the first request a request for permission to perform an action corresponding to the operation. Until a conclusion to the request is received, the second computer produces an image in which a character performs a first act of the action. The first computer determines whether the action is permitted and transmits its conclusion to the second computer. When receiving the conclusion before the end of the first act, the second computer produces an image in which the player character performs a second act according to the conclusion. On the other hand, when the conclusion is received after the end of the first act, the second computer produces, at the end of the first act, an image in which the player character performs a third act until the reception of the conclusion.01-12-2012
20120010000COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A game apparatus constantly broadcasts beacons at predetermined intervals by means of a local communication module during game processing being executed. The beacons include various pieces of information such as information relating to the player, information indicating a game status, and messages. The game apparatus receives beacons from one or more other game apparatuses present in an area near the game apparatus, and displays profiles of the players of the other game apparatuses, the game statuses of the other game apparatuses, or the like, based on the various pieces of information included in the beacons.01-12-2012
20120007882COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - In order to attain the object described above, a game apparatus is able to use display means and coordinate input means such as a touch panel, and positions a virtual camera Ca in a virtual space. Whether the coordinate input means is in an inputted state in which a player is performing a coordinate input (touch operation) on the coordinate input means, or in a non-inputted state in which a player is not performing coordinate input on the coordinate input means, is determined. When it is determined that the coordinate input means is in the non-inputted state, the game apparatus changes the imaging direction of the virtual camera Ca, based on change of an input coordinate position that is designated on the coordinate input means immediately before the coordinate input means enters the non-inputted state.01-12-2012
20120005627Device and method utilizing animated frames to dynamically create snapshots for selectable menus - A user menu is created by retrieving at least one animation frame that corresponds to a user selected portion of stored subject matter. The animation frame or frames are displayed at a portion of the display and aid the user to accurately enter the subject matter at a desired location.01-05-2012
20120004035SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING ACCELEROMETER OUTPUTS TO CONTROL AN OBJECT ROTATING ON A DISPLAY - An example system and method controls a rotatable object on a display using a handheld control device comprising an accelerometer. The example system and method involve determining an orientation of the handheld control device using an interpolation of an output for a first axis of the accelerometer and an output for a second axis of the accelerometer. The rotation of the rotatable object is controlled based on the determined orientation.01-05-2012
20120004032GAME SYSTEM AND GAME INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM USED FOR SAME - A game system includes a housing to be held by a player. The housing incorporates an XY-axis acceleration sensor to detect an acceleration in an X-axis and Y-axis direction and a Z-axis contact switch to detect an acceleration in an Z-axis direction. These sensor and switch detect at least one of an amount (e.g., tilt amount, movement amount, impact amount or the like) and a direction (e.g., tilt direction, movement direction, impact direction or the like) of a change applied to the housing. A simulation program provides simulation such that a state of a game space is changed related to at least one of the amount and direction of the change applied to the housing.01-05-2012
20120004017COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - In order to attain the object described above, a game apparatus is able to use a touch panel 01-05-2012
20120001944COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - In order to attain the object described above, a game apparatus is able to use coordinate input means and display means, and positions a virtual camera Ca in a three-dimensional virtual space. When a predetermined operation is performed at any position in a predetermined range on a touch panel (coordinate input means), the game apparatus performs zooming-in-on operation (changes an angle θ01-05-2012
20110319170Systems, methods and techniques for safely and effectively coordinating video game play contests both on and off line - A game involves establishing a Wi-Fi connection for retrieving a template used to create a level for the game. A play test is conducted to determine if the created level of the game can be played. The created game level can be shared with other players and/or submitted as a contest for play and competition judging by other players.12-29-2011
20110319167Storage Medium, Game Apparatus, Game Controlling Method and Game System - A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU sets a weapon to be transmittable according to an instruction by a player. More specifically, a seed is generated from a weapon, and transmittable seed data corresponding to the generated seed is stored in a memory for saved data. When a game apparatus is carried in a sleep state by a player, it makes a communication with another game apparatus to thereby transmit and receive the transmittable seed data with the other game apparatus. Accordingly, the transmittable and receivable seed data, that is the seeds are exchanged. During the game, the received two seeds are fused to thereby generate a weapon.12-29-2011
20110316886STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM AND DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS - In accordance with a size of a drawing area and a character size, the number of characters arrangeable in the drawing area is calculated. Based on the calculated number of characters, whether a character string in the obtained character size is arranged in the drawing area or the character string in a character size different from the obtained character size is arranged in the drawing area is selected, and the character string is arranged in the drawing area by using the determined character size. The arranged character string is displayed on the display apparatus.12-29-2011
20110312419GAME SYSTEM AND GAME INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM USED FOR SAME - An example mobile wireless handset includes a housing configured to be held in at least one hand of a user and a display disposed on the housing. A motion sensor is disposed in the housing and is configured to generate an output in response to movement of the handset. A communication interface is configured to wirelessly receive game data from a source external to the mobile wireless handset. The communication interface includes wireless telephone circuitry; a memory configured to store the received game data; and a processor configured to execute a gaming process including the game data and the output from the motion sensor.12-22-2011
20110312407Storage Medium, Game Apparatus, Game Controlling Method and Game System - A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU displays a difficulty level setting screen on a second LCD prior to a start of the virtual game. On the difficulty level setting screen, a player sets a difficulty level so as to be higher or lower than an initial value by using coins that a player character obtains by playing a virtual game. For example, in a case that the difficulty level is high, the virtual game is made difficult, but a possibility of obtaining a rare item is made high, On the other hand, in a case that the difficulty level is low, the virtual game is made easy, but a possibility of obtaining a rare item is made low.12-22-2011
20110307892PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL CONTROL PROGRAM, PORTABLE INFORMATION SYSTEM, AND PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL CONTROL METHOD - First, one or more tasks each representing process contents of transmission or reception of data are set. Next, an access point is searched for, and a connection to the access point is performed if the access point is found. Then, before the one or more tasks are executed via the access point, an execution control parameter, for at least one of the one or more tasks, which indicates at least one of an execution instruction, whether or not to execute the task, and an execution priority, is obtained in accordance with an access point identifier. Then, transmission or reception of data is performed via the access point by executing at least one of the one or more tasks on the basis of the execution control parameter.12-15-2011
20110307884INFORMATION PROCESSING TERMINAL, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing apparatus includes connection means, reception means, and installation means. The connection means automatically connects to a server. The reception means automatically performs processes of receiving one or more programs from the server. The installation means automatically performs processes of installing the programs on the information processing apparatus.12-15-2011
20110307554INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM CAPABLE OF EFFICIENT DATA COMMUNICATION REFLECTING INTENTION OF SENDER WHO TRANSMITS DATA, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING CONTROL PROGRAM FOR INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - A CPU checks the number of times of transfer of reception data. Then, the CPU determines whether the number of times of transfer is greater than 0 or not. When it is determined that the number of times of transfer is greater than 0, the number of times of transfer is updated. Then, when it is determined that a transfer condition is satisfied, the CPU allows the reception data of which number of times of transfer has been updated to be copied and stored in a transmission BOX. When reception data satisfying the transfer condition (having a value of the number of times of transfer greater than 0) is received, that reception data will be copied and stored in the transmission BOX. Namely, since the reception data is stored in the transmission BOX, the reception data will be transmitted further to another game device.12-15-2011
20110306418COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, GAME APPARATUS, GAME SYSTEM AND GAME METHOD - Respective orientations (a pitch angle, a roll angle, and a yaw angle) of the input device are detected based on angular velocity data outputted from a gyro sensor unit of an input device. Then, it is determined whether the pitch angle is within a first range or within a second range. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the first range, a posture of an object is updated based on the roll angle. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the second range, the posture of the object is updated based on the yaw angle. Accordingly, operability can be improved in a game executed in accordance with an orientation of the input device.12-15-2011
