FR2812159A1 - COMPUTER PROGRAM, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE, COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND IMAGE GENERATION METHOD FOR GENERATING IMAGE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer program, a computer program product, an image generation device, a computer system and an image generation method for reducing flickering on a computer by software processing. interlacing display device e. The computer program includes program encoding means for performing the step of: synthesizing color data from a subject line and color data from a line adjacent thereto over an entire image to a predetermined ratio to achieve synthetic color data, to generate a raster image for interlaced display based on the synthetic color data.

Description

I The present invention relates to a computer program, a product of

  computer program, an image generation device, a computer system and an image generation method for generating an image and relates more particularly to the generation of a frame image for an interlaced display. A variety of interlaced display devices are known. Here,

  according to a previous development, a television as a device

  The main device among these display devices will be explained as follows.

  An NTSC (American Television Process Committee) system

  cain) which is one of the few television video systems, sweeps lines

  pairs on the first 1/60 seconds (display of an odd frame) and

  continuation of the even lines by the following 1/60 seconds (display of an even frame), so as to achieve the display of an entire image. That is, an entire image is made up of two frame images. Therefore, the larger the difference in brightness between each odd line image in the odd frame and each even line image adjacent to it in the even frame, respectively, the more flicker caused

  important on the entire image.

  For example, when displaying a white transverse line having a width of one pixel, there may exist a case where a white line exists on an odd line in the odd frame and no white line exists on an even line close to the odd line in the even frame. In this case, because the white line flickers every 1/60 seconds, it is very hard

to observe the image.

  A more specific example will be explained next with reference

  to the figures. In accordance with an image represented in each figure, the di-

  pixel mension on the image is enlarged and simplified to be simple and clear. In Figure 2, an entire image is shown in which

  a Chinese character "bi" with a white color is displayed on the

  black background. FIG. 21A represents the image of the odd frame and FIG. 21lB represents the image of the even frame, to display the entire image

  as shown in figure 2. The Chinese character "bi" is displayed on the screen.

  singing the odd frame image and the even frame image continuously. In the

  case where the difference in brightness between the odd line and the even line is

  sine of it is important, a flicker is caused on the image

  SPECT. Figure 22 shows a difference in brightness between the im-

  pair and the pair line next to it on the whole image represented on the

  figure 2. In figure 22, parts where the color changes to a white color

  che in a black color or in a black color in a white color between the odd line and the neighboring even line are represented by a color

  grey. At the gray part, a flicker appears.

  Flickering as described above is caused on a still image of a Chinese character. Therefore, flicker can be very

  often appear even on all images on the display device

  traced, and the flicker is actually caused in practice. In addition, although the explanation described above relates to a still image, the flicker

  also appears in motion pictures.

  On the other hand, as a device for generating or transmitting images displayed on an interlaced display device, a video device, a personal computer, a game device for individuals and the like are known.

  However, this type of device incorporates material for

  reduce the flicker described above and may therefore have to increase its

  number of items and its cost, and to break down.

  In addition, in accordance with the personal computer and the game device for individuals intended to generate images to be displayed on demand,

  whether it is possible to reduce flicker by controlling the images to be

  rer by software, it is useless to change certain elements of each device

  so this one is convenient and extremely useful.

  However, in order to reduce flickering by the software, processing time becomes a very serious problem. That is, in the case of an NTSC system, it is necessary to generate a frame image in 1/60 second. Therefore, it is necessary to generate the frame image in addition to generating an image, which is the original function, in 1/60 second. Through

  Therefore, it is required that the software includes an algorithm and a design.

  tion more advanced so the software can generate a raster image on

shorter duration.

  The present invention has been developed in view of the problems

above.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce flicker

  on a display device interleaved by software processing.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a pro-

  computer gram includes means of program coding for ef-

  perform the step of: synthesizing color data of an odd line and color data of an even line on an image at a ratio

  predetermined to generate a raster image for interlaced display.

  An entire image can consist of two raster images.

  For example, in the case of an NTSC system, each of the two images of

  frame of the whole image is refreshed alternately every 1/60 se-

  condes, i.e. the time interval for generating each frame image.

  In addition, the size of the whole image is not limited to the size of the screen of the interlaced display for displaying the raster images generated based on the whole image. For example, the dimension of the entire image on an NTSC system is different from the dimension of the entire image on a PAL system regardless of the size of the screen intended to display the raster images generated on the basis of each whole picture. When the

  vertical length of the whole image is different from that of the screen, the par-

  upper and lower portions of the entire image cannot be processed to generate each frame image by the computer program of the present invention. In accordance with the computer program as described

  above, the frame image is generated by synthesizing the odd line and the line

  an even pair on the whole image so that it is possible to decrease the difference

  brightness between the odd line and the even line on the display

  display and the flicker can be reduced effectively

  that's. In addition, means for reducing flicker can be obtained by software such as the computer program of the present invention. Through

  Therefore, in order to reduce flicker, for example, it is not necessary

  It is necessary to incorporate an exclusive device for generating raster images in a personal computer or a gaming device, and it is possible to use a processor supplied previously with the personal computer and the gaming device itself. The predetermined ratio for synthesizing each color data can be changed. That is, for example, when the frame image to be generated is an image of an odd frame, the ratio of color data between the odd line and the even line is greater, and when l frame image is an image of an even frame, the color data ratio of the even line is larger. The summary report of each of the

  color data can be changed. In addition, for the purpose of simple treatment

  full and fast, when synthesizing each of the color data, each of the color data can be synthesized at an equal ratio. So

  specific, when synthesizing two data using a de-

  binary calibration and an additional operation, it is possible to process the

  data simply and quickly by software.

  The following description can be applied to the informative program.

  following material of the present invention such as this computer program.

  The amount of data in the raster image is half that of the entire image. That is, the frame image has a dimension in the length direction equal to half that of the whole image, so that the amount of data of the frame image equal to the half the amount of data in the entire image. As a result, the display memory capacity to be used to display the frame image on the display device is equal to the

  half of that used to store the color data of the image

  due to the fact that the capacity is sufficient to store the data of

color of the frame image.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a computer program includes program coding means for performing the step of: synthesizing color data of an object line and color data of a line adjacent to that here on a picture

  integer at a predetermined ratio to achieve a synthetic color data

  tick, to generate a raster image for interlaced display on the

  base of the synthetic color data.

  The description which follows may apply to the in-

  following format of the present invention such as this computer program

  than. When the frame image to be generated is an image of an odd frame, the subject line is an odd line over the entire image, whereas, when the frame image to be generated is an image of an even frame, the subject line is a line

pair on the whole image.

  According to the computer program as described above, the color data of the object line and that of the line adjacent to it

  are synthesized so that, for example, when the subject line is consti-

  killed from a line, it is possible to easily generate a raster image at

  reduced flicker by performing the synthesis operation of each of the data

  born of color continuously while changing while changing the subject line.

  In addition, the color data of the subject line and that of the

  line adjacent to it are synthesized so that it is possible to generate

  rer an image taking into account the line adjacent to the object line.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises

  program coding means for performing the steps of: syn-

  subjectizing color data of the object line and color data of an upper line adjacent to it as an adjacent line on the entire image at a first predetermined ratio to produce a first synthetic color data; synthesize color data from the subject line and color data from a lower line adjacent to it by

  as a line adjacent to the entire image at a second predetermined ratio

  born to make a second synthetic color data; and synthesize the

  first synthetic data and the second syn-

  thetic to a third predetermined ratio to realize a data of

  their synthetic, in order to generate a raster image for display between-

  laced on the basis of the synthetic color data.

  Adjacent upper and lower lines denote lines

  genes that are just above and below the subject line, respectively.

  The first and second synthetic color data designate color data as a result of the synthesis of object line color data and upper and lower line color data

  adjacent, respectively. In addition, the first, second and third reports

  predetermined ports are determined individually so they can be different from each other or at least two of these can be

identical to each other.

