JP2002073367A - Optical disk emulation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical disk emulation device which is capable of developing game software or the like and testing (debugging) the same efficiently. SOLUTION: The optical disk emulation device comprises a hard disc unit 2 which is capable of reading data from an external host device 71 via the first connector CN1, an optical disc interface division 8 which can be connected to an external optical disc controlling division 6 via the second connector CN2 and an optical disc emulation controlling division 7 which is located between the hard disc unit 2 and the optical disc interface division 8 and reads out corresponding data from the hard disc unit 2 in accordance with a data readout command from the controlling division 6 and outputs the data to the division 6 in a timing and format according to a specification of the division 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an optical disk emulation device, and more particularly, to a CD-ROM or DV.
The present invention relates to an optical disk emulation device that simulates the function of an optical disk such as a D-ROM or the like with another type of storage medium.

[0002] Many game machines operate game software (program, image, and sound data) recorded on a CD-ROM as a direct information source. That is, C
The game is operated by sequentially reading out data such as programs, images, and sounds necessary for the progress of the game from the D-ROM.

By the way, such game software development (creation, debugging) work is performed using a dedicated development environment (a personal computer or the like), but final game software test work is performed on a real machine (game machine). It is necessary to perform using. Therefore, it is desired to provide a game software recording medium that can be used efficiently and commonly in such a development environment and a real machine environment.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
The case of a game machine using R is shown. In the figure, 70 is a game software development environment, 71 is a host computer for creating and executing the game software, and 72 is a CD-R for recording test game software on a CD-R.
The drive device 6 is a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordab) capable of writing data once (write once media).
le), 80 is a real machine environment similar to that of a general user, 8
1 is a game machine (main body), 82 is a tray for taking in and out a CD-R, 83 is an operation pad for performing game operations, 8
Reference numeral 4 denotes a CD-ROM control unit (CDRC) built in the game machine 81, and reference numeral 91 denotes a TV monitor.

Conventionally, test game software created in a development environment 70 is recorded on a CD-R 6 and loaded into a game machine 81 in a real environment 80 to perform a final test (debug) of the game software. I was As described above, by actually using the CD-R6, it is possible to perform a test operation in a form close to the actual machine environment.

[0006]

However, in practice, the above C
If the test (debug) method is used using DR, the following problems may occur. That is, first, the development environment 7
It is necessary to provide a dedicated CD-R drive 72 on the 0 side, which is uneconomical. Also, since the data writing speed of the CD-R is low, it takes a considerable time (about several tens of minutes) to dump the game software. Furthermore, since CD-Rs have a relatively high rate of data writing errors, if writing errors occur,
The CD-R (recording medium) becomes disposable.

[0007] Moreover, the writing failure of the CD-R is not limited to a hardware cause. That is, although data could be correctly written on the CD-R, even if an inconvenience (bug) was found in the game software itself as a result of the test using the actual device 81, the data could no longer be rewritten on the CD-R. Also in this case, writing is missed.

Thus, in the actual test (debugging) work, such writing errors occur to a considerable extent.
Conventionally, a lot of time, effort and
The CD-R was wasted.

[0009] This problem is not limited to the above-mentioned CD-R, but is expected to spread to DVDs (Digital Versati
le Disc) -ROM and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object the task of creating software (game software or the like) that frequently accesses an optical disk in a development environment. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical disk emulation device that can efficiently perform a test operation in a real machine environment.

[0011]

The above-mentioned problem is solved, for example, by referring to FIG.
Is solved. That is, the optical disc emulation device 1 of the present invention (1) includes the first connector CN1
A hard disk drive 2 that can read data from an external host device 71 via an optical disk interface; an optical disk interface unit 8 that can be connected to an external optical disk control unit 6 via a second connector CN2; And reads the corresponding data from the hard disk device 2 in accordance with a data read command from the external optical disk control unit 6, and reads the corresponding data at the timing and format according to the standard of the optical disk control unit 6. And an optical disk emulation control section 7 for outputting the data to the optical disk emulation control section 6.

Here, the external optical disk control unit 6 includes an optical disk control unit such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM that uses a general optical disk as a recording medium.