201103064172D IMPOSTERS FOR SIMPLIFYING PROCESSING OF PLURAL ANIMATION OBJECTS IN COMPUTER GRAPHICS GENERATION - The technology herein involves use of 2D imposters to achieve seemingly 3D effects with high efficiency where plural objects such as animated characters move together such as when one character follows or carries another character. A common 2D imposter or animated sprite is used to image and animate the plural objects in 2D. When the plural objects are separated in space, each object can be represented using its respective 3D model. However, when the plural objects contact one another, occupy at least part of the same space, or are very close to one other (e.g., as would arise in a situation when the plural objects are moving together in tandem), the animation system switches from using plural respective 3D models to using a common 2D model to represent the plural objects. Such use of a common 2D model can be restricted in some implementations to situations where the user's viewpoint can be restricted to be at least approximately perpendicular to the plane of 2D model, or the 2D surface on which the combined image is texture mapped can be oriented in response to the current virtual camera position.12-15-2011
20110306414RIVET MECHANISMS - A method and apparatus that utilizes techniques for modifying the game space of a video game displayed on a display screen by inserting structural elements which become part of the game space and can interact with various game characters.12-15-2011
20110306412HAND-HELD GAME APPARATUS AND HOUSING PART OF THE SAME - A game apparatus has an upper housing and a lower housing which are foldable. A first part, a second part, and a third part constitute the upper housing. A fourth part, a fifth part, and a sixth part constitute the lower housing. By assembling the parts, the game apparatus comes to have a three-layered structure when folded, thereby enhancing operability, a degree of freedom of design, and the like.12-15-2011
20110306411STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND MAP DISPLAY METHOD - A game apparatus displays on a screen an image of a virtual space as viewed from a predetermined viewing direction. The game apparatus displays a viewing direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that the viewing direction is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Furthermore, the game apparatus displays a fixed direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that a direction preset in the virtual space is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Note that when map images are displayed, the fixed direction map is preferably displayed after the viewing direction map.12-15-2011
20110306410Storage medium, game apparatus, game controlling method and game system - A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU acquires character information data from another game apparatus by executing communication processing. Furthermore, the CPU calculates character information data from image data obtained by imaging a QR Code with a camera and acquires the same. The CPU generates a character on the basis of the character information data, and displays the generated character on a second LCD.12-15-2011
20110306294PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL, PORTABLE INFORMATION SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL CONTROL PROGRAM - When a portable information terminal operates in an unused state, a predetermined access point is searched for. As a result, when the predetermined access point is detected, a connection to the predetermined access point is established, and a predetermined data communication process is performed.12-15-2011
20110306024STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON RESPIRATORY INSTRUCTION PROGRAM, RESPIRATORY INSTRUCTION APPARATUS, RESPIRATORY INSTRUCTION SYSTEM, AND RESPIRATORY INSTRUCTION PROCESSING METHOD - At least an expiratory period during which a user is instructed to take an expiratory action as a respiratory action and an inspiratory period during which the user is instructed to take an inspiratory action as the respiratory action are set. One of enlargement and reduction of a first object is performed during the expiratory period, and the other of the enlargement and the reduction of the first object is performed during the inspiratory period, the first object representing a loop path. During the expiratory period, a second object is caused to move along and complete one full circuit of the path in a time from a beginning to an end of the expiratory period, and during the inspiratory period, the second object is caused to move along and complete one full circuit of the path in a time from a beginning to an end of the inspiratory period.12-15-2011
20110305368STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING IMAGE RECOGNITION PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, IMAGE RECOGNITION APPARATUS, IMAGE RECOGNITION SYSTEM, AND IMAGE RECOGNITION METHOD - A game apparatus detects a predetermined image object including a first graphic pattern with a plurality of inner graphic patterns drawn therein from a captured image captured by an image-capturing section. The game apparatus first obtains the captured image captured by the image-capturing section, and detects an area of the first graphic pattern from the captured image. Then, the game apparatus detects the plurality of inner graphic patterns from within the detected area, and calculates center positions of the inner graphic patterns so as to detect the position of the predetermined image object.12-15-2011
20110305367STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING IMAGE RECOGNITION PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, IMAGE RECOGNITION APPARATUS, IMAGE RECOGNITION SYSTEM, AND IMAGE RECOGNITION METHOD - A game apparatus obtains a captured image captured by a camera. First, the game apparatus detects an object area of the captured image that includes a predetermined image object based on pixel values obtained at a first pitch across the captured image. Then, the game apparatus detects a predetermined image object from an image of the object area based on pixel values obtained at a second pitch smaller than the first pitch across the object area of the captured image.12-15-2011
20110304714STORAGE MEDIUM STORING DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM FOR PROVIDING STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY DESIRED BY USER WITH SIMPLER OPERATION, DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, AND DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM - A storage medium encoded with a display control program and executable by a computer of a display control device capable of interacting with an input device, for controlling a display capable of providing stereoscopic display, is provided. The present display control program stored in the storage medium includes zoom control instructions for performing zoom processing of a stereoscopic image based on an operation input accepted by operation input acceptance instructions, parallax control instructions for adjusting parallax of the stereoscopic image based on the operation input accepted by the operation input acceptance instructions, and display control instructions for causing the display to display the stereoscopic image subjected to zoom processing in accordance with the zoom control instructions, with parallax adjusted in accordance with the parallax control instructions.12-15-2011
20110304711STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A game device 12-15-2011
20110304710STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A game device 12-15-2011
20110304707STORAGE MEDIUM STORING DISPLAY CONTROLLING PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROLLING APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROLLING METHOD AND DISPLAY CONTROLLING SYSTEM - A game apparatus displays a virtual space on a stereoscopic LCD (hereinafter referred to as 3D display) allowing for an autostereoscopic display, and images a stereoscopic image for displaying an object in a three-dimensional manner and a planar image for displaying the object in a two-dimensional manner (hereinafter referred to as 2D display) in the virtual space with virtual cameras. A computer performs a 3D display on the stereoscopic LCD by utilizing the imaged stereoscopic image and a 2D display on the stereoscopic LCD by utilizing the imaged planar image. Furthermore, the computer accepts an input from a button, a microphone, etc. to control the object. Then, in a case that a non-input state continues past a predetermined time period during the 3D display, the 3D display is switched to the 2D display.12-15-2011
20110304703Computer-Readable Storage Medium, Image Display Apparatus, Image Display System, and Image Display Method - First, the interval between a left virtual camera and a right virtual camera is determined based on the relative position and the relative orientation of an outer imaging section (left) with respect to a marker, which are calculated from a result of marker recognition in the left real world image, and on the relative position and the relative orientation of an outer imaging section (right) with respect to the marker, which are calculated from a result of marker recognition in the right real world image. After the interval between the left virtual camera and the right virtual camera is determined, the positions and the orientations of the left virtual camera and the right virtual camera are determined based on the determined interval such that the relationship between the position and the orientation of the left virtual camera, and the position and the orientation of the right virtual camera is ideal.12-15-2011
20110304702Computer-Readable Storage Medium, Image Display Apparatus, Image Display System, and Image Display Method - First, the interval between a left virtual camera and a right virtual camera is determined based on the relative position and the relative orientation of an outer imaging section (left) with respect to a marker, which are calculated from a result of marker recognition in the left real world image, and on the relative position and the relative orientation of an outer imaging section (right) with respect to the marker, which are calculated from a result of marker recognition in the right real world image. After the interval between the left virtual camera and the right virtual camera is determined, the positions and the orientations of the left virtual camera and the right virtual camera are determined based on the determined interval such that the relationship between the position and the orientation of the left virtual camera, and the position and the orientation of the right virtual camera is ideal.12-15-2011