  According to the computer program as described above, it is possible to take into account the upper and lower lines adjacent to

  the subject line. In addition, the subject line is synthesized from each of the lines.

  upper and lower genes adjacent to each stage, so that it is pos-

  likely to carry out an easy and fast treatment. That is, as described above, it is possible to carry out the process of synthesizing two color data simply and quickly so that the processing of this

  invention becomes a combination of simple operations.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform a fast operation according to the hardware composition of each device, for example, a processor which performs pipeline processing (from a practical point of view, almost any processor can perform pipeline processing) or which includes an exclusive circuit for synthesizing two image data (for example a bi-linear circuit), in order to carry out the computer program of

  the present invention. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time for generating

rer frame image.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a computer program includes program coding means for

  perform: a first processing step consisting in synthesizing data

  color data of an object line and color data of a higher line

  superior adjacent to it on an entire image at an equal ratio by executing

  a predetermined pixel interpolation process in order to perform a pre-

  given synthetic color (for example, steps Si to S8 represent

  felt in Figure 15; one of the Level 1 syntheses in Figure 1B); and

  a second processing step consisting in synthesizing data from

  their from the subject line and color data from an adjacent lower line

  to this on the whole image at an equal ratio by executing the process of in-

  terpolation of predetermined pixels in order to produce a second synthetic color datum, and to synthesize the first synthetic color datum and the second synthetic color datum by performing a translucent synthetic processing (for example, an Alpha Mix) to generate an image

  of frame for an interlaced display (for example, steps S9 to S15 shown

  felt in Figure 15; the other synthesis at Level 1 and the synthesis at Level

2 in Figure 1B).

  The predetermined pixel interpolation process includes a Bi-Linear Filtering process, a Tri-Linear Filtering process and the like, which are prior developments. Performing the predetermined pixel interpolation process means that, for example, the device

  comprising a circuit as equipment for carrying out the inter-

  pre-determined pixel poling uses the circuit and device including the processing process as software (e.g. a subroutine)

uses the treatment process.

  According to the computer program as described above, it is possible to take into account the upper and lower lines adjacent to the object line. In addition, the subject line is synthesized in two stages

  processing line and the subject line is synthesized from each of the lines above

  lower and lower adjacent to each stage, so it is possible to

  process the subject line quickly and easily.

  In addition, when the computer program of this information

  vention includes the pixel interpolation process and the translucent synthesis process which are previous developments, to synthesize each of the color data, it is possible to obtain the additional effect of the present computer program implemented on a device such than a circuit. That is, it is possible to shorten the generation time of

the frame image.

  In addition, a memory capacity is sufficient to memorize

  frame image data. That is to say, the color data in re-

  result of the synthesis at the level of the first stage of treatment is synthesized

  as a result of the synthesis at the level of the second processing step

  so there is no need to store the results at the pre-

  first stage of treatment and the second stage of treatment, individual-

is lying.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises

  program coding means for carrying out the steps consisting in: exe

  cute a four-point sampling bi-linear filtering process as a predetermined pixel interpolation process; and synthesize object line color data and color data

  upper and lower lines adjacent to it by executing a process

  Continuous Bi-Linear Filtering after having horizontally shifted

  half-pixel sampling positions at the first and second

  as treatment steps, respectively.

  A Bi-Linear Filtering process is used on an image generation device generally so that in many cases, the image generation device includes a BiLinear Filtering process as a circuit. In this case, as described above, the present invention

is particularly effective.

  In addition, although it is usual to sample at

  four point level as a Bi-Linear Filtering process, when

  that a Bi-Linear Filtering sampling process is carried out at

  four-point calf as is, the pixel color data horizontal-

  are mixed. Therefore, this processing is performed after horizontally shifting the sampling position of a demipixel, so that the sampling does not result in mixing of the color data of

pixels horizontally.

  In addition, by horizontally shifting the sample position-

  swim half a pixel, there is a case where the left or right end pixel on the object line is synthesized, the pixels being processed by process

  of Bi-Linear Filtering do not exist.

  Therefore, preferably, a computer program further includes program coding means for performing the step of: synthesizing color data of a left or right end pixel on the subject line and color data left or right end pixels of the upper and lower lines adjacent to it in

  performing a Bi-Linear Filtering process by convolution, respectively-

is lying. l1

  Preferably, the predetermined ratio or at least one of the pre-

  mier, second and third predetermined ratios is equal to a number of

  synthetic object lines on the entire image.

  According to the computer program as described above, it is possible to synthesize the image data without taking account of the ratio.

  Therefore, it is possible to carry out rapid treatment.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises

  program coding means for performing the step of: synthesizing

  ser each color data per processing unit as a rectangular group of pixels consisting of a number of pixels as a result of dividing a number of pixels lengthwise and a number of

  pixels across the entire image by a predefined whole number

completed, respectively.

  According to the computer program as described above, it is

  possible to synthesize the color data per corresponding processing unit

  with a hardware composition such as a cache memory or a virtual memory. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time of

  processing to generate the frame image.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in: executing a translucent synthesis process (for example a synthesis by Mixing

  Alpha) to synthesize each color data.

  According to the computer program as described above, for example, when the image data (color data) stored on the

  memory, a raster image and other image data (color data

  their) not memorized on the memory, of another image are synthesized, the capacity of the memory to memorize the image data of a frame image

  is sufficient to synthesize the image data and another image data.

  That is, the memory capacity needed to synthesize each

  frame image is one capable of storing frame image data.

  Therefore, it is possible to run the computer program of the present invention on a device limited in terms of memory capacity. Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in: executing a predetermined pixel interpolation process (for example a process

  Bi-Linear Filtering) as a synthesis of each color data.

  According to the computer program as described above, there are many cases where an image generation device includes the pixel interpolation process as an existing function so that it

  it is possible to generate the frame image at a higher speed by the process

above pixel interpolation.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for performing the step of: generating

  the raster image as a compressed image of the entire image in a di-

longitudinal section.

  Compression in the longitudinal direction means reduction

  tion of the amount of image data in the longitudinal direction and the reduction-

  tion of the dimension of the data in the direction of the length of the whole image

  by synthesizing the color data as described above.

  Preferably, the entire image is the size of a screen of the af-

  interlaced file to display the frame image or a dimension greater than

the screen.

  Therefore, it is not limited to the entire image having substantially the same size as the interlaced display for displaying the frame image. For example, the entire image may be laterally long

like a movie.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for carrying out the steps consisting in: not synthesizing color data from an upper or lower end line and color data from another line on the whole image; or

  synthesize color data from the upper or lower end line

  higher on the whole image by convolution (i.e. using the line

  upper or lower end continuously).

  Therefore, when synthesizing two lines, it is possible to prevent an inconsistency with the processing so that the synthesized object line of the upper or lower end line on the entire image

does not exist.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in: correcting

  in brightness the color data of the frame image.

  Consequently, it is possible to correct the data in brightness.

  born of correct color of the frame image which became dark ne-

  by synthesis of each color data. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the brightness of the image color data of

  frame on the same extent as that of the original image thereof.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in: changing the level to correct a brightness of the color data of the image of

frame.

  Therefore, for example, on an adjustment window or ana-

  log, it is possible to easily change the desired level to correct the

  brightness. In addition, as a method for performing the lumino- correction

  site specifically, for example, a method can be provided for multiple

  multiply the values of red (R), green (V) and blue (B) as data

  of color by predetermined coefficients, respectively.

  However, the case may arise that an overflow

  on the color data is caused by the RGB values.

  Therefore, preferably, a computer program

  further includes program coding means for performing the

  pes consisting in: multiplying color data of the raster image by a predetermined coefficient to correct the brightness thereof; and correct the brightness of the color data of the raster image after synthesis of the

  line color data on the entire image when at least one of the

  colors of the entire image exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

  Therefore, the threshold value is determined taking into account the color data and the coefficient, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as overflow and

  a burst caused by the multiplication of color data by the coeffi-

cient predetermined.

  Preferably, the summary subject line is different depending on

  that an odd frame image or an even frame image is generated.

