JPH0671049A - Bar code reader for game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to add new game data or change game data by inputting data to a game device. CONSTITUTION:A bar code reader 20 which is connected to an input terminal 16 of a game device 10 to read bar code is provided so that bar code information of a bar code card 35 which is read out by the bar code reader 20 is outputted to the game device 10 through the input terminal 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code reader for game machines.

[0002]

It has been several years since a home video game device for exchanging game cartridges and playing various games appeared. In recent years, various kinds of games have been developed, and the contents of the games have become more sophisticated and complicated. It has become. When playing a game with a video game device, a game cartridge dedicated to the game is mounted, and the game is controlled by the control data from the operation button to proceed.

[0003]

As described above, in the case of the conventional video game device, in order to input the data to the video game device, the game data is input by the game cartridge or the operation data is input by the operation button. There was nothing else. Therefore, it is very difficult to add new game data or change the game data.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bar code reading apparatus for a game device, which is capable of inputting data to the game device to add new game data or change the game data.

[0005]

The above object is to have a bar code reading section which is connected to an input terminal of a game device and reads a bar code, and the bar code information read by the bar code reading section is input to the input terminal. It is achieved by a bar code reading device for a game device, wherein the bar code reading device outputs to the game device via the.

[0006]

According to the present invention, since the bar code reading section for reading the bar code is provided and the bar code information read by the bar code reading section is output to the game device, the data is input to the game device. , It is possible to add new game data or change the game data.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A bar code reader for a game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is a bar code reader for a portable game device. At the center of the portable game device 10, a liquid crystal display panel 11 for displaying game contents is provided. On the right side of the liquid crystal display panel 11, a pause button 12 for temporarily stopping the game as operation buttons and a control button 13 for controlling the game.
Is provided. On the left side of the liquid crystal display panel 11, as operation buttons, a cross button 14 for controlling a game and a speaker 15 for generating a game sound.
Is provided.

A connector 16 for mounting a game cartridge 30 is provided on the upper side of the portable game device 10. The bar code reader 20 of this embodiment is
The portable game device 10 is of a type that is attached to a connector 16 for a game cartridge. On the lower side of the main body 21, a connector 22 for connecting to the connector 16 of the portable game device 10 is provided. Body 21
A connector (not shown) for mounting the game cartridge 30 is provided on the upper side.

A groove 23 is formed in the center of the main body 21 of the bar code reader 20. When the bar code card 35 on which the bar code is written is passed through the groove 23 of the main body 21, the bar code reader 20 reads the bar code.
The main part of the bar code reader 20 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the barcode reading device 20 includes a barcode reading unit 24 for reading a barcode and a serial / parallel data for converting a serial data signal from the barcode reading unit 24 into a parallel data signal. A conversion unit 26 is provided.

The bar code reading section 24 outputs a serial data signal corresponding to the shade of the read bar code. The serial data signal is converted into a parallel data signal representing the data content of the barcode by the serial / parallel data conversion unit 26, and the portable game apparatus 1 is connected via the connector 16.
It is output to 0. Inside the portable game device 10,
In the case where a serial / parallel data conversion unit (not shown) for converting a serial data signal corresponding to the shade of the barcode into a parallel data signal representing the data content of the barcode is provided, as shown in FIG. The serial data signal output from the barcode reading unit 24 is output to the portable game device 10 via the connector 16 without providing the serial-parallel data conversion unit in the barcode reading device 20.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data can be input to the portable game device by reading the barcode card by the barcode reading device, so that new game data can be added or the game data can be changed. You can A specific example of a game of a type in which game data is input using the bar code reader for a game device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

This game is a new racing game with bar code input. Instead of directly controlling the car as in traditional racing games, you participate in the race as the coach or owner of the racing team. Prepare a large number of barcode cards that record the drivers and machines to enter. The drivers listed on the bar code card selected from a large number of bar code cards and the machine comrades fight each other to determine the outcome. Since the bar code reading device can also read general bar codes, bar codes attached to general products may be cut out to create an original bar code card and participate in the race.

The bar code reading device 20 is mounted on the portable game device 10 and the game cartridge 30 for this racing game is mounted. First, when the power switch is turned on (step S100), the liquid crystal display panel 11 is raced (RACE) or practiced (PRACTIC).
An image for selecting E) is displayed. The player moves the cursor on the image with the cross button 14 and selects the race (RACE) or practice run (PRACTICE) with the control button 13 (step S10).
1).

When the race is selected, steps S102 to S112 on the left side of FIG. 4 are executed. First,
With the portable game device 10, the weather (CONDITI
ON) and the number of laps (LAPS) are randomly selected, and the selection result is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 11 (steps S102 and S103).

