United S ta tes Pa tent [ 1 9 1 [ 1 1 ] Pa tent N u m b er : 4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2

Oka da [ 4 5 ] D a te o f Pa tent: Ma r . 2 1 , 1 9 8 9
[ 5 4 ] VID EO TARGET CON TROL AN D S EN S IN G
CIRCUIT FOR PHOTOS EN S ITIVE GUN OTHER PUBLICATION S
Ata r i, Inc ., Ou tl a w - Op er a tio n, Ma intena nc e, a nd S er v ic e
. Ma nu a l , 1 9 76 . ,
[ 75 ] Inv ento r ' S a to r u Oka da Os a ka J a p a n Ata r i, Inc ., Q w a k S er v ic e Inf o r m a tio n ( PCB Lo g ic ) .
Ata r i, Inc ., Q w a k- Op er a tio n & Ma intena nc e l l l a nu a l ,
[ 73 ] As s ig nee: N intendo Co ., Ltd., K y o to , J a p a n 1 9 74 _
Pr im a r y Ex a m iner - - Ma r y a nn La s to v a
[ 2 1 ] APPL N OJ 6 9 , 8 0 1 Atto r ney , Ag ent, o r Fir m - La r r y A. J a c ks o n
. [ 5 7] ABS TRACT
[ 2 2 ] Fil ed: J u n. 1 0 , 1 9 8 7 _ _ , , _ ,
A tel ev is io n g a m e a p p a r a tu s a c c o r ding to th is inv entio n
r ea ds w h ite p ic tu r e da ta f r o m a p r o g r a m ROM ( 6 ) to
Rel a ted US _ Ap p l ic a tio n D a ta tr a ns f er it to a v ideo RAM ( 8 ) a nd dis p l a y s , o n a tel ev i
_ _ s io n m o nito r ( 1 1 ) , th e w h ite p ic tu r e da ta , to g eth er w ith
[ 6 3 ] Co ntinu a tio n o f S er . N o . 76 4 , 2 1 1 , Au g . 9 , 1 9 8 5 , a b a n- ta r g et o r o th er da ta r ea d f r o m a Ch a r a c ter ROM ( 9 ) _
do ned' Wh en a p is to l ( 4 ) is l ev el ed a t a ta r g et o n th e s c r een o f
th e tel ev is io n m o nito r ( 1 1 ) a nd th e tr ig g er is p u l l ed, a
[ 5 1 ] Int. Cl . .............................................. .. A6 3 F 9 /2 2 s w itc h ( 4 4 ) is c l o s ed to p r o du c e a tr ig g er s ig na l , o n th e
[ 5 2 ] US . Cl . .................................. .. 2 73 /3 1 2 ; 2 73 /3 1 3 ; b a s is o f w h ic h b l a c k p ic tu r e da ta is r ea d f r o m th e p r o
2 73 /D IG. 2 8 ; 4 3 4 /2 0 ; 4 3 4 /2 2 ; 3 4 0 /70 8 ; g r a m ROM ( 6 ) a nd dis p l a y ed o n th e tel ev is io n m o nito r
3 8 2 /5 9 ( 1 1 ) . Im m edia tel y a f ter th e b l a c k p ic tu r e w a s dis p l a y ed,
[ 5 8 ] Fiel d o f S ea r c h ............................. .. 3 4 0 /70 8 , 70 7; th e w h ite p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed in th e nex t f r a m e in th e
2 73 /3 1 0 - 3 1 3 , D IG. 2 8 , 1 E, 8 5 G; 4 3 4 /3 0 7, p o s itio n w h er e th e ta r g et w a s dis p l a y ed j u s t b ef o r e
3 2 3 , 3 2 7, 2 0 , 2 1 , 2 2 , 4 3 ; 2 3 5 /4 71 ; 3 8 2 /1 0 , 5 9 a nd/o r a r o u nd th e p er ip h er y th er eo f . Th e l ig h t f r o m
th is w h ite p ic tu r e is detec ted b y a p h o to tr a ns is to r ( 4 1 ) ,
. w h o s e detec tio n s ig na l , w h en ex tr a c ted b y a ? l ter ( 4 5 ,
[ 5 6 ] Ref er enc es Cited 4 6 ) , is u s ed a s a detec tio n s ig na l f r o m th e ta r g et. Th u s ,
U.S . PATEN T D OCUMEN TS th er e is no da ng er o f m is ta king th e l ig h t f r o m a n il l u m i
4 , 2 4 3 , 9 72 l /1 9 8 1 To u s s a int .......................... .. 3 4 0 /70 7 "a m t f r th e 1 1 g b f r m th e ta r g et
4 , 3 2 9 , 6 8 4 5 /1 9 8 2 Mo ntea th et a l , .... .. 3 4 0 /70 7
4 , 3 9 5 , 0 4 5 7/ 1 9 8 3 Ba er .................................. .. 2 73 /3 1 2 8 Cl a im s , 7 D r a w ing S h eets
[ Q
_ 5 _ _ f ie
L CIRCUIT l GEN ERATl N G Cl RCUl T "
1 /3 1 0 a 1 0 b 1 1
c P U S S Y ES Z S Q N IZ IN G - Mix m o Z S D ULATIN G . TELEVl S l ON
GEN ERATOR CIRCUIT CIRCUIT . MON ITOR
E "- ' "1 '
H H i
I r ._ - _ .- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -
t l M M FL] t 6 7. ' 9
] _ _ m I/o w o a x m o v l D EO PROGRAM CHARACTER
V IN TERFACE ' RAM RAM l ROM ROM ' I
' l l i l _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 i
] s 7 s l _ _ ._ ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ j
US . Pa tent Ma r . 2 1 , 1 9 8 9 S h eet 2 0 f 7 4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
F1 6 2
S IGN AL
FIG. 3
1 OOK Hz >
IOK HZ
.PD Q PD O
m w ES a 2 <
V 1
FREQ UEN CY
Pa tent Ma r . 2 1 , 1 9 8 9
IN S TRUCTION
IN S TRUCTION
IN S TRUCTION
IN S TRUCTION
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
S h eet 3 0 f 7
FIG. 4
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
D ATA
N C
FIG. 5
REGIS TER
COUN TER - /"72
PROGRAM COUN TER
POIN TER
BLAN K - ON FLAG
/- 75
TRIGGER FLAG
N MI FLAG
I
MIS S FLAG
HIT FLAG
f 79
4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
US . Pa tent Ma r . 2 1 , 1 9 8 9 ' S h eet 4 o f 7 4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
FIG. 6
V- BLAN K
v I D EO S IGN AL ,
N MI S TART
FIG.7 FIGS
MAIN Ro u TIN E ( , TRAN S FER )
S P1
S PII
CLEAR RAM S ETAD D RES S
l {S P2 OF v - RAM
IN ITIALIZ E V_ RAM /S P1 2
l ' - - - < - POIN TER
PERFORM GAME "5 P3 S P1 3
MAIN PROCES S POIN TER
l +1
, S PA
PIS TOL 5 PM
L AD D +1 To
f S PS v - RAM AD D RES S
HIT PROCES S .
l /S P6
MIS S PROCES S WHOLE PICTURE
TRAN S FERRED
S P1 5
US . Pa tent Ma r . 2 1 , 1 9 8 9
F1 ( 3 . 8
( N MI ROUTIN E
S h eet 5 0 f 7
4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
S P1 6
IS
TRIGGER
PULLED
S P 7
s Av E IN
REGIS TER
S P8 S ET
/ TRIGGER FLAG
S AVE 1 N
PROGRAM
COUN TER f s p w
s ET N W
A
S P9 FL 6
BLAN K - ON /S P1 9
FLAG S ET S m RETURN
( ' REGl s TER
TRAN S FER /S P2 O
D ATA To v - RAM
RETURN
RES ET PROGRAM
BLAN K - ON FLAG COUN TER
S P2 2 '
/ @
CLEAR
v - RAM
U.S . Pa tentv Ma r . 2 1 , 1 9 8 9 S h eet 6 0 f 7 4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
FIG. 1 0 A
S P2 3
TRIGGER
FLAG S ET
?