20110304701Computer-Readable Storage Medium, Image Display Apparatus, Image Display System, and Image Display Method - First, the interval between a left virtual camera and a right virtual camera is determined based on the relative position and the relative orientation of an outer imaging section (left) with respect to a marker, which are calculated from a result of marker recognition in the left real world image, and on the relative position and the relative orientation of an outer imaging section (right) with respect to the marker, which are calculated from a result of marker recognition in the right real world image. After the interval between the left virtual camera and the right virtual camera is determined, the positions and the orientations of the left virtual camera and the right virtual camera are determined based on the determined interval such that the relationship between the position and the orientation of the left virtual camera, and the position and the orientation of the right virtual camera is ideal.12-15-2011
20110304700STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A game device 12-15-2011
20110304699COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - First, a stereoscopic vision reference distances is individually determined for each virtual object disposed in a virtual space, based on a depth position of each of the virtual objects. Next, each of the virtual objects is rendered and combined based on one pair of virtual cameras such that a relative position, with respect to the screen of a stereoscopic display device, of a virtual object, viewed by a user through a screen of the stereoscopic display device, matches a relative position of the virtual object with respect to a stereoscopic vision reference surface for the virtual object in the virtual space.12-15-2011
20110304651ENHANCED VIRTUAL SUCTION TOOL - A touch-based computer graphics user interface enhances a stylus pen with virtual suction to create a virtual vacuum or suction tool. The virtual tool may simulate a physical world suction tool and/or provide capabilities not available in the real world. The virtual suction tool allows the user to feel as if he or she has transcended the boundary between the virtual world and the real world by physically holding in his or her hand an object that is able to interact with and virtually attract and contain items (e.g., objects with characteristics and behaviors) removed from or expellable into the virtual world. The resulting highly intuitive user interface provides fun and exciting video game play and has other applications as well.12-15-2011
20110304647INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program which includes: acquiring a real world image; setting the most recent view matrix of a virtual camera based on a detected marker S12-15-2011
20110304646IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A first image processing apparatus displays markers on a monitor to thereby make a second image processing apparatus perform a display control of a second object on an imaged image of an LCD while the second image processing apparatus transmits a marker recognizing signal when the display control is performed based on the markers to thereby make the first image processing apparatus perform a display control of a first object on the monitor.12-15-2011
20110304640STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program for implementing a step S12-15-2011
20110304639STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program for implementing a step S12-15-2011
20110304638METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING VIRTUAL SLOPED LANDSCAPES IN COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND ANIMATION - There are both flat and sloped ground surfaces on which the game characters traverse. In areas where a sloped surface changes angle (i.e. where a sloped surface connects to a flat surface), a transitional method has been created to make the adjoining textures on the top surface area of the ground blend together seamlessly. A unique texture is used for this purpose. This texture uses the same material as the flat “ground trim” texture seen on the top of every surface. The texture has a diagonally drawn alpha mask that blends from completely transparent to completely opaque from the bottom right corner of the texture to the top left corner. When this texture is drawn at the ends of each sloped surface where they change angle, the combination of the color channels and the alpha mask line up with adjoining textures to blend them together and create a seamless visual transition.12-15-2011
20110304630REAL-TIME TERRAIN ANIMATION SELECTION - In-game characters select the proper animation to use depending on the state of the terrain on which they are currently moving. In this specific case the character chooses an animation depending on the angle of the ground on which it is walking. The method involves real-time determination of the ground angle which is then used to choose the most desirable animation from a closed set of pre-created animations. The animation set consists of animations rendered with the character moving on flat terrain, as well as animations rendered of the character moving uphill and downhill (separately) at pre-determined angles. In this game an animation set consisted of the following animations: 0 degrees, 15 degrees uphill, 30 degrees uphill, 45 degrees uphill, 15 degrees downhill, 30 degrees downhill, 45 degrees downhill). Drawing of the animation is offset to give the best appearance relative to the ground angle.12-15-2011
20110304620STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A plurality of polygons are placed in a 3-dimensional virtual space. Each of plural types of first textures corresponding to plural types of attributes which the plurality of polygons have is mapped to the polygon that has the attribute of the type corresponding to the first texture, the 3-dimensional virtual space is shot by a first virtual camera, and thereby a main image is generated. In addition, each of the plural types of second textures corresponding to plural types of attributes which the plurality of polygons have is mapped to the polygon that has the attribute of the type corresponding to the second texture, the 3-dimensional virtual space is shot by a second virtual camera, and thereby a main image is generated.12-15-2011
20110304615STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND STEREOSCOPIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A game device 12-15-2011
20110304611STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Using as a texture of an image to be placed in a virtual world an image included in a predetermined area in a captured image captured by a real camera, a virtual world image is generated, in which the object placed in the virtual world is viewed from a virtual camera. Then, the captured image captured by the real camera is combined with the virtual world image, and the combined image is displayed on a display device.12-15-2011
20110304607STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - Data of a coordinate input provided on a second image displayed on a display device is acquired, and input position data representing the coordinate input provided on the second image is generated. At least a first feature point is extracted from a first image, the first feature point being a feature point having a first feature on the first image; a predetermined superimposition image is superimposed on the first image, at a position on the first image based on the first feature point, the position corresponding to a position, represented by the input position data, on the second image based on a second feature point, the second feature point being a feature point having the first feature on the second image; and the first image on which the superimposition has been made is displayed on the display device.12-15-2011
20110304246OPERATING MEMBER MOUNTING STRUCTURE - An operating member mounting structure includes a mounting plate having an inner edge defining a mounting hole, and an operating member includes a keytop and a flange which are coupled to each other by a shaft, and the flange is formed with a slit. The diameter of the flange is larger than that of the mounting hole. When the operating member is rotated and pressed down in a state that the slit receives the inner edge of the mounting hole, the flange passes over the inner edge of the mounting hole to be fully brought beneath the mounting plate. An operating shaft of an operated device is inserted into an insertion hole opened on the surface of the flange. By operating the keytop exposed from the top surface of the mounting plate, the operated device can be operated through the operating shaft.12-15-2011
20110300936GAME APPARATUS, GAME PROGRAM AND GAME SYSTEM - A game apparatus generates control point data for forming a contour of each part of a character, generates a line model of a body being a line polygon model along the body on the basis of the control point data, then generates a line model of a foot being a line polygon model along a contour of one foot, and arranged at the back of the line model of the body Bd in a Z direction, and generates a mask model of the body being a transparent polygon model arranged at the back of the line model of the body in the Z direction and in front of the line model of the foot in the Z direction, and having the contour along the line of the body. Then, when the respective models are depicted with a Z comparison performed after depicting a background, the mask model of the body, the line model of the foot, the line model of the body are depicted in this order.12-08-2011
20110300935GAME APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING A GAME PROGRAM, AND GAME CONTROL METHOD - A game apparatus includes an LCD and is provided a touch panel in relation to the LCD. The LCD displays a game screen for making a player character hit a ball. For example, when touch-on is performed on the LCD (touch panel), the stance and shot power of the player character are decided according to coordinates of the touch-on position. With this, the path of the ball is decided to be a straight ball, draw ball or fade ball, and the carry of the ball is decided with regard to the shot power. Following the touch-on, when a slide operation is performed, an impact is decided according to the slide operation. For example, the path of the ball is changed by the decided impact.12-08-2011
20110300931STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, HAND-HELD GAME APPARATUS, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME METHOD - An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program including: a step of setting a puzzle area to be cut from an image taken by an outer camera; a step of setting the division number representing the number of portions into which the puzzle area is divided in accordance with a stage; a step of generating one-dimensional arrangement data representing a state in which puzzle pieces are positioned at random: a step of executing a game process by updating the one-dimensional arrangement data of the puzzle pieces which are selected based on a tilt of the game apparatus; and a step of switching, in accordance with the one-dimensional arrangement data, texture coordinate data of the puzzle pieces calculated based on a tilt of a virtual camera, and displaying an obtained image.12-08-2011
