JPH11143440A - Image processing method, recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To effectively use a landscape screen. SOLUTION: When a game is started, a setting state of a wide flag is determined, and when it is determined that "1" is set in the wide flag, for example, standard image data and auxiliary image data are read from a disk. Are stored in the image read buffer (S101 to S103). Next, the image data processing unit performs necessary coordinate conversion processing on the standard image data and auxiliary image data stored in the image reading buffer, and stores the result in the image output buffer (S10).
Four). In this case, for example, composite image data composed of standard image data and auxiliary image data reduced by 3/4 in the horizontal direction is generated. Then, the composite image data is read out at the timing of the standard signal, a game image is generated, and supplied to the monitor device as the standard signal (S105 to S10
6).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing method for generating an image corresponding to an aspect ratio of a monitor screen, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, for example, a monitor device or a television receiver having a landscape screen having a 16: 9 aspect ratio with respect to a standard screen having a 4: 3 aspect ratio has become widespread. As a mode for displaying an image supplied with a standard signal (4: 3 aspect ratio) on the landscape screen, for example, display modes shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are known. .

In the standard mode shown in FIG. 12A, a standard image is displayed as it is, for example, in the center of a screen 60, and a black band 61 is hatched on both sides of the standard image. , 61 to form a landscape image. In the full mode shown in FIG. 12B, a horizontal image is formed by extending a standard image in the horizontal direction without attaching black bands 61, 61 and the like. In the zoom mode, as shown in FIG. 12C, the standard image is overscanned so that a part of the standard image is displayed on the screen 60. Although not shown, other display modes such as a subtitle mode and a wide zoom mode are also known. The user can view an image by selecting a mode according to his preference or purpose from among such display modes.

[0004] Recently, home-use game machines have become widespread, and for example, a game can be enjoyed using a television receiver or the like as a monitor device. This game device includes, for example, control data relating to a game from a recording medium such as a disk or a memory cartridge,
And image data, and the like, and a game image is generated based on the data and supplied to the monitor device. Then, the user is a character projected on the screen (for example, a person, a car, or another object).
Is operated using a dedicated controller to advance the game.

[0005] By using a television receiver having a landscape screen as described above as a monitor device of such a game device, it is possible to enjoy a game while watching a more powerful game image.

[0006]

Even when a game device is used in a television receiver having a landscape screen, FIG.
Although any one of the display modes shown in 2 (a), (b), and (c) is selected, it is difficult to effectively use the screen even when any of the modes is selected. For example, when the standard mode is selected, the black screens 61 are attached to both sides of the image, for example, so that the landscape screen is not fully utilized. Therefore, a powerful game image cannot be obtained despite the use of the landscape screen. When the full mode is selected, the image is stretched in the horizontal direction, so that the image can be displayed on the entire screen. However, the image is distorted in the horizontal direction and a normal image cannot be obtained. Further, when the zoom mode is selected, an image without distortion is obtained, but, for example, the vicinity of the upper end and / or the lower end of the image is not displayed. If the regular game image is not displayed due to such distortion or omission, the progress of the game may be hindered, and there is a problem that the game cannot be played comfortably.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve such a problem, the present invention is set as an image processing method for generating and outputting a display image signal based on supplied image data. In accordance with the aspect ratio information, the image data is subjected to required image processing to generate the display image signal.

An image processing method for generating and outputting a display image signal having a first aspect ratio based on the supplied image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio includes setting aspect ratio information. When the first aspect ratio is set, the display image signal is generated from the image data, and when the set aspect ratio information is set to the second aspect ratio, the display image signal is generated. Then, a predetermined reduction process is performed by adding auxiliary image data to generate the display image signal.

When the set aspect ratio information is the first aspect ratio, the display image signal is generated from the image data, and the set aspect ratio information is set to the second aspect ratio. If so, a display image signal corresponding to the first aspect ratio is generated based on the image data corresponding to the second aspect ratio.