Y ES S PZ A
/
RES ET IN CID EN T
TRIGGER FLAG 5 p 3 1
I, /S P2 5
S ET BLAN K - ON PS FJ TER
FLAG
N MI FLAG
S ET COUN TER
( N < - D ATA )
I /S P2 8
RES ET '
N MI FLAG
/S P2 9
S ET PICTURE
D ATA POIN TER
L_ _ _ _ _ _
Pa tent Ma r . 2 1 , 1 9 8 9 S h eet 7 o f 7 4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
FIG.1 OB '
Q 9
S ET N EXT D ATA _ /S P3 4 .
1 N POIN TER
T
D ECREMEN T - / S P3 5
COUN TER( N ) = N "1
s Pm
/
RES ET
N M] FLAG
S P4 2
/ T
S ET MIS S FLAG
s p a s
/
RES ET
N MI FLAG
; f s p a s
S ET Hl T
FLAG( F) "' ( N )
( a ) ,
( RETURN )
4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
1
VID EO TARGET CON TROL AN D S EN S IN G
CIRCUIT FOR PHOTOS EN S ITIVE GUN
Th is is a c o ntinu a tio n a p p l ic a tio n b a s ed in p r io r c o
p ending a p p l ic a tio n S er . N o . 76 4 , 2 1 1 ? l ed Au g . 9 , 1 9 8 5
f o r v ideo ta r g et c o ntr o l a nd s ens ing c ir c u it f o r p h o to
s ens itiv e g u n, no w a b a ndo ned.
BACK GROUN D OF THE IN VEN TION
l . Fiel d o f th e Inv entio n
Th is inv entio n r el a tes to a tel ev is io n g a m e a p p a r a tu s .
Mo r e p a r tic u l a r l y , it r el a tes to a tel ev is io n g a m e a p p a r a
tu s a da p ted to b e enj o y ed b y a p l a y er w h o l ev el s a g u n
a t a ta r g et dis p l a y ed o n th e s c r een o f a tel ev is io n m o ni
to r o r CRT dis p l a y a nd p u l l s th e tr ig g er , h is s c o r e b eing
inc r ea s ed w h en h e s u c c eeds in h itting o r s h o o ting do w n
th e ta r g et.
2 . D es c r ip tio n o f th e Pr io r Ar t
Th er e h a s b een kno w n a tel ev is io n g a m e a p p a r a tu s
a da p ted to b e enj o y ed b y a p l a y er w h o l ev el s a p is to l a t
a ta r g et dis p l a y ed o n a tel ev is io n m o nito r a nd p u l l s th e
tr ig g er , h is s c o r e b eing inc r ea s ed w h en h e s u c c eeds in
h itting o r s h o o ting do w n th e ta r g et. In s u c h tel ev is io n
g a m e a p p a r a tu s , w h en th e tr ig g er o n th e p is to l is p u l l ed,
a tr ig g er s ig na l is p r o du c ed a nd th e l ig h t f r o m th e ta r g et
o n th e s c r een o f th e tel ev is io n m o nito r is detec ted b y a
p h o to el ec tr ic el em ent b u il t in th e p is to l .
In s u c h tel ev is io n g a m e a p p a r a tu s , h o w ev er , ev en if
th e tr ig g er is p u l l ed w h il e l ev el ing th e p is to l no t a t th e
ta r g et o n th e tel ev is io n m o nito r b u t a t s u c h a n il l u m ina
to r a t a ? u o r es c ent l a m p , th er e is a r is k o f th e p h o to el ec
tn' c el em ent r ec eiv ing th e l ig h t f r o m th e il l u m ina to r a nd
th er eb y p r o du c ing a f a l s e detec tio n s ig na l .
Th u s , in th e p a s t, to p r ev ent th e s c o r e f r o m b eing
inc r ea s ed b y a detec tio n s ig na l b a s ed o n th e l ig h t f r o m
a n il l u m ina to r , it h a s b een c o m m o n p r a c tic e to p r o v ide
a ? l ter w h ic h a l l o w s p a s s a g e o f o nl y a detec tio n s ig na l
b a s ed o n th e l ig h t f r o m th e ta r g et dis p l a y ed o n th e
tel ev is io n m o nito r s c r een. Th is m a kes it p o s s ib l e to
detec t o nl y th e detec tio n s ig na l b a s ed o n th e l ig h t f r o m
th e tel ev is io n m o nito r s c r een, a nd o n th e b a s is o f th is
detec tio n s ig na l th e s c o r e is inc r ea s ed. Ho w ev er , in
s p ite o f s u c h m ea s u r es ta ken, s o m e il l u m ina to r s em it
l ig h t w h ic h h a s a w a v el eng th c l o s e to th a t o f th e l ig h t
f r o m th e tel ev is io n s c r een; th u s , th e m er e p r o v is io n o f
th e s a id ? l ter h a s no t b een s u f f ic ient to el im ina te th e
dr a w b a c k.
S UMMARY OF THE IN VEN TION
Ac c o r ding l y , a p r im a r y o b j ec t o f th is inv entio n is to
p r o v ide a tel ev is io n g a m e a p p a r a tu s a da p ted to o b ta in
o nl y a detec tio n s ig na l b a s ed o n th e l ig h t f r o m a ta r g et
o n a tel ev is io n m o nito r s c r een a nd inc r ea s e th e s c o r e b y
s a id detec tio n s ig na l .
In b r ief , th e inv entio n r es ides in p r o du c ing a tr ig g er
s ig na l in r es p o ns e to a m a nu a l o p er a tio n, dis p l a y ing a
b l a c k p ic tu r e o n a tel ev is io n m o nito r s c r een f o r a p r ede
ter m ined s h o r t p er io d o f tim e in r es p o ns e to s a id tr ig g er
s ig na l , dis p l a y ing a w h ite p ic tu r e a s a m o c k ta r g et in a
p o s itio n w h er e a ta r g et w a s dis p l a y ed j u s t b ef o r e o r
a r o u nd th e p er ip h er y th er eo f u p o n th e l a p s e o f s a id
tim e, detec ting th e l ig h t f r o m th e w h ite p ic tu r e u p o n
th e l a p s e o f th e b l a c k p ic tu r e dis p l a y p er io d a f ter th e
tr ig g er s ig na l h a s b een p r o du c ed, ex tr a c ting th e s ig na l
w h ic h is r el a ted to th e tel ev is io n s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l
f r o m a m o ng th e detec tio n s ig na l s , a nd u s ing s a id s ig na l
a s a detec tio n s ig na l f r o m th e ta r g et.
5
2 0
4 0
5 0
5 5
6 5
2
Th er ef o r e, a c c o r ding to th is inv entio n, th e l ig h t f r o m
th e w h ite p ic tu r e is detec ted u p o n c h a ng e f r o m b l a c k to
w h ite p ic tu r e a nd a s ig na l p r o du c ed th r o u g h a f il ter
f r o m th e detec tio n s ig na l is u s ed a s a detec tio n s ig na l
f r o m th e ta r g et. As a r es u l t, it is p o s s ib l e to el im ina te th e
r is k o f detec ting th e l ig h t f r o m a n il l u m ina to r in m is
ta ken f o r th e l ig h t f r o m th e ta r g et.
In a p r ef er r ed em b o dim ent o f th is inv entio n, da ta
c o r r es p o nding to ea c h o f th e dif f er ent s c r een r eg io ns o n
a tel ev is io n m o nito r s c r een is s to r ed, a nd ea c h tim e a
detec tio n s ig na l f r o m th e ta r g et is ex tr a c ted, th e da ta
c o r r es p o nding to th e a s s o c ia ted s c r een r eg io n is r ea d
a nd a w h ite p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed in th e c o r r es p o nding
s c r een r eg io n b a s ed o n th e da ta .
Th er ef o r e, a c c o r ding to a p r ef er r ed em b o dim ent o f
th e inv entio n, a p l u r a l ity o f ta r g ets a nd b a c kg r o u nd
p ic tu r es c a n b e s im u l ta neo u s l y dis p l a y ed in s c r een r e
g io ns in th e s a m e f r a m e a nd th e l ig h t f r o m a w h ite
p ic tu r e dis p l a y ed in ea c h s c r een r eg io n c a n b e detec ted.
Fu r th er , in a p r ef er r ed em b o dim ent o f th is inv entio n,
b y c h a ng ing th e b l a c k o r w h ite p ic tu r e w ith in th e v er ti
c a l b l a nking p er io d o f th e tel ev is io n s y nc h r o nizing s ig
na l , it is p o s s ib l e to p r ev ent no is e p r o du c ed du r ing
c h a ng ing f r o m a p p ea r ing o n th e tel ev is io n m o nito r
s c r een.
Th es e o b j ec t a nd o th er o b j ec ts , f ea tu r es , a s p ec ts a nd
a dv a nta g es o f th e p r es ent inv entio n w il l b ec o m e m o r e
a p p a r ent f r o m th e f o l l o w ing deta il ed des c r ip tio n o f th e
p r es ent inv entio n w h en ta ken in c o nj u nc tio n w ith th e
a c c o m p a ny ing dr a w ing s .
BRIEF D ES CRIPTION OF THE D RAWIN GS
FIG. 1 is a s c h em a tic b l o c k dia g r a m o f a n em b o di
m ent o f th is inv entio n;
FIG. 2 is a n el ec tr ic c ir c u it dia g r a m o f a l ig h t r ec eiv
ing c ir c u it inc l u ded in a p is to l s h o w n in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a g r a p h s h o w ing th e f r eq u enc y c h a r a c ter is
tic o f th e l ig h t r ec eiv ing c ir c u it s h o w n in FIG. 2 ;
FIG. 4 is a dia g r a m s h o w ing a n ex a m p l e o f a p r o g r a m
s to r ed in a p r o g r a m ROM s h o w n in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 5 is a dia g r a m s h o w ing a n ex a m p l e o f th e c o n
tents s to r ed in a w o r king RAM s h o w n in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 6 is a w a v ef o r m dia g r a m o f a tel ev is io n s y n
c h r o nizing s ig na l ;
FIG. 7 is a ? o w c h a r t, p a r tic u l a r l y a m a in r o u tine, f o r
ex p l a ining th e o p er a tio n o f a n em b o dim ent o f th is in
v entio n;
FIG. 8 is a dia g r a m s h o w ing a n N MI r o u tine;
FIG. 9 is a dia g r a m s h o w ing a tr a ns f er r o u tine; a nd
FIGS . 1 0 A a nd 1 0 B a r e dia g r a m s s h o w ing a p is to l
p r o c es s r o u tine.
D ES CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBOD IMEN T
FIG. 1 is a s c h em a tic b l o c k dia g r a m o f a n em b o di
m ent o f th is inv entio n; FIG. 2 is a n el ec tr ic c ir c u it dia
g r a m o f a l ig h t r ec eiv ing c ir c u it inc l u ded in a p is to l ;
FIG. 3 is a g r a p h s h o w ing th e f r eq u enc y c h a r a c ter is tic
o f th e l ig h t r ec eiv ing c ir c u it s h o w n in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 is
a dia g r a m s h o w ing a n ex a m p l e o f a p r o g r a m s to r ed in a
p r o g r a m ROM s h o w n in FIG. 1 ; a nd FIG. 5 is a dia
g r a m s h o w ing th e c o ntents s to r ed in a w o r king RAM
s h o w n in FIG. 1 .
Fir s t, r ef er r ing to FIGS . 1 th r o u g h 5 , th e a r r a ng e
m ent o f a n em b o dim ent o f th is inv entio n w il l b e de
s c r ib ed. Ref er r ing to FIG. 1 , h o u s ed in a m a in b o dy 2 0
in th e f o r m o f a b o x a r e a CPU 1 , a n o s c il l a ting c ir c u it
2 , a s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l g ener a to r 3 , a n I/O inter f a c e
4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
3
5 , a p r o g r a m ROM, a w o r king RAM 7, a v ideo RAM 8 ,
a c h a r a c ter ROM 9 , a nd a v ideo s ig na l g ener a ting c ir
c u it 1 0 . Co nnec ted to th e m a in b o dy 2 0 a r e a p is to l 4
a nd a tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 . Mo r e p r ef er a b l y , p a r tic u
l a r l y in th e c a s e w h er e th is inv entio n is a p p l ied to a
h o m e tel ev is io n g a m e a p p a r a tu s u s ing a h o m e tel ev is io n
s et a s a m o nito r , th e p r o g r a m ROM 6 a nd c h a r a c ter
ROM 9 a r e h o u s ed in a s ing l e ROM c a r tr idg e, w h ic h is
th en r em o v a b l y ins ta l l ed in th e m a in b o dy 2 0 . With th is
a r r a ng em ent, s im p l y b y ex c h a ng ing th e ROM c a r ~
tr idg e, th e m a in b o dy 2 0 c a n b e u s ed f o r a p l u r a l ity o f
g a m es .
Th e o s c il l a ting c ir c u it 2 a s s o c ia ted w ith th e CPU 1
s er v es to g ener a te tim ing s ig na l s in th e CPU 1 a nd h o r i
zo nta l a nd v er tic a l s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l s f r o m th e s y n
c h r o nizing s ig na l g ener a to r 3 . Th u s , th e s y nc h r o nizing
s ig na l g ener a to r 3 r ec eiv es th e o s c il l a tio n o u tp u t f r o m
th e o s c il l a ting c ir c u it 2 a nd g ener a tes h o r izo nta l a nd
v er tic a l s ig na l s , w h ic h a r e th en im p a r ted to th e CPU 1
a nd v ideo s ig na l g ener a ting c ir c u it 1 0 . Th e v ideo s ig na l
g ener a ting c ir c u it 1 0 inc l u des a m ix ing c ir c u it 1 0 0 a nd
a n RF m o du l a ting c ir c u it 1 0 b . In th e c a s e w h er e th is
inv entio n is a p p l ied to a c o m m er c ia l v ideo g a m e a p p a
r a tu s , th e RF m o du l a ting c ir c u it 1 0 b is u nnec es s a r y .
Co nnec ted to th e CPU 1 th r o u g h a da ta b u s a nd a n
a ddr es s b u s a r e th e I/O inter f a c e 5 , p r o g r a m ROM 6 ,
w o r king RAM 7 a nd v ideo RAM 8 . A detec tio n s ig na l
a nd a tr ig g er s ig na l f r o m th e p is to l 4 w il l b e im p a r ted to
th e I/O inter f a c e 5 .