  Therefore, for example, when generating the odd frame, the odd line and the lower line adjacent to it over the entire image are synthesized, while when generating the even frame, the even line and the lower line adjacent to it on the whole image are synthesized (if the

  even line and the upper line adjacent to it are synthesized for

  ner the even frame, the synthesis result of the even line and the upper line adjacent to it becomes the same as that of the synthesis of the

line

  odd and the lower line adjacent to it). Therefore, it is possible

  ble to provide resolution power in the vertical direction as well as

that of the original image.

  More particularly, if we keep in mind that the resolution power in the vertical direction weakens when the odd frame image is the same as that of the even frame on a still image (a

  whole image), it is possible to understand the description above.

* Preferably, the entire image is made up of entire screen image data of the interlaced display by period to display each image

weft.

  Here, the term "by period to display each frame image" refers to each time interval for displaying each frame image. Through

  example, in the case of an NTSC system, this means every 1/60 second

  des to display each frame image. The term has the same meaning

  throughout this description.

  Therefore, the entire image is different with each image of

  frame, individually. Therefore, it is effective to apply the pro-

  computer gram of the present invention to a display device having a low refresh rate or to an image device having a

  short persistence in which a flicker is much more provoked.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for performing the step of: changing

  start / stop generation of the raster image.

  Therefore, for example, it is possible that a user

  changes the on / off generation of the frame image voluntarily

  rement on an adjustment window, where it is possible to change automatically-

  on / off according to each whole image (as

than internal processing).

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a

  computer program implemented on a storage medium

  carries program coding means for performing any of the steps described above when the computer program is executed

on a computer.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a

  computer program implemented on a communication medium

  carries program coding means for performing any of the steps described above when the computer program is executed

on a computer.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program implemented in a carrier wave includes program coding means for performing any of the steps

  described above when the computer program is run on a computer

  nator. In addition, when the computer program as described above, to generate the image can be carried out by hardware capable of

  generate the image it is possible to implement an effect of the present in-

  most efficiently.

  That is to say that, preferably, a computer program also comprises program coding means, when the program

  computer is executed on a particular gaming device as a computer

  computer, the program coding means performing the steps of

  to: execute a predetermined game; and generate a game image of the predefined game

  completed, consisting of a reduced flicker raster image.

  Here the computer not only includes a computer for use

  general such as a personal computer or the like but also any

  positive embedded in a computer. Therefore, the computer includes a

game device for individuals.

  Preferably, a computer program further comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in: changing the start / stop of the generation of the game image consisting of

  the reduced flicker frame image, in accordance with the evolution of the pre-

determined.

  Therefore, for example, it is possible to block the generation

  ration of the flicker raster image reduced to the level of the game stage in

  which the overall game image is bleak.

  Here, the evolution of the game means the progress of the game in accordance with the change of game stage (for example, the game stage to fight

  leader) or character development.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a

  computer program product includes means for program coding

  gram stored on computer readable media to perform any of the steps in the computer program described above when the

  computer program product is run on a computer.

  Preferably, a computer program product includes

  in addition program coding means, when the pro-

  computer gram is executed on a game device in particular as a computer, the program coding means performing the steps consisting in: executing a predetermined game; and generate a game image of the

  predetermined game, consisting of a reduced flicker raster image.

  Preferably, a computer program product further includes program coding means for performing the step of

  to: change the start / stop of the generation of the game image

  killed from the reduced flicker frame image, in accordance with the evolution of the predetermined play. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a

  image generation device includes means for coding

  gram stored on computer readable media to perform any of the steps in the computer program described above when the

  image generation device is run on a computer.

  Preferably, an image generation device further comprises program coding means, when the generation device

  image is run on a gaming device for particular as a computer

  tor, the program coding means performing the steps of: executing a predetermined game program; and generate a game image of the

  predetermined game program, consisting of a frame of flicker frame-

ment reduced.

  Therefore, depending on the image generating device capable of performing the computer program, it is possible to obtain an effect of

  computer program of the present invention without reconstructing the device

tif image generation.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a

  computer system includes a predetermined server and a predefined terminal

  finished connected to each other through a predetermined electrical communication line, in which the predetermined server comprises: means for

  program coding stored on a computer readable medium for ef-

  perform any of the steps of the computer program described above when the predetermined server is running on a computer; and means for sending the computer program to the predetermined terminal;

  and the predetermined terminal comprises: means for receiving the program

  computer program from the predetermined server; and means for generating a reduced flicker frame image by executing the computer program.

  Therefore, it is possible to download the program

  formatics from the predetermined server in the predetermined terminal. Therefore, it is possible that the predetermined terminal performs the program

1 0 IT.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a

  computer system includes a predetermined server and a display device

  predetermined interlaced chage connected to each other through a line of com-

  predetermined electrical munication, in which the predetermined server

  includes: program coding means stored on a li-

  computer capable of performing any of the steps of the computer program described above when the predetermined server is running on a computer; means for generating a reduced flicker frame image by running the computer program; and means to send

  the frame image to the predetermined interlaced display device; and the provision

  predetermined interleaved display device comprises: means for receiving

  manipulating the frame image from the predetermined server; and means

  to display the frame image on it.

  Therefore, it is possible that the predetermined server will

  see the image generated by the computer program in the display device

predetermined interlaced chage.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an image generation method includes any of the steps described above. The present invention will be better understood on reading the

  detailed description given here and with reference to the attached drawings which are given

  born for illustration only, and which are therefore not intended to limit the present invention, and in which: - Figures lA and lB are views intended to explain the principle of the present invention, - Figure 2 is a view representing an entire image in

  which a Chinese character "bi" of white color is represented on an ar-

  black background, - Figures 3A and 3B are views showing representation relationships between raster images and an entire image to which the present invention is applied based on the entire image shown in Figure 2, - Figures 4A and 4B are views showing an example of an image to which the present invention is applied on the basis of the whole image shown in Figure 2, Figures 5A and 5B are views showing an example of an image to which the present invention is applied on the basis of the whole image shown in Figure 2, - Figures 6A and 6B are views showing an example of an image to which the present invention is applied on the basis of whole image shown in Figure 2, Figures 7A and 7B are views showing an example of an image to which the present invention is applied based on the whole image shown in the figure re 2, - Figures 8A and 8B are views showing an example of an image to which the present invention is applied on the basis of the entire image shown in Figure 2, - Figure 9A is a view showing an example of a picture

  to which the present invention is applied based on the entire image re-

  presented in Figure 2, - Figures lOA and lOB are views intended to explain a difference in brightness before and after application of the present invention, - Figure 11 is a view showing an example of an image

  to which the present invention is applied based on the entire image re-

presented in Figure 2,

  FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a device

  tif game for individuals according to the embodiment of the present invention, - Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the game device for individuals according to the embodiment of the present invention, - Figure 14A is a schematic view showing a memory structure of the entire image memory unit 282, and FIG. 14B is a schematic view showing a memory structure of the frame image memory unit 284,

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a generation process.

  frame image tion, - Figure 16 is a flowchart of a line synthesis process, - Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware structure capable of implementing the embodiment of the present invention, - Figures 18A and 18B are views showing a variety of embodiments to which the present invention is applied, - Figures 19A and 19B are views intended to explain an operation of a Bi-Linear Filtering circuit of sampling at four points, - Figures 20A and 20B are views intended to explain a variety of embodiments changing a processing unit, - Figures 21A and 21B are views showing the frame image before application of the present invention to the whole image shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 22 is a view for expressing the flicker before application of the present invention to the whole image represented ée in Figure 2. Below, an embodiment of the present invention will

  be explained in detail with reference to the figures.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, although the case is explained where a display device is applied to a television in an NTSC system and o an image generation device is applied to a game device for particular , as follows, it must also be

  understood that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, although an entire image is explained as being an image of the entire screen of the display device, in the following manner, the entire image can be a image larger than that of all of

the display device screen.

  In addition, during the description, a frame image is an image

  of a frame of an interlaced scanning system, that is to say one of the odd or even lines on the screen of the display device. In addition, the frame on odd lines is called an even frame and the frame on an even line is called an even frame. Each frame image on the odd or even frame

  is called an odd or even frame image, respectively.