According to the aspect ratio information set as a recording medium used in an image processing system having control means for generating and outputting a display image signal based on the supplied image data, An operation program for specifying an instruction operation for performing the required image processing on the image data to generate the display image signal to the control means is recorded.

Further, the present invention is used in an image processing system having control means for generating and outputting a display image signal having a first aspect ratio based on the supplied image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio. When the set aspect ratio information is set to the first aspect ratio as the recording medium, the display image signal is generated from the image data, and the set aspect ratio information is set to the second aspect ratio. If so, an operation program for specifying an instruction operation for generating the display image signal by performing a predetermined reduction process by adding auxiliary image data to the image data to the control unit is recorded.

Further, when the set aspect ratio information is the first aspect ratio, the display image signal is generated from the image data, and the set aspect ratio information is set to the second aspect ratio. If so, an operation program for specifying to the control means an instruction operation for generating a display image signal corresponding to the first aspect ratio based on image data corresponding to the second aspect ratio Is stored to form a recording medium.

At least image data capable of forming a display image signal having a first aspect ratio;
A recording medium is formed by recording auxiliary image data capable of forming a display image signal having a second aspect ratio by being added to the image data.

According to the present invention, for example, by adding auxiliary image data to image data having a standard aspect ratio,
The entire landscape screen having a 6: 9 aspect ratio can be effectively used, and a good image free of distortion and omission can be obtained.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. First, an outline of the game device and the monitor device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The game device 1 is, for example, a disk (for example, a CD-R) in which data (images, sounds, control programs, and the like) related to the game is stored.
A storage medium (not shown) configured as a separate body such as an OM, a DVD ... Digital Versatile Disc), a memory cassette, or the like is set, and the game can proceed according to various data read from the recording medium. Have been able to. When a user (player) progresses a game, the user operates a game character (for example, a person, a car, or another object) using the controller 10 connected to the game device 1 as an input device. Become. That is, the game device 1 performs required control (for example, data reading, image data generation processing for display, and the like) in accordance with various commands input from the controller 10 by the user.

A video signal and an audio signal generated by the game device 1 are supplied to a monitor device 20 such as a television receiver via a dedicated cable 50 or the like. The monitor device 20 is, for example, a horizontally long CRT (Cathode Ray) having a 16: 9 aspect ratio, which is a second aspect ratio.
Tube) 26 constitutes a display unit. The monitor device 20 can, for example, as a television receiver, view a broadcast program and display a game image supplied from the game device 1 by selecting an input channel. . The monitor device 20 is provided with a display mode for displaying a standard image having a 4: 3 aspect ratio, which is the first aspect ratio as described with reference to FIG. 12, and the user can select one of the display modes. The mode can be selected to monitor the image.

In the present embodiment, the game machine 1 can perform image processing for generating an image signal corresponding to the aspect ratio of the CRT 26 of the monitor device 20. For example, for a monitor device having a standard size CRT having a 4: 3 aspect ratio, which is not shown in the figure, normal image processing corresponding to the standard signal is performed and a standard image signal is output.

Also, for example, as in the case of the monitor device 20,
When displaying on a CRT 26 having a 6: 9 aspect ratio, image data corresponding to a 16: 9 aspect ratio is generated in the game device 1 as described later, and this image data is output as a standard signal. In other words, a horizontally long image having a 16: 9 aspect ratio is output from the game device 1 as if it were reduced to, for example, 3/4 in the horizontal direction. Then, in the monitor device 20, for example, by selecting the full mode shown in FIG.
Is expanded in the horizontal direction to have a size corresponding to the landscape image generated by the game device 1, and a horizontal image without distortion that is, for example, 4/3 times the standard signal is displayed. Will be done.

Next, the configuration of the game machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing partial circuit blocks related to a video system which is a main part of the game device 1 according to the present embodiment. The disk D is configured to record, for example, game images, sounds, control programs, and the like, and is loaded into the disk drive unit 2 of the game device 1. The image data recorded on the disk D includes, for example, standard image data and auxiliary image data added to a predetermined position of the standard image data so as to form one display image. And so on. In addition, for example, a control program for advancing a game, audio data for reproducing background music, and the like are also stored. In the present specification, description of audio data will be omitted.

The disk drive 2 reads various data from the loaded disk D. For this reason,
The data read unit 2 is configured by, for example, various data read control means, read data demodulation processing means, and the like. In the present embodiment, the recording medium is described as the disk D, so the data reading means is configured as the disk drive unit 2. However, for example, when a memory cassette or the like is used as the storage medium, the reading means corresponding to this is used. It will be used here.

The image data read by the disk drive unit 2 is stored in an image reading buffer 3. The image reading buffer 3 is, for example, a RAM (Random A)
ccessMemory). For example, it is configured by a standard image data area 3a, an auxiliary image data area 3b, and the like, and stores standard image data and auxiliary image data read from the disk D, respectively.

The image data processing section 4 reads out the image data stored in the image reading buffer 3 and
In accordance with the aspect ratio (standard or landscape) of the CRT 26 of the monitor device 20 shown in FIG. 1, required coordinate conversion processing set for each aspect ratio is performed, and the game image as a game image corresponding to the standard image or the landscape image is obtained. Generate image data.

A single image formed as a game image represents an object (for example, one "object" in an image for forming a single image such as a car, a person, or a building) constituting the image. Display) of each object on the screen by a logical description related to the object, for example, required coordinate conversion processing performed based on data for forming an object read from the disk D, various operation information from the controller 10, and the like. The position, the display direction, the direction of light, and the like are calculated and specifically constructed. Thus, a standard image or a landscape image can be configured by objects corresponding to the progress of the game. The aspect ratio of the CRT 26 of the monitor device 20 is set in advance by a user and registered in the memory 7 or the separate memory 11 as described later.

The image data generated by the image data processing section 4 is supplied to an image output buffer 5. The image output buffer 5 stores image data supplied from the image data processing unit 4 as display image data. The video signal generator 6 reads out the image data stored in the image output buffer 5 at a speed corresponding to the standard signal, and performs a required signal processing to output the image data as a standard video signal via an output terminal tout. I do.

The RAM 7 stores and develops a control program and the like read from the disk D or the ROM 8 and serves as a work area for performing arithmetic processing related to various controls of the game machine 1 and the like. Further, a wide flag is stored as aspect ratio information (standard or landscape) of the monitor device 20 set by the user by the controller 10.

The ROM 8 stores control information such as a basic program for operating the game machine 1, for example. Then, when the game device 1 is started, the control information is read out as necessary and stored in the RAM 7.

The control unit 9 controls each of the above-described functional circuits via a bus line BL.
The image signal processing according to the aspect ratio information set in. Also,
In accordance with various commands supplied from the controller 10 by a user's operation, control is performed to advance the game stored in the disk D.

The separate memory 11 is, for example, a non-volatile memory, and is formed separately so as to be detachable from the game machine 1. The separate memory 11 can store, for example, the progress of the game, so that the next time the same game is played, it is possible to start from the continuation of the previous game. It is also possible to store various information such as the aspect information together with the progress of the game.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a partial circuit block of the video system of the monitor device 20. The tuner 21 includes, for example, a BS tuner, a CS tuner, a U / V tuner, and the like, and selects a reception signal of a desired channel from broadcast waves received by the antenna A. The received signal selected by the tuner 21 is a video intermediate frequency amplifying unit (VIF... Video
Intermediate Frequency) 22 and a switch 23 to a video signal processing unit 24. The switch 23 receives the received signal selected by the tuner 21 and the external input terminal tin.
1, video equipment supplied from the game device 1 connected to the tin 2 or another external input device (for example, an AV (AudioVisual) device such as a video tape recorder or a laser disk player, or a game device ... not shown). The signal is selected and supplied to the video signal processing unit 24.