A l ig h t r ec eiv ing c ir c u it a s s h o w n in FIG. 2 is b u il t in
th e p is to l 4 . Th e l ig h t r ec eiv ing c ir c u it c o m p r is es a
p h o to tr a ns is to r 4 1 , a tr a ns is to r 4 2 f o r m ing a n a m p l if y
ing c ir c u it, a c a p a c ito r 4 5 a nd a c o il 4 6 w h ic h f o r m a
? l ter , a N AN D g a te 4 3 f o r m ing a w a v ef o r m s h a p ing
c ir c u it, a nd a s w itc h 4 4 f o r p r o du c ing a tr ig g er s ig na l
w h en th e tr ig g er o n th e p is to l is p u l l ed. Th e p h o to tr a n
s is to r 4 1 s er v es to detec t th e l ig h t f r o m a ta r g et o n th e
tel ev is io n s c r een to c o nv er t it to a n el ec tr ic s ig na l , th e
o u tp u t f r o m s a id p h o to tr a ns is to r 4 1 b eing a m p l i? ed b y
th e tr a ns is to r 4 2 , a nd o nl y th e detec tio n s ig na l w h ic h
c o r r es p o nds to th e h o r izo nta l o s c il l a tio n f r eq u enc y in
th e tel ev is io n s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l is ex tr a c ted b y th e
? l ter f o r m ed o f th e c a p a c ito r 4 5 a nd c o il 4 6 , th e o th er
f r eq u enc y c o m p o nents b eing a ttenu a ted. Th er ef o r e, th e
detec tio n s ig na l p a s s ing th r o u g h th e ? l ter c ir c u it h a s a
f r eq u enc y c h a r a c ter is tic s h o w n in FIG. 3 . And th e
detec tio n s ig na l is m o di? ed in w a v ef o r m b y th e N AN D
g a te 4 3 to p r o v ide a p u l s e s ig na l , w h ic h is th en im p a r ted
a s a detec tio n s ig na l to th e a f o r es a id I/O inter f a c e 5 .
Fu r th er , w h en th e tr ig g er o n th e p is to l 4 is p u l l ed, th e
s w itc h 4 4 is c l o s ed to im p a r t a tr ig g er s ig na l to th e I/O
inter f a c e 5 .
Ref er r ing a g a in to FIG. 1 , th e p r o g r a m ROM 6
s er v es to s to r e a l l th e p r o g r a m nec es s a r y f o r th e CPU 1
to do th e p r o c es s ing f o r a tel ev is io n g a m e a nd it in
c l u des , f o r ex a m p l e a s s h o w n in FIG. 4 , a s to r ing r eg io n
6 1 f o r s to r ing v a r io u s ins tr u c tio ns , a s to r ing r eg io n 6 2
f o r s to r ing p ic tu r e da ta in th e g a m e, a nd s to r ing r eg io ns
6 3 th r o u g h 6 5 f o r s to r ing 3 p iec es o f w h ite p ic tu r e da ta
f o r tu r ning 3 ta r g ets into w h ite m o c k ta r g et, p ic tu r e in
th e c a s e w h er e o ne p ic tu r e h a s 3 ta r g ets . Th u s , if ta r g et
p o s itio ns a r e s et a t u p p er l ef t, u p p er r ig h t a nd l o w er l ef t
o n th e tel ev is io n s c r een, w h ite p ic tu r e da ta a , b a nd c
a r e s to r ed c o r r es p o nding l y th er eto . Ea c h w h ite p ic tu r e
da ta is s to r ed u s ing 4 b y tes to r ep r es ent s ta r t a nd end
a ddr es s es in th e h o r izo nta l dir ec tio n o f th e w h ite p ic
tu r e to b e dis p l a y ed a nd s ta r t a nd end a ddr es s es in th e
v er tic a l dir ec tio n. In a dditio n, th e r ea s o n w h y a m o c k
1 0
2 5
4 0
4 5
5 5
6 0
6 5
4
ta r g et is s h o w n b y a w h ite p ic tu r e is th a t w h en th e l ig h t
r ec eiv ing c ir c u it s h o w n in FIG. 2 detec ts th e l ig h t f r o m
th e tel ev is io n s c r een, th e h ig h es t ef ? c ienc y c a n b e a t
ta ined b y detec ting a w h ite p ic tu r e.
Th e w o r king RAM 7 s h o w n in FIG. 1 inc l u des s to r
ing r eg io ns 71 th r o u g h 79 , a s s h o w n in FIG. 5 . Th e
s to r ing r eg io ns 71 is u s ed a s a r eg is ter , th e s to r ing r eg io n
72 a s a c o u nter , th e s to r ing r eg io n 73 a s a p r o g r a m
c o u nter , a nd th e s to r ing r eg io n 74 is u s ed a s a p o inter .
Fu r th er , th e s to r ing r eg io n 75 is u s ed to s to r e a b l a nk- o n
? a g , th e s to r ing r eg io n 76 a tr ig g er f l a g , th e s to r ing
r eg io n 77 a n N MI f l a g , th e s to r ing r eg io n 78 a m is s f l a g ,
a nd th e s to r ing r eg io n 79 is u s ed to s to r e a h it f l a g .
Th e RAM 8 h a s s to r ing r eg io ns c o r r es p o nding to
p ic tu r e el em ents o n th e tel ev is io n s c r een, a nd w h ite
p ic tu r e da ta a th r o u g h c s h o w n in FIG. 4 a r e w r itten
th er eto . Th e da ta w r itten to th e v ideo RAM 8 a r e r ea d
o n ins tr u c tio n f r o m th e CPU 1 a nd im p a r ted to th e
c h a r a c ter ROM 9 . Th e c h a r a c ter ROM 9 is u s ed to
s to r e th er ein in a dv a nc e ta r g ets , b a c kg r o u nds a nd o th er
c h a r a c ter s w h ic h a p p ea r o n th e tel ev is io n. D a ta in th e
c h a r a c ter ROM 9 is r ea d o n ins tr u c tio ns f r o m th e CPU
1 ; th u s , to g eth er w ith a ny o f th e w h ite p ic tu r e da ta a
th r o u g h b r ea d f r o m th e v ideo RAM 8 , ta r g ets , b a c k
g r o u nds a nd o th er c h a r a c ter s a r e r ea d a nd im p a r ted to
th e v ideo s ig na l g ener a ting c ir c u it 1 0 . Th e v ideo s ig na l
g ener a ting c ir c u it 1 0 c o nv er ts a s ig na l r ea d f r o m th e
c h a r a c ter ROM 9 to a tel ev is io n s ig na l o n th e b a s is o f
h o r izo nta l a nd v er tic a l s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l s del iv er ed
f r o m th e s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l g ener a to r 3 a nd im p a r ts it
to th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 .
FIG. 6 is a w a v ef o r m dia g r a m o f a tel ev is io n s y n
c h r o nizing s ig na l , a nd FIGS . 7 th r o u g h 1 0 B a r e f l o w
c h a r ts f o r ex p l a ining a n em b o dim ent o f th is inv entio n.
FIG. 7 s h o w s a m a in r o u tine; FIG. 8 s h o w s a n N MI
r o u tine; FIG. 9 s h o w s a tr a ns f er r o u tine; a nd FIGS .
1 0 A a nd 1 0 B s h o w a p is to l r o u tine.
Ref er r ing to FIGS . 1 th r o u g h 1 0 3 , th e o p er a tio n o f
a n em b o dim ent o f th e inv entio n w il l no w b e des c r ib ed.
Fir s t, w h en th e p o w er is tu r ned o n, th e CPU 1 p r o c eeds
to th e m a in r o u tine s h o w n in FIG. 7. At s tep ( a b b r ev i
a ted to S P in th e ? g u r es ) S P 1 , th e v ideo RAM 8 is
c l ea r ed a nd a t s tep S P 2 th e r eg is ter s in th e CPU 1 a r e
initia l ized. Th a t is , th e p r edeter m ined da ta p r ec eding
th e s ta r t o f th e g a m e is w r itten to th e RAMs 7 a nd 8 . At
s tep S P 3 , th e m a in p r o c es s f o r dis p l a y ing th e c o ntents
o f th e g a m e inc l u ding th e titl e o n th e tel ev is io n m o nito r
1 1 is p er f o r m ed. At s tep S P 4 , th e p is to l p r o c es s r o u tine
s h o w n in FIG. 9 is ex ec u ted a nd a t s tep S P 5 th e h it
p r o c es s a s s o c ia ted w ith h itting th e ta r g et is p er f o r m ed,
w h il e a t s tep S P 6 th e m is s - p r o c es s ing a s s o c ia ted w ith
m is s ing th e ta r g et is p er f o r m ed.
