Three-dimensional image processing apparatus with enhanced automatic and user point of view control

For use in a video game system having an external memory for storing a video game program, a game program executing processing system for executing said video game program, at least one player controller operable by a player for generating player controller related data, said player controller having a plurality of point of view control switches, a method of operating of said video game system comprising the steps of:

• generating a first three-dimensional world display from a first point of view in which a player-controlled character is depicted in the three-dimensional world;
• detecting if any one of a plurality of point of view control switches on said player controller have been depressed by a player;
• generating a second three-dimensional world display from a second point of view in response to the detection of the depression of one of said point of view control switches. said second point of view being different depending upon which point of view control switch was depressed by the player;
• detecting whether an object exists between the player controlled character and a current point of view perspective such that the player controlled character would not be visible on a display screen;
• and
• changing the current point of view such that the player controlled character will be displayed.

For use in a video game system having an external memory for storing a video game program;

• a game program executing processing system for executing said video game program;
• at least one hand-held player controller embodied in a housing having a front surface and coupled to said game program executing processing system and including an operation control member for generating display data for a player controlled character, and processing circuitry for executing commands received from said game program executing processing system, said player controller having a plurality of point of view control switches, said operation control member and said plurality of control keys protruding from said front surface of said player controller housing, a method of operating said video game system comprising the steps of:
• generating a first three-dimensional world display from a first point of view using said game program executing processing system in which a player-controlled character is depicted in the three dimensional world;
• processing a command by said hand held player controller received from said game program executing processing system;
• generating a second three-dimensional world display from a second point of view in response to the detection of a predetermined condition;
• generating a third point of view display in response to the player actuating said operation control member when said display is depicting said second point of view,
• detecting whether an object exists between the player controlled character and a current point of view perspective such that the player controlled character would not be visible on a display screen;
• and
• changing the current point of view such that the player controlled character will be displayed.

For use with a video game system console having a game program executing processing system for executing said video game program to create a display simulating a three-dimensional world, and at least one hand-held player controller embodied in a housing having a front surface and a joystick control member protruding from said front surface and a plurality of control keys protruding from said front surface, said player controller including processing circuitry for executing commands received from said game program executing processing system, a portable storage device for controlling the operation of said video game system console comprising:

• a memory media for storing video game instructions and graphics and sound data;
• said video game instructions including instructions for causing said game program executing processing system to transmit a command to said player controller for execution by said player controller processing circuitry, and including instructions for causing said game program executing processing system to display a scene in a plurality of distinct camera modes, and instructions for causing said game program executing processing system to respond to the detection of a player controlled character being in a predetermined state and for changing the displayed point of view perspective in a displayed three-dimensional world in accordance with one of said camera modes wherein said external memory further includes instructions for detecting whether an object exists between the player controlled character and a current point of view perspective such that the player controlled character would not be visible on a display screen and changing the current point of view such that the player controlled character will be displayed.