The video signal processing unit 24 performs various signal processing such as separation of color signals, formation of color difference signals, extraction of synchronization signals, and supplies video signals of RGB colors to the CRT 26. Also,
The synchronization signal extracted here is supplied to the control unit 28.
The control unit 28 controls the tuning of the tuner 21, switches the switch 23, or controls various signals in the video signal processing unit 24 in accordance with various commands input from a remote controller (not shown) or the like via the light receiving unit 27. Processing is performed.

The deflection control unit 31 outputs a horizontal deflection signal based on the operation clock output from the control unit 28 at the timing of the horizontal cycle corresponding to the display mode such as the standard mode, the full mode, and the zoom mode described with reference to FIG. Is supplied to the deflection yoke 25 attached to the neck portion of the CRT 26. Thereby, the video supplied from the tuner 21 or the external input device such as the game device 1 can be displayed on the CRT 26.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining image data formed by the game machine 1. First, a case where a standard image is displayed will be described. FIG. 3A shows standard image data H corresponding to a standard signal output from the image data processing unit 4 when a standard image is output. When the game device 1 supplies an image to a monitor device having a standard-size CRT, the control unit 9 controls the image data processing unit 4 to perform a coordinate conversion process such that standard image data H is generated. I do. In this case, the image data is read from the image reading buffer 3 into, for example, the standard image area 3a.

The image data processing section 4 reads out the standard image data H stored in the standard image area 3a, performs necessary coordinate conversion processing, and accumulates it in the image output buffer 5. Then, when the coordinate conversion processing of the standard image data H of the specified amount is completed, the display image data (standard) stored in the image output buffer 5 is read out at the timing of the standard signal and output from the video signal generation unit 6.

When a landscape image is displayed (landscape mode), image data corresponding to the landscape image is generated by the coordinate conversion process of the image data processing unit 4 and stored in the image output buffer 5. In this case, the image reading buffer 3 reads image data into, for example, the standard image area 3a and the auxiliary image area 3b. Image data processing unit 4
Then, for example, the standard data stored in the standard image area 3a is read out, and a required coordinate conversion process is performed so that the horizontal direction becomes, for example, 3/4 as shown in FIG. 3B. For example, reduced image data Hc corresponding to a 3: 3 aspect ratio is generated.

Further, by adding an auxiliary image reduced in the horizontal direction similarly to the reduced image to a predetermined position of the reduced image data Hc, composite image data corresponding to the standard image data H is generated.

The standard image data and the auxiliary image data are subjected to coordinate conversion processing in the image data processing section 4. At this time, by setting the starting point for reading out the standard image data and the auxiliary image data, for example, as shown in FIG. ) (D)
As shown in (e), the composite image data Hd can be generated. FIGS. 3C, 3D, and 3E show examples of the composite image data Hd. For example, FIG. 3C shows a case where the coordinate conversion processing is performed so that the auxiliary image data Sa and Sa are positioned on both sides of the reduced image data Hc. FIG. 3D shows the reduced image data Hc shifted to the left and auxiliary image data Sa arranged on the right side. FIG. 3E shows the reduced image data Hc shifted to the right and auxiliary image data on the left side. The example which arranges data Sa is shown. By supplying such composite image data Hd to the monitor device 20, the monitor device 20 selects, for example, a full mode as a display mode and extends in the horizontal direction, so that a horizontally long image without distortion can be displayed. Become like

That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), an image having an aspect ratio of 1 to 1 in the horizontal direction is compared with an image having an aspect ratio of 1 to 1 in the horizontal direction shown in FIG. When the image is displayed on a landscape screen where B (where A <B), an auxiliary image corresponding to the vertical one-to-width (BA), which is the remaining part of the landscape screen, is shown in FIG. Are formed side by side to form composite image data. In addition, the side (B-
The part corresponding to A) can be set at an arbitrary position.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a landscape image having a wider field of view than a standard image is displayed. The standard image GH shown in FIG. 5A shows one scene of a racing game that is advanced by a user operating, for example, a car as an operation character. The racing game proceeds assuming that the user is driving the car C and runs on a course such as a preset circuit. At this time, on the screen, for example, mirror images ML and MR capable of displaying the required time T from the start to the present and the state behind the left and right of the car C are displayed. In addition, since the mirror images ML and MR are displayed so as to be superimposed on the image of the circuit which is the main image, display / erase can be arbitrarily selected.