Th is w il l no w b e des c r ib ed in m o r e deta il . Wh en th e
CPU 1 r ec eiv es a v er tic a l s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l f r o m th e
s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l g ener a to r 3 , it ex ec u tes th e N MI
r o u tine s h o w n in FIG. 8 w ith th e tim ing o f th e f r o nt
edg e in a v er tic a l b l a nking p er io d ( V - BLAN K ) s h o w n
in FIG. 6 . Th a t is , in o r der th a t th e CPU 1 m a y r etu r n
to th e p r o c es s j u s t p r io r to enter ing th e N MI r o u tine
a f ter it h a s ex ec u ted th e N MI r o u tine b y inter r u p tio n,
th e CPU 1 s a v es th e p r ec eding da ta in th e r eg is ter 71 a t
s tep S P 7 a nd s a v es th e p r ec eding a ddr es s in th e p r o
g r a m c o u nter 73 a t s tep S P 8 . At s tep S P 9 , it dec ides
w h eth er o r no t th e b l a nk- o n ? a g 75 is s et. In th e initia l
s ta te, th e b l a nk- o n f l a g 75 is no t s et, s o th a t th e CPU 1
g o es to s tep S P 1 0 , enter ing th e r o u tine f o r tr a ns f er r ing
da ta to th e v ideo RAM 8 in FIG. 9 .
4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
5
At s tep S P 1 1 o f th e tr a ns f er r o u tine s h o w n in FIG. 9 ,
th e CPU 1 des ig na tes th e a ddr es s o f th e v ideo RAM 8 .
At s tep S P 1 2 , it tr a ns f er s to th e v ideo RAM 8 th e ? r s t
da ta inc l u ded in th e w h ite p ic tu r e da ta a in th e s to r ing
r eg io n 6 3 des ig na ted b y th e p o inter 74 in th e p r o g r a m
da ta des c r ib ed a b o v e w ith r ef er enc e to FIG. 4 . S u b s e
q u entl y , a t s tep S P 1 3 , it a dds +1 to th e p o inter 74 a nd
a t s tep S P 1 4 it a dds +1 to th e a ddr es s o f th e v ideo
RAM 8 . At s tep S P 1 5 it dec ides w h eth er o r no t a l l th e
w h ite p ic tu r e da ta s to r ed in th e s to r ing r eg io n 6 3 o f th e
p r o g r a m ROM 6 h a s b een tr a ns f er r ed. If it h a s no t b een
tr a ns f er r ed, th e CPU 1 tr a ns f er s th e nex t da ta in th e
s to r ing r eg io n 6 3 des ig na ted b y th e p o inter 74 to th e
v ideo RAM 8 . Rep ea ting th is o p er a tio n, it tr a ns f er s a l l
th e w h ite p ic tu r e da ta s to r ed in th e s to r ing r eg io n 6 3 o f
th e p r o g r a m ROM 6 to th e v ideo RAM 8 , p r o c eeding
a g a in to th e N MI r o u tine 1 s h o w n in FIG. 8 .
Th e N MI r o u tine is inter r u p ta b l e w ith o u t b eing l im
ited b y th e p r o g r a m ; it c a n b e inter r u p ted o nc e f o r ea c h
f r a m e, th a t is , it c a n b e inter r u p ted o nc e du r ing th e tim e
b etw een tw o s u c c es s iv e v er tic a l b l a nking s ig na l s .
In th e N MI r o u tine, a t s tep S P 1 6 th e CPU 1 dec ides
w h eth er o r no t a tr ig g er s ig na l r es u l ting f r o m p u l l ing
th e tr ig g er h a s b een inp u tted f r o m th e p is to l 4 th r o u g h
th e I/O inter f a c e 5 . If it h a s no t b een inp u tted, th e CPU
1 , a t s tep S P 1 8 , s ets th e N MI ? a g 77. If it h a s b een
inp u tted, th e CPU 1 , a t s tep S P 1 7, s ets th e tr ig g er ? a g
76 a nd th en it s ets th e N MI ? a g 77. At s tep S P 1 9 , th e
CPU 1 r etu r ns th e r eg is ter a nd a t s tep S P 2 0 it r etu r ns
th e p r o g r a m c o u nter 73 , r etu r ning to th e m a in r o u tine
s h o w n in FIG. 7.
In th e m a in r o u tine, th e CPU 1 g o es to th e p is to l
p r o c es s r o u tine s h o w n in FIGS . 1 0 A a nd 1 0 B o n th e
b a s is o f a tr ig g er s ig na l b eing inp u tted b y th e c l o s ing o f
th e s w itc h 4 4 c a u s ed b y p u l l ing th e tr ig g er o n th e p is to l
4 , b ec a u s e o f th e nec es s ity o f detec ting th e l ig h t f r o m
th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 w ith th a t tim ing . In th e p is to l
p r o c es s r o u tine, a t s tep S P 2 3 th e CPU 1 dec ides
w h eth er o r no t th e tr ig g er ? a g 76 h a s b een s et. If it h a s
no t b een s et, th e CPU 1 g o es to th e m a in r o u tine to
p er f o r m th e h it p r o c es s . If th e tr ig g er ? a g h a s b een s et,
th e CPU 1 , a t s tep S P 2 4 , r es ets th e tr ig g er ? a g 76 a nd
a t s tep S P 2 5 it s ets th e b l a nk- o n ? a g 75 f o r r em em b er
ing to s h if t th e s c r een o f th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 to a
b l a c k p ic tu r e. S u b s eq u entl y , a t s tep S P 2 6 , it dec ides
w h eth er o r no t th e N MI ? a g h a s b een s et, s o a s to detec t
th e s ta r t o f th e v er tic a l b l a nking p er io d. Af ter th is de
tec tio n, a b l a c k p ic tu r e c o r r es p o nding to 1 f r a m e in th e
tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 s ta r ts to a p p ea r .
At s tep S P 2 7, th e nu m b er o f ta r g ets w h ic h a p p ea r in
1 p ic tu r e, 3 in th is em b o dim ent, is s et in th e c o u nter
72 . Th er ea f ter , a t s tep S P 2 8 th e CPU 1 r es ets th e a f o r e
s a id N MI f l a g 77 a nd a t s tep S P 2 9 it s ets th e nex t p ic
tu r e da ta in th e p o inter 74 . Th a t is , du r ing th e tim e th e
s c r een o f th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 is p r es enting a b l a c k
p ic tu r e, p r ep a r a tio ns f o r tr a ns f er r ing th e nex t w h ite
p ic tu r e da ta a r e m a de. At s tep S P 3 0 , it dec ides w h eth er
o r no t a detec tio n s ig na l f r o m th e p is to l 4 h a s b een
inp u tted. At th is p o int o f tim e, th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1
is dis p l a y ing a b l a c k p ic tu r e, a nd th er e is no p o s s ib il ity
o f th e p h o to tr a ns is to r 4 1 detec ting th e l ig h t f r o m th e
tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 ; th u s , if inc ident l ig h t is detec ted,
th e CPU 1 , r eg a r ding s a id inc ident l ig h t a s a no is e,
r es ets th e p o inter 74 a t s tep S P 3 1 , a nd p r o c eeds to
RETURN s o a s to r es to r e th e o r ig ina l p ic tu r e da ta o f
th e g a m e a nd do es no t p er f o r m th e w h ite p ic tu r e dis
p l a y a nd h it o p er a tio n o f s tep s S P 3 2 th r o u g h S P 4 2 If
no inc ident l ig h t is detec ted a t s tep S P 3 0 , w h eth er o r
5
2 0
2 5
3 5
4 0
4 5
6 0
6 5
6
no t th e N MI ? a g 77 h a s b een s et is dec ided a t s tep S P
3 2 . If it h a s no t b een s et, th e CPU 1 r etu r ns to th e a f o r e
s a id s tep S P 3 0 . Th a t is , a f ter dis p l a y ing a b l a c k p ic tu r e
c o r r es p o nding to l f r a m e o n th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 ,
th e CPU 1 , a t s tep s S P 3 0 a nd S P 3 2 , w a its u ntil it de
tec ts th e nex t v er tic a l b l a nking p er io d.
