Videogame system and methods for enhanced processing and display of graphical character elements
First Claim
1. In a videogame system having a processor, memory and a display surface, a method of implementing a graphical effect at a specific time and location in scan lines which are generated to create a video display on the display surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a list of graphical processing routines;
b) generating a video display by projecting scan lines which contain visual image data onto the display surface;
c) inserting at least one graphical character element at a specific time and place in the projected scan lines which are generated to create the video display;
d) causing a vertical interrupt at a horizontal scan line corresponding to an occurrence of the at least one graphical character element; and
e) calling at least one of the graphical processing routines which corresponds to a desired graphical effect during the caused vertical interrupt at the horizontal scan line to implement the desired graphical effect at the specific location of the graphical character element on the video display.
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Abstract
Videogame systems and methods are provided to enhance the capability of the videogame system controller and data storage to provide graphic character element storage and processing. A display list technology utilizes an intentionally generated, location-specific vertical interrupt to implement a routine to modify or to alter existing graphical character elements. A second technique involves the definition of a small portion of the graphics map which is displayed differently than the balance of the graphics map because the stored priority bit is expressed in the defined area, but suppressed and replaced in all other areas. The third technique employs a virtual character element library to map the character elements appearing on the display, and recognizes available space within the video random access memory character element storage to provide a dynamic memory space.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a videogame system having a processor, memory and a display surface, a method of implementing a graphical effect at a specific time and location in scan lines which are generated to create a video display on the display surface, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a list of graphical processing routines; b) generating a video display by projecting scan lines which contain visual image data onto the display surface; c) inserting at least one graphical character element at a specific time and place in the projected scan lines which are generated to create the video display; d) causing a vertical interrupt at a horizontal scan line corresponding to an occurrence of the at least one graphical character element; and e) calling at least one of the graphical processing routines which corresponds to a desired graphical effect during the caused vertical interrupt at the horizontal scan line to implement the desired graphical effect at the specific location of the graphical character element on the video display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for implementing a graphical effect at a specific time and location in scan lines which are generated to create a video display, comprising:
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a) means for providing a list of graphical processing routines; b) means for causing a vertical interrupt at a horizontal scan line and at a specific time and place corresponding to at least one graphical character element; and c) means for calling at least one of the graphical processing routines which corresponds to a desired graphical effect during the caused vertical interrupt to implement the graphical effect at the specific location of the graphical character element on the video display. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification