Image processing apparatus

An image processing apparatus capable of displaying guidance and of setting the operating environment for an application program when the capability of a computer system is different from the operating environment expected by the application program. The image processing apparatus comprises: a CD-ROM drive 8 for loading an application program; a main processing unit 2 for forming graphic signals by executing the application program; and a display 3 for displaying the graphic signals. The main processing unit comprises: a determining unit 211 for determining whether or not the main processing unit 2 has provided the operating environment expected by the application program; a display control unit 212 for displaying guidance on the display 3 based on the results of the determination of the determining unit 211; and a setting unit 213 for allowing the operating environment of the application program to be set by the main processing unit 2.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more 
particularly to an image processing apparatus in which guidance is 
displayed when the processing capability of the main processing unit is 
different than the operating environment expected by the application 
program. The present invention also relates to an image processing 
apparatus in which guidance is referenced to allow the operating 
environment of the application program to be set. 
BACKGROUND ART 
In the case of game machines, all users can play games with the same game 
quality in the same game program because it is assumed that users have 
hardware with the same processing capability. 
However, when a game program is read into a general-purpose computer system 
for use, the image processing speed is often controlled by the capability 
of the computer system, and the same game program cannot be played with 
the same game quality. 
As a result, in the past, when the capability of the computer system did 
not have the operating environment expected by the game program, the game 
was continued, for example, while the image quality was preserved and the 
character operating speed or the speed at which the game advanced fell 
off, or conversely there was a drop in image quality, with emphasis placed 
on preserving the game qualities. Here, "game qualities" usually means the 
sense of game speed as well as the quality, characteristics, and the like 
involved in executing the game, such as the corresponding level of 
difficulty. 
In the past, however, when the main processing unit of a computer system 
could not sustain the operating environment expected by the game program, 
the game was executed with the game qualities in a special state 
determined by the manufacturer. As a result, the user had to play the game 
based on these determined game qualities, and the game qualities could not 
be set to one's satisfaction. 
In the case of conventional units, the user could know that the main 
processing unit lacked the capabilities because of the special game 
qualities that resulted when the main processing unit could not provide 
the operating environment expected by the game program. However, in the 
past it was not possible to objectively determine the extent of the 
insufficiency in capability between the operating environment required by 
the program and the current operating environment, and the game qualities 
had to be set to a standard special level. 
An object of the present invention is to resolve the drawbacks of the prior 
art described above so as to provide an image processing apparatus capable 
of displaying guidance when the capability of a computer system is 
different from the operating environment expected by the application 
program. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing 
apparatus capable of setting the operating environment of the application 
program. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To achieve the objectives described above, the image processing apparatus 
is equipped with means for allowing an application program to be adapted, 
a main processing unit for forming graphic signals by executing the 
application program, and display means for displaying the graphic signals 
from the main processing unit, wherein the main processing unit comprises: 
determining means, for determining whether or not the main processing unit 
has provided the operating environment expected by an application program; 
and display control means for displaying guidance on the display means 
based on the results of determination by said determining means. 
Accordingly, in the invention described in the determining means determines 
whether or not the main processing unit has provided the operating 
environment expected by the application program. When the determining 
means determines that the main processing unit has not provided the 
operating environment expected by the application program, the display 
control means displays guidance on the display means according to the 
results of the determination. 
The invention is also characterized in that the main processing unit 
further comprises: setting means for allowing the operating environment of 
the application program to be set by the main processing unit; and 
operating means for allowing operations to be added to said setting means 
based on guidance. 
The invention is also characterized in that said determining means is a 
means for determining whether or not the main processing unit has provided 
the number of display frames expected by the application program. 
The invention is also characterized in that the guidance is a warning 
display for displaying the current number of display frames and the proper 
number of display frames. 
The invention is also characterized in that the application program is a 
game program. 
The invention is further characterized by the use of a medium, such as a 
CD-ROM, ROM cassette, floppy disk, or DVD disk, in which is recorded a 
program for activating a computer system as an image processing apparatus.

KEY 
1: computer system; 2: main processing unit; 3: display (display means); 4: 
keyboard; 5: mouse; 6: operating pads; 7: speakers; 8: CD-ROM drive; 9: 
FDD; 21: main processor; 22: main memory; 23: graphic board; 24: display 
interface; 25: keyboard mouse and interface; 26: pad interface; 27: sound 
board; 211: determining means; 212: display control means; 213: setting 
means; 214: operation control means; 221: display flag; 222: set value 
memory zone; 223: second display flag; 241: frame counter. 
DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to 
FIGS. 1 through 9. FIG. 1 is a prespective view of a general-purpose 
computer system serving as the image processing apparatus. In this figure, 
the numerical symbol 1 is a general-purpose computer system, and this 
computer system 1 consists of the following structural elements. 
That is, the computer system 1 is equipped with a main processing unit 2, a 
CRT display (display means) 3, a keyboard 4, a mouse 5, operating pads 6 
and 6 which are game operating plates, and speakers 7 and 7. 
The interior of the main processing unit 2 is equipped with a CD-ROM 
(compact disk read only memory) drive 8 and a floppy disk drive (FDD) 9. 
The main processing unit 2 is electrically connected to the display 3, 
keyboard 4, mouse 5, operating pads 6 and 6, speakers 7 and 7, CD-ROM 
drive 8, and FDD 9. 
The main processing unit 2 reads the game program from the CD-ROM drive 8, 
processes the game program, and sets the game program operating 
environment settings or processes the guidance display. The program which 
allows the computer to function as an image processing apparatus can be 
provided by the CD-ROM or another data recording medium, such as a floppy 
disk, DVD disk, ROM card, or ROM cartridge. It can also be down-loaded 
from a data base via a communication channel. The keyboard 4, mouse 5, and 
operating pads 6 and 6 can input prescribed data to the main processing 
unit 2. 
The speakers 7 can play back the sound signals generated as the game 
program is processed. The CD-ROM drive 8 inputs the game program recorded 
on the CD (compact disk) to the main processing unit 2. The FDD 9 is a 
device in which data or programs recorded on the floppy disk are given to 
the main processing unit 2, and in which data or programs processed by the 
main processing unit 2 are written to the floppy disk. 
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram depicting the main processing unit of 
the computer system. The main processing unit 2 is equipped with a central 
processing unit (main processor) 21, a main memory 22, a graphic board 23, 
a display interface 24, a keyboard and mouse interface 25, a pad interface 
26, and a sound board 27. 
The main processor 21 is electrically connected to the main memory 22, 
graphic board 23, display interface 24, keyboard and mouse interface 25, 
pad interface 26, sound board 27, CD-ROM drive 8, and FDD 9. 
The keyboard and mouse interface 25 is electrically connected to the 
keyboard 4 and mouse 5. The display interface 24 is electrically connected 
to the display 3. The sound board 27 can play back sound signals under the 
control of the main processor 21 and can give sound signals from the 
outside to the main processor 21. The sound board 27 is connected to the 
two channel speakers 7 and 7. 
The CD-ROM drive 8 serves to transfer game programs and the like played 
back from the CD to the main memory 22 under the control of the main 
processor 21. The FDD 9 can give programs or data played back from a 
floppy disk to the main processor 21 or the like under the control of the 
main processor 211, and can write data and the like processed by the main 
processor 21 to the floppy disk inside the FDD 9. The operating pad 
interface 28 can provide data input from the operating pads 6 and 6 to the 
main processor 21. 
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram depicting the means through which the 
main processor 21 processes the game program. The numerical symbol 35, 
corresponding, for example, to the CD-ROM drive 8, is a means for allowing 
the game program, which is the application program, to be processed by the 
main processor 21 of the main processing unit 2. The main processor 21 of 
the main processing unit 2 executes the application program stored in main 
memory 22, so as to form graphic signals. The display 3 is a device for 
displaying the graphic signals from the main processing unit 2. 
The main processor 21 of the main processing unit 2 processes the game 
program stored in main memory 22 or the like, thereby activating the 
determining means 211, display control means 212, and setting means 213. 
The determining means 211 can determine whether or not the main processing 
unit 2 has provided the operating environment expected by the game 
program. 
Specifically, the determining means 211 can read the data of the frame 
counter 241 located inside the display interface 24. The determining means 
211 determines whether or not the operating environment expected by the 
game program is available based on the number of display frames in the 
frame counter 241. 
The determining means 211 can turn the display flags 221 and 223 on and 
off, and can reference the display flags 221 and 223 according to 
processing stage. The determining means 211 also can determine whether or 
not there is room for image processing. 