Wh en th e v er tic a l b l a nking p er io d in th e nex t f r a m e
c o m es o n a f ter a b l a c k p ic tu r e c o r r es p o nding to 1 f r a m e
h a s b een dis p l a y ed o n th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 , th e
N MI ? a g 77 is s et a t s tep S P 1 8 o f th e N MI r o u tine
s h o w n in FIG. 7, w ith th e tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 h a v ing
th e ta r g et a t u p p er l ef t tu r ned to a w h ite p ic tu r e A o n
th e b a s is o f th e w h ite da ta a . At s tep S P 3 3 , th e CPU 1
r es ets th e N MI ? a g 77 a nd a t s tep S P 3 4 it s ets th e nex t
da ta in th e p o inter 74 . Th a t is , in th e c a s e w h er e th er e
a r e a p l u r a l ity o f ta r g ets , th e nex t w h ite p ic tu r e da ta b is
s et in th e p o inter 74 . At s tep S P 3 5 , it dec r em ents th e
c o u nter 72 w h ic h c o u nts th e nu m b er o f ta r g ets a nd a t
s tep S P 3 6 it dec ides w h eth er o r no t th e p r o c es s f o r
dis p l a y ing 3 ta r g ets h a s b een c o m p l eted, o n th e b a s is o f
w h eth er o r no t th e c o u nt o n th e c o u nter 72 is 0 . If th e
c o u nt is no t 0 , w h eth er o r no t a tr ig g er s ig na l h a s
b een inp u tted f r o m th e p is to l 4 is dec ided a t s tep S P 3 7.
If it h a s b een inp u tted, th e w h ite p ic tu r e A w il l b e dis
p l a y ed in th e ta r g et dis p l a y p o s itio n a t u p p er l ef t o f th e
tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 a nd/ o r a r o u nd th e p er ip h er y
th er eo f o n th e b a s is o f th e w h ite p ic tu r e da ta a s u b s e
q u entl y to th e dis p l a y o f a b l a c k p ic tu r e o n th e tel ev i
s io n m o nito r 1 1 , w ith th e CPU 1 dec iding th a t it is a n
inc ident l ig h t s ig na l f r o m th e w h ite p ic tu r e A c o r r e
s p o nding to th is ta r g et. At s tep S P 3 8 , th e CPU 1 r es ets
th e N MI ? a g 77 a nd a t s tep S P 3 9 it s ets th e h it ? a g 79 .
Th e h it f l a g 79 s er v es to indic a te w h ic h o f th e ta r g ets is
h it, th u s ena b l ing th e CPU 1 to dec ide w h ic h o f th e
ta r g ets is h it. Af ter s etting th e h it f l a g 79 , th e CPU 1
g o es a g a in to th e m a in r o u tine s h o w n in FIG. 7, a nd a t
s tep S P 5 it p er f o r m s th e p r o c es s a s s o c ia ted w ith h itting
a ta r g et, th a t is , th e h it p r o c es s .
In a dditio n, a t th e a f o r es a id s tep S P 3 7, if th e p h o to
tr a ns is to r 4 1 in th e p is to l 4 h a s detec ted no l ig h t f r o m a
ta r g et o n th e b a s is o f th e w h ite p ic tu r e da ta a , th en a t
s tep S P 4 0 , th e CPU 1 dec ides w h eth er o r no t th e N MI
? a g 77 h a s b een s et. If th e N MI f l a g 77 h a s no t b een s et,
th e CPU 1 r etu r ns to s tep S P 3 7. Th e w h ite p ic tu r e A
c o r r es p o nding to th e ta r g et is dis p l a y ed a nd it is dec ided
w h eth er o r no t th er e is inc ident l ig h t du r ing 1 f r a m e
p er io d. In th e a b s enc e o f inc ident l ig h t du r ing 1 f r a m e
p er io d, if th e CPU 1 , a t s tep S P 4 0 , dec ides th a t th e
N MI f l a g 77 h a s b een s et, th a t is , if it dec ides th a t th e
nex t f r a m e h a s j u s t s ta r ted, it r etu r ns to s tep S P 3 4 ,
enter ing into th e o p er a tio n f o r dis p l a y ing a w h ite p ic
tu r e B o n th e b a s is o f th e nex t w h ite p ic tu r e da ta b .- It
dis p l a y s th e w h ite p ic tu r e B a t u p p er r ig h t o f th e tel ev i
s io n s c r een a nd s ets th e h it f l a g 79 , p er f o r m ing th e h it
p r o c es s f o r inc r ea s ing th e p l a y er s s c o r e. If no l ig h t is
detec ted, th e m is s p r o c es s w il l b e p er f o r m ed.
Th e s a m e o p er a tio n is r ep ea ted a s to th e w h ite p ic tu r e
da ta 0 ; a t s tep S P 3 4 , da ta is s et in th e p o inter 74 , a t s tep
S P 3 5 , th e c o u nter 72 is dec r em ented, a t s tep S P 3 6 , it is
dec ided th a t th e c o u nt o n th e c o u nter 72 is 0 a nd th en
th e CPU 1 g o es to s tep S P 4 1 . At s tep S P 4 1 , it r es ets th e
N MI f l a g 77 a nd a t s tep S P 4 1 it s ets th e m is s ? a g 78 .
Th a t is , w h ite p ic tu r es A th r o u g h C b a s ed o n th e w h ite
p ic tu r e da ta a th r o u g h c a r e dis p l a y ed a t u p p er l ef t,
u p p er r ig h t a nd l o w er l ef t o f th e s c r een. Onl y w h en
no ne o f th e ta r g ets a r e h it, th e CPU 1 s ets th e m is s ? a g
78 a nd th en r etu r ns to th e m a in r o u tine s o a s to p er f o r m
th e m is s p r o c es s .
4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
7
As h a s b een des c r ib ed s o f a r , a c c o r ding to th is em
b o dim ent, a n im a g e s er v ing a s a b a c kg r o u nd p ic tu r e
to g eth er w ith ta r g ets is dis p l a y ed o n th e s c r een o f th e
tel ev is io n m o nito r 1 1 , a nd w h en th e tr ig g er o n th e p is to l
4 is p u l l ed, a b l a c k p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed a r o u nd th e p e
r ip h er y o f th e ta r g et in th e nex t f r a m e, a nd a w h ite
p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed in th e p o s itio n w h er e th e ta r g et w a s
dis p l a y ed j u s t b ef o r e a nd/o r a r o u nd th e p er ip h er y
th er eo f ( th a t is , in a n a r ea s o m ew h a t l a r g er th a n th e
ta r g et) in th e th ir d f r a m e. Th e l ig h t f r o m th e w h ite
p ic tu r e c a n b e detec ted b y th e p h o to tr a ns is to r 4 1 .