In the present invention (1), data can be read / written from the external host device 71 to the hard disk device 2 at high speed, so that a huge amount of test game software or the like can be stored on the hard disk at high speed. Short time)
Can be written to. Also, since data can be rewritten many times on the hard disk drive 2, a conventional optical disc (CD-
R, DVD-ROM, etc.) can be effectively solved. In addition, by providing the first and second connectors CN1 and CN2, the device 1 can be easily separated from the development environment (host device 71), carried, and transferred to the actual device environment (external optical disk control unit 6). , So that final testing of game software and the like can be performed efficiently.

At this time, the optical disk emulation control unit 7 reads out the corresponding data from the hard disk device 2 in accordance with the data read command from the external optical disk control unit 6, and converts the data into a timing and format according to the standard of the optical disk control unit 6. By outputting the data to the optical disk control unit 6, the test (debugging) work can be performed in a form closer to the actual machine environment as if an optical disk were actually used.

Therefore, according to the present invention (1), software (such as game software) for frequently accessing an optical disk is created and debugged in a development environment, and a test (debugging) operation is performed in a real machine environment. Can be performed very efficiently.

Preferably, in the present invention (2), in the above-mentioned present invention (1), a manual operation section 5 for connecting to the optical disk emulation control section 7 and setting an operation mode or an operation state of the apparatus 1 is provided. Things.

Here, the operation mode of the apparatus 1 refers to, for example, an operation mode (data transfer timing, format, etc.) according to the interface standard of the external optical disk control unit 6, and thereby a plurality of standards (arbitrary double speed, S
An optical disk drive of a CSI / IDE / ATA control system or the like can be emulated efficiently.

The operating state of the apparatus 1 means, for example, forcibly setting a tray open / close or a data reading error during the operation, thereby changing the same operating environment as when an optical disk drive is actually used to an external environment. It can be provided to the optical disk control unit 6.

Preferably, in the present invention (3),
In the present invention (2), the optical disc emulation control unit 7 selects any one of the data of a plurality of optical discs recorded on the hard disk device 2 according to the setting information of the manual operation unit 5, and The emulation control for one selected optical disk is performed.

Therefore, in a development environment, for example, a plurality of versions of game software are recorded in the hard disk device 2 and, in an actual environment, an arbitrary version of game software can be easily switched and tested (debugged).

Thus, according to the present invention, development work in a development environment for game software and the like and test (debug) work in a real machine environment can be performed very efficiently.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a CD-ROM emulation device according to the embodiment.
An example of application to a case where a D-ROM is used will be specifically described. In the figure, 1 is a main body of a CD-ROM emulation device (virtual CD-ROM drive), 2 is a hard disk device, CN1 is a connector for connecting to an external host device (hard disk control unit 72), and 3 is a CD-ROM.
A ROM emulation control unit (CDEC), 31 is a CPU for performing main control of the apparatus, and 32 is a main memory (ME) including a RAM, a flash ROM, and the like used by the CPU 31
M), 4 is a CD-ROM interface unit, CN2 is a connector for connecting to an external game machine (CD-ROM control unit 84), 5 is a manual operation unit (CSL), 11
Is a peripheral I / O (PIO) for connecting the manual operation unit 5 to the CPU 31, and 12 is a common bus for the CPU 31.

In the hard disk drive 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a 2.5-inch hard disk drive unit (HDDU), and reference numeral 22 denotes, for example, an IDE (Integrated Drive).
Electronics) Hard Disk Controller (ID)
E). The connector CN1 can be directly connected to the unit interface unit of the hard disk drive unit 21 (that is, by a bus connection), whereby the hard disk drive unit 21 can be directly driven by the external hard disk control unit 72. In a software development environment, an external hard disk control unit 72
Is connected to the connector CN1, the CPU 31 detects, for example, a specific pin connection signal (not shown), and
The PU 31 deactivates the control signal from the hard disk control unit 22 of the device 1 (for example, to a high impedance).
Therefore, in this state, the hard disk drive unit 21 can be freely accessed from the external host computer 71. When the connector CN1 is disconnected, the hard disk drive unit 21 can be freely accessed from the CPU 31.