20110298823COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program including: a step of obtaining an image captured by an outer camera; a step of calculating, when detection of a marker is completed, a position and an orientation of a virtual camera based on a result of the marker detection; a step of obtaining hand-drawn data; a step of capturing, with the virtual camera, a fundamental polygon to which a texture is applied to generate a hand-drawn image, and displaying, on an upper LCD, an image in which the hand-drawn image is superimposed on the camera image; and a step of displaying a hand-drawn input image on a lower LCD.12-08-2011
20110295709COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A game apparatus executes an application loaded from a storage section, and generates an application information frame that contains most-recently-used app ID information that is identification information of the executed application. Then, the game apparatus transmits the application information frame to another game apparatus. The game apparatus receives, from the other game apparatus, most-recently-used app ID information that identifies an application executed by the other game apparatus. The game apparatus displays the received most-recently-used app ID information.12-01-2011
20110295553GAME APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM - A gravity direction calculating apparatus for calculating a direction of gravity with respect to an input device, including: an obtaining logic unit for successively obtaining acceleration data output from a multi-axis acceleration sensor included in the input device; a period detecting logic unit for detecting a period from start to end of movement of the input device, as a movement period, based on the obtained acceleration data; and a gravity direction calculating logic unit for calculating a sum of one or more acceleration vectors corresponding to one or more pieces of acceleration data obtained during the movement period, a direction determined by a vector indicated by the sum being the gravity direction, wherein the acceleration vector is a vector whose components are acceleration values with respect to a plurality of axes of acceleration values with respect to axes indicated by the acceleration data.12-01-2011
20110294582HANDHELD INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A game apparatus as a handheld information processing apparatus includes a CPU, and when the game apparatus is closed, the CPU shifts to a sleep mode. When a user carries the game apparatus in the sleep mode, a micon measures step counts according to a magnitude of accelerations indicated by acceleration data from an acceleration sensor. When a main power of the game apparatus is turned on to display a main menu screen, the step counts are converted into earned coins, for example. In each of a plurality of applications to be executed by the game apparatus, a special item is purchased, or game playing on a special course is permitted by utilizing the earned coins.12-01-2011
20110294581STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, GAME APPARATUS, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME PROCESSING METHOD - A biological signal is obtained from a player, under a situation where a biological parameter can be calculated based on a biological signal repeatedly obtained from a sensor attached to a player, and a predetermined game processing can be performed using the biological parameter. Then, whether the sensor is attached to the player is determined based on the biological signal, and the predetermined game processing is performed in at least one of a case where the sensor attachment determining means determines that the sensor has changed from its attached state to its detached state and a case where the sensor attachment determining means determines that the sensor has changed from its detached state to its attached state, according to the timing at which the determinations is made.12-01-2011
20110294578GAME APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM - A movement direction calculating apparatus including a processor executing instructions for: obtaining acceleration data output from the multi-axis acceleration sensor during each of successive intervals; determining a movement period as a period during a movement of the input device wherein the determination is based on the obtained acceleration data; calculating a plurality of difference vectors each representing a difference between a pair of acceleration vectors corresponding to acceleration data, wherein each of the acceleration vectors is a vector whose components are acceleration values with respect to a plurality of axes of acceleration values corresponding to axes indicated by the acceleration data; summing the difference vectors to calculate a direction vector, wherein each of the difference vectors is assigned a weight depending on a magnitude of the difference vector, and designating as the movement direction a direction indicated by the direction vector.12-01-2011
20110294574COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, GAME SYSTEM, GAME APPARATUS, AND GAME CONTROL METHOD - A first area and a second area are set in a virtual space. Then, based on first configuration information for configuring a first state of a game world, a first object to be placed in the first area is generated. In addition, a second object to be placed in the second area is generated based on second configuration information for configuring a second state different from the first state at a predetermined position in the virtual space to which the first configuration information is applied.12-01-2011
20110292033HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A hand-held electronic device (12-01-2011
20110291929COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - Correspondence data representing correspondence between a plurality of selection target objects and the attitude of an input device is stored in an information processing apparatus. In accordance with attitude/motion data acquired from the input device, the attitude of the input device is calculated. In accordance with the correspondence data, a selection target object corresponding to the attitude of the input device is selected thereby to perform a process based on the selection target object having been selected.12-01-2011
20110287843COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, GAME APPARATUS, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME PROCESSING METHOD - Angular velocity data for specifying the position and the orientation of the first controller is inputted to a game apparatus. Based on the angular velocity data, the swing direction of the first controller is determined, and whether or not a sword object that acts in a virtual game space will collide with an enemy object is determined. If it has been determined that the sword object will collide with the enemy object, whether or not to perform hitting processing for the enemy object is determined based on the swing direction of the first controller.11-24-2011
20110287842GAME APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME PROCESS METHOD - A game apparatus acquires operation data from an input device at least including a gyroscope, wherein the operation data at least contains angular rate data from the gyroscope. The game apparatus sets a predetermined reference position in a predetermined plane when a player inputs a predetermined instruction, and then calculates a coordinate point based on the angular rate data, wherein the coordinate point represents a position in the predetermined plane relative to the reference position. A game process is performed based on the coordinate point.11-24-2011
20110287836GAME APPARATUS, GAME SYSTEM, AND STORING MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM IN WHICH DISPLAY IS DIVIDED BETWEEN PLAYERS - A game apparatus that includes a CPU and in which a plurality of players participate and play a game on a display screen displayed on a common display device. A display area is divided by the number of participating players, and the divided areas are allotted to each player. In addition, an evaluating value is set according to a superiority or inferiority situation of a play content of each player, a size of the divided areas are changed based on the evaluating value, and the display screen in correspondence with a change of the divided areas is generated and displayed. Furthermore, when there is a player who reaches game-over, the display area is re-divided by the number of remaining players.11-24-2011
20110282974METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING DATA TO A PLURALITY OF GAME DEVICES - Striped Multiplexing Download Queue software facilitates and increases throughput for client-server downloads through a limited communication device. In the “DS Download Station” application, this is used to queue many requests and to broadcast download segments to requesters seeking the same data. This works by employing a “download stripe” on both the server and client. The download stripe on the server side tracks acknowledgements from clients per download segment. On the client side, the stripe tracks received segments to account for duplicate data. Requesters are queued on a first-come first-serve basis. Requesters in the queue may receive segments of downloads while waiting in queue, if the client at the front of the queue is downloading the same file. This recursively saves waiting time for clients in the queue.11-17-2011
20110281650WEIGHT APPLYING UNIT FOR CALIBRATION AND WEIGHT APPLYING METHOD FOR CALIBRATION - A game controller including multiple sensors for detecting a pressure load of a user for use as an input device of a game apparatus. The game controller includes a load platform adapted to receive the pressure load of the user; a plurality of load sensors arranged in the load platform for detecting the pressure load of the user, each load sensor generating an independent detected load signal; and a connector to operationally connect the plurality of load sensors to the game apparatus for transmitting a transmission signal to the game apparatus to facilitate gameplay. The transmission signal includes the independent detected load signal of at least one load sensor such that the transmission signal includes at least one independent detected load signal corresponding to at least one load sensor of the plurality of load sensors.11-17-2011