Th er ef o r e, ev en if a b a c kg r o u nd p ic tu r e in a dditio n to a
ta r g et is dis p l a y ed o n th e s a m e s c r een, it is p o s s ib l e to
a v o id m is ta king f o r th e ta r g et th e w h ite p ic tu r e c o r r e
s p o nding to th e b a c kg r o u nd p ic tu r e ex c ep t a r o u nd th e
p er ip h er y o f th e ta r g et. In th is c a s e, s inc e th e b l a c k a nd
w h ite p ic tu r es dis p l a y ed a r o u nd th e p er ip h er y o f th e
ta r g et a r e s h if ted f r o m o ne to th e o th er in a v er y s h o r t
tim e, o nl y th e ta r g et a nd th e b a c kg r o u nd p ic tu r e a r e
v is ib l e, s o th a t th er e is no r is k o f l o s ing th e inter es t in
th e g a m e.
In th e a b o v e em b o dim ent, in th e c a s e w h er e tw o
ta r g ets , f o r ex a m p l e, a r e to b e dis p l a y ed, ? r s t, a ta r g et
a nd a b a c kg r o u nd p ic tu r e a r e dis p l a y ed a nd w h en th e
tr ig g er o n th e p is to l 4 is p u l l ed, th e w h o l e p ic tu r e is
tu r ned to a b l a c k p ic tu r e in th e nex t f r a m e, a w h ite
p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed a r o u nd th e p er ip h er y o f th e ? r s t
ta r g et in th e th ir d f r a m e, a b l a c k p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed
a g a in in th e f o u r th f r a m e, a w h ite p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed
a r o u nd th e s ec o nd ta r g et in th e ? f th f r a m e.
Al th o u g h th e p r es ent inv entio n h a s b een des c r ib ed
a nd il l u s tr a ted in deta il , it is c l ea r l y u nder s to o d th a t th e
s a m e is b y w a y o f il l u s tr a tio n a nd ex a m p l e o nl y a nd is
no t to b e ta ken b y w a y o f l im ita tio n, th e s p ir it a nd s c o p e
o f th e p r es ent inv entio n b eing l im ited o nl y b y th e ter m s
o f th e a p p ended c l a im s .
Wh a t is c l a im ed is :
1 . A c o ntr o l a p p a r a tu s u s ing tel ev is io n v ideo to dis
p l a y im a g es o n a v ideo s c r een f o r s im u l a ted g a m e p l a y
a nd ta r g et p r a c tic e, c o m p r is ing :
ta r g et s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns ( 9 ) f o r g ener a ting a
s ig na l o r dis p l a y ing a ta r g et a t a l o c a tio n o n a v ideo
s c r een,
tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns ( 4 4 ) f o r g ener a ting a
tr ig g er s ig na l in r es p o ns e to a m a nu a l o p er a tio n.
p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t detec ting m ea ns ( 4 1 ) f o r detec ting
l ig h t f r o m th e v ideo s c r een in r es p o ns e to th e tr ig
g er s ig na l f r o m s a id tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting
m ea ns ,
b l a c k p ic tu r e dis p l a y ing m ea ns ( 6 , 8 , 1 0 ) f o r dis p l a y ing
a b l a c k p ic tu r e f o r a p r edeter m ined p er io d o n s a id
tel ev is io n s c r een in r es p o ns e to th e tr ig g er s ig na l
f r o m s a id tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns ,
s p u r io u s l ig h t deter m ining m ea ns f o r deter m ining
w h eth er s a id p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t detec ting m ea ns
detec ts l ig h t du r ing s a id p r edeter m ined p er io d th a t
s a id b l a c k p ic tu r e is dis p l a y ed,
w h ite p ic tu r e dis p l a y ing m ea ns ( 6 , 8 , 1 0 ) f o r dis p l a y ing
a w h ite ta r g et a r ea a f ter s a id s p u r io u s l ig h t deter
m ining m ea ns deter m ines th a t no l ig h t h a s b een
detec ted du r ing s a id b l a c k p ic tu r e o n s a id v ideo
s c r een f o r a p r edeter m ined p er io d, s a id w h ite ta r
g et a r ea b eing p l a c ed s u b s ta ntia l l y a t th e l o c a tio n
w h er e th e ta r g et w a s dis p l a y ed, a nd
s ig na l ex tr a c ting m ea ns ( 4 3 ) f o r ex tr a c ting a ta r g et
detec tio n s ig na l f o r m s a id p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t de
tec ting m ea ns w h en detec ting l ig h t f r o m th e
w h ite ta r g et a r ea dis p l a y ed o n s a id v ideo s c r een,
5
5
2 0
3 0
6 5
8
a f ter l a p s e o f s a id p r edeter m ined b l a c k p ic tu r e
dis p l a y ing p er io d.
2 . A v ideo ta r g et c o ntr o l a nd s ens ing s y s tem f o r a
p h o to s ens itiv e g u n em p l o y ed w ith a tel ev is io n o r v ideo
m o nito r h a v ing a s c r een to p l a y s h o o ting g a m es o r to
p r a c tic e s h o o ting , c o m p r is ing :
ta r g et s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns f o r g ener a ting a s ig na l
f o r dis p l a y ing a ta r g et o n th e s c r een;
a g u n is u s ed in a p o s itio n r em o te;
tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns in s a id g u n f o r g ener
a ting a tr ig g er s ig na l in r es p o ns e to m a nu a l o p er a
tio n o f a p l a y er ;
p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t detec ting m ea ns in s a id g u n f o r
detec ting l ig h t f r o m th e s c r een a nd, w h en p r es ent,
f r o m s p u r io u s l ig h t, in r es p o ns e to th e tr ig g er s ig na l
f o r m s a id tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns , a nd f o r
p r o du c ing a n el ec tr ic a l s ig na l in r es p o ns e th er eto ;
? l ter m ea ns f o r ex tr a c ting s a id el ec tr ic a l s ig na l f r o m
s a id p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t detec ting m ea ns a t a f r e
q u enc y o f a v ideo s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l ;
b l a c k p ic tu r e dis p l a y ing c o ntr o l m ea ns f o r dis p l a y ing
a b l a c k p ic tu r e o n th e entir e s c r een f o r a p r edeter
m ined s h o r t p er io d s y nc h r o nized w ith a f r a m e
inter v a l in r es p o ns e to th e tr ig g er s ig na l f r o m s a id
tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns ;
s p u r io u s l ig h t detec ting m ea ns f o r detec ting w h eth er
o r no t a n el ec tr ic a l s ig na l is p r o du c ed a t a n o u tp u t
o f s a id ? l ter m ea ns c a u s ed b y th e detec tio n b y s a id
p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t detec ting m ea ns o f th e s p u r io u s
l ig h t, w h en p r es ent, w h il e th e b l a c k p ic tu r e is b eing
dis p l a y ed o n th e entir e s c r een;
m o c k ta r g et dis p l a y ing c o ntr o l m ea ns f o r dis p l a y ing a
w h ite m o c k ta r g et in p l a c e o f s a id b l a c k p ic tu r e f o r
p r edeter m ined s h o r t p er io d s y nc h r o nized w ith s a id
f r a m e inter v a l a nd p o s itio ned o n th e s c r een s u b
s ta ntia l l y w h er e th e ta r g et h a d b een dis p l a y ed b y
s a id ta r g et s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns , a nd o nl y w h en
s a id s p u r io u s l ig h t detec ting m ea ns f a il s to detec ts
s p u r io u s l ig h t; a nd
h it detec ting m ea ns f o r detec ting a h it a t a ta r g et
l o c a tio n in r es p o ns e to a n el ec tr ic a l s ig na l p r o
du c ed a t a n o u tp u t f r o m s a id ? l ter m ea ns du r ing
th e p er io d o f dis p l a y ing s a id w h ite m o c k ta r g et o n
th e s c r een s u b s ta ntia l l y w h er e th e ta r g et h a d b een
dis p l a y ed.