The results of the determination by the determining means 211 are given to 
the display control means 212. The display control means 212 produces 
guidance based on the results of the determination by the determining 
means 211, and controls the display interface 24 to give the guidance to 
the display 3. 
The setting means 213 sets the operating environment for the game program 
in the main processing unit 2, and stores the set operating environment in 
the set value memory zone 222 of the main memory 22. 
When the operating environment is stored in this set value memory zone 222, 
the game program is processed by the set operating environment unless it 
is subsequently modified. The setting means 213 can clear the display flag 
221. 
The setting means 213 can be operated by an operating means. When, for 
example, prescribed keys cn the keyboard 4 or the like are depressed 
according to the guidance displayed on the display 3, the operating 
control means 214 can be actuated to operate the setting means 213. The 
operating means is composed of the keyboard 4 and operating control means 
214. 
The course of the main processing routine is described below with reference 
to the flow chart in FIG. 4. When the game is started (step 40), the main 
processor 21 of the main processing unit 2 clears the display flag 221 
(step 41). The main processor 21 then processes the game or modifies the 
settings (step 42). 
When the game has been processed by the main processor 21, the game picture 
is displayed on the display 3. When the settings are modified by the main 
processor 21, the setting means 213 is activated, and the setting means 
213 can be operated by the operating means. At this time, a setting 
picture 500 is displayed as shown in FIG. 7. The setting picture 500 is 
described below. The player modifies the set values while observing the 
setting picture 500. 
When step 42 is over, the main processor 21 determines whether or not the 
game is over (step 43). When the game is over (step 43: YES), the 
game-over process is executed (step 44). As a result, a display such as 
"game over," for example, is displayed on the display 3. 
When the game is not over (step 44: NO), on the other hand, the main 
processor 21 executes the display frame number counting process and 
warning display process (step 45). When this display frame number counting 
process and warning display process are executed, the determining means 
211 and display control means 212 are activated. The determining means 211 
determines whether or not the main processing unit 2 has provided the 
operating environment expected by the application program according to the 
number of display Frames in the frame counter 241. 
Here, when the determining means 211 has determined that a warning is 
necessary based on the number of display frames in the frame counter 241, 
the display control means 212 displays the warning picture 600 shown in 
FIG. 8 on the display 3 as guidance, depending on the extent of the number 
of frames. 
At this time, the game picture is stopped. When the player views the 
warning picture 600 and clicks "OK" on the warning picture 600, the game 
can be processed again or the settings can be modified (step 42). 
The operations after the main processing routine has entered into game 
processing or the like (step 42) are discussed next with reference to FIG. 
5. At this processing stage, the main processor 21 takes in data input 
from an input unit such as the operating pads 6 and 6, keyboard 4, or 
mouse 5 (step 421). When the input data are not the set data (step 422: 
NO), the input data are determined to be signals to operate the game model 
and are given to the main processing unit 2. 
The main processing unit 2 executes the game model movements based on the 
input data (step 423). Examples of processes that are executed include 
whether or not obstructions appearing in the course of the game have been 
avoided, whether or not contact has been made with the opponent character 
and as a result how to move the character operated by the player, and how 
to move a combatant in combat games. 
The main processing unit 2 refers to the operating environment set in the 
set value memory zone 222, and when there is an effect (that is, a 
determination on whether or not the settings are effective) (step 424: 
YES), the program is set to low modeling (low polygon number) (step 425). 
When the main processing unit 2 refers to the set value memory zone 222 
and there is an effect (step 424: NO), the program is set to high modeling 
(high polygon number) (step 426). 
The main processor 21 subsequently processes the model display (step 427). 
As the game thus advances, images corresponding to the operating data are 
displayed on the display 3. 
Input data are taken in from the input device (step 421), and when the main 
processing unit 2 determines that the input data are set (step 422: YES), 
the settings are modified (steps 428 through 430). 
The setting means 213 is thus operated to clear the display flag 221 (step 
428). The setting means 213 then displays the setting picture 500 
indicated in FIG. 7 (step 429). 
The setting picture 500 allows the settings to be set by focusing on points 
allowing the game qualities to be preserved. It becomes possible to set 
various elements that reduce the load of the image processing, such as 
reductions in character or prescribed background polygon numbers, picture 
reduction, reductions in the number of colors, non-application of texture, 
removal of specific background unrelated to game qualities, non-display of 
perspective, non-display of shadows, non-use of sound, and the like. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the setting picture 500 has a setting area 501 for the 
input unit used by a first player, a setting area 502 for the input unit 
used by a second player, a setting area 503 for graphic processing, a 
setting area 504 for sound, and other setting areas 505 and the like. 