  In addition, the game device for particular mode of realization

  tion can generate an entire image every 1/60 seconds as a dispo-

  gameplay for individuals conforming to a previous development.

  First, the principle of the present invention will be explained.

qué, below.

  The image data on the entire image and the raster image has RGB values per pixel. In order to express the image in 16,777 thousand colors, so-called multicolored image, it is necessary that

  each of the RGB values per pixel is an 8-bit datum, as represented

felt in the following equation.

  28 (R) x 28 (V) x 28 (B) = 16,777,216 A general computer may simply average two numerical values. That is, it is possible to average two numerical values using a smaller number of operational steps (there are many cases where the step is called a one-state machine language level) by combining an offset operation

  binary and an additional operation. In addition, it is usual for the computer

  tor works every 8 bits as a basic unit. Therefore, each

  curie of RGB values, having 8 whole bits, is a preferable data type

for a computer.

  FIG. 1A is a view showing three adjacent lines A,

  B and C on the whole image. Now, the case where the present invention is ap-

  plotted to a line image B as a line of the frame image is going to be

taken into account.

  FIG. 1B is a view representing an operational process

  according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, an image

  is synthesized in two stages of Level 1 and Level 2.

  First, at Level 1, an image data of a line of-

  related to a synthesis object (an object line) and a datum of a line desti-

  born to be just above the object line (a top line) are averaged to be synthesized, and the image data of the object line and a data of a line intended to be just below the subject line (one lower line) are averaged for synthesis. In FIG. 1B, by synthesizing line B and line A, a synthetic line BU is generated. Of

  more, by synthesizing line B and line C, a synthetic line BL is generated

Nereus.

  In Level 1 processing, the subject line and the upper line

  higher or lower adjacent to it are synthesized, and the adjacent upper or lower line not synthesized and a line higher or lower than

  the subject line of two lines are synthesized, respectively. Therefore

  quent, the difference in brightness between adjacent lines is reduced so that flickering only can be reduced sufficiently

by processing at Level 1.

  According to a device to which the present invention is applied, for the reasons of a processing time, the generation of a

  raster image at Level 1 stage and, more particularly, one can syn-

  set the subject line and the upper or lower line adjacent to it.

  However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the data

  are summarized in the additional step.

  That is, at Level 2, image data from two lines

  Synthetic genes generated at Level 1 are moreover both averaged to be synthesized. In FIG. 1B, the synthetic line BU and the synthetic line BL are synthesized, so that a synthetic line B 'is

  generated. The synthetic line B 'is actually displayed on the display device.

chage.

  As described above, the subject line and the upper line ad-

  adjacent to it are synthesized and the subject line and the lower line adjja-

  cente to these are synthesized, so that it is possible to reduce the differences in brightness between the object line and the adjacent upper line and

  between the subject line and the adjacent lower line. Therefore, it is pos-

  can reduce flicker effectively.

  In addition, in accordance with the synthetic line B ', after synthesis of the synthetic line BU and the synthetic line BL, 50% of the image data (the color data) of the original line B still exists (the% of line A and the 25% of line C still exist). Therefore,

  it is possible to display the image with an original resolution power.

  It is needless to say that the synthesis of the lines means putting in

  average of the RGB values of each pixel on the line, respectively.

  In accordance with the operational process as described above, we need all in all an operation in three times (twice

  at Level 1 and once at Level 2) to synthesize an object line. How-

  However, all operations use the same operational expression with respect to

  identifies the "summary" (thereafter, although each operation performs the express-

  differential operational sion as real implementation, using a Bi-Linear Filtering process or an Alpha Mixing process, they

  are of the same design). In addition, operations process each of the

  their RGB of each pixel on all lines of a frame image in the same way. Although it is limited to the fact that the operating profit at Level 1 is used at Level 2, it is possible to carry out each operation

independently.

  Therefore, the processor may be able to

  perform parallel processing such as pipeline processing (practice-

  each processor that needs to run at high speed, such as a gaming device for individuals, can perform parallel processing)

  to operate at high speed. In addition, it is possible that a device

  carrying a plurality of processors operates in parallel easily.

  In addition, although a loop operation is performed in conti-

  naked during the current implementation, each data is independent on each loop operation so that it is possible to perform in a

adapted parallel processing.

  The brightness of the entire screen or the object as a display object

  file can be changed by applying the present invention to it, well

  whether it depends on the image to be displayed on the entire screen or on the object. An example

  specific ple will be explained later. Each RGB value is some

  each value determined between 0 and 255 (28 = 256), so that a color is determined. For example, the RGB values of a white color are as follows, R = 255, G = 255, and B = 255, and the RGB values of a black color are as follows, R = 0, V = 0, and B = O. Consequently, the

  RGB values of an intermediate color between a black color and a color

  their white are the following, R = 128, V = 128, and B = 128.

  As represented by the numerical value, by applying the pre-

  According to the invention, the color of the object (more correctly, the color of the outline part of the object) is mixed with one of the background thereof and the like. Consequently, the bright part of the object becomes dark from

  so that the whole image becomes darker compared to the original image-

  gine. Therefore, when synthesizing colors, it is necessary to cor-

  fix the brightness. However, the RGB values are numeric values, and the larger the RGB values, the brighter the color having these RGB values, so it is possible to easily correct the brightness

  by multiplying the RGB values by a coefficient greater than 1.

  Second, an example of an image to which this

  applied invention will be explained.

  Figure 2 is a view showing an entire image in

  which a Chinese character "bi" of white color is represented on an ar-

  black background. The pixel of the image represented on each figure is enlarged

to be simple and clear.

  Figure 3 is a view showing representative relationships.

  tion between the frame image and the entire image (Figures 4 and 9, and Figure 11) aux-

  which the present invention is applied on the basis of the whole image depicted

felt in figure 2.

  FIGS. 4A and 5A represent the images resulting from the synthesis of Level 1 on the odd frame of the entire image represented in FIG. 2. FIG. 4A represents the image synthesized from the subject line and the upper line adjacent to this one, and FIG. 5A represents the image synthesized from the object line and from the lower line adjacent to it. Figures 4B and 5B show the images resulting from a brightness correction of two images shown in Figures 4A and 5A, respectively. The coefficient of the light correction to multiply

the RGB values is 1.07.

  FIGS. 6A and 7A represent the images resulting from a Level 1 synthesis on the even frame of the entire image represented in FIG. 2. FIG. 6A represents the image synthesized from the subject line and from the adjacent upper line to this, and FIG. 7A represents the image synthesized from the object line and from the lower line adjacent to it. FIGS. 6B and 7B represent the images resulting from a brightness correction of two images shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A,

respectively.

  FIG. 8A represents the resulting image synthesized in Level 2, on the basis of the images represented in FIGS. 4B and 5B. FIG. 8B represents the resulting image synthesized at Level 2, on the basis of the images

  shown in Figures 6B and 7B.

  The odd frame image (Figure 8A) and the even frame image

  (Figure 8B), as a result of Level 2 image synthesis, are shown

  on the display screen. Figure 9 shows an entire image of two frame images. By comparison with the original image shown in FIG. 2, it is understood that the difference in brightness between the adjacent lines is

decreased.

  On the frame images not processed according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 21A and 21B, the difference in brightness between the adjacent lines is represented by the color in Figure 10A. On the frame image processed according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the difference in brightness between adjacent lines is

  represented by the color in Figure 10B.

  In Figure 10A and Figure 10B, the greater the difference in lumino-

  higher between adjacent lines, the closer the image is to the

  their white, and the smaller the difference in brightness, the more the image is

close to a black color.

  It will be understood that before applying the present treatment to

  the image, the difference in brightness is large and the flicker is very strong.

  In addition, it will be understood that by applying the present processing to the image, the

  difference in brightness becomes extremely small and flickering is re-

delivers effectively.

  FIG. 11 represents the image after having been processed in Level 1, that is to say the displayed image of the odd frame image as shown.

  in Figure 4B and the even frame image as shown in Figure 6B.