20110281644STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A game apparatus obtains a captured image from a camera, and repeatedly executes a recognition process on the obtained captured image for recognizing a predetermined object included in the captured image. The game apparatus repeatedly generates and displays a synthesized age obtained by synthesizing an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process with a captured image which is a subject of the recognition process. Here, if the recognition process fails, a captured image which is a subject of a recognition process which has succeeded before is synthesized with an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process.11-17-2011
20110271013INPUT DEVICE - In an input device, a controller for controlling an input portion and acquiring data is connected to a bus. The bus can be connected with an external expansion device via an expansion connector. The connection of the bus from the expansion connector to the controller is switched on and off by a switcher. Data acquired from a sensor having a function equivalent to that of the external expansion device is transmitted to the controller via the bus by a sensor controller which is connected to each of a side of the controller and a side of the expansion connector of the bus without interposing the switcher. The sensor controller switches the connection of the switcher off when an access to itself is made from the controller.11-03-2011
20110263328OPERATING DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An operating device has a narrow housing, and in this housing, an acceleration sensor and/or a gyro sensor are accommodated. Operation data inclusive of acceleration data and/or angular velocity data acquired from the acceleration sensor and/or the gyro sensor is transmitted by an operation data transmitter. Then, at a lower end of the housing, an elastic member having a spherical surface or substantially a spherical surface is provided.10-27-2011
20110263327INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM AND ATTACHMENT DEVICE - A game system as an information processing system includes a game apparatus and a controller, and the controller is attached with an attachment device. In a case that a slit plate of the attachment device is removed, the controller detects positions of high-intensity parts as to infrared ray output from markers provided on a monitor, and designates coordinates on the monitor screen thereby. Alternatively, in a case that the slit plate is loaded, when a card printed and so forth with a dot pattern is slid along a guide groove of the attachment device, a position of a high-intensity part of a plurality of dots to which infrared ray is irradiated is detected, so that information processing based on the dot pattern is executed.10-27-2011
20110263321SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESSING CONTENT - Example systems and methods for facilitating access to stored content using a computer system comprising multiple non-alphanumeric buttons involve converting at least a portion of an identifier associated with the content to a code comprising a combination of one or more of the non-alphanumeric buttons. The code is stored along with access information for accessing the content and the access information is provided in response to receipt of the code.10-27-2011
20110261012INPUT DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A game system as an information processing system includes a game apparatus and a controller, and the controller is attached with an attachment device. The controller images an image including infrared rays output from markers arranged on a monitor through a half mirror integrated in the attachment device. Furthermore, the controller images an image including an infrared ray from a pen input device reflected by the half mirror via a touch panel. In the former, the controller functions as an input device for a direct coordinate input, and in the latter, the controller functions as a pen tablet.10-27-2011
20110248999STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON IMAGE DISPLAY PROGRAM, IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS - A computer-readable storage medium has stored thereon an program that is executed in a display apparatus that takes an image of a virtual three-dimensional space in which a first object and a second object are present, by a virtual camera and renders the virtual three-dimensional space. The program allows the apparatus to generate a silhouette image for representing a silhouette of the first object, in which silhouette image, gradation information changes in accordance with a distance from the second object to each part of the first object; to generate an image of the second object that is seen from the virtual camera; and to synthesize the silhouette image on the image of the second object that is seen from the virtual camera, such that the silhouette image is darker at a portion thereof corresponding to a part of the first object closer to the second object.10-13-2011
20110246933Information processing apparatus, information processing program, storage medium storing an information processing program and window controlling method - An information processing apparatus (10-06-2011
20110242361INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND LAUNCH PROGRAM AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING THE SAME - A game device according to the present embodiment includes a camera as image pick-up means. An inner camera is accommodated in an upper housing. In addition, a microphone hole is provided in an inner surface of the upper housing so as to sense external sound through a microphone.10-06-2011
20110239112COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INPUT PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, SYSTEM, AND INPUT METHOD - A game apparatus, when receiving an input of an input character by a user, obtains and displays option character strings corresponding to the input character. The option character strings displayed here are option character strings that are connectable to a word preceding the input character. Displayed as the option character strings in this manner are only character strings, each of which does not form an inappropriate expression when connected to the word preceding or following the input character. When the user has selected an option character string from these option character strings, the game apparatus determines the option character string to be a fixed character string, and displays and stores the fixed character string.09-29-2011
20110238368INCLINATION CALCULATION APPARATUS AND INCLINATION CALCULATION PROGRAM, AND GAME APPARATUS AND GAME PROGRAM - An inclination calculation apparatus calculates an inclination of an input device operable in terms of a posture thereof. The input device includes an acceleration sensor and an imaging element. In one non-limiting example implementation, the inclination calculation apparatus computes first inclination information representing an inclination of the input device based upon a coordinate position of an imaging target in an acquired image obtained by the imaging element and an estimated coordinate position of a second imaging target not acquired by the imaging element. The inclination calculation apparatus also computes second inclination information representing an inclination of the input device solely from an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. The inclination calculation apparatus then calculates an inclination of the input device using the first inclination information and the second inclination information.09-29-2011
20110237326DATA AUTHENTICATION METHOD AND DATA AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM - A storage means which can be accessed by an authentication apparatus stores content data, a first digest table including primary digest values corresponding to a plurality of data portions constituting the content data, a second digest table including secondary digest values corresponding to a plurality of data portions of the first digest table, and a digital signature generated from the second digest table. In a first reading step, the second digest table and the digital signature are read out from the storage means into a memory of the authentication apparatus. In a first authentication step, the authenticity of the content data is verified using the digital signature read out into the memory and the second digest table read out into the memory.09-29-2011
20110234857INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM RECORDING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus capable of being opened and closed includes storage means, display means, and taken image display control means. The storage means stores a taken image therein. The display means has a display screen provided in a surface which is located inside when the information processing apparatus is closed and which is located outside when the information processing apparatus is opened. The taken image display control means displays a taken image on the display screen, and changes a taken image to be displayed between before and after closing and opening the information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is closed and opened again.09-29-2011
20110231559COMMUNICATION APPARATUS, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN COMMUNICATION CONTROL PROGRAM, COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A first determination section determines, when an instruction for connection establishment is issued, whether or not connection information including target apparatus specifying information that uniquely specifies a predetermined target apparatus is stored in a first storage section. A first connection section performs, when the first determination section determines that the connection information is stored in the first storage section, a process for establishing a connection by wireless communication to the target apparatus that is specified based on the target apparatus specifying information stored in the first storage section.09-22-2011
20110231427COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INPUT PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, SYSTEM, AND INPUT METHOD - Upon receiving an input of an input character a09-22-2011
20110227916STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM AND GAME APPARATUS - A computer generating a three-dimensional space and the images to be shown on a display: sets a first angle of view of the virtual camera; displays the image in accordance with the first angle of view; detects a position on the displayed image pointed to by the input device; calculates a straight line passing through the detected position and the virtual camera in the three-dimensional space; identifies an object intersecting the straight line; automatically sets a second angle of view of the virtual camera to zoom in and display the identified object, and displays the identified object using the display device from the perspective of the second angle of view.09-22-2011
20110226117COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING MUSIC PLAYING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN AND MUSIC PLAYING APPARATUS - At a time T09-22-2011