The setting area 501 is constructed as an input picture for selecting 
various operating pads and keyboards used by a first player, and has an 
input button display. The setting area 502 is constructed as an input 
picture for selecting various operating pads and keyboards used by a 
second player, and has an input button display. The setting area 503 
enables settings for non-texture shadow, non-texture stage, and character 
texture high resolution, and is constructed as an input picture with 
displays of minimum and maximum buttons for setting levels. 
This setting area 503 is also constructed as an input picture for 
background settings, shooting settings, and level settings. The setting 
area 504 is constructed as an input picture relating to sound, with a 
sound volume setting button displayed. The setting area 505 is constructed 
as a picture for other settings, with an input button displayed. 
While viewing the setting picture 500 described above, the player uses the 
mouse 5 or operating pads 6 and 6 to press down on the input pictures or 
buttons in setting areas 501 through 505 where settings need to be redone. 
The operating data from the input unit is given to the setting means 213 
via the operating control means 214. 
As a result, the new operating environment data are stored in the set value 
memory zone 222 by the setting means 213, allowing the operating 
environment to be reset (step 430). The operations following step 423 are 
then repeated. 
The display frame counting process and warning display process are 
described below with reference to the flow chart in FIG. 6. The frame 
counter 241 in the display interface 24 counts the number of display 
frames. The frame counter 241 is a device in which the number of pictures 
displayed on the display 3 is counted every second. 
The determining means 211 reads the number of display frames in the frame 
counter 241 (step 701). The determining means 211 then determines whether 
or not the number of display frames is at least 30 frames per second (step 
702). When it is determined that the number of display frames is less than 
30 per second (step 702: NO), the determining means 211 refers to the 
display flag 221 (step 703). 
In this case, because the display flag 221 is cleared in the main process 
(step 41), the display flag 221 is "0" (step 703: YES), and it is 
determined whether or not the number of display frames is at least 27 per 
second (step 704). 
When the determining means 211 has determined that the number of display 
frames is less than 27 per second (step 703: NO), the game is stopped, and 
the strong warning picture (guidance) 800 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed by 
the display control means 212 on the display 3. 
When there are at least 27 frames per second in step 704 (YES), the game is 
stopped, and an ordinary warning picture (guidance) is displayed by the 
display control means 212 on the display 3. 
The strong warning picture 800 or ordinary warning picture is displayed on 
the stopped game picture 801. The strong warning picture 800 consists of a 
suggestion 802 stating, for example, that "The current game is running at 
22 frames per second. This game is intended to run at 30 frames per 
second. It is recommended that the proper settings be set," and an "OK" 
button 803. 
The ordinary warning picture consists of the number of operating 
environment frames expected by the game program (for example, 30 frames 
per second), the current number of frames per second, and an "OK" button. 
The warning picture 800 remains displayed on the game picture 801 as long 
as the player fails to click the "OK" button 803 (step 707: NO). 
Here, when the player selects the "OK" button 803 using, for example, the 
mouse 5 or operating pad 6 (step 707: YES), the display flag 221 is turned 
on (step 708), leading to the game processing or setting modification in 
step 42. 
The display flag 221 is used to avoid displaying the warning picture again 
after the "OK" button has been clicked to verify the contents of the 
warning picture already displayed. 
As the game advances through higher stages, the image processing generally 
increases. As a result, 30 frames per second often cannot be displayed on 
the display 3. In this case, steps 428 through 430 in FIG. 5 are 
processed, allowing the operating environment of the game program to be 
sequentially reset so as to preserve the game qualities. 
At this time, the operating environment of the game program is set in a 
state in which various image processes are omitted as the stages advance. 
The game thus proceeds at the expense of various image processes, even 
when the game program drops back down through lower stages. 
Steps 720 and 721 are thus provided in the flow chart in FIG. 6. This 
process is described below. The determining means 211 reads the number of 
display frames in the frame counter 241 (step 701). The determining means 
211 then determines whether or not the number of display frames is at 
least 30 frames per second (step 702). When the results of the 
determination reveal at least 30 display frames per second (step 702: 
YES), the second display flag 223 is turned off (step 720: YES), and the 
determining means 211 determines whether or not there is room for 
processing (step 721). 