In the CD-ROM interface unit 4, reference numeral 41 denotes a timing generator (TG) for generating various timing signals for matching control to an external optical disk control unit 84, and reference numeral 42 denotes an external access (read) command or the like. (CRG) 43 is a buffer (DBF) for temporarily storing data read from the hard disk device 2 and the like. In addition, although not shown, a circuit such as a driver / receiver for connecting to an external optical disk control unit 84 is included. The programmable control circuit (timing generation unit and the like) in the CD-ROM interface unit 4 is configured by, for example, an FPGA, and by setting various parameters for the FPGA,
Logic control and timing control for connecting to various types of optical disk control units 84 can be realized.

In the manual operation unit 5, "TO /
"C" is a switch for setting the open / close state of the CD-ROM tray in the present apparatus (that is, virtual CD-ROM drive), "RS" is a reset switch of the present apparatus, and "ERR" is a virtual CD-ROM read error. A switch for setting a state (or arbitrarily energizable);
“CDS” refers to a plurality of virtual CD-ROs mounted on this device.
A switch for selecting the M board, "CDCS" is a virtual CD-
A switch for selecting the type (model, etc.) of the ROM drive, "RDY" is a lamp indicating that the apparatus is in a ready state.

As for the "ERR" switch, various error occurrence states can be set. As a result, it is possible to perform tests under various circumstances in accordance with the actual situation, and thus, it is possible to finally provide software that operates more stably.

Although not shown, the apparatus 1 is preferably
Is supplied from the outside (host computer 71 or game machine main body 81) via connectors CN1, CN2 and the like. If necessary, a voltage converter is provided inside the device 1.

FIG. 4 shows a recording format of a hard disk according to the embodiment. This hard disk 21a
Is a system area for storing start-up information of the apparatus 1 and a CD-ROM # 1 data storage area, which can store game software for one CD-ROM and a total of n pieces of data. ~ CD-ROM # n data. Therefore, the game software and the like for n sheets can be loaded and carried at one time, and the efficiency is good. The n pieces of game software include not only game software of different games, but also game software of each stage (version) obtained by performing various trial processing, improvement (patch) processing, and the like for the same game.

In the system area, "boot code"
Is a program for initial startup of this device, "CD-ROM
The emulation code is a virtual CD-R
An application program for realizing the OM drive, “CDIF data” is FPGA data for constructing the CD-ROM interface unit 4, “Mechanical parameters” are various mechanical characteristics of one or more virtual CD-ROM drives ( This is an area for storing parameter data for simulating a seek time or the like.

The "LBA mapping data" is table data for converting an LBA address on a virtual CD-ROM into an access address on a hard disk. The conversion table CD-R for a maximum of n CD-ROMs is used.
OM # 1 to CD-ROM # n are provided. Note that LBA (L
ogical Block Addressing) is a method of allocating physical sector numbers in order from the beginning of the CD-ROM and accessing data with this physical sector number, which is compared with the CHS method of designating a cylinder C, a head H, and a sector S. . In this example, both the hard disk and the CD-ROM are accessed using the LBA address, but the CHS method may be used.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the CD-ROM emulation control according to the embodiment, which explains the operation of the apparatus 1 in an actual machine environment. It is assumed that the various data described with reference to FIG. 4 has been written in the hard disk drive 2 in advance.

When the power of the apparatus 1 is turned on (connecting the connector CN2), this processing is started. In step S11, C
The PU 31 uses the boot code stored in the main memory (flash ROM) 32 to
, The boot code is read out from the device, and the apparatus 1 is initially started.

In step S12, the CD-ROM control selection switch CDCS of the manual operation section 5 is read. It should be noted that the type of the game machine (that is, the optical disc control unit 84) to which the present apparatus 1 is connected is known to the user in advance, and the user sets the information on the CD-ROM control selection switch CDCS. I have. The optical disk control unit 84 in this example is based on, for example, the same IDE standard as the hard disk device 2 or an extended version thereof. In step S13, a CD-ROM emulation code (application program) corresponding to the selected model is loaded into the main memory 32. In step S14, the CD-ROM interface unit 4
CD-ROM interface data (FPGA data, mechanical parameters, etc.)
It configures the M interface unit 4 and initializes its operation.