  By comparing the image represented in FIG. 11 with the original image represented

  felt in Figure 2, it will be understood that the difference in brightness between

  the adjacent lines is decreased to Level 1.

  Figure 9 shows the image after being processed in Level 2.

  By comparing the image represented in FIG. 9 and the image represented in FIG. 11, it will be understood that it is possible to generate an image having the same extent as the original resolution power by processing the image at

Level 1 and Level 2.

  In addition, the application of the present invention will cause the following doubt. It is not known whether a color different from the original color is displayed, i.e., for example, if the purple line

is affi-

  checked when a red line and a blue line are shown

sines to be synthesized.

  However, the interval between neighboring lines on the display screen

  chage is extremely small. In addition, when the red line and the line are displayed

  alternately blue adjacent to an interlaced display, the purple line is observed by a drag phenomenon. Therefore, since a color change on the display screen is not

  not invisible to the naked eye, no doubt is possible.

  Figure 12 shows an example of a game device for

  particular according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In Figure 12, observing a game image displayed on the screen.

  file 1200, a player controls game controllers 1202 and 1204, so that he has fun playing the game executed by the main body 1210 of the game device for individuals. In this case, the data necessary for playing the game, such as the game program and the like, are stored on a CD-ROM 1206, an integrated circuit card 1208, a memory card 1212 or the like, as a storage medium for data that is capable of being installed

  in the main body and removed from it.

  Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a block

* functional of a game device for individuals as a management device

  image generation. The functional block comprises an operation control unit 10, a processing unit 20, a display unit 30 and a

memory unit 40.

  The operation control unit 10 is powered by operation control data entered by a player, and the function of this can be performed by hardware including a joystick, button or the like. When the button and the like are pressed, a signal

  operation command is issued by the function control unit-

  10 in the processing unit 20. The corresponding operating element

  lay to game controllers 1202 and 1204 and the like as shown in

Figure 12.

  The processing unit 20 includes a game operation unit 22, an image generation unit 24, an image generation unit

  26, and a temporary memory unit for image data 28.

  The temporary image data memory unit 28 has a function block.

  to store data so that the temporary memory unit

  image data 28 belongs to the memory unit 40. However, the fact that the temporary image data memory unit 28 is securely associated with the image generation unit 24 and the frame image generation unit 26, it will be mounted in the figure and explained that the memory unit

  of image data 28 belongs to the processing unit 20.

  The function of the processing unit 20 is carried out by a material

  such as a central processing unit (CISC type, RISC type), a

  digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit

  tion (matrix of logic gates), memory (ROM, RAM) or the like. The function of the temporary image data memory unit 28 is performed

  by hardware such as RAM, VRAM or the like.

  The game operation unit 22 performs processing to arrange objects including characters in an object space (play space), processing to control movement of characters on the

  computer-controlled side, processing to establish a vir-

  tuelle as a point of view in the play space, in the object or analog space

  gue, based on the operation control signal, and a program

  42, object data 44 and the like stored in the metering unit

moire 40.

  The image generation unit 24 performs processing for

  create an image from a point of view of the virtual camera in the ob-

  throw established by the game operation unit 22. In addition, the image generated by the image generation unit 24 is a whole image every 1/60 seconds (i.e. all the units frame in an NTSC system). Moreover,

  the entire image generated is stored in an image memory unit

  282 of the temporary image data memory unit 28.

  The temporary image data memory unit 28 includes an entire image memory unit 282 and a frame image memory unit 284. Fig. 14A is a view showing a schematic memory structure of the unit of whole image memory 282. Fig. 14B is a view showing a schematic memory structure of the memory unit

284 frame image.

  The entire image memory unit 282 stores an image

  whole as image data of the entire screen of the display unit

  chage 30. The frame image memory unit 284 stores a frame image to be displayed on the display unit 30 every 1/60 seconds. The unit of

  entire frame memory 282 has a capacity of 24 (= 8 + 8 + 8) bits for each

  as pixel to store RGB values for each pixel. The unit of

  284 frame image memory has a capacity of 24 (= 8 + 8 + 8) bits for each

  as pixel to store RGB values for each pixel. Therefore

  quent, the memory capacity to store the frame image is equal to the

  half that to store the entire image.

  Synthesis by Alpha Mixture is a processing generally used by the image generation device and used specifically during a translucent synthesis of one image data and the other image data. It is possible to synthesize the image in two steps with a capacity

  lower memory and at higher speed, using processing.

  That is, first of all, an image datum of the line BU as a result of the synthesis of the line A and of the line B in the figure

  lB, is stored in the frame image memory unit 284. Second-

  ment, an image data item of line BL as a result of the synthesis of line B and line C and the image data item of line BU stored in

  the frame image memory unit 284 are synthesized using a syn-

  thesis by Mélange Alpha. Therefore, a space (memory) for memorizing

  temporarily the BL line image data is useless, so it

  it is possible to directly generate the image data of line B '.

  The frame image generation unit 26 performs frame image generation processing (with reference to Fig. 15) and processing

  line synthesis (with reference to FIG. 16) in accordance with a pro-

  frame image generation gram 46 stored in the memory unit 40. Thus, the frame image generation unit 26 generates a frame image from the entire image stored in the memory unit Image

  integer 282. That is, the frame image generation unit 26 synthesizes

  sorts the image data in two steps as described above. Additionally, the frame image generation unit 26 performs high speed synthesis using Alpha Blend synthesis as part of the process of

synthesis of image data.

  The raster image is displayed on the display unit 30 after

  have been stored in the frame image memory unit 284.

  Figure 15 is a flowchart showing a process of

  frame image generation followed by a processing algorithm

  frame image generation gram 46. Figure 16 is a flowchart

  representing a process of line synthesis followed by a processing algorithm

  the 462 line synthesis program as a subroutine of the

  frame image generation program 46.

  The frame image generation program 46 and the pro-

  grams of line synthesis are carried out continuously every 1/60 second

  of. Therefore, in Figures 15 and 16, the processing to generate uni-

  only a raster image is shown.

  First, some constants used by the two pro-

  grams will be explained later. Constants include Ymin re-

  having the minimum number of scan lines on the display unit 30 and Ymax representing the maximum number of scan lines on the display unit 30. Therefore, on the display unit 30, there is a number

  scan lines between Ymin and Ymax. The entire image is cons-

  titled images between the scan line Ymin and the scan line

Ymax layering.

  Second, the frame image generation process will

be explained later.

  In Figure 15, when we start the generation process

  frame image generator, the frame image generation unit 26 replaces the varia-

  ble f by "1" when the frame image to be generated is an odd frame, while the frame image generation unit 26 replaces the variable f by "0" when the frame image is an even frame (step S 1). In order to synthesize the

  object line and the upper line adjacent to it by the process of syn-

  line thesis, the frame image generation unit 26 replaces the variable D with "1" (step S2). After this, the frame image generation unit 26

  stores the value of the constant Ymin in the variable y (step S3).

  The frame image generation unit 26 stores a value

  total consisting of the double values of the variable y and the value of the

  riable f in variable Y (step S4). After this, the frame image generation unit 26 performs the line synthesis process as a subroutine of this frame image generation process (step S5). Although the process of line synthesis will be explained in

  detail, eventually, in terms of its function, it is a process

  known to synthesize a line having the value of the variable Y (thereafter, it will be called the line Y) and a line higher or lower adjacent to

it.

  The frame image generation unit 26 substitutes the data

  synthetic image of line Y as a result of the synthesis process of li-

  genes in step S5 at a position corresponding to the line having the value of the variable y of the frame image memory unit 284 (subsequently it will be called the line y) (step S6). After this, the frame image generation unit 26 increments the value of the variable y by "1" (step S7), and performs the process from step S4 to step S7 continuously until that the value of the

  variable y exceeds half the value of the constant Ymax (step S8).

  After the process of step S8, the frame image generation unit 26 replaces the variable D with "-1" in order to synthesize the subject line and the

  lower line adjacent to it by the line synthesis process.