20110225538COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - An image taken of a virtual space including a user-operable child object and user-inoperable furniture object is stereoscopically displayed on a screen of a stereoscopic image display device. On the other hand, an image taken, of the same virtual space, from the same direction is displayed in a planar manner on a screen of a planar image display device. On the screen of the planar image display device, a child object image, in which a silhouette of the child object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device is displayed. A user touches on the screen of the planar image display device, while seeing the child object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device, thereby operating the child object.09-15-2011
20110222735IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - As to each section making up of an original image, a CPU of an image processing apparatus calculates a distance from a predetermined position, for example, a center of the original image to a center of the section, sets a probability in accordance with the calculated distance, determines whether or not the section is a section where an object is to be drawn according to the set probability, and draws an object in each section which is determined as a section to be drawn.09-15-2011
20110221866COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, DISPLAY CONTROL APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL SYSTEM, AND DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - An image display apparatus includes a stereoscopic image display apparatus configured to display a stereoscopically visible image, and a planar image display apparatus configured to display a planar image. An adjustment section of the image display apparatus adjusts relative positions, relative sizes, and relative rotations of a left-eye image taken by a left-eye image imaging section and a right-eye image taken by a right-eye image imaging section. The adjusted left-eye image and the adjusted right-eye image are viewed by the left eye and the right eye of the user, respectively, thereby displaying the stereoscopic image on the stereoscopic image display apparatus. The adjusted left-eye image and the adjusted right-eye image are made semi-transparent and superimposed one on the other, and thus a resulting superimposed planar image is displayed on the planar image display apparatus.09-15-2011
20110214093STORAGE MEDIUM STORING OBJECT CONTROLLING PROGRAM, OBJECT CONTROLLING APPARATUS AND OBJECT CONTROLLING METHOD - A game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and on the second LCD, a touch panel is provided. On the first LCD, an enemy object is displayed. On the second LCD, a drawn object generated according to a touch operation is displayed. When the drawn object is generated, the drawn object is moved according to a moving course based on a locus of the touch operation. When the drawn object hits the enemy object, the enemy object is damaged.09-01-2011
20110212781VIDEO GAME USING DUAL MOTION SENSING CONTROLLERS - An inclination of a first unit is detected based on an output from a first acceleration sensor provided in a first unit of a controller, and an inclination of a second unit is detected based on an output from a second acceleration sensor provided in a second unit separate from the first unit. A difference between the inclinations of the first unit and the second unit is detected, and game control is performed using the detected difference. Thus, with a game apparatus using a plurality of acceleration sensors or a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a motion or a posture, a dynamic play is made possible with a high degree of freedom of motion and an intuitive motion input is realized.09-01-2011
20110212779VIDEO GAME USING DUAL MOTION SENSING CONTROLLERS - An inclination of a first unit is detected based on an output from a first acceleration sensor provided in a first unit of a controller, and an inclination of a second unit is detected based on an output from a second acceleration sensor provided in a second unit separate from the first unit. A difference between the inclinations of the first unit and the second unit is detected, and game control is performed using the detected difference. Thus, with a game apparatus using a plurality of acceleration sensors or a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a motion or a posture, a dynamic play is made possible with a high degree of freedom of motion and an intuitive motion input is realized.09-01-2011
20110212775GAME PROGRAM AND GAME APPARATUS - A game apparatus has a touch panel for designating an arbitrary position within a screen on which a plurality of moving objects are arranged. A CPU repetitively detects the position designated via the touch panel, draws a line along the detected positions on the screen, every time that the detected position is in contact with any object within the screen, aligns the object on the line every time that the detected position is in contact with any object on the screen, moves the object aligned on the line to a trailing end direction of the line at a velocity V09-01-2011
20110210916STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON PROGRAM FOR ADJUSTING POINTING DEVICE, AND POINTING DEVICE - A pointing device includes a controller for pointing a position on a display surface by imaging an imaging objective such as two markers positioned with a predetermined interval therebetween in a vicinity of the display surface of a monitor. With the pointing device, a width of the display surface and the interval between the markers are obtained to determine an appropriate distance between the controller and the monitor. Further, a current distance between the controller and the monitor (markers) is calculated. Relation between the current distance and the appropriate distance is notified by such as image display or sound output. For example, an image indicating the appropriate distance and an adjustment image varying in size in conjunction with the current distance are displayed on the monitor.09-01-2011
20110195785GAME CONTROLLER - A video game controller for a video game and a receptor assembly may include a controller core unit including a housing formed with a top, bottom and opposite sides, at least the top having a plurality of control buttons thereon; and a base portion provided with a first connector; a receptor having a shape substantially similar to a component appearing in the video game. The receptor may be a gun-shaped sub-unit with a barrel portion and a gripper portion with an open slot adapted to receive the core unit.08-11-2011
20110195777STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREON, GAME APPARATUS, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME PROCESSING METHOD - Operation input obtaining means obtains an operation input performed by a player with respect to an input device. Designated position setting means sets a designated position with respect to a virtual game world in accordance with the operation input. Biological signal obtaining means obtains a biological signal from the player. Designated position change means changes the designated position in accordance with the biological signal obtained by the biological signal obtaining means. Game processing means performs a predetermined game process on the basis of the designated position.08-11-2011
20110190061DISPLAY DEVICE, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME METHOD - An example game system includes a home-console type game device, a controller device, and a portable display device. The portable display device includes an infrared emitter capable of emitting infrared light. The controller device wirelessly transmits to the game device operation image data from an image-capturing section, inertia sensor data, and operation button data. The game device receives the operation data from the controller device, and performs game processes based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device compresses first game images, which are generated based on the game processes, to generate compressed image data. The compressed image data is wirelessly transmitted to the portable display device. The portable display device receives the compressed image data from the game device, expands the compressed image data to obtain the game images, and displays the game images.08-04-2011
20110190053GAME APPARATUS AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING A HANDWRITING INPUT PROGRAM - A method to detect answers and notes inputted a game apparatus including: receiving user input data and determining the received user input data to be an answer character based on a characteristic of the user input data; displaying on the display the answer character contemporaneously with the determination of the received user data is the answer character; making a game determination based on the answer character; displaying a result of the game determination; determining the received user input data to be a note character based on the characteristic of the user input data; displaying the note character contemporaneously with the determination that the user input data is the note character; settling the note character as an answer character based on a user input made after the note character is displayed, and displaying the answer character determined from settling the note character.08-04-2011
20110190052GAME SYSTEM, CONTROLLER DEVICE AND GAME METHOD - An example game system includes a home-console type game device and a terminal device. The terminal device includes a touch panel and an inertia sensor, and wirelessly transmits to the game device operation data including touch panel data and inertia sensor data. The game device receives the operation data from the terminal device, and performs game processes based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device generates first game images and second game images based on the game processes. The first game images are compressed, and the compressed image data is wirelessly transmitted to the terminal device. The second game image is output to, and displayed on, an external display device which is separate from the terminal device. The terminal device receives the compressed image data from the game device, expands the received compressed image data, and displays the first game images on a display section.08-04-2011
20110190050GAME SYSTEM - A game system includes at least one image output device and a game apparatus. The image output device is connected to a display device via wiring. The game apparatus is capable of wirelessly communicating with the image output device and is connected via wiring to another display device different from the display device connected to the image output device. The game apparatus performs a game process and generates an image based on the game process. The generated image is displayed on the display device connected to the game apparatus. The generated image is also transmitted to the image output device. The image output device receives the image transmitted by the game apparatus. The image output device outputs the received image to the display device on which the image is displayed.08-04-2011
