JP2000070547A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can deal with game information for executing a game while increasing the required data huge and is provided with an external storage medium so as not to apply any sense of incompatibility in reading. SOLUTION: In this game machine provided with a monitor 2 for displaying game display information, game circuit board 1 for generating the game display information to be displayed on this monitor 2 and hard disk module 10 sealing a hard disk while magnetically storing game information as basic data for generating the game display information on the surface of that hard disk, the hard disk module is constituted so as to be easily attached to/detached from the game circuit board.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine capable of exchanging game information such as a game program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the game industry in recent years, the trend of games has been remarkably changing, and it has become necessary to replace a new game with an old game in a very short period of time.

However, various components such as a CRT monitor, a housing, and a power supply used in an old game machine can still be used, and each time a new game is replaced with an old game, the game machine is replaced. It is extremely useless to replace the whole.

[0004] Due to such a problem, the applicant of the present application replaces a new game with an old game by exchanging a ROM cassette storing the above game information.
MVS (Multi Video System) is proposed. Although the specific contents are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-80787, the game machine (MV) will be briefly described here.
A plurality of connectors for connecting ROM cassettes are provided on the control circuit board of S), and game software as game information is replaced by appropriately replacing ROM cassettes storing different game information in the connectors. is there.

[0005]

However, in recent years, game progress has been remarkable, and the introduction of 3D computer graphic technology has resulted in a huge amount of game information.

However, in order to store the huge amount of data in the ROM cassette, there is a problem that a very large number of semiconductor devices in which an IC chip is die-bonded to a lead frame and further sealed with a mold resin are required. there were. Although such semiconductor devices are becoming cheaper in recent years, the enormous number of them not only increases the cost of ROM cassettes, but also causes inconveniences that increase the size of ROM cassettes. Due to such a problem, recently, a CD-ROM is often used as a storage medium for storing game information, mainly for home game machines.

[0007] In a home-use game machine employing the CD-ROM, only the information necessary for expressing a game scene of a certain fighting stage in a fighting game, for example, is obtained from a huge amount of data stored in the CD-ROM. And temporarily control circuit board of the game machine (for example, a CPU or a power supply circuit mounted on a glass epoxy board)
And writes necessary game information from the semiconductor memory to advance the game based on the game program. Therefore, when reading from the CD-ROM, the CPU of the game machine is in a busy state in which data is collected, and therefore, for example, game information to be displayed on the display screen of the game machine cannot be generated. CD-ROM
It is possible to play the game after reading all of the data and writing the data to the RAM, but such a method requires a huge amount of memory (RAM) and is economically irrational. Usually, for example, in the case of a fighting game as described above, it is common to read out data for one stage or several stages and play a game.

Also, since it is difficult to assign a clear address such as the number of a sector on a CD-ROM, it is difficult to search for a header and it takes a long time to read data. Even if an address of a sector or the like is assigned, the data of the CD-ROM is stored in a continuous spiral form. Therefore, in order to find a sector S to be searched, the data is sequentially stored from the beginning of the spirally stored data. This is because it is necessary to search for data to be read.

Although the above-mentioned game machine is a home game machine, when applied to an arcade game machine instead of such a home game machine, a precision machine whose installation place is very dusty is used. In many cases, the environment is not suitable for use in a computer, and when a CD-ROM is used as an external storage medium, erroneous reading may occur due to the influence of dust and the like described above.

Further, in the case of a game using a CD-ROM as a storage medium, the reason that a memory for temporarily storing is required is that the game cannot be dealt with by reading out certain video and audio in a hanging state, It is necessary to generate and display game display information and the like changed in accordance with game inputs each time and generate a sound. Therefore, in order to generate the game information in real time, a CD-ROM whose reading speed is slow cannot be supported. The above-mentioned game display information needs to be replaced in 1/60 second units in order to express a moving image on the monitor, and the access time for reading the data of the CD-ROM is as long as 330 ms, so that the moving image is displayed in real time. Was difficult to play.

[0011] Further, in a home game using a CD-ROM as a storage medium, a game in which one game uses three CD-ROMs is on the market. Capacity is becoming necessary as game information. Such a CD-ROM
Is very troublesome, and if it is a home-use game, it can be dealt with by ignoring this troublesome point.
There is a unique problem in arcade games where it is impossible to replace OMs.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game machine equipped with an external storage medium which can cope with game information for executing a game whose necessary data is enormously increasing, and which does not make the reading of the game uncomfortable. With the goal.