  After this, the frame image generation unit 26 stores the value of the

  constant Ymin in the variable y (step S 10).

  The frame image generation unit 26 adds the double values of the variable y and the value of the variable f, again subtracts "1", and

  additionally stores the value in the variable Y (step S 11). The general unit

  frame image tion 26 performs the line synthesis process (step S12). As a result of the line synthesis process in step S12, the frame image generation unit 26 updates the image data of the line y stored in the frame image memory unit 284 by one

  synthesis by Alpha Mixture from the synthetic image data of the li-

  gene Y synthesized in step S12 and image data of line y stored

  entered in the frame image memory unit 284 (step S 13).

  The frame image generation unit 26 increments the value of the variable y by "1" (step S14). The frame image generation unit 26 performs the process from step S 11 to step S14 continuously until the value of the variable y exceeds half the value of the constant Ymax (step S15). When the frame image generation unit 26 judges that the value of the variable y exceeds half the value of the constant Ymax, the frame image generation unit 26 completes the generation process

raster image.

  Next, the line synthesis process will be explained from the

next way.

  In Fig. 16, when the line synthesis process is started, the frame image generation unit 26 stores the image data of line Y stored in the entire image memory unit 282 in the variables (Rc, Vc, Bc) (step AI). When the value of the variable D is equal to "1" (step A2), the frame image generation unit 26 judges whether the

  total value consisting of the value of the variable Y and the value of the

  riable D is greater than the constant Ymax (step A3).

  When it is judged that the total value is greater than the constant Ymax, the frame image generation unit 26 stores the image data of a line having the value of the constant Ymax (subsequently, the line will be called Ymax) in the variables (Ri, V1, B1) (step A4). when

  judges that the total value does not exceed the constant Ymax, the unit of genera-

  frame image 26 stores the image data of a line having the total value consisting of the value of the variable Y and the value of the value

  reliable D in the variables (RI, V1, B1) (step A5).

  In step A2, when the value of the variable D is equal to "-1", the frame image generation unit 26 judges whether the total value made up of the value of the variable Y and the value of variable D is less than the

constant Ymin (step A6).

  When it is judged that the total value is not less than the cons-

  aunt Ymin, the frame image generation unit 26 stores the image data of a line having the total value made up of the value of the variable

  Y and the value of the variable D in the variables (Ri, V1, B1) (step AS).

  When it is judged that the total value is less than the constant Ymin, the frame image generation unit 26 stores the image data of a line having the value of the constant Ymin (subsequently it will be called the line

  Ymin) in the variables (Ri, V1, B1) (step A7).

  After the process in step A4, A5 or A7, the frame image generation unit 26 adds the variables (Rc, Vc, Bc) multiplied by the value of the variable y to the variables (Ri, V1, B 1) multiplied by the value of variable 8. And in addition, the frame image generation unit 26 multiplies the

  value by the value of the variable E, and stores the result of the multiplica-

  tion in the variables (R ', V', B '), so as to complete the syn-

line thesis (step A8).

  In the line synthesis process, although it has been explained that the image data (RGB values) of each line are stored in the variables collectively for the sake of simplicity, the process is carried out

  on each pixel constituting each line in the practical implementation.

  In addition, in order to allow the change of the summary report, the process of line synthesis is explained using the variable y and the variable &. That is to say, for example when synthesizing images at

  mean ratio, the variable y and the variable ô can adopt the value "0.5".

  In addition, for the purpose of synthesizing images at average ratio at high speed

  vee, the process in step A8 can be performed using the de-

  binary calibration without using the variable y nor the variable 6.

  In addition, the variable s indicates a coefficient to correct the

  minosité. For example, to correct the brightness so that it is 10 for-

  one hundred brighter, the process can be performed by storing "1,1" in

the variable s.

  Although the line synthesis program 462 is a subroutine of the frame image generation program 46, there is no need to

say it can be independent.

  As shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, and indicated in the explanation described above clearly, the present process of generating frame image has many loops (e.g.

  the operation going from step S4 to step S8). However, the data does not depend

  not tooth each other at all between each operational loop so that it is possible to process the data in parallel at the same time. Well

  that the operation on each pixel becomes extremely frequent, as

  crit above, the operation on each pixel is separately independent of

  so that it is possible to operate at high speed.

  The memory unit 40 stores the game program 42 as a program and the frame image generation program 46 to be read and processed by the frame image generation unit 26. Although the program line synthesis 462 is included in the image generation program

  of frame 46, as a subroutine thereof as shown in the figures

  gures, the line synthesis program 462 can be separated from the frame image generation program 46. In addition, the memory unit 40 stores the object data 44 as objects comprising characters and data associated with the light source, the virtual camera and the like. It is possible that the memory unit 40 performs the function thereof by hardware such as a CD-ROM, a game cassette, an integrated circuit card, a magneto-optical disc, a

  floppy disk, digital video disc, hard drive, memory and the like

  ford. As described above, the processing unit 20 performs processing

  variable based on the program and data read from the metering unit

moire 40.

  An example of a hardware structure capable of implementing the embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 17. A device as shown in FIG. 17, comprises a central processing unit 1000, a ROM memory 1002 , a RAM memory 1004, a data storage medium 1006, an integrated sound generation circuit 1008, an integrated image generation circuit 1010, and

  input / output ports 1012 and 1014, which are connected to each other through

  to a 1016 system bus so that they can enter and transmit data

  between them. The integrated image generation circuit 1010 is connected to a device

  tif display 1018, the integrated sound generation circuit 1008 is connected to a

  speaker 1020, the input / output port 1012 is connected to a communication device

  1022, and the input / output port 1014 is connected to a communication device

information 1024.

  The data storage medium 1006 is mainly

  for storing a program, image data for displaying an object

  display stream, sound data, game data and the like.

  For example, according to a game device for particu-

  link, CD-ROM, game cassette, DVD and the like are used as the data storage medium for storing the game program and the like, and a memory card and the like are used as the memory storage medium data to store game data.

  more, in accordance with a game device for commercial use, a met

  memory such as ROM and the like and a hard disk are used as data storage media. In this case, the ROM memory

  1002 works like the data storage medium 1006.

  The control device 1022 corresponds to a

  game, a control panel and the like, to enter the body of the dispo-

  the result of a player's judgment in accordance with the evolution of the game.

  The control device 1022 corresponds to the game controllers 1201 to

  1204 shown in Figure 12.

  The central processing unit 1000 controls the entire device.

  positive and processes each type of data, in accordance with a metered program

  moralized on the data storage medium 1006, to a program

  system (initial data of the entire device, and the like) memo

  laughed at a ROM memory 1002, at a signal input from the device

  order 1022 and the like. RAM memory 1004 is an element of

  moire to be used as an operational area of the central processing unit

  ment 1000 and the like, and corresponds to the temporary memory unit of data

  image 28 shown in FIG. 13. In addition, the RAM memory 1004 stores the predetermined data of the data storage medium 1006 and of the ROM memory 1002, the operational result by the central processing unit.

1000 treatment or the like.

  Such a type of device further comprises the integrated sound generation circuit 1008 and the integrated image generation circuit 1010 for suitably emitting a game sound and a game image, respectively. The integrated sound generation circuit 1008 is an integrated circuit intended to generate a game sound such as a sound effect, background music or the like on the basis of the data stored on the storage medium.

  1006 or the ROM memory 1002. The game sound generated by the circuit

  built-in sound generation 1008 is emitted by speaker 1020.

  The integrated image generation circuit 1010 is an integrated circuit

  option to generate pixel data to display on the display

  chage 1018 based on image data sent from RAM 1004, ROM 1002, data storage medium

  1006 or the like. Although the functional block corresponding to the integrated circuit

  image generation option corresponds to the image generation unit 24 and the frame image generation unit 26 shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to realize the function of two functional blocks by the central unit

processing 1000.

  The display device 1018 can be a cathode ray tube, a

  liquid crystal display, television, plasma display, projector

or the like.