3 . A s y s tem a s s et f o r th in c l a im 2 , w h er ein:
s a id ta r g et s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns c o m p r is es m ea ns
f o r g ener a ting s ig na l s f o r s u c c es s iv el y dis p l a y ing
ta r g ets in a p l u r a l ity o f dif f er ent p o s itio ns o n th e
s c r een;
s a id w h ite m o c k ta r g et p ic tu r e dis p l a y ing c o ntr o l
m ea ns c o m p r is es : ~
da ta s to r ing m ea ns f o r s to r ing p o s itio n da ta c o r r e
s p o nding to s a id p l u r a l ity o f dif f er ent p o s itio ns , a nd
m ea ns f o r s eq u entia l l y r ea ding f r o m s a id da ta s to r ing
m ea ns da ta f o r th e nex t ta r g et p o s itio n th a t is to b e
dis p l a y ed ea c h tim e s a id h it detec tio n m ea ns de
tec ts a h it a t a ta r g et l o c a tio n in r es p o ns e to th e
dis p l a y o f s a id w h ite m o c k ta r g et.
4 . A s y s tem a s s et f o r th in c l a im 2 , w h er ein:
s a id b l a c k p ic tu r e dis p l a y ing c o ntr o l m ea ns c o m p r is es
m ea ns f o r r ew r iting dis p l a y da ta du r ing a v er tic a l
b l a nking p er io d o f a v ideo s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l f o r
dis p l a y ing a b l a c k p ic tu r e o n th e entir e s c r een in
th e f r a m e th a t f o l l o w s th e v er tic a l b l a nking p er io d.
5 . A s y s tem a s s et f o r th in c l a im 2 , w h er ein:
s a id m o c k ta r g et dis p l a y ing c o ntr o l m ea ns c o m p r is es
m ea ns f o r r ew r iting dis p l a y da ta du r ing th e v er tic a l
4 , 8 1 3 , 6 8 2
9
b l a nking p er io d o f a v ideo s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l f o r
dis p l a y ing a w h ite m o c k ta r g et in th e f r a m e th a t
f o l l o w s th e v er tic a l b l a nking p er io d.
6 . Th e s y s tem o f c l a im 2 , w h er ein s a id f il ter m ea ns
c o m p r is es m ea ns ex tr a c ting s a id el ec tr ic a l s ig na l a th e
h o r izo nta l s y nc h r o nizing f r eq u enc y o f th e v ideo s ig na l .
7. A v ideo ta r g et a nd s ens ing s y s tem f o r a p h o to s ens i
tiv e g u n em p l o y ed w ith a tel ev is io n o r v ideo m o nito r to
dis p l a y a nd s h o o t ta r g ets o n a v ideo s c r een, c o m p r is ing :
s to r a g e m ea ns f o r s to r ing ta r g et da ta f o r dis p l a y ing a
ta r g et a t a p o s itio n o n th e v ideo s c r een, b l a c k p ic
tu r e da ta f o r dis p l a y ing a b l a c k p ic tu r e o n th e en
tir e v ideo s c r een, w h ite p ic tu r e da ta f o r dis p l a y ing
a w h ite m o c k ta r g et o n th e v ideo s c r een s u b s ta n
tia l l y a t th e p o s itio n w h er e th e ta r g et h a s b een
dis p l a y ed, s a id p r o g r a m da ta f o r c o ntr o l l ing th e
dis p l a y o p er a tio ns ;
p r o c es s ing m ea ns f o r p r o c es s ing da ta in r es p o ns e to
th e p r o g r a m da ta in s a id s to r a g e m ea ns to c o ntr o l
th e dis p l a y o n s a id v ideo s c r een;
a g u n,
a tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns in s a id g u n f o r g en
er a ting a tr ig g er s ig na l in r es p o ns e to a m a nu a l
o p er a tio n o f a p l a y er ,
p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t detec ting m ea ns in s a id g u n f o r
detec ting l ig h t f r o m th e v ideo s c r een w h en s a id
g u n is dir ec ted to w a r d th e v ideo s c r een; a nd
? l ter m ea ns f o r ex tr a c ting a n el ec tr ic a l s ig na l f r o m
s a id p h o to el ec tr ic l ig h t detec ting m ea ns a t a f r e
q u enc y o f a tel ev is io n s y nc h r o nizing s ig na l ,
s a id p r o c es s ing m ea ns f u r th er c o m p r is ing :
ta r g et dis p l a y ing m ea ns f o r dis p l a y ing a ta r g et a t a
des ir ed p o s itio n o n th e v ideo s c r een in r es p o ns e to
th e ta r g et da ta in s a id s to r a g e m ea ns ,
b l a c k p ic tu r e dis p l a y ing m ea ns f o r dis p l a y ing a b l a c k
p ic tu r e o n th e entir e v ideo s c r een in th e f r a m e
f o l l o w ing th a t f r a m e in w h ic h th e tr ig g er s ig na l is
LII
2 5
3 0
3 5
4 5
5 0
5 5
6 5
1 0
g ener a ted b y s a id tr ig g er s ig na l g ener a ting m ea ns
a nd a l s o in r es p o ns e to th e b l a c k p ic tu r e da ta s to r ed
in s a id s to r a g e m ea ns ,
s p u r io u s l ig h t deter m ining m ea ns f o r deter m ining
w h eth er o r no t a n el ec tr ic a l s ig na l is p r o du c ed a t
a n o u tp u t o f s a id ? l ter m ea ns w h il e s a id b l a c k p ic
tu r e is b eing dis p l a y ed o n th e entir e v ideo s c r een,
m o c k ta r g et dis p l a y ing m ea ns r es p o ns iv e to th e w h ite
p ic tu r e da ta s to r ed in s a id s to r a g e m ea ns f o r dis
p l a y ing a w h ite m o c k ta r g et o n th e v ideo s c r een
s u b s ta ntia l l y a t th e p o s itio n th a t s a id ta r g et h a s
b een dis p l a y ed, s a id m o c k ta r g et dis p l a y ing m ea ns
b eing o p er a tiv e o nl y a f ter s a id s p u r io u s l ig h t deter
m ining m ea ns deter m ines th a t no el ec tr ic a l s ig na l is
p r o du c ed b y s a id ? l ter m ea ns w h il e s a id b l a c k
p ic tu r e is b eing dis p l a y ed o n th e entir e v ideo
s c r een, a nd
h it deter m ining m ea ns f o r deter m ining a h it o f a ta r
g et w h en a n el ec tr ic a l s ig na l is p r o du c ed a t a n
o u tp u t o f s a id ? l ter m ea ns du r ing a f r a m e p er io d in
w h ic h a w h ite m o c k ta r g et is b eing dis p l a y ed o n
th e v ideo s c r een.
8 . Th e s y s tem a s s et f o r th in c l a im 7, w h er ein:
s a id s to r a g e m ea ns inc l u des m ea ns f o r s to r ing m u l ti
p l e ta r g et da ta f o r dis p l a y ing ta r g ets in a p l u r a l ity
o f dif f er ent ta r g et p o s itio ns a nd w h ite p ic tu r e da ta
f o r dis p l a y ing w h ite m o c k ta r g ets in s c r een a r ea s
c o r r es p o nding to dif f er ent ta r g et dis p l a y ing p o s i
tio ns , a nd
s a id p r o c es s ing m ea ns c o m p r is es s eq u enc ing m ea ns
r es p o ns iv e to s a id h it deter m ining m ea ns f o r r ea d
ing ta r g et da ta f r o m s a id s to r a g e m ea ns f o r ea c h o f
s a id p l u r a l ity o f dif f er ent ta r g et p o s itio ns in s u c c es
s io n f o r c a u s ing ta r g et da ta f o r a dif f er ent ta r g et
p o s itio n to b e r ea d ea c h tim e a h it o f a ta r g et is
deter m ined.
# 1 k * Il l *