As shown in this figure, the standard image GH
Then, since the mirror images ML and MR are superimposed and displayed at a position close to the car C, the configuration of the images becomes visually complicated. Therefore, the user has to endure this and select either one of displaying the mirror images ML and MR or deleting the mirror images ML and MR.

However, in the present invention, the monitor device 20 having a horizontally long screen is used in the full mode, so that FIG.
As shown in the figure, as the auxiliary images GSa, GSa (shown separated by broken lines for convenience), for example, a composite image GH displaying a part of a course that is an extension of the standard image GH
d can be formed. This makes it possible to obtain more powerful game images,
By superimposing the mirror images ML and MR on the auxiliary images GSa and GSa, the mirror images ML and MR can be displayed at positions outside the standard image GH. Therefore, the complexity around the car C when the mirror images ML and MR are displayed can be eliminated, and the game can be advanced with reference to the mirror images ML and MR.

When different information different from the standard image is displayed as the auxiliary image, the display is as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). For example, when a role playing game or the like is performed, as shown as a standard image GH in FIG. 6A, for example, characters Ka and Kb that can be operated by the user as the main character of the game are displayed. Then, if necessary, the user
By operating 0, windows Wa, Wb as status information (for example, hit points HP, magic points MP, etc.) of the characters Ka, Kb.
(Corresponding to the characters Ka and Kb, respectively) can be displayed.

However, both windows Wa and Wb are
Since the characters Ka and Kb are superimposed on the currently displayed standard image GH as shown in the figure.
Will be partially or entirely covered. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, for example, on the right side of the standard image GH, auxiliary images G as windows Wa and Wb are provided.
Sa is formed. As a result, only the images of the characters Ka and Kb can be displayed as the standard image GH, and the status information can always be displayed as the auxiliary image GSa.

The auxiliary image GSa has been described by taking a wide-field image, status information, and the like as an example, but it can be configured as various information according to a standard image. For example, when the standard image GH is a movie or the like, subtitles, commentary, chapter numbers, elapsed time, clocks, or the like may be displayed. . In this case, the above-described information may be recorded in advance on the disk D as a recording medium.

On the game machine 1 side, depending on the screen type (standard or landscape) of the monitor device supplying the image, whether the standard image is output as it is or the auxiliary image is added and output is determined by the user. Is set. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit 9 of the game device 1 when setting the screen type. First, it is determined whether or not the screen type of the monitor device to be used is set before the game is started, for example, when the game device 1 is powered on or when the disc D is loaded (S0).
01). Here, for example, when the screen type is already set in the memory 7 or the screen type is set in the separate memory 11 set in the game device 1, the subsequent processing is performed based on the setting information (S002). ).

If it is determined in step S001 that the screen type has not been set, the user is prompted to set the screen type (S003). this is,
For example, by activating a screen size setting program stored in advance in the ROM 8 or the like, the monitor device 2
An image indicating the procedure is displayed on the screen of No. 0. Alternatively, a setting program may be prepared as a part of the game program stored on the disk D. Then, the user sets the screen size using the controller 10 according to the screen display.

Here, if it is determined that the user has selected the landscape screen (S004), for example, "1" is set to the wide flag (S005). If it is determined that the user has selected the standard screen, the wide flag is set to, for example, “0” (S0).
06). The wide flag set in step S005 or step S006 is, for example, the RAM 7 or the memory card 1
1 and thereafter, required image processing is performed according to the wide flag.