[0013]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

That is, a monitor for displaying game display information, a game circuit board for generating game display information to be displayed on the monitor, and game information as basic data for generating the game display information on a surface of a hard disk. A game machine comprising a hard disk module that stores magnetically and hermetically seals the hard disk, wherein the hard disk module is configured to be easily detachable from the game circuit board.

The hard disk module in which the hard disk is sealed is configured so that problems such as easy removal of the hard disk, dust entering the module and adhering dust entering the internal hard disk can be reduced. Pointing to. Therefore, it is one of the gist of the present invention that the replacement of the hard disk is performed for each module.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, a plurality of the hard disk modules are provided,
The hard disk of the hard disk module includes
It is characterized in that game information allowing different game play is stored.

Further, in the invention of claim 3, in addition to the invention of claim 1 or 2, the game information stored in the hard disk of the hard disk module is stored in a distributed manner by assigning different addresses to the hard disk. On the other hand, an address conversion circuit is formed on the hard disk control board, and the address conversion circuit responds to a request address from the game circuit board by outputting game information at an address different from the request address to the game circuit board. Is output.

[0018] The distributed storage with addresses is as follows.
The unit of the information to which the address is attached is not limited to a data unit that is always treated as one set of data. To prevent imitation, a method in which a plurality of data that are always treated as a series of data are separated and stored is adopted. May be preferred. However, the present invention is not limited to the one employing such a method of shredding.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a semiconductor memory for temporarily storing data of the hard disk is provided on the game circuit board or between the game circuit board and the hard disk. Of the above, it is characterized in that partial data including at least a game program is stored, and image data for generating the game image information is read from a hard disk as appropriate.

With such a configuration, the temporary storage memory required on the game circuit board or between the game circuit board and the hard disk can be reduced in capacity, and an image of a character having a large data amount can be obtained. It is possible to generate game display information in real time by reading information and the like directly from the hard disk.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below shows an example as a mode for carrying out the present invention, and it is a matter of course that the present invention is not limited to this example.

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram of a game machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a game circuit board. The game circuit board 1 includes a monitor 2 for displaying game information, a game input device 3 such as a joystick and a control switch, and a game program or picture information of a game character. Hard disk module 10 storing game information such as audio information, etc.
.., 10 are electrically connected.

The game circuit board 1 has a temporary storage memory for temporarily storing data extracted from the hard disk module 10, a game program stored in the temporary storage memory 1A, and game information such as character image information. Various electronic circuits for generating game display information to be displayed on the monitor 2 based on the basic data are constituted by electronic components such as a microprocessor. The temporary storage memory does not have a capacity to absorb all the electronic data stored in one of the hard disks. For example, in the case of a fighting game, only the data necessary to generate one fighting scene is stored in the temporary storage memory 1A. To memorize. Moreover, the temporary storage memory 1A is set to be usable by partitioning two memory spaces.
Data extracted from 0 is configured to be stored / written in one of two memory spaces. Then, using the data stored in the memory area of the temporary storage memory 1A in which the work of writing the sucked data is not performed, game image information to be displayed on the monitor and voice are generated and provided to the game player. I have. Therefore, problems such as interruption of the game can be avoided from the viewpoint of the game player.
As described above, the method has been described in which the temporary storage memory 1A is divided into two memory spaces and used. However, even when the temporary storage memory 1A is configured to be treated as one memory space, the present invention employs a hard disk as an external storage medium. Therefore, it is possible to exchange game information without making the game player wait much as compared with the conventional CD-ROM type.

The reason that the hard disk can quickly replace the game information is that, in the case of a CD-ROM, the stored data is continuous data in the same manner as the music stored in the record version. However, in order to download necessary data from the stored data, it is necessary to sequentially scan data from the beginning of the stored data and search for necessary data. If the addresses of the sector S and the track are known, the CD-ROM is accessed randomly without performing the above-described scanning operation.
This is because necessary data can be read out in a shorter time than a ROM.

Although the access time for reading data from the CD-ROM is 330 ms as described above, the hard disk is generally as short as 13 ms, so that the above-mentioned data can be quickly replaced. Therefore,
Even if there is a restriction that the time for generating the game display information to be expressed on the monitor 2 in the game is 1/60 second for one screen, it can be dealt with without any problem.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the hard disk module 10. In the hard disk module 10, a hard disk 11, a head 12 for reading game information magnetically stored on the surface of the hard disk 11, and the head 12 are moved to an arbitrary position in the center direction of the hard disk 11. A drive unit (not shown) is provided, and a hard disk control board 15 for driving and controlling the drive unit is housed therein.