This determination (step 720) proceeds as follows, for example. That is, 
the main processor 21 executes image processing synchronously with the 
frame synchronization pulse (time t1, t4, . . . ) in FIG. 9(a). This image 
process, as shown in FIG. 9(b), is executed during a fixed processing 
period T, such as time t2 to t3, time t5 to t6, etc. The process period T 
is determined by the capability of the main processing unit 2. 
Whether or not there is room for processing can be determined by measuring 
the time between the time t3, t6, etc. at which processing is completed 
and the time up to the frame synchronization pulse which is generated at 
time t4, t7, etc. Room for processing is determined as described above, 
for example, by the determining means 211. 
However, when the determining means 211 determines that the second display 
flag 223 is not off (step 720: NO) or when it determines that there is not 
sufficient room for image processing (step 721: NO), the relevant routine 
is taken out without any processing. 
When, on the other hand, it is determined that there is room for processing 
(step 721: YES), the display control means 212 is activated, and the 
message "The operating environment is being reset to a better state" 
(guidance) is displayed on the display 3 (step 722). This message 
(guidance) is displayed on the game picture in the same manner as when the 
strong warning picture 800 is displayed, the game picture is stopped as 
long as the "OK" button is not clicked (step 725: NO), and the relevant 
message (guidance) continues to be displayed on the picture. 
When the mouse 5 or operating pad 6 is used to press down on the "OK" 
button in this state (step 723: YES), the second display flag 223 is 
turned on (step 724), and this course is taken out, leading to the process 
in step 12. The second display flag 223 is used to prevent the message 
(guidance) from being displayed every time. 
Thus, in this embodiment of the present invention, when the main processing 
unit 2 does not provide the operating environment of the game program, the 
current number of game program display frames is displayed, and the proper 
number of game frames is displayed, allowing data suitable for preserving 
the game qualities to be given. Another advantage is that settings can be 
established to the user's satisfaction to preserve the game qualities. 
In order to preserve the game qualities, the operating environment can be 
reset manually in the above embodiment, but it may also be done 
automatically. In this case, the current number of frames should be 
referenced to sequentially omit part of the image processing. 
In addition, in the embodiment described above, the operating state of the 
application program is determined by the number of frames in unit times in 
the main processing unit, but this is not the only option. There are no 
particular limitations, as long as an element reflecting the image 
processing state is used. 
The number of frames is not limited to the example given above. 
As described above, in the present invention, it is determined whether or 
not the main processing unit has provided the operating environment 
expected by the application program, and guidance is displayed depending 
on the results of the determination, so the operating environment may be 
readily set by using the guidance. Furthermore, objective data for setting 
the operating environment is displayed in the guidance, thus ensuring that 
the operating environment car be set. 
The present invention allows the operating environment for the application 
program to be set and the operating environment to be manipulated based on 
the guidance, so the operating environment can be set to the user's 
satisfaction, without the operating environment being set by the 
manufacturer. 
Since it can be determined whether or not the main processing unit has 
provided the number of display frames expected by the application program, 
this determination can be managed reliably and promptly. Since, in 
addition, the guidance is a warning display in which the current number of 
display frames and the proper number of display frames are displayed, the 
difference between the operating environment of the main processing unit 
and that expected by the application program can be objectively grasped, 
and the environment can be set based on the difference. 
Because the application program is a game program, it can be determined 
whether or not the main processing unit has provided the operating 
environment expected by the game program, and guidance can be displayed 
based on the results of the determination, allowing the game qualities to 
be readily preserved. Furthermore, objective data for setting the game 
program operating environment is displayed in the guidance, ensuring that 
the game program operating environment can be set. 
It can also be determined whether or not the computing processing unit 
satisfies the operating environment needed to execute the application 
program from the medium carrying the data (including data recording media 
and communication channel), and a program allowing it to function as an 
image processing apparatus having the function of producing guidance and 
the like can be introduced to the computer system, constituting yet 
another convenience. 
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
As described above, the image processing apparatus pertaining to the 
present invention displays guidance when the processing capability of 
computing systems is different from the operating environment expected by 
an application program, making it useful for determining the processing 
capability of computer systems that execute various applications, and 
making it particularly useful for computer systems that execute processes 
including graphics in games and the like.