  The communication device 1024 communicates various data

  born to be used inside the game device between the game device and the ex-

  inside of it. The communication device 1024 is used to

  view the predetermined data according to the game program to another connected game device, and to receive it from another connected game device, or to send / receive data from a game program

  or the like across the communication line.

  Various types of processes such as play, the generation process

  frame image ration, line synthesis process and the like, are performed by the data storage medium 1006 to store the program and the like to perform the processes, by the central processing unit 1000 to act in accordance the integrated circuit of

  image generation 1010, the integrated sound generation circuit 1008 and analog

  ford. FIG. 18A represents an example of the case where the present invention is applied to a game device for commercial use. A player plays a game by controlling a controller 1102, a button 1104 and the like while viewing a game image displayed on a display 1100. On a system board (circuit board) 1106 incorporated in the game device for use

  commercial, various processors, various memories and the like are

  these. In addition, data (program and data) intended to implement

  Each element of the present invention, such as the frame image generation process and the like, is stored on a memory 1108 as a data carrier on the system board 1106 (thereafter, the data

  will be called storage data).

  FIG. 18B represents an example of the case where the present embodiment is applied to a system comprising a host device 1300 and

  terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host device 1300 through a

  bucket 1302 (the network can be a small network such as a local area network or a

  large network like the Internet and have some form of wireless or wired circuit).

  In this case, the storage data described above is stored on a data storage medium 1306 such as a disk device

  magnetic, magnetic tape device, memory or the like

  able to be controlled by the host device 1300. In the event that the termi-

  1304-1 to 1304-n can generate the game image and game sound

  Autonomously, the host device 1300 sends the memorization data described above which constitute the game program for generating the image of

  game sound and sound, in terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n.

  The host device 1300 can be designed to generate a game image and a game sound by performing the frame image generation process and the like, based on the storage data described above.

  stored on the data storage medium 1306, and to allow

  be at terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n to display the game image on the terminals by sending the game image and the game sound to the terminals. In addition, in this case, although the host device 1300 generates the frame image (game image) and

  sends it to terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n without being under the control of the ter-

  The host device 1300 can generate and send the frame image (game image) according to the input from each of the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. When sending the frame image (game image) from the 1300 host device in each terminal, it is desirable to use a line

  having a high speed such as an ADSL line.

  In the case of a structure represented in FIG. 18B, the host device (server) and the terminals can share various elements

  of the present invention to execute them individually. In addition, the storage data intended to execute each element of the present invention can be distributed in the host device (server) and the terminals in order to

memorize them individually.

  The terminal connected to the network can be a gaming device for

  particular as shown in Figure 12 or a game device to use

  commercial tion. In addition, the structure shown in Figure 18B can be achieved by applying a game device for commercial use as

  host device and some game devices for particular as a termi-

  nal. Although the present invention has been explained in accordance

  in the embodiment described above, it should be understood that the present invention

  vention is not limited to the embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the

scope of it.

  For example, although the home game device generates the raster image after generating the entire image in the embodiment described above, the home game device can directly generate

  the whole picture. That is, as shown in Figure 1, in order to eff-

  synthesize image data for line B, image data for line A and image data for line B are required, but any image data from another line is unnecessary. Therefore, it is

  possible to synthesize the image data concerning the instantaneous line B

  after generating the image data from line A to line C. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to prepare any memory capacity

  for the entire image memory unit 282, when it is necessary to pre-

  trim memory capacity for 284 frame image memory unit,

  so this is effective for a device having a restriction on

nant its memory capacity.

  In addition, it was explained that the operation to correct the lumino-

  sity is performed on the Level 1 synthetic result, for example, in Figure 3. However, the operation to correct the brightness can be performed on the Level 2 synthetic result. A positive overflow and

  a negative overflow can occur due to the upper limit

  of each of the RGB values (the upper limit is "255" in the pre-

* feels embodiment) so that a Level at which level is performed

  the operation to correct the brightness can be changed when the circum-

  these require it. In addition, although the embodiment of the present invention

  was explained using the still image with coarse pixels as a

  shown in Figure 2, needless to say, the present invention can be applied to moving pictures having many small pixels. The present invention is much more effective in reducing flicker in images

animated only on a still image.

  Although it has been explained that all processing is done by lo-

  software in the embodiment of the present invention, part of the to-

  The processing quality may be dependent on the material. That is to say, a provision

  sitive to generate an image has a mechanism to perform general-

  any pixel interpolation process. A process can be performed at

  a higher speed using the mechanism intended to carry out the process

above pixel interpolation.

  For example, more particularly, we will explain the case where the device comprises a bi-linear filtering circuit for sampling.

  at four points as a pixel interpolation process.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, when calculating a color datum of an interpolation point X within four pixels A, B, C and D (or four texels can be used), the following operation is performed at a

Bi-Linear circuit.

  X = (1 - ca) x (1 - 3) x A + x (1 - 3) x B + (1 - a) x 3 x C + ax 3 x D

  o A, B, C and D represent a color data of each pixel, respectively

  tively. Here, it becomes problematic that the color data of the right and left pixels are synthesized by sampling at the level of four points. That is, when applying the present invention, it is

  necessary to synthesize color data only pixels above

  lower and lower without synthesizing color data from the right and left pixels. Therefore, after shifting the pixel positions by 0.5

  pixel horizontally, the device uses a BiLinear Filtering circuit.

  That is, as shown in Figure 19B, as a result of the shift

  pixel positions of 0.5 pixels horizontally, the sample pixels-

  ner by a Bi-Linear Filtering circuit are changed in pixels A (100%), B (0%), C (100%) and D (0%). In this case, it is possible to synthesize the

  color data only upper and lower pixels without synthesis

  ser the color data of the right and left pixels. In addition, when we syn-

  sets pixel color data equally, the interpolating point

  tion X is at the center of the four points to be sampled. In addition, in step A5 of the line synthesis process as shown in FIG. 16, there

  is possible to apply the color data synthesis process in use

  reading a Bi-Linear Filtering circuit for sampling at

four points.

  In addition, in the case where the processing as well as that of the Bi-Linear Filtering circuit were carried out in software form, it is possible to

apply as described above.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, it has been ex-

  plique that the image synthesis process (color data) is performed on each unit of "line", to synthesize all the pixels included in the line

  following after having synthesized all the pixels included in a line. How-

  however, there is no need for the image synthesis process to be performed on each

that "line" unit.

  For example, that is, as shown in Figure A, the image synthesis process described above can be performed on the entire image in the vertical direction for each 24 pixel processing unit by 16. In addition, as shown in FIG. 20B, the image synthesis process described above can be carried out on the entire image in the

  horizontal direction. Although the size of the processing unit is functional

  tion, for example, of material, the size thereof can be decided upon

  according to the capacity for using cache memory or vir-

  tual. The processing of the present invention is carried out in the form of a program (software) so that it is possible to easily extend it to an applicable field of the present invention by carrying out the processing of the

next way.

  That is to say, it can display a setting window in which a user can select and change or not voluntarily the

  implementation of the frame image generation process of this information

  vention or correct the brightness over a certain area. In addition, it can manage

  create the raster image according to the content of the adjustment window.

  In addition, it can automatically judge whether to generate a

  raster image in accordance with the brightness of the entire entire image.

  In the case where the device intended to execute the program (software) of the present invention is a game device, it can automatically judge whether to generate a frame image using the present invention according to whether it has enough time to generate a game screen of an image

(a whole image).

  According to the present invention, a main effect will be

explained later.

  It is possible to decrease the difference in brightness between the two adjacent lines on the screen of the display device and it is possible to reduce flicker effectively. In addition, it is possible to implement the present invention by software so that, for example, it is not

  no need to incorporate a raster image generation device

  sif in a personal computer or a gaming device. Therefore, it is possible to use a processor previously supplied with the personal computer and the gaming device. In addition, although the operation relating to the image synthesis is limited to the use of the result of the operation at Level 1 and to

  Level 2, it is possible to process any data individually. Therefore

  quent, it is possible to process any data at high speed.

  The full description of the Japanese Patent Application n To-

  kugan 2000-219 810 filed July 19, 2000 including description, details

  vendications, designs and the abstract is incorporated here for reference in

all of it.

