Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Nintendo Software Technology Corporation

Rory A Johnston

Yukimi Shimura

Brian McNeely

Corey Birnbaum

Steven Petofalvi

Dean Russell

Claude Comair

Yoonjoon Lee

Stephen Mortimer

Lawrence Schwedler

Vivek Melwani

James Phillipsen

Jonathan Johnson

Kunitake Aoki

Philip Brodsky

The technology described herein presents systems and methods for adjusting the visual effect of the image, particularly with respect to the stereoscopic effect. In one example embodiment, the technology can determine if a 'collision' is detected between the virtual camera position and then adjust a parameter of the virtual camera based on the point of intersection associated with the 'collision.'

Systems and methods for adjusting a stereoscopic effect

Operations for caching to display panoramic images include repeatedly receiving an indication of one or both of a current geographic location and a current view direction for a user, receiving from a remote server a first plurality of image tiles of a first panoramic image of a predicted geographic location, caching the received first plurality of image tiles, and processing the cached first plurality of image tiles. The processing includes decompressing the cached first plurality of image tiles and storing the decompressed image tiles. When the current geographic location is at the predicted geographic location, rendering, using the stored decompressed tiles, the first panoramic image to a plurality of three-dimensional surfaces in a memory, wherein each of the plurality of three-dimensional surfaces corresponds to a respective portion of a sphere.

Caching in map systems for displaying panoramic images

A drawing system and method is provided for drawing objects and maps in a virtual world editor. The drawing method performs object checking to determine if a particular object can be drawn in the virtual world editor. When drawing the object, if the drawing method for the object does not satisfy a specific condition, the method will not allow the object to 'set.' If the object satisfies the specific condition, the method will allow the object to set and be drawn onto the terrain. If the object is obstructed as it is being drawn, the drawing system will adjust the object so it is appropriately drawn in the software environment.

Drawing method

In an editor a plurality of valid start points are determined. Based on this plurality of start points a user may select one of the points. When a user selects one of the points, the editor determines at least one valid end point. The user may then draw a line between the selected point and a valid end point. As a result of the connection between the two points a new environment is created in the editor.

Methods and/or systems for designing virtual environments

A touch-based computer graphics user interface enhances a stylus pen with virtual suction to create a virtual vacuum or suction tool. The virtual tool may simulate a physical world suction tool and/or provide capabilities not available in the real world. The virtual suction tool allows the user to feel as if he or she has transcended the boundary between the virtual world and the real world by physically holding in his or her hand an object that is able to interact with and virtually attract and contain items (e.g., objects with characteristics and behaviors) removed from or expellable into the virtual world. The resulting highly intuitive user interface provides fun and exciting video game play and has other applications as well.

Enhanced virtual suction tool

A user menu is created by retrieving at least one animation frame that corresponds to a user selected portion of stored subject matter. The animation frame or frames are displayed at a portion of the display and aid the user to accurately enter the subject matter at a desired location.

Device and method utilizing animated frames to dynamically create snapshots for selectable menus

Operations for efficient display of panoramic images include receiving control information a plurality of tiles of a panoramic image, identifying padding included in the received tiles, and processing the tiles to remove the padding. For each of the processed tiles, at least one patch is generated which maps at least a portion of each tile to a three-dimensional surface formed in a memory. Each patch includes a plurality of polygonal areas, and corresponds to a respective portion of a sphere. The panoramic image is drawn using the patches.

Map systems and methods for displaying panoramic images

There are both flat and sloped ground surfaces on which the game characters traverse. In areas where a sloped surface changes angle (i.e. where a sloped surface connects to a flat surface), a transitional method has been created to make the adjoining textures on the top surface area of the ground blend together seamlessly. A unique texture is used for this purpose. This texture uses the same material as the flat 'ground trim' texture seen on the top of every surface. The texture has a diagonally drawn alpha mask that blends from completely transparent to completely opaque from the bottom right corner of the texture to the top left corner. When this texture is drawn at the ends of each sloped surface where they change angle, the combination of the color channels and the alpha mask line up with adjoining textures to blend them together and create a seamless visual transition.

Method and apparatus for constructing virtual sloped landscapes in computer graphics and animation

In an editor a plurality of valid start points are determined. Based on the plurality of start points a user may select one of the points. When a user selects one of the points, the editor determines at least one valid end point. The user may then draw a line between the selected point and a valid end point. As a result of the connection between the two points a new environment is created in the editor.

A method and apparatus that utilizes techniques for modifying the game space of a video game displayed on a display screen by inserting structural elements which become part of the game space and can interact with various game characters.

Rivet mechanisms

In the context of a video game, multimedia presentation or other application, multiple sound sample files are read out simultaneously and mixed together. The volumes and/or pitches of the wave tables are parameterized to allow a single parameter (e.g., power, intensity, etc.) to simultaneously control the multiple read out processes. The control parameter may be, for example, responsive to a user-manipulable control, such as a joystick. Sound effects produced using this technique are rich and interesting, and the user feels as if he or she is directly controlling the effect.

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Rory A Johnston