Next, an example of image processing performed according to the wide flag according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 will be described. When the game is started by a user operation (S10
1) Determine the setting status of the increasingly wide flag (S10)
2). Here, when it is determined that the wide flag is set to “1”, that is, when the game device 1 is connected to the monitor device 20 having the landscape screen, for example, the standard image data is The auxiliary image data is read and stored in the image read buffer 3 (standard image data area 3a, auxiliary image data area 3b) (S103).

Next, the image data processing unit 4 performs necessary coordinate conversion processing on the standard image data and the auxiliary image data stored in the standard image data area 3a and the auxiliary image data area 3b, and sends them to the image output buffer 5. It is stored (S104). The coordinate conversion process in this case is as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), (d), and (e), for example, composite image data for display including reduced image data Hc reduced by ３ in the horizontal direction and auxiliary image data Sa is generated. At this time, as the auxiliary image data Sa, for example, a wide field of view is obtained as in a racing game, or other information related to the progress of the game such as status information, depending on the type of game or the user's preference. You will be able to choose what you get.

Then, when the image data for one screen is accumulated in the image output buffer 5, the image data is read out at the timing of the standard signal and supplied to the video signal generator 6 (S105).
Then, the video signal generation unit 4 generates a game image from the supplied composite image data and supplies it to the monitor device 20 as a standard signal (S106).

In step S102, the wide flag is set to "0", that is, the game device 1
Is connected to the monitor device having the standard screen, the standard image data is read from the disk D and the standard image data area 3 of the image reading buffer 3 is read.
is stored in a (S107). Next, the image data processing unit 4 performs coordinate conversion processing corresponding to the standard image on the standard image data stored in the standard image data area 3a, and stores the standard image data for display in the image output buffer 5. (S108). Thereafter, by steps S105 and S106,
When the standard image data for one screen is accumulated in the image output buffer 5, the standard image data is read out at the timing of the standard signal, and the game image is supplied to the monitor device as the standard signal.

As described above, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, an example has been described in which the coordinate conversion processing is performed on the standard image data and the auxiliary image data. However, for example, a horizontally long image is formed in advance without performing the reduction processing. As a result, it is possible to read out image data corresponding to a landscape image from the disk D.

Hereinafter, as a modification of the above-described embodiment, an example will be described in which a landscape image stored in an image output buffer is read out at the timing of a standard signal. In this modification, the configuration of the game machine 1 is almost the same as the example shown in FIG. 1, but the image reading buffer 3 is used as one buffer memory area, and the standard read from the disk D is used. Image data corresponding to an image or a landscape image is stored. That is, when a landscape image is formed in the above-described embodiment, the landscape image is formed by adding an auxiliary image to the standard image. However, in this modification, the field of view of the displayed image (which is wider than the standard image). A landscape image is formed by setting the field of view. That is, when a landscape image is formed, a coordinate conversion process is performed on image data in a range corresponding to a field of view in which the landscape image is formed. Accordingly, the image output buffer 5 has a capacity capable of storing, for example, horizontally long image data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 9 when the game machine 1 generates a game image in the modification. When the game is started (S201), the determination of the wide flag is performed (S202), and when it is determined that the wide flag is set to “1”, the disc D is determined.
, The image data corresponding to the landscape image is read out and stored in the image reading buffer 3 (S203). Next, the image data processing unit 4 performs required coordinate conversion processing on the image data stored in the image reading buffer 3 to generate image data for displaying a horizontally long image, and stores the image data in the image output buffer 5 (S204). ). Then, when one screen of image data is accumulated in the image output buffer 5, the image data is read out at the timing of the standard signal and supplied to the video signal generator 6 (S205), where a game image is generated from the image data. For example, a synchronization signal or the like is added and supplied to the monitor device 20 as a standard signal (S206).

As described above, the image data corresponding to the landscape image is formed and stored in the image output buffer 5, and the stored image data is read out at the timing of the standard signal. Since the image data of the area corresponding to the wide image having a wide field of view is stored as it is in the image output buffer 5 without performing the reduction processing as in the embodiment, a horizontal image having a high information density in the horizontal direction is stored in the image output buffer 5. Will be able to output. That is, by reading out the image data for displaying the horizontally long image at the timing of the standard signal, the horizontally long image data corresponding to the standard image is supplied to the video signal generation unit 6.