In step S15, the CD-ROM selection switch CDS of the manual operation section 5 is read. Note that the user whether the selection information using the advance which CD-ROM board (emulation) CD-ROM selection switch CD
S is set. In step S16, the selected CD-
The LBA mapping data corresponding to the ROM board is loaded on the main memory 32. In step S17, the ready lamp RDY of the manual operation unit 5 is turned on because the device 1 can emulate a specific virtual CD-ROM board.

In step S18, it is determined whether or not an access command has been input from the external CD-ROM control unit 84. If the input is not an access command input, it is further determined in step S19 whether the input is an operation input from the manual operation unit 5. If it is not an operation input, the process returns to step S18.

In the event that a command is input in the determination of step S18, the input command is analyzed in step S22, and the corresponding command is executed in step S23. For example, when the input command is a data read command, the corresponding data is read from the hard disk device 2 and the read data is read in a CD-RO format at a timing and data format according to the control standard of the CD-ROM control unit 84.
Output to the M control unit 84. Then, the process returns to step S18.

If it is determined in step S19 that an operation has been input, the input operation information is analyzed in step S20.
In step S21, the corresponding command / state control is executed. For example, when the input state is the tray open state, the tray open state is notified to the CD-ROM control unit 84 as status information. In response to this, the game machine 81 responds to the tray open state in which the game is in progress according to the failure processing program recorded on the virtual CD-ROM in use. If the input state is a CD-ROM virtual reading error forcibly caused by the user, the CD-ROM control unit 84 is notified of status information to that effect. Therefore, the test operation of the game software can be performed in the same operating environment as when the original CD-ROM device provided in the game machine 81 is actually used. Then, the process returns to step S18.

In the above embodiment, examples of the hard disk device and the CD-ROM device conforming to the IDE standard have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, SCSI (Small Computer Sy
hard disk drive and CD-
A ROM device may be employed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of emulating a CD-ROM (especially a CD-R), which is an example of an optical disk, has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention supports other CD-RWs (ReWri
table), DVD-ROM (Read Only Memory), DVD-
The present invention can also be applied to emulation of various optical disks including R (Recordable), DVD-RAM, and the like.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it goes without saying that various changes in the configuration, control, processing, and combinations thereof can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. There is no.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, creation (debugging) of software (such as game software) that frequently accesses an optical disk in a development environment and testing (debugging) in a real machine environment Work can be performed very efficiently, which greatly contributes to the development efficiency of game software and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a CD-ROM emulation device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of CD-ROM emulation control according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a recording format of a hard disk according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body of CD-ROM emulation device 2 Hard disk device 3 CD-ROM emulation control unit (CDEC) 4 CD-ROM interface unit 5 Manual operation unit (CSL) 6 Optical disk control unit 7 Optical disk emulation control unit 8 Optical disk interface unit 11 Peripheral I / O (PIO) 12 Common bus 21 Hard disk drive unit (HDDU) 22 Hard disk controller (IDE) 31 CPU 32 Main memory (MEM) 41 Timing generator (TG) 42 Register (CRG) 43 Buffer (DBF)

Claims (3)

[Claims] A hard disk device capable of reading data from an external host device via a first connector; an optical disk interface unit connectable to an external optical disk control unit via a second connector; And the optical disk interface unit, reads corresponding data from the hard disk device in accordance with a data read command from an external optical disk control unit, and transmits the corresponding data to the optical disk control unit at a timing and format according to the standard of the optical disk control unit. An optical disk emulation device, comprising: an optical disk emulation control unit for outputting. 2. A manual operation unit connected to an optical disk emulation control unit for setting an operation mode or an operation state of the apparatus.
An optical disc emulation device according to claim 1. 3. An optical disc emulation control unit,
Any one of the data of a plurality of optical disks recorded on the hard disk device is selected according to the setting information of the manual operation unit, and emulation control of the selected optical disk is performed. An optical disk emulation device according to claim 2.