The hard disk 11 stores game information necessary for performing one game play. In addition, the game information is not read out in the order in which the game information is stored, but the data stored in the random address is stored in a game program or in response to a game input of a game player to the game input device 3 by a game player. The information is configured to be extracted at random as appropriate. Also, on the outermost track of the hard disk,
Director (search table / lookup table)
Is stored, and it is devised so that necessary game information can be extracted as quickly as possible when searching for the address.

As described above, data is stored in a distributed manner on the hard disk 11 as an external storage device, and the distributed data is read and used as appropriate.

Further, the data to be read at random (as appropriate) is managed by addresses (sectors S, tracks, etc.), and an address A of data required for generating a certain game scene is stored in the game circuit board 1 from the hard disk. When a request is made to the control board 15 and the requested address A is input to the address conversion circuit 16 in the hard disk control board 15, the address conversion circuit 16 converts the received address according to a predetermined rule. After conversion, another address C is generated, and the hard disk control board 15 controls the read head 12 so as to output the data of this another address to the game circuit board 1,
The data stored in the hard disk 11 is extracted based on another address C converted by the address conversion circuit 16 and output to the game circuit board 1 side.

By providing the address conversion circuit 16 as described above, it is possible to deal with a copy problem as described below.

That is, when the imitator copies the data stored in the hard disk 11 to the hard disk 11, the information of the hard disk 11 may be copied to the hard disk of a commercially available hard disk module. When the information is copied as it is, since the address conversion circuit 16 is not provided in a commercially available hard disk module,
As a result, the information of the address requested from the game circuit board 1 is read from the hard disk as it is,
True information required from the game circuit board 1 cannot be read. As described above, the address conversion circuit 16 is provided, and further, a game program and image information of a character necessary for proceeding the game to the hard disk 11 (polygon vertex information necessary for generating three-dimensional game display information, etc.). (Which may also include three-dimensional information such as texture image information and light source information) can be expected to be prevented from being imitated by the above-described imitator by distributing and storing the addresses.

Although not shown, the output B is
By providing a separate time lag monitoring unit that manages the time lag in the case where the hard disk 11 is output, not only the information of the hard disk 11 but also the imitator who copies the information input / output from the hard disk module 10 can be used. It is also possible to configure so that an anti-copying function can be expected.

That is, a certain imitator does not copy the contents of the hard disk 11 itself, but perseveres what input A to the hard disk module 10 and what output B is output. It may simulate and copy information to the hard disk so that output B is output for input A without passing through address translation circuit 16. In such a case, the information copied by the imitator to the hard disk is stored in the track /
Since the information is stored on a different track / sector from the sector S, the time for reading the information stored on the hard disk of the imitator is longer or shorter than the time for reading the information from the regular hard disk 11. By monitoring the read time by the time lag monitoring unit, it is possible to determine whether the hard disk is a regular one or a counterfeit one.

Next, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a case where a plurality of the hard disk modules 10 are mounted on the hard disk module mounting device 20.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the hard disk module mounting device 20 is housed in a game machine.

In this embodiment, one game machine 30
The configuration is such that four hard disk modules 10 can be attached to the. Each of the four hard disk modules 10 stores game information capable of playing a different game. In this case, the four hard disks are configured so that four different games can be selectively played by one game machine.

First, the game player uses the game input device 3 to select which of the four games is to be selected, while looking at the selection screen displayed on the monitor 2. Generation of such a selection screen is generated by a source program prepared in advance in a ROM provided on the game circuit board 1. In accordance with this source program, each of the four hard disk modules 10,..., 10 is sequentially accessed by a selector 1B shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1, and information for generating the game selection screen is appropriately read. .

When a game to be played by the game player is selected by the game input device 3, other hard disk modules 10 not selected for the game circuit board 1 are not electrically connected thereafter.

Next, the hard disk module 10
The configuration for attaching and detaching from the hard disk module attaching device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view of the hard disk module 10, and FIG. 6 is a rear view of the hard disk module 10.

The hard disk module 10 is housed in a closed case body 10A so as to be suitable for an arcade game machine (commercial game machine) which permits the use of a game by a coin operation as shown in FIG. . Therefore, the configuration is such that its reliability can be ensured even in an environment with a lot of dust or the like that is not suitable for a precision machine in which an arcade game is installed.