If it is determined in step S202 that the wide flag is set to "0", image data corresponding to a standard image is read from the disk D and stored in the image reading buffer 3 (S203). Next, the image data processing unit 4 performs required coordinate conversion processing on the image data stored in the image reading buffer 3 to generate image data for standard image display and stores the image data in the image output buffer 5 (S204). ). Thereafter, in steps S205 and S206, when one screen of standard image data is accumulated in the image output buffer 5, reading is performed at the timing of the standard signal, and the game image is supplied to the monitor device as a standard signal.

In the above-described embodiment and modified examples,
Although an example using a horizontally long screen has been described, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a vertically long screen as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10B, standard image data having an aspect ratio of 1 to horizontal C is converted to an image having an aspect ratio of 1 to vertical D (where C <D) shown in FIG. When displayed on a monitor device having a certain vertical screen, auxiliary image data corresponding to horizontal one-to-vertical (D-C), which is the remaining portion on the screen of the vertical screen, as shown in FIG. Are formed vertically as composite image data. Note that the vertical (D
The part corresponding to -C) can be set at an arbitrary position. By supplying such composite image data to the monitor device 20, the monitor device 20 controls the vertical deflection timing to extend the composite image data in the vertical direction, so that a horizontally long image without distortion can be displayed. become able to.

Also in this case, the image data processing unit 4 does not form the composite image data, but reads out the image data corresponding to the portrait image and stores it in the image output buffer 5 in the same manner as described in the above modification. The stored display image data may be output at the timing of the standard signal.

In this case, the field of view may be expanded at the upper end or the lower end of the standard image in the auxiliary image portion, or, similarly to the above embodiment, subtitles, commentary texts, chapter numbers, elapsed time, Various information such as a clock, or lyrics and song titles may be displayed.

Further, in the present embodiment and the modified example, the case where the image processing is performed by the game device 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to an image forming stage such as a television broadcast or a network line. It is.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the first aspect ratio is set to 4: 3 and the second aspect ratio is set to 16: 9 as an example. However, the present invention is applied to other aspect ratios. The present invention can also be applied to a case where image processing is performed on an image signal.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when a standard signal is displayed on a landscape screen, an image is formed by effectively using the landscape screen without distorting the image and without dropping the image. Will be able to In particular, when the present invention is applied to, for example, a game machine, the auxiliary image added to the standard image can be configured with information different from the standard image, and more information can be provided to the user at the same time. Will be able to Further, the present invention can be realized as a software function of a control system without changing a hardware configuration of a game device, a monitor device, or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of the monitor device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of composite image data composed of standard image data and auxiliary image data according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of generating horizontally long composite image data composed of standard image data and auxiliary image data according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game image according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game image according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for setting an aspect ratio of a screen of the monitor device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process performed by a control unit when an image signal corresponding to a landscape screen is generated in the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process performed by a control unit when an image signal corresponding to a landscape screen is generated according to a modified example.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of generating vertically long composite image data composed of standard image data and auxiliary image data.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a game device and a monitor device.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display mode of a landscape screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 game machine, 3 image reading buffer, 3a standard image data area, 3b auxiliary image data area, 4 image data processing section, 5 image output buffer, 6 video signal generating section, 9 control section, 10 controller, 11 separate memory, 20 monitor device, H standard image data, Hc
Reduced image data, Sa auxiliary image data, Hd composite image data, GH standard image, GSa auxiliary image, GHd
Composite image