Claims (32)

  1. Computer program characterized in that it comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in: synthesizing color data of an odd line and color data of an even line on an entire image to a pre-   determined to generate a raster image for interlaced display.   2. Computer program characterized in that it comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in:   synthesize color data from an object line and data   1 0 color born of a line adjacent to it on an entire image at a speed   predetermined port to carry out a synthetic color data, in order to   create a frame image for an interlaced display based on the data synthetic color.   3. Computer program according to claim 2, characterized   in that it further comprises program coding means for effecting kill the steps of:   synthesize color data from the subject line and data   born of color from an upper line adjacent to it as a line adjacent to the entire image at a first predetermined ratio for producing a first datum of synthetic color,   synthesize color data from the subject line and data   born in color from a lower line adjacent to it as a line adjacent to the entire image at a second predetermined ratio for producing a second datum of synthetic color, and   synthesize the first synthetic color data and the   conde synthetic color data to a third predetermined ratio for producing synthetic color data, in order to generate an image of   frame for an interlaced display based on the synthetic color data than.   4. Computer program according to any one of the claims   cations 1 to 3, characterized in that the predetermined ratio or at least one of the first, second and third predetermined ratios is equal to a number of   synthetic object lines on the entire image.   5. Computer program according to any one of the claims   cations 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises program coding means for carrying out the step consisting in: synthesizing each color data by processing unit as a rectangular group of pixels made up of a certain number pixels as a result of dividing a number of pixels lengthwise and   of a number of pixels in the transverse direction on the whole image by a name-   bre predetermined integer, respectively.   6. Computer program according to any one of the claims   cations 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in:   execute a translucent synthesis process as a syn-   thesis of each color data.   7. Computer program according to any one of the claims   cations 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises program coding means for carrying out the step consisting in: executing a predetermined pixel interpolation process in   as a summary of each color data.   8. Computer program characterized in that it includes program coding means for carrying out: a first processing step consisting in synthesizing   color data of an object line and color data of a super line   adjacent to it on an entire image at an equal ratio in execution   as a predetermined pixel interpolation process to perform a pre-   given synthetic color, and   a second processing step consisting in synthesizing data   color data of the subject line and color data of a lower line   next to it over the entire image at an equal ratio by executing the predetermined pixel interpolation process in order to achieve a second synthetic color datum, and to synthesize the first color datum   synthetic and the second synthetic color data by running a pro-   translucent synthesis stops in order to generate a raster image for an af- interlaced file.   9. Computer program according to claim 8, characterized   in that it further comprises program coding means for effecting   kill the steps of: performing a BiLinear Sampling Filtering process   at the four point level as a pre-pixel interpolation process determined, and   synthesize color data from the subject line and data   born in color from the upper and lower lines adjacent to it in exe   cutting a continuous Bi-Linear Filtering process after having shifted horizontally   horizontally the half-pixel sampling positions at the   first and second processing steps, respectively.   10. Computer program according to claim 9, characterized   in that it further comprises program coding means for effecting   kill the step of: synthesizing color data from a left end pixel   or right on the subject line and left end pixel color data   che or right of the upper and lower lines adjacent to it in exe   cutting a Bi-Linear Filtering process by convolution, respectively.   11. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises means of co-   program image to perform the steps of: generating the raster image as a compressed image of the image   whole in the direction of the length.   12. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 1 to 11, characterized in that the entire image has the dimension of a   interlaced display screen to display the raster image, or has a dimen- larger than the screen.   13. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 1 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises means for co-   program dage to perform the steps of: not synthesizing color data of an upper or lower end line or color data of another line on the whole image, or   synthesize color data from the upper end line   higher or lower on the entire image by convolution.   14. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 1 to 13, characterized in that it further comprises means of co-   program image for performing the step of: correcting the brightness of the color data of the raster image.   15. Computer program according to claim 14, character-   in that it further comprises program coding means for performing the step consisting in: changing a level of brightness correction of the color data of the frame image.   16. Computer program according to claim 14 or 15, ca-   characterized in that it further comprises program coding means for performing the steps consisting in: multiplying color data of the frame image by a predetermined coefficient to correct the brightness thereof, and correct the brightness image color data from   frame after synthesis of line color data on the entire image when   at least one of the color data of the entire image exceeds a value of predetermined threshold.   17. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 1 to 16, characterized in that the summary object line is different depending on whether an odd field image or an even field image is generated.   18. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 1 to 17, characterized in that the entire image consists of data   born of whole screen image of interlaced display by period to display each frame image.   19. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 1 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises means of co-   dage program to perform the step of: changing the start / stop generation of the frame image. 20. Computer program implemented on a support of   storage, the computer program being characterized in that it comprises   carries program coding means to perform all steps   according to any one of claims 1 to 19 when the program informs   matic is executed on a computer. 21. Computer program implemented on a transmission medium, the computer program being characterized in that it comprises program coding means for performing all the steps according to   any one of claims 1 to 19 when the computer program is executed on a computer.   22. Computer program implemented on a carrier wave   the computer program being characterized in that it includes program coding means for performing all the steps according to one   any of claims 1 to 19 when the computer program is running on a computer.   23. Computer program according to any one of the res-   dications 20 to 22, characterized in that it further comprises means for co-   program dage, when the computer program is executed on a game device in particular as a computer, the program coding means performing the steps consisting in: executing a predetermined game, and generating a game image of the predetermined game, made up of a   reduced flicker frame image.   24. Computer program according to claim 23, character-   laughed at in that it further comprises program coding means for carrying out the step consisting in: changing the start / stop of the generation of the game image consisting of the reduced flicker frame image, in accordance with   the evolution of the predetermined game.   25. Computer program product characterized in that it comprises program coding means stored on a computer-readable medium for performing all the steps of the computer program   according to any one of claims 1 to 19, when the product of   computer gram is run on a computer.   26. Computer program product according to claim   25, characterized in that it further comprises means for coding of   gram, when the computer program product is run on a device   positive game for particular as a computer, the program coding means performing the steps consisting in: executing a predetermined game, and generating a game image of the predetermined game, consisting of a   reduced flicker frame image.   27. Computer program product according to claim   26, characterized in that it further comprises means for coding pro-   gram to perform the step of: changing the start / stop of the generation of the game image consisting of the reduced flicker frame image, in accordance with   the evolution of the predetermined game.   28. Image generation device characterized in that it comprises   carries program coding means stored on a computer-readable medium for performing all the steps of the computer program   according to any one of claims 1 to 19 when the generating device   image ration is executed on a computer.   29. An image generation device according to claim 28, characterized in that it further comprises program coding means, when the image generation device is executed on a game device.   especially as a computer, the program coding means e-   carrying out the steps consisting in: executing a predetermined game program, and generating a game image of the predetermined game program,   consisting of a reduced flicker raster image.   30. Computer system comprising a predetermined server and   a predetermined terminal connected to each other through a communication line   predetermined electrical cation, characterized in that the predetermined server comprises:   program coding means stored on a computer-readable medium   donor to carry out all the steps of the computer program according to one   any of claims 1 to 19, when the predetermined server is running   cut on a computer, and means to send the computer program   only at the predetermined terminal, and the predetermined terminal comprises: means for receiving the computer program originating from the predetermined server, and means   to generate a reduced flicker raster image by running the pro- computer program.   31. Computer system comprising a predetermined server and a predetermined interlaced display device connected to each other through a predetermined electrical communication line, characterized in that the predetermined server comprises:   program coding means stored on a computer-readable medium   donor to carry out all the steps of the computer program according to one   any one of claims 1 to 19 when the predetermined server is   executed on a computer, means for generating a reduced flicker frame image by executing the computer program, and means   to send the frame image to the predefined interlaced display   finished, and the predetermined interlaced display device comprises: means for receiving the frame image coming from the predetermined server, and   means for displaying the frame image.   32. Image generation method characterized in that it comprises   carries all stages of the computer program according to one of the claims 1 to 19.