20110190049GAME SYSTEM, IMAGE OUTPUT DEVICE, AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - A game system includes an image output device connected to a display device via wiring and a game apparatus capable of wirelessly communicating with the image output device. The game apparatus performs a game process and generates an image based on the game process. The generated image is transmitted to the image output device. The image output device receives the image transmitted by the game apparatus. The received image is outputted from the image output device to the display device and displayed on the display device.08-04-2011
20110184248STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A storage medium is provided having stored therein an information processing program executable by a computer of an information processing device which performs predetermined processes based on biological parameters acquired from a user. The information processing program causes the computer to function as: first biological parameter acquisition means for acquiring a first biological parameter from the user during a first period; second biological parameter acquisition means for acquiring a second biological parameter from the user, within the first period, during the acquisition of the first biological parameter, or on and after a first time point after the acquisition of the first biological parameter; and first process execution means for executing a first process from the first time point, based on the first biological parameter and the second biological parameter.07-28-2011
20110183757STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, GAME APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, AND GAME SYSTEM - A player object is caused to perform a motion in a virtual game world in accordance with information corresponding to a biological signal acquired from a player. Biological signal acquisition means acquires the biological signal from the player. Pulse detection means detects pulse or heartbeat of the player in accordance with the biological signal acquired by the biological signal acquisition means. Player object motion control means causes the player object to discharge a discharge object in the virtual game world when the pulse detection means detects the pulse or the heartbeat.07-28-2011
20110176455COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN MOBILE TERMINAL PROGRAM, MOBILE TERMINAL DEVICE, AND SYSTEM - A location information provision system 07-21-2011
20110173557STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A game apparatus includes a CPU, and a relationship diagram displaying screen is displayed on a second LCD according to an instruction from a first user of the game apparatus. On the relationship diagram displaying screen, a display manner of an arrow displayed between a user image of the first user and a user image of a second user of another game apparatus is changed. The thickness and the color of the arrow on the side of the user image of the second user are set on the basis of the degree of transmission of the message data transmitted by the first user to the second user. Furthermore, the thickness and the color of the arrow on the side of the user image of the first user are set on the basis of the degree of reception of the message data received by the first user from the second user.07-14-2011
20110172016GAME OPERATING DEVICE - A game operating device (controller) includes a longitudinal housing, and a holding portion held by hand to be wrapped by its palm it is formed in the housing. A direction switch is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion, and a start switch and a select switch are provided backward thereof. An X button 07-14-2011
20110172015VIDEO GAME SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS MODULAR HANDHELD CONTROLLER - A home entertainment system for video games and other applications includes a main unit and handheld controllers. The handheld controllers sense their own motion by detecting illumination emitted by emitters positioned at either side of a display. The controllers can be plugged into expansion units that customize the overall control interface for particular applications including but not limited to legacy video games.07-14-2011
20110169866STORAGE MEDIUM, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - First, movement information that allows calculation of a movement of a first input device is sequentially obtained. During a time period in which at least one operation key is in a predetermined input state, a display image is enlarged or reduced in accordance with a change of the movement information. When it is determined that the predetermined input state is canceled, the enlarged or reduced display image is caused to return to its original magnification and an action of at least one first object in the display image is controlled.07-14-2011
20110169853IMAGE PROCESSING PROGRAM, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - A CPU of an image processing apparatus detects an outline from an original image, selects from the positions in association with the detected outline a position to be drawn at a ratio in correspondence with a predetermined ratio, for example, the number of positions, and draws an object at the selected position.07-14-2011
20110169737STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An information processing apparatus is capable of obtaining operation data according to a tilt of a predetermined object that can be moved by a user. The information processing apparatus calculates tilt information corresponding to the tilt of the object based on the operation data. The information processing apparatus calculates a specified position on a screen of a display device based on the operation data so that the specified position changes according to at least one of a position and the tilt of the object. Selection items are displayed on the screen of the display device. The information processing apparatus switches between sets of the selection items displayed on the screen according to an amount of tilt represented by the tilt information. Moreover, the information processing apparatus selects an item displayed at the specified position from among the selection items to perform an information process according to the selected item.07-14-2011
20110165940COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON GAME PROGRAM, GAME APPARATUS, AND GAME CONTROL METHOD - Displayed on a predetermined display device is a play screen on which a virtual game space is rendered, the virtual game space containing a character item indicating a predetermined character and a player object. Also displayed is a character string object screen on which character string objects are rendered, each of the character string objects formed as a combination of the character items displayed on the play screen. When the player object has obtained a character item, a process is performed onto the same character as the obtained character item, the process indicating that the character item has been obtained is performed, the same character being among characters of character strings displayed on the character string object screen. When all constituent characters of a character string object have been obtained, effect generating process predefined as a game effect corresponding to the character string object is performed.07-07-2011
20110157013COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A free direction input area, a lateral direction input area, and a longitudinal direction input area are provided on an input surface of a touch panel. When a user performs a slide operation whose starting point is within the free direction input area, movement of a virtual camera is controlled based on a change amount of a touch position with respect to X- and Y-axis directions. When the user performs a slide operation whose starting point is within the lateral direction input area, movement of the virtual camera is controlled based on a change amount of a touch position only with respect to the X-axis direction. When the user performs a slide operation whose starting point is within the longitudinal direction input area, movement of the virtual camera is controlled based on a change amount of a touch position only with respect to the Y-axis direction.06-30-2011
20110143840NETWORK SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION TERMINAL AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM - Each game apparatus participating in a network system has a wireless communication module for performing a one-to-many wireless communication with reference to identifying information and a local communication module for performing a one-to-one infrared communication without referring to it. In a case that the one-to-many wireless communication is performed, pairing processing is executed in a tournament method such that a master and a slave are first decided between its own game apparatus and any one of the game apparatuses over the local communication module, and identifying information stored on the slave side is collected into the master side. In a case that its own game apparatus becomes the only master game apparatus as a result of a series of pairing processing, it transmits a signal including identifying information of all the game apparatuses over the wireless communication module whereas in a case that its own game apparatus becomes the slave apparatus, it receives the signal.06-16-2011
20110141015Storage medium having information processing program stored thereon and information processing apparatus - A motion information obtaining step successively obtains motion information from a motion sensor. An imaging information obtaining step successively obtains imaging information from an imaging means. An invalid information determination step determines whether the imaging information is valid information or invalid information for predetermined processing. A motion value calculation step calculates a motion value representing a magnitude of a motion of the operation apparatus in accordance with the motion information. A processing step executes, when the imaging information is determined as the invalid information in the invalid information determination step and when the motion value calculated in the motion calculation step is within a predetermined value range, predetermined processing in accordance with most recent valid imaging information among valid imaging information previously obtained.06-16-2011
20110136571COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, GAME SYSTEM, AND GAME DISPLAY METHOD - In a game system, a position coordinate calculation section calculates a position coordinate of each object. Then, a coordinate determination section determines whether or not the position coordinate of a missile is located on a side of the virtual camera relative to a player object. For the missile determined to be located on the side of the virtual camera, a correction coordinate calculation section calculates a correction coordinate which is obtained by shifting the position coordinate of the missile to a side of the player object relative to the position coordinate of the missile. In this case, an image of the virtual game space, in which the player object is located at the position coordinate thereof and the missile is located at the correction coordinate thereof, is displayed on a liquid crystal television.06-09-2011