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for generating and outputting a display image signal based on supplied image data, comprising the steps of: performing a required image processing on the image data in accordance with set aspect ratio information; Wherein the image signal for display is generated by performing the following. 2. An image processing method for generating and outputting a display image signal having a first aspect ratio based on supplied image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio, comprising: setting aspect ratio information When the first aspect ratio is set, the display image signal is generated from the image data, and when the set aspect ratio information is set to the second aspect ratio, the display image signal is generated. An image processing method, wherein a predetermined reduction process is performed by adding auxiliary image data to generate the display image signal. 3. When the aspect ratio information is a second aspect ratio, a part of superimposed image data or a part of superimposed image data superimposed on a predetermined position on the display image signal generated from the image data. 3. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein the display image signal is generated by superimposing the entirety on an area corresponding to the auxiliary image data. 4. When the set aspect ratio is 1 to 1 in the horizontal direction, a display image signal having a first aspect ratio is generated based on image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio, and the set image signal is set. The aspect ratio is 1 to vertical B (however, A <
In the case of B), the image data and the vertical one-to-horizontal (B-
The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein the display image signal in which auxiliary image data corresponding to (A) is arranged in a horizontal direction is generated. 5. When the set aspect ratio is one horizontal to one vertical C, a display image signal having a first aspect ratio is generated based on image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio, and the set image signal is set. Aspect ratio is 1 horizontal to vertical D (however, C <
In the case of D), the image data and the horizontal one-to-vertical (D-
The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein the display image signal in which auxiliary image data corresponding to (C) is arranged in a vertical direction is generated. 6. An image processing method for generating and outputting a display image signal having a first aspect ratio based on the supplied image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio, comprising: When the first aspect ratio is set, the display image signal is generated from the image data. When the set aspect ratio information is set to the second aspect ratio, the second aspect ratio is set. An image processing method, wherein a display image signal corresponding to the first aspect ratio is generated based on image data corresponding to the ratio. 7. When the aspect ratio information is a second aspect ratio, part or all of superimposed image data to be superimposed on the display image signal having the first aspect ratio, 7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the display image signal corresponding to the second aspect ratio is superimposed on an image area not corresponding to the display image signal having the first aspect ratio. . 8. When the set aspect ratio is one to one in the vertical direction, a display image signal having a first aspect ratio is generated based on image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is 1 to vertical B (however, A <
In the case of B), the image data and the vertical one-to-horizontal (B-
The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the display image signal in which auxiliary image data corresponding to (A) is arranged in a horizontal direction is generated. 9. When the set aspect ratio is one horizontal to one vertical C, a display image signal having a first aspect ratio is generated based on image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio, and the set image signal is set. Aspect ratio is 1 horizontal to vertical D (however, C <
In the case of D), the image data and the horizontal one-to-vertical (D-
7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the display image signal in which auxiliary image data corresponding to C) is arranged in a vertical direction is generated. 10. A recording medium for use in an image processing system including a control unit for generating and outputting a display image signal based on supplied image data, according to set aspect ratio information. A recording medium on which is recorded an operation program which specifies an instruction operation for generating the display image signal by performing required image processing on the image data. 11. An image processing system comprising a control unit for generating and outputting a display image signal having a first aspect ratio based on supplied image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio. As a recording medium, when the set aspect ratio information is the first aspect ratio, the display image signal is generated from the image data, and the set aspect ratio information is set as the second aspect ratio. In the case where an instruction program for adding auxiliary image data to the image data and performing a predetermined reduction process to generate the display image signal is recorded, an operation program that defines to the control means is recorded. Recording medium characterized by the following. 12. An image processing system comprising a control unit for generating and outputting a display image signal having a first aspect ratio based on the supplied image data corresponding to the first aspect ratio. As a recording medium, when the set aspect ratio information is the first aspect ratio, the display image signal is generated from the image data, and the set aspect ratio information is set as the second aspect ratio. If the operation program defines an instruction operation for generating a display image signal corresponding to the first aspect ratio based on the image data corresponding to the second aspect ratio to the control means, A recording medium characterized by being recorded. 13. An image data capable of forming at least a display image signal having a first aspect ratio, and a display image signal having a second aspect ratio by being added to the image data. A recording medium on which auxiliary image data is recorded.