The hard disk module 10
In order that the hard disk module 10 can be easily replaced even by an amateur, the insertion port 20A of the hard disk module mounting device 20 is formed into a hole 20A substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the outer shape of the hard disk module 10 to be inserted. Then, the hard disk module 10 is inserted into the hole 20A, and the person who replaces the handle 10B pushes the hard disk module 10 in the depth direction of the hole 20A. Is electrically connected to the connector 20B without the need for physical positioning.
The connector 20B of the hard disk module mounting device 20 is connected to the I / O of the game circuit board 1.
O is electrically connected by a flexible cable or the like.

To replace the hard disk module 10, open the front door 30A in FIG.
After exposing the inside of the hard disk module 10 and pulling the handle 10B of the hard disk module 10 to remove the hard disk module 10 to be replaced from the hard disk module attaching device 20, another hard disk module 10 is pushed in by holding the handle 10B and the hard disk module 10 The front surface 10D of the hard disk module is automatically aligned with the front surface 20C of the hard disk module mounting device 20 by matching the front surface 10D.
And the connector 20B of the hard disk module mounting device 20 are electrically connected.

Next, another embodiment will be described below. In this embodiment, the temporary storage memory 1 described above is used.
In order to reduce the capacity of A, only the game program portion stored in the hard disk 11 is stored in the memory 1A, and image data of a character having a large data amount is appropriately transferred from the hard disk 11 to data necessary for the game scene. This is to read and generate game display information in real time. The reason that only the game program is stored in the temporary storage memory 1A is that the data amount of the game program itself does not increase so much.
When generating game display information or the like in response to a game input from a game player, it is necessary to access the data relatively frequently as a game program, and to access the data in order to generate the game display information in real time. Depends on the purpose of reducing time.

In the above-described two embodiments, the main reason for employing a hard disk as an external storage medium is that the hard disk has no limitation in capacity based on the premise that game information is stored. By increasing the number of hard disks stored in the module, it is possible to store several gigabytes of capacity,
This is because there is no need to replace the CD-ROM as in the case of a CD-ROM, and there is a merit that the cost can be considerably reduced when storing the same capacity as a mask ROM used up to now. Because there is.

[0045]

According to the configuration of the present invention as described above,
Conventionally, the problem of using a CD-ROM as an external storage device, for example, it takes a long time to read data, or the storage medium is replaced by exposing a bare CD-ROM,
If a user unfamiliar with the handling scratches and becomes unable to read, or particularly when playing an arcade game, the location of the game machine is not suitable for replacement of CD-ROM (small / dark). ) In many cases, and there is a high possibility that the above-mentioned problem will occur. However, the present invention can relatively eliminate such a fear.

Further, the hard disk module contains a hard disk as a storage medium in a sealed state and is configured so that the hard disk module can be easily replaced at the time of replacement. Alternatively, it is possible to cope with severe usage patterns (for example, problems such as dust) unique to arcade games.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to easily apply the present invention to a game using three-dimensional computer graphics which requires a large memory capacity in one game machine.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to cope with, for example, copy protection.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the temporary storage memory required on the game circuit board or between the game circuit board and the hard disk can have a small capacity, and the data amount can be reduced. It is possible to generate game display information in real time by directly reading image information and the like of a character having a large size from a hard disk.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a hardware block diagram of a game machine for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hard disk module for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a case where a plurality of hard disk modules for explaining an embodiment of the present invention are mounted on a hard disk module mounting device.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which a hard disk module mounting device for explaining an embodiment of the present invention is housed in a game machine;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a hard disk module for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the hard disk module for explaining the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... game circuit board, 2 ... monitor, 10 ...
Hard disk module, 15 ... Hard disk control board, 16 ... Address conversion circuit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A monitor for displaying game display information, a game circuit board for generating game display information to be displayed on the monitor, and game information as basic data for generating the game display information on a surface of a hard disk. A game machine comprising a hard disk module that stores magnetically and hermetically seals the hard disk, wherein the hard disk module is configured to be easily detachable from the game circuit board. 2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein said hard disk module has a plurality of hard disk modules, and a hard disk of said hard disk module stores game information enabling different game play. . 3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game information stored in the hard disk of the hard disk module is distributed and stored by assigning different addresses to the hard disk, while the game information is stored in the hard disk module. An address conversion circuit is formed on the board, and the address conversion circuit outputs game information of an address different from the request address to the game circuit board side in response to a request address from the game circuit board side. Game console. 4. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein a semiconductor memory for temporarily storing data of the hard disk is provided on the game circuit board or between the game circuit board and the hard disk. The semiconductor memory may be configured to store at least partial data including a game program among data of the hard disk, and to appropriately read out image data for generating the game image information from the hard disk. Game machine characterized.