20110134116INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARTUS - As a virtual plane used when converting a designation point, which is a touched position on a touch panel, into a control point, in a virtual three dimensional space, used for controlling a movement of an object, a first virtual plane is used when a ball is an object to be controlled; a second virtual plane is used when an object to be operated is a dog and an action mode thereof is an attention mode; a third virtual plane is used when the object to be operated is the dog and the action mode thereof is a lick mode; a fourth virtual plane is used when the object to be operated is the dog and the action mode thereof is a rope shake mode; and a fifth virtual plane is used when the object to be operated is the dog and the action mode thereof is a circle mode.06-09-2011
20110124414GAME APPARATUS HAVING GENERAL-PURPOSE REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTION - A game apparatus is capable of controlling infrared radiation emitters for radiating infrared light. The game apparatus executes game processing using imaging information on the infrared light obtained from an input device. The input device takes an image of the infrared light radiated by the infrared radiation emitters, and also receives an input from a user. The game apparatus comprises pattern storage means; selection means; and radiation control means. The pattern storage means stores at least one signal pattern of an infrared signal usable by a control target device. The selection means selects at least one of the at least one signal pattern stored by the pattern storage means, using the input received by the input device. The radiation control means causes the infrared radiation emitters to output an infrared signal of the signal pattern selected by the selection means.05-26-2011
20110118015GAME APPARATUS, STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM AND GAME CONTROLLING METHOD - A game apparatus includes a CPU, and images a face image of a player with an inward camera provided between a first LCD and a second LCD according to an instruction from the CPU. The CPU specifies a position of the eyes of the player from the face image, and decides a position of a virtual camera in correspondence to the specified position of the eyes. In a three-dimensional virtual space, a gazing point is fixedly decided, and a game screen is displayed on the first LCD and the second LCD such that the three-dimensional virtual space is fixed with respect to the display surface. If the position of the eyes of the player is in a predetermined position (range) with respect to the display surface, a predetermined letter or the like is represented by a combination of objects, etc. on the game screen.05-19-2011
20110113423SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS - An example method of installing an application onto an apparatus involves displaying an application menu screen comprising a fixed number of menu item display locations, at least one of the menu item display locations displaying a first menu item for an non-installed application. An announcement screen is displayed in response to selection of the first menu item for the non-installed application, the announcement screen comprising a selection item configured to initiate a downloading operation for the non-installed application. The downloading operation is initiated in response to selection of the selection item. The application can be installed/non-installed separately from other applications.05-12-2011
20110111851COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING GAME PROGRAM STORED THEREON, GAME APPARATUS, AND GAME CONTROL METHOD - Manual operation means controls a motion of an operation target character in accordance with operation data outputted from an input device. Automatic motion control means controls the motion of the operation target character in accordance with a series of pieces of operation data which are prepared in advance. Game control means performs a first process when a first condition is satisfied as a result of control of the motion of the operation target character by the manual operation means only in a predetermined interval in a game in progress, performs a second process which is different from the first process when a second condition is satisfied, and executes the first when the control of the motion is performed by the automatic motion control means in at least a part of the interval regardless of whichever condition is satisfied.05-12-2011
20110107435STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM STORED THEREIN, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - An information processing apparatus displays, on a display device, personal information including person-identifying information based on which a person can be identified and non-person-identifying information based on which a person cannot be identified. First, the information processing apparatus determines whether or not authentication of a user has succeeded based on an input by the user and authentication information stored in storage means of the information processing apparatus. Then, the information processing apparatus prohibits display of the person-identifying information of the personal information stored in the storage means when it is determined that authentication has failed.05-05-2011
20110105230COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREIN MUSICAL SOUND GENERATION PROGRAM, AND MUSICAL SOUND GENERATION APPARATUS - A user can move the position of a pan flute in a horizontal direction on a screen by sliding a touch position in the horizontal direction on the screen while touching a touch panel with a stick. Moreover, when the user blows on a microphone hole, a musical sound of a pitch corresponding to a pipe of the pan flute which is displayed in an overlapping manner with a valid position display image at this time is outputted via a sound hole.05-05-2011
20110105228COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING OBJECT CONTROL PROGRAM STORED THEREIN AND OBJECT CONTROL APPARATUS - When a game apparatus detects a double-touch in an area other than an area where an enemy character is displayed, the game apparatus causes a player character to perform a forward roll motion. On the other hand, when the game apparatus detects a touch operation onto the enemy character, a prohibition area is provided at a position of the enemy character. When the game apparatus detects a touch onto the prohibition area, even if the touch operation is the double-touch, the game apparatus prohibits the player character from performing the forward roll motion and causes the player character to attack the enemy character.05-05-2011
20110105221GAME SYSTEM, STORAGE MEDIUM AND GAME CONTROLLING METHOD - A game system includes a server, and the server can communicate with and is connected to a plurality of game apparatuses via a network. In a case that a currently-connecting message is not received from any game apparatus during a communication game, the server determines that the game apparatus prematurely ends the communication game, and adds a bad reputation score of each of the players who is participating in the communication game. Furthermore, if the communication game is ended, and there is a game apparatus that refuses to participate in a next communication game, the bad reputation score of the game apparatus who permits participating in the next communication game is added. For example, the player having a high bad reputation score is refused to participate in the next communication game.05-05-2011
20110103596STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING BREATH DETECTION PROGRAM STORED THEREIN AND BREATH DETECTION APPARATUS - Sound data acquisition means acquires, from a sound input device, sound data representing a sound signal. First evaluation means evaluates the sound signal represented by the sound data, by using a first criterion for detecting whether or not the sound inputted into the sound input device is a breath. Second evaluation means evaluates the sound signal represented by the sound data, by using a second criterion which is different from the first criterion. Breath detection means detects that a breath is inputted into the sound input device at least when the first evaluation means makes an affirmative evaluation, in a first period in which whether or not a breath is started to be blown into the sound input device is determined, and detects that a breath is inputted into the sound input device when at least one of the first evaluation means and the second evaluation means make an affirmative evaluation, in a second period in which whether or not a breath continues to be blown into the sound input device is determined.05-05-2011
20110102425STORAGE MEDIUM STORING DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM UTILIZED FOR CONTROLLING STEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY - A display control program includes virtual camera setting instructions for setting respective positions and directions of a right virtual camera and a left virtual camera within a prescribed virtual space used for virtual photographing in the virtual space, and view volume setting instructions for setting respective view volumes of the right virtual camera and the left virtual camera. The view volume setting instructions are adapted to set the view volumes such that both of the view volume of the right virtual camera and the view volume of the left virtual camera include a display target region, which is a region in the virtual space at least to be displayed on a display, and the view volume of at least one virtual camera extends asymmetrically with respect to a line extending from the position of one virtual camera in the camera direction, toward a side where the other virtual camera is present.05-05-2011
20110098111Game apparatus, storage medium storing a game program, and game controlling method - A game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and on the first LCD, a two-dimensional game screen including objects positioned in a two-dimensional coordinate is displayed. When a two-dimensional coordinate of a specific object out of the objects positioned in the two-dimensional coordinate satisfies a predetermined condition, a three-dimensional coordinate of each of the objects is calculated on the basis of the two-dimensional coordinate of each of the objects. The object is modeled in the calculated three-dimensional coordinate, moved by a predetermined animation, and then shot by a virtual camera. Accordingly, a game screen of an image (animation) of the three-dimensional virtual space shot by the virtual camera is displayed on the second LCD.04-28-2011

Patent applications by NINTENDO CO., LTD.