Next, "ENTRY1" in the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 11 blinks (step S10).
4), so that one player uses a large number of barcode cards 3
The barcode card 35 selected from 5 is inserted into the groove 23 of the barcode reading device 20. Bar code reader 20
Reads the bar code in the bar code card 35, and the content is input to the portable game device 10 (step S105).

Next, "ENTRY2" in the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 11 blinks (step S10).
6), so the other player has a large number of barcode cards 3
The barcode card 35 selected from 5 is inserted into the groove 23 of the barcode reading device 20. Bar code reader 20
Reads the bar code in the bar code card 35, and the content is input to the portable game device 10 (step S107).

This completes the entry of the drivers and machines of both players (step S108), and the preparation for the race is completed. Next, the start signal in the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 11 is turned on (step S109). When the control signal 13 is pressed when the start signal turns blue (step S110), the race is started (step S111).

A timer is started at the same time as the start of the race, and the elapsed time is automatically counted. The race is developed on the basis of the data input by the barcode card 35, and when the specified number of laps have been completed, the race is finished and the win or loss is determined (step S112). At this time, the time is also stored. Then, the process returns to step 101.

When practice running is selected in step S101, steps S113 to S120 on the right side of FIG. 4 are selected.
Is executed. First, on the liquid crystal display panel 11, the weather (CO
An image for selecting NDITION) and the number of laps (LAPS) is displayed. The player moves the cursor on the image with the cross button 14 and uses the control button 13 to select the weather (CONDITION) and the number of laps (LAP).
S) is selected (steps S113 and 114).

Next, "ENTRY1" in the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 11 blinks (step S11).
5) As described above, the bar code card 35 selected from a large number of bar code cards 35 is inserted into the groove 23 of the bar code reader 20.
And insert the barcode (step S11)
6). After the blinking of "ENTRY1" on the screen stops,
The portable game device 10 randomly selects an opponent and automatically enters “ENTRY2”. In this way, preparation for practice running is completed.

Next, the start signal in the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 11 is turned on (step S11).
7). When the control signal 13 is pressed when the start signal turns blue (step S118), the race is started (step S119). A timer is started at the same time as the start of the race and the elapsed time is automatically counted. The race is developed based on the data input by the bar code card 35 and the data randomly selected by the portable game apparatus 10. When the race is completed for the specified number of laps, the race is finished and the win or loss is determined (step S120). ). At this time, the time is also stored. afterwards,
Return to step 101.

A bar code reader for a game machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is a bar code reader for a video game device using a television screen. A connector 41 for mounting the game cassette 60 is provided on the upper surface of the game apparatus body 40.
Is provided. Two connectors 4 for connecting the controllers 50 and 52 are provided on the front surface of the game apparatus body 40.
2, 43 are provided. On the other hand, the controller 50,
52 is also provided with connectors 51 and 53 for connecting to the connectors 42 and 43 of the game apparatus body 40.

The bar code reader 60 of this embodiment has a groove 61 formed at the center. When the barcode card 35 on which the barcode is written is passed through the groove 61, the barcode is read by the barcode reading device 60. The bar code reading device 60 includes connectors 42, 4 for the controller.
3, a connector 62 having a special shape for connecting the connectors 51 and 53 of the controllers 50 and 52 is provided.

For example, the connector 4 of the game apparatus body 40
2, connect the connector 62 of the bar code reader 60,
The connector 51 of the controller 50 is connected to the connector 62. The connector 53 of the other controller 52 is connected to the connector 43 of the game apparatus body 40. Thus, according to the present embodiment, even for the video game device,
Data can be input by reading the barcode card with a barcode reader.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the bar code reading unit for reading the bar code is provided and the bar code information read by the bar code reading unit is output to the game device. Data can be input to add new game data or change game data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a barcode reader for a game device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the bar code reading apparatus for a game device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the main part of the bar code reader for a game device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a specific example of a game using the barcode reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a barcode reader for a game device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Portable game device 11 ... Liquid crystal display panel 12 ... Pause button 13 ... Control button 14 ... Cross button 15 ... Speaker 16 ... Connector 20 ... Bar code reader 21 ... Main body 22 ... Connector 23 ... Groove 24 ... Bar code reading unit 26 Serial / parallel data converter 30 ... Game cartridge 35 ... Bar code card 40 ... Game device main body 41 ... Connector 42, 43 ... Connector 50, 52 ... Controller 51, 53 ... Connector 60 ... Bar code reading device 61 ... Groove 62 ... Connector

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bar code reading unit which is connected to an input terminal of a game device and reads a bar code, and outputs bar code information read by the bar code reading unit to the game device via the input terminal. A bar code reader for a game device, comprising: 2. The bar code reading device for a game device according to claim 1, further comprising a serial / parallel data conversion unit for converting a serial data signal into a parallel data signal, and the bar code information output from the bar code reading unit. A serial data signal is converted into a parallel data signal by the serial-parallel data conversion unit and output to the